Some general questions around the expansions (Diamond) - possible spoilers

[dragon wench]

I recently picked up the Diamond Edition, and I have to say I'm pleased I did.
After browsing and searching through this forum, and gaining five levels in SoU I have some questions.

*I am playing a sorcerer. From reading I have determined that it is not a great idea to select any of the prestige classes, and that 'professions' like Red Dragon Disciple are only useful for bards or perhaps fighter types who want a bit of magic. So, I'm thinking I'll likely stick with a single class sorcerer. Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome though.

*I have noticed that the familiar selection seems to have increased from the last time I played, which was just the original campaign, no expansions. I've been selecting one of the small dragons (which is great btw). Am I imagining this? I swear I don't recall dragons as a choice from the original game.... Or do I just have a really bad memory...

*Against my better instincts, out of curiosity, I started a game in HOTU last night. Not a great idea..because it looks even better than SoU, which means I'll need to discipline myself to finish Sou..
Anyway, for that game I selected a druid, and was overwhelmed by the huge number of spells (after levelling to 15), many of which looked like a lot of fun to work with.
I like magic... So.. from a pure fun, or role playing, (not power playing) perspective, would people recommend a druid or a sorcerer for the two expansions?

*Henchmen? In HOTU I will take Deekin. But in SoU, I'm wondering who is generally better in terms of "personality?" Right now I'm using Dorna who seems to complement my sorcerer quite well, but I'm also thinking I might give Xanos a try. Thoughts?

[Fiberfar]

I recently picked up the Diamond Edition, and I have to say I'm pleased I did.
After browsing and searching through this forum, and gaining five levels in SoU I have some questions.

*I am playing a sorcerer. From reading I have determined that it is not a great idea to select any of the prestige classes, and that 'professions' like Red Dragon Disciple are only useful for bards or perhaps fighter types who want a bit of magic. So, I'm thinking I'll likely stick with a single class sorcerer. Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome though.

I think sticking with a pure sorcerer is better than multiclassing it, since I don't think they got good muliclass options, unless you want some crazed power build.

*I have noticed that the familiar selection seems to have increased from the last time I played, which was just the original campaign, no expansions. I've been selecting one of the small dragons (which is great btw). Am I imagining this? I swear I don't recall dragons as a choice from the original game.... Or do I just have a really bad memory...

You're not going senile

*Against my better instincts, out of curiosity, I started a game in HOTU last night. Not a great idea..because it looks even better than SoU, which means I'll need to discipline myself to finish Sou..
Anyway, for that game I selected a druid, and was overwhelmed by the huge number of spells (after levelling to 15), many of which looked like a lot of fun to work with.
I like magic... So.. from a pure fun, or role playing, (not power playing) perspective, would people recommend a druid or a sorcerer for the two expansions?

Well.... Druids doesn't get those really nasty instant death spells like Wail of the Banshee, Weird and implosion. They do get Harm and Finger of Death, but those spells doesn't kill 20+ enemies in one attack.

Druids also got more to offer than a sorcerer, since the sorcerers when not using True Strike, has a poor AB and only two attack per round. The Druid got an average BAB and three attacks per round.

IMHO Druids are more fun than sorcerers in the expansions.

*Henchmen? In HOTU I will take Deekin. But in SoU, I'm wondering who is generally better in terms of "personality?" Right now I'm using Dorna who seems to complement my sorcerer quite well, but I'm also thinking I might give Xanos a try. Thoughts?

Can't help you with this one, since I don't use henchmen in SoU and HOTU. I've just completed HOTU with a henchman (won't tell you who ) for the first time.

[dragon wench]

Thanks Fiberfar

btw, I'm not that great with acronyms, what do "AB" and "BAB" mean?

[Magrus]

Attack Bonus and Base Attack Bonus.

and if you want a really in-depth thing on how to figure out what those are, I can give you an official thing on how those work.

[Fiberfar]

Thanks Fiberfar

btw, I'm not that great with acronyms, what do "AB" and "BAB" mean?

My bad
Anyhow, mages doesn't really need a high AB, because they could just summon something to take care of that

[dragon wench]

Okay, cheers!

Hmmm... I ended up creating a druid for SoU too, and have spent the last little while playing her. I think I prefer this character to the sorcerer... There's more of a roleplaying feel to it, perhaps aided by being able to talk to animals, which adds a bit of depth. I spoke to the bats in a certain crypt...interesting stuff
I also picked up Xanos as companion to my druid... I think I like him better than Dorna...he reminds me a little of Edwin from BG2

Thanks again