tbh i don't care about most of BG 1 npcs that are not recruitable in BG2,why? cause they're mutes following me around like they've nothing better to do,speaking only like 2-3 times in game, BG1 is simply too old to stand in today's demands,only Sarevok,Tosc and the fact that you will continue to BG2 makes it worthwhile
infact i don't remeber most of their names...and yes i love BG series,is it odd?
tbh i don't care about most of BG 1 npcs that are not recruitable in BG2,why? cause they're mutes following me around like they've nothing better to do,speaking only like 2-3 times in game, BG1 is simply too old to stand in today's demands,only Sarevok,Tosc and the fact that you will continue to BG2 makes it worthwhile
infact i don't remeber most of their names...and yes i love BG series,is it odd?
I always kill all the Bg1 Followers that are in BG2... simply cuz my favorite Bg1 followers are not in there.... edwin, jahira, minsc are always killed by me.... only one i don't kill is the drow,,,
I never use Eldoth, Skie and Quayle. I also rarely use Garrik, Safana and Faldorn. As far as BG2 I never use Valygar.
I really like Valygar, he's pretty much always around for me in BGII.
In BG I don't think I've ever used Alora, Faldorn, Tiax or Quale for any extended period of time. They just arrive too late as I most often do the whole wilderness thing before going to the city. Eldoth and Skie got dragged along once when I did an all bard/thief run. Coran also sees little use even though he's so good. I just never could stand Coran's portrait and even though I now know how to change it (unlike in the late 90s) I still see that pink chinless mess in my head.
In BGII I'd have to say Mazzy and Nalia... Mazzy, even though I really like knights and paladins, is suprisingly mean to Valygar who as I said is one of my most trusted and I feel Nalia is simply a spoiled poor man's choice for Imoen. They are simply too similiar in an unmodified run. Even their portraits look a bit alike!
I don't dislike Valygar, I simply haven't used him. He just doesn't fit into my party makeup, I can't find a good place for him. I didn't realize Mazzy was mean to him either, that makes me sad because I like Mazzy a lot.
I also never use Cernd, who I completely forgot about. I like Nalia, but never use her as a thief. I find she makes a good choice as mage though.
I don't see Mazzy as being mean to Valygar - she just assumes he will be honored to be her squire which makes some sense from her perspective - I really like the interplay between them!
I don't see Mazzy as being mean to Valygar - she just assumes he will be honored to be her squire which makes some sense from her perspective - I really like the interplay between them!
Well, I wouldn't be happy in that situation to be honest Mean might be stretching it though, I guess I remembered her as being more obnoxious. Might actually try them out in combination again.
Valygar and Edwin also had a fun interaction, but sadly I remember it ended with Valygar making shish kebab out of Edwin.
I do not recall ever acquiring the services of Ajantis, Tiax, or Quayle. Kagain is a character I think I may have joined forces with on a single occasion.
I do not recall ever acquiring the services of Ajantis, Tiax, or Quayle. Kagain is a character I think I may have joined forces with on a single occasion.
I'm using Kagain in an evil party right now ( Cloakwood Mines ), and am really pleased how tanky he is. He loses points with no Str ( 16 ), but if you need someone to hold the line, he's your Dwarf. I also gave him the Con Tome, giving him 96 HP@ lvl 6 with an Axe+1 and a Large Shield+1.
Next playthrough I'll be using Adjantis. I hear good things about him in good parties.
@The_Shairs_Handbook: Then you have to claim that every NPC with an ability is "cheating and overpowered". Ironically, you kill Minsc and Edwin (for what alignment does that make sense?!), but leave Viconia with her 50 % natural magic resistance alive, which is even further away from what a charname can get. And then, I also don't think NPCs need to be gimped, inferior versions of possible charnames. They aren't charnames and they don't need to be seen as "could I do that? If no, the NPC sucks and is OP". They are allies, and who would want allies that can bring absolutely nothing special to the table?
And then, I also don't think NPCs need to be gimped, inferior versions of possible charnames. They aren't charnames and they don't need to be seen as "could I do that? If no, the NPC sucks and is OP". They are allies, and who would want allies that can bring absolutely nothing special to the table?
Agree 110%.
NPCs should be free to do illegal things, because they can be balanced as a package instead of being composed of building-blocks which must be balanced in isolation.
And then, I also don't think NPCs need to be gimped, inferior versions of possible charnames. They aren't charnames and they don't need to be seen as "could I do that? If no, the NPC sucks and is OP". They are allies, and who would want allies that can bring absolutely nothing special to the table?
Agree 110%.
NPCs should be free to do illegal things, because they can be balanced as a package instead of being composed of building-blocks which must be balanced in isolation.
I agree as well. Sure, Viconia gets 50% MR, but she had no STR and no CON. Not to mention her WIS is kind of low for a Cleric.
If we could pick stats, every NPC would be CTRL+Shift+8. No originality, nothing to make them unique, and no character.
Yep. Edwin is an insanely good caster, but that is really all he is. He will never be remotely good with ANY weapon; his strength sucks, his dex sucks. These stats reflect his personality - he doesn't like violence if he has to do the fighting, which is likely why he became a conjurer. Most of the other mages (I don't remember Dynaheir's and Neera's stats) have better dex, and will do ok with ranged weapons. Then you have Xzar as example how stats reflect backstory - he's not in a wizard order, he's running with mercenaries. His fighting skills are notably better than Edwin's - 14 strength is really not shabby for a mage, his dex (with 1 tome) is high enough to dual to thief and he is "street smart" (high wisdom to reflect he has seen more of the world than the walls of his library). To me, he is the "better" NPC, compared to Edwin, because he is more versatile and has better stats. I still like both equally, because their stats reflect their personalities so well.
I usually recruit every character, but many of them I just immediately park in the FAI and leave.
I rarely find a long-term place for the NPCs who aren't available until we reach BG city (Quayle, Tiax, Alora, Skie). It's just too late in the game, I've normally got an established party by then. I did recently keep Skie in my party for the remainder of the game, but it was the first time ever, and mainly because I already had Eldoth in my established party. I like Alora, and I'd use her more often if I could reach her earlier.
Also, I don't think I've ever kept Faldorn on board through to the end of the game, she's not very impressive and also fairly late. (On the other hand, the other characters in the Cloakwood chapter I find more interesting and useful, so I'm happy making space for them in spite of getting a little late.)
Does Eldoth eventually leave if you don't do his quest?
There's no timer for Eldoth's quest until the first time you enter NW BG with him in your party, so he won't leave. But as soon as you enter that area with him, he'll remind you about his quest, and then you've got a fairly short time (24 hours, I think) to "rescue" Skie or else he'll walk out.
I usually recruit every character, but many of them I just immediately park in the FAI and leave.
I rarely find a long-term place for the NPCs who aren't available until we reach BG city (Quayle, Tiax, Alora, Skie). It's just too late in the game, I've normally got an established party by then. I did recently keep Skie in my party for the remainder of the game, but it was the first time ever, and mainly because I already had Eldoth in my established party. I like Alora, and I'd use her more often if I could reach her earlier.
Also, I don't think I've ever kept Faldorn on board through to the end of the game, she's not very impressive and also fairly late. (On the other hand, the other characters in the Cloakwood chapter I find more interesting and useful, so I'm happy making space for them in spite of getting a little late.)
I know I've said it a lot since I signed-up here, but if you're already with an established Cleric, adding a Druid healer would compliment him/her.
Faldorn is an excellent choice for this role during the mid-game. Once she gets her 5th lvl heals, she's gg. Throw in a free Dread Wolf ( special ability ) and a Woodland Being, and all she had left to do is spam heals, prot some fire/cold resistance, take care of poison and sling it.
There's no timer for Eldoth's quest until the first time you enter NW BG with him in your party, so he won't leave. But as soon as you enter that area with him, he'll remind you about his quest, and then you've got a fairly short time (24 hours, I think) to "rescue" Skie or else he'll walk out.
I smell a hint why one of my savegames crashes if I try to enter that part of the city. In that game, I have Eldoth in my party and try to complete his quest. I never even heard a reminder from him before (and hence never got Skie; he seemed to not care). Now I know that the patch fixed Kivan's timer, so maybe there is a connection. I thought his quest/reminder was supposed to trigger when entering the city the first time, not a specific section.
Other than that, I do like Faldorn. In her case, I don't mind her being "late" (Cloakwood isn't THAT late). Pure druids have little going for them on low levels and I would probably grow tired of dragging her around and waiting for her to become useful. Jaheira can still use her fighter side, so it's not such a drawback that she misses out on the good cleric spells, but I wouldn't take a level 1 or 2 pure druid. Faldorn is smart being late; she's closer to becoming powerful and doesn't have the monk effect ("Oh god, this NPC sucks, but if I bring myself to keep them around until late game, they'll be awesome!")
There's no timer for Eldoth's quest until the first time you enter NW BG with him in your party, so he won't leave. But as soon as you enter that area with him, he'll remind you about his quest, and then you've got a fairly short time (24 hours, I think) to "rescue" Skie or else he'll walk out.
I smell a hint why one of my savegames crashes if I try to enter that part of the city. In that game, I have Eldoth in my party and try to complete his quest. I never even heard a reminder from him before (and hence never got Skie; he seemed to not care). Now I know that the patch fixed Kivan's timer, so maybe there is a connection. I thought his quest/reminder was supposed to trigger when entering the city the first time, not a specific section.
Other than that, I do like Faldorn. In her case, I don't mind her being "late" (Cloakwood isn't THAT late). Pure druids have little going for them on low levels and I would probably grow tired of dragging her around and waiting for her to become useful. Jaheira can still use her fighter side, so it's not such a drawback that she misses out on the good cleric spells, but I wouldn't take a level 1 or 2 pure druid. Faldorn is smart being late; she's closer to becoming powerful and doesn't have the monk effect ("Oh god, this NPC sucks, but if I bring myself to keep them around until late game, they'll be awesome!")
Right, a pure Druid with Faldorn's stats would be dead weight until she can start casting 3rd lvl and above spells.
The plus side, is she'd level a little faster than most, and she could push out a Dread Wolf to help out in the early game or to aggro melee with while the mid-line shoots them or nukes them.
A pure druid wouldn't be much of a frontline help, and an inferior healer (compared to a pure cleric). The dread wolf may be really good on low levels though, but it's not enough to make up for either a fighter multiclass or level 1 cleric spells. It would still be a once per day ability and not really be an "extra tank". All in all, I think she's a good NPC who drew one of the shorter straws when personality was handed out. Mostly, her lines are stereotypical "child of nature" things, and compared to Jaheira (who does that sometimes, with humor), that's quite bland.
I also can't resist any longer: "You're most under-used NPC's?" - No, I am not and even if I was, I would want to know who (under)uses me for what.
A pure druid wouldn't be much of a frontline help, and an inferior healer (compared to a pure cleric). The dread wolf may be really good on low levels though, but it's not enough to make up for either a fighter multiclass or level 1 cleric spells. It would still be a once per day ability and not really be an "extra tank". All in all, I think she's a good NPC who drew one of the shorter straws when personality was handed out. Mostly, her lines are stereotypical "child of nature" things, and compared to Jaheira (who does that sometimes, with humor), that's quite bland.
I also can't resist any longer: "You're most under-used NPC's?" - No, I am not and even if I was, I would want to know who (under)uses me for what.
Not sure how a Druid is an inferior healer compared to a Cleric in BG:EE. Explain?
I also never said to use the Dread Wolf to tank. Have it run around a tree, rock, whatever. The ability when you get it sucks. However if you got Faldorn early, that could be used to draw fire on initial aggro while your groups take it down with arrows and spells. Not to mention it has more health than a level 1 Khalid. So it can survive a hit or two from a Gibberling AND, it won't run away. Lol
Also, the important level 1 Cleric spells are available to a level 1 Druid: CLW and Bless. Unless there's something else, not quite sure I understand the statement.
Comments
cause they're mutes following me around like they've nothing better to do,speaking only like 2-3 times in game, BG1 is simply too old to stand in today's demands,only Sarevok,Tosc and the fact that you will continue to BG2 makes it worthwhile
infact i don't remeber most of their names...and yes i love BG series,is it odd?
edwin, jahira, minsc are always killed by me.... only one i don't kill is the drow,,,
In BG I don't think I've ever used Alora, Faldorn, Tiax or Quale for any extended period of time. They just arrive too late as I most often do the whole wilderness thing before going to the city. Eldoth and Skie got dragged along once when I did an all bard/thief run. Coran also sees little use even though he's so good. I just never could stand Coran's portrait and even though I now know how to change it (unlike in the late 90s) I still see that pink chinless mess in my head.
In BGII I'd have to say Mazzy and Nalia... Mazzy, even though I really like knights and paladins, is suprisingly mean to Valygar who as I said is one of my most trusted and I feel Nalia is simply a spoiled poor man's choice for Imoen. They are simply too similiar in an unmodified run. Even their portraits look a bit alike!
I also never use Cernd, who I completely forgot about. I like Nalia, but never use her as a thief. I find she makes a good choice as mage though.
Valygar and Edwin also had a fun interaction, but sadly I remember it ended with Valygar making shish kebab out of Edwin.
I love running through Bodhi's place exploding everybody with his turn undead
Next playthrough I'll be using Adjantis. I hear good things about him in good parties.
And then, I also don't think NPCs need to be gimped, inferior versions of possible charnames. They aren't charnames and they don't need to be seen as "could I do that? If no, the NPC sucks and is OP". They are allies, and who would want allies that can bring absolutely nothing special to the table?
NPCs should be free to do illegal things, because they can be balanced as a package instead of being composed of building-blocks which must be balanced in isolation.
I agree as well. Sure, Viconia gets 50% MR, but she had no STR and no CON. Not to mention her WIS is kind of low for a Cleric.
If we could pick stats, every NPC would be CTRL+Shift+8. No originality, nothing to make them unique, and no character.
Then you have Xzar as example how stats reflect backstory - he's not in a wizard order, he's running with mercenaries. His fighting skills are notably better than Edwin's - 14 strength is really not shabby for a mage, his dex (with 1 tome) is high enough to dual to thief and he is "street smart" (high wisdom to reflect he has seen more of the world than the walls of his library). To me, he is the "better" NPC, compared to Edwin, because he is more versatile and has better stats. I still like both equally, because their stats reflect their personalities so well.
I rarely find a long-term place for the NPCs who aren't available until we reach BG city (Quayle, Tiax, Alora, Skie). It's just too late in the game, I've normally got an established party by then. I did recently keep Skie in my party for the remainder of the game, but it was the first time ever, and mainly because I already had Eldoth in my established party. I like Alora, and I'd use her more often if I could reach her earlier.
Also, I don't think I've ever kept Faldorn on board through to the end of the game, she's not very impressive and also fairly late. (On the other hand, the other characters in the Cloakwood chapter I find more interesting and useful, so I'm happy making space for them in spite of getting a little late.)
Faldorn is an excellent choice for this role during the mid-game. Once she gets her 5th lvl heals, she's gg. Throw in a free Dread Wolf ( special ability ) and a Woodland Being, and all she had left to do is spam heals, prot some fire/cold resistance, take care of poison and sling it.
Other than that, I do like Faldorn. In her case, I don't mind her being "late" (Cloakwood isn't THAT late). Pure druids have little going for them on low levels and I would probably grow tired of dragging her around and waiting for her to become useful. Jaheira can still use her fighter side, so it's not such a drawback that she misses out on the good cleric spells, but I wouldn't take a level 1 or 2 pure druid. Faldorn is smart being late; she's closer to becoming powerful and doesn't have the monk effect ("Oh god, this NPC sucks, but if I bring myself to keep them around until late game, they'll be awesome!")
The plus side, is she'd level a little faster than most, and she could push out a Dread Wolf to help out in the early game or to aggro melee with while the mid-line shoots them or nukes them.
I also can't resist any longer: "You're most under-used NPC's?" - No, I am not and even if I was, I would want to know who (under)uses me for what.
(I know you are but what am I?
I know you are but what am I?
I know you are but what am I?)
I also never said to use the Dread Wolf to tank. Have it run around a tree, rock, whatever. The ability when you get it sucks. However if you got Faldorn early, that could be used to draw fire on initial aggro while your groups take it down with arrows and spells. Not to mention it has more health than a level 1 Khalid. So it can survive a hit or two from a Gibberling AND, it won't run away. Lol
Also, the important level 1 Cleric spells are available to a level 1 Druid: CLW and Bless. Unless there's something else, not quite sure I understand the statement.