Hi,

I’m starting a new game and thinking about a 4 person party.

I’m going to have a Fighter, either Lizardman or Dracon, can’t decide what race to go for…

I will have a Rogue, and I’m quite tempted to try a lizardman or Dracon again, just for the good starting str and HP’s.

Will have a Fairy Bishop, better than an Elf one I think.

The forth is a puzzle, was tempted to go for another bishop, but now I’m thinking about a mulit-class Bard / Ranger…I guess a hobbit or mook would be the best race for that…

Can I have some comments on this party and which races I should pick, also what should I put my skill points into…or is there any other class I should pick??

Cheers

use the dracon for your fighter. it has the extra points you will need and the ability to breath acid.

dont bother with a rogue if you're getting a bard. try getting a second bishop (preferably an elf). this one should study mage and alchemist since they are linked basically.

your second bishop (fairy so you can experiment between the two) should study priest and psionic so all spellbooks are covered.

i would get a bard finally. (s)he can also double as a militia with the ok strength and vitality (especially if you choose a mook).

if you really want a ranger, you can recruit sparkle (if you can put up with her [img]graemlins/1pissed.gif[/img] ). you will also need some strength so recruit vi and/or rfs-81.

in closing, spend points in vitality for all characters. recuit rpc's that are strong so that you can defend your other bishops. thanks for listening to these tips. ive never used only 4 characters but i imagine it may work.

good luck,
-Rezdude03

Fighter: in my experience, Lizard is better.

Rogue: The class which comes second in raw damage. I usually take hobbits, since they have much spare points to distribute.

Bishop: A fairy has faster magic recovery. But a bishop can use a wide range of armor, and a shield, so i'd prefer an elf. I like to use fairy for mages, since these are very restricted anyhow.

Bard/Ranger: not a good idea IMHO.
If you want a bard only for haste and buff spells, you could change him at level ~12. But if you change him to a ranger, he won't be very useful. You'll get no useful alchemist magic till the end of the game. And you won't scor many ranged criticals, since your ranger level is much lower than the opponents level. In addition, you have a bishop for buffs, and in a small party, haste isn't that great (better cast superman on your front row characters).
So, instead of a dual class character, better make it a rangestriking bard. You'll get no criticals or alchemy, but will be able to use the high-level intruments. In addition, he'll help the bishop regain his spell points faster.

Or...
If you intend to wield thieves daggers with your rogue, you won't fight much at range. In this case, i'd use no ranged weapon with the fighter either, but a short and an extended weapon. Then, a very good fourth chacarter would be a monk, with martial arts for short range, and staff for extended.
(this is only valid if you don't intend to use RPCs. otherwise, it depends on your plans)

With a short party, I'd go for the Dracon fighter with breath weapon; will make the early combats a bit easier.

Do agree with Wereboar on having a rogue, and he's right about elf being better, fight-wise, than a faerie bishop. Of course, if you don't plan on having your bishop fight a lot, that wouldn't matter. But with only four, your bishop will certainly be fighting, and in that case, the elf is preferred.

<center>Nightowl2</center>

With the bishop, it wasn't about fighting. But a bishop can use things like Flak jacket, and a shield, which a fairy can't. Thats a lot of AC difference. A fairy can't even wear Robes of Rejuvination!

Wow, she can't?? It's been so long, I didn't remember that. Yeah, in that case, definitely take an elf.

<center>Nightowl2</center>

hmmmmmm......

Def. 2 bishops - if you go the Fairie route then take one level in Rogue to get stealth up to 90, otherwise go the elf route. Alternativly (class wise) select a bishop and another type of mage caster OR two different mage types with one having soul shield and the other having element shield.

Lizard rogue can be an acomplished primary meat shield and can critical like crazy with a stilleto in each hand, otherwise a lizard fighter (the real optimum choice).

the fourth character needs to be able to take hits and perform melee abilities much like your melee meatshield lizard above - a pure (strength-melee) bard, a samurai, a lord, a valkyrie, a (strength-melee) ranger, can all acomplish this moderatly well and allow for additional extras (primarily magical). Alternativly a dwarf priest (maxing vitality and strength - dualed to a Lord late) can fullfill this as well. Personally I'd go for either the dwarf-priest or the strength-bard (note that if either of these choices are utilized then you have soul shield covered). Of course you could also have a lizard rogue here (but additional magic will be out).

[ 07-19-2003, 01:31 AM: Message edited by: ScottG ]