minsk and other problems

[Lemernis]

Yes, myself I was really glad that I was able to give Safana a prof in bow right away in a current game I have going. I'm playing Dark Side where sometimes NPCs join at level 4, she maybe she was one of those, maybe that's why. I've got to say, though: using Montaron also in another game with a heavy crossbow, and that little runt does some real damage with that thing. The heavy crossbow has definitely earned my respect.

[Midget Gems]

Another idea that was mentioned was to equip Jaheira with a scimiter and shield. This is fine if you plan ahead, but I didn't, so there are so few places where you can buy a scimitar. I certainly didn't fancy a trip up north with a low level party. In the end I kept going with the staff +1 and it worked out ok. Pity there aren't more items like Q/S +2 to be found as you go along.

I did worry that using Shar-teel and Jaheira as my Tanks was asking for trouble, but the 'Girls' did alright in the end. I must say that I like the Bard/Druid team that you are using, Lemernis, they are the two types of NPC that are poorly represented in the game.

[Lemernis]

Good to see you again, MG! I had moderate expectations at best for the druid and bard combo, and I've been pleasantly surprised just how fun that duo has turned out to be. Druids and bards actually had a close link in the Celtic tradition. In BG I think they really do click well as a team.

I'm playing all my current games with Dark Side installed, and haven't yet done BG city, or chapters 6 and 7 with Dark Side. A druid becomes a true powerhouse in Dark Side. Although playing with Dark in general is a little tricky. It gives you some great spells, yet most of the items it adds are overpowered and are definitely unbalancing. I just recently sold off a bunch of items that could have made my druid a god. If I run into some sort of super-enemy down the line I can buy the items back, I guess.

[Katherine]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Midget Gems:
I did worry that using Shar-teel and Jaheira as my Tanks was asking for trouble, but the 'Girls' did alright in the end.

---

How did you get Shar-teel into an all girl party? When I met her in the hopes that she'd join an all girl party I had, she declined as she "doesn't fight women" and the only way to get her to join is to beat her in a fight. Did you just enlist a male NPC to get her to join, then dump him, or is there a trick?

Thanks,
Katherine

[Midget Gems]

Hi Katherine. Yes, you guessed it - I had to borrow a male helper. Actually I had forgotten about this requirement and I had already disposed of Khalid. So I went back and got Ajantis to handle the transaction. Then I dropped him of in Nashkel before collecting Branwen

I remember from your previous postings that you like to use the Female NPC's and to see what reactions they get. A lot of the dialog ignores the fact that there are no males in the party, Safana still thought we were men even though my character is obviously not. I dualled her from Fighter to Mage so the program can't dress her properly - she has travelled the Sword Coast wearing knee length boots, a swim-suit and a helmet with a plume. Nice fashion statement don't you think? Another dialog I was looking forward to, was the offer from the Cook in Cloakwood Mines - and which of the party ought to take up the offer - but she was too smart for us and said something polite instead.

The Girls are taking a holiday in Olgarths Beard at the moment, before setting off on their next adventure, plus they all got nice new equipment for Christmas!

[Darkman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lemernis:
I've got to say, though: using Montaron also in another game with a heavy crossbow, and that little runt does some real damage with that thing. The heavy crossbow has definitely earned my respect.

---

Monty's pretty deadly with the Sling +1 as well, seeing how he's a Halfling so he gets a racial bonus with slings [img]smile.gif[/img] A pity there aren't more magical slings in the game...

[Lemernis]

Right, I momentarily forgot about that bonus. Dark Side does make sling +1's more available, btw. I just like the sound of the heavy crossbow and the fact that it loads slower but does some pretty hefty damage when it hits. Also early in the game it is more effective:

Regular sling and bullets: sling THACO 0, 0 bonus damage (except halfings get +1 racial bonus); bullet 1d4. Up to 4 damage--5 if it a halfling. Speed factor: 6

Regular heavy crossbow and bolts: crossbow THACO 0, +2 damage; bolt 1d8. Up to 10 damage. Speed factor: 10

Then taking the comparison to a higher level:

Light Crossbow +1/Light Crossbow of Speed and bolts +1: crossbow THACO +1, damage +1; bolt THACO +1, damage 1d8 +1. Lowers THACO by 2 and does up to 11 damage. Speed factor: Light Crossbow +1 = 4, Light Crossbow of Speed = 3

Sling +1 and bullets +1: sling THACO +1, damage +1; bullets THACO +1, damage 1d4 +2. Lowers THACO by 2 and does up to 7 damage (up to 8 damage if it is a halfling). Speed factor: 5

And at the highest end:

Sling +3 and bullets +2: sling THACO +3, damage +3; bullets THACO +2, 1d4 +3 damage. Lowers THACO by 5 and does up to 10 damage (up to 11 for a halfling). Speed factor: 3

Heavy Crossbow of Accuracy: crossbow THACO +5, damage +2; bolts THACO +2, damage 1d8 +2. Lowers THACO by 7 and does up to 12 damage. Speed factor: 7

The speed factor is significant because except for the Light Crossbow of Speed the sling is generally getting almost twice as many attacks in. Anyway, I don't worry about the slowness of the crossbow. What you lose in speed you make up in damage. It's fun to use.