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I didn't originaly intend it this way but what I've come to see is that my character is a sort of like Indiana Jones character.

Of course he is in forgotten realms world...no whips and guns just short sword and spells...

see he starts out as a swashbuckler with all points in traps 100 illusions 100 and locks 80 with average stats that i rolled like a couple of handfuls of times to get.

(i like mages so then I dualed him to mage)

None of this is the question its just the intro...

My problem is forming a party that this CG guy doesn't get sick of. He has a thing for Jaheira...thought Aerie should stay with her loved one...thought Nalia should face her nobility and help "the needy" in that capacity was much better. Likes Minsc a good deal. And Valygar but is a bit nervous about the anti-mage family background. Rescues Viconia but doesn't want Jaheira to get jealous so unfortunately lets the priestess of Shar go off into the darkness Jan is too crazy and already have a mage/thief...

Admires Anomen and Kheldorn but wouldn't follow all their directives. Likes Haer Dalis as intriguing.

So...

Jaheira
Anomen
Minsc
Haer Dalis
X
Y

where X and Y indicate people who rotate in and out (i didn't mention all the characters but i intend to interact with most of them...as long as they don't kill off characters i need)

So #1 what do you think of my party and any suggestions
#2 I like Haer Dalis but cannot figure out why he is the 2nd greatest swordsman with only 44 hp. Can you tutor me on how to play a low hp blade?
example: what gear do i need from 1st 3rd of game to 2nd, to endgame...or whatever you recall from building Haer Dalis.

myrophine

Personally never played him but ...

Check out the BG2 NPC Useage guide by Mystra's Chosen at Sorcerers Place
It offers useful information on the lesser used characters, including if I remember Haer'Dalis.

http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/BG2/index_tips.php

Hope this helps.

Ok. I have played Haer' Dalis for a while, at least until Spellhold when I dumped him for Imoen.

To be able to keep him alive, use a lot of bolstering spells(Stoneskin, Spell Deflection etc.) and if he is getting pounded on, use the occassional defensive spin. If you want him to hit more, use offensive spin.

Against dragons, keep him back and get him to use Magic Missile. You could also plant him in front of the dragon with lots of healing potions and defensive spin on and he could distract it.

Just make sure you get the Melodic chain from the astral prison.

Bards advance rapidly compared to other classes, and they can use many of the same items as Fighters, so some of their limitations are not as severe as you might think. Haer'Dalis is better than your average Blade. The key to success is to take advantage of his offensive capabilities.

Haer'Dalis can fight very well in short bursts. For example, he can do more damage than a Fighter at 10th Level if he combines Melf's Minute Meteors with Offensive Spin. His Magic Missiles are deadly at high level. Mirror Image is a very effective protection spell. Melf's Meteors, Skull Trap, and Flame Arrow are my favorite 3rd Level spells. Good 4th Level spells include Stoneskin, Fireshield, and Improved Invisibility. The 5th Level spells Spell Immunity and Sunfire work well for a buffed melee fighter. The 6th Level spell Tenser's Transformation turns him into a real juggernaut, and of course he can also use Improved Haste, Mislead, and True Sight.

One of Haer'Dalis's swords has the distinction of being a stat-draining item, which can kill creatures that are immune to normal damage. If he is a central member of your party, you should equip him with items such as the Girdle of Hill Giant Strength and the Girdle of Fortitude. Any armor suitable for a spellcaster is nice. Haer'Dalis specializes in Short Swords, but you can equip him with other weapon types.

Haer'Dalis has a lot of interaction with Aerie, and I enjoy his dialogue with some of the other NPCs. For party balance, you need a healer, an offensive spellcaster, a tough melee warrior, and a character with at least minimal thieving skills, so I would suggest a 4- or 5-member party. If your main character is a Swashbuckler, I would recommend the following:

Haer'Dalis
Aerie
Imoen

You could also add Jaheira. I think she's a "stick in the mud", but she has some great dialogue with Haer'Dalis. You can romance Jaheira and let Haer'Dalis romance Aerie if you like. Jan and Minsc would certainly add a lot of humorous dialogue, and they are certainly Chaotic.

At what level did you dual or plan on dualing you pc?

Just use mirror images and stoneskins, and equip him with the belt that grants an 18 constitution, kundane in the offhand, and (most importantly) the ring of free action when you can (he can then move in his spins).

[QUOTE=krunchyfrogg]Just use mirror images and stoneskins, and equip him with the belt that grants an 18 constitution, kundane in the offhand, and (most importantly) the ring of free action when you can (he can then move in his spins).[/QUOTE]
Or arbanes sword, In my game my pc is a mage/thief multiclass and I plan on him using the sword of backstabbing for.... well you guessed it, backstabbing and the arbanes sword to make sure he doesnt get held and the crap knocked out of him. Thats early in the game anyway. Later im thinking of having him use blackrazor and maybe celestial fury or the equalizer then crom faeyr when he gets UAI.

I also plan on taking Haer'dalis so I think I will use your strategy for him

Thanks to all for the ideas on spell selection, equipment, tactics, and dialogue.

I'm on the spellhold island with

Jaheira - I like her spunk
Minsc
Valygar - found out he kicks butt with boots of speed
Haer Dalis
Me (an Indiana Jones type swashbuckler10/Mage11)
Anomen

Its a pretty fun party. Everyone can melee and we have some magic too.
I play that no matter what happens unless main pc dies or something unsalvagable happens (example I had a fire elemental escape the baron ployers house while i was fighting him <chuckle> and burned up half the townspeople.... ouch! i wasn't too popular a hero after that!!!).

I intend to exchange minsc for the other non-player characters and experience their personalities as well.

I haven't found all of the spells (or bought I guess I'm pretty stingy...aka cheap) for Haer Dalis but he intrigues me and I am going to figure out his potential.

Thanks all!

myro

I read the Sorceror's palace guide recommended by Raven Song. The guide points out a couple of things such as the need for the complimentary items and his BARD abilities that a fighter/mage wouldn't have.

Also the point was made that one should choose between melee or ranged.
I see the point as he has limited spell selection.

In my party it makes more sense to have a ranged attacker but I can't imagine said "second best swordsman on the prime material plane <yeah right>" hanging back and throwing daggers.

but my party still works because i have 2 rangers (minsc and valygar)...well 3 if you count boo

Rangers use stealth to scout. Jaheira lures enemy in... Enemy charges and beats on ironskins. Then Valygar and Minsc (and boo) pop out and attack. Haer-Dalis, Anomen, and Swashbuckler/Mage all are spellswords and have options. *note Jaheira can hang back and swash/mage stoneskinned can take the pain too if insect plague/natures beauty is needed

Well thought I'd follow up on Haer Dalis post since I have figured out how to equip and use him powerfully in SoA.

First off he can probably do something in any party since he is multi-talented. In my party I picked up and tried out various characters so sometimes he was on the front and sometimes the back.

Early: not the greatest fighter but once *katanas plus dakons zerth blade he could cast a good number of spells and had great defenses (this is before enemies can strip him of MI/stone rapidly). Kundane plus offensive spin also gave him enough attacks where he could do some damage in melee.

Middle: his rapid leveling table was great for spells and his thaco improves. About the same time he GETS 6th level spells he can use them as his contingency (somehow?). So PFMW kept him around in heavy melee. His flame arrows and skull traps, minor sequencer magic missile, then summon skeletal warriors (15th) were good.

Now: I have 2 other tanks Kheldorn (Carsomyr) and Valygar (Celestial Fury + Equalizer). That left the Crom Faeyr + Kundane to Haer Dalis Now he has spell options (hasn't improved much from middle...just the casting level and a few more), can fight well without any other buff than stoneskins so saves those spells for offense/summoning/debuffing. When fighting gets heavy tensors and improved haste/offensive spin.

Crom Faeyr is good for Haer because he has access to offensive spin, kundane, improved haste, and dual wields BUT has a thaco problem. Yeah its good for other characters but I don't have them in my party and besides I think it rescues Haer from melee mediocrity while for other characters its just icing on the cake. Korgan can kill perfectly well with 18/75 str, rage, 5***** axes and frostreaver. Anomen has easy access to 25 str with the DUHM spell or righteous magic.

BTW my party:

Kheldorn 13th level (picked up after underdark...lack of planning)
role: dispeller and true seer, respectable warrior with Carsomyr, damage sink with bracers of dexterity, high charisma = party leader)

Valygar 17th level (scout, gorilla warfare....I am patient VERY patient...this man kills most everything unless I am dumped into an encounter OR a group of enemies is too dangerous (multiple casters). In this case I have a lot of spells to thrash the enemy with (on other party members) since Valygar has cleaned out the rest of the map and reduced wear and tear on my own spell casters...boots of speed + invis pots + Celestial Fury with Equalizer). Rule of thumb: NEVER lead the enemy to the party rather lead them somewhere vacant then hide around the corner

Haer - Dalis 23rd level Bard (loremaster, pickpocket, animater of dead and evoker/buffed warrior)

Aerie - 14th level Cleric/ 14th level Mage (with robes of vecna she is the early spell threat plus the only cleric) Greater Malisoner, endless spell slinger, fixer upper. Fragile so protect with cloak of mirroring plus note that Valygar cleans out the map of garbage monsters who might sneak through and damage her frail stoneskins (reflector shield prevents missile weapons )

Imoen - 16th level Mage (Staff of Magi). Vulnerable to AoE disruption so frequent caster of MI or spell immunity: evocation. Summoner of Mordys. Death speller to give me that summoning edge. Animator of dead.

Nienor - 17th level Druid (Avenger). Long casting times but fantastic spells for crucial battles. Keep in back. Elemental Prince can tank everything I've encountered untill it expires. Insect plague is only 5th level and I have 3 of them plus 3 wondrous recalls. Natures beauty blinds everyone with no save and kills anyone who doesn't save! Energy blades just for fun. 6 x 7th level spell slots! I just don't understand people who say druids suck? Creeping Doom - whats more painful than being eaten by insects?

myrophine