Minsc a good man?

[The Hierophant]

Ok, well I'm just wondering as to whether Minsc shuld really have a good alignment or not (I know I know this sounds ridiculously pedantic). Seeing as he essentially insane and prone to uncontrollable fits of violence I would imagine he would be more suited to chaotic Neutral, and as such should not be a ranger but a fighter (preferably berserker).
This occured to me while playing BG1 when I met Minsc in Nashkel. Upon saying that I couldn't help him out with Dynaheir he immediately attempted to brutally slaughter me with his two-handed sword. Naturally I made short work of him and things ended there. But in BG2 he displayed similarly aggressive and psychotic behaviour on several occasions. One such occasion was in the Copper Coronet, three young punks were giving me a hard time, I simply ignored them and went about my business. But this wasn't enough for bloodthirsty Minsc who proceeded to murder all three of them on the spot, merely for taunting me with words. I realize he is a genuine idiot and thus prone to irrational behavior, but this is not the way a good man behaves. There are many more such examples of Minsc's cruel and unjust behaviour but I won't go into them here.
Now, he certainly isn't *evil* as he does do some good things. But I don't think he should be given a *good* alignment either. So, who else agrees that Minsc should be a chaotic neutral berserker as opposed to a chaotic good ranger. He is funny and cute at times, an adorable fool, but that doesn't make him a good man.

[Silver]

Minsc is supposed to be the simple but good hearted ranger type..I've never had him come right out and murder anyone in my game really though. Essentially Minsc is a good man though, proven by all the chimes he makes about being heros and his reactions to quests you get..like Umar Hills, even if he is prone to its of beserker rage.

[The Hierophant]

Heh heh. Yeah, but saying you're a hero and being a hero are two different things. Anomen says he is noble and great, but really he is arrogant and vain (and as such is of Lawful Neutral alignment).
Minsc just seems to be deluding himself into thinking that he is a hero, and that his violent nature is for the greater good.
I dunno, I think I may just not really agree with some of the messages that the game writers are presenting (especially in regard to how younger players will take them). There is a great deal of glorification of violence in these games. A shame really as I find them to be excellent games in all other respects.
But now I'm sounding like one of those annoying, prudish, pro-censorship types, so I'll leave it there. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[The Ozzman]

I have a question regarding Minsc, a buddy of mine has been playing the game, and I made the mistake of showing him Shadowkeeper. As I looked at his abillities(Minsc) and such I noticed the following:

Two Weapon Style +++
????
I thought Rangers couldnt specialize beyond ++, am I wrong? He says he didn't hack but I was skeptical to say the least. Help me out here guys.

[The Hierophant]

yup, rangers can have 3 +'s in dual-wield no probs. All warrior classes can (and blade bards too).

[The Ozzman]

so can you go to +++++ in 2 weapon style? What about 2 handed weapon style or sword and shield style?

[The Hierophant]

Heh, no you can't go to +++++ in dual-wield, but since a ranger starts out with ++ it means that you only have to add one + in order to max out your specialization. Kinda nifty as we all know how valuable each proficiency point can be. In terms of the other fighting styles (2-handed weapon style, sword and shield style etc) no class can go beyond ++. Pure fighters can go up to +++++ in weapon proficiencies, but role-specific warriors such as rangers and paladins can only go to ++ (to balance out the other goodies they get for being role-specific).

[pBluescript]

I think Minsc deserves the alignment of Lawful Good. His propensity to berzerkerness I don't really consider when judging his actions. I consider it more of a genetic thing or perhaps he was dropped as a baby.

His phrases such as "den of stinking evil, lets give it a good shake and see what falls out" etc exemplify his alignment. His actions bear out his words in the only way he knows how. Remember, Minsc is not the brightest of guys.

He is an excellent touchstone as to what course of action to take if you are trying to guide your party to the 'Good' actions. An excellent example of this is the Quest in (crap I forget the place) where the Halfling girl lives after the Umar Hills quest. There is that little town and you are supposed to get an artifact and give it to one of the main families in town and instead give it to the town mayor then kill of the djinn.

Minsc is tempermental, emotional and sometimes unpredictible. I think those are a reflection of his low intelligence and wisdom, not his alignment and how he views his relationship to and with the rest of the world and party. He is a steadfast and loyal companion and can always be counted upon in a pinch in battle. More you cannot ask for.

Butt kicking for goodness!

[Dundee Slaytern]

Minsc is Chaotic Good, not Lawful Good. He is not exactly the rolemodel of a law-abiding citizen.

[Indemaijinj]

Think of the ability to put five stars in weapon proficiencies as the fighter's special ability.