06-10-2009, 07:19 AM | #1 |
Symbol of Cyric
Join Date: March 1, 2001
Location: Outside my place
Age: 42
Posts: 1,283
|
Balancing a party - interaction wanted
Hello all,
I am about to start BG2 with a cleric/mage and I am trying to find a fun, interactive party (no PC romance needed) to run BG2 + ToB. This is what I have so far: Xanthul - cleric/mage Yoshi / Imoen (not gonna get rid of my sister!) Mazzy (never tried her and I read she rocks both fighting and talking) I think I have enough cleric, mage and thief power in there so the remaining locations would probably be tanks. I would like to leave a spot open during BG2 to do all the NPC quests that I have never done (Cernd, Anomen, Haer'Dalis). This spot would later be filled with the ToB NPC. Which 2 of the following should I take for maximum interaction (specially with Mazzy) ? - Minsc (can be a decent archer to go with Mazzy once I get ToB NPC) - Keldorn (used him many times already) - Valygar (used him only briefly) - Jaheira (I'd prefer not, she annoys me, but I would consider her if recommended) - Anomen (never tried him, heard he is unbearable) - Korgan (used many times) At the moment I think I want Minsc (for the versatility) and Anomen (for the novelty factor), but help me on this one. Thanks!
__________________
Previously known as Ertai_OHF |
06-10-2009, 08:01 AM | #2 |
The Magister
Join Date: April 26, 2003
Location: this forum
Age: 37
Posts: 133
|
Re: Balancing a party - interaction wanted
As I recall is Keldorn and Mazzy quite fun...but that was years ago...Also: Carysomyr for your 50-year old Tank..
And Minsc and Mazzy is fun because Minsc want to give compliments to Mazzy, but she whimps them off. Korgan and Mazzy, I've heard, also have some tasty conversations. Clearly one of these above. And Having Hear'Dalis in your party is always fun and handy! Three magic Missile casters at once. But that just my opinion. Anomen-->Only with Jan because Jan disses Anomen al the time... So no Valygar and Jahiera I don't know...
__________________
When I request my flashing sword..And my hand take hold on judgment..I will take vengeance upon my enemies.. |
06-10-2009, 09:16 AM | #3 |
Elminster
Join Date: June 20, 2001
Location: Sydney
Age: 67
Posts: 486
|
Re: Balancing a party - interaction wanted
Howdy Xanthul,
Minsc is usually good value, regardless of who is in the party, especially with his guardian angel.... er, hamster For the second slot, perhaps Anomen or Hear'Dalis Annoyman becomes less so after he passes his test - a great tank. Hairy Dalice is mouthy like most bards - though not quite as annoying as Grobnar from NWN2 PPG do a banter pack that might add some interest regardless of who you include in the party : http://www.pocketplane.net/banter |
06-10-2009, 06:32 PM | #4 |
Dracolisk
Join Date: September 16, 2001
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Age: 46
Posts: 6,901
|
Re: Balancing a party - interaction wanted
I know she's your sister, but including Imoen is going to cut down on your banters--she doesn't talk to ANYONE, at least until ToB. Jan, however, has a story for everyone. Just sayin'.
Minsc: As you said, he's pretty versatile, but you've probably used him plenty of times already. I would keep him along only with Unfinished Business installed. Keldorn: As you said, he's an old standby for you. He's okay, but his banters aren't much to write home about--although I do kind it noteworthy that BG2's only Paladin recites more poetry than BG2's only Bard. Valygar: He keeps to himself and is tight-lipped, but he's got some good banters with Mazzy, and if you're going to recruit her, he's right in your path anyway. I think you should use him for all the reasons you were thinking of using Minsc--he's everything Minsc is and more, particularly if you haven't really used him yet. Jaheira: Well, Druids get some great spells in BG2, and she's BG2's only Druid, but if she annoys you, then . . . you might consider taking her just for the quests. Anomen: I can tolerate Anomen, but find it rather amazing that my party members are able to, especially after his banter with Mazzy. I think you should take him along, just to get the full Anomen experience for yourself. Seriously, even Korgan is more considerate than this guy. (Anomen + a Cleric/Mage might be too much Cleric, though.) Korgan: Has a particularly good set of Mazzy banters. With a Cleric/Mage and (probably) Imoen in the party, who cares about Aerie and Nalia? Jan: The only party member who can make Mazzy lose her cool. Viconia: I don't think I've ever had her & Mazzy in a party, and I personally find her pretty one-dimensional and unappealing. Edwin: Ditto, although he is a bit more fun than Viconia--and he has a quest, which Viconia dies not (although she does have a romance). Haer'Dalis: Hate to break it to you, but he doesn't have any quests. BioWare was going to write him one, but they were pressed for time and it never got done. To date, even Unfinished Business has yet to hammer anything out for him.
__________________
Volothamp's Comeuppance Everything you ever needed to know about the entire Baldur's Gate series......except spoilers. |
06-10-2009, 07:14 PM | #5 |
Lord Ao
Join Date: May 15, 2005
Posts: 2,092
|
Re: Balancing a party - interaction wanted
|
06-10-2009, 08:12 PM | #6 |
Dracolisk
Join Date: September 16, 2001
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Age: 46
Posts: 6,901
|
Re: Balancing a party - interaction wanted
Cernd doesn't actually exist as an NPC, he's just a way to beat Faldorn if you don't have Jaheira and aren't a Druid yourself. There is a bug in the game engine that lets you keep him in the party long enough to squeeze his quest for a little EXP, though, so I understand how a lot of people can confuse him with an actual player character.
[ADD] Unless you use the Totemic Cernd mod, which (along with giving him a more balanced kit) I hear raises his stats to the point that you might actually consider bringing him along.
__________________
Volothamp's Comeuppance Everything you ever needed to know about the entire Baldur's Gate series......except spoilers. Last edited by SixOfSpades; 06-10-2009 at 08:20 PM. |
06-11-2009, 12:45 AM | #7 |
Lord Ao
Join Date: May 15, 2005
Posts: 2,092
|
Re: Balancing a party - interaction wanted
Hmm. I had never known that. Guess you learn something new every day. haha.
|
06-11-2009, 02:37 AM | #8 |
Symbol of Cyric
Join Date: March 1, 2001
Location: Outside my place
Age: 42
Posts: 1,283
|
Re: Balancing a party - interaction wanted
Hey, thanks everyone for your responses! I really appreciate it. I never knew about Cernd either, thought he was an NPC (the things Six knows huh? ).
With all that you have said in mind, I think I am going to shoot for this: - Cleric / mage - Mazzy (yay! heard so many good things) - Jan Jansen (he annoys me sometimes but I want to see him interact with all the new NPCs that I am going to bring along. Might replace him with Imoen) - Anomen / Valygar (undecided yet - I find myself not using cleric spells most of the time, so 2 clerics might be a bit of an overkill. Valygar can also use a bow if needed come ToB, so that's another plus. Anomen looks more interactive tho) - Korgan (will have to keep the rep in check) - Rotating NPC for quests / ToB NPC Ah BTW, I also find Viccy a tad boring and one dimensional - plus I already played all romances and while they were entertaining, it's not really something I look forward to playing again.
__________________
Previously known as Ertai_OHF Last edited by Xanthul; 06-11-2009 at 02:40 AM. |
06-11-2009, 05:31 AM | #9 |
Mephistopheles
Join Date: March 21, 2004
Location: Cape Canaveral, FL
Age: 69
Posts: 1,443
|
Re: Balancing a party - interaction wanted
Valygar plus Azuredge,,,,,Lich killer from a distance! I had sooooo much fun just having Val stay back and lob Azuredge over and over till the Lich failed it's save....priceless.
__________________
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790), Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759. Iraq and Afghan fatalities: 6,855 and counting. Silence IS consent. |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Khajiit Balancing | Xan the Enchanter | Miscellaneous Games (RPG or not) | 10 | 12-25-2004 07:53 AM |
Weird bug with Rogue Re-balancing Mod | Cerek the Barbaric | Baldurs Gate II: Shadows of Amn & Throne of Bhaal | 3 | 06-29-2004 05:18 AM |
Balancing Roleplaying with Powergaming | Szass-Tam | Miscellaneous Games (RPG or not) | 5 | 03-20-2004 10:48 AM |
Party Opinions Wanted | thorfin | Icewind Dale | Heart of Winter | Icewind Dale II Forum | 6 | 12-16-2003 04:31 PM |
My Party: Advice Wanted | GarethDragonsbane | Baldurs Gate II Archives | 15 | 05-02-2001 10:24 PM |