GameBanshee Forums

1st: Keldorn/Carsomyr +6/Helm of the Rock
joint with
Edwin/Staff of the Ram/Robe of the Evil Magi

2nd: Sarevok/Gram Sword of Greif Upgraded/Shuruppaks Plate
/Helm of the Rock
3rd: Solaufein/Drizzt's Two Scimatars/Elven Chain +5

If counting mods, as you do with Solaufein, I think Valen's fairly well-known to be hands-down the most overpowered NPC in the game - particularly with UAI. Kelsey/Tashia can conceivably be considered since expertly-played sorcerers are hard to top

As far as Solaufein goes, I consider him much better than Keldorn. I don't really understand your recommended weapon selection though? Drizzt's gear in BGII isn't all that good, and Sola doesn't even specialize in scimitars to begin with. A combination of moonblade/Flail of Ages is both super-powerful and works with his proficiencies.

Vanilla game:
Aerie: Robe of Vecna/Amulet of Power/Staff of Magi/cloak of balduran, and well chosen triggers/contingencies

More..

Well, aside from Valen the cheesemistress, and the sorcerors (who are just intrinsically cheesy) I think I'd have to say that for me:

Edwin, with Vecna robe, mage staff and the usual other stuff - but, frankly, Jan is pretty close with the cheesy goodness of UAI and Project Image + spike traps etc., and Aerie can get pretty scary with her triggered cleric and divine spells. This, however, derives from the fact that arcane spellcasters just scale up so radically in power at level 20+

I'm with Ian on moonblade+FoA as the weapon combo for Sola

Korgan. Hand him Crom Faeyr and the dwarven trower, some decent armor and he'll wipe the floor with almost anyone.

You know, as you start to play in ToB, everybody seems to hit everybody. I'm a big fan of those who can stoneskin/ironskin but have fighting capacity as well. There are a few decent weapons to throw Jaheira, and with an ironskin and a little firepower behind her enemies are rather easily taken down. Also, as a druid her spells are pretty nifty, useful, and more uncommon. A definite advantage early on. Typically the drawback here would be that she can't raise dead, but as a harper she gets that nice little bonus.

I don't really think the question is relevant, though. I've noticed that as you start BG2 you have to do a great deal of thinking, working around, and getting lucky to get where you need to go. Then when you start acquiring the super-powered items and abilities the game becomes somewhat of a breeze, you just walk through everything thoughtlessly save a few key boss enemies. And then you start ToB. I feel like you are pretty much reduced to using cheese, and the only thing that keeps it interesting is the variety of cheese that is possible to throw at your enemies. All this seems to stay consistent no matter what NPCs you choose.

I agree with Miscreant. My party is kensai9/mage, Sola, keldorn, Jaheira, Imoen, Aerie.
Keldorn is quite clearly the weakest link, because everything hits him, and he can't buff himself.

Most powerful NPC in un-modded game= Aerie

It might not seem like it from her voice and dialogue, but its true

Oh, my!

why do you use Helm of The Rock... Simple helm of defense is so much better for a frontliner...

On the high levels the most powerful NPC is either Aerie or Jan. I'd probably say Jan.

What no post on here from Crenshinibon singing the praises of Haer'Dalis?

My favorite NPC is the one who has the power to resurrect 4 year old threads!

Er I guess I like Jan because he's the only Awesome thief option. Other than dual-class Serevok. Imoen is only a passable thief.

Unfortunately, while still among the strong characters, I have to go with Jan on being the strongest, without any exploits.

Haer' Dalis could counter or even match Jan's skills and spells with the help of scrolls however.

Imprisonment, Chain Contingencies and Shapechange aside, Haer' Dalis can become the strongest fighter next to mages in physical combat as he'd have more life than any mage as well as a nice 40% resistance to physical damage, should he have the right items. Also, our tiefling is able to use Tensor's Transformation, Improved Haste and Defensive Spin at the same time as well, effectively giving him the maximum AC, aside from damage reduction in the off case that he does hit.

This is no where near a match for a all these buffs in conjunction with the Greater Wolfwere due to the monstrous regeneration it receives when under the effects of Improved Haste.

Also, unless you plan on investing in Pick Pockets, Haer' Dalis can steal from stores right off the bat.

This post was dedicated to galraen.

Claudius wrote:Imoen is only a passable thief.

That unfortunately is true in vanilla BG2, but in my current game she's just made 14th Level Ninja (TDD) and she's kicking butt!

I dare say that all NPCs can be quite powerful IF properly played and equipped. Casters of all sorts need some micromanagment, especially those with contigency and spell trigger/etc.
Aerie comes to mind, tons of spells which have to be carefully chosen and properly used, but if you can mange that she might be the most potent NPC in my opinion.

Fighter NPCs like Korgan or Sarevok are pretty straightforward though and are pretty easy to use. Just Quick Slots and a stray special ability are important but they truely shine with ToB HLAs like Greater Whirlwind.

Sarevok dualled to a Mage right when you get him is hands down the most powerful NPC in the vanilla game. It's like a kensai/mage but with slightly less fighting capability and crazy stats+deathbringer assault instead.

Modded, well, both Valen and Solaufein are so off the chart it is scary. They need a nerf. Period.

I've found that, when equipped with Crom Faeyr in the off-hand and possibly Runehammer in the main-hand(or if you've got the proficiency pts, Axe of the Unyielding +5), Minsc is absolutely GODLY.

He gets THAC0's better than -15 with each weapon, and deals out an absolutely insane amount of damage with GWW's.

That, combined with my Swashbuckler's secondary DPS and Keldorn's uber powerful Dispel Magic made even the toughest of ToB's battles insanely easy.

Never tried Sarevok, though I assume that he can be quite powerful.

Non-Mod

Sarevok with Ravager +6 and Nalmissra encounter gloves while under improved haste effects and "critical strike" ability. chop..chop..chop..CHOPCHOPCHOPCHOP.

Mod

Sarevok with Ravager +6, Nalmissra encounter gloves and the armor from dwarf-warrior (Improved Spellhold mod, "evil drow party")

Valen is overpowered, but nothing compares to Sarevok (except Sorcerers)

Ah, thread ressurection sorry!

At high levels I think Aerie is the most powerfull NPC the game provides.

Robe of Vecna plus Aumulet of Power= very low casting time plus being able to combine divin and arkane spells.