03-06-2003, 12:04 AM
You've already gotten a couple replies so I'll try to avoid repeating too many things :)
As said, Monks are a lot of fun by the end of the game. Sorcerors are still probably better than Mages, but the difference isn't nearly as great as it is in IWD2 - scrolls are plentiful enough to support a couple Mages and there are many more spells in BG2 that are actually useful...
In IWD2 there are a small set of spells that are obviously superior, thus taking away one of the Mage's key advantages: versatility.
Barbarians aren't nearly as dominant as in IWD2 and probably a little underpowered. There are just too many incredible heavy armors and, since AC actually means something in BG2, Barbs lose a LOT of power and don't get much in return.
My favorite party... EVAR ;) :
Minsc
Viconia
Edwin
Jan
Imoen
Keep Yoshimo until you get Imoen for some cool Spellhold twists. Once you hit ToB, dump Jan for the "special new NPC" :) Works best with a melee-type character and a neutral to evil disposition. I really enjoyed it for a couple reasons:
a) Although not the most powerful party, Edwin is the best Mage in the game, Imoen's Thief abilities will easily get you through the game with a couple Potions of Master Thievery (of which I regularly have 20+ by the end of the game, even when using them often), Viconia is the best Cleric/Druid in the game, and Minsc is probably only edged out by a toe in terms of best Fighter type.
B) This gives you the chattiest group by a long shot. Minsc has the best random comments and has some great interactions with Vic and Edwin. Edwin has the best side quest in the game... hands down. Vic's romance blows the other three out of the water. Jan's intergections rival Minsc's in hilarity (Jan seems to be relatively quiet in ToB though, so there shouldn't be too much regret in dumping him for the "new NPC").
Perhaps most interesting of all, the "new NPC" and Imoen have some incredibly cool dialogue by the end of ToB.
c) Being evil is just, hands down, the way to go :) You don't miss a single item (at least I didn't in my run throughs) and actually get more by going evil. The evil versions of the subquests are the best. Bodhi is 'da bomb. You get to lay the smack down on Spellhold authorities when they try to stop you ([slight spoiler]Eventually, if you beat them enough times, they come back with the most powerful Mages in their order and then if you defeat them, they never try to stop you again. w00t :) [/spoiler])
The only real complaint I have about evil is that many times doing the truly "evil" thing gets you +Rep. Example: Poisoning the Druid Grove is the rookie thing to do - it doesn't gain you anything and you have no other reason for doing it. If, on the other hand, you follow the Mayor's wishes, you gain his confidence and undying respect.
What's more evil? Poisoning some water for no reason, or worming your way into the good graces of the local authorities so, in the future, you might be able to extract a few "favors" from them... Mwahahahaha :)
There seem to be a lot of quests in the game where taking the roleplaying evil path and taking what the game considers to be the real evil path don't coincide at all... but, at least it keeps your Rep off the floor so you can keep Minsc.
Go evil: More funny dialogue. More items. More stuff to fight.
Anyhoo, I'm starting to ramble. Some other good characters to take if the above ones don't exactly float your boat:
Keldorn - Paladin, good statistics
Korgan - Best fighter in the game, quite evil
Aerie - Strong back up spellcaster (both Cleric and Mage) but about as durable as a wet napkin
Haer'Dalis - Can be annoying, but a strong third meleer and the "Spin" moves are incredibly useful
Jaheria - A bit whiney, but a very, very solid tank with Ironskins and other buffing spells (although not necessarily a stellar damage dealer or true backup spellcaster)
NPCs not to take:
Mazzy - A poor man's Keldoran with a flat personality
Valygar - A decent fighter I suppose, but I always hated his personality
Cernd - Druids just aren't that great in BG2 and even when in Werewolf form, he stinks and is even worse in terms of dialogue
Nalia - Annoying and a crappy version of Imoen
Anomen - Decent after his upgrade, but annoying and much less useful than Vic
*Be careful when snooping around in Athkatla's closests :) Liches and other nasties abound.
*Visit Baldurdash and DL the ToB bugfixes and the add-ons by David Gaider (a BioWare designer).
Quote:2- Since I'm starting anew, and can't bear to play through BG1 or Tales of the Sword Coast yet again, I figure I may try one of the "new" classes for the protagonist. I'm thoroughly impressed with Sorcerors in IWD2, and heck, maybe a Monk would be a nice change of pace. Any thoughts as to using them in BG2?
As said, Monks are a lot of fun by the end of the game. Sorcerors are still probably better than Mages, but the difference isn't nearly as great as it is in IWD2 - scrolls are plentiful enough to support a couple Mages and there are many more spells in BG2 that are actually useful...
In IWD2 there are a small set of spells that are obviously superior, thus taking away one of the Mage's key advantages: versatility.
Barbarians aren't nearly as dominant as in IWD2 and probably a little underpowered. There are just too many incredible heavy armors and, since AC actually means something in BG2, Barbs lose a LOT of power and don't get much in return.
Quote:Any suggestions for other NPCs that are especially effective or have interesting chatter and/or dialogue?
My favorite party... EVAR ;) :
Minsc
Viconia
Edwin
Jan
Imoen
Keep Yoshimo until you get Imoen for some cool Spellhold twists. Once you hit ToB, dump Jan for the "special new NPC" :) Works best with a melee-type character and a neutral to evil disposition. I really enjoyed it for a couple reasons:
a) Although not the most powerful party, Edwin is the best Mage in the game, Imoen's Thief abilities will easily get you through the game with a couple Potions of Master Thievery (of which I regularly have 20+ by the end of the game, even when using them often), Viconia is the best Cleric/Druid in the game, and Minsc is probably only edged out by a toe in terms of best Fighter type.
B) This gives you the chattiest group by a long shot. Minsc has the best random comments and has some great interactions with Vic and Edwin. Edwin has the best side quest in the game... hands down. Vic's romance blows the other three out of the water. Jan's intergections rival Minsc's in hilarity (Jan seems to be relatively quiet in ToB though, so there shouldn't be too much regret in dumping him for the "new NPC").
Perhaps most interesting of all, the "new NPC" and Imoen have some incredibly cool dialogue by the end of ToB.
c) Being evil is just, hands down, the way to go :) You don't miss a single item (at least I didn't in my run throughs) and actually get more by going evil. The evil versions of the subquests are the best. Bodhi is 'da bomb. You get to lay the smack down on Spellhold authorities when they try to stop you ([slight spoiler]Eventually, if you beat them enough times, they come back with the most powerful Mages in their order and then if you defeat them, they never try to stop you again. w00t :) [/spoiler])
The only real complaint I have about evil is that many times doing the truly "evil" thing gets you +Rep. Example: Poisoning the Druid Grove is the rookie thing to do - it doesn't gain you anything and you have no other reason for doing it. If, on the other hand, you follow the Mayor's wishes, you gain his confidence and undying respect.
What's more evil? Poisoning some water for no reason, or worming your way into the good graces of the local authorities so, in the future, you might be able to extract a few "favors" from them... Mwahahahaha :)
There seem to be a lot of quests in the game where taking the roleplaying evil path and taking what the game considers to be the real evil path don't coincide at all... but, at least it keeps your Rep off the floor so you can keep Minsc.
Go evil: More funny dialogue. More items. More stuff to fight.
Anyhoo, I'm starting to ramble. Some other good characters to take if the above ones don't exactly float your boat:
Keldorn - Paladin, good statistics
Korgan - Best fighter in the game, quite evil
Aerie - Strong back up spellcaster (both Cleric and Mage) but about as durable as a wet napkin
Haer'Dalis - Can be annoying, but a strong third meleer and the "Spin" moves are incredibly useful
Jaheria - A bit whiney, but a very, very solid tank with Ironskins and other buffing spells (although not necessarily a stellar damage dealer or true backup spellcaster)
NPCs not to take:
Mazzy - A poor man's Keldoran with a flat personality
Valygar - A decent fighter I suppose, but I always hated his personality
Cernd - Druids just aren't that great in BG2 and even when in Werewolf form, he stinks and is even worse in terms of dialogue
Nalia - Annoying and a crappy version of Imoen
Anomen - Decent after his upgrade, but annoying and much less useful than Vic
Quote:And lastly, any suggestions in general?
*Be careful when snooping around in Athkatla's closests :) Liches and other nasties abound.
*Visit Baldurdash and DL the ToB bugfixes and the add-ons by David Gaider (a BioWare designer).
--Mith
I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
Jack London
I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
Jack London