Haer'Dalis vs Cernd

moltovir · Post by **moltovir** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:54 am

(First post, yeey!)

I'm playing BG for the second time now, just to try out all the npc's available. Last time i played with a fighter, minsc, anomen, jaheira, nalia and imoen, so the good&neutral ones remaining are keldorn, jan, haer'dalis, cernd, aerie, mazzy and valygar. I decided to play with Keldorn, Valygar, Aerie, Jan and a mage (currently i'm playing BG again to get all the tomes bonuses), but i'm stil doubtful about my sixt party member. Cernd seems to be a good druid and shapeshifting into a werewolf is very cool, but i would like that last npc also as a back-up fighter and cernd's strength, dexterity and constitution are very low, and he can't wear armor. Haer'Dalis is a bard and never played with them before, but his spellcasting isn't that great, his lore isn't that great due to the fact he is a blade, he has a low constitution and he'll screw up my aerie romance. Any tips for me about who to choose?

Next time i'll play as an evil party, and the fourth time as a solo monk. If i don't become tired of playing the same game over and over again by then, that is

PS: i know my english isn't that good, but i'm from belgium so it's not my native language.

glenfar · Post by **glenfar** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 10:39 am

I haven't played with either, but just a couple things on the points you brought up:

Cernd will use a werewolf's STR, DEX and CON as well as AC while in werewolf form, so his own stats and lack of armor aren't a big issue. And also note that as a werewolf he has great regeneration.

Haer'Dalis does get 1/2 a Bard's lore (as a Blade) - but that's still more than a mage (5 per level as opposed to 3). And you can always memorize an Identify or two as backup.

P.S: Your english looks pretty good to me - I'd never have known it wasn't your native language.

Something · Post by **Something** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 11:05 am

You can't go wrong with either one of them.

Druid shapeshifted into greaterwerewolf just rocks. No seriously put belm in the offhand and you have a -13 or so AC 4 hits per turn wreaking machine. A few ironskins and the high resists and this guy will just mow through.

The Blade rocks as well. Nothing better then boots of speed and the offensive spin. (yeah I use this alot to get to the otherside of the zone in 2 seconds). Great with a bow and can dual wield some good weapons. With tensors and stoneskill he is also a huge damage dealer. Plus you have him for protection removal.

GNGSpam · Post by **GNGSpam** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 11:06 am

Bard would probably be more fun, especially if you haven't used one before. Shapeshifting into Greater Werewolf and then clicking attack just isn't overally interesting to me, and thats really all Cernd is good for. Haer-Dalis on the other hand does have good enough mage spells. People make the mistake of supposing Bards should cast spells like a low level mage, but thats an inaccurate perception. Mage's aren't fighters so many of their melee oriented spells go to waste. Bards are a reason to use them. With decent combat skills and armed with elven chain, you can use Haer-Dalis mage abilities to buff him with things like Fireshield, Stoneskin, etc, and make him an effective fighter.

The main complaint about Haer-Dalis is that with such low constitution, you do have to babysit him.

Luis Antonio · Post by **Luis Antonio** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 11:21 am

Do the bard, cause he is boring but gets ubber to the end.

Welcome!!!

nephtu · Post by **nephtu** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 11:53 am

mY 2 gp worth..

Pick the one you like, or download a Mod NPC, like Chloe, Kelsey, Tashia, etc.

GNGSpam · Post by **GNGSpam** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 11:56 am

[QUOTE=nephtu]Pick the one you like, or download a Mod NPC, like Chloe, Kelsey, Tashia, etc.[/QUOTE]

Im guessing the issue is he has never played either and therefore hasn't a clue which one he likes.

moltovir · Post by **moltovir** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 12:16 pm

Thanks for the tips

Perhaps i'll just dump Valygar and take them both. I will use Jan for the stealth, and Haer'Dalis also has dual-wielding and bow proficiency.

Luis Antonio · Post by **Luis Antonio** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 1:26 pm

[QUOTE=moltovir]Thanks for the tips

Perhaps i'll just dump Valygar and take them both. I will use Jan for the stealth, and Haer'Dalis also has dual-wielding and bow proficiency.[/QUOTE]

Nah, dont dump valygar... keep Jan and let heardalis sing on the outer planes.

Valygar = tank
Jan = Spellcraft

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 1:31 pm

I'd suggest staying with HD.. he is more versatile, and a more interesting character... It can also be fun to have Mazzy and Valygar in the same party

Stats. · Post by **Stats.** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 5:32 pm

Haer'dalis

Haer'Dalis all the way, he is really good when you equip him with that melodic chain so that he can cast mage spells, and he gets some good abilities if you have ToB installed...but if you dont i would go with cernd.

CBdragon1 · Post by **CBdragon1** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 5:57 pm

HD is awsome! I would also keep Valygar. Val is way better than Minsc and his worthless hampster. If you give HD a long sword in one hand and a short in the other, cast some protection spells on him, he becomes a very good combat character. He is very useful for dispelling mages protection. A very good guy to have...except when he hits on your girl.

moltovir · Post by **moltovir** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 3:18 am

Thanks for the quick replies, i've made my decision and i'm now in the sewers, on my way to mekraths tower. I don't care much about the romance-screw-up thing, because one of my friends who romanced aerie said she's just constantly whining about how lonely she feels without her wings and blablabla....

Edit: great forum btw