Jan's Equipment? Possible Spoilers

[sonny]

When I first got Jan, he had these things called Flasher Bruiser Mates, they looked like a skull. I did not pay attention to how many, but now they are gone.

Are these limited or can you get more somewhere and if so, where?

Right now I have him using Bolts+1 and +2 when I find them.

Thanks in advance.

[galraen]

They are in fact missiles that he can fire from his crossbow, I suspet you'd sussed that though. He can make 5 (if I recall correctly) every day (in fact every time he sleeps). To utilise this you click on his special abilities icon (the star at the right of his action bar) and then click on the Bruiser Mates icon. Be warned, they are heavy, so if you make too many he will become encumbered.

[sonny]

Thanks galraen,

Like I said I was not paying to much attention when he had them. Are they good usefull and do they do a lot of damage?

[Dummy]

they are okay to wipe out low level monster groups but later in the game they are pretty useless,

he is a mage after all

btw he wanted to sell you those bruisers when you first talked to him at the gov district, if you remember he told you what they do

[sonny]

Originally Posted by Dummy

btw he wanted to sell you those bruisers when you first talked to him at the gov district, if you remember he told you what they do

Yea, I do remember him trying to sell me something right before the guy showed up to shut him down, but with all the other things I've been trying to keep up with, I just forgot what he said about what he was selling. Sorry.

Thanks again

[anarchistica]

They're awesome, they can stun pretty much everything, even big Golems.

[fable]

Originally Posted by Dummy

they are okay to wipe out low level monster groups but later in the game they are pretty useless,

Only if you plan to use your party members separately in battle, instead of as part of a coordinated strategy. If you lower the resistance of a target first, you'd be surprised just how effective those bruisers are. I paralyized a demon in the dimension visited by the planar sphere using one of those: dead in under a minute of my arrival. Even later in the game, they can come in handy. Though I wouldn't suggest them in ToB.

he is a mage after all

A mage and a thief. Never forget the power of the light fingers, especially when under the influence of a potion of master thievery.

Incidientally, I think it's the G3 Tweak Mod that adds a second kind of missile ammunition for Jan to develop later in your travels.

[sonny]

Thanks guys.
Guess I need to pay more attention to things that are said then I did with Jan when I picked him up.

I don't know about how you guys feel, but this little guy is really starting to grow on me. Might try to figure a way to keep him in my party even after I get Imoen.

[galraen]

I love Jan, my favourite NPC, I just wish there was a romance option for him, if there was I'd create female Gnome PC just for the crack.

AS for who to replace when you get Imoen, cross that bridge when you come to it and don't even concern yourself about it, I'm sure the problem will be resolved.

[anarchistica]

Originally Posted by fable

Incidientally, I think it's the G3 Tweak Mod that adds a second kind of missile ammunition for Jan to develop later in your travels.

Yeah the Flasher Master Swarmer Mate. Once you get those, oh dear... Even Drow spellcasters become a joke, their Magic Resistance ain't got nothing on Summon Insects coming from bolts...

[fable]

Originally Posted by anarchistica

Yeah the Flasher Master Swarmer Mate. Once you get those, oh dear... Even Drow spellcasters become a joke, their Magic Resistance ain't got nothing on Summon Insects coming from bolts...

That's them. Still need to lower resistance, though, but you're right: it effectively gives Jan one of the more distinctive and targeted spells in Jaheira's arsenal--and not just a copy as memorized, but 5 a day. No wonder she sulks a lot.

[sonny]

Originally Posted by anarchistica

Yeah the Flasher Master Swarmer Mate. Once you get those, oh dear... Even Drow spellcasters become a joke, their Magic Resistance ain't got nothing on Summon Insects coming from bolts...

Ok, you got my attention. What does it take to get them?

[fable]

Originally Posted by sonny

Ok, you got my attention. What does it take to get them?

Easy. You install the mod. At some point, Jan lets you know he's figured out he can make them. I seem to recall he developed them even as early as chapter 2, if you hung around and gave him sufficient experience.

[sonny]

Originally Posted by fable

Easy. You install the mod. At some point, Jan lets you know he's figured out he can make them. I seem to recall he developed them even as early as chapter 2, if you hung around and gave him sufficient experience.

Where do you get the mod. Is it the same as the BG2 Tweak Pack, because I have that. Don't know if I'll use it on this playthrough, but sure would like to check it out.
Thanks.

[fable]

Originally Posted by sonny

Where do you get the mod. Is it the same as the BG2 Tweak Pack, because I have that. Don't know if I'll use it on this playthrough, but sure would like to check it out.
Thanks.

I'm wrong on that--it's the Banter Packs, of all things. Here's the relevant reference from the readme:

"We know that Bioware at one point intended Jan to develop gadgets beyond the items he joins the party with, and be able to manufacture more than just the flashers. It never happened, officially. But through the Banter Packs, Jan will gain the ability to create new, bizarre, and occasionally useful devices for his companions. Jan currently makes three items: one is given to the PC, one is given to Valygar, and a third is a new ammo-making capability in his Special
Abilities menu."

You can get it here.