Posting a "perfect party"

[Da_venom]

Originally Posted by Schu

How do I add a "perfect party" to the list on this site?

For any interested, the party is:
Inquisitor
Ranger->Cleric
Kensai->Thief
Kensai->Mage
Swashbuckler->Mage (protagonist)
Blade

i'm not sure wheter you play single player or multiplayer with this party?
SOA or TOB?

either way it ain't perfect
always keep one mage or one cleric full class too cast some major spells
esp some high lvl spells

your tanks are also pretty weak since they barely got a skill that has 5 start
except for the kensai thief IIRC(who can have longswords at5)

so pretty keep one fighter full class for the starts and thaco's and such

one character thief is enough too unlock chest and traps esp if you go mage and cleric aswel (but i don't use a thief for that) I use it too backstab the mages with some major pain

etc etc

[Schu]

Originally Posted by Da_venom

i'm not sure wheter you play single player or multiplayer with this party?
SOA or TOB?

either way it ain't perfect
always keep one mage or one cleric full class too cast some major spells
esp some high lvl spells

your tanks are also pretty weak since they barely got a skill that has 5 start
except for the kensai thief IIRC(who can have longswords at5)

so pretty keep one fighter full class for the starts and thaco's and such

one character thief is enough too unlock chest and traps esp if you go mage and cleric aswel (but i don't use a thief for that) I use it too backstab the mages with some major pain

etc etc

I want to play multiplayer. It's designed for the whole game, but it really comes into its own just before chapter 6, so it's better for ToB. By the time you get to ToB, both mages can cast a few level 9 spells already, so it's no biggie about leveling.

My tanks are fine, there's surprisingly little difference between 2 stars and 5 stars (unless you're using that mod that changes the proficiency table back to BG1). I find a full fighter to be a waste of space, all he can do is tank. My Inquisitor is much better, even though it levels slower and gets less proficiencies, because it can true sight and dispel, and use carsomyr. The Ranger->Cleric is also excellent, the Kensai->Thief is wonderful, and if that isn't enough, the kensai->Mage can chip in (he can get 5 stars too), and the other two are quite useful too.

The Swashbuckler->Mage is good enough for lockpicking, detecting traps, and I would have given him pickpocketing too were it not for the Blade having it. I gave him detect illusion instead (and a little bit of trap setting). Backstabbing and major-trap-laying is where the Kensai->Thief excels, and I gave him some detect illusion too.

[Da_venom]

Originally Posted by Schu

I want to play multiplayer. It's designed for the whole game, but it really comes into its own just before chapter 6, so it's better for ToB. By the time you get to ToB, both mages can cast a few level 9 spells already, so it's no biggie about leveling.

My tanks are fine, there's surprisingly little difference between 2 stars and 5 stars (unless you're using that mod that changes the proficiency table back to BG1). I find a full fighter to be a waste of space, all he can do is tank. My Inquisitor is much better, even though it levels slower and gets less proficiencies, because it can true sight and dispel, and use carsomyr. The Ranger->Cleric is also excellent, the Kensai->Thief is wonderful, and if that isn't enough, the kensai->Mage can chip in (he can get 5 stars too), and the other two are quite useful too.

The Swashbuckler->Mage is good enough for lockpicking, detecting traps, and I would have given him pickpocketing too were it not for the Blade having it. I gave him detect illusion instead (and a little bit of trap setting). Backstabbing and major-trap-laying is where the Kensai->Thief excels, and I gave him some detect illusion too.

well if your playing in TOB anyway there aren't much traps so 3 dual classed thieves is a waste, esp for a figter which will alter their hp

and with 5 stars you can get 2 attacks in one round(iiRC) this is a little difference? try out a single classed kensai vs your kensai/thief the dual class will problably lose it has less health and lower THACO etc

but assume you like to play with all, kinda like all characthers are jack of all trades..

it's nice to let 2-3 characters do the same thing. but it's kinda weak
and all dual classed characthers will not get the full potentional in their class
losing on some abilities and such.

but play as you will good luck with your party(in TOB i would suggest at least3 tanks since TOB is more warrior based in case of spell based)

[Cwell the fine]

I think he's asking how to add a party to this page:

http://gamebanshee.com/baldursgateii/strategyguides.php


BTW, I don't think any party is perfect for everybody, but if that's what works for you, go for it man!

[Schu]

Originally Posted by Da_venom

well if your playing in TOB anyway there aren't much traps so 3 dual classed thieves is a waste, esp for a figter which will alter their hp

??? 3 dual classed thieves? What are you talking about? I have 2 thieves (and one Blade that can pickpocket). Swashbuckler->Mage does all the lockpicking/detecting traps work (and also some dispelling of illusions and basic trap-setting), and the Kensai->Thief is the offensive theif, doing all the backstabbing, doing the big nasty traps and also dispelling illusions.

And I'm playuing all the way through SoA and ToB with this party, not just one or the other.

and with 5 stars you can get 2 attacks in one round(iiRC) this is a little difference? try out a single classed kensai vs your kensai/thief the dual class will problably lose it has less health and lower THACO etc

No, you are wrong. That was the system with Baldurs Gate 1. It has changed for BG2, unless you use a mod. And I'm not so sure that the kensai actually would beat the K->T, because of it's atrocious AC (let's assume both get to use the shield amulet). Give the K->T the bracers of extraordinary specialisation (the kensai can't use that) and see how the battle goes....

And even if the kensai does beat the K->T, well, so what, it should! But a pure kensai can't backstab, lay traps, cast spells from scrolls, use time stop traps and annihilate opposition in the meantime etc.

but assume you like to play with all, kinda like all characthers are jack of all trades..

Not in the sense of "jack of all trades, master of none", like the Fighter/Mage/Thief. But yes I love versatile characters, and I don't like characters that are expert in some way but have no other use.

but play as you will good luck with your party(in TOB i would suggest at least3 tanks since TOB is more warrior based in case of spell based)

I have 4 characters that can act as a tank (and do it very well), and the other two can fight very well too. I think that that is plenty, seeing that they'll also have enhanced bard song on them most of the time.

And yeah, no party is really perfect blah blah blah. I think we don't need to say that anymore.

[BG_DaDDy]

my perfect party:

human undead hunter
half-orc barbarian (the best fighter)
half-orc fighter/thief
half-elf fighter/druid
human kensai -> mage
human bard (blade)

Imo undead hunter is better than inquisitor cuz fast true sight can be easily traded off with a mage with robe of vecna, and u won't use it so many times in one battle. (cleric can cast it too, just a bit slow but if u have low AC he wont get interrupted easily) Level drain is the most annoying thing in the game imo.

A sorcerer in a party is just over-killed i think. Every time i try to launch a time stop with IA to get my spells combo, the fighters already kill most of them with their greater whirlwinds. So i choose a kensai/mage, which is just good as a pure mage, but provides some extra melee power. I use buffing/disabling spells and some summons most of the time rather than area-effect spells since i think damaging spells are just taking up spaces. Sure, the effects are cool, but using warriors hacking and hammering are just way easier. 4 fighters with greater whirlwind can kill most bosses in 1 or 2 rounds, so my mage doesnt even have a chance to cast some big mean spells. i just use him to buff/debuff/breach/dispel/summons/wish, or just bring up one image and having it cast tenser's transformation and start hacking with staf of magi.

Every powerful party needs a bard; the enhanced bard song is just so good. Get an image (mislead), having it singing, and ur real bard casting spells or shooting arrows.

The only summons that i'm using are sword, greater elemental summonings and planetar, rest of the summons just suck. Skeleton warriors get banished too easily in later stage (or get heavily pounded), and so as the other summons spells. Conjure fire elemental sucks when u get a 8HD one, and it get charmed easily.

Greater Whirlwind is the best HLA's. (after those cheesy traps) Just load with bunch of them and pound it, and those monsters will be dead in like 2 seconds. Smite is also good when combining with fast attack, (knockback + stun, only get to pick once though) and assassinate for maximum damage combining with good attack per round.

[BG_DaDDy]

Originally Posted by Schu

And even if the kensai does beat the K->T, well, so what, it should! But a pure kensai can't backstab, lay traps, cast spells from scrolls, use time stop traps and annihilate opposition in the meantime etc.

a pure kensai doesnt beat K->T, the incredible high AC makes him too vunlerable in melee. Beside, kensai is not there to "tank", he is there to "flank", and chopping off people from sides. But kensai is never a tank and he will die easily against bosses.

K->T can uses armor/bracers/helms and more offensive weapons, which can get u more fire power and magic resistance. So you're right at this point.

However, i think u have too many thieves in ur party. K->T and bard should be enough.

[Schu]

Imo undead hunter is better than inquisitor cuz fast true sight can be easily traded off with a mage with robe of vecna, and u won't use it so many times in one battle. (cleric can cast it too, just a bit slow but if u have low AC he wont get interrupted easily) Level drain is the most annoying thing in the game imo.

Hehehe, no. You think the inquisitor is just about true sight? Did you forget about the main feature of the inquisitor, the dispel magic at double level (meaning almost 0 chance of getting resisted)? No-one else can do that I can tell you.

Level drain is annoying, but there are enough items to use so you can ignore it. Otherwise, just get I character meleeing with a very low AC, and he just won't get hit. Everyone else can snipe away/cast spells etc. I use my blade for this, and you should too.

Barbarians are certainly the best tanks, so if you want a pure tank, good-o!

I don't like the Fighter/Druid. Full stop. In fact, I'd go for Jaheira if you want a druid, at least she can raise the dead with "harpers call", in addition to her, um, other, um, capabilities.......

BTW, sure, Kensai->Thief and the Blade would be enough. Absolutely. Hell, the Kensai->Thief alone would be enough. In fact, the Swashbuckler->Mage would be enough.

I don't want "enough". I want optimum. I have a seperate utility thief because I want the K->T to concentrate on offensive capabilities.

[BG_DaDDy]

Originally Posted by Schu

Hehehe, no. You think the inquisitor is just about true sight? Did you forget about the main feature of the inquisitor, the dispel magic at double level (meaning almost 0 chance of getting resisted)? No-one else can do that I can tell you.

ya, but too bad it isnt remove magic which is on enemy only, u will dispel ur own buffs as well. i think the constant hitting from carsyomer already suit well.

[Schu]

Originally Posted by BG_DaDDy

ya, but too bad it isnt remove magic which is on enemy only, u will dispel ur own buffs as well. i think the constant hitting from carsyomer already suit well.

Remove mahic won't help you if your whole party is held or charmed (both of which the Inquisitor is conveniently immune to) etc. and these things are so much more threatening. Save remove magic for your mages, it's important, but you can't get by without dispel magic, whereas you can without remove magic.

In addition to being immune to hold and charm, all paladins have better saving throws, so they often resist anyway, and the inquisitor uses this feature better because it can dispel these things that it saves against that the rest of the party couldn't.

[Da_venom]

I personally don't like the barb as tank, even though it can resist much and such(beserk)

I like the kensai better properly buffed and the kensai can chop most things in the game alone.

also a good tank is a monk, pretty powerful attacks.

my party would be

nr.1 Kensai pure class
nr.2 thief/mage
nr.3 sorceror
nr.4 cleric/fighter
rr. 5 cavalier mainly cause he has no morale failure and such and bonusses for draconic and demons
nr.6 shapeshifter i just love a greater wolf as meat shield

[rbeverjr]

@Schu
You have chosen a very powerful party (for ToB). So, powerful, particularly with 6 characters and you choosing the best cheese (robe of Vecna), that it would be boring to some players - even more boring with the Bounty Hunter. Those that comment otherwise, may not really appreciate these characters' abilities.

On the other hand, I can easily design groups that would slaughter this dual fest party through more than half of SoA. Is this a ToB only perfect party? Are your really dualing everything at 15?

Also, multiclass works pretty well when you have ToB. With 2 classes, you will get all your spell levels (7 divine or 9 arcane), have a good attack bonus, and good HP, and more HLA.

Of course, if you stopped the cheese of Mislead phantom singing while Blade attacks, then the bard becomes less appealing even with its Improved Song. (Mislead, a sixth level spell, was meant for escape, but cheese uses it as a means of aggression.)

[Da_venom]

indeed
but every party can be beaten anyway
it's how you like to play

but my gues it that is dual classed party would suck vs area effects

[Schu]

Originally Posted by rbeverjr

@Schu
You have chosen a very powerful party (for ToB). So, powerful, particularly with 6 characters and you choosing the best cheese (robe of Vecna), that it would be boring to some players - even more boring with the Bounty Hunter. Those that comment otherwise, may not really appreciate these characters' abilities.

On the other hand, I can easily design groups that would slaughter this dual fest party through more than half of SoA. Is this a ToB only perfect party? Are your really dualing everything at 15?

Also, multiclass works pretty well when you have ToB. With 2 classes, you will get all your spell levels (7 divine or 9 arcane), have a good attack bonus, and good HP, and more HLA.

Of course, if you stopped the cheese of Mislead phantom singing while Blade attacks, then the bard becomes less appealing even with its Improved Song. (Mislead, a sixth level spell, was meant for escape, but cheese uses it as a means of aggression.)

Throughout SoA, there are so many "fetch and carry" "fedex" type quests, and rather few difficult battles until later in the game, so there is a lot of opportunity to get all your experience and old classes that I consider it pointless to make a great party for early-mid SoA. I could also create parties that would slaughter this one very easily in mid-SoA, anyone could, just avoid dual-classing. In late SoA, this is quite good though. Therefore, this is not a TOB only perfect party.

I'm dualling the Kensais and the Ranger at level 12 and the Swashbuckler at 15.

About boredom, I'm playing insane for this one which I've never done before. Also, I never use the ultra-cheese exploits like most of the project image tricks. In fact, I won't even use the Bounty Hunter .

To make this a challenge though, I like to see how quickly I can finish the whole game (game time), meaning no sleeping *just* to refresh spells or *just* to heal, always going for just one more quest before resting, and usually finishing a few quests while fatigued. It also means better planning when travelling, picking spells that I might need (e.g. raise dead) instead of just sleeping to memorise it straight after the guy dies.

I did this on normal and it was about 90 days (I could have probably done that quicker) whil finishing all possible quests. Insane would make this interesting.

Originally Posted by Da_venom

indeed
but every party can be beaten anyway
it's how you like to play

but my gues it that is dual classed party would suck vs area effects

I don't see why.

[Da_venom]

Originally Posted by Schu

I don't see why.

well isn't it that with dual calssed characters their HP is way lower than it could be

for example a fighter would IIRC at max have 130 hp
while in dual classed(depends on which char) but i think jaheira was about something like 80
i could be wrong though

either way dual classed character have lesser hp than Full class
but it also has to do with the attributes you give to characters high wisdom and dex
for saving and ac bonusses

but anyway low hp sucks vs area effect's since they die so easily that way
(one of the most annoying thing i h8ed about mages damn low hp :P)