Before you ask, yes I have to much time on my hands.
From best to worst.

1. Keldorn. One of the best fighters in the game and has some of the most useful abilities (dispel magic, true sight, immune to charm and confusion). Needs gauntlets of dexterity to be good tank, but who else are you going to give them to?
2. Korgan. The best fighter in the game. Unfortunately, pure fighters are as dull as Birmingham. Occasional funny dialogue.
3. Aerie. Bit of a liability at low levels. Godhead once SoA exp cap topped. Romance quest that works. Likeable character.
4. Minsc. Great fighter, Great dialogue. Slightly useful abilities.
5. Viconia. Best cleric. Can fight a bit if suitabley equiped.
6. Imoen. Good mage, can handle all your thieving needs.
7. Edwin. Damn good mage. Also a lady-boy.
8. Jan. Only NPC thief who can gain levels throughout the game. Also hilarious.
9. Mazzy. Useful all round character. Also, least annoying personality.
10. Valygar. Reasonably good ranger. Can backstab.
11. Cernd. In werewolf form excellent fighter at low levels. Also fun to use.
12. Anomen. Ok all round character. Boring to play. Most annoying NPC. Only romanceable male NPC. I'd rather romance Boo.
13. Jaheria. The most boring character in the game. Good for subquests though.
14. Yoshimo. Good thief but you can't keep him.
15. HaerDalis. Jack of all trades, master of annoying the hell out of me.
16. Nalia. Has no advantages over Imoen as a mage, and is a much worse thief.

I disagree with Anomen. People might think he is arrogant, but is it not fun to see him being a fool? I always laugh my arse off when I see people being either stupid, arrogant or just plain ignorant. And as a powerclass, Anomen ranks up there with the highest. He can gain grandmastery with a weapon, and he has cleric spells to buff him that WILL make him more powerful than any other fighter. Frankly I find Viconia less useful than Anomen.

And you rated CERND lower than JAHEIRA and said SHE was boring?! [img]graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img]

[ 07-12-2004, 07:13 AM: Message edited by: JrKASperov ]

I like Jaheira! Unfortunately i like minsc the most which is a shame because nearly every time i play through i keep him in the party, even tho i know all his dialogue, but he is cool man.
Keldorn is hard your right, also give him the old carsomyr if you arent a paladin, i hate having to sell a sword that good.
I though mazzy was pretty boring.

Also I don't see what the big deal bout anomen is, his dialogue aint that bad, compared to Ajantis' constantly saying "HELM" in BG1, and Ajantis is one of the most popular characters..

<font color=plum>Cool list, <font color=tan>Dirty Meg</font>. Naturally, there will be some disagreements, but I like the list and the reasons you gave for each.

I only have two disagreements myself. I think Jaheira is much better than you give her credit for. As the only fighter with a proficiency in "club", she has access to one of the best weapons early in the game (Illyich's +3 Club). She can also get Gnasher and Blackblood by the time you finish Trademeet. These two clubs can then be taken to Cromwell and combined to make Pitchwife +5, does extra acid damage and sends slivers into the opponent (3/round for 4 rounds), and grants 25% Acid Resistance. Combine the slivers (which prevent further casting) with her Insect Plague and Jaheira is actually better "Wizard Slayer" than most characters that choose that particular kit.

Jaheira also has some handy high level spells and some great HLA's. And since many of her low level spells are practically useless, you can just load up on Healing spells.

Jaheira is a "keeper" in almost every party I run.

The other character I really like is Yoshimo. His traps absolutely ROCK!!! I know that you lose him during the game, but there is actually a way to get him back if you do it right.

I've never tried it myself (although I plan to with my assassin's party). I am a bit sketchy on the details and I may overlook one of the steps, but the way to get Yoshimo back in your party is.....
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OBLIGATORY SPOILER WARNING
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first, kick Yoshimo out of your party before leaving for Spellhold. Tell him to wait for you at the Copper Coronet. Once you return from Spellhold, leave a slot available to add him back to the party, then go to the Copper Coronet.

When Yoshimo sees your party is safe and sound, the game script causes him to literally drop dead on the spot. But if you are quick enough on the PAUSE button, there is a way to prevent his death from being permanent. Hit the Pause button as soon as you enter the Coronet. Yoshimo is right by the lower door, so click on him (while the game is still Paused) to initiate dialogue). By doing this, I believe you actually have the chance to add him BACK to the party before he drops dead. There is NO WAY to prevent him from dying, but since he is back in your party, you can now Resurrect him (with the Rod or with the help of a local temple). After that, you can just continue on with game normally.</font>

And besides that, it's not right that he cannot be raised, afterall, in any game, you could drag the body to a temple or raise it yourself!

interesting list to read

i'm tempted to agre with Keldorn - my current game is the first time i've played him and he's been very impressive even pre-gauntlets - he's just left for a while to take care of some business and i'm a bit nervous . . .

<font color=plum>Not to worry. After the "family business" is settled, you will have a chance to ask Keldorn to rejoin your party. Your answer will depend on your alignment and how strongly you believe in roleplaying. Keldorn wishes to stay home and spend more time with his family, but his honor will not allow him to leave any requested duty undone. He will gladly rejoin your party with no problem - but you have to decide if it will bother your character to ask Keldorn to leave his family once again.

I was playing a Chaotic Nuetral Wizard Slayer, so I had no problem telling him I still needed his help. :D </font>

Are you basing the ranking on combat abilities, personalities or an average of both?

[ 07-12-2004, 10:37 AM: Message edited by: Dundee Slaytern ]

i don't think Haer'Daelis is the second WORST...i mean, i've always considered him more valuable than Imoen...that may be because my last 7 games have been with various thief kits [img]graemlins/thief.gif[/img] and Imoen annoys me with her banters in chez Jon when she's all "death is pretty" and nonsense like that...at least HD is mentally stable...

IMHO Valygar is better than Korgy. He can haste himself and dual-wield katanas. (Is CF cheeze?)For some reason he can use Drow full plate(?) and shadow dragon armor. Then, you have his high dexterity, so he has good bow and high accuracy. BAM! Peircing arrow in the eye!
Korgan...can protect himself from imprisonment for a few seconds.