I want you to know that I did do a search on this topic and attempted to ascertain information without spoiling the game. The following questions are to help clarify my understanding of game play/mechanics rather than gathering spoil information. Thanks!

1. I realize that each henchman has at least one quest, possibly two.
a) Do you have to complete them in Chapter 1?
b) Do you have to take the henchman with you to complete it?


2. I know there are other quests in the game. Are they bound to the chapter that you receive them or can you move on to a new chapter and then return to an older chapter settings to complete unfinished ones?


3. I am a NG Cleric. Finally, a CRPG that makes this class more than a *M*A*S*H* unti on legs! What are your recommendations Henchman wise to compliment a Cleric?


I'm sure I'll think of more as I go. I am still trying to figure out the whole radial arm thing, but at least I made it out of the Prelude. Thanks again.

Each henchman has their own quest each chapter. You need to take them with you, and make conversation with them each time you level up.

The quests are bound to the chapters.

I would recommend Daelan, no question about it. Him and a summoned creature perhaps, and you're on your way to a glorious victory. A CG barbarian. He can take a lot of punishment, and you can heal him, and cast support magic.
The cleric is a great class, second only to the sorc, in my oh so humble opinion. But I'm certain others will differ... I just can't imagine playing a non-spellcasting class.
I hope this helps. Good luck and have fun!

Each henchman has one quest for each chapter, but if you miss a henchmans chapter1 quest you can't do his chapter 2 quest.

You have to recruit a henchman to give him the item, but you don't have to travel with him for any length of time.

2) Each chapter is a seperate module, you cannot return to a previous chapter. Consider each chapter as a completely seperate, self contained mini-game.

3) I would take Sharwyn as hench, bard song gives some useful buffs and the AI can ususaly figure out how to use it. Or one of the damage dealers - Gringnaw or Daelan.

I would avoid Tomi - you can use the Find Traps spell, and any lock that Tomi could pick can be bashed by any weapon with elemental damage, and the easier ones can be done by pure physical damage. I would also avoid mage henchmen - the AI on spellcasters is not good. Whaever henchman you take, search the vault for the hakpak which gives them improved AI and inventory control, the out of the box AI is abysmal.

umm... Sharwyn is a spellcaster lol, a bit contradictory.

As for the HakPaks just make sure they're compliant with your version of the game (if you don't have hordes of the underdark don't get a hakpak for that game) it might be hard to find ones that aren't at least SoU dependent by now, but there are plenty of hakpaks out there

Okay, so if I do take a henchman, fulfill their quests, drop them and pick up another henchman and do their request, etc., will henchman that I dropped be willing to join again. (by the way, guys, thanks, this is the type of info. I am looking for without spoils)

Yes, you can 'date and diss' them as you see fit, they don't hold any grudge.

Just remember, by the end of each chapter you will reach a 'point of no return', a point in the game where you wont be able to go back so make sure you've bought everything you'll need, solved the quests you want to solve and hired the henchman you want to have with you.

As for which henchman to choose, I would go with Daelan as well. A real tank, but he's very vurnerable to mind-affecting spells ( low Will saves) so make sure to cast the spell Clarity on him whenever there's a risk of mind-affecting spells. Nothing worse than have Big D turning against you.

Just out of curiousity, what domains did you choose? Please say you can cast Stoneskin...

i have a wiz char and with daeln , a summoned and famil , a lot of the problems are taken care off! lol

[ 01-16-2004, 02:22 AM: Message edited by: warnie ]

Well, Illumina, I chose Sun and Trickery. Now you got me scared! I just *KNEW* I should have asked about domains before creating my character. But did I listen to my gut instincts? Noooooo...

By the way, are there armors out there that are lighter but give better AC protection? My strength isn't the greatest and so I am limited on what I can carry. At this point I must sacrafice carry the number of items I find for better AC. Also, is there better armor that doesn't affect Arcsane casting, i.e. domain bonuses like invisibility.

Don't be scared. You'll be fine..
Now, let me see about AC...

I suggest you invest in a Belt of Strength, first and foremost, and perhaps some Boots of Hardiness... maybe some enchanted padded cloth or leather armor. Rings of Protection and Amulets of Natural Armor come in handy as well. Check the nature shop (Druid tree in the City Core), the Temple of Tyr, Eltoora's place at the Cloaktower, and the forge. And don't forget a magic bag or two. This helps when you have puny Strength. And don't worry... Once you can cast level 2 spells, you can memorize Bull's Strength and use that to buff yourself until you can afford a Belt of Strength.
Can't afford it right now?
Relax, you'll make more than enough money in time.
Just make sure to take every sidequest offered to you.
Ophala's quests, in particular, have wonderful opportunity to make cash on the side. Go have a nice long chat with her. And when you go on the missions, just make sure, instead of going in and out, to stay and loot.
Hope this helps... if it even makes any sense at all.

Yeah, makes big sense "I" and thanks for the information. I'll look those places up. By the way, how soon was it before you took on a henchman in Chapter 1? I am thinking of first doing a little exploring of the town proper but I know I'll need allies before long.

Also, in the 3/3.5E rules, are you allowed to combined magical rings, armor, amulets etc., as your post seems to indicate? The reason I ask is because in the old 2nd edition rules if you had magical armor you could not combine them with a +1 ring of protection or a +1 amulet, etc. This was the norm in the BG and IWD series. I really hated that about 2E. Even the ancient 1E rules didn't muddy the waters up that bad. Thanks again.

[ 01-16-2004, 02:07 PM: Message edited by: Albromor ]

Yes, you can.. The beauty of it is, different items give different types of bonuses to AC. For example, a Ring of Protection will grant a deflection bonus, boots give Dodge, amulets Natural, armor and bracers Armor, and so forth. One of each of these bonuses stack (One ring, one pair of boots, one armor), but if you have for example two rings that both grant a deflection bonus, they don't combine, the greater one is used.

I did some mild exploration before I realized as a low-level elven sorceress I was a sitting duck. I picked up Daelan quickly, before third level at least..
Don't explore the town proper. Well, you can if you want, but it's sort of meant to be taken one district at a time. Aribeth will give you an idea of where you should look next, if you ask her. They increase in difficulty, you see. But have fun in the City Core and don't get killed.

It's becoming clearer and clearer. I am liking this 3E rules more and more. It really gives great leeway in character development. I think the d20 System is here to saty for some time.

Ah, yes, famous last words: "...have fun... and don't get killed." If I can only abide by it...

That's why we have the Cheese Wedge of Recall which you can use even during a battle ::not-so-subtle disapproval::. But to save your money, as a general rule., only use it to get to the temple That's free. Walk back to wherever you were, unless it's someplace REALLY difficult to get to (ie, near a boss and out of the way). It's an easy way to go broke fast.

Wait a minute! Perhaps I missed something in the translation from Lady "What a babe!" Aribeth. Are you saying that if I transport out using the "Cheese Wedge of Recall" (I like that designation)I have to pay???

No no no! You can transport out for free. It costs money to get back to where you were when you used it.