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Assassin · 10-18-2005, 04:17 PM

Okay, while this is largely academic at this point, here's my view:

I build my parties around causing the maximum amount of damage possible. Which means that my Fighters are usually going to be dual-wielding and can't really tank. Additionally, my party is generally fairly bank-rank heavy (druid/cleric, thief, couple of mages, couple of fighters). Which means that what I need are tanks. While in the early game, it might get a bit tougher, it pays off the dividends later on when an AC of -6 won't help you in ToB.

Spirit Animals and Fire Elementals help in the early game. In fact, I would say along with Insect Plague, Totemic Druids can shut down almost all of the early game. Stats for the Spirit Animals (per DSimpson's guide on gameFAQs) say that all the Spirit animals have 100% resistance to Cold and Electricity, have fairly low AC (2 to -1), 3 ApR for the most part, but fairly high thac0. Oh, and the snake can deal out poison damage. IIRC, they're also immune to normal weapons.

This makes Fire Elementals and Spirit Animals fit the bill very nicely early and even mid game. Buff then up a bit, slap on a Haste, and they can solo quite a few fights by themselves, as loong as you're careful to Insect Plague the Mages. The endgame they're weak, but at that point, you're usually rolling over everyone anyways.

As for the Druid having plenty of good summons: Nymphs are too weak, IMO, for my party. I have the spellcasters. I don't need anymore. I need tanks, not something that will roll over against a kobold. And Fire Elementals aren't numerous early-game to really be a factor unless you constantly rest after every single battle.

ADD] In a no-reloads game, I would consider good, solid summons to be even more important. Nymphs just aren't sturdy enough for me...

[ 10-18-2005, 05:37 PM: Message edited by: Assassin ]

10-18-2005, 04:17 PM	#10
Assassin Symbol of Cyric Join Date: March 23, 2003 Location: Canada Age: 37 Posts: 1,134	Okay, while this is largely academic at this point, here's my view: I build my parties around causing the maximum amount of damage possible. Which means that my Fighters are usually going to be dual-wielding and can't really tank. Additionally, my party is generally fairly bank-rank heavy (druid/cleric, thief, couple of mages, couple of fighters). Which means that what I need are tanks. While in the early game, it might get a bit tougher, it pays off the dividends later on when an AC of -6 won't help you in ToB. Spirit Animals and Fire Elementals help in the early game. In fact, I would say along with Insect Plague, Totemic Druids can shut down almost all of the early game. Stats for the Spirit Animals (per DSimpson's guide on gameFAQs) say that all the Spirit animals have 100% resistance to Cold and Electricity, have fairly low AC (2 to -1), 3 ApR for the most part, but fairly high thac0. Oh, and the snake can deal out poison damage. IIRC, they're also immune to normal weapons. This makes Fire Elementals and Spirit Animals fit the bill very nicely early and even mid game. Buff then up a bit, slap on a Haste, and they can solo quite a few fights by themselves, as loong as you're careful to Insect Plague the Mages. The endgame they're weak, but at that point, you're usually rolling over everyone anyways. As for the Druid having plenty of good summons: Nymphs are too weak, IMO, for my party. I have the spellcasters. I don't need anymore. I need tanks, not something that will roll over against a kobold. And Fire Elementals aren't numerous early-game to really be a factor unless you constantly rest after every single battle. ADD] In a no-reloads game, I would consider good, solid summons to be even more important. Nymphs just aren't sturdy enough for me... [ 10-18-2005, 05:37 PM: Message edited by: Assassin ] __________________ In The Terminator, Sarah Connor is told a speech by John Connor\'s father that John has given in the future. When John is born, Sarah tells John this speech, and John grows up to tell it in the future. So who wrote the speech?!