What makes Edwin better than Xzar?

Daelric

I've heard people say, undisputedly, that Edwin is a much better NPC mage to have than Xzar... I was wondering what makes this so? I just started an evil party and I was wondering which one (or both maybe) to take for good?

Madhax

Edwin wears an amulet that, though it doesn't say so in its description, confers extra spell slots. I think it's an extra 1 slot per spell level, like an additional specialist bonus. Since he's a conjuror, this gives Edwin two more spells per spell level than an ordinary mage.

darthchair

Also...Xzar is depressing. He's like the equivalent of having Marvin the Paranoid Android in your party.

RedWizard

Edwin has a bonus spell slot every level thanks to his Amulet of Cheese. Oh and he just happens to be a Conjurer, which is the mage specialization of cheese, not being able to learn Divination spells which just happen to be the worst in the game.
He also comes with 16 con, so chances are he'll have more HP than Xzar.

Vissious

"OUR QUEST IS VAAAAAAIN."

That is why Edwin is not a better NPC than Xzar.

Delinom

Ignore everyone.

Xzar's party banters and interjections are much better than Edwin's.

PentiumD

Edwin Says What is it NOW!!!!! alot of the time...

RedWizard

Xzar's quotes are more awesome. Edwin only really has the : Your worthless lives end here!
Xzar on the other hand: I AM BECOME DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS!
Montaron! I... I never loved you!
I ate his liver with a nice chianti and some fava beans.
And that's to just name a few.

Elzarath

Vissious said:

"OUR QUEST IS VAAAAAAIN."

That is why Edwin is not a better NPC than Xzar.

Actually that's Xan similar names so easy enough to confuse

Darkovan

i heard xzar is pretty cute with a girdle of femininity.

Nazad

I like Xzar's banter and interjections better than Edwin's but find that Xzar has low hit points due to no Con bonus and weak defenses. Specifically, he can't use Mirror Image or Invisibility and as a necromancer he's supposed to use touch attacks (chill touch, vampiric touch) which put him more in melee than any other single-class wizard.

RedWizard

Also, Xzar's loss of Illusion is a bitter pill to swallow, especially now that we have Glitterdust.

Vissious

Elzarath said:

Vissious said:

"OUR QUEST IS VAAAAAAIN."

That is why Edwin is not a better NPC than Xzar.

Actually that's Xan similar names so easy enough to confuse

Dammit. I even have Xan in my party right now All BG credibility: Expunged.

Daelric

So I just got Edwin, do I have time to do the Nashkel mines before he leaves? Or should I kill Dynaheir first but will Xzar and Montaron leave? I want to keep them all.

Quartz

Edwin = blaster mage
Xzar = versatile

Edwin is your go-to guy if you simply want someone who blows the shit out of everything.

Xzar has far better stats, plus (with a tome) can dual-class to Thief or Cleric for a Necromancer 6/Cleric 8 or Necromancer 7/Thief 8. VERY handy.

So it really depends on what you're trying to accomplish. Personally, in an evil party I like to take both and end up dual-classing Xzar. They are both fantastic characters.

RedWizard

Daelric said:

So I just got Edwin, do I have time to do the Nashkel mines before he leaves? Or should I kill Dynaheir first but will Xzar and Montaron leave? I want to keep them all.

If you head straight for the mines after you get him, yes, there will be enough time assuming you also go to the Gnoll Fortress after dealing with the mines.

Oxford_Guy

I'm still tosing up whether to keep Xzar (as am finding his banters provide some light relief) or to go for Edwin. Edwin can't cast Identify, which is a pain, as would have to rely on my fighter/mage for that, so will require more resting, but can cast Invisibility etc., which Xzar can't. If I can find room in my party, I might take both and dual Xzar to a cleric, but am not sure I will have space, as want both a scout/backstabber (currently Monty) and a find traps/open locks-capable thief (currently Imoen, though might take Saffy, or possibly dual Imoen, which may still need Saffy to cover for her for a bit, in which case I might, at least temporarily, drop *both* Monty and Xzar and bring in Edwin...)

Eidolon

Because Edwin, despite his grumpy nature, is quite a cutey with the girdle of femininity. That, and "I am become Death, the destroyer of Worlds" coming from someone with 4 HPs isn't very convincing. Also Xzar sounds like a girl when he says "Stop touching me."

Having said that I have both mages in my party. You can't ever have enough mages. Also Xzar gets bonus points for "Monty... I never loved you." when Montaron bites the bullet. Always makes me smile.

Corvino

Both are good choices, and both are probably better than Dynaheir the only good-aligned mage option. Edwin has more survivability due to having illusion but misses identify, so he's the optimal powergaming choice.

If you want Monty then by all means keep Xzar, he's mad but not exactly a slouch in the casting department. And with the addition of wraithform and stoneskin to the BG:EE spell list he's no longer as squishy towards the endgame.

jimkay

RedWizard said:

Also, Xzar's loss of Illusion is a bitter pill to swallow, especially now that we have Glitterdust.

Xzar on my game learned Glitterdust, I can't check it now but I'm pretty sure he did. Bug or me mixing up my games?

Dazzu

Quartz said:

Edwin = blaster mage
Xzar = versatile

I don't see how Edwin is not versatile with extra spell slots and only missing Divination. Granted, True Sight is pretty good, but Mirror Image, Projected Image, Spook and Blur are much better.

Identify is irrelevant because you should have enough money for identification.


Then again, I wouldn't only have one spellcaster for very long, especially not a specialist... now if only either Khalid were the Fighter/Mage he was meant to be or we got Indira released.

nietzschelives

If I remember correctly, Edwin's amulet actually gives him 2 bonus slots per level, for EVERY level, in addition to specialization bonuses. It's been a while since I've used him though, so I could be wrong.

Quartz

Dazzu said:

Quartz said:

Edwin = blaster mage
Xzar = versatile

I don't see how Edwin is not versatile with extra spell slots and only missing Divination. Granted, True Sight is pretty good, but Mirror Image, Projected Image, Spook and Blur are much better.

Identify is irrelevant because you should have enough money for identification.


Then again, I wouldn't only have one spellcaster for very long, especially not a specialist... now if only either Khalid were the Fighter/Mage he was meant to be or we got Indira released.

@Dazzu You're looking at my "versatile" statement from the standpoint of them both being single-class mages, which is not at all what I was going for. Probably better re-read my post.

LadyEibhilinRhett

darthchair said:

Also...Xzar is depressing. He's like the equivalent of having Marvin the Paranoid Android in your party.

P. sure you are thinking about Xan.
Xzar is the one who is absolutely BATSHIT INSANE.

szb

Xzar personality > Any extra spells Edwin gets

DarkDogg

Who is better?
Xzar or Xan? :-)

LadyEibhilinRhett

Useful graphic for those of you who are getting confused:



. -c .
...
I'M HELPING! :DDD

Bercon

They decided Edwin wasn't good enough in BG1 so they buffed him in BG2 so his amulet gives +2 spell slots there:
BG1: Edwins amulet gives +1 spell slots on every level
BG2: Edwins amulet gives +2 spell slots on every level

I have my fingers crossed that they give Neera a major buff for BG2 otherwise she is utterly worthless compared to the demigod that is Edwin.

kmfdm

LadyEibhilinRhett said:

Useful graphic for those of you who are getting confused:



. -c .
...
I'M HELPING! :DDD

Hahaha, I need a sanity check

Elendar

Edwin is cool... Xzar is gay and comes with a retarded halfling.

Razor

Talking about that halfling, hes he worth it? I always used him as a meat shield and can't really get rid of him without xzar leaving too. Unless I let montaron die, but is there another way?