Powergamer's Party {Probable Item Spoilers}

[True_Moose]

These are very good points, Dundee. Plus, I absolutely love the ability of a bard to get proficiencies in any weapons. So this is what I am looking at as the final build for the party:

Ranger/Cleric (multi)
Fighter/Thief
Fighter/Mage (multi) (I thought about this, and I think he serves a better role as a magic tank over the more mage-oriented kensai-mage, we already have a magic bombardier in the sorc)
Cleric/Mage (multi)
Blade
Sorcerer

One last question: could the Kensai 13=>Thief be replaced with an Assassin(24)=>Fighter, or even a multiclass fighter-thief? Here are the tradeoffs.

Kensai=>Thief

• Kai ability
• Extra bonuses to hit/damage
• Painful amounts of thief skills
• Many thief HLAs, traps, assassinate, etc

Assassin(24)=>Fighter

• x7 Backstab
• Poison Weapon
• Greater Whirlwinds, other fighter HLAs
• Still gets UAI

Fighter-Thief (multi)

• No dual-period
• Both fighter and thief HLAs
• Elf or halfling dex bonus

Quite honestly, I am leaning towards an entire multiclass party. With ToB, the HLAs are too good to pass up, it seems. If someone can give me a convincing argument not too, I will listen, but I don't really see what advantages (other than Kai (beaten by Critical Strike, Smite, you know) or the huge backstab (hard to duplicate)) you will gain by going the kit=>dual route.

[Xen]

I say go for F/T Multi-Class. It is very deadly combo.

[True_Moose]

I guess if we're all okay with the current selections, we move on to the next point: weapon proficiencies/usage.

The sorcerer is obviously the easiest, give him the Staff of the Magi. Also, for ranged weapons, we have a choice between Darts and Slings. Personally, I think that using the Crimson Dart would be the best, but if there are unheard arguments for slings, I can accomodate.

The fighter/thief is a bit tougher. I personally think it would be good for him to dual-wield both Dagger of the Star and Angurvadal. This would give him a lot of attacks per round, as well as giving him a chance for a *free* second backstab, and high strength. The alternative is to use the Staff of the Ram for really high backstabbing damage, but you lose the extra APRs and other benefits of dual-wielding. IMO, not worth it, but someone may have a different take.

The ranger/cleric is weird, but fairly simple. Dual-wielding Storm Star and Crom Faeyr will help this character out enormously. He will be wearing the heaviest armor in the group, so a defensive off-hand is not a necessity. The Crom Faeyr will help the Storm Star (which is quite similar, in terms of base damage, to the FoA, and it is party-friendly, unlike alternatives such as the Club of Detonation.) Possible alternative is the Runehammer in the main hand, but other than in Ascension, I only used it against the lich in Sendai's Lair, so I think it wouldn't be powerful enough for most of the game.

The cleric/mage is based off whichever blunt weapons are not used after the ranger/cleric. I think it would be good for this character to dual-wield Flail of the Ages and Defender of Easthaven. Reason: I recognise that Hardiness combined with the DoE is amazing. However, I think that it would be better used on this character, because of it's poor armor choices. This guy will probably end up without incredible armour (Asleyferund would be used by the fighter/mage, Melodic Chain for the blade, and Robe of Vecna going to the Sorcerer), most probably Robe of the X Archmagi. So, using the DoE in combination with buffing spells makes sense. As for the FoA, if you're gonna buff this guy up to tank status, why not let him cause some real damage. [img]graemlins/whackya.gif[/img]

The fighter/mage I want to specialise in two-handed weapons for a few reasons. If he's in the back in a tight place, he can reach over his teammates, as well as hide behind them if he's hurt, and still lay on a lickin'. Also, we want to give him ranged weapons, for those times when he's injured, or we want him to concentrate more on his magic side. I would like him to use the Darkfire bow or Firetooth in combination with the Ravager, Gram the Sword of Grief, and possibly Soul Reaver. Granted, you have to be neutral or evil to use Soul Reaver, but in a powergaming multiplayer party, alignment is kind of irrelevant.

Finally the blade. I still haven't used the Axe of the Unyielding yet, and I think the blade should use it. I love the weapon, and it complements the blade quite nicely. As for the other one, I'm thinking of using Scarlet Ninja-To, after Use Any Item is obtained. The extra APR and bonus poison damage is nice, and I think that the more chances you have for a vorpal hit with the Axe, the better. Plus, this combination can be realised early in ToB, making for a potent character the length of the expansion.

As always, tips or alternate choices are much appreciated. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Xen]

Sorcerer->SotM,Crimson Dart
F/T->Quietus(Item Upgrade Mod) and/or CFury
R/C->FoA,CFayer,
C/M->DoE,
F/M->Sanchuudoku(Tactics Mod), Upgraded Daystar(IU Mod),
Blade->Scarlet Ninja-To


I would suggest something diffrent about F/T->stock on some high physical resistance itemsoE,Jan Jansen`s Armor,Imp.Human Flesh(Item Upgrade) add something IIRC-correct me if i am wrong.

[True_Moose]

Don't forget, Xen, I'm building these guys without mods. Just base SoA.

For the fighter/thief's armor, I think Jansen Adventurewear would work nicely. Also, things like Roronach's Horn would be handy. However, I am more concerned with making the fighter/thief a capable backstabber. That's the reason I am going with the Angurvadal/Dagger of the Star combo. If required, he will shift to a more defensive oriented combo, but I like the idea of stacking up the items on the cleric/mage. If we give the fighter/thief Adventurewear, along with Roranach's horn and hardiness, we have two characters (fighter/thief and cleric/mage) who can make themselves very powerfully resistant to damage, rather than just one. Add in the more basic tank of the cleric/ranger, and I think that is more valuable then one really high physically resistant guy. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Xen]

Oh sorry.
Yes, Cleric/Ranger is indeed a really good tank.
Good luck! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[Leslie]

I think with your powergamers party you should go for a no reloads game !
I'm playing one now and have reached Sahuagin city.
Must prepare well for the Minor Avatar of Sekolah. He can be a pain in the butt.

Otherwise it's quite doable !
Ask Xen !

[RoSs_bg2_rox]

have u started yet? can you give us some regular updates on how your doing + are you going for no-reloads?

[Xen]

He died. But he started a new party. Forgot about STR drain,through Stoneskin by Kuo-Toa bolts. [img]tongue.gif[/img]
His next plan is:

• PC-Blade
• Jaheira
• Anomen
• Jan
• Kelsey
• Solaufein

[RoSs_bg2_rox]

what so after all that planning and preparation hes just gona start again with another party? WHY? did he find some flaws? why not just start again with the other party and if he dies keep going?