NPC ratings (spoilers)

[JrKASperov]

Because korgan isn't a mage [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[teardropmina]

Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric: quote: Originally posted by SpongeBobTheDestoyer: quote: There is no way to immunise a character against all damage and that is why you need lots of hp.

Let's see, PfME, PfFire, PfCold, PfElectricity, PfAcid, Stoneskin, PfMW, wearing the Ring of Gaxx or Periaph of Proof against poison. That pretty much covers physical, elemental and magical unless I forgot something. So if I had the choice of sending in someone to tank who could be buffed under all of those(Haer'Dalis) or someone who could not(Korgan), guess who I'm picking? [/QUOTE]Why can't those same spells be cast on Korgan? I'm pretty sure almost all of those allow the caster to choose the recipient. [/QUOTE]not the two most important ones -- Stoneskin and PfMW.
That's what differentiates pure, single class fighter (higher HP) and spellcaster/multi-class (lower HP) type of characters...Spellcaster gets to have more unique defense buffs. This is probably one of the main reasons that Kenasi-> Mage is one the most popular PC types. In ToB, fighters can cast Stoneskin on themselves with an item.

[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by JrKASperov: Because korgan isn't a mage [img]tongue.gif[/img]

He doesn't have to be. The party mage can cast them on him. In fact, I would say this give him an advantage of Haer'Dalis.

Let's say you have Haer'Dalis, Korgan and Edwin in your party and Haer'Dalis and Edwin both have the aforementioned protections available in their spell slots.

You see an enemy - or group of enemies - approach and Haer'Dalis starts casting his various protections. Meanwhile, Korgan wades into battle while Edwin casts the same protections on him. Five rounds later, Haer'Dalis is finally ready to enter battle - only to meet Korgan on his way back from chunkifying the enemies.

[Leslie]

Heh, you obviously don't play on insane. Korgan is hit twice and needs to heal himself. Even goblins hit for 20 dmg.

Just in my current game (no reloads of course ) that Duergar fighter guy hit my kensai twice and that together was for 60 dmg! And the critical hit was for 54! (a little later thankfully) And that's only the start of the game. You have no chance going mano-a-mano when playing on insane. That's why Haer and Jaheira are so important for my games. (or F/M, Kensai/Mage, Berserker/Druid, ...)

If you play on Normal or Core then Korgan may actually be of some use. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I have him in my EVIL no reloads game but he has a big shield and throws axes and warhammers around. He has nothing to do in the front lines, he gets all red and stuff.

[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Leslie: Heh, you obviously don't play on insane. Korgan is hit twice and needs to heal himself. Even goblins hit for 20 dmg. Just in my current game (no reloads of course ) that Duergar fighter guy hit my kensai twice and that together was for 60 dmg! And the critical hit was for 54! (a little later thankfully) And that's only the start of the game. You have no chance going mano-a-mano when playing on insane. That's why Haer and Jaheira are so important for my games. (or F/M, Kensai/Mage, Berserker/Druid, ...) If you play on Normal or Core then Korgan may actually be of some use. [img]smile.gif[/img] I have him in my EVIL no reloads game but he has a big shield and throws axes and warhammers around. He has nothing to do in the front lines, he gets all red and stuff.

No, I don't play on Insane. I'm not able to play the game every night and usually only have 1-2 hours to play when I do sit down at the PC. And while I have different parties in BGII right now, I've only completed the game once so far and I've not had a chance to play ToB at all. So Normal provides all the challenge I need for now.

[JrKASperov]

I was under the impression we were talking mano-a-mano here, sorry

In a gorup situation, with imp.haste. Korgan might be the better fighter...

[Assassin]

You shouldn't complain about the efficiency of NPCs if you're comparing them on Insane difficulty. Core is what the game was balanced for. In fact, I dare say that the majority of people don't play on Insane; rather, on Core or Normal. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 07-15-2004, 02:12 PM: Message edited by: Assassin ]

[Illumina Drathiran'ar]

I accept your challenge, Assassin.

[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by JrKASperov: I was under the impression we were talking mano-a-mano here, sorry In a gorup situation, with imp.haste. Korgan might be the better fighter...

Aaaahhh yes....that does make a difference. The original context of the conversation was in regards to adding NPC's to your BG party and I was pointing out that Korgan could have almost all of the same Protections cast on him as Haer'Dalis can cast on himself (with the notable exceptions of Stoneskin and PfMW).

Now, if we are talking about mano-a-mano, I would say that Korgan has a definite advantage, since he can go ahead and start his attacks while Haer'Dalis is busily trying to cast protections in himself. Two quickly thrown handaxes should disrupt the casting of Stoneskin, and by the next round Korgan will be in melee' range. If Haer'Dalis really wants to stand there and cast Protections and just hope that Korgan misses with his axe, I'd say the fight will be over even quicker.

[Leslie]

It is exactly the Stoneskin and PFMW that make the difference. Of course you can take that away but what's the point of them then?

Maybe there is something I'm missing here but we can't have Haer fight Korgan without magic. That's his advantage. How about we take Korgan's hit points away then?

Mano-a-mano - it's all about the player and the situation. You can think of million situations where Korgan wins. I don't play multiplayer where Haer could face Korgan. If I would and if they were higher than level 10 or 12 I would take Haer'dalis any time.

I'm thinking about SOA and TOB with Tactics in Insane. Only Stoneskined or Ironskined fighters can play that game. Forget about Korgan. And play a couple of hours on Insane with Korgan and see what happens.

Hey, see what Pontifex does to Korgan in the first Time Stop? Terrible damage if not death. Haer on the other hand can just yawn under PFMW and wait for his time. He can kick Pontifex's ass with Carso, or Staff of The Magi or anything you want. He can use Robe of Vecna, Amulet of Power, yada, yada, ...

What can Korgan do against that vorpal hitting dwarf who is one of Kangaxx's guardians? Die.
Haer? PFMW and yawn while hitting the bad guy. Or he can cast Mislead just out the sight and chop him again with no trouble.

What can Korgan do against Firkraag? He WILL be hit for sure and that's around 60-70 damage. Who do you think will last longer. Korgi or the big Red? Haer can go under PFMW and SI:Abj and keep all his protections on while hitting Firky and the big Red can wait for merciful death.

I've beaten Improved Irenicus solo on Insane with a Blade. I don't think it can be done with a Berserker dwarf fighter.

He can use scrolls of Time Stop, Simulacrum, Project Image, Spell Trap, Shapechange, Chain Contingency, bah, it's getting funny already ...

You guys are comparing one of most powerful classes in BG2 with a plain Berserker fighter? Really funny.

There is a guide at sorcerers.net from Scythesong Immortal which describes the true power of Blades. Check it out: http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/BG2/S..._to_Blades.zip