Newbie to IWD - party composition suggestions

[Lord Brass]

There certainly is.

The facility to create a new character (nearly) anywhere in the game allows you to replace combat casualties, or just change your party if you feel like it. I think you can do it as long as you're not in a fight.

The one thing I would say to be aware of however, and I cannot remember if this is the same in BG (having never played BGII) but the six character slots you are presented with form your "actual" party order. If you go into an area that has to load the data e.g. into a new section of a dungeon, then your party will emerge with character slots 1 & 2 first. Thus, always place your main fighters here when you create your party. I've been caught out that way once too often.

Other than that, create a few characters, start the game, save and create the rest when you feel like it.

BTW I'm near to the end of BG, so how's BGII?

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Making running away an art form

[Hayashi]

Originally posted by Lord Brass: BTW I'm near to the end of BG, so how's BGII?

I highly, strongly recommend BG2. If you can, get it, and the expansion Throne of Bhaal (ToB) as well. You create only one player character (the protagonist) but you can recruit up to 5 others during the course of the game. There are more than 5 NPCs of course, and part of the fun is getting the 'right' NPCs to suit your playing style and the party. Certain characters do not get along and may even come to blows (eventually). Did I say you can start a romance with some of the NPCs? Depends on you PC's race and gender of course.

Story-wise, I dare say BG2 is better than IWD in the sense that the story that begun in BG continues in BG2, with a new 'bad guy'. And ToB gives a sense of closure and concludes the epic.

Game wise I can't compare as I've not played BG. But while combat is a major element in the game, not everything boils down to hack n' slash. The characters can advance to really high levels - my PC in BG2 is a level 34 kensai! Great puzzles and side quests abound. High level monsters too - dragons, liches, a demi-lich or two, high level mages, trolls, umber hulks, plenty of drow, to name a few.

In a sense IWD will take quite some getting used to. It'll take quite a bit of adjustment when you're accustomed to swatting away goblins with no effort, and here I am in IWD when goblins are a major threat!

[pdh]

I agree that BG2 and TOB are a must have if you like IWD. As for getting used to being lower levels as you start IWD, I'd say that it can pay to hang around an area like the vale of shadows for a while and gain xp killing yetis and the local balcksmith will give you cash for the pelts too. Unfourtanatly the spells in that area you can buy are a bit pants though. Anyway to answer the origional message I think that the following is a good combo for games, but it depends on your playing style:

Mage/Cleric
Mage
Ranger
Fighter/Thief
Fighter
Fighter.

This gives you lots of magic and the thief to open the locks, chests etc while you have lots of power in the thick of it as well. also as the ranger gets high level he will be able to cast spells as well!

[Lord Brass]

Thanks for the comments. Funnily enough, on the way to college I saw a copy of BGII reduced by a third of it's price. So I bought it. As you would.

Don't forget Druids though, pdh. Those boys rock at later levels. I mean, you can even turn into an elemental at level 11! That and Static Charge will really put the grief amongst the bad guys.

One thing that has concerned me about multi-class mages and clerics is that you cannot utilise those Mage Daggers, but it appears a small price to pay. Still, think of all the spells you get (which is true of the cleric/ranger too).

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Making running away an art form

[Epona]

Originally posted by Lord Brass: One thing though. If you "cast" a Bard song, does that mean that you must maintain concentration (or playing) which would appear logical, or can you cast other spells/move/attack and still receive the benefits? (If the answer's in the manual and I just haven't noticed it then sorry.)

Bard song works a bit like Turn Undead - you click the button, and when the next round begins, your bard will start playing. You can walk around and continue playing, but if you take any other action such as attacking an enemy, the song stops (try wielding a sword and playing lute at the same time).
Some of those songs are so good though, your bard is more use singing than fighting!

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Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.

Epona of The Laughing Hyenas
Proud winner of the 'Most Useless Post 250 Has Ever Seen' Award 2001. "I'd just like to thank my friends and family, without whom none of this would have been possible..."

[Lord Brass]

Thanks Epona, that clears up that little question.

Guys, since this morning (well morining for me anyway), I've obviously had time at college to scan through the BGII manual and...what are the spells like! I thought IWD was harder on the old grey matter than BG when it came spell-related cheekiness, but BGII is something else.

Fortunately, I've still got BG/TotSC, as well as HoW/TotL/IWD to complete. The summer has run out, and its back to the old grindstone for this poor alloy

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Making running away an art form

[Hayashi]

Thanks for all you replies. I have just completed my game of BG2 and will be starting on IWD soon.

Just some questions to those of who graciously replied:

1. Why choose a cleric/illusionist? Many of you seem to take this class.

2. Would it be better to have a straight thief or a fighter/thief? Multi or dual classed? I am thinking of creating a halfling thief to get the max bonuses.

3. Similary, straight druid or a multiclassed fighter/druid (influenced by Jaheira here )?

4. Would be cleric ba able to make a good secondary tank?

Thanks.

[Leafy]

Why Cleric/Illusionist? Because he gets the most spells. As a Specialist, he gets one more mage spell per level. Of course, he sacrifices Necromancy and Abjuration spells. The only real loss for necromancy is the high level "horrid wilting" (which can wilt your party if you're not careful!). As for Abjuration, there's the globe of invulnerability and one high level protection spell. All in all, it's not a bad trade (especially if you have a backup spell caster like a bard ot mage).

As for the Thief, i prefer Dual classing a Human from a Thief to a Fighter. By about 9th level as a Thief, you max the thieving abilities you really want (pick pockets? find traps?) then change over to a Fighter and master the bow or dagger or something! as a fighter/thief, you can only ever specialize in a weapon and eventually that thief class will become a boring thorn in your side while you try to level up. (BTW,no exp awards to Thief abilities like BG2)

Druids? personally i'd say be a druid first to lvl 18, then bevome a fighter and master the dagger and symitar! but realisticly, the fighter druid is a very playable choice. thogh they can only ever specialize in a weapon as well.

Clerics make excellent secondary tanks because they have high hitpoints and can wear heavy armor while casting. fighter clerics even more so (they KILL very well when enchanted).

[Lord Brass]

How's it going Hayashi? Listen to Leafy, his comments just about cover it.

The Cleric/Fighter(Ranger) is a wonderful combination. The thing that makes them so good occurs at level 2 for their spells; Holy Might is the "dog's" once you've proceeded up a level or two. (If you're an old player of AD&D you'll expect some limitation to that spell, but there isn't one!)

Remember, for the old guys amongst us, level limits are only defined by the game/expansion that you have installed. Don't worry about 'Unearthed Arcana' or any of that nonsense. This is AD&D the way it should have been all along!

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Making running away an art form

[Hayashi]

Choices, choices, choices...

Here's what I've decided:

1. Paladin (high charisma, will function as the party's spokesman).

2. Dwarven fighter (2nd tank)

3. Gnome mage (to get 19 INT)

4. Halfling fighter/thief

5. Half-Elf cleric

6. Last one's a bit tough. I can't decide between a bard or a fighter/druid multiclass. I'm more inclined to go with a bard just to try it out & see.

Comments? Criticisms? Thanks.