I've been learning the Ad&D/BG2 magic system and it is, as Minsc would put it, "GREAT FUN!" my party currently consists of:

PC Conjurer
Korgan
Yoshimo
Aerie
Viconia
Edwin

I was thinking that having 2 conjurers was a bit redundant so I' considering starting over with the following magic heavy team:

PC Sorceror (I think I'm ready)
Edwin
Aerie
Viconia
Jan (for traps/locks/theft; eventually replace either with Imoen)
Korgan/Minsc/Keldorn (simply to stay back and protect the magic users; maybe even exclude for theme consistancy)

I would plan on using a lot of (party-unfriendly) area effect spells like Web, Ensnare, Fireball, Skull Trap, Cloudkill, Ice Storm in addition to Chain Lightning, Abi-Dalzim's, etc... The Sorc would be purely offensive with Edwin as offensive support (Edwin is very good at being offensive). One mage (Jan/Imoen) could mostly memorize Abjuration/Alteration "counter" spells. Aerie would take care of Greater Malison and Doom with Spell Triggers. Viconia, Jan/Imoen & Edwin would handle summons... Throw in some healing and offensive Priest spells (I'm not as familiar with them) on Viconia and everyone would stay back away from the enemies/harmfull spells with a fighter to protect them (AI script).

I figure that this party will kick major arse but have to rest a lot (...until Wish). Would this party be feasible? I guess it would take a lot of scrolls to outfit the 3/4 spellbooks so that may be a barrier. Also, there is only one set of Robes of Vecna, Amulet of Power, Staff of Magi, Ring of Wizardry (2?), and Ring of Acuity so only one character (my PC) will be truely awesome... The others would still be good, just not awesome, I suppose.

Additionally, are there any majorly damaging relationships in this group? I wouldn't want to suddenly lose someone. I must admit, I'm hooked. I think that I'm magic-user-type-of-player for good.

Is this all just magic overkill? Tell me doc... I can take it! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

no, no major damaging relationships unless you count aerie and Vico fighting over you. only 1 of everything you just mentioned.

One of everything? But I thought that you can get one Ring of Wizardry from the Harper fight and one from the Planar Sphere Stronghold. Is that not true?

This is true, but if you don't take Jaheira into your party, you won't get the Harper fight.

No sure if its awfully relevant .. but I'm currently playing an all-mage party:

Me - cleric/mage lvl 12/12
edwin - conjurer ( i think) lvl 15
Self-made char. - sorcerer lvl 15

At the moment its extremely easy .. even dragons see only a red fog of magic missiles before they fall.

Also played a party which consisted of:
me - (avenger) Druid
viconia - cleric
Edwin - Conjurer

That party made it to the last battle of ToB ( with another ToB-PC included),
but was lost due to a computer crash. Definetly this party wasnt very power-heavy at first sight, but they were definetly a force to be reckoned with.

So magic-heavy parties .. even not very offensive-ones, can make it in my opinion :D

Hope it helpz a little [img]smile.gif[/img]

I still laugh in abject horror at the overkill of one person who had an entire party of Sorcerers, yes... six of them... ...

Heh, well I would personally keep Jan as his thieving skills can advance while Imoen's are stuck at level 7. In my party I have a lot of spellcasters (though I'm not spellcaster themed).

Me (babarian)

Anomen (cleric and tank), besides being a healer he also provides offensive support (skeleton warriors) and is the man for gating in a Pit Lord should the need arise.

Kelsey (mod, sorceror), an offensive spellcaster who also does some support (spider spawn). The offensive side is the most important however.

Imoen (thief -> mage), offensive support with lots of summons and stuff.

Jan (thief/illusionist), the defensive man with true sight and countermagics.

Mazzy (fighter)

Your party could be:

You (sorceror): Offensive spellcaster.
Anomen (fighter -> cleric): Tank and clerical support intbetween battle.
Jaheira (fighter/druid): Almost the same.
Edwin (conjuror): Offensive support, can be replaced by Imoen.
Jan (thief/illusionist): Defensive spell support and thieving, can be replaced by Imoen.
Viconia (cleric): In battle clerical support.

This party can tank but cannot rely too much on it. Keep the spells flowing freely and Anomen and Jaheira might pull it off nicely. Not an easy party to play, but neither an excruciatingly hard one.

Why would you get rid of the best mage in the game for Imoen??? I still remember in TOB when Edwin and Imoen leveled up together and Imoen got 1 lvl 9 spell and Edwin got FOUR!!! This party doesn't need Imoen for thieving skills either (because of Jan) I'd just stick to it otherwise.

Doesn't Anomen attack Viconia eventually, or is that only Keldorn?

That's Keldorn that old spoilsport.

You can have an all mage party - mine consists of

Me - Kensai(9)/mage
Aerie
Edwin
Nalia
Jan Jansen
Imoen

I'm in the underdarkand so far everything have gone smoothly.

Edwin is, if you only count the amount of spells, the best mage in the game. However, he lacks the ability to learn True Sight, and more importantly, IDENTIFY!!! So if you are evil, you need to be a wizard/bard really, otherwise you'll have loads of unidentified items!

Not really, I just bought glasses of Identify.

Edit: clerics can cast True Sight.

[ 09-15-2002, 04:17 PM: Message edited by: Lord Lothar ]

I'm surprised that nobody mentioned that Korgan and Aerie cannot coexist for too long.. I'm fairly certain if you have them both for too long Aerie will leave.

As for the question of feasability.. There are solo mages, yes? So I don't see how a party of mages could fail where a solo mage prevails.

<font color="lightblue">A party levels up far more slowly. ;) </font>

Actually, further thought and your guys' insight has led me to want to play the following:

PC Sorceror
Edwin
Viconia
Yoshimo (switch to Imoen)

I wouldn't want a full party of 6. I figure that 4 (5 at most) would be more streamlined and easier to manage since I couldn't just give them all scripts to behave (like fighters). I don't think I wanna include Aerie (especially after I get Imoen for a general/backup mage) she just seems to be the odd man out. I would miss Aerie's ability to cast cleric spells in sequencers, though.

After Imoen, I figure that I can get by without Yoshimo since the biggest thing I'd need a thief for for this party would be traps & locks and I hear that she can manage. I don't think I need Backstabbing for this party but I'm not very good at performing it anyhow. Also, is there anyone good to pickpocket besides Togerias & Ribald? Not having anyone around to steal things from stores will make things more difficult but I can try to capitalize on Yoshimo while I have him.

Before Imoen, I figure that Yoshimo can play bodyguard in a pinch so I don't need Korgan/Keldorn/Minsc. After Imoen, well, I would hope that my magic users would be powerful enough to not need a bodyguard.

What do you guys think? Is there error in my logic?

If you have a gane without the Baldurdash fixpack, you can pickpocket Kangaxx for another ring of gaxx.

If you're planning on going on to TOB with this game I'd recommend at least one tank. Otherwise this party should be fine but a lack of equipment: Your PC and Edwin would have to pick from the same pool of items. You probably want them all equiped with ranged weapons because none of them are useful front line fighters.