Newbie needs advice on party creation & some other questions

[Killian-Triad]

Hey all, I just purchased BGII & the expansion pack and I'm looking for some advice on building my party. I have 7 character types I'm looking at I want to know which should I drop.

1) Human Monk
2) Dwarven Berserker
3) Human Cavalier
4) Human (or Elven) Archer
5) Human Sorceror
6) Human Cleric (may dual to mage later)
7) Human Kensai dual to Thief at lvl 12

Who should I kick out? I was leaning towards either the archer or the kensai-thief. If a Monk cannot disarm traps, than I think my decision is a little easier.

Can monks disarm traps? My monk is able to detect them fine, but he doesn't get the thieving icon to disarm them. Is there any way to change the icon menu at the bottom of the page?

Also, I want to use the find familliar spell and have been unable to with every mage class I've tried. I can learn it but not cast it successfully. The manual says the character needs to be a protagonist. What exactly is that?

Thanks in advance for helping out a newbie,
Killian

[Jhareth of house Noquar]

Well, if this is your 1st time playing BG2, you don't want a party of 6 PCs. The NPC interactions are crucial to the flow of the storyline. I played a single player game, with 5 NPCs my first time through. This time through, I'm creating 3 PCs, and will add 3 NPCs.

I'd suggest taking #s 2,4, and 5, and add NPCs to fill out the party as you'd like.

-also, the Protagonist is your PC in a single player game. I believe (not sure...) that in a multi-player game, only one of the PCs is the protagonist.

Have fun!

[ 06-20-2001: Message edited by: Jhareth of house Noquar ]

[Xyx]

I agree. I'd even go as far as to suggest taking 5 NPCs.

I myself started out with 6 PCs, but got bored rather quickly...

[gecko]

2) Dwarven Berserker
3) Human Cavalier
4) Human (or Elven) Archer
5) Human Sorceror

If this is your first time, I would suggest these from your options. I prefer using the Cavalier adds a great sense of fun when fighting dragons and other creatures. Also you can adjust the group as you please from the other various NPC's available. But for a newbie, start the game with 1 PC and 5 NPC's. It adds a more sense of realism seeing yourself as that 1 charcter and not 6. If you're looking for the story instead of being a power gamer heed my suggestion.

[koz-ivan]

i'd go w/ the cav or bezerker, +5 npc's they are the easiest to play if you are new to the game system, once you're a little more exp in how spells & abilities work tackle some of the more complex classes.

sorcerer should not be your first try imo as it is real easy to screw up.

[Cygoth]

I'll concur that first time through it's best to roll your main character and use npc's. Also, the pathfinding in the Infinity Engine is the worst I've ever seen, and really can't handle six characters without driving me uts, so I *never* have more than four in my party.
I usually prefer to lead from the front, so first time through I would choose between Stalker, Inquisitor (if you can stand Paladins), Monk, Berserker or Barbarian. Of those, the Stalker is my favourite.
Avengers, Shapeshifters and clerics are also good, and can handle the front lines - with some limitations. I'd pick Avengers from those.
Thieves and bards suck as tanks (yes, including Blades and Swashbucklers), but are great support classes.
Avoid mages or sorcerers unless you want to lead from the rear.

[Garcia]

Welcome to Banshee Killian-Triad
I will tell you non. A big part of the game is to find the hero that fits you the best. also if we told you it would take some out of the game.
So get to work your lazy ass

[Laurelei]

Just for the sake of adding my two cents and muddying the waters I have played my first (and only, so far) time through BGII with a human monk and absolutely have had a ball. They are somewhat challenging in the beginning levels and unbelievably powerful as they advance. If you are looking for a character with some unique challenges and incredible potential, the monk is a blast!