I know that this weapon is probably pretty crap compared with what you guys are all talking about, but I found it very useful throughout the early stages of the game...
it is the staffspear, which has a damage of 1d8+3 (or maybe is it +2 )
I got this of Xan, or whatever, I will soon find a better weapon, but this is working fine at the moment...

There is a +3 scimitar, Water's Edge, in the game but I've never found it. Must be a random item. Anyone out there found it so far?

I think the water's edge +3 is just a carry-over from BG. Never found it in the game.

The Staff-Spear is good because it uses the STaff profiecency. I gave it to Aerie.

If I ever play a bard in any BG game I use Halberds.

T'was not my Bard with a Halberd, you silly, but my husband's rockabilly fighter of the hell !
He poked the big thing to death during a good 15 mn, having no Halberd skill, while Valygar made his dryful comments "Waiting around, waiting around, it is just like in the army !"

That's pretty funny, but seriously, all the Bards I've played I've equipped with a good longbow and a halberd. Most if not all NPC fighters have no proficiency in such a damaging weapon, yet the Bard can use Halberds (and not Two handed swords) so why not? Makes them a better fighter than the Thief. Pretty cool about the Golem, have to try that myself.

spoiler location for the scimitar +3 waters edge.................
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it is found in the drow city in chapter 5. can't remember if it was at house jaellat or at the lich tower. I definitely found it in the drow city somewhere. it's nothing spectacular.

am i the only one who finds the staff of the woodlands overrated?

if you want j to be an offensive tank, impaler is the way to go. if you want her to be a defensive tank belm +2 is the best thing because then she can carry a +4 shield. all these can be found before chap 6.

I have two other fighters who close with monsters, so Jaheira uses her Sling +2 with Bullets +2 most of the time,
which makes a +4 weapon, so I never get the "My weapon has no effect !" anymore.
Meanwhile, I have just found a Sling +3, so I am happy !

Hmm, well I use Jaheira as a support tank
Wielding the +2 Scimitar from the Genies in Trademeet and the sling +3 Dragonsbane, and the fortress shield. She can give distance support, anoy mages with insectplague, summon insects and also take care of herself pretty good in a melee.

These weapon combos are good strategy ideas. I +m fond of dualwielding, however there are sooooo many good 2h swords in this game for once so ités hard to get to grandmastery.. ;-(