Xzar - what is he good for?

[Illumina Drathiran'ar]

Originally posted by SixOfSpades: Not being able to cast certain spells is not the kiss of death for a Specialist Mage--which is fortunate, because if it were the kiss of death, the Specialist Mages wouldn't exist at all. Hey, it's not like anybody refuses to use Jan (an NPC in BG2) because he can't cast Abi-Dhalzim's Horrid Wilting. Take Xan: No Magic Missile? No Fireball? Duh--grab some Wands. Dynaheir: No Monster Summoning? Wands again. Xzar: No Mirror Image or Improved Invisibility? So what? MI is indeed a great defensive spell, but how often are you going to send your Mage into a melee anyway? And I, personally, only use II as one extra buffing spell for my Tank--one extra buffing spell that they don't really need all that much. Edwin: No Identify. Oh, boo frickin' hoo. In BG2, the spell of True Sight also comes into play, for a grand total of *two* good spells barred to Conjurers. Happily, it can also be cast by Clerics, Bards, Inquisitors....

You're right about Edwin and Dynaheir, but I beg to differ about conjurers.. A wand of fireballs is nifty, but Wands of Magic Missiles are a *joke*. One missile? I'm thinking further ahead to SoA and ToB, or the end of the game, when a two MMs can take out a foe... Or during ToB, when Improved Alacrity means you can fire off five or six MM spells and kill almost anything.

Same applies for the Wands of Monster Summoning, though it's not as bad since later in the series other classes get as good or better summons.

Xan is a valid character, sure, but I'm just thinking of using a conjurer as a long-term class.

[cosmo]

I really like the monster summoning spells against the tougher enemies and I hardly use my mage against lower level enemies. I had xan cast about 8-10 monster summoning spells in the final battle against sarevok and really kept he and his minions off my party and killed them all realitively easy. Anyway just my 2-cents.

[Illumina Drathiran'ar]

Ah, the thing is, the name of the final foe is sort of a spoiler. If you could edit that to "in the final battle and really kept..." that would be great.

But a warm welcome to you.

What's he good for? He's friggin' hysterical!

[Faceman]

XZAR - Uh yeah - What is he good for - absolutely nothing!
Sorry, Edwin Starr flashback

[Lord]

Originally posted by The Whackmiester: What's he good for? He's friggin' hysterical!

Stop touching me! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Jerr Conner]

Xzar is great for casting Larloch's Minor Drain (Spelling?) too weaken enemies during the first parts of the game, as well as some other spells. Usually I switch him and Monty for Xan, though, when Xan is available.

[Nerull]

Actually, when I use a specialist wizard, I usually will pick up another wizard to cast the missing spells. For example, I always end up using Xzar and Edwin together. Then, I concentrate on those areas where they two differ. For example, illusion has Mirror Image, the two invisibility spells, etc. which are more defensive in nature. Thus, since Xzar can't use them, I make sure to give him the better defensive items (a certain claw comes to mind, along with a certain belt and a certain pair of boots) of the two wizards and focus his spellcasting on more destructive areas (that fits a necromancer, anyway) and for identifying items. I then focus Edwin on things like Invisibility, etc. and focus him on destructive stuff after that. Thus, they complement each other.

Of course, another tactic is just to say "I don't have access to those spells, so work around it". In BG1, that is relatively easy. I usually play all-good parties, so end up using Dynaheir as my only mage. Can't cast Conjurations or Enchantments. Ok, go get wands to supplement. Especially easy with Dynaheir and Xan, but harder to do with Edwin (not really needed, just spend the 100gp to identify stuff) and Xzar. Even without wands, you can just work around those things, especially if you are "tank-heavy" in your tactics.

[Midget Gems]

Hey, Faceman - I had an Edwin Starr moment as well.

[Midget Gems]

When I started this thread I wasn't intending to get into a debate about the merits of the NPC Mages and their Schools of Specialisation - but I guess it's a popular subject that divides opinions. I am using Xzar for roleplaying, so his strengths and weaknesses are part of his character. Being out in the wilderness with 4HP, a little Dagger and the not too impresive Chill Touch spell to fall back on, it's no wonder he needs Montaron as a minder - but does he?

By way of a little roleplaying I took my party to the Carnival. Xzar got into deep discussions with Zeke and bought two scrolls (one via cluaconsole). Then before we could stop him, Xzar had created a stone statue out of Monty, to be used as the new carnival attraction, and replaced him with Branwen as his new (better looking) companion. Yep, being totally crazy does make him a fun character to have along for the ride.