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I have completed SoA numerous times. However, I've never gotten to finish the saga since I've lost interest in my PCs and restarted all over when about halfway through ToB. My newly created Wild Mage is to change that.

I'm planning on bringing the following NPCs. I already know they'll do very well in SoA and in the beginning of ToB. My question is, though, how well will they, individually and as a group, do in the later stages of ToB? Would you recommend other weapons than those stated below and in that case why?

Sir Anomen - Flail and Sling (using shield)

Valygar - Katanas (dualwielding)

Mazzy - Axe and Shortbow

Jan - Short Sword and X-Bow

Machiavelli (Half-Elven Wild Mage) - Staff and Throwing Knife

Jaheira - Spear and Darts

hehe

For me TOB has always been tank heaven hehe. My main character (Barbarian) with Minsc, Sarevok, Viconia, and two other characters that i switch in and out. Thats just the way i've always played BG i guess . As for your character list Astafas, i think you gathered together the most annoying group of NPC's possible.......I hate each and every one of those 5, but thats just personal taste. (i could never put a halfling in my party unless he was a straight up thief hehe) anyway good call on the name thing Uncle..... seriously .....Machiavelli? come on now

Man, your spelling of the names of the NPCs get worse and worse. "Amodweeb"? (from the SoA board). And now
"Amoen" and "Jahiera"?

To drop NPCs because you hate them isn't exactly the kind of opinion I was looking for here. And I'm not about to leave one slot open for NPC quests I've done several times already. But thanks anyway.

I'm afraid it's only you who like Biffle Chump. Sorry...

hmmm

I think you're missing the entire point of having NPCs in your party. Blackisle clearly put such a wide variety of NPCs in the game to give everyone a chance to customize their gaming experience, and make it enjoyable on a personal level. They're not there simply to make "the ultimate party" or what have you. For me playing through the game with NPCs that i LIKE is very important, as it makes the game more fun to experience. In response to your earlier question, does it really matter "how well they will do in TOB" ? just play through the game, enjoy it, and if you have problems, switch your characters up, or try a new strategy, simple as that.

oops

by the way, i played through the game with Jaheira the first time, and she developed too slowly for my taste. I booted her out for Viconia the second time through. (plus aren't drow so much cooler?)

Re: hmmm

Originally posted by [-Mortician-]
I think you're missing the entire point of having NPCs in your party. Blackisle clearly put such a wide variety of NPCs in the game to give everyone a chance to customize their gaming experience, and make it enjoyable on a personal level. They're not there simply to make "the ultimate party" or what have you. For me playing through the game with NPCs that i LIKE is very important, as it makes the game more fun to experience. In response to your earlier question, does it really matter "how well they will do in TOB" ? just play through the game, enjoy it, and if you have problems, switch your characters up, or try a new strategy, simple as that.

For a newbie, you certainly knows a lot about me. I've stated countless times on this board that everyone should play the game the way they like, that the game is possible to complete with any NPCs and so forth.

Since I've not learnt to take full advantage of the last high level spells and of some of the high level abilities, I thought to get a few interesting insights in this matter. I still wait.

For me too, it's very important to play the game with NPCs that I like. That is in fact the very reason I won't exclude NPCs simply because you or UncleScratchy "hate" them.

As for Jaheira, I want druid spells as well as clerical spells. Therefor Viconia isn't really a substitute. Cernd would be but I like the Jaheira romance.

hehe

Well put, in the midst of my need to prove something i seem to have missed my point entirely. (i get easily excited hehe) now to answer your actualy question, i do think you will have some problems in the later parts of TOB. it seems to me that you have a large amount of multi-classed characters, and if you want to take advantage of high level spells, this probably isn't the way to do it. My advice would be to drop Jaheira and take cernd (single class druids are much easier to work with in my experience), and as for a thief, i ended up making my own, as this was the best way to make full use of their rogue skills. Finally, save for Anomen you really dont have a great deal of "tanks" in your party. Granted you do have Valygar, but he is restricted in what kind of armour he can wear do to his class. this may give you a few problems late (really late) in the game, but i'm sure there are other ways around this.

hope that helps a bit

@[-Mortician-]

I wouldn't call two multiclass characters a large amount. Anomen is dual as you know, and have only lost a ridiculously low amount of XPs (considering the XP cap) for his fighting skills. Cernd will level up faster than Jaheira (thereby getting that major spell boost earlier). However, Cernd isn't someone to throw into the fray, while Jaheira is. She tanks really well FYI: low AC, Ironskin, Fighter's THAC0 and high level abilities, all armor and shields... I planned to use Valygar as a backstabber who comes into the fight while most ennemies are focused upon Anomen. Also, I've noticed that in ToB it gets more important to deal out much damage fast than to avoid damage - it simply isn't possible anyway in lots of fights. However, Valygar is my main concern (should I have any).

@UncleScratchy

Well now, druid spells don't exactly parallell clerical spells, although I agree there are many common. Me for one, I want all spells...

Actually, I think Sir Anomen is a far better NPC than Viconia. I like the cute drow, and have played her a lot, but really thinks Ano has the edge.

Korgan I've played so many times it's not fun any more. Pure Fighters are a bit boring IMO, but sure, he is the best (along with Sarevok perhaps).

Honestly now, I can't even recall having asked for another name. I'm perfectly satisfied with Machiavelli (who has been both Archer and Bard/Blade several times before). Good suggestions, though, I'll give you that.

Originally posted by Astafas
@UncleScratchy

Well now, druid spells don't exactly parallell clerical spells, although I agree there are many common. Me for one, I want all spells...

They don't - and I for one prefer druid spells. For the record I am playing through this time with two druids (pc - druid Avenger, and Jaheira) and no cleric *gasp* . I haven't missed a cleric If someone would like to offer up a cleric spell I miss (apart from sanctuary) I would be interested. My druids have many high level healing spells, and some great offensive ones too. And both my druids can tank effectively.

Of the NPC's you have listed, I have Jaheira and Mazzy - both of which, IMO, are serving me well and Jah, even as a dual class, gets access to the high level druid/fighter abilities.

Re weapons. I am a little confused by your giving Mazzy axes - her proficiencies are short swords IIRC (I am not playing at the moment). Re Jaheira, I gave her staff proficiencies and she now wields Staff Of Woodlands +4. I haven't come across any decent spears in the game, but must admit stopped looking after equipping her with staffs.

I had Jaheira dual-wielding Scimitars to great effect. Granted it takes a while to arrange her strange slots to suit dual wielding but anyway.
Man you dont have a Bard in your party!!! Every party needs a bard, thats all I have to say.

Originally posted by Bruce Lee

I had Jaheira dual-wielding Scimitars to great effect. Granted it takes a while to arrange her strange slots to suit dual wielding but anyway.
Man you dont have a Bard in your party!!! Every party needs a bard, thats all I have to say.

My druid avenger dual wields scimitars and has from the start - and that is where the game falls down IMO. Druids are limited, weapon wise, and there are no real decent scimitars not compared to the decent long swords you can get anyway.

LOL! what is a party without music?

Asty,

Multi class is THE meal ticket in ToB, Jaheira and Jan will be insanely powerful come ToB. Stick with them all the way through and they'll be as maxed as they need to be in both classes.

The only problem I see is with Valygar. I've never used him in ToB be it seems he will be limited. Not a great AC, not great HP's, and katanas get weak come ToB. Start putting points into long sword early on. Also boots of speed a must. I'd work getting him as many resistances as possible and make him your dummy. Lure enemies around with him and mop up with magic.

There is spectral brand... awesome scimitar. But I agree limited selection though.
Valygar is definitely not weak, very good IMO. He can stealth, he can backstab, has great armour. Two free slots inn dual wielding which means that he will be able to dual wield all weapons after a while almost. He also has spell...AOF, lightning and the special stalker spells. I think Valygar is really good, dull perhaps but I like him
Valygar and Keldorn are my two favourites at the moment. Keldorn is like a father to any group...always the last man standing. Okay off topic a bit here sorry.
I am sure your group will do really well come ToB.
In your group I would have Valygar dual wielding Bastard swords and long swords at the end.

Originally posted by Bruce Lee
I had Jaheira dual-wielding Scimitars to great effect. Granted it takes a while to arrange her strange slots to suit dual wielding but anyway.
Man you dont have a Bard in your party!!! Every party needs a bard, thats all I have to say.

I know, you're right... But I want H'D's portrait for myself and want no stupid replacement portraits for any of my NPCs. Of course, I could create a human Wild Mage go with Edwin's portrait, then let H'D replace Valygar who probably is my weakest link anyway. But then I get no backstabbing since Jan will have to spend his theif points elsewhere for a time. Tricky business, this party building...

Originally posted by Yshania
Re weapons. I am a little confused by your giving Mazzy axes - her proficiencies are short swords IIRC (I am not playing at the moment). Re Jaheira, I gave her staff proficiencies and she now wields Staff Of Woodlands +4. I haven't come across any decent spears in the game, but must admit stopped looking after equipping her with staffs.

Well, as I get her ASAP, she'll only have * in short swords, the rest in short bows. And I must confess that I often use SK to change the profiencies... Shame on me, bad Asty! I want Jan to use short swords and like to spread my profs around. I sometimes let her use spears and then have Jaheria (should she be in the team) wield clubs or scimitars.

Plenty of good spears IMO. I like the Spear of the Unicorn (free movement while equipped) available early on. Spear of Kuldahar isn't bad either before getting Impaler. And lots of free Spear +3, as well (the Guarded Compound comes to my mind).

Yes party building is really tricky. Personnaly I prefer minsc and keldorn as tanks, with jaheira as backup figher and jan as thief and aerie (never go without aerie) as spell caster. I playing trough ToB for the first time right now with this party and my PC as an insanly powerful sorceror.
There are plenty of good weapons available. Yamato +4 if you want schmitars and ixil spear if you want a spear. Both of those you get in ToB though.

Originally posted by Astafas
And I must confess that I often use SK to change the profiencies... Shame on me, bad Asty!

Tsk...the dark side claims another...oh the humanity...

@Yshania:

Druids are limited, weapon wise, and there are no real decent scimitars not compared to the decent long swords you can get anyway.

I wish there were more like it, but there is that nice spectral brand you get from gambling with a certain demon in a certain dungeon. Unfortunately, that's it.