Where Does Xzar Stand? (*SPOILER* + Edwin in Party Mix)
HaHaCharade
Member Posts: 1,644
So when playing evil, I originally played my main as a Fighter Type (Berserker since BG:EE came out) and then used Kagain as a meat shield, Shar-Teel as a Dual-Classed Fighter/Thief, Dorn as a pile of sturdy beef, and then Edwin, and Xzar. I would take Xzar and Dual-Class him to a Necromancer/Cleric.
This would give me 4 Fighter Types (Main Character, Kagain, Shar-Teel, Dorn) and 2 Wizards for Spell-Power (Edwin, Xzar) while also putting a Cleric class onto Xzar, and not using a single-classed character as a cleric (which is a class I tend to like to stack with something else for utility sake, kind of like thief).
Baeloth opens up other options. I've thought of a couple scenarios. Keep Baeloth and Edwin, ditch Xzar, and restructure my main as a Fighter/Cleric (Probably multi over dual to get 7/7) or Keep the build as is, or keep the build as is with the exception of ditching Edwin for Baeloth instead.
Any seasoned evil players - What do ya think?
Added spoiler tag. -Jalily
This would give me 4 Fighter Types (Main Character, Kagain, Shar-Teel, Dorn) and 2 Wizards for Spell-Power (Edwin, Xzar) while also putting a Cleric class onto Xzar, and not using a single-classed character as a cleric (which is a class I tend to like to stack with something else for utility sake, kind of like thief).
Baeloth opens up other options. I've thought of a couple scenarios. Keep Baeloth and Edwin, ditch Xzar, and restructure my main as a Fighter/Cleric (Probably multi over dual to get 7/7) or Keep the build as is, or keep the build as is with the exception of ditching Edwin for Baeloth instead.
Any seasoned evil players - What do ya think?
Added spoiler tag. -Jalily
Post edited by Jalily on
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Comments
Shar-Teel dualed to thief
Dorn
Edwin
Baeloth
Viconia
Leaves a nice opening for a berserker CHARNAME to serve as tank. I went half-orc, since berserk largely supplants the improved saves from shortys. No Kagain means the dex gaunts can go to Dorn, which gives him a decent AC as well as good ranged. Also, the surplus of exceptional strength means the gauntlets of ogre power can go to viccy (since evil parties won't typically get the big-fisted belt)
I get the loss of utility that a single class cleric brings in bg1, but I think viccy's MR is a pretty unique and valuable tool. A fortitude potion makes her a good tank, if you need a spare.
How do you ditch Kagain tho, tis a crime! :-D
If you feel you absolutely HAVE to pick up Baeloth, I would ditch Edwin as they fulfill quite similar roles. But ehh ... seems kinda silly.
I like Xzar, but I prefer Viccy's better hp, Dex and MR. With Baeloth and Edwin, I feel I have a surfeit of arcane casting anyway, and a constant clerical presence is a nice perk. To each their own.
Charname Elf Assassin
Kagain
Dorn
Viconia
Edwin
Baeloth
With the right equipment (and rarely a potion) the assassin can handle all locks and traps. On bg1 your backstab multiplier is no different than other thiefs. What really shines about the assassin is the ability to poison weapon, which is seriously unbalanced on bg1. With a ranged weapon you can poison multiple targets really fast during a fight and disrupt enemies spells. Or you can just start a fight invisible and backstab + poison the spellcasters.
Kagain
Dorn
Viconia
Edwin
Baeloth
In the end, it hardly matters really. Truth be told I'm interested on seeing Xzar, Edwin, and Baeloth together, but I don't know who to ditch. Are there any banters between those three? Regardless, my imagination can make up for that.:D
EDIT:
This opens the cleric and tank slot, so I have some more freedom to ditch either one of the front liners (I usually run with Kagain and Dorn, too) or take Baeloth instead of Xzar. Edwin and Baeloth compliment each other very nicely, since Baeloth can identify, the one thing Edwin can't do. I use Baeloth as buffer/debuffer and Edwin for fireworks. Baeloth doesn't miss out on other spells and can still spam dispel magic, which leaves Edwin room for more summons and damage spells.
Priest of Talos, with the neat storm shield, is my first choice, but the same works if you dual or multi a fighter-cleric or fighter-druid. Ultimately, it depends on your preference in weapon types and spell selection.
My party comes out as:
Dorn - damage dealer
Kagain - tank
Charname - tank/healer/buffer
Shar-Teel - thief (dualed as early as 3, because I don't need a 4th front liner and rather have her ranged anyway)
Baeloth - debuff
Edwin - damage
If charname is a thief or jester, it's a bit different. As thief, I obviously don't need Shar-Teel and rather take a pure class cleric or druid for healing duties only. As jester, I semi-frontline and do crowd control, but stick to the spells I need for that, so Baeloth is more specialized to debuff the bosses while I handle the minions.
Shar-Teel (not dualed)
Dorn
Kagain
Edwin
Baeloth
Charname (Cleric/Thief)
I was originally going to take Faldorn, but the new patch hit right after I finished Cloakwood, and I promptly decided that Charname could provide enough divine magic.
I agree with you. But why not add Xzar also to the mix? Xzar vs. Baeloth in terms of lunacy (I won't truly categorize Baeloth as lunatic or as crazy as Xzar, but he's close). Edwin vs. Baeloth in terms of egoism.:D
(And anyway my next party will be with a "crazy" CN dwarf who has all four EE party members, and the conniving Safana
Half-Orc Fighter / Thief with ++ Staves / ++ Two-Handed Fighting. ++SHORTbow When BG2EE comes out you get the staff of ram and you're a beast. Dwarves are better sorta....but as a Half-Orc you'll also meet race requirements to romance Vicky in BG2EE. If you took Shortbow this gives you better bows in BG2.
Give Vicky the three Tombs of Wisdom, and SK her if you have to when BG2EE comes out to bump her to 21 Wisdom. She gets bumped to 18 in BG2 Vanilla either way, so don't think of it as cheating. Think of it as an investment that the game should let you make. When you get to the machine of Lum, give her Wisdom again bumping her to 22, she will be insanely powerful then. And reliable in BGEE.
Dual Shar-Teel but only give her offensive thief skills (100 points in Hide in Shadows and Move Silently) so she can backstab. Dual her at 6 or 7 depending on what you want. (More attacks round Vs bigger backstab multiplier)
After Level 3 as a thief, don't level her up until she has enough experience to gain her fighter levels back, and abuse the fighter proficiency exploit to get her to Grandmaster in Daggers for Dagger of Venom and The Heart of the Golem.
Give yourself 100 Find Traps, 100 Move Silently, and as close to 100 in Hide In Shadows as you can get.
Between your 19 Strength, Edwin, and Baeloth you should be able to bust any locks or use Knock.
But now your Half-Orc and Shar-Teel will be back stab machines. Give yourself the +3 Staff and the staff of Striking later.
Half Orc PC Fighter / Thief
Shar-Teel Fighter / Thief (Dualed)
Vicky
Baeloth
Edwin
AND finally...Dorn.
This leaves one last slot. My vote is Dorn. Kagain is a better tank but Dorn is interesting, his HP might be low, but since his CON is merely 14 you can give him the Klaw of Kazaroth.
With Full Plate, gauntlets of dexterity, helm of Balduran, and the Klaw AND whatever ring or cloak of protection you give him Dorn becomes incredibly hard to hit, with the +2 Two Handed Sword from cloakwood he can't be webbed...and he can also take ++Longbow which have a great strength bonus.
You can also give him ++ in Bastard Swords and a shield if you want to gear him up to face shapeshifters and werewolves.
OR ++ for Halberds for BG2. (Ravager / and the one that doubles damage vs Dragons)
Have Vicky summon undead to tank and have your wizards take skull trap and web so between the two of them you'll do massive physical damage without having any NPC or your PC tank. AND you'll gum up the works.
Then you can ambush with backstabs, great ranged and a free action crazy Blackguard who can poison his weapon to interrupt spell casters. Even when you're slinging spells.
A squad full of dirty tricks. =P I might have to make it myself.
Oh and give Edwin the INT tomb...might as well.
Xzar
Edwin
Baleoth
Kagain
Dorn or Shar-Teel
Why meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ?
I don't wanna talk.
=> good think to kick Kagain out of an evil party ...
PC
Dorn
Xzar dualed to Cleric
Shar-Teel dualed to Thief
Baeloth
and your last slot will depend on your PC's choice of class:
- if you play a Berserker, then perhaps Viconia for more healing power
- if you play a multi F/C or a Berserker dualed to Cleric ('twere me I'd dual at 'zerker 3 if it's just a one-shot BG:EE game) then Kagain or Edwin
What I really like about @HaHaCharade's party is that it's such a fresh experience of the game. New NPCs and dual-classed NPCs. Sounds really neat.