I decided it's time for me to finally play Baldur's Gate and finish it (I've started numerous games, but never finished them). My main character is a paladin, and I have Imoen, Jaheira and Khalid in my party already. It's a good-aligned party (duh!) but my question is: who will fill the last two spots in my party? I don't know that much of the other NPC's in Baldur's Gate, and therefore need your advice. I've played with Xan and Kivan before, but hated the fact that Xan couldn't cast Fireball and Lightning Bolt spells, which I find crucial in battle. So who do I take? Quayle? Branwen?

What about Minsc and Dynaheir then?

Yes - and if Jaheira accidently got killed, Branwen would be a good substitute.

Further more you then got 3 tanks (You, Khalid and Minsc). Khalid could be substituted later in the game by Kivan or (IMO better) Coran for ranged attacks.

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Insane

Kivan is great. Get him and find a good bow. He has the highest no. of kills in my party.

Branwen and Minsc instead of Jaheira and Khalid (I regret having them in my party).

[ 06-12-2003, 06:22 AM: Message edited by: Jan ]

Dual Imoen at lvl 6 and Kivan is good but Coran is better IMO if you like two thiefs in your party (ex: Imoen: expert in open locks - OK in pick pocket. Coran: expert in find traps, good stealth due to equipment).

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Insane

BTW: What does Kivan's extra '*' in bows give, compared to Coran's higher dex?

Why 2 thiefs?

Kivan is the man.

Because I like thieves and then you do not have to split your thieving skill points between 4 different skills and hereby make a 'Jack of all trades, master of none' -thief.

I have investigated in my own question above: It seems that the fact that Kivan is an Elf (and not a half-elf as Coran), is what makes him a better archer. Elves receive +1 (Hit + Dmg) to long bows and long swords.

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Insane

Good point InsaneBane. I'll remember that.

He he - like I said Kivan is brilliant. He has about 1.000 kills (in my game) and no. 2 (think it is Minsc) has about 400 or 500 kills less.

[ 06-13-2003, 02:02 AM: Message edited by: Jan ]

The confusion between Coran and Kivan is understandable, as the two are so similar that, in my opinion, they were originally the same character (a characteristic not shared by Tarnesh and Tranzig, however).

DA FACTS:

Kivan has ** in Bow. This is his maximum, as he is a Ranger.
Coran has *** in Bow. This is <u>above</u> the maximum, as Multiclassed Fighters cannot legally place more than 2 stars in a weapon.

Coran and Kivan are both full-blooded Elves.

Kivan has 8 Charisma and gets what's arguably the best portrait in BG1.
Coran has 16 Charisma and gets the ugliest sicko ever thrown out of the Undercellar.

Coran and Kivan BOTH are kickass warriors. I can't really recommend either of them for the Main Tank slot, as neither of them has a strong CON, but if you're looking for someone to kick ass and take names with a Longbow and a 2-handed weapon, you've come to the right place.

Hmm - that leaves the question open again: If you want the best NPC archer in the game, then why pick Kivan (as many people suggests) instead of Coran?

IMO Coran looks way better 'on paper' (I know he got a weird looking portrait, but it might just be as simple as he made faces for fun, when the picture 'were taken'. I belive that being able to make funny faces (= humour) would raise a character's CHA with at leat 1 point :D ).

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Insane