@kamuizin - I may not agree with you about another drow, but I can see your point of view.
As far as "After Spellhold" being a bit too late, the problem with it not being there is that you basically have three choices. Choice 1 is to take Yoshimo and then dump him for Imoen. Choice 2 is to not take him at all, which is a real shame because he is an AWESOME character. Choice number three is to take him to Spellhold and then finish the game with less than your max number of characters (mods not withstanding). None of those choices seem particularly attractive to my playing style.
And if I am playing an evil party, I really don't see Imoen fitting in very well. I do however see Yoshimo in that group. Unless I add Solaufein's mod, I am really stuck (even more so than normal with an evil party). And no one says you have to bring the new thief (???) along. But I think it would really fit a need. After all, this isn't BG1 where all NPCs can stay with you as long as you want them.
Finally if they are talking about potentially a F on F romance, Drow seem to be less concerned with the "Who" they partner with and more with the pleasure factor derived as a result. Some of the "Rituals" devoted to the worship of Lolth can get quite out of hand, or so the stories go. Kind of like the Frat parties I used to go to when I was younger.
I'm inclined to think it would be a good idea for the new thief to come after Spellhold, to give a more flexable party composition in that portion of the game. If you take into account that BG2EE will include ToB, it's not that late in the game, overall.
That would make a Svirfneblin or Duergar the obvious choice. I agree that Drow have been done to death, and we now have art assets for female gnomes and dwarves.
Edit: On the other hand, from a story point of view, it might make sense to re-encounter Neera IN Spellhold. And you wouldn't want to put too many companions that far into the game.
I'm inclined to think it would be a good idea for the new thief to come after Spellhold, to give a more flexable party composition in that portion of the game. If you take into account that BG2EE will include ToB, it's not that late in the game, overall.
That would make a Svirfneblin or Duergar the obvious choice. I agree that Drow have been done to death, and we now have art assets for female gnomes and dwarves.
Edit: On the other hand, from a story point of view, it might make sense to re-encounter Neera IN Spellhold. And you wouldn't want to put too many companions that far into the game.
Ooh DAMN I love this idea! It makes complete sense, plus
I could continue to run Yoshimo in every game until then!
I have it. We are actually going to be able to re-recruit Tiax in Spellhold. Only due to some wild magic experiment, he got changed into my ex-girlfriend. She rules ALL!
I know, right? Halflings are my favorite race and there are not enough of them in this series! All the different shorties only have three each so far.
There are also only 3 different half-elves in the series. So I don't know if race quantification really can have too much to do with a decision like this. I'm just looking for who will be an interesting character.
I have a feeling the new thief will be a human female swashbuckler with scores within reach of dual classing to fighter at the very least. While I voted for Shadow Dancer just cause of the neat things you can do with stealth in combat... I would say swashbuckler would be the choice I'd be least surprised with.
Here's my reasoning: First and foremost single class thief for those that want it Swashbuckler even single classed works similarly to a fighter/thief due to its bonuses allowing some versatility. Stats allowing dualing to fighter allow more versatility in character building and power play for those interested in such. Swashbuckler benefits go on to level cap even when thief skills are so high more points are redundant if you stay single classed and those same benefits work well to enhance a late dual class to fighter.
Yes, i opened my BG:EE before i made the post, just to confirm.
Open the game and select a new game, pick a gender, race and click on thief. Then look at the swashbuckler disadvantages.
This wasn't an disadvantage in the old BG2, but it is now in BG:EE.
Edit: but then, i have some mods installed, so maybe this is something modded rather than vanilla, now that you asked me if i'm sure i'm in doubt @Dee.
Rogue Rebalancing give this issue. With it Swashbucker use the Fighter's Thac0 table instead of the Thief's Thac0 table (pretty powerful) but can't dual class to fighters however (what would be useless, except for the proficiency slots).
Are people honestly suggesting the Evil Thief I've longed for not be recruitable until AFTER Spellhold? Ogh...ye gods...I think I'm gonna be sick...Uhlp...Hnnnnnng...
I doubt the new thief to be from any illegal race in BG2 (drows, deep gnomes, duergars...) so there's no need to force this lack of thief in my evil party !
I doubt the new thief to be from any illegal race in BG2 (drows, deep gnomes, duergars...) so there's no need to force this lack of thief in my evil party !
Why so? Aerie is an "Illegal" race (and an illegal class combination too boot) at least as far as base game. Dekin also (if you include NWN). So it isn't unheard of for that to happen.
Of course it is going to play havoc with party marching order but that's Ok with me.
Oh, and it's a female, right? Named jelli? And of course there is a Romance option too boot? I bet her Pick Pocket and open locks skills are HUGE because she would simply dissolve the door or person, leaving the loot on the ground.
Ya could have made her a Miconid. They are fun in a party. Of course you know that Jan would constantly be trying to smoke her, which would be a problem.
No, in fact @the_spyder, Aerie is said to be from An special class, when in truth, she's just a plain elf. No advantages or disadvantages or race features on her.
@kamuizin - there is a difference between the character race being "Based on a standard race" and being a standard race. She may be modeled on Elf, but she isn't. And will talk about it at length.
Either way, there are examples of NPCs of non-standard Player character types all throughout BG series. Dorn is a Blackguard despite the fact that Half orcs aren't supposed to be. One of the clerics in BG 1 has below the minimum stat for that class. Even if Aerie is an "Elf" she shouldn't be able to play as a Cleric/Wizard as that is not a valid player character choice. And even if there wasn't, there is nothing that says that the DEVs couldn't throw one in there.
But it's all good. I personally hope that Dee wasn't just pulling our chain. I want a female romancable gelatinous cube rogue for my BG2 party. (it's a joke. laugh with it).
Dude, dorn IS a blackguard, with proper stats, abilities, advantages and disadvantages. Aerie IS SAID to be an wing elf.
But class x race can be not suffice.
Aerie is said to be Avariel. Viconia is Drow.
This is a best comparison.
really not getting what you are getting at.
1. Can you play as an Avariel for Charname? No 2. Can you play as Drow for Charname? No 3. Can you play as a Half Orc Blackguard Charname? (not sure but I think the answer is no. Otherwise ignore this) 4. Can you play as an Elf Cleric/Wizard? No
(implied in the above is "un-modded game" and no Shadowkeeper or any other external modification software either)
In other words, there are plenty of examples of NPCs that are "illegal race" or "Illegal race / Class" combinations. I think even Quayle's WIS is below the minimum for his class, but don't quote me on that. Point is, the DEVs can make NPCs any way they want. There is nothing at all stating that they can't come up with an NPC that is an illegal race and/or class combination for BG2:EE.
Comments
As far as "After Spellhold" being a bit too late, the problem with it not being there is that you basically have three choices. Choice 1 is to take Yoshimo and then dump him for Imoen. Choice 2 is to not take him at all, which is a real shame because he is an AWESOME character. Choice number three is to take him to Spellhold and then finish the game with less than your max number of characters (mods not withstanding). None of those choices seem particularly attractive to my playing style.
And if I am playing an evil party, I really don't see Imoen fitting in very well. I do however see Yoshimo in that group. Unless I add Solaufein's mod, I am really stuck (even more so than normal with an evil party). And no one says you have to bring the new thief (???) along. But I think it would really fit a need. After all, this isn't BG1 where all NPCs can stay with you as long as you want them.
Finally if they are talking about potentially a F on F romance, Drow seem to be less concerned with the "Who" they partner with and more with the pleasure factor derived as a result. Some of the "Rituals" devoted to the worship of Lolth can get quite out of hand, or so the stories go. Kind of like the Frat parties I used to go to when I was younger.
That would make a Svirfneblin or Duergar the obvious choice. I agree that Drow have been done to death, and we now have art assets for female gnomes and dwarves.
Edit: On the other hand, from a story point of view, it might make sense to re-encounter Neera IN Spellhold. And you wouldn't want to put too many companions that far into the game.
Here's my reasoning:
First and foremost single class thief for those that want it
Swashbuckler even single classed works similarly to a fighter/thief due to its bonuses allowing some versatility.
Stats allowing dualing to fighter allow more versatility in character building and power play for those interested in such.
Swashbuckler benefits go on to level cap even when thief skills are so high more points are redundant if you stay single classed and those same benefits work well to enhance a late dual class to fighter.
Open the game and select a new game, pick a gender, race and click on thief. Then look at the swashbuckler disadvantages.
This wasn't an disadvantage in the old BG2, but it is now in BG:EE.
Edit: but then, i have some mods installed, so maybe this is something modded rather than vanilla, now that you asked me if i'm sure i'm in doubt @Dee.
Sorry @Nic_Mercy, my criticize to you was wrong.
Okay, you got us. The new NPC is a gelatinous cube. The fans spoke, and we listened.
Of course it is going to play havoc with party marching order but that's Ok with me.
Oh, and it's a female, right? Named jelli? And of course there is a Romance option too boot? I bet her Pick Pocket and open locks skills are HUGE because she would simply dissolve the door or person, leaving the loot on the ground.
Either way, there are examples of NPCs of non-standard Player character types all throughout BG series. Dorn is a Blackguard despite the fact that Half orcs aren't supposed to be. One of the clerics in BG 1 has below the minimum stat for that class. Even if Aerie is an "Elf" she shouldn't be able to play as a Cleric/Wizard as that is not a valid player character choice. And even if there wasn't, there is nothing that says that the DEVs couldn't throw one in there.
But it's all good. I personally hope that Dee wasn't just pulling our chain. I want a female romancable gelatinous cube rogue for my BG2 party. (it's a joke. laugh with it).
But class x race can be not suffice.
Aerie is said to be Avariel.
Viconia is Drow.
This is a best comparison.
1. Can you play as an Avariel for Charname? No
2. Can you play as Drow for Charname? No
3. Can you play as a Half Orc Blackguard Charname? (not sure but I think the answer is no. Otherwise ignore this)
4. Can you play as an Elf Cleric/Wizard? No
(implied in the above is "un-modded game" and no Shadowkeeper or any other external modification software either)
In other words, there are plenty of examples of NPCs that are "illegal race" or "Illegal race / Class" combinations. I think even Quayle's WIS is below the minimum for his class, but don't quote me on that. Point is, the DEVs can make NPCs any way they want. There is nothing at all stating that they can't come up with an NPC that is an illegal race and/or class combination for BG2:EE.
Maybe go on a pirate adventure before or after Spellhold