Hey all. Wanted to get some feedback on NPC choices. In my current (3rd) run through the game I started off soloing a Chaotic Neutral female Elven T/M. I added Imoen in Spellhold (just couldn’t kick her to the curb – if my PC was an Evil alignment I might have done so to be true to the character). Just exited the Underdark and am already thinking about ToB.

I may still try to solo through ToB but I get the feeling that will be much harder to do than SoA. So I’m back to considering different party makeups:

1st choice: all female party
Me (35th level Thief/26th level Mage)
Mazzy
Jaheira
Viconia
Imoen
Nalia

I might choose Aerie instead of Nalia here. I’ve had Jaheira in every party and really like her versatility. I haven’t tried Mazzy (outside of the Temple Ruins quest) but would like to. I want Viconia as the primary cleric (she’ll gain levels much faster than Aerie). Imoen and Nalia/Aerie are the other choices as females. This party would NOT be the most effective as a hack-and-slash group (which is another reason why it appeals to me – more strategy involved) but the spell abilities of the group would be substantial. One thing to note – my PC goes back and forth between the Staff of Magi and Staff of Ram, backstabbing with the latter very effectively – and with a girdle of strength, I can be a front-line fighter if need be, at least part of the time.

2nd choice: all evil/neutral party
Me
Saverok
Korgan
Viconia
Jaheira
Edwin

My main reason for this party is that I’ve never used Korgan, Edwin or Saverok long-term. Edwin is known as the best mage in the game, and I’d like to see what Saverok can do. He and Korgan could sure soak up some damage… with the added bulk up front, I might be able to swap out Jaheira for Cernd here (wondering how powerful a Grand Druid can be).

Anyway, I’m not sure which way I want to go. Any thoughts out there? Thanks!

For an all-female party I'd only take:

You (Thief/Mage)
Mazzy
Jaheira
Aerie

Viconia is a fine evil priestess, but her Charm Undead ability isn't nearly as useful as Aerie's Blast Undead Into Little Chunky Bits ability.

If you want a party of six just because that's what you prefer, take Imoen and Viconia. Nalia isn't nearly as interesting as Imoen IMHO.

However, I think the evil party will be a lot more fun.

-- Nifft

Me - Paladine
Mazzy
Jaheira
Aerie
Imoen
Nalia

Learned how to do ALOT of magic spells ;) I also ended up taking that new guy in the begining of ToB (no spoilers) and kicked out Mazzy. This party wasn't much in the hand to hand, but we did have fun throwing out 36D6 in fireballs... [img]smile.gif[/img]

BK

Mine is;
Me (bounty hunter/mage)
Jaheira
Viconia
Aerie
Imoen
Edwina (yeh, I know. But since he decided to goof around with the 'nether scroll' I decided to make sure he stays a woman for the rest of the game) [img]smile.gif[/img]

My favorite party is as follows... ;)

Aerie (backup mage and cleric)
Viconia (cleric extrodinare and quite possibly the best NPC in the game after a stat booster or 2, standard stuff like strength equipment)
Edwin (Mage of Doom and Death and Killer of Sendai After Aerie Farked Up Something Ugly As a Confused Illithid)
Sarevok (Killing Machine and brokenly high stats)
Either Korgan, Jan or Keldorn here, depending on PCs class (if mage/thief, Korgan, if fightery/mage, Keldorn if not thief, JAN JAN JAN!

In Icewind Dale I did all female party, but in BG2, and later TOB I found that having Keldorn and Sarevok were necessary. Keldorn for his use of the Holy Avenger and Sarevok becuase he just whupped @$$ on everything...

Keldorn is best used fighting with Purifier +5 and Foebane +5. ;) This is a sadistic combo to say the least. Besides, my Berserker/Thief was using Holy Avenger... ;)

Sarevok is pretty much a given if you like powerful, cool characters.

My Evil party (Me, Korgan, Viconia, Edwin, and Montaron--yes, Montaron) is REALLY gonna love adding Sarevok. How better to be Evil than by combing the Carsomyr with the Human Flesh?

Too bad Blackrazor is only +3, though....