I'm about to leave to save Imoen and have a question. Up to this point, I've had the following party:

me (kensai, level 13/mage, level 8--dual class)
Jaheira (romance)
Jan
Keldorn
Aerie
Mazzy

I'm now debating about switching Aerie for Anomen. They're both highly annoying in my opinion, but I find Aerie isn't working for me right now. I prefer her mage skills to her cleric ones, but I would like to have a better cleric. (I'm too good to have Viconia.) Which should I go with? Anomen's level is up with the others, so that's not a problem. Since I'm not romancing Aerie and I and Jan are mages, should I make the switch? Anomen also has the advantage of using that wicked hammer we all know about. What do you think?

Personally, I'd stick with Aerie. The only thing Anomen offers is more melee power, and with 4 fighters, you don't really need that. Aerie doesn't work that well for most parties until she hits high levels, and the best word I've seen used to describe her then (and I'm afraid can't remember who it was on the board who said it) is 'frightening'. There ain't no better cleric than one who can stick their cleric spells in a contingency, or cast them under time-stop, or buff with stoneskin, etc. etc. etc.

There's no need for a single classed cleric in this game. Unless Aerie is just too fragile for you, I'd stick with her.

According to my calculations, Aerie has an higher annoyance rating.
Nowadays, even if i had planned for a party with her included, i just can´t tolerate the....
Ahh, just look at my calculations below:

Aerie:
Portrait + Banters + Voice acting = The Supreme Annoyance

Ano:
Portrait + Banters = Moderate annoyance

My first time thru I romanced Aerie and blew it, so she left. This time thru I will NOT romance her because I want to see what other people have said...that at high levels Aerie can win battles against big bosses "single-handedly". I *really* want to see this! Some folks have said she can even beat the final boss in ToB.

My opinion:

Aerie is the most annoying but best. As someone mentioned, the ability to put priest spells in a contingency ( plus use them with the robe of vecna / timestop / improved alacrity ) is seriously devastating later on.

Anomen less annoying but not as powerfull. His melee power isn't anything special since he misses his 13 fighter level ( when you gain another 1/2 attack ).

On the other hand, you already have Jaheira for most priest spells, and Jan AND yourself for mage spells, why not just leave both Anomen and Aerie out?

I would go for Anomen. I prefer his abilities against undead. I use Aerie when I need one person to cover cleric and mage, or as a supplementary mage.


Sillara

I would go for Anomen too.. as Aerie is just too fragile, with very low con and hp, I find her dying all the time.

possible minor spoiler
-
-
-
-
-
-
In Anomen's quest, if you choose the lawful way, he will be accepted by the Order and his wisdom will be increased to 16. IIRC,Gaining the same wis bonus as Aerie. He can fight as well, with good str and con, unlike Aerie.

[ 07-20-2005, 09:36 PM: Message edited by: Ilythiiri ]

I also just like popping liches. Anomen is a superior cleric, and in a party which has the mage angle more than covered (between Jan and the PC), I would go for Anomen. And I have never yet had him fail his test! [img]tongue.gif[/img]


Sillara

Personally I’d leave Jan behind. He offers nothing to your team that isn’t already covered. Imoen’s thieving skills are more than adequate for the rest of the game and she will either already be a better mage or soon surpass Jan.