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Reason #441 for Keeping Jaheira Instead of Cernd
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 10:31 am
by fable
True, I'm exaggerating. But beside the obvious (Cernd can't wear armor, can't weapons, and requires time to switch between his fighting and casting forms), I just remembered another important difference.
Jaheira, as a Harper, can resurrect using Harper's Call. Cernd cannot. He has more spell slots, but not this very important spell.
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 10:41 am
by Delacroix
Originally posted by fable:
<STRONG>True, I'm exaggerating. But beside the obvious (Cernd can't wear armor, can't weapons, and requires time to switch between his fighting and casting forms), I just remembered another important difference.
Jaheira, as a Harper, can resurrect using Harper's Call. Cernd cannot. He has more spell slots, but not this very important spell.</STRONG>
I agree with the spell observation, but Cernd can use armor, good armor.
I use cernd in one of my groups, in fact he was the weekest of the group, I prefer to use him in his normal form, the werewolf fight only a little better than him and dont cast spells.
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 11:09 am
by Obsidian
Peronaly, I like Cernd far better. While Jaheria is a compromise between tank and druid, Cernd is both, it just takes about1/10 of a casting time for him to change between the best druid spellcaster in the game to the best fighter in the game. G wolfwere has ac -13, more than possible unless you give jahera all the best armour, shields and goodies, which chances are you'll save for someone else. Don't get me wrong, I like Jaheria just fine, I think shes a very versatile character, and harpers call (though not a true druid spell) is a strong point in her favour, she never gets the true druidic abilities, immunity to poison, resisit elements etc. Cernd took out that demon on watchers keep with 6 arms all by himself. He cast Insect plague, Storm of Vengeance and 2 implosions on her, than transformed and BEAT HER DOWN!! Like to see Jaheria do that.
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 11:25 am
by fable
Originally posted by Knight Errant:
<STRONG>Peronaly, I like Cernd far better. While Jaheria is a compromise between tank and druid, Cernd is both, it just takes about1/10 of a casting time for him to change between the best druid spellcaster in the game to the best fighter in the game. G wolfwere has ac -13...</STRONG>
A native -13? I added him to my fifth party to run NPCs I hadn't used, but he only has an AC of -2. You're talking about enhancing him with spells, right? Jaheira can get that, too, given good spells and armor, and she can cast at the same time.
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 11:27 am
by Astafas
I like them both. As for Harper's Call I never use it: I always play with a Cleric as well as a Druid and, as I believe many do, use a Rod of Resurrection.
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 12:53 pm
by Meerlight
The -13 AC is from the Greater Werewolf form which now kicks a bunch of a$$ since they made it better in ToB. The problem with Cernd isn't the change to werewolf form then attack (as most know you can cast a spell then attack immediately), the problem is that he has to change back into normal form to cast a spell which wastes 6 seconds (because you can't change and cast in the same round). Then when he changes back he has sucky AC. (if you don't use the shadow dragon leather white dragon scale for him. bug?) Jaheira can just charge into battle (she has -11 AC at ALL times FYI) come out of melee and cast storm of vengeance or implosion on a powerful foe then go back into melee.
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 1:16 pm
by Xyx
Jaheira also gets Zone of Sweet Air, which is (strangely enough) not a druid spell...
Not that it's particularly useful, though...
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 2:35 pm
by Rodo
Zone of Sweet Air not a druid spell? I distinctly remember Minsc having it.
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 3:52 pm
by Obsidian
Fable
I'm talking about Cernd's greater werewolf form having an ac of -13. His human form is terrible, as he cant get anything lower the -2 without a lot of magical items. But yes, if you use g.w transformation, his ac will decrease to -13, str to 23, dex to 18 (i think) and con to 25 making him one awesome tank
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 4:13 pm
by TecnoPaladin
At what level does he get G.W. form with -13 ac?
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 4:30 pm
by Delacroix
Even with the Gwerewolf transformation I prefer use him (including fight) in his natural form. Much better, lots of spells.
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 8:51 pm
by UserUnfriendly
Rodo, how did minsc end up having a spell?
I've played minsc once before, before he started to irritate me, and I've never seen him have any priest spelld. Is there a quest that allows him to start casting priest spells? I took him up levels just as an experient to see if its true, according to another post that minsc starts getting priest spells.
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 8:55 pm
by UserUnfriendly
Oh yeah, Jaheira is one of my favs. not only does she havve a cool attitude an oulook on life, she never left a wife when she was with child to play natureboy in the frigging woods! I have a lot of problems with that.
Also jaheira can have greater whirlwind with TOB installed, and since I run a magic heavy party, I usually have only one tank anyway, korgan in my current game, I need another warrior for the ranks.
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2001 10:54 pm
by fable
Originally posted by Knight Errant:
<STRONG>Fable
I'm talking about Cernd's greater werewolf form having an ac of -13. His human form is terrible, as he cant get anything lower the -2 without a lot of magical items. But yes, if you use g.w transformation, his ac will decrease to -13, str to 23, dex to 18 (i think) and con to 25 making him one awesome tank</STRONG>
The problem is until Cernd gets to the point of acquiring that form, he's pretty much stuck at -2 or -3 AC. And by the time he gets the form, Jaheira has armor, spells and such that compensate. That said, I'm trying Cernd, and I look forward to seeing what he can do.
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2001 1:53 am
by Vehemence
Does it really matter that he have some killer AC? Not in my opinion. You'll undoubtedly have other fighters to attack at the front lines and have Cernd casting spells to his hearts desire from behind.
It's like saying Nalia is a better mage than edwin because she can wear armour? Oooh, big deal. Since when do mages run to the front and say here I am, beat the crap outta me!

It's the same thing with Cernd, your not running him into the middle of a fight and casting a spell, most will work from a distance and he's better off staying back.
I don't know, I guess it just depends on the way you play the game. I think Cernd is awesome. He's an awesome druid spellcaster and when it gets tough, he can always flip to his warewolf state and run in. But other than that, he's a backliner with my archer and the spellcasters.
To each their own...
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2001 2:30 am
by Kameleon
I have Jaheira as my only tank - she has -10 AC and 100% resistance to fire, cold, electricity, and poison(yes, she does get the druid abilities resist poison and resist elements). Greater WW, Hardiness and Critical Strike make her an invaluable member of my team. As soon as she hits level 15 (in ToB) she has all the spells you would ever need. Cernd comes a poor second. I agree with you, fable, he requires way too much maintenance
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2001 2:30 am
by Kameleon
The fence in my garden has a DOUBLE POST
[ 08-28-2001: Message edited by: Kameleon ]
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2001 2:30 am
by Kameleon
I've never had a TRIPLE POST before...
[ 08-28-2001: Message edited by: Kameleon ]
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2001 4:12 am
by Rodo
@UserUnfriendly
Minsc gets druid spells up to level 3, not many though because of his very low wisdom.