party idea, please lmk what you think

[krunchyfrogg]

Thanks, Aerich.

I've started playing tonight. I've been playing for a few hours(on and off), but needed a break. I am almost done with the Prologue, and I'm having fun!

[silverdragon72]

Originally Posted by krunchyfrogg

Thanks, Aerich.

I've started playing tonight. I've been playing for a few hours(on and off), but needed a break. I am almost done with the Prologue, and I'm having fun!

btw. krunchyfrogg, with which party set-up did you start the game?

...and how does it work so far?

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[krunchyfrogg]

I'm playing the following party:

1) CG Male Drow Fighter 4/Ranger 3/Barbarian 3/Rogue 3/Wizard 17

-very similar to your tank build. This guy will be my main tank, and won't gain more than 1 level of Wizard (if that) in the regular run through of the game. If I add 1 Wizard level, it will be for the Will save bonus. I plan on wearing some light armor, until I start gaining Wizard levels. I also need to look into which spells I'll really want (since this is my 3rd-string arcane spellcaster, 4th if you count the Bard), and will probably specialize. The order of classes really doesn't matter, outside of the Rogue coming 1st, and the Wizard last, avoiding XP penalties along the way.

2) LN Female Drow Monk 3/Ranger 2/Dreadmaster of Bane 25

-dualweilding tank, and backup Cleric. With a maxxed out Wisdom, I expect this character to have the best AC in my party. Ranger 2 -> Monk 3 -> Dreadmaster X

3) CG Dwarf Battleguard of Tempus

-main Cleric, and a good tank as well with the heavy armor and axe focus in the initial run-through of the game. I'm fiddling with the idea of adding a level of Rogue and/or Bard for the save bonuses, but I'm not sure. If I find nice meduim armor, I might add a level of Barbarian for the added speed, and a level or two of Fighter is a possibility as well. If I ever do add any levels of a class other than Cleric, it will happen after Cleric 20.

4) CG Male Drow Rogue 3/Wizard 25/Barbarian 1/Bard 1

-2nd string offensive spellcaster/loremaster/rogue. This guy handles all traps and locks, and will be an offensive spellcasting force (eventually). The 3rd Rogue level will be added at the very end, right before the Barbarian level (which is there for the save bonus and speed bonus). The plan is to go Rogue 2 -> Wizard 20 -> Bard 1 -> Wizard 25 -> Barbarian 1 -> Rogue 3.

5) LG Aasimar Paladin 2/Sorcerer 25/ Monk 3.

-main spellchucker. Lots of firepower here, and will probably always make her saves because of the high Charisma and Paladin levels. The Monk levels are to be added last, and are good for the Evasion ability. I need to check up on this though, because if Evasion is negated by wearing robes, I'll just go to Sorcerer 28 instead.

6) NG Human Bard 11/Druid 19

-diplomat. This character is maxxed out in all the talking skills. The physical stats stink, and even though I'm unwilling to use mods, the animal shapes will be better options if this guy must enter combat than staying in human form. This guy will eventually use a few Armored Arcana feats, and is a good backup spellcaster for both the arcane and divine spellcasters in the party. He's the weakest combat type in my party for most of the game, but that's alright. He'll be sniping with a crossbow when not casting, and since Lingering Song was his first feat, he'll always be helping the rest of the party in some fashion. I've done some searching around online, and with a 14Int 14Wis and 16Char, all dialogues will be open to this character. I had two points left over, and sunk them into Wisdom since this character is primarily a Druid in the end.

He's built like this: Bard 1 -> Druid 1 -> Bard 11 -> Druid 19.

[krunchyfrogg]

It's becoming increasingly obvious to me that a high Strength character benefits much more from a weapon like a greatsword than he does from dual- weilding two weapons. I might still keep those Ranger levels for added BAB and HP, as well as that favored enemy bonus, but I don't think I'll really be dual-weilding too much with that 1st character.

Although, with the added 2d6 sneak attack damage bonus, maybe I would be better off with two weapons. I really haven't decided yet.

[silverdragon72]

Originally Posted by krunchyfrogg

It's becoming increasingly obvious to me that a high Strength character benefits much more from a weapon like a greatsword than he does from dual- weilding two weapons. I might still keep those Ranger levels for added BAB and HP, as well as that favored enemy bonus, but I don't think I'll really be dual-weilding too much with that 1st character.

Although, with the added 2d6 sneak attack damage bonus, maybe I would be better off with two weapons. I really haven't decided yet.

...just looking on the 3rd edition rules 2-handed weapons might be equal or even better...

...but in IWD2 I would prefer 2-weapon fighting, due to the items you find!


btw.: even with maxed out 5 attacks per round the off-hand attack has a much better BAB then the 4th (if hasted) or 5th attack you get from a high BAB-build!

...and AFAIR you also get an additional the sneak attack for your off-hand attack (or was this in ToEE?) - together with ehnhanced (elemental) damage effect weapons you do alltogether much more damage then with a 2-handed weapon!

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just a few comments on your final party...

...even if you certainly won't get in to much trouble with this set-up:


1.: reaching about L10 you will see that this build is already that powerfull that it will more benefit from MI then from another non-caster level!


2.: 25 cleric level are to much from my point of view - especially for your 2nd tank and back-up divine caster!

...think about adding rogue, barb or fighter levels and eventually skip the ranger therefore


3.: your choice - but being CG you can't even add any Pal levels! (HA-quest!)


4.: 25 wiz are also a bit to much - for what did you add the bard level?!


5.: if you add the monk levels late you can just skip them - that late in the game you won't need evasion for this build!

I would eventually add rogue levels earlier - as this gives you definetly evasion with robes (not 100% sure about the monk evasion) and AFAIR you will find a rogue-only CHA increasing item!


6.: best possible build unmodded - btw. if you change your mind, you can install the mod at every point of the game...

...but then go for 21 - as this is quite fun!


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