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I'm trying to make a group that makes sense roleplaying wise, but is also balanced and pack a powerful punch.

Here's my idea:

Protagonist: Klorox Hillcleaver. He'll be a Fighter/Cleric of Moradin (no kit or anything, that's just the deity he'd worship). I actually played through BGI with the same character, but the files are long gone, and I'm going to have to restart him.

Jaheira: She was with me in BGI. Druid spells are good.

Minsc: Also made the trip with me in BGI. I've used SK to change him into a Berserker. Just seems to make more sense to me.

Imoen: She's just got to come along. She was there with me in BGI, and she's a major driving force in the plot. There's no way a roleplayer would leave his "little sister" behind.

Now here's where it gets tough. I'd like to play with a full party, but I'm not dead-set on who to include.

I'm thinking:

Keldorn: He can weild Carsomyr, he's a good tank even before I get the sword, and he'd get along with my Lawful Good Cleric/Fighter.

Jan: I need a backup mage, and I need a thief. Plus, I find him very funny and I like Gnomes. Sure, his Chaotic Neutral attitudes might not be perfect for this good party (don't get me started on Jaheira -- she's definitely "good"), but the party could use some comic relief, and a loose cannon is pretty cool to have in there. Besides, Klorox doesn't need to go developing a Napolean complex or anything!

That depends

Have you played through BGII before? If not, I'd recommend leaving Yoshimo in before going after Imoen. He's got some great roleplaying on the island... Everyone else looks good.

You might wait for an answer to your powergamers question first, though. That may really change the reply.

If you've played through before, you could try an NPC mod, but most (even the dialouge rich ones like Chloe) are pretty overpowered. If you're powergaming, though, she and Valen might provide you some added "firepower". I've not tried any of the non-weidu mods, so I couldn't speak for those, but Solufein in the only "fairly" balanced NPC mod I've ever played with. You just have to keep his paws off of you...

- PC (Fighter/Cleric)
- Jaheira (Fighter/Druid)
- Minsc (Berserker)
- Imoen (Dual Classed Thief/Mage)
- Jan Jansen (Thief/Illusionist)
- Keldorn

Will you use someone else before getting Imoen back? Yoshimo could be a great RolePlay choice.

Ok, my opinion now.

You've got a nice group for dealing hand-to-hand damages.

- Minsc Wielding "Fighters Weapons", and Long Bows (Even if Berserker can't specialise in missile weapons)
- Your PC probably using Blunt Weapons
- Jaheira Using Spears, Staves, Scimitars, Clubs and Slings (Druid Weapons)
- Jan using XBow, Short Sword and other thieves/mages weapons
- Yoshimo/Imoen using Short Bows, Katana (Yoshi), Staves (Imoen)
- Keldorn using Bastard Swords, XBow & 2-Handed Weapons.

You got almost all weapons covered, except Halberds, Long Bows (Minsc is tweaked in a berserker now), and Daggers. You miss nothing really great (Except a few nice halberds (Wave +4 and Dragon Bane +4 come to mind))

On the other hand, you will be a little weak on Magical Damage Dealing. Jan Jansen can handle the buffings/breachings, while Imoen will take care of dealing damages. The summoning part can be handled by your Fighter/Cleric (Aerial Servant are great) or by Jaheira (Fire Elementals rocks). I assume that Jaheira and your PC will only use healing, buffings, disabling spells (Insect Plague) along with a couple of undead-damaging spells (Sunray, False Dawn, etc.)

For the thievery party, Jan Jansen can handle everything in the game. Just don't bother with the Hiding in Shadow & Move Silently skill, because Jan is an illusionist after all. You could spare a few points to Detect Illusion, wich is an improved version of True Seeing. Jan can detect everything with this skill, and he's already at 70% when you recruit him. Don't bother about backstabing, Imoen and Jan are both Mage/Thieves and have a too low thac0 for this. If you need a scout, just use Imp. Invisibility or a Wizard Eye/Far Sight spell.

Lets analyse keldorn. He's a great guy, and have a Role Play reason to follow you. He's pretty strong, but you will need to gives him the Bracer of Dex the sooner you can (He has only 9 points in Dex, so he'll gain a -4AC Bonus while wearing the gauntlets of dex). He can wield Carsomyr +5 (wich is a really great weapon). He can use Dispel Magic at double level (Wich dispel anything) and use True Sight a few times per day (Saving a slot for your Priests/Mages). His profiencies aren't really well placed (He never use his crossbow with me), but he's a decent tank.

The only problem I can see in your group is for the armors : You have 4 party members that can (and need to) wear an heavy armor, and 2 who doesn't need one at all. You will need 4 nice plate mails, and 2 Elven Armor/Mage Robes. You can get the Robe of Vecna for your First Mage (Imoen) and an armor for JJ, or just let him his old one (wich is great, btw).

I think you could tweak minsc into a Stalker, so you could have a spy, and someone to use all those great (studded) leather armors, or just pick-up Valygar instead of Keldorn. You could also choose a ranged attacker like Mazzy, who don't an heavy armor.

Could you be more specific in your next reply : Who will wear what? Will Minsc Dual-Wield or use 2-handed weapons? Will Jaheira use Sword and Shield type? Single Weapon Type? Wich weapons will you use with your Fighter/Cleric?

Awesome replies (both of you!), and looks like I have a lot to answer!

[QUOTE=stramoski]Have you played through BGII before? If not, I'd recommend leaving Yoshimo in before going after Imoen. He's got some great roleplaying on the island... Everyone else looks good.

You might wait for an answer to your powergamers question first, though. That may really change the reply.

If you've played through before, you could try an NPC mod, but most (even the dialouge rich ones like Chloe) are pretty overpowered. If you're powergaming, though, she and Valen might provide you some added "firepower". I've not tried any of the non-weidu mods, so I couldn't speak for those, but Solufein in the only "fairly" balanced NPC mod I've ever played with. You just have to keep his paws off of you... [/QUOTE]

I've played through most of the game (beginning of Chapter 7), but never finished it. Since Jan will do all that Yoshimo can (and more), Yoshi will be hanging out at the Copper Coronet until I decide to hop on a boat for Spellhold. He likes to sail.

I'm really not interested in adding any NPC mods.


[QUOTE=SP101]- PC (Fighter/Cleric)
- Jaheira (Fighter/Druid)
- Minsc (Berserker)
- Imoen (Dual Classed Thief/Mage)
- Jan Jansen (Thief/Illusionist)
- Keldorn

Will you use someone else before getting Imoen back? Yoshimo could be a great RolePlay choice.

Ok, my opinion now.

You've got a nice group for dealing hand-to-hand damages.

- Minsc Wielding "Fighters Weapons", and Long Bows (Even if Berserker can't specialise in missile weapons)
- Your PC probably using Blunt Weapons
- Jaheira Using Spears, Staves, Scimitars, Clubs and Slings (Druid Weapons)
- Jan using XBow, Short Sword and other thieves/mages weapons
- Yoshimo/Imoen using Short Bows, Katana (Yoshi), Staves (Imoen)
- Keldorn using Bastard Swords, XBow & 2-Handed Weapons.

You got almost all weapons covered, except Halberds, Long Bows (Minsc is tweaked in a berserker now), and Daggers. You miss nothing really great (Except a few nice halberds (Wave +4 and Dragon Bane +4 come to mind))

On the other hand, you will be a little weak on Magical Damage Dealing. Jan Jansen can handle the buffings/breachings, while Imoen will take care of dealing damages. The summoning part can be handled by your Fighter/Cleric (Aerial Servant are great) or by Jaheira (Fire Elementals rocks). I assume that Jaheira and your PC will only use healing, buffings, disabling spells (Insect Plague) along with a couple of undead-damaging spells (Sunray, False Dawn, etc.)

For the thievery party, Jan Jansen can handle everything in the game. Just don't bother with the Hiding in Shadow & Move Silently skill, because Jan is an illusionist after all. You could spare a few points to Detect Illusion, wich is an improved version of True Seeing. Jan can detect everything with this skill, and he's already at 70% when you recruit him. Don't bother about backstabing, Imoen and Jan are both Mage/Thieves and have a too low thac0 for this. If you need a scout, just use Imp. Invisibility or a Wizard Eye/Far Sight spell.

Lets analyse keldorn. He's a great guy, and have a Role Play reason to follow you. He's pretty strong, but you will need to gives him the Bracer of Dex the sooner you can (He has only 9 points in Dex, so he'll gain a -4AC Bonus while wearing the gauntlets of dex). He can wield Carsomyr +5 (wich is a really great weapon). He can use Dispel Magic at double level (Wich dispel anything) and use True Sight a few times per day (Saving a slot for your Priests/Mages). His profiencies aren't really well placed (He never use his crossbow with me), but he's a decent tank.

The only problem I can see in your group is for the armors : You have 4 party members that can (and need to) wear an heavy armor, and 2 who doesn't need one at all. You will need 4 nice plate mails, and 2 Elven Armor/Mage Robes. You can get the Robe of Vecna for your First Mage (Imoen) and an armor for JJ, or just let him his old one (wich is great, btw).

I think you could tweak minsc into a Stalker, so you could have a spy, and someone to use all those great (studded) leather armors, or just pick-up Valygar instead of Keldorn. You could also choose a ranged attacker like Mazzy, who don't an heavy armor.

Could you be more specific in your next reply : Who will wear what? Will Minsc Dual-Wield or use 2-handed weapons? Will Jaheira use Sword and Shield type? Single Weapon Type? Wich weapons will you use with your Fighter/Cleric?[/QUOTE]

How does that Detect Illusion thing work? Do I need to activate my thieving abilities, or is it automatic? BTW, Keldorn's True Seeing wil help a lot too!

As for armor, I don't know whether I'll give Jan or Imoen a Robe (besides the Robe of Vecna) or go for some Elven Chain (they can both wear it, right?). Jan in the Robe of Vecna and Imoen in the Robe of the Good Archmagi isn't a poor choice at all. I don't mind "wasting" the lighter armors for my party, and I'm really not into stealth too much. Minsc is staying a Berserker. I didn't change him for power reasons, I changed him because it makes more sense IMHO.

As for which (yes, there are 3 "h's" in this word ) weapon proficiencies my party will have, this is how I plan on doing it:

Keldorn:

** Two Handed Sword
** Two Handed Style
**Quarterstaff (I guess I'll go for a 2 handed blunt weapon and take advantage of that style!)

Minsc:

Dual Weild axes and Hammers. I had him use Axes in BGI, and Crom Faeyr is too cool to pass up (I never assembled it before!)

Jaheira:

Either Club/Sling or Scimitar/Sling. I might go for Dagger as my missile weapon instead of sling, not too sure. She'll definitely use a shield.

Jan:

X-Bow (maybe Short Bow too, I'm not sure). Probably just go with Dagger for melee (since he's got such a low STR)

Imoen:

Short Bow/Staff (of Magi)

Klorox (Protagonist)

Flails and Hammer proficiencies. I plan on using a shield, the Flail of the Ages in Melee, and the Dwarven throwing hammer for missile combat.


I know there's a great halberd in ToB, and some really good ones in SoA, but I think it's much more beneficial to either use 2 weapons or have a shield than use a 2 handed weapon (except for Keldorn, obviously).

Cool

Sounds like you've got all your bases covered... I didn't want to ruin the Yoshi surprise...
Detecting illusion DOES require FIND TRAPS to be active, but it's the most powerful version of TRUE SEEING available if fully pointed... True seeing is actually easily defeated by Spell Immunity-Divination while Invisible, and my butt was saved once by having my thief spot a rather annoying Dark-Elven Vampire... You don't care for mod's so we don't need to go there, but I imagine someone else might be clever enough to use that combo, too...

Cool, thanks! I never knew how "Detect Illusion" worked. Now I'll definitely pump that skill over 100%

So THAT'S the reason why my True Seeing never worked against Improved Liches. Sheesh. I thought Detect Illusion was some passive skill. Okay, so now I've got an unlimited method of True Seeing. Fantastic!

For Keldorn, I would suggest to use Halberds instead of Staves. You could use Staves with Imoen or Jaheira.

That's just my opinion for your weapon configuration.

Just another Idea : You could tweak Minsc into a Barbarian instead of a Berserker. Theses are similar classes after all, and it'll solve your armor problem because Barbarian can't wear any (Full) Plate Mail.

Staves would indeed be a good idea for Jaheira, since there are some nice staves for druids. She could additionally use spears, of which there some good ones, too (altough only later in the game). Also consider that there aren't a lot of good shields in the game, and I find it sufficient if one of my group members uses a shield (if at all).

[QUOTE=SP101]Just another Idea : You could tweak Minsc into a Barbarian instead of a Berserker. Theses are similar classes after all, and it'll solve your armor problem because Barbarian can't wear any (Full) Plate Mail.[/QUOTE]

I don't see him a Barbarian, I see him a Berserker. Thanks for the idea, but i'm going to stick with Berserker. BTW, just because I don't have a character able to wear light armor doesn't mean it's a disadvantage.

[QUOTE=Numinor]Staves would indeed be a good idea for Jaheira, since there are some nice staves for druids. She could additionally use spears, of which there some good ones, too (altough only later in the game). Also consider that there aren't a lot of good shields in the game, and I find it sufficient if one of my group members uses a shield (if at all).[/QUOTE]

Staves/spears are an interesting idea for Jaheira, but I like her with a shield. She can usually get a really good AC, and her HP are low. It's worth having a shield on her IMHO.

As for the quarterstaff proficiency for Keldorn, that one isn't set in stone. I would like him to be proficient in a blunt weapon since there are quite a few baddies he won't be able to hurt with Carsomyr. I thought he'd be able to take advantage of his Two Handed Weapon Style with Quarterstaff, but maybe I'll go with Warhammer or Mace with him.

Staves/spears are an interesting idea for Jaheira, but I like her with a shield. She can usually get a really good AC, and her HP are low. It's worth having a shield on her IMHO.

Well, who need a good AC when you can cast Ironskin?

I don't see him a Barbarian, I see him a Berserker. Thanks for the idea, but i'm going to stick with Berserker. BTW, just because I don't have a character able to wear light armor doesn't mean it's a disadvantage.

Ok, I don't see him in Ranger too... Minsc isnt the image I have of the "Forest Guy". He's almost closer to the Paladin (Except the Berserk ability) than to the Ranger.

As for the quarterstaff proficiency for Keldorn, that one isn't set in stone. I would like him to be proficient in a blunt weapon since there are quite a few baddies he won't be able to hurt with Carsomyr. I thought he'd be able to take advantage of his Two Handed Weapon Style with Quarterstaff, but maybe I'll go with Warhammer or Mace with him.

Well.. I would use Keldorn with Hablerds instead of any blunt weapons. You have minsc for Maces, and your PC can only use blunt weapons (Warhammer and Flails probably). Jaheira could take care of 2-handed like Spears and Staves, and it leaves Halberds for Keldorn. There's few good ones you can get early (Dragon's Bane and Duskblade) and you can buy Harmonium Halberd too. Don't waste 2 profiencies in staves, because Jaheira, Jan and Imoen can/will wear them. There's no staves for fighters, only for mages and clerics. The Staff of the Ram and the Staff of the Rhynn are exceptions.

If you want someone other than Jan, I'd suggest installing Kelsey. But yes, Jan does indeed rock.

Your party is mostly like my usual party: PC + 3 companions from BG1 + Keldorn + Aerie, Viccy, Jan, or Kelsey (depending on PC class).

The best part of the Inquisitor's True Seeing is not that it relieves a spell slot or two from your spellcasters, but that it has a casting time of ONE, rather then the long time it takes to cast the actual spell.

For me, that good-aligned party is makes a lot of roleplaying sense, and it can become VERY powerful.