Another Xan Thread

Azred · 12-26-2005, 11:29 AM

In all these years, I've never used Xan. I have grown tired of Xzar and Edwin and I'm waiting until I configure a "good" party to try Dynaheir. I am surprised--I like Xan more than I expected I would. Lousy hp, but so what? He's carrying a couple of potions of defense and wearing Bracers of AC 8, so he can get his AC down to -4...which is better than my usual tank Shar-Teel, even with her full plate mail.
He already has the small sword proficiency, so I've given him as many throwing knives as he can carry; he hits the target about half the time.

I am thinking of using him as bait later on. Once we purchase a wand of fire, I'll have him equip it, his sword, and cast Protection from Fire on him. Once done, he will walk into a group of enemies and begin using the wand at point-blank range. Toasty fun!

JrKASperov · 12-26-2005, 02:29 PM

Besides that, Xan is fun. His character is rather hilarious. And I didn't have any problems with his spell restrictions; a sleep of confusion is just as nice as a fireball to be honest.

Sir Degrader · 12-26-2005, 07:29 PM

Summons, summons, slings, all I ever use mages for, and I've had no troubles.

Lord · 12-27-2005, 11:39 AM

Let me just say that Xan is not my favorite mage in the game. That should be enough [img]tongue.gif[/img]

CerebroDragon · 12-28-2005, 10:56 AM

I think the case for the anti-Xan legions is flimsy and shallow at best! There have been quite a few threads where I've leapt to his defense due to some commoners short sighted besmirchery of the guy.

He's a brilliant character, full of pessimistic witticisms to peg down the enthusiastic go-getter party down a notch! I warmed very well to him, not just for pure roleplaying and philosophical reasons, but because it takes a different mindset to use him rather than rely on the generic obliteration madness that can trap players doing the same thing over and over. Got to love that moonblade too.

He complemented my barely sober PC Bard character's party awesomely well for variety. I think I had something like this when I finished the game:

Coran
Imoen
Faldorn
Kivan
PC Bard 'Mead' (True Neutral, a character from second ed I ran)
Xan

So remember once again, Xan haters - what's the point? Your quest is vain!

[ 12-28-2005, 10:57 AM: Message edited by: CerebroDragon ]

Illumina Drathiran'ar · 12-29-2005, 01:36 AM

Flaming. Sword. If his personality isn't funny enough, he has a flaming sword (I'll never forgive them for replacing the Flaming Sword with the Glowing Sword). With an AC bonus. The loss of Fireball, Flame Arrow, and Magic Missile certainly sting, but as CerebroDragon mentioned, it's good for a challenge or if you're stuck in a "Burn everything" kind of rut.

krunchyfrogg · 12-29-2005, 07:24 AM

I think there's a decent mod throwing him into the sequel also. He's a good character!

Kyrvias · 12-31-2005, 01:51 AM

Yeah, Illumina , the whole glowing sword thing really bummed me out. But, Luckily, you can find a mod at pocketplane.net that brings Xan into BG II! But I digress.

I remember making a thread a long while ago about Xan... personally, I think he is the best mage in the game. But that's just me.

ister · 01-04-2006, 03:16 AM

He's a much better mage than Dynaheir, that's for sure. I'd rather have the AC than the hit points, and the spells she loses (sleep!) are much more of a loss than the ones he loses.

With Xan I miss shield and web, but he has everything else covered. Spell disruption? Use Larloch's. Mass damage dealing? Use skull trap. But the only thing that can replace web is Emotion, and the only thing replacing shield is the amulet. Still I love his personality, and he is a very powerful mage.

Iron Greasel · 01-04-2006, 04:00 AM

I know not of power, but his personality is enough to make me pick him up.

12-26-2005, 11:29 AM	#1
Azred Drow Priestess Join Date: March 13, 2001 Location: a hidden sanctorum high above the metroplex Age: 55 Posts: 4,037	In all these years, I've never used Xan. I have grown tired of Xzar and Edwin and I'm waiting until I configure a "good" party to try Dynaheir. I am surprised--I like Xan more than I expected I would. Lousy hp, but so what? He's carrying a couple of potions of defense and wearing Bracers of AC 8, so he can get his AC down to -4...which is better than my usual tank Shar-Teel, even with her full plate mail. He already has the small sword proficiency, so I've given him as many throwing knives as he can carry; he hits the target about half the time. I am thinking of using him as bait later on. Once we purchase a wand of fire, I'll have him equip it, his sword, and cast Protection from Fire on him. Once done, he will walk into a group of enemies and begin using the wand at point-blank range. Toasty fun! __________________ Everything may be explained by a conspiracy theory. All conspiracy theories are true. No matter how thinly you slice it, it's still bologna.

12-26-2005, 02:29 PM	#2
JrKASperov Fzoul Chembryl Join Date: July 16, 2003 Location: Wa\'eni\'n Age: 39 Posts: 1,701	Besides that, Xan is fun. His character is rather hilarious. And I didn't have any problems with his spell restrictions; a sleep of confusion is just as nice as a fireball to be honest. __________________ God is in the rain.

12-27-2005, 11:39 AM	#4
Lord Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: June 3, 2003 Location: New York Age: 40 Posts: 3,302	Let me just say that Xan is not my favorite mage in the game. That should be enough [img]tongue.gif[/img] __________________ "You're a thief and a liar." "No, I only lied about being a thief."

12-28-2005, 10:56 AM	#5
CerebroDragon Red Wizard of Thay Join Date: March 2, 2003 Location: Ballarat, Australia. Age: 46 Posts: 878	I think the case for the anti-Xan legions is flimsy and shallow at best! There have been quite a few threads where I've leapt to his defense due to some commoners short sighted besmirchery of the guy. He's a brilliant character, full of pessimistic witticisms to peg down the enthusiastic go-getter party down a notch! I warmed very well to him, not just for pure roleplaying and philosophical reasons, but because it takes a different mindset to use him rather than rely on the generic obliteration madness that can trap players doing the same thing over and over. Got to love that moonblade too. He complemented my barely sober PC Bard character's party awesomely well for variety. I think I had something like this when I finished the game: Coran Imoen Faldorn Kivan PC Bard 'Mead' (True Neutral, a character from second ed I ran) Xan So remember once again, Xan haters - what's the point? Your quest is vain! [ 12-28-2005, 10:57 AM: Message edited by: CerebroDragon ] __________________ Diddledy High, Diddledy Low, Come Brave Blood Sheep, You've a goodly way to go. - Brilhasti Ap Tarj

12-29-2005, 01:36 AM	#6
Illumina Drathiran'ar Apophis Join Date: July 10, 2002 Location: I can see the Manhattan skyline from my window. Age: 39 Posts: 4,673	Flaming. Sword. If his personality isn't funny enough, he has a flaming sword (I'll never forgive them for replacing the Flaming Sword with the Glowing Sword). With an AC bonus. The loss of Fireball, Flame Arrow, and Magic Missile certainly sting, but as CerebroDragon mentioned, it's good for a challenge or if you're stuck in a "Burn everything" kind of rut. __________________ http://cavestory.org PLAY THIS GAME. Seriously. http://xkcd.com/386/ http://www.xkcd.com/406/ My heart is like my coffee. Black, bitter, icy, and with a straw.

12-26-2005, 07:29 PM	#3
Sir Degrader Thoth - Egyptian God of Wisdom Join Date: November 3, 2001 Location: Canada Age: 64 Posts: 2,871	Summons, summons, slings, all I ever use mages for, and I've had no troubles.

12-29-2005, 07:24 AM	#7
krunchyfrogg Red Dragon Join Date: February 14, 2004 Location: NY, USA Age: 49 Posts: 1,516	I think there's a decent mod throwing him into the sequel also. He's a good character! __________________ <i>A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.</i><br />- Jackie Robinson<br /><br /> [img]\"http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/3353/salsashark7xl.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

12-31-2005, 01:51 AM	#8
Kyrvias Lord Ao Join Date: May 15, 2005 Posts: 2,092	Yeah, Illumina , the whole glowing sword thing really bummed me out. But, Luckily, you can find a mod at pocketplane.net that brings Xan into BG II! But I digress. I remember making a thread a long while ago about Xan... personally, I think he is the best mage in the game. But that's just me.

01-04-2006, 03:16 AM	#9
ister Drow Warrior Join Date: January 12, 2005 Location: usa Age: 57 Posts: 291	He's a much better mage than Dynaheir, that's for sure. I'd rather have the AC than the hit points, and the spells she loses (sleep!) are much more of a loss than the ones he loses. With Xan I miss shield and web, but he has everything else covered. Spell disruption? Use Larloch's. Mass damage dealing? Use skull trap. But the only thing that can replace web is Emotion, and the only thing replacing shield is the amulet. Still I love his personality, and he is a very powerful mage. __________________ \" Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.\"<br />JFK

01-04-2006, 04:00 AM	#10
Iron Greasel Fzoul Chembryl Join Date: July 13, 2004 Location: Finland Age: 36 Posts: 1,701	I know not of power, but his personality is enough to make me pick him up. __________________

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