New BG2 Party - Read 'Old Days'

Amran_X_Kaiser · Post by **Amran_X_Kaiser** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 12:58 pm

Based on a recent sentimental streak that I and other gamers are feeling, I have decided to take the plunge and create a new bg2 tob install with no mods whatsoever on normal rules to find out if roleplaying can be achieved without mods, as stated in the thread earlier.

I'd like opinions on party members, with all the ideas brimming in this forum there are bound to be great ones being thrown left-right-and-center.

As for the 'old days' thread - yes I am feeling sentimental, I have tried close to every mod and every challenge and have succeeded against them all, but now I missed what use to happen - scraping by enough for that 3 gold bed at the inn rather than killing slave lords for celestial fury and throwing away the other items as I have no need due to my own power - essentially I want to survive rather than 'powergame' as a gamer stated in the earlier forum and also to find the answer to that gamers question (for the life of my I can't remember his name) that can you powergame without any mods installed ?

Party suggestions (need 6 custom chars) that I have currently are:

Human Conjurer
Elf Ranger
Half-Orc Barbarian

These and others will be discussed as I'd like opinions - too long have I gone on my own views and now I'd like them challenged.

As for the level of experience that I will have when I enter the bg2 'fresh' game - that will be up to you - you decide, create a char in TOB then import it - or start fresh - totally fresh.

Your posts are appreciated as I check this forum often.

Berethor · Post by **Berethor** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:33 pm

Don't go with Conjurer, unless you've tried it before and liked it. There's a perfectly good Conjurer NPC, Edwin, who you can add to your party. And I wouldn't be a ranger either, Minsc is one. Go with the Archer if you wan't to play a Ranger. I would go for wither a Dwarf or a Half-Orc Barbarian.

As for the party, a balanced one should have:

2 Fighters - Minsc, Mazzy, Valygar, Korgan, Sarevok, Keldorn, Anomen
2 Mages - Imoen, Nalia, Jan, Haer' Dalis, Edwin
1 Cleric/Druid - Anomen, Viconia, Cernd, Jaheira
1 Thief - Yoshimo, Jan, Imoen, Nalia

I might have forgotten some, but those are the basic options for a balanced party. But you might want to go wild and make an all mage party or all fighter party. But if you are, say, a fighter, you only take 1 fighter along with you (with the exeption of Anomen) if you want a balanced party.

Amran_X_Kaiser · Post by **Amran_X_Kaiser** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:44 pm

Reply

Interesting info especially that bit bout Edwin, but unfortunately I'd like to create 6 custom characters as my party - once had a team of 6 guys that went through bg2 to tob only each of them being killed at a specific point (still brings tear to my eye lol)

Surly dwarf barbarian protaginst - I can just imagine it !

VonDondu · Post by **VonDondu** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 5:13 pm

If you want a plain vanilla game, then use the existing NPCs to form your party and don't create powergaming characters. If you want a Conjurer, choose Edwin (as Berethor suggested). If you want a Blade, choose Haer'Dalis. And so on.

Also, keep in mind that the game designers intended you to have Imoen, Minsc, and Jaheria in your party. They were also less than subtle about being biased in favor of Good-aligned characters.

However, even if you follow those guidelines, you can certainly create a main character who has a lot of flair. Make him or her a character whom you really like. Recently, one of our forum members thought it would be fun to play a Halfling Barbarian who dual-wields daggers. If you have a full party of six with any five of the existing NPCs, you can play a Raggedy Andy doll and still beat the game; so you might as well have some fun with your character.

Amran_X_Kaiser · Post by **Amran_X_Kaiser** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 5:58 pm

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Yeah I checked out if it was possible to make a halflign barbarian and it was -only used halflings for thieves so was surprised. Dual-wield daggers ? muhahahaha for peircing damage

Pellinore · Post by **Pellinore** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 8:37 pm

Human Ranger
Halfling Fighter/Thief
Elf Wild Mage
Half-Orc Fighter/Cleric
Dwarf Berserker
Half-Elf Cleric/Mage

Sytze · Post by **Sytze** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 2:57 am

[QUOTE=VonDondu]If you want a plain vanilla game, then use the existing NPCs to form your party and don't create powergaming characters.[/QUOTE]

I second that. And I would like to add that, if you want your old sentiments back by crawling through the gutter for every gold piece and have a challenge around every corner, you make the weakest party combination possible.

Creating a game with powerhouses will only result in you marching through the game without receiving a scratch. That's not your original intention, is it? Try characters such as Minsc, Cernd, Valygar, Nalia, Yoshimo, Dalis and Aerie. Although I don't agree on all of them, there are many players whom consider these characters to be the weakest in BG II.

Make yourself a Totemic Druid, a Transmuter, or perhaps a plain Ranger so your own character is in danger of being killed out of the blue as well. If you are weak, your party is weak, and you don't have many powerful weapons, then you might experience the difficulty you had with the game on your first times trough.

But that's just me.

Amran_X_Kaiser · Post by **Amran_X_Kaiser** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 4:42 am

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I agree with you guys now - whenever I did a create a 'uber' party we tended to wipe the floor on normal bg2 but in tactics it was challenging but do-able without major threats.

Seems like the npc is the way to go, I did however remember creating a party of 6 in bg2 which consisted of the 6 most used classes in the game - one assassin, one mage, one fighter, one paladin etc. Think I got my ass handed to me as I only relied on items I stole and pickpocketed - not bought or looted (but I did manage to get 50k from selling the items I didn't pickpocket/steal in chapter 2 lol)

Thanks Pellinore for your recommendation - I remember having a fighter/theif halfling in IWD i went around and pickpocketed everything hehe

Always wanted to try out a Bard, Skald in particular due to that Battle Song thingy - never once tried a Bard in any game - always seemed an underpowered fighter/mage/theif - but then is that the way to go ? If not for protaginist maybe as a sidekick.

Continue posting - until I get to the end of The Deathless Journey (or have a few hours free) I won't be starting BG2 yet.

Rangers ? Bah never liked em - but since its based on opinion polls who I am in BG2 I'm stumped (please don't me make pick em :speech: )

Amran_X_Kaiser · Post by **Amran_X_Kaiser** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 4:59 am

Reply - Spoliers Maybe

Very good point that I forgot to mention, the NPC route can lead me to some of those harper battles (I believe there is the ring of acuity there??), yoshimo *snicker* (I am going to waste him - first time he did my heart leapt to my throat and narrowly missed my tonsils!!!!), Edwin and his err transformation, anomen - going to go evil if only for that battle in B District.
Korgan is one guy I like - surly and rude !!
NPC way to go for the rpg experience!!!! woohooo!!!

Sytze · Post by **Sytze** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 5:13 am

So, in conclusion, you will be taking these NPC's along:
Jaheira
Edwin
Korgan
Anomen
Yoshimo (I’m guessing Immie later on?)

You'll be hard pressed to find a more powerful party.

Re, Bards: they are powerful characters because of their versatility and mage spells. Dalis, or you (when you're playing a Blade yourself), can become very powerful. Give him shortswords or katanas. Give him THACO improving items and let hem make himself immune to almost everything through mage spells. Offensive Spin is awesome. Defensive Spin combined with Free Action isn't something to laugh about either.

Amran_X_Kaiser · Post by **Amran_X_Kaiser** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 5:36 am

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Having just finished reading Deathless Jounrey I agree that Haer Dalis seemed like a powerhouse with the two katanas you equipped him with.

Those NPC's I mentioned were for the battles that weilded items - minsc wasn't very interesting despite his comments and abilities unfortunately he didn't have any battles that were due to HIM.

They are just recommendations but feel free to mention others as I always like hearing about em.

Pellinore · Post by **Pellinore** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 6:42 pm

Man, Minsc kicks butt in Bhodi's Lair...his racial enemy is vampire and with MoD+Axe AND berserk rage he can tear it up by himself. I can't do a game without Minsc, Jan, and Korgan.
I do remember Minsc attacking Gaal (cult of eyeless) for no apparent reason other than standing in close proximity with him....:speech:

Amran_X_Kaiser · Post by **Amran_X_Kaiser** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 5:37 am

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Hope Minsc wasted him !!

Pellinore · Post by **Pellinore** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 5:53 pm

Yeah, I wasn't paying attention when I was getting the info from Gaal for the quest and all of a sudden I heard: "Yah-Hay!!!". I looked up at the screen and Minsc hit him with a double critical weilding MoD and Mauler's Arm (this for some reason made Gaal fail morale and start running around wildly). It was pretty funny even though I hadn't saved for a good while (like the auto-save at the entrance to the sewers). Why Minsc attacked him I will never know.... Minsc is a must in all of my groups.

Good luck with your next run.

Draconin · Post by **Draconin** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 8:43 pm

Is a full party necessary?

I think it is more fun(and MUCH more difficult) to play with a party of four people or less. I myself am playing with four custom weaklings.

So here's what I recommend for NPCs: Minsc(loads of fun) or Korgan, Aerie or Edwin, and Jaheira or Anomen. These decisions, of course, depend on your allignment.

For a PC, try a thief. Probably a swashbuckler->fighter or mage/thief. Thieves are always underappreciated and there are no great thief NPCs.

Or go for a half-orc jester. That should be fun.

Amran_X_Kaiser · Post by **Amran_X_Kaiser** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:31 am

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Eeek jester !!

But I believe we are digressing from the original post...

I would like you and everyone else besides to give me your recommendations on a custom party of six for marching through bg2 tob and a npc party of six !

CFM · Post by **CFM** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 11:47 am

My 2 Cents

Custom Made Party: no suggestions to offer.

The Bioware NPC's are the high point of BG2, imo, and I would never consider spending valuable time with a custom made party, when I could be hangin' with an eccentric gnome, a grumpy dwarf, a hottie drow elf, a halfling paladin-wanna-be, a blossoming Bhaalspawn half-sister, a miniature giant space hamster, a conjurer with female issues, or any other of the 17.

The Bioware NPC's are unique. I could roll up a conjurer, but somehow it just wouldn't be the same as having Edwin around, talking to himself.

The only advantage that I can see to making a custom party is if you want to roll up a buncha wimps for a challenge, because *all* the Bioware NPC's will become crazy powerful.

The Bioware NPC's have weaknesses. Maybe custom dudes don't have weaknesses, but I think protecting a character's weaknesses while utilizing their strengths is an interesting addition to the the game.

Bioware Made Party: it sounds like you're trying to get away from powergaming, so go for personality & banter.

Jaheira (you mentioned an interest in the Harpers)
Jan
Haer'Dalis (you mentioned trying a bard)
Aerie (fun to have with H'D)
Yoshimo/Imoen

Rotate Yoshimo with everyone else in Chapter 2, for each of the other NPC's side quests.

*Any* five NPC's with *any* class you're main dude is will work.

Amran_X_Kaiser · Post by **Amran_X_Kaiser** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:31 pm

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Interesting choice of Jan and Aerie, although personally I found Jan annoying it may be interesting to try him out.

One of the many reasons I like about custom made npcs - ceasing annoying banters. But also maximum utilization of the stat rolls.

Possibility of a tank being in there aside from Haer'Dalis is also there if Jan/Aerie get killed and I finally had enough of them.

CFM · Post by **CFM** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:00 am

Of course, if you find the NPC banters annoying, or you're aiming for max stats, a custom made party is the way to go!

My apologies, I musta misunderstood the thread. I was thinking you wanted more survival gameplay, versus powergaming gameplay.

I picked Aerie because she & H'D have ALOT to say if they are in the group together. Jan has alot to say, period. This is either a good or a bad thing, I suppose.

Maybe do 5 custom-made dudes and, in the 6th spot, take a turn each with all the NPC's. It'd be fun to have Jaheira, until the Harper quests are completed. Then, if you find Jan annoying, take him along until he gets unceremoniously smoked. :laugh: Etc, etc. When it's all said and done, keep the NPC you liked the most as your 6th. Maybe this 'limited' NPC exposure, in addition to your custom-made party, is the balance you're looking for.

With or without the NPC's, BG is the King!

Amran_X_Kaiser · Post by **Amran_X_Kaiser** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 3:46 pm

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Not all banter, Jan, Minsc and oh for the love of Bhaal Cernd.

Jahiera - harper quests etc I like. Think I might try some of the suggestions handed out in this post like Jester = once again I say eeek !

keep em coming I always enjoy reading behind the reasons for picking npcs be it custom or bioware.