Ok, it is generally accepted across most posts(but not all), that Aerie is high maintenance, and slightly annoying(sorry anybody who likes her), so if you ditch her where can you find another neutralor good NPC with her abilities?

If you want a cleric who can fight, pick Anomen, although he is kind of a pest too. Or Jaheria also possess some healing abilities, and she can fight too.
If you want a better mage, there are Nalia and Imoen.
These characters also tend to level up faster due the the dual class factor.

Aerie's an excellent character who can use spell triggers to sling not just mage spells, but clerical ones, too. But she takes a little strategy to use properly. Anomen and Viconia are much more straightforward in the clerical side of things, Edwin on the mage side. Up to you. I'm used 'em all, and adapt my gameplay to fit the different folks: fun. :D

i like aerie. I never found anything too wrong with her. sure she isn't great but she's decent. better than hearing anomen talk about how he defeated a red dragon with a paper clip and a shoelace

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Harry:
i like aerie. I never found anything too wrong with her. sure she isn't great but she's decent. better than hearing anomen talk about how he defeated a red dragon with a paper clip and a shoelace<hr></blockquote>

LOL!
SPOILER:
He boasts about killing 20 fire giants, then Jan mocks him with his long story of Ano the dung Orc and see Anomen reacting to that story! Highly recommended.

Oh, BTW, I found her useful at what she does.

IMO I'd go with Jan. Hes got some cool stuff and he is, without a doubt, the funniest character in the game. Once you play with him youll probably ask yourself why you didnt add him sooner.

Aerie is the second best spellcaster. Great with a sling.

Jan (annoying as hell) seems pretty good. Will try a game with him in the group. Be careful if you have both Minsc and Jan in the group.

Oooooh, he defeated a dragon with a paperclip and a shoelace? He's just like MacGyver. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I like Aerie. If you aren't romancing her, let her down gently. She'll stop whining pretty quick if it doesn't get her any attention.

She's a fine back-up mage, and enough of a Cleric for any party I've played.

-- Nifft

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jan:
Aerie is the second best spellcaster. Great with a sling.

Jan (annoying as hell) seems pretty good. Will try a game with him in the group. Be careful if you have both Minsc and Jan in the group.<hr></blockquote>

From your name I thought you were a Hard core Jan Fan I guess I shouldn't judge a book by its cover