She just isn't putting up the numbers. Her 'cheat death' ability is nice, although it's only been used once. The only thing it really prevents is a re-load of a save, as I save constantly. Her divine magic is nice, no one else has bless, and she's the only female in the party.

But it seems she constantly misses and when she hits, it isn't for very much. There seems to be a real lack of polearms, at least so far. I assume she will get better but I've also heard she will leave the party....is this true, by the way?

And is there a suitable replacement for a level 10 party?

thanks

I agree with you about Vi. I kept her for awhile, but then let her go. I didn't think she was doing all that well either. The fact that she will only go so far with you anyway played a big role in my dismissing her from my party.

You need to hang on - heh - I have a Valk in my party - and she rocks. She does an insane amount of damage because she picked up a particular lance that tends do some nice damage. [img]smile.gif[/img] But if she's not doing it for ya, get rid of her, or make her a back up healer/caster with fighting ability when needed. Personally, even with another Valk on my group, I still have Vi. [img]smile.gif[/img]

You can get some excellent polearms in Trynton, though you'll have to fight for them.

My best polearm weapon was one that would import from the Wiz 7 and I was able to buy it while in Marten's Bluff as well. I liked it best when I imported it because Vi had it right from the start. It only does 7-21 in damage (only!) but it also has a good chance to paralyze. She saved my butt on many occasion. By the time I was level 12 or 13 she was a killer with that polearm. One of my better tanks.

She did leave for a couple of areas, but I picked her up again when I went into ascension peak. She had a couple of nice comments during the final confrontation between the DS and my party.

Knarfling

I've had no problem with her at all. She seems to hit quite often right now. Just give her a sling and a bunch of rocks, and she can hit. Not to bad in close combat with the right weapon.

I wasn't big on the Valk. at first either, but after having Vi in my party for awhile i really started to like them. In fact, in my latest party, I have no Fighter at all and have replaced him with a Valk.
These are my positives:
1. Damage: Nothing cranks out damage like a good polearm. I have Dex and Str up and she never misses. Now with multiple attacks... what fun =)
2. Reach: I use the Straight Line formation for my fighters, i.e. 4 fighters in a row with none in the forward most section of the formation circle, magic users, etc. in the back section. With my Valk. in the middle section she can reach monsters at the front, back, and sides with a polearm or whip.
3. Magic: Spend some time to develop your Divine school and water. The others too if you have the time. Once you can cast high level heals, blesses, guardian angel, etc. she takes care of some healing needs.
4. Tank: with cheat death and the ability to wear good armor, she makes a nice tank.

I would list as a con that most polearms cause a hit to initiative. But that doesn't matter too much to me when my Valk. attacks in a round, as long as she dishes out her damage for that round.

A fighter still kicks major tail all around, i'm not denying that. I just wanted to point out, that, as a package, the Valk. does well.

that's my two cents.