Give Xan a t-shirt with a bull's-eye on it, and send him in, Moonblade aflashin'! Then mop up the rest from afar with ranged weapons...you will need to raise Xan afterwards, of course, but that is a small price to pay, isn't it?
I changed Xan to a fighter/mage using Level 1 NPCs. With the AC bonus from his sword, magic items (missile avoidance boots and blunt girdle), spells, and single-weapon fighting proficiency he's actually doing quite well. If he takes a couple strong hits he's in trouble but it that happens pretty rarely.
I used SK to change his avatar back to mage though, it looks so much better for him.
I use Xan like Xan should be used; as an Enchanter. I like the Enchanter specialization to boot. Just because he can't use MM or FB doesn't mean he sucks, though I don't like that they can't use the Contingencies or Sequencers. I find Enchantment/Charm spells a lot more deadly than a FB and understand why you can't plop two or more together at the start of a battle.
Still love them though, but I generally like the underdog classes like Bards ( excluding Blades ), Enchanters, protter Clerics and healer Druids. Basically anything support, I like.
@Tome Charisma measures your force of personality, i.e. how easily you can influence people, not necessarily how likable you are. Perhaps, in another game, Xan's morose outlook would be contagious.
I use Xan like Xan should be used; as an Enchanter. I like the Enchanter specialization to boot. Just because he can't use MM or FB doesn't mean he sucks, though I don't like that they can't use the Contingencies or Sequencers. I find Enchantment/Charm spells a lot more deadly than a FB and understand why you can't plop two or more together at the start of a battle.
Still love them though, but I generally like the underdog classes like Bards ( excluding Blades ), Enchanters, protter Clerics and healer Druids. Basically anything support, I like.
Hehe...I can imagine how battle goes for your party!
Charname : "Bard, quick, sing us a song for the coming hordes of Xvarts!" Bard : *strums strings* Charname : "Ok, listen up!" *raises voice over the strumming* "All Fighters to the front! Spellcasters prepare your damage spells! Clerics prepare to aid the wounded! Here they come! To battle!"
*party stands around uneasily, each eying the other, the strumming of the strings in the background, Xvarts screaming as they close in*
Charname : *blinks* "We do not have any Frontliners, do we? And no damaging spells..." *sigh*
@tilly im going to get Xan and Alora for my next playthrough (will be my third ever), looking forward to pair up mr sadface and mrs happy :-) Diversity in party is good? xD
To settle this argument - I tried it myself. Turns out the best way to find out how to use Xan is to just play with Xan (wait... that didn't come out right...). Anyway, while he is sleeping and charming all over the place, he can readily join the melee and do decent damage with his moonblade... he regularly gets crits of 13/14 without any gear or spells. Go Xan!
And I disagree. As I've said, it's just extra DPS, more DPS than a sling provides. Slings are safer, yes, but in most encounters Xan can easily be made safe by micro-managing aggro. I'm not suggesting Xan is going to replace Shar-Teel, Minsc, and Dorn as the game's deadliest melee combatants, but having what amounts to a free, infinite duration touch spell that also gives him defense buffs is most certainly not useless.
Yeah, we are going to have to agree to disagree. I see no scenario wherein Xan will be any kind of consistent HtH combatant.
I my opinion, slings are far superior for a wizard. Maybe not in damage, but from the perspective that your wizard is then free to cast spells as necessary in combat without having to extricate themselves from enemies before doing so. And I think that if you were to compare the overall damage done during the course of the game for a mage using a sling versus Xan using the Moonblade, that the Sling damage would (due to situational use) would far outstrip the Moonblade damage.
I have also seen the engine specifically target casters that come in range of their weapons. This, to me means that even if they are getting pounded by someone like Shar-Teel or Kagain, they will stop what they are doing and attempt to take out the caster instead. Thus ending in one dead caster.
But we can agree to disagree. For me, I don't min/max or power game. But I do make effective and efficient use of the resources available to my party. I see wizards in HtH combat as being as efficient as say, Pee Wee Herman versus a fighter being equivalent to say Jean Claude Van dam. Basically they only swing HtH weapons if they have no other choice. But that is me. You clearly see it differently, and more power to you.
I have also seen the engine specifically target casters that come in range of their weapons. This, to me means that even if they are getting pounded by someone like Shar-Teel or Kagain, they will stop what they are doing and attempt to take out the caster instead. Thus ending in one dead caster.
I have seen it work differently dozens of times. I haven't used Xan in EE yet, but like I said I have been using touch spells on Xzar. If Shar-Teel or especially Kagain were engaged by something first, and they engaged with it, if Xzar flanks them with Chill Touch the enemy will only rarely switch targets. Even when they do switch targets, most enemies have only one or two attacks per round, and thus if you micro-manage you can get Xzar out of there before an attack is rolled. The occasional hiccup in the AI deciding whether to pursue the fleeing Xzar or return to fending off Kagain, Shar-Teel, Montaron, or my Blackguard buys even more time, and that's time spent not attacking my party.
Actually micromanagement is exactly what getting the most out of Xan is all about - and since many people play maxed out PCs it's often not difficult to let the heavy hitters run on auto-pilot while you devote time to direct Xan step by step - foe by foe - add in the different feel the enchanter brings to the mage game and he can actually be a refreshing change from the big guns like Edwin or Xzar. He even has something positive to say now and then in BGEE
Actually micromanagement is exactly what getting the most out of Xan is all about - and since many people play maxed out PCs it's often not difficult to let the heavy hitters run on auto-pilot while you devote time to direct Xan step by step - foe by foe - add in the different feel the enchanter brings to the mage game and he can actually be a refreshing change from the big guns like Edwin or Xzar. He even has something positive to say now and then in BGEE
I agree. Microing Xan, or playing an Enchanter is very rewarding. It lets you experience another way to play a Mage other than: MM, MM, MM, MM, MM, oh gonna' spice it up! Fireball!
I think next time I use Xan I may try having him dart about in melee sticking at enemies with his Moonblade. I'm not sure how in-character that is with his immense pessimism, though. If I were a betting man I would say it is less likely that he would take that risk all the time than stay in the back row, though. He has high Int and Wis. And he's LN, not Chaotic, i.e., it wouldn't be an impulsive act if he did it.
I think next time I use Xan I may try having him dart about in melee sticking at enemies with his Moonblade. I'm not sure how in-character that is with his immense pessimism, though. If I were a betting man I would say it is less likely that he would take that risk all the time than stay in the back row, though. He has high Int and Wis. And he's LN, not Chaotic, i.e., it wouldn't be an impulsive act if he did it.
I'm not sure it's really out of character for him - I don't see him as a coward regardless of his pessimistic attitude in fact becuase he sees the struggle as pointless it might even sway him the other way encouraging him to jump in with both feet and get it over- he has an important position with his people and I suspect just equipping the moonblade and feeling it's power surge within him may stir some deep elvish courage encouraging him to take as many enemies down as he can before the end arrives...
Xan is not a coward, just very aware that with his Moonblade, everyone is tempted to use him as a warrior-mage type. Which, of course, gets him killed. Again, and again, and again...
I really can understand how he is resigned to his fate!
Anyone had Quayle and Xan in the same party... I noticed that they are really funny to have in the same party..... now if I add Alora this might get hilarious
Browsing this thread in passing, I must pause to ask, why do people worry about a 7 con?
7 Con is every bit as viable as 14 Con, no bonus, no penalty. He's got the same HP as Neera and Xzar.
On the original thread question: Same as every other mage, rain down Sleep and Emotion spells on your foes. After Sleep stops working, move onto Blindness. Debilitating foes and disabling vast proportions of your enemies is how and why mages win D&D, leave dealing damage to the pathetic lackeys who serve your party, aka "non-spellcasters".
Browsing this thread in passing, I must pause to ask, why do people worry about a 7 con?
7 Con is every bit as viable as 14 Con, no bonus, no penalty. He's got the same HP as Neera and Xzar.
On the original thread question: Same as every other mage, rain down Sleep and Emotion spells on your foes. After Sleep stops working, move onto Blindness. Debilitating foes and disabling vast proportions of your enemies is how and why mages win D&D, leave dealing damage to the pathetic lackeys who serve your party, aka "non-spellcasters".
From a power gamer perspective, 7 con may be the same as 14, but from a Role Play perspective, if the wind blows, he gets sick. This isn't the mark of someone you want in your front ranks, even only as supplemental damage.
And since people seem to want to send him into combat, there isn't really a "Solution" to that. In BG2, there is at least a CON belt that you can use. Not so in BG1. And even if you give him the CON Tome, it won't help him any.
I agree that the most efficient use of him (from either Role play or Power gamer perspective) is to have him cast spells. Makes sense since he is a Wizard. I think the moonblade was thrown in more for flavor than for any attempt at usability. It's his version of Boo. But this is all in my own opinion.
Browsing this thread in passing, I must pause to ask, why do people worry about a 7 con?
7 Con is every bit as viable as 14 Con, no bonus, no penalty. He's got the same HP as Neera and Xzar.
On the original thread question: Same as every other mage, rain down Sleep and Emotion spells on your foes. After Sleep stops working, move onto Blindness. Debilitating foes and disabling vast proportions of your enemies is how and why mages win D&D, leave dealing damage to the pathetic lackeys who serve your party, aka "non-spellcasters".
I agree. I'm not picky when it comes to low Con on the backline. In fact, in a lot of my characters, I don't think that they're particularly hearty to begin with. My two most recent are an Elven Cleric of Lathander, and a Human Skald. Both had what most would consider "horrible" Con at 9 for the Elf, and 11 for the Human.
Guess what? Neither died once during the SCS games.
Know your role and play it. If you're backline, stay in the back and spread out.
I think i speak the gospel when i reveal the true apex of Xan the Splendiferous... MI, SS, blur, str spell, pot of invulnerability, priest buffs, skald songs, and dual wield moon blade with either dagger of venom or a staff mace. Heck, blind and glitterdust enemy.
Maybe he only thinks the quest is in vain is because he knows you wont let him tank sarevok.
Comments
I used SK to change his avatar back to mage though, it looks so much better for him.
Still love them though, but I generally like the underdog classes like Bards ( excluding Blades ), Enchanters, protter Clerics and healer Druids. Basically anything support, I like.
Charisma measures your force of personality, i.e. how easily you can influence people, not necessarily how likable you are. Perhaps, in another game, Xan's morose outlook would be contagious.
Charname : "Bard, quick, sing us a song for the coming hordes of Xvarts!"
Bard : *strums strings*
Charname : "Ok, listen up!" *raises voice over the strumming* "All Fighters to the front! Spellcasters prepare your damage spells! Clerics prepare to aid the wounded! Here they come! To battle!"
*party stands around uneasily, each eying the other, the strumming of the strings in the background, Xvarts screaming as they close in*
Charname : *blinks* "We do not have any Frontliners, do we? And no damaging spells..." *sigh*
Party in unison : "Cleric! Healing!"
I my opinion, slings are far superior for a wizard. Maybe not in damage, but from the perspective that your wizard is then free to cast spells as necessary in combat without having to extricate themselves from enemies before doing so. And I think that if you were to compare the overall damage done during the course of the game for a mage using a sling versus Xan using the Moonblade, that the Sling damage would (due to situational use) would far outstrip the Moonblade damage.
I have also seen the engine specifically target casters that come in range of their weapons. This, to me means that even if they are getting pounded by someone like Shar-Teel or Kagain, they will stop what they are doing and attempt to take out the caster instead. Thus ending in one dead caster.
But we can agree to disagree. For me, I don't min/max or power game. But I do make effective and efficient use of the resources available to my party. I see wizards in HtH combat as being as efficient as say, Pee Wee Herman versus a fighter being equivalent to say Jean Claude Van dam. Basically they only swing HtH weapons if they have no other choice. But that is me. You clearly see it differently, and more power to you.
So grab a hammer, and whack away!
And what with his attitude, he seems to know what is coming...gotta love that!
as it no doubt will...
probably sooner than later...
we're all doomed...
I really can understand how he is resigned to his fate!
7 Con is every bit as viable as 14 Con, no bonus, no penalty. He's got the same HP as Neera and Xzar.
On the original thread question: Same as every other mage, rain down Sleep and Emotion spells on your foes. After Sleep stops working, move onto Blindness. Debilitating foes and disabling vast proportions of your enemies is how and why mages win D&D, leave dealing damage to the pathetic lackeys who serve your party, aka "non-spellcasters".
And since people seem to want to send him into combat, there isn't really a "Solution" to that. In BG2, there is at least a CON belt that you can use. Not so in BG1. And even if you give him the CON Tome, it won't help him any.
I agree that the most efficient use of him (from either Role play or Power gamer perspective) is to have him cast spells. Makes sense since he is a Wizard. I think the moonblade was thrown in more for flavor than for any attempt at usability. It's his version of Boo. But this is all in my own opinion.
Guess what? Neither died once during the SCS games.
Know your role and play it. If you're backline, stay in the back and spread out.
Maybe he only thinks the quest is in vain is because he knows you wont let him tank sarevok.
Reform Party, click his portrait, remove, go recruit Edwin.
Onwards! To Futility!