Party suggestions for a no reloads game

[Leslie]

I didn't play BG2 for a couple of months but here I am again having fun with a solo assassin and another game with full party (PC-Swashbuckler, Jaheira, Minsc, Kelsey, Solaufein and Imoen).

I thinking about trying to beat the game with a no reloads play. I once came very far - did all quests + underdark + WK but died to "insane" damaging poison cloud from poison encounter. I played as a sorcerer and had modified party with me (Jaheira - R/C, Nalia - F/M, ...). Oh, but I didn't do Ilyich that time. It seemed too crazy to go for a no reloads.

But now the Tactics Mod is a little different and I feel there is a chance to do it. And I want to play with original characters not modified ones.

Since I will be playing on insane I believe that my tanks need to be under the protection of stoneskin (ironskin) otherwise it's pretty soon over. Many foes hit for 60-70 dmg. Only "fighters" in the game with that protection are Jaheira and Haer'Dalis so that's OK. I'm not taking Sola because some of his fights are really difficult.

I might take Kelsey but he doesn't have even the most basic defensive spell - Mirror Image. That sucks. I'm not sure about Tashia ...

I'm also taking Anomen for all the protection - especially Chaotic Commands. He'll stay back and sling away. (hmm, Viconia with MR?)

Since PC is the most vital part of the party and must not die (others can be raised) he must be very well protected and not in the first battle lines.
So maybe sorcerer, maybe fighter/mage multi or maybe fighter/thief multi.
F/T with UAI can use SoTM, Carsomyr, ...
F/M is a little more risky but a great tank. With Time stop and fighter abilities ...

M/T is also an option but for that I can take Jan.

And one more thing - I don't want two same classes or kits in the party. So if PC is sorc that means no Kelsey or Tashia.

So: PC - ?
Jaheira (F/D)
Haer'Dalis (Blade)
Anomen (F/C dual)
Tashia ?
???

I was thinking maybe Valygar or Keldorn. Keldorn for Carso and his inquisitor abilities and Valygar for ranged support and his upgraded armor is very good.
He can also protect well with AoF + DoE + Hardiness (85% physical res.) He can scout and backstab too.

I'm playing with TOB, Item Upgrade, Tactics + Ascension.
And I believe that in this case everything is allowed - Cloak of Cheese, Green Scrolls, Bloodbane, ... Do you share the same opinion ?

Any cool suggestions ?

[Lord]

I think you should equip Anomen with Crom Faeyr instead of a sling. He's actually a really good tank since he can also cast cleric spells.

[Zarr]

Anoman can be excellent with that sling form the Copper Coronot that adds the strength bonus to damage. Then again in my party he also had Crom Faeyar and was a good tank, but I tend to agree with Leslie(you play on insane don't you?) with tactics etc on insane and no reloads Anomen would die pretty quickly in melee combat especially without the gauntlets of dexterity...

Maybe he could use a sling until you get the gauntlets and a good shield, then he would be a better tank but maybe using the sling would be the best bet IMO.

Glad to see someone taking Haer'Dalis, he's one of my favorites, though I worry about his low hit points in a no reloads game. If someone does manage to break through his defenses he'll die pretty quick very annoying if your playing a no-reloads game. I hope you'll have a rod of resurection handy

The rest of your party looks good to me, when you say you don't want two classes the same does that mean no other cleric? I think Aerie as a cleric/mage would be an excellent addition. She fits what you wanted protection wise (stoneskin etc) and an other half cleric would really help in a no reloads game for (death wards on characters, more healing, more chaotic commands etc).

I'm not sure what class the PC should be maybe F/M.

EDIT:Hmm I forgot you'll need a thief Jan seems to fit the bill...

[ 05-15-2004, 02:41 PM: Message edited by: Zarr ]

[Leslie]

The idea that I like most is:

PC - Sorcerer
Jaheira
Haer'Dalis
Anomen
Jan (Spike traps )
Keldorn

[TheGodThatFailed]

A fighter/theif is a strong character.I didnt reload when soling one until Chap.6 when kangaax cast maze on me.Damn that spell.

[krunchyfrogg]

Remember, a no reloads game might just mean that you don't get to use the party you intend on using.

My advice for the protagonist would be to play either a Paladin, a dwarf, or a gnome. All three get big bonuses on saving throws, which is very important.

[Q'alooaith]

I'd suggest making the PC a pure theif, or an assasin, hide in shadow's + cloak of non detection make's you invisible to most creature's, so just going for realy high stealth stat's and detect invisible.. mean's do you don't have to wast mage spell's trying to get rid of nasty Spell imunity devination+ illision spells..


If your doing a no reload's game I'd suggest mostly though don't try and do everything, just finish the game, then branch out onto the harder side quest's, like killing dragons and so on..

[Leslie]

Originally posted by TheGodThatFailed: A fighter/theif is a strong character.I didnt reload when soling one until Chap.6 when kangaax cast maze on me.Damn that spell.

Yes I agree, and Spike traps rule.
But in a no reloads game defense is crucial. How do I protect him?
Physical res. - Doe + Jan's Armor + Hardiness - 85%
Magical - Carso + Cloak of Balduran + Gaxx + Amulet - 95% MR
Sounds OK. But can't do both.
He is also one of the best characters for Ilyich party. Stealth and high traps skills are very good.

Originally posted by krunchyfrogg: Remember, a no reloads game might just mean that you don't get to use the party you intend on using. My advice for the protagonist would be to play either a Paladin, a dwarf, or a gnome. All three get big bonuses on saving throws, which is very important.

Good advice, it's just that I don't want to rely on saving throws, because I don't want to rely on luck when playing a no reloads game.
I want to protect against spells, physical damage and dispelling.

[ 05-16-2004, 08:09 AM: Message edited by: Leslie ]

[True_Moose]

Originally posted by Leslie: But in a no reloads game defense is crucial. How do I protect him? Physical res. - Doe + Jan's Armor + Hardiness - 85% Magical - Carso + Cloak of Balduran + Gaxx + Amulet - 95% MR Sounds OK. But can't do both.

Not quite, but you can come close. Dual DoE and Mini-Carsomyr (you know the one I'm talking about.) Your MR won't be as high, but it'll still be up there.

[ 05-16-2004, 01:17 PM: Message edited by: True_Moose ]

[Leslie]

I can get to 100% MR just before the final fight with Jon:

25% - Cloak of Balduran
20% - Human Flesh Armor
20% - Purifier (SOA)
10% - Gaxx
10% - Kaligun's amulet
5% - TMOLTM
10% - Hell bonus
---------
100% MR

But I need to survive the fights for ring, armor and cloak too.