Which NPCs?.

Desdichado · Post by **Desdichado** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:34 am

Alright guys,

Which NPCs do you have in your party?. Do you mix and match?, or stick to the same party.

Me - Fighter
Dwarf Fighter
Paladin
Sorceror

I sometimes swap though, I don't really like the rogue chararcter so make do with a couple of "knock" items.

So, I sometimes swap the Paladin for the druid as I like her summoning ability and like druids generally.

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 6:32 pm

It would depend on what my character class was. I think I may start with a Rogue, when I finally get to play the game, so I would want a Fighter of some sort - Paladin, Ranger, Fighter - and a Cleric, and either a Mage or a Sorcerer. Hmmm...
I think Ranger, Cleric, Sorcerer. Cleric is a decent fighter as well as divine spell caster...

Daeanor · Post by **Daeanor** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:47 am

MINOR SPOILAGE REGARDING AVAILABLE COMPANIONS BELOW ... highlight to view.

I tend to get attached to my companions, and stick with the ones I got early. I am currently playing a ranger, and consider my main party to be Khelgar (fighter), Neeshka (rogue), and Ealanna (druid). I have been switching out the rogue when the storyline suggests I "need" a specific character to guide or assist in certain areas, but I'm not at all sure that is really necessary. I do find, however, that switching companions around a bit helps understand how the various classes work. I let the paladin accompany me to the Eyegougers, for example, and in Act II I have temporarily replaced Neeshka with Sand; as long as Sandra remains a "free" companion, I'll keep her around too. It's kind of fun having the female companions flirt with and fight over my male main.

The bard companion, however, I have no intention to try if I can in any way avoid it. He's too dang annoying. Deekin (who makes is still around, though I don't think as a companion), in NWN1, was hilarious to have around; this halfling is just annoying.

Daeanor · Post by **Daeanor** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:53 am

Sticking to theory, and keeping the spoilers out of it, I will always try to balance my party somewhat. Caster mains, or light melee (like rangers) need to have a heavy tank in the party. Similarly, and kind of melee needs at least one caster around. It can't hurt to have two fighter types, or two complementary casters (like a wiz and druid, or sorcerer and druid). I also like to have a rogue in the group for traps and locks, but consider that optional. That's the member I swap out when I need a specialist.

smass · Post by **smass** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:16 pm

My Ranger/Rogue is currently rolling with the paladin, the bard, and Sand. I try to stay with NPCs that are complimentary in class and alignment to my main character. I switch out the Paladin for Kelgar occassionally. I really like the Bard for his lore skill and buffs. I know I am probably in the minority as he is a bit annoying - but I actually find him useful and enjoyable. He kind of reminds me of a certain BGII gnome NPC - but he is nowhere near as funny.

Next time around I will probably play an evil character - possibly a cleric/divine champion. If so I will take Neeshka, the sorceress, and Bishop.

So far I am not a fan of the druid. Her constant shape shifting is annoying and I hate her portrait - her face freaks me out for some reason... :speech:

Ningengirai · Post by **Ningengirai** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:03 pm

I'm going for balanced company. I like to play caster types and I'm currently playing two runs of the game, one with a Moon Elf Wizard, and another with a Human Warlock. Neither class offers much in the way of packing a physical punch especially when it comes to melee, so I always have at least one fighter with me. I may switch them around when there are several available, but you won't find me traipsing around without one.

If I can get away with it, my favourite mix would be the old-fashioned group of four: a mage ( sorc OR wiz ), a fighter ( paladin OR normal fighter ), a nature-oriented ( druid OR ranger ) and a 'healer' ( cleric OR bard ). You'll notice there is no rogue included in that. Somehow, their very name implies to me that they'd rather be off doing their own thing than toddling obediently after a hero all day, and with a few scrolls of Lock and Find Traps, I can get around most traps and locks. If I can't, well, that's what the tank henchman is for.

However, balance only goes so far, and here we enter the realm of personal preferences. Maybe it's because I'm female, or maybe I'm just weird, but nine times out of ten, the female characters you get as henchmen just annoy the living daylights out of me. In NWN2, I take them with me only if I have to - for a quest. The sorceress does pack a punch, but I'd like to smack her to the moon whenever I have to talk to her. The druid's spellcasting strikes me as erratic and so far, her battle skills are below par. I did like the rogue, admittedly, and I have nothing against the female fighter, either.

My current set-up:
Me ( Warlock )
Paladin
Dwarf
Bard
Ranger

My other set-up:
Me ( Wizard )
Dwarf
Ranger
Female Fighter
Ranger

Noober · Post by **Noober** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:25 pm

Khelgar - Tank
Sorc (Me) - IGMS
Qara - IGMS
Sand - IGMS
Elanee - Restoration, Elemental Immunity and Wildshape
Cleric (swap with Elanee) - True Word

Even so severely nerfed, IGMS makes dragon-hunting like taking candy from a baby

.

GoldDragon · Post by **GoldDragon** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:52 am

Note: The Moon Elf comes pre-packaged with the ability to use the Longbow, crossbow, Longsword and Rapier.

This is the Elven Proficiency Package.

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 4:31 am

Every race can use a Ranged weapon of some sort. I keep all my team with a Ranged weapon and missiles in their Inventories because it can sometimes be a very good idea to start a fight with a missile barrage before swapping out to melee weapons for tanks.