Tips for managing the henchman AI

[fable]

I've just about given up on NWN2. I'm getting a variety of problems that I assume will be fixed in future releases, because I look forward to the game having rather more character depth given its oriigns with Obsidian. For now, I was planning on starting up a game of the two add-ons in NWN. But...I really, really dislike the way they take control of henchmen during battle, because they do it so badly. I half expect it was done that way so didn't get comments about the same poor AI in your opponents.

I'm sure some of you have found ways to manage the henchmen AI and make it work for you, at least as best you can: things to avoid, strategies to employ on the battlefield, spells or not, etc. I'd enjoy hearing such opinions. Thanks.

[dragon wench]

While the henchman "control" in the expansions is far from perfect, I find it a dramatic improvement from the OC.
For example, in chapter two one of the possible henchman is a mage/rogue assassin type and you can ask her to cast spells from the shadows. Another henchman who is more melee oriented can be told to not rush into battle, but rather to follow your lead, and only react when you are attacked. Most (not all) of the time this seems to work fairly well. The fact that you can manage their inventories helps too. For example, if you want your henchman to just use ranged weapons, just make sure that they have a bow or similar in their weapons slot.

btw speaking of henchmen.. starting in the Interlude section of SoU and then in HoTU.. you'll have access to a rather 'unique' henchman, whatever you do, take him...

[fable]

Thanks for the tip. I'll look for that. And I appreciate you not giving away anymore than that about the henchman, too.

[GoldDragon]

For the OC (NWN), I don't even bother with controlling Daelen Red Tiger. I just let him do whatever.

And focus on my own spellcasting. I generally have to heal him afterwards, tho.

My playstyle, however, seems to leave him in the dust about chapter four, tho....

[Ningengirai]

General tip: spellcasting henchmen will use spellcasting equipment you give them ( wands, scrolls ), and all henchmen will use potions. However, giving them a ton of different potions ( Eagle's Splendor, Cat's Grace, etc ) will lead to the melee type henchies imbibing more than they need - which in my case sometimes translated to my wizard running around trying to get away from the bad guys, while my henchman was happily guzzling down a potion or ten.

[dragon wench]

General tip: spellcasting henchmen will use spellcasting equipment you give them ( wands, scrolls ), and all henchmen will use potions.

That is a good point. In HoTU I gave one of my henchmen an item that summons undead, and he did so even during easy battles. So, I would suggest only placing items like that in the henchman's inventory just before what you think will be a difficult battle requiring additional cannon fodder.

[Fiberfar]

I have one particular multi class henchman stop using her (oooooh the mystery ) spellls because she mostly uses spells that won't do me much good once I get some decent equipment.

Since when did a Balor ever care about a magic missile?

[Ningengirai]

I have one particular multi class henchman stop using her (oooooh the mystery ) spellls because she mostly uses spells that won't do me much good once I get some decent equipment.

...I told one of my multi-class Henchgirls to stop using spells because she summoned something that wanted to EAT me.

[fable]

It has always seemed to me that an excellent way of handicapping yourself in the game was to make your primary magicuser a henchman. Underscore and italicize that if you set the game for hardcore rules.

[Galuf the Dwarf]

It has always seemed to me that an excellent way of handicapping yourself in the game was to make your primary magicuser a henchman. Underscore and italicize that if you set the game for hardcore rules.

*cough* Boddyknock *cough*

Me, since 1) I've only been through half of the OC so far, and 2) I've only used a melee character so far, I've done these things.

1) Used Tomi throughout a majority of the game, due to me learning how to handle traps.

2) Used Daelan to handle melee-heavy encounters, namely (highlight for spoiler)

Spoiler

the half-orc boss in the Blacklake No-Man's Land and the lich in the Arcane Brotherhood Tomb in Chpt. 2.

.

Some of my tips are these:
- Have your henchmen stay close to you. You never know when you're going to run into a trap that may kill or severely debilitate you. That, or an enemy that will possibly overpower you without the right preparations (buffs, weapons, henchman, etc.).
- Keep buffing items (namely potions) available for both you and them. If your henchman needs more Strength to land harder hits, keep Bull's Strength potions ready. In my case, I do this in my paladin's own inventory due to playing the Original Campaign.


I hope this helps you at all, fable. Like I said, I'm only familiar w/ the OC so far.

[Galuf the Dwarf]

Oh! In addition, fable, I'd suggest this if your main character is a melee character: If you're trying to keep your henchman from getting killed, try to make sure that you get in the initial hit on a powerful enemy, so that said enemy is more likely to focus on your character.

You never know when a henchman's special abilities will come in handy in a fight, so why not keep them alive to the end?

[fable]

I'm running a sorc, Galuf. I would never run a melee character and leave it to one of my henchmen to manage magic. Thanks for all your tips--and that goes to everybody, so far, too!

[mr_sir]

I generally play magic users and the way I handle melee henchman etc. is by using the commands constantly. I access their inventories to give them the weapon they need to be using, and then I tell them to stand their ground while I fire off area effect spells (I play on the hardest setting, on easier settings this is not an issue), then retreat back to them or use the commands to tell them to attack the nearest. If they do something I don't want htem to do, I pause, then tell them to follow me so they come back and then tell them to attack nearest again so they attack the enemies closest to my spellcaster. I also only ever give them two or three healing potions at a time. Any more and they will use the lot in one fight and end up costing you a fortune. I then just leave them to it and heal them with a healing kit if they die/get mortally wounded in a battle once I've finished killing everyone. In the expansions I tend to just use particular henchman for the dialogue and banter, so in battles I don't care too much if they die lol

[Galuf the Dwarf]

I'm running a sorc, Galuf. I would never run a melee character and leave it to one of my henchmen to manage magic. Thanks for all your tips--and that goes to everybody, so far, too!

Well, to each their own, like they say. I'll likely play an arcane character at some point. I already got almost every class set up and ready to play at a whim anyways. :laugh:

Are you using a familiar at all, fable? I was thinking you're likely using one to compliment your sorcerer and your henchman.

[fable]

Are you using a familiar at all, fable? I was thinking you're likely using one to compliment your sorcerer and your henchman.

Yes, I've got a pixie for its thieving abilities. It also serves as effective bait right now, in the low levels. Xanos is around, too, and I've gotten him turned towards barbarian mode. My sorc is only second level, and this is likely to proceed slowly because I don't play much, but the hints are a great help.

[dragon wench]

Yes, I've got a pixie for its thieving abilities. It also serves as effective bait right now, in the low levels. Xanos is around, too, and I've gotten him turned towards barbarian mode.

That sounds like a good combination, seeing as Xanos will serve as your meat shield.
Just a tip if you decide to go for a different "party" at some point. In my various runs through SoU/HoTU I have yet to encounter a situation where dedicated thieving skills are critical. Almost all chests can be bashed, or even better, blown apart with a spell (I find fire-based are most effective). And, as far as traps go, they don't usually do an unmanageable amount of damage.

[fable]

Post removed. Got your own question, not answered anywhere else? Good. Don't kidnap this thread. After first checking in our database, start your own.

[GoldDragon]

As for Familliars, I preffer the Psuedo-dragon

Spoiler

Cone of Fire at level 5 can come in handy

, and in SoU, I preffer the Dwarf, at least, until that crazy little bard comes along..... But that's just me. It sounds, tho, that you got your bases covered that way already. Good job!