4-Manning Dominus: Party Build Help Requested

[Endarire]

Years ago I started a Wiz8 game with a full party and decided I'd be better off with a mere four characters. This time, I seek advice on party formation since I have only shaky ideas on what's optimal. This group will begin in the monestary using Dodd's 2.4.

-=THE CORE FOUR=-
Male Lizardman Fighter: Tank, idiot, tank! If I can do better, say so!
Female Elf or Fairy Bishop: Fairies get mana regen but last time I brought an elf and she seemingly worked well. Which do you recommend?
Female Human(?) Bard: Human worked well last time. My gadgeteer or she will handle identification. How can I improve on my race for bard?
Female Hobbit(?) Gadgeteer: She'll handle traps, locks, and perhaps identification. Perhaps a lizardman would be better, but I still ask for aid.

-=STATS QUESTIONS=-
Which stats and skills should I max first for each character? For my bishop, what spells should she learn from levels? I hate grinding and wish to avoid it as much as possible since grinding killed my love for this game the last time.

[Target]

OK, my 2 pence worth!! I’ve not played Dodd 2.4 so don’t know about in game items etc.
A lizard man Fighter might get a little dull, repetitive as the game goes on, how about a Lord (Dwarf, Dracon or Liz) as they get that health regeneration bonus, plus could become your parties healer allowing the Bishop for bluffing and attacking spells.
The Bish, more armour (I think) for the Elf, but that mana regen could help, however you have a bard in your party so will regen faster at camp anyway, maybe personal preference here or what pic you like best! Ha ha. I prefure the Elfs
Bard, I think the stats work out giving the Mook and Hobbitt the best numbers to play with, maybe go one for Bard and one got Gadgeteer

Stats, for your Tank it should be Strength and Vitality so they can deal more damage and take some punishment!
Bish – I’d put 2 in Int and split the other 3 between Pie and speed. (spoiler…remember there is a fountain in Trynton that gives your party 5 int points for answering a question right, so maybe only go up to 95 points int.)
Bard, last time I ran one I picked a Rawulf, and raised speed, sense then Dex.
Gadgeteer, not played one in a long time, but I would think similar build to the Bard, but remember with those insterments and gadgets weight could be an issues so might have to boost strength at some point (any extra points at the start?)

I’ve never been good at knowing what spells are obtained at what level, I normally pick and attacking and healing spell to start, then try and save my spells until ‘good’ / useful ones appear, I always go for Enchanted Blade, Magic Screen, Armour Plate and missile shield (I think they are called) the bluffing ones. I also find X-ray to be helpful.
The bard will have the sleep spell from the start, and the gadgy should also get some sort of ‘magic’ attack quickly so don’t waist spell picks on low power spells that you won’t use later on.

Hope that is of help, and good luck.

[Target]

Also, Flamstrikes site is still up,
http://www.flamestryke.com/wizardry8...trykes_w8.html
There is a lot of information there about party building, stats and spells. Of course its for the original version not any of the mods.

[Target]

If you interested I’m running a 4 dwarf party through deathstalkers mod!
Dwarf Lord, Dwarf Samurai, Dwarf Monk and Dwarf Ninja. It’s quite fun and not had any problems levelling with a smaller party. My Sam is kicking tail with a huge number of kills, and now the Lord is coming into his own with the duel welding a special mace and dagger! Trying something different with the monk and ninja so they’ve not been as effective.
But it’s been a fun party to play! At the Rapax castle now, got all 3 items!

[Endarire]

Last time I typically chose the race that gave me the most stat points initially.

What's so great about a lord over a fighter?

[Target]

Lord over fighter, good question. Fighter has bersirk mode which does double damage at the start, very useful. This makes the fighter better in the beginning of the game. The Lord gets better as the game goes on, they have a bonus to dule welding weapons, which helps for hitting with more attacks and or damage. The spells again can help (healing and 3 of the 4 bluffing spells I think the Lord can get).
If you have no interst in your tank helping with spells as your other 3 can 'cast' them you can't get a better 'tank' than the fighter.
I'd take the Dracon over lizardman for a fighter. In a rush so hope this makes sense!
also have a quick look at:
http://www.flamestryke.com/wizardry8...trykes_w8.html
http://www.flamestryke.com/wizardry8...trykes_w8.html


"The Berserk Attack ability has its drawbacks and its benefits. The obvious benefit is that it does double damage to the opponent. The drawbacks are that the Fighter will miss more often and will be hit more often while using the Berserk Attack. Skill in Close Combat, Dual Weapons (if you are using a weapon in each hand), and the Weapon of choice help to reduce the missing. Attaining heavier armor, gaining the expert skill of Iron Skin, and even equipping shields help to reduce the amount of damage taken by being hit more often."

[Endarire]

I started this party:

Male Lizard Fighter. He's my tank foremost and occasionally does less damage per strike than my bishop with her staff!

Female Dwarf Valkyrie: She's melee DPS and backup healing. Should I save my valkyrie spell picks at level?

Female Lizard Bard: She's crowd control 'til my bishop gets ample books. She also off-tanks more often than I'd like.

Female Elf Bishop: I was torn between fae and elf, but I went with elf because of more starting vitality. At level 5, she can take a hit or two before death. A fae would probably splat and die after each hit.

[Target]

Lizard Bard, interesting choice, let us know how she goes?
For the Valk, give her a few spells, like heal, and use that first before the Bish so her points go up. Try and get to the Temple in Arnika there down the ramp is someone who sells spell books she might be able to use (unless the shops have changed in Dodds mod).