A new (power) party

Aerich · 01-23-2005, 11:54 PM

I'm giving the priests a little rest. This new party (just finished the Vale) is also playing on insane, and focuses on brute strength and versatility. I plan to burn through IWD/HoW/TotL, then take them all the way through again on HoF.

It goes as follows:

Paladin (human) - Longsword, Longbow, Flail - pure tank, best AC
Ranger/Cleric multiclass (half-elf) - Mace, Sling, Staff - only cleric in the party, 2nd tank - will eventually drop down to 4th on the depth chart when not fighting undead.
Fighter/Druid multiclass (half-elf) - Spear, Scimitar, Sling - secondary healer/protector and offensive spellcaster
Fighter/Mage dual-class (human) - Axe, Crossbow - currently a fighter and will be for a while - switches off with the Paladin as primary tank, also uses a greataxe so he can hit from behind the shieldwall
Fighter/Thief multiclass (gnome) - Greatsword, shortsword, longbow - main archer, main scout, suitable for frontline duty also (with the appropriate helm

)
Bard (human) - Longbow, longsword, club - mostly sings, also shoots and spells - focuses on combat enhancement/debilitative spells, not damagers

So, what do you think? (I won't make any changes) The only thing I'm uncertain about is whether to dual the Fighter into a straight mage or into a specialist. I am planning to take this party into HoF, so I'm leaning to a straight mage (at Fighter lvl 13).

The thing I really like about this party is the ability of 5 out of the 6 characters to tank or shoot, as needed. I blew through the Vale on the strength of overwhelming melee and ranged missile power. The bard is using 2nd level spell slots to cast Strength on as many as possible, and whips out the Chromatic Orb against spellcasters.

[ 01-23-2005, 11:58 PM: Message edited by: Aerich ]

Dundee Slaytern · 01-24-2005, 12:37 AM

Come on, join us... start on HoF from level one. [img]tongue.gif[/img] It can be done. Your party is practically identical to mine, save the difference in Mage( mine is a pureclassed Mage).

Aerich · 01-24-2005, 02:42 AM

Maybe I'll try that eventually, but not just yet. I'm not that masochistic atm, nor do I have the time to spend 20 minutes and 3 reloads trying to kill 1 goblin.

I take it you'd recommend the mage over the specialist? I seem to recall that's your advice for HoF parties.

[ 01-24-2005, 02:46 AM: Message edited by: Aerich ]

Dundee Slaytern · 01-24-2005, 03:11 AM

The starting is rather perilous, I grant you that, but it does force you to begin evaluating all your known tactics and stratagems. I probably got one of my glowiest feels after defeating the goblin infestation at the windmill.

Once you reach Dragon's Eye though, the difficulty of HoF is mitigated by the high levels of your party members. By no means a walkover, but not as tedious as the start. Not to mention the never-before abundance of spell slots to memorise your spells in. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

And yes, I tend to take a Generalist in HoF.

Marty4 · 01-24-2005, 07:32 AM

Sounds good, similar to the party that I am currently "getting around to"

, though I managed a kickassassin roll on a fighter for an effective fighter->druid DC. I'd keep the ranger/cleric at the front lines with a suit of plate and all the buffs in the world, but that's just me. If you are going sneaky, then that may not be the best choice.

I guess this means you aren't coming back to IWD2 any time soon? ;(

pritchke · 01-24-2005, 11:37 AM

This is a great party Aerich, I just finished with a very similar party in HoF mode. Even the end battle with Big B didn't give me many problems, and my only casualty was my Bard whom I resurrected toward the end.

Paladin (human) - Main weapon was Pale Justice, hammers as secondary weapon, and he used a crossbow until I equipped him with a throwing dagger in HoW. Also wore the Ogre belt (6 ogres/day), and the demon armor that gives 100% cold resistance, and ability to cast Firestorm. In many parts of this game 100% cold resistance is quite helpful and when it isin't you can make it so by casting mass cold spells to damage the enemy while healing the paladin.
Ranger/Cleric multiclass (half-elf) - Mace, Sling. I sacrificed a point of Dex, to give her 20 wisdom at some point in the game.
Fighter/Thief multiclass (gnome) - Flails, longsword, shortsword, axes (throwing or melee, was archer but gradually converted to frontline with almost 100% slashing resistance, I sacrificed some armor class to wear leather that offered melee resistances, as well a belt, and decent shield that also offered resistances). Very useful since slashing creatures only did 1 or 2 points worth of damage combined with the bards war chant, made a nice frontline fighter.
Bard (human) - Longbow, longsword, equipped with the two instruments to summon creatures, singing and spellcasting.

How did they fair in terms of kills and experience, well starting off it was normally Paladin, Fighter/Theif, Cleric/Ranger in that order but close. The Bard always hovered around 7% as was not used as a killing machine but used an occasional mass spell, or spell to take out a troll that refused to die. Later though the order switched to Cleric/Ranger, Paladin, Fighter/Thief, and Bard. This was once the Cleric/Ranger had a certain mace to use against undead, and started to get 4th level druid spells and above.

Oh and Aerich start on level 1 on HoF it is hard starting out but well worth it once you start gaining levels.

[ 01-24-2005, 02:12 PM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

Azred · 01-24-2005, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dundee Slaytern:
Come on, join us... start on HoF from level one. [img]tongue.gif[/img] It can be done.

Yes, it can...but it really tests your patience.

Aerich · 01-24-2005, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marty4:
I guess this means you aren't coming back to IWD2 any time soon? ;(

Actually, I'm moving on in IWD 2 as well. The reason I haven't posted anything in 3 weeks is because of posting problems, not lack of interest in these games.

I will leave the beginner party from the start of HoF for later.

I plowed through the Temple of the Forgotten God yesterday, so it's on to DE. Playing the priest party, I've missed the ranged power of the almighty longbow.

Marty4 · 01-25-2005, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aerich:
I've missed the ranged power of the almighty longbow. [/QB]

Heh, have fun. [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

NobleNick · 01-27-2005, 07:12 PM

Aerich,

Looks like quite an impressive party.

I admire your plan to DC at 13. (Go, Battle Mage! Yeah!!) I assume you are going to 5 PP in Axe and 3 in Crossbow? **If** you can parlay your axe abilities into a ranged weapon (thrown axe) then it might be better to spend the other three PP in a blunt weapon. Not a big deal for a F/M.

I like the specialist, if augmented by a Bard as you have done. An Illusionist is an excellent choice. But that is for normal games. For HoF mode, I will defer to the expertise of those who have actually played it.

With your Bard singing War Chant, this party wil rock.

--------------------
What's a party,
without a song?
Bards ROCK!
Party On!!

01-23-2005, 11:54 PM	#1
Aerich Lord Ao Join Date: May 27, 2004 Location: Canada Age: 42 Posts: 2,061	I'm giving the priests a little rest. This new party (just finished the Vale) is also playing on insane, and focuses on brute strength and versatility. I plan to burn through IWD/HoW/TotL, then take them all the way through again on HoF. It goes as follows: Paladin (human) - Longsword, Longbow, Flail - pure tank, best AC Ranger/Cleric multiclass (half-elf) - Mace, Sling, Staff - only cleric in the party, 2nd tank - will eventually drop down to 4th on the depth chart when not fighting undead. Fighter/Druid multiclass (half-elf) - Spear, Scimitar, Sling - secondary healer/protector and offensive spellcaster Fighter/Mage dual-class (human) - Axe, Crossbow - currently a fighter and will be for a while - switches off with the Paladin as primary tank, also uses a greataxe so he can hit from behind the shieldwall Fighter/Thief multiclass (gnome) - Greatsword, shortsword, longbow - main archer, main scout, suitable for frontline duty also (with the appropriate helm ) Bard (human) - Longbow, longsword, club - mostly sings, also shoots and spells - focuses on combat enhancement/debilitative spells, not damagers So, what do you think? (I won't make any changes) The only thing I'm uncertain about is whether to dual the Fighter into a straight mage or into a specialist. I am planning to take this party into HoF, so I'm leaning to a straight mage (at Fighter lvl 13). The thing I really like about this party is the ability of 5 out of the 6 characters to tank or shoot, as needed. I blew through the Vale on the strength of overwhelming melee and ranged missile power. The bard is using 2nd level spell slots to cast Strength on as many as possible, and whips out the Chromatic Orb against spellcasters. [ 01-23-2005, 11:58 PM: Message edited by: Aerich ] __________________ Where there is a great deal of free speech, there is always a certain amount of foolish speech. - Winston S. Churchill

01-24-2005, 02:42 AM	#3
Aerich Lord Ao Join Date: May 27, 2004 Location: Canada Age: 42 Posts: 2,061	Maybe I'll try that eventually, but not just yet. I'm not that masochistic atm, nor do I have the time to spend 20 minutes and 3 reloads trying to kill 1 goblin. I take it you'd recommend the mage over the specialist? I seem to recall that's your advice for HoF parties. [ 01-24-2005, 02:46 AM: Message edited by: Aerich ] __________________ Where there is a great deal of free speech, there is always a certain amount of foolish speech. - Winston S. Churchill

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01-24-2005, 12:37 AM	#2
Dundee Slaytern Ironworks Moderator Join Date: June 10, 2001 Location: Pasir Ris, Singapore Age: 41 Posts: 11,063	Come on, join us... start on HoF from level one. [img]tongue.gif[/img] It can be done. Your party is practically identical to mine, save the difference in Mage( mine is a pureclassed Mage).

01-24-2005, 03:11 AM	#4
Dundee Slaytern Ironworks Moderator Join Date: June 10, 2001 Location: Pasir Ris, Singapore Age: 41 Posts: 11,063	The starting is rather perilous, I grant you that, but it does force you to begin evaluating all your known tactics and stratagems. I probably got one of my glowiest feels after defeating the goblin infestation at the windmill. Once you reach Dragon's Eye though, the difficulty of HoF is mitigated by the high levels of your party members. By no means a walkover, but not as tedious as the start. Not to mention the never-before abundance of spell slots to memorise your spells in. [img]tongue.gif[/img] And yes, I tend to take a Generalist in HoF.

01-24-2005, 07:32 AM	#5
Marty4 Symbol of Cyric Join Date: August 31, 2004 Location: VA Age: 33 Posts: 1,127	Sounds good, similar to the party that I am currently "getting around to" , though I managed a kickassassin roll on a fighter for an effective fighter->druid DC. I'd keep the ranger/cleric at the front lines with a suit of plate and all the buffs in the world, but that's just me. If you are going sneaky, then that may not be the best choice. I guess this means you aren't coming back to IWD2 any time soon? ;(

01-24-2005, 11:37 AM	#6
pritchke Bastet - Egyptian Cat Goddess Join Date: September 5, 2001 Location: Calgary, AB Age: 49 Posts: 3,491	This is a great party Aerich, I just finished with a very similar party in HoF mode. Even the end battle with Big B didn't give me many problems, and my only casualty was my Bard whom I resurrected toward the end. Paladin (human) - Main weapon was Pale Justice, hammers as secondary weapon, and he used a crossbow until I equipped him with a throwing dagger in HoW. Also wore the Ogre belt (6 ogres/day), and the demon armor that gives 100% cold resistance, and ability to cast Firestorm. In many parts of this game 100% cold resistance is quite helpful and when it isin't you can make it so by casting mass cold spells to damage the enemy while healing the paladin. Ranger/Cleric multiclass (half-elf) - Mace, Sling. I sacrificed a point of Dex, to give her 20 wisdom at some point in the game. Fighter/Thief multiclass (gnome) - Flails, longsword, shortsword, axes (throwing or melee, was archer but gradually converted to frontline with almost 100% slashing resistance, I sacrificed some armor class to wear leather that offered melee resistances, as well a belt, and decent shield that also offered resistances). Very useful since slashing creatures only did 1 or 2 points worth of damage combined with the bards war chant, made a nice frontline fighter. Bard (human) - Longbow, longsword, equipped with the two instruments to summon creatures, singing and spellcasting. How did they fair in terms of kills and experience, well starting off it was normally Paladin, Fighter/Theif, Cleric/Ranger in that order but close. The Bard always hovered around 7% as was not used as a killing machine but used an occasional mass spell, or spell to take out a troll that refused to die. Later though the order switched to Cleric/Ranger, Paladin, Fighter/Thief, and Bard. This was once the Cleric/Ranger had a certain mace to use against undead, and started to get 4th level druid spells and above. Oh and Aerich start on level 1 on HoF it is hard starting out but well worth it once you start gaining levels. [ 01-24-2005, 02:12 PM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

01-27-2005, 07:12 PM	#10
NobleNick Quintesson Join Date: February 5, 2002 Location: Huntsville, AL, USA Age: 63 Posts: 1,045	Aerich, Looks like quite an impressive party. I admire your plan to DC at 13. (Go, Battle Mage! Yeah!!) I assume you are going to 5 PP in Axe and 3 in Crossbow? If you can parlay your axe abilities into a ranged weapon (thrown axe) then it might be better to spend the other three PP in a blunt weapon. Not a big deal for a F/M. I like the specialist, if augmented by a Bard as you have done. An Illusionist is an excellent choice. But that is for normal games. For HoF mode, I will defer to the expertise of those who have actually played it. With your Bard singing War Chant, this party wil rock. -------------------- What's a party, without a song? Bards ROCK! Party On!!

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