GameBanshee Forums

I'm leaning towards "good" alignments here (REP is too hard to control for me in BG1, and it's better role-playing anyway). I'll also be attempting to not reload at all, so I am looking for some power here.

I'm thinking:

Imoen (dual to Conjuror at level 3)
Jaheira
Yeslick

I know archery is huge in this game, so Kivan and Coran automatically pop up in any discussion. Having Garrick as a backup spellcaster is interesting, but I don't think it's really needed in BG1. Minsc has the highest strength around, and I'm not above having Dynaheir charge some Gnolls in rage after being rescued. A similar fate could become Khalid, but I've actually found him to be quite powerful.

So, for a powergaming party, who do u suggest for me other two?

Well, I really like Kagain's 20 constitution....less healing as he regenerates. He also has some funny lines.

Kagain is indeed powerful but he is evil and will leave the party when the reputation gets too high.

Minsc is probably the best good fighter in the game. You don't have to keep Dynaheir just to get Minsc either.

My game consisted of:

Imoen (dualled to wizard at level 7, for consistency with BG2)
Team Khalid & Jahiera
Team Minsc & Dynahier

I played a single-class cleric. But if playing a thief, I could see dualling Imoen sooner.

No reloads, except (spoilers):
-when that nymph chick kissed me (reloaded with Imoen kissed. Oh Baby!)
-fighting the Lycanthrope leader on Balduran's ship
-Durlat's Tower (LOTS of reloads there)
-fighting Sarevok

I happened to have the party that makes the most sense, if for no other reason, for minor consistency with the BG2 story.

Coran (or Kivan) & Yeslick are probably awesome too, if no Team Khalid or Team Minsc for Chapter 4 or beyond.

I dig having two wizardly casters, and I try for both a druid- and cleric-type, if room permits... and of course two tanks. And Imoen for thieving.

Rock N Roll...

I recommend to install the maxHP component from the ease-of-use mod since multiclass characters get far too bad rolls. In my no-reload attempt Coran got 8 HP at 7 level ups and died because of a lightning trap in the firewine dungeon.
You can install the "happy party" mod if you want to use evil NPCs, the reputation handling in the original game isn't really realistic.
You can modify the .2da file manually afterwards so that you don't have to bear Jaheira's or the other neutral NPCs constant complaining once you reach a high reputation.

Regarding power Jaheira is the worst priest in the game (druid spells are inferior to cleric spells and dexterity is the most important stat), you probably have roleplaying reasons to keep her for the whole game.

I wouldn't dismiss Khalid for Kivan, with 3 stars in bow Khalid is the better archer. (But you can take both of course.)
I wouldn't bother with Minsc for long, he's the worst warrior NPC imho since 18/00 strength can easily be gained with the strength spell. Low dex and con are big drawbacks and he doesn't even have profiency in bow when you find him.

If you don't want to keep another arcane spellcaster you'd better dual Imoen to illusionist. Necromancy spells are not really useful and your party's lore will be too low for sufficient identifying.
I'd consider taking Garrick for some time and dualing 1-3 levels later.

My suggestion for your party: FT, Imoen, Khalid, Jaheira,Yeslick,Coran
I'd take Garrick until Imoen has gained an identifying spell. Good replacements for the beginning are Kagain or Kivan but you should even be able to play with smaller parties.

The game won't be much harder with a 4 person party since you gain XP faster and handling smaller parties is easier. Someone even managed to solo a fighter/thief without reloading (even without resting).

[QUOTE=kmonster]
Regarding power Jaheira is the worst priest in the game (druid spells are inferior to cleric spells and dexterity is the most important stat), you probably have roleplaying reasons to keep her for the whole game.[/QUOTE]It's not about Jaheira being the best or worst priest. It's about her being the second best fighter/priest, which she is, behind Yeslick.

[QUOTE=kmonster]...
I wouldn't bother with Minsc for long, he's the worst warrior NPC imho since 18/00 strength can easily be gained with the strength spell. Low dex and con are big drawbacks and he doesn't even have profiency in bow when you find him.
[/QUOTE]How often do you expect Imoen to be casting that spell? I'm not saying that I'll definitely keep Minsc, but his high STR in a game where the NPCs have low-fair stats for the most part can't be discounted.

[QUOTE=Cwell the fine]It's not about Jaheira being the best or worst priest. It's about her being the second best fighter/priest, which she is, behind Yeslick.

How often do you expect Imoen to be casting that spell? I'm not saying that I'll definitely keep Minsc, but his high STR in a game where the NPCs have low-fair stats for the most part can't be discounted.[/QUOTE]
If you buff Jaheira up she can kick serious butt. She isn't too bad non-buffed either but the Druid spells do suck compared to a cleric. Yeslick or Branwin would likely be a better fit within your party and definitely do not "nag" as much.

Forget about the Identify spell as by the end of Chapter 2 you already have enough coin and rep to afford most anything including getting items identified. There are also merchants in the Carnival that identify items for much less than the standard 100gp thus saving a few coins. Just be sure to have a high Charisma either naturally or due to an item or spell.

Anyone can have Minsc's strength due to magical items. Gauntlets, belts, potions, spells, a believe a weapon or two so that isn't a big deal. It is more important for the characters to have high dexterity with decent strength than high strength with low dexterity.

Definitely install the Baldurdash fixpacks and the Ease of Use mod to obtain better enjoyment from your game.

How often do you expect Imoen to be casting that spell? I'm not saying that I'll definitely keep Minsc, but his high STR in a game where the NPCs have low-fair stats for the most part can't be discounted.

How often do you plan to benefit from Minsc's strength ?

The game favours archery, so any warrior with ** in bow will do far more damage even in melee using a composite bow.
The only situations strength helps are when you have to carry a dead body or fight the few monsters immune to normal arrows.

High strength isn't useless, but dex and con are more important.

Forget about the Identify spell as by the end of Chapter 2 you already have enough coin and rep to afford most anything including getting items identified. There are also merchants in the Carnival that identify items for much less than the standard 100gp thus saving a few coins. Just be sure to have a high Charisma either naturally or due to an item or spell.

I disagree. It's very annoying without identify spell and you won't ever have enough money before chapter 5.
Your F/T doesn't really need charisma since Imoen has 16 and can use the friends spell.

[QUOTE=kmonster]I disagree. It's very annoying without identify spell and you won't ever have enough money before chapter 5.[/QUOTE]
Wow, we definitely play a different game. At the end of chapter 2 I'm usually sitting at around 30K in gold.


[QUOTE=kmonster]Your F/T doesn't really need charisma since Imoen has 16 and can use the friends spell.[/QUOTE]
Such is the reason for my "Just be sure to have a high Charisma either naturally or due to an item or spell." statement.

Wow, we definitely play a different game. At the end of chapter 2 I'm usually sitting at around 30K in gold.

There are so many expensive things to buy which help your party like

- shadow armor
- full plates
- dagger of venom
- composite long bow +1
- light crossbow of speed
- mage scrolls
- robe of the good archmagi

You can afford not to buy them but you'll want to have the best possible equipment in a no-reload game, especially since raising dead comrades in temples is very expensive.

[QUOTE=kmonster]There are so many expensive things to buy which help your party like

- shadow armor
- full plates
- dagger of venom
- composite long bow +1
- light crossbow of speed
- mage scrolls
- robe of the good archmagi

You can afford not to buy them but you'll want to have the best possible equipment in a no-reload game, especially since raising dead comrades in temples is very expensive.[/QUOTE]
True and with high reputation, charisma, and gold you can buy all of those things without issue, which is usually done by Chapter 3.

Good Party No Reloads Ranged Power a Must also Magic to controll the field of battle.

Kivan and Coran Definates (Ranged Expertes)
Imoen Dual(Conjerer) after 100% Find Traps (Coran can take care of the rest)
Minsc as Tank (Guantlets of Dexterity and tome of Bodily Exercise)
Kalihd (*** Bows)
Main Character Gnome Cleric/Illussionist

No one will get close to you and if they do you have Minsc in front.
Also make sure you use spells like Sleep,Greese,Web, Ect to control the field while you pummel them. Coran is an excellent backstabber with the gauntlets of Ogre Power and Either one of Drizzt swords and of course his mail.
Make sure You Main Character starts with 17 wisdom and gets all three tomes to get to 20 for all the bonus spells. With the Ring of wizardry and the Ring you get from Malahey you can cast all day long.

4 Bows
2 Mages
4 Warriors
1 Cleric

LOL. OOPS Sorry Your a Dwarf Fighter Theif Missed That.

Let Me Try Again

Main Character is Dwarf Fighter/Thief
Kivan (Archer)
Imoen(Dual Conjerer after 100 Stealth) Sneaky Mage
Brawen(Can Dump her for Yeslick If You Want)
Quale(Back up for Divine and Arkane Casters)
Coran (Archer the best)

No True Tank But Brawen With Guantlets Of Ogre Power Buffed Up is Hard To Hit.

Still Have the two best Archers in the game and Immy can launch as well when out of spells.

Your Charachter can stealth around backstab and still hold his own in the front lines with his High Constitution.

I know Quales stats suck but by class alone he is useful and you are only using him to buff and cast battle field controlling spells or offensive spells.

You also Theoretically can stealth everybody except Brawen and Quale also quale has the inate ability to cast Invisability. So everyone except Brawen can scout and disapear very helpful for a no reload game.

you don't need 6 characters

if the PC is a F/T you only need Imoen (archer), Khalid (archer/tank) and Branwen (cleric). You can basically just walk thru the game with that party and they'll level up much faster if you don't have 6