I've Never kept Xzar Long Enough To See His Full Potential, I Always Ditch Him Because Of His Low HP And Tendancy To Get Killed, Also, I Mainly Try To Keep A Good Party... (Good As In Not Evil)
Anyway, What I Do See Of Him Is Just Great! Like When He Says:

Xzar: "<font color="green">Tell us A Story Monty! Something With Bears And Gold!</font>"

'Monty': Ach, The Mad Wizard is off On One Of His 'Spells' Again

Xzar: "<font color="green">Oh Monatron Why Do You Always Have To Be So... So... Moody?</font>"

I Just Think He's Cool. Has Anyone Seen Him Have The Fight With Khalid And Jaheira?? "<font color="green">Why Don't We Just All Mind Our Own Enterprise???</font>"

Has Anyone Ever Kept Xzar Long Enough To See His Full Potential... Or His Full Strangeness??

<font color="cyan">Yeah, he is cool.

I never really liked Monty but I didn't like Killing him and taking Xzar. Also, his constitution was low, therefore his health was low. And he would be my first choice Mage on the game if it wasnt for Dynaheir. She is my fave Mage, but I think Xxar's persona beats anyone.

:D </font>

As far as stats go, I'd say both Xzar and Montaron are better than Khalid & Jaheira (Although J's stats get better in BG2). Monty is more useful, of course, since he's a Multiclass, but Xzar is also quite formidable--good STR and CON for a Mage, and a good kit too. I'd take him over Dynaheir, Xan, or even Edwin any day. Too bad about his alignment (Sorry, Katherine [img]smile.gif[/img] ).

I love xzar, he completly MENTAL.

Ive seen dragons with feet like rabbits, its true I swear it.

Yeah Xzar is great NPC, maybe the best (IHMO). I killed Montaron and keept Xzar alone, because I didn't need any fighters more. It worked that way.

Oh yes, I love this character! He's really so much fun. My first time playing all the way through, he was my character's 'boyfriend.'

And Six, you made me laugh!

Yea, I Love Xzar, When I Play The Game Again He Will Be In My Party!

Yup, I concur. Xzar is one of the best characters in the game. He's definitely one of the funniest. IMO, Edwin is ultimately more powerful because his specialization limits him less (Edwin loses Identification; Xzar loses Blindness, Invisibility, Mirror Image, and Shadow Door). And although I'm unable to check this until later tonight, I think Edwin's amulet might give him some extra spell slots? That could be wrong. But in any event Edwin is an ass. Xzar is much more fun to have around. (That portrait of his is really awful, though. I change it.)

Xzar rules...the only reason I don't like him is Imoen can be almost as good a Mage, and get 100% Stealth and Pockets to boot, plus more hitpoints. Oh, well..... and I hate Edwin's amulet & not having Identify. Although Edwin's voice set is cool.

(I've played BG2 and am halfway through ToB: I've met 6 dragons so far, but from what I could see, their feet were scaly, not soft and fuzzy.)

I agree-Xzar is good for a lot of laughs and makes the game a lot more fun! I enjoy his line, "I've never liked the sunlight. . ." I've been holding off on giving him more spells (I'm only in chapter 3) because I hadn't planned on keeping him, but I may have to change that strategy. Are there better mages later in the game? I've heard that Dynaheir is good, but is it worth dumping Xzar for her?

[ 02-07-2002: Message edited by: jtqbe ]</p>

Well, Quayle, a cleric-illusionist becomes available later. He's a very capable character, actually, and very funny. That's it, though.

The downside of Xzar is that since he is an evil character you can't let your rep get above 17 because he will leave. Not that 17 rep matters all that much--you'll be swimming in cash at a certain point in the game anyway, and you just get there a bit faster with 20 rep.

I like both Dynaheir and Xzar, so for me that is about an even trade.

A follow up to what I posted above: Edwin's amulet does give him one extra spell per level. With Edwin in the party I'd recommend having another mage around who can ID stuff, though, since it is a pain to trudge to temples or stores all the time for that. You can buy ID scrolls, but their qauntity in the stores is limited. Or Garrick or Eldoth could ID stuff as well. Actually if you are playing a bard yourself then Edwin works out nicely as a mage. His personality is abrasive, although as Six pointed out his voice is well done. It reminds me of a voice actor who did a lot of voices in the 60's for such cartoons as Space Ghost and Johnny Quest.

[ 02-07-2002: Message edited by: Lemernis ]</p>

<font color="cyan">Some mages can identify basic items on their own, as they usually get some kind of lore. I prefere Dynaheir, and although her lore is low on my game (5), she can identify any basic magical item....all wands, and all arrows. So it aint that bad! Give her one identify spell, and shes away!</font>