[Cataephract]

Beginner's party:

3 fighters, 1 bard, a priest, and a mage

Ranged party:

Fighter, Samurai, Valkyrie, Ranger, Bard, Gadgeteer

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Once your gadgy can make doubleshot and tripleshot crossbows, this party really is quite a menace. You have three spell schools covered, the best Psionic spells are covered by the bard and gadgy's instruments and gadgets. Not for beginners, though, since magic is weak. Beware of weight problems, you need to carry tons of ammo, since you will be firing so much per round. Later on, when you find the more expensive ammos, this party can be costly.

All-Purpose party:

Samurai focusing on STR and DEX, Monk focusing on STR and SPD, Valkyrie or Lord focusing on STR and DEX, Ninja->Ranger focusing on STR and DEX, Rogue focusing on SPD and DEX, and Bishop focusing on INT and SPD. This party does decent in melee, range, and magic, though not great at any one thing. Alternately, bard could replace rogue, though I prefer a rogue's better melee.

Magic-Heavy party:

Fighter, Bard, Priest, Mage, Alchemist, Psionic

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The bard should wield Bloodlust and a good shield. At range, she uses her instruments, so don't bother with bows. Very versatile character. The fighter should use a polearm and a ranged weapon, and is there to take down anyone that gets too close to the weakling casters. This party is all about damaging spells en masse. With the bard's piercing pipes, and the other four casting cone or area effect spells, most groups are torn up before they get to you. Probably the strongest party, but weak against boss types. I actually increase STR and DEX or SPD with my priest, who functions as a part-time fighter. My Alchemist focuses on STR and INT, and is decent from the back ranks with a staff. Basically, I blast the enemy from afar with attack spells, and if they get to melee range, I use the good selection of disabling spells available. Another plus is the fact that this party has no hybrids, so level ups are quick. The casters develop quickly into powerful attackers, so much so that my fighter is a little sub-par at melee! Make sure the bard is a female for the necklase of endurance, and try to make the psionic and mage faeries INT and SPD focused, so that they can get soul-shield and element shield up quickly. Don't worry about low strength, because you simply won't have that much weight to carry, since only one character uses ranged weapons, and ammo can weigh so much.

Edit: increased spoily space size

[ 09-28-2003, 03:50 AM: Message edited by: Cataephract ]