NPCs fixed vs flexible starting experience

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SCARY_WIZARD

Hmm...it can go either way, with me. On the one hand, I like it when I get someone slightly higher level than I expected; on the other, I sort of like getting somebody at a lower level, so I can allocate proficiencies, thieving skills, and so on, as I please...not to mention Hit Points rolls.

Tetraploid

I think it would make sense for NPCs to have fixed starting levels, but more from a realism point of view than anything else. Just because the protagonist starts off as a feeble level 1 fresh from Candlekeep shouldn't mean that other, supposedly more experienced characters should do as well.

ajwz

NPCs should start at level one with a relevant amount of experience to your party level so that you can level them up yourself.

SamuelVarg

I think it is good as it is.
If I remember correctly Keldorn always get a little more XP then CHARNAME wich I find good since he is a veteran among his order.
So maybe a little "up and down" due who the character you recruit is but the point of origin should be CHARNAMEs XP.

Wanderon

ajwz said:

NPCs should start at level one with a relevant amount of experience to your party level so that you can level them up yourself.

I like this option but would also like there to be an "auto-level" option that leveled them as the devs thought they should develop - which would be a way to allow them be "themselves" sort of making their own choices and not merely my puppets to develop - thus giving them a bit more personality.

It doesn't ALWAYS need to be about me me me me...

KidCarnival

Some NPCs seem "out of character" at level 1. Kagain is an OLD grumpy dwarf who presumably runs his mercenary business for a while. If he has customers from Baldur's Gate, he must have some sort of reputation and experience beyond level 1. Edwin, Minsc and Dynaheir all travelled a pretty long way and would be beyond level 1 from travel encounters alone. Rasaad and Dorn both had fights in the past; enough to level up. Branwen was in an adventuring party and also travelled a notable distance. Viconia is on the run for a long time. Neither would be level 1 from the experience.

Realistically, they all shouldn't be level 1 or at least have something else to reflect they are more experienced than charname. However, others like Neera or Imoen are not, and it would end up unrealistic or unfair. Either you get a reversed case of what we have now - NPCs that shouldn't have the XP from their backstory instead of NPCs not having the XP they should have - or some higher levels, some level 1. And most of those that would get more levels from the backstory are the ones already popular, so nothing would really change either way.

DJKajuru

I like to think that Imoen , Shar Teel, xzar, garrick, skie and montaron are supposed to be level 1-2, while Jaheira, Xan, Kivan, minsc , safana , tiax and dynaheir are 3-4 and experienced/tougher guys like kagain, edwin , viconia , coran and Eldoth are level 5-6.

atcDave

I could go either way on this, but I think it makes sense from a balance perspective not to have NPCs ever be too much more powerful than the PC. So I think the current system works pretty well. Maybe a workable alternative would be if a character was two or more levels above the PC they would respond with a "leave me alone kid" sort of comment. But really, if its not broke don't fix it, I think the game works fine as is.

ZanathKariashi

Only if all part thieves are level 1-2 AT MOST. Getting thieves at a high level makes them pretty much useless, since they usually have most of their points stuck in pickpockets or hide (rather then MS).



The other classes aren't hurt at all, aside from occasionally odd weapon choices, but you can work with just about any weapon set up, if you actually try. But having gimped thief skills is largely a waste of a character slot, especially since OL and Traps are highly important. (Yes...you CAN suffer through the game without it, but in that case you're better off bringing a fighter, mage, or extra healer for all the extra damage you're going to take or more knock spells).

A compromise might be to re-evaluate their thief skills based on their personality, so if you get them at a set level, they'll still be useful, in whatever area they're focused. (Of course since Imeon and Monty are typically gotten at level 1...possibly Safana as well, you'd have at least 3 thieves that could be molded to suite your needs. Or as a last resort you could dual Shar-teel for full thief skill control.

franco

I have a question that might need clearing up. The way the game is set up now, is the NPC's level determined by Charname's level at the moment they are included in the party or at the moment that Charname first speaks to them? It makes a difference roleplaying, because I'd like to have a conversation with them sometimes early on, but I'm wary about doing it since I'm not sure when their level clock starts.
Of course I could just reload after the conversation.

smeagolheart

I like having npcs match charnames xp, I get this from L1NPCs mod

MilesBeyond

I would love to see thieves that you could level yourself, as they're unfortunately largely useless unless you can determine their skills yourself. Three of the four late-game NPCs are Thieves: Tiax, Alora and Skie. Skie especially is the worst offender as she would actually be a great thief with some better skill point distribution.

franco

I've always felt funny about Jaheira and Khalid being just level 1 at the FAI when Gorion had already described them to Charname as old friends of his.

KidCarnival

I hate to gaze at a dead horse, but the thief problem would be solved if the thieves were kitted. That way, they could put the points in whatever is most important for the kit and you'd know what to expect. As it is, everyone seems to be putting points in the least useful skills and it's never really worth it to switch out thieves after level 3. (Woohoo! 110 pickpocket Alora! Let's hit Durlag's!)