<font color="Deepskyblue">Hi all!
I just got this game yesterday and I made my first party. I was wondering if you's could give it a summary, its strenghts, weaknesses etc, and maybe suggest aboyut replacing some of them.
I havent played that far into it so starting over from the star isnt an incoveniance.
Here it is:

1.Pingu - Fighter (Human)
2.Sonic - Ranger (Half-Elf)
3.Aegidius - Evoker (DROW)
4.Rachel Barris - Ranger (Wild-Elf)
5.Jo Young - Barbarian (Human)
6.Jen Hannah - Ranger (Half-Elf)

I have the 3 rangers cause I think that long range fighting is best, as opposed to face to face conflict.
Maybe 3 is too much? and another magic user should be put in?
Please help summarise this party as it is my first and im not really experianced in IWD2 :D
Thanks</font>

Not that I'm an expert on this by any length, but I think that the use of 3 rangers may be overkill. I'd probably drop one in favour of a Cleric/Druid for some healing/extra spells (+ missile - slings?) and drop another ranger for a rogue (or at least multi class with a rogue). Rogues can be equally effective with missile fire, get there sneak attacks (if you weant to play that on occasion) some interesting feats/skills and more importantly give some variation. I think I'd personally get tired of having 3 VERY similar characters and it may restrict equipment choices later.

Having said all that, I haven't even started the game yet and have spent 3 days trying to create a party myself!

<font color="Deepskyblue">Ahh right, cool thanks for the tips! I was thinking that maybe 3 rangers was over the top like :D
Anyone else got some suggestions?
Oh and welcome to IW RedBall!! [img]smile.gif[/img] </font>

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Get a cleric! Having a healer is a most. If he is elven he will be proficient with a bow (and large swords) for free.

Rangers in IWD2 are not really bow experts but rather 2-weapon-fighting drizzt-wannabees. DEX maxed Fighters make better ranged fighters in the long haul.

I've played through the game 2.5 times and am impressed with the druid, he's good at healing, and offensive magic (without armor arcane failure) and even decent with a weapon if given the right feats.

My 2 cents.
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A good formula for party composition came out of the "Green Lantern" party guide, where it basically suggests something like this:

2 Tanks
1 Healer
1 Leader
1 Sneaker
1 Nuker-type caster

You can have characters who fill more than one role (for example, I have a rogue who is also my leader). If you can fill at least those slots, then with any free ones, basically pick whatever you want.

So I agree, a Cleric would help alot as you don't have a dedicated healer. Rangers can be tanks and decent sneakers too, and I like them, even though they might have gotten a little underpowered in IWD II, but 3 is alot [img]smile.gif[/img]

I am a ranger fan also.The rangers in BG2 were much stronger and they had the cool kits. I must admit My ranger was only a so so tank but i stick with what I enjoy playing. My dwarf fighter turned out to be the best tank.

From My experience you need a healer. As you progress in the game you will see. Suffice it to say without my high level cleric of lathander I would not be able to finish.

If you do not put a rogue in your party make sure you get the spells KNOCK and FINDTRAPS. And give your character with the highest INT lots of Disable Trap skill points. If you do add a rogue then ignore this paragraph.

BTW I had a Halfling rogue in normal mode and Tiefling rogue currently in HOF mode. Both have been valuble to me.

Just Remember what ever party you choose have fun. Pick characters and classes that you enjoy playing. You should be able to go far with almost any combo.

Hope I helped.
Kygon-Jo the neutral good Ranger [img]smile.gif[/img]

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My 6-drow party would be
6 Tanks
2 Healers
1 Leader
0 Sneaker
2 Nukers

;) Even the wizard turned out to be a great tank in late normal mode early HoF mode.
Tensers Transformation + Trollish Fortitude + Mirror Image + ... = [img]graemlins/knightsmile.gif[/img]

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[ 11-14-2002, 08:11 AM: Message edited by: Warhammer ]

I would suggest dropping 2 of the Rangers, pick up a Druid. Druids rock! They get heal spells as well as summoning and the ablility to shapeshift. You might want to consider changing your barb to a Half-Orc to get the added +2 to strength. As for your 6th character, I would recommend a Rogue, Rogue/Fighter or Rogue/Ranger. I am playing a Rogue/Fighter right now. He is becoming quite the tank and a good leader due to his int. I've got him setup w/ Amberdexterity, Two-Weapon Fighting and Weapon Finesse. I'm looking forward to finishing out his proficiency w/ small blades. I am progressing him as follows:
2 Rogue levels
4 Fighter levels
8 Rogue levels
then rest as Fighter.
I want the first 2 levels to be Rogue b/c Rogue level 2 you get evade. Also, b/c my Rogue is a strongheart halfling, I got an extra feat when creating him so I was able to take Amberdexterity & Two-Weapon Fighting right off the bat.

Here's something new...( well maybe not ). you can let your evoker carry bow. why? because when he finish all his spell. he just stand there doing nothing. so might as well you give him a bow.

cleric is virtually a must. you will eventually come into situation where you tanker is shouting for medic. also give him a bow so that he will help out in the killing.

<font color="Deepskyblue">Great! thanks for the replies all, im gonna go make my party on the suggestions you's made and I'll get back to you when I have sorted it out (gonna do it this instant)
Thanks again all! been a great help [img]smile.gif[/img] </font>

Fighter/Rogue is a great combo!

<font color="Deepskyblue">Ok ive made my part and here it is, I wil multi the rogue into a fighter like was stated on thsi thread earlier.

1.Tank. Pingu Pi - Barbarian (Half-Orc)
2.Tank. Pinsu Pi - Barbarian (Half-Orc)
3.Healer. Rachel Barris - Cleric (Moon-Elf)
4.Leader. Sonic - Fighter (specialises in bow, maxed out dex) (Human Tiefling)
5.Sneaker. Jo Young - Rogue (Halfling)
6.Nuker. Aegidius Zettnig - Evoker (Moon-Elf)

The two barbs are brothers :D

Thats my party, and im going to go play it. Is it better? and whats wrong with it?
Thanks.</font>

Well rounded party good choices. Hey. You went from three rangers to none. LOL.
You should do fine with those choices.

Well, just as an afterthought, you might want to change one of the Half-Orcs to a Dwarf fighter. I dunno what it is with Dwarfs, but they turn out to be the most ferocious fighters, and usually have the most kills in the game. A Dwarf with weapon specialization axe and a great axe in hand is something to be feared. Aside from that, you have a very viable party so go with it (Dwarf or no Dwarf).

<center>Nightowl2</center>

I personally like the 2x HalfOrcs. "The brothers Grim" add a touch of personality to the party. Helps draw you into the game a bit more (personal opinion).

Having said that, I can see how a Dwarf can make a formidable foe. I think that they are the ideal race for true tanks. They have better overall ability bonus (0 vs -2 for halforc), can start with VERY good HP and have other some other useful saving throw and skill bonuses.

I'd go with what feels like most fun on this one.

How about "The brothers Grom" - 2x Dwarven Barbarian/Fighters?

Come to think of it, I think I might re-think my party a bit now!!!!
(Is there a record for 'the longest amount of time spent creating chracters without starting the game!!!! I fancy my chances.)

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I dunno if there is a record but it took me three weeks. Then again I could not start the game because it hadn't hit the shelves yet, so I spent all that time in planning a party, to every minor detail [img]smile.gif[/img] (Mainly using Excel spreadsheets)

For the recod the party ended up being: FIG-BARB-PAL-CLC-DRD-WIZ with a splash of a second class, for some characters.
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[ 11-15-2002, 06:33 AM: Message edited by: Warhammer ]

Nightowl I agree with you about the dwarves. My leader was a human ranger that I intended to use as a tank. My Dwarf (Gunnar the AXE)turned out to be my favorite character and best tank. As a matter of fact I had a Halfelf, and halfling and a dwarf. I think (personal opinion only) that an all one race party would make the game less interesting.

IN HOF right now an Gunnar has a 23 strength with no bonus added. Buff spell, +5 halberd or +3 Greataxe, potion of strentgh and he is a 30. Lots o damage.

ive found also that dwarves are so damm tough ... heroic inspirtaion feat seems to work really well as well

not so sold on barbarian, rage is nothing special and can easily be matched using a spell..

I have a druid and i have to say that whilst she never goes melee cos i gave her low strength, her spells are real fun and also powerful. She can heal as well.

also, my wizard is tking some time in eth game to get useful, have only got 1 3rd and 4th level spell so far as well... should have bought more at Targos. All the spells i find seem to be one time scrolls and cant be written.

There are no one time wizard/sorceror spells, only druid and cleric spells. You just aren't at a high enough level to learn them.

Well ive played quite a bit so far usig my party and im beyond making a new one now :D
But thanks for all the replies.
Redball - the two bro's does make it a bit more of a personal game, a touch of my own to the game :D