god fearing party

[StarVid]

This idea started out as a themed party. Considering how good the druid is and how bad the mage is, I came up with this party concept. The basis was that my party was sent to investigate this evil going on in IWD by their churches. Therefore all my characters are "holy" people. The only exception is the CN bard who's just tagging along for the glory (and material for his bardic endeavors). This was originally a thread on another board, but I want to get more feedback. Here's the most recent post which pretty much sums everything else up:

Wow, that's a lot of clerics... I think I came up with another idea. I want my good cleric to be pure classed so he will be able to explode undead. At the same with my party, I have room for one more character. Here's what I was thinking LG Paladin NG Elven Ranger (I need an archer and a good backup tank, I'll just pretend he's teamed with the druid ) TN Human Fighter(7)/Druid LG Dwarven Cleric CN Half-elven Bard Which leaves me with one slot. I was thinking either a demihuman (probably halfling) cleric/thief, or a human dualed thief(7)/cleric. Either way, it'll be an (lawful) evil character. The cleric/thief would be interesting. I'd could cast sanctuary and backstab (with only a club). Also, I'd have a really good racial mix. The thing is that I'm thinking I might be better off with another druid. I use a lot more druid spells than cleric spells. And once I get the War Chant of Sith, I won't even need a lot of healing spells. On the other side, the druid's offensive spells will always be handy. So any thoughts?

I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

[Ervain Blackshealth]

are Mages really bad, I am new to the game and im only at the start of chapter 2, should i delete the mage and replase him with anothe characters

[Ar-Cunin]

Mages aren't bad - they have a lot of useful spells

[StarVid]

Mages aren't necessarily bad. However, with the lack of scrolls in the game, their usefulness is kinda capped. I mean, with a straight mage in my party, I usually get access to spell levels even before I have spells to fill those levels. I still want to have -some- arcane magic to fall back on so I take a bard. There are still some spells that are pretty useful to me like web, invisibility, haste, slow, and for a bard, skull trap is really nice. However, especially considering you don't need scrolls, it's a lot easier to develop strategies around druids and clerics.

[The Hierophant]

Mages are a burden at the start of the game due to the lack of spell slots at lower levels and their low hit points. However, as they increase in levels and power they really come into their own. My mage was a godsend during the final 'boss' confrontations near the end of the game (and no I don't think that is a spoiler. Practically all RPG's have boss confrontations at the end). There are some items which enable mages to double their available spell slots. Launch a dozen magic missile spells at an enemy and he'll only be left standing afterward if he is incredibly badass, and then he'll still be softened up for your fighters to take him down. [img]smile.gif[/img]

bottom line: any party should have some form of mage character, preferably of pure class in order to climb up to those high levels and utilize the really destructive spells.

[StarVid]

Really destructive spells? You won't find these at the high levels. The power words are pretty much useless, and the druid gets better summons. Horrid wilting is nice, but can easily live without. Having a bard with skull trap will do pretty much the same thing. Same goes for acid storm, I like it, but I can live without it. Furthermore, you have to wait until you actually find a scroll for the spell (which can take quite a while). It all depends on how you like to play, but I think a bard gets plenty of spell casting ability.

If there were more scrolls in the game, and if you could get them sooner, then the mage would be a lot more practical. However, with the bard, I still get a decent amount of spellcasting power, as well as some useful songs, as well as never needing to cast an identify spell, as well as better combat values.

[ASH SAYS:]

I have tried these themes. Some are fun. 1. All halflings 2. all Girls 2. all dwarves 3. This is my favorite- Run all figters/fig sub classes all with missle weapons. #1 rule you cannot raise dead or sub in a new charecter. I have made it as far as dragons eye before I lose everyone.