Party - Coran - Hackin'

[Roboghost]

Okay...gonna play this game through for the first time {taking an IWD/HoW HoF break}.

The BG/ToSC game was bugged a bit, so I installed the Dudleyfix's and tweaks (some, but not all.) I hacked it so that the experience point cap would max out at 451,000 [allowing clerics to hit 10th level, but not the fighters.]

Now I'm happy to play ; )

Here's my team and the maximum levels to obtain and before {game start}/after {game end} stats [***NPC/item/book spoilers below***]:

Ajantis Paladin 9
17 13 16 12 13 17
17 {18} 16 12 13 [18]

Minsc Ranger 9
18/93 16 16 8 6 9
-no change- {Dudleyfix bumps DEX/CON +1, so I'll leave him alone!}
**I left Dynaheir smoking lotus in that tent back at carnival - thought it appropriate for her being a witch and all**

Branwen Cleric 10
13 16 15 9 16 13
{18/00}* 16 15 9 [18] 13

Coran MC Fighter 8 / Thief 11
14 20 12 14 9 16
-no change- *{he'll steal..borrow..the GoOS from Branwen on occasion}
~~too bad they didn't make his DEX 21~~
lock specialist

Imoen DC Mage 11 / Thief 8
9 18 16 17 11 16
-no change-
trap specialist

Protagonist DC Fighter 8 / Mage 10
18/53 18 18 18 10 10
[19] [19] [19] [19] [11] 10
-I'm not giving Branwen ALL three WIS books!-

[] = book bonus
{} = item bonus

I've searched for getting Coran quickly, and I'm on my way to getting the bandit map opened up, but how do you get him without getting the bandits hostile? I assume you have to quickly sneak into the tent and back out without disturbing its residences and getting the goods at the same time?!

After I get the rascal, I'll then take my sweet time to rack up the points and enjoy the adventure. Comments are welcome -- I think I've put together the best team that covers the entire basis [leader / tanks / healers / archers / magic / locks / traps.] I'll have no pickpocket person unless I grab a NPC bard later when they "self-level" up to their max. Team's slightly weak in healing, but the pally and the protagonist help with their fast heal special abilities - freeing up my only cleric a bit. Note that I'm not going to import to BG2, so...

My comment to the original BG team: you guys should've switched Kivan [hated enemy: Wyvern] and Coran -- a thief is more important to have early; dang it.

[ 07-05-2006, 06:54 PM: Message edited by: Roboghost ]

[Kyrvias]

Still, having Kivan, possibly one of the best archers in the early game, early in the game is beautiful. Especailly when yo uexplore EVERYWHERE. The items you find, well, they help out a lot

[Lord]

There is an easy way into the tent. Go to Larswood or Peldvale (either is fine) and look for a group of bandits. Avoid the black talon elite and search for the leader of the bandit group, who should approach you. You can then ask to join his group of bandits. Praise him and he'll take you to fight Tazok. If you can inflict enough damage upon Tazok (which shouldn't be a problem), you'll have free access of most of the bandit camp (avoid the caves, there are gnolls in there). Go straight to the tent, fight your battle, and then leave.

[Kyrvias]

Just an add on, if and when you meet the aformentioned bandit, do *not* mention Tazok, or any important-plot characters. They will instantly go hostile.

[SixOfSpades]

On my fastest speed-run ever, my PC was still a Level 1 Fighter by the time he entered the Bandit Camp. He was Level 3 when he left, though. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Getting to the camp is much more difficult than beating it. Those damn Black Talon Elites are no joke. This is the part of the game that teaches you to use 1 Tank and many archers, largely because if you do anything else, you'll be shot to pieces.

The key to starting Chapter 4 without any fighting in the tent is using an Oil of Speed. Which, coincidentally, is the key to killing Tazok in Chapter 3. (All the more ironic because one of his battle cries is "Now I kill you twice!")

It's my (not completely uneducated) opinion that Kivan and Coran used to be the same person before BioWare inexplicably split him into 2 characters. Both Male Elven warriors with skills in Stealth and the use of a Bow; very high DEX, somewhat low CON, very similar names; and take a look at their portraits! Why does Kivan, with only 9 CHA, have one of the best-looking and most popular portraits in the game? Why is Coran, with 16 CHA and one heck of a reputation with the ladies, saddled with that ugly mug for a face? Clearly, Kivan's portrait used to belong on Coran, before they decided the game needed another Fighter/Thief, and one wearing the mask of the Shadow Thieves.

[Roboghost]

Thanks to all for input.

I went in peace to the camp [carefully picking dialogue - including the meet with Tazok], but ended up fighting Raemon and gang - I assumed a hard fight - so Ajantis gulped a strength potion and Minsc a speed potion for the win. I did a repeat in the Wyvern cave since I'm still using basic weapons!

When I was researching the dudlyfix, I read that it put a set of Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise in the chest with the letters. This way, one wouldn't have to go though the trouble of killing Tazok 2x [I guess people assumed that he was "Resurrected" by his peers, so they felt it okay to whack him for the gauntlets in that strange roundabout way.]

Range weapons note:
I'm specializing Ajantis in missile {slings/crossbows} and Minsc in axe {throwing axes.}

Looks like this by level 9:
Ajantis
Large Sword **
Bow *
Blunt ** (9)
Missile ** (3)(6)

Minsc
Large Sword **
Bow *
Blunt ** (9)
Axe ** (3)(6)

I'll give Ajantis a +2 blunt weapon and Minsc a +1 blunt weapon -- who will also be wearing the Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise -- so a +1 should be fine.

Does anyone give NPC Ajantis the strength and/or constitution tomes instead of PC? I'm tempted to give him both since he's a tank! Since its BG1 only, my 18/53 strength and 18 constitution seem sufficient for a back row bower/arcane user. Incidentally, when dual class time comes: I'm dueling to illusionist and Imoen to enchanter. This should keep it interesting...challenging.

[Lord]

Minsc...axes...blunt weapons...! You should specialize Minsc in large sword and long bow, don't waste blunt weapons and throwing axes on him.

If you plan on importing your character to BG2, or you want to replay BG1 with this character, I'd suggest giving the tomes to your PC. Otherwise, give them to who needs them.