A party for a Rookie (me!) Please LMK what you think

[Klorox]

Char 1: Aasamir Fighter 4/Paladin of Helm X
Char 2: Shield Dwarf Fighter 4/Barbarian X
Char 3: Shield Dwarf Cleric (Battleguard of Tempus) X
Char 4: Human Rogue 3/Ranger 2/ Bard X
Char 5: Human Paladin 1/Sorcerer X
Char 6: Human Ranger 1/Druid X (I might add 2 levels of Barbarian for the Rage and Uncanny Dodge-- assuming you get this ability)


I tried not to use too many ECL races, but the Aasamir Fighter/Paladin is too good to give up on. I'm hoping #4 will be good at Identifying stuff, but I'm not sure how this ability works in IWD2. If it works like it does in 3e, I will max the Bard's INT.

[Gimli]

"Char 1: Aasamir Fighter 4/Paladin of Helm X"

Very nice choice here, just make sure you choose the right paladin order if you are going to switch back and forth between the two classes.

"Char 2: Shield Dwarf Fighter 4/Barbarian X"

Also an excellent choice, great tank. Might want to take a 1/2 Orc for variety since you also have the Dwarf Cleric.

"Char 3: Shield Dwarf Cleric (Battleguard of Tempus) X"

Like this one alot too.

"Char 4: Human Rogue 3/Ranger 2/ Bard X"

Interesting choice. As far as ID-ing stuff goes, you need to build the Knowledge Arcana skill (INT gives it a bonus) and I believe you'll get another bonus from the Bard levels. Why do you want the 2 ranger levels?

"Char 5: Human Paladin 1/Sorcerer X"

Strong choice here.

"Char 6: Human Ranger 1/Druid X (I might add 2 levels of Barbarian for the Rage and Uncanny Dodge-- assuming you get this ability)"

Why the Ranger level? Do you want to dual-wield? 1 level of Barb will give you rage; you need 2 levels to get the uncanny dodge IIRC.

If you can spell out the roles you have in mind/how you plan to use each character we could give more advice.

[Marty4]

Originally posted by Klorox: Char 1: Aasamir Fighter 4/Paladin of Helm X Char 2: Shield Dwarf Fighter 4/Barbarian X Char 3: Shield Dwarf Cleric (Battleguard of Tempus) X Char 4: Human Rogue 3/Ranger 2/ Bard X Char 5: Human Paladin 1/Sorcerer X Char 6: Human Ranger 1/Druid X (I might add 2 levels of Barbarian for the Rage and Uncanny Dodge-- assuming you get this ability) I tried not to use too many ECL races, but the Aasamir Fighter/Paladin is too good to give up on. I'm hoping #4 will be good at Identifying stuff, but I'm not sure how this ability works in IWD2. If it works like it does in 3e, I will max the Bard's INT.

Firstly, allow me to say that ECL races are so much better than non-ECL races that I NEVER use anything with less than a 2 ECL anymore [img]smile.gif[/img]

However, since you aren't me, I'll be glad to break down your party and analyze your choices

1. Aasimir fighter4/paladinx
Solid. I'd prefer a 1/3-1/3-1/3 drow fighter/paladin/ranger (copyright BoB), but this build gives you more priest spells, which are fun. Use longswords, either with shield or dual wield.

2. Shield dwarf fighter4/barbarianx
As Gimli said, you may want to go halforc here. Also consider a deep gnome monk as a nice high AC tank. Use greataxes or greatswords, or fists for a monk.

3. Shield dwarf cleric (tempus)
Firstly, Lathander PWNS Tempus. Secondly, you may want to take Aasimir for a healthy +2 WIS bonus. Thirdly, add either paladin2 or fighter4 for nice melee capability. Use greataxes or greatswords.

4. Human rogue3/ranger2/bardx
Shiggity schwa? If you want a nice magical mix to covor theiving, go with my personal creation of the ranger1/rogue1/paladin2/mage drow, as long as you have 20 INT and DEX. Keep in mind that only 1 level of rogue is really needed (2 is also a milestone), and there is little difference between ranger1 and ranger2. Dual wield short blades, using weapon finesse.

5. Human paladin`1/sorcererx
Firstly, make it an aasimir or a drow! Both classes get +2 to CHA, which you really, really want. Up it to paladin2 as well. Use staves or daggers.

6. Human ranger1/druidx
I have never used this build, but it makes for a solid druid caster who can dual wield weapons. I guess human is needed for this class. I have heard that a monk's WIS bonus to AC in a druid build is factored in when the druid shapeshifts: you may want to test this. Dual wield any weapon.

Good luck with your party!!!

[ 11-02-2005, 08:28 PM: Message edited by: Marty4 ]

[Klorox]

I have switched things up a bit:

1)Aasamir Sorcerer 5/Fighter 4/Paladin X
2)Dwarf Fighter 4/Barbarian X
3)Dwarf Cleric of Tempus
4)Drow Male Rogue 2/Bard 1(or 2, depending on bug exploit)/Specialist Wizard (haven't decided which one yet)X
5)Human Paladin 1/Sorcerer X
6)Drow Female Cleric of Bane 1/Druid X

I'm considering dropping the sorcerer levels from the #1 build, because it will be harder to get him off the ground.

[Klorox]

c'mon guys... I need some feedback! Does it suck? Look good?

Should I get rid of the drow rogue/Wizard/Bard because of the ECL and just make him a regular Elf or a Human?

[krunchyfrogg]

I like this party better than the original.

Originally posted by Klorox: I have switched things up a bit: 1)Aasamir Sorcerer 5/Fighter 4/Paladin X 2)Dwarf Fighter 4/Barbarian X 3)Dwarf Cleric of Tempus 4)Drow Male Rogue 2/Bard 1(or 2, depending on bug exploit)/Specialist Wizard (haven't decided which one yet)X 5)Human Paladin 1/Sorcerer X 6)Drow Female Cleric of Bane 1/Druid X I'm considering dropping the sorcerer levels from the #1 build, because it will be harder to get him off the ground.

1: I would drop the sorcerer levels. While the character you show here is more powerful, it's a pain in the butt to take armor off, cast a few buffs, and put the armor back on. It also stinks that you won't get a paladin level until CL 9.
2: nothing better than a berserking psycho dwarf.
3: ...except maybe a tanking dwarven cleric!
4: I like this guy on paper, but I don't think he will be good until a long way in. I would suggest a rogue 2/bard 1/cleric of Mask 1/wizard (I like Enchanters) X. The cleric level will allow this guy to cast any spell from a scroll in the game. Mask as a deity adds a little bit of thieving stuff, which stacks nicely with your character. I would suggest a race other than drow, though, since the character will take so long to develop. Alternately, to keep it simple, I suggest a drow rogue 1/bard 1/wizard X. Choose any specialty you like. Just make sure the sorcerer will take the spells you can't cast with him.
5: I love it. You could go with an aasamir instead, but you won't be casting as nicely, and the skills will be a bit behind if you have a 10 or less intelligence.
6: Very interesting build, I like the idea of a druid with a bow. Why choose a level of cleric though?

[Marty4]

Originally posted by Klorox: I have switched things up a bit: 1)Aasamir Sorcerer 5/Fighter 4/Paladin X 2)Dwarf Fighter 4/Barbarian X 3)Dwarf Cleric of Tempus 4)Drow Male Rogue 2/Bard 1(or 2, depending on bug exploit)/Specialist Wizard (haven't decided which one yet)X 5)Human Paladin 1/Sorcerer X 6)Drow Female Cleric of Bane 1/Druid X I'm considering dropping the sorcerer levels from the #1 build, because it will be harder to get him off the ground.

1) yea, drop the sorcerer levels. Remember, Sorcerers need level 6 to get 3rd level spells anyway, so sorcerer5 wont help much.

2. I'd prefer halforc.

3. Ok, stick with Tempus, if you really want to. I'd still take fighter or pally levels.

4. ... no. I don't know about the bug exploit, but if I wanted extra spells through questionable means then I'd just cheat using Dalekeeper. I think, for this slot, you'd really like my personal fav, the drow ranger1/paladin2/rogue1/mageX. High ECL almost always means better characters in the long run, and you should never look at short term benefits in the same light that you do long term (who needs higher than level 2 guys in Targos anyway?).

5. Add one more paladin level for more lay on hands and immunity to fear.

6. Banites must be evil, druids must be neutral. Impossible build.

[krunchyfrogg]

Re: Marty:

2) I like dwarves because of the better saving throws, although I understand the halforcs being better mashers. Toss up, IMHO.

3) Since Klorox is already getting weapon focus axe with Tempus, I dont think the fighter levels are needed. I do like the Aasamir idea though, although again, a dwarf will have better saves. Another toss-up.

4) The bug exploit is something about if you have spellcasting levels other than in your specialist mage class, it overrides the restriction (the scrolls will be greyed out, but can still be memorized).

5)Good advice about the extra paladin level, but i will say its a toss up again. do you want higher level spells or more hit points and no chance of being feared? keep in mind that a sorcerer/paladin will have awesome saving throws anyway.

6)I think you can be a lawful nuetral banite cleric. I could be wrong (can somebody check please?).


Marty4: how do you build that drow paladin guy? He sounds interesting...

[ 11-06-2005, 09:51 PM: Message edited by: krunchyfrogg ]

[Marty4]

Originally posted by krunchyfrogg: Re: Marty: 2) I like dwarves because of the better saving throws, although I understand the halforcs being better mashers. Toss up, IMHO. -I didn't think of that. In that light, maybe shield dwarves are better. 3) Since Klorox is already getting weapon focus axe with Tempus, I dont think the fighter levels are needed. I do like the Aasamir idea though, although again, a dwarf will have better saves. Another toss-up. -I would only take the fighter levels if I wasn't taking Tempus. If I was using an aasimar, I'd use paladin2/cleric. 4) The bug exploit is something about if you have spellcasting levels other than in your specialist mage class, it overrides the restriction (the scrolls will be greyed out, but can still be memorized). -Thanks for clearing that up, but due to my aversion to specialists I'll probably never use that. 5)Good advice about the extra paladin level, but i will say its a toss up again. do you want higher level spells or more hit points and no chance of being feared? keep in mind that a sorcerer/paladin will have awesome saving throws anyway. -Sorcerers get exactly ONE spell extra between levels 28 and 30. Having two levels of paladin may hurt you a bit in the beginning, but in the end (where it counts), it will only help you. 6)I think you can be a lawful nuetral banite cleric. I could be wrong (can somebody check please?). -Even so, don't druids have to be true neutral? Marty4: how do you build that drow paladin guy? He sounds interesting...

Do you mean the 1/3 1/3 1/3 ranger/fighter/paladin, or the ranger1/paladin2/rogue1/mage?

For the first, simply take one level of each class at a time (dont go over one level higher in any one class). This guy rocks at dual weilding longswords. Wear the best light armor you can find.

For the second guy, start with a rogue level and blow all of your points on roguish things (this more or less sets you up for the game). Next, take a ranger for fighting stats and improved dual wielding. Right now, your guy is a killer assassin in the early game, dual wielding short blades using weapon finesse. After this, start taking mage levels until very late in the game. Your character will catch up quickly in terms of power as a mage (he's only two levels behind). You should be adding more skill points into your theiving abilities as you go, as well as into mage abilities. Take the paladin levels right before they help you (if you've gotten to this point, you know what I'm talking about). Take both, then go back to mageing. Note: this build works best with 20 DEX and INT.

[ 11-08-2005, 09:55 AM: Message edited by: Marty4 ]

[krunchyfrogg]

MArty4: What's your charisma on those guys?

Also, in 3e, druids just have to be partially neutral (NG, TN, LN, CN, LN).