I'm fine with their "deviant" ability scores. I just wish we were privy to the stories behind them.
Example:
Charname: "Kagain, while I'm well aware of the Dwarven reputation for hardiness, you seem to recover from your wounds without recourse to healing spells or potions."
Kagain: "Even a Dwarf's got a limit to his stamina."
Charname: "Care to let me in on how you managed to develop that 'talent?'"
Kagain: "Shut yer trap before it gets you into trouble!"
Charname: "Ah. Now I see. It was one of the stipulations you made in a pact with a Baatezu, wasn't it?"
Hence why there is shadowkeeper ect. I know some people feel like that is cheating but, to each his own. Currently playing through BG:EE with an evil drow archer (love shadowkeeper). However does kinda irk me when they bend the rules for their pet NPCs.
The biggest problem with Edwin's amulet is that it cant be taken from him even on death and neck slot items, in both games, as well as boots are completely unexciting.
The best amulet's in BG2 and TOB are the amulet of power, which is a good item but not on par with Edwin's, its also class retricted and of the Master Harper, which is TOB only and not far behind Edwins Amulet, but only for rogues, a chunk of its bonus is lost as a thief will likely have maxed their skills by the time its available. Boots are even worse off, they are situationally useful at best other then boots of speed. It would be nice if there where other useful options for both categories, it would also be nice to take Edwin's amulet, even if you have to kill him for it.
The biggest problem with Edwin's amulet is that it cant be taken from him even on death and neck slot items, in both games, as well as boots are completely unexciting.
The best amulet's in BG2 and TOB are the amulet of power, which is a good item but not on par with Edwin's, its also class retricted and of the Master Harper, which is TOB only and not far behind Edwins Amulet, but only for rogues, a chunk of its bonus is lost as a thief will likely have maxed their skills by the time its available. Boots are even worse off, they are situationally useful at best other then boots of speed. It would be nice if there where other useful options for both categories, it would also be nice to take Edwin's amulet, even if you have to kill him for it.
The biggest problem with Edwin's amulet is that it cant be taken from him even on death and neck slot items, in both games, as well as boots are completely unexciting.
The best amulet's in BG2 and TOB are the amulet of power, which is a good item but not on par with Edwin's, its also class retricted and of the Master Harper, which is TOB only and not far behind Edwins Amulet, but only for rogues, a chunk of its bonus is lost as a thief will likely have maxed their skills by the time its available. Boots are even worse off, they are situationally useful at best other then boots of speed. It would be nice if there where other useful options for both categories, it would also be nice to take Edwin's amulet, even if you have to kill him for it.
It's one of the standard rules of magic that many of the most powerful items only function for certain individuals.
I don't have a problem at all with NPCs having non-standard abilities, stats, etc. It adds flavour and after all, throughout the games there are opportunities to acquire additional stats, who is to say Kagain didn't find his own con tome?
The only thing I'll say is that Edwin's amulet is a bit much. One extra spell per level would have been really powerful, two is a bit silly. Add that to the fact that the only spell of great worth Conjurers miss out on throughout the whole saga is True Sight which can easily be covered by the party and you have a needlessly powerful character with three more spells/level than a vanilla mage with little disadvantage (not that that ever stopped me taking him!)
@Fardragon is right. Selective use of magic items is a standard fantasy trope. It honestly makes me wonder why I can't recall any rules for it in 3E or Pathfinder's rather comprehensive magic item creation rules.
I don't have a problem at all with NPCs having non-standard abilities, stats, etc. It adds flavour and after all, throughout the games there are opportunities to acquire additional stats, who is to say Kagain didn't find his own con tome?
The only thing I'll say is that Edwin's amulet is a bit much. One extra spell per level would have been really powerful, two is a bit silly. Add that to the fact that the only spell of great worth Conjurers miss out on throughout the whole saga is True Sight which can easily be covered by the party and you have a needlessly powerful character with three more spells/level than a vanilla mage with little disadvantage (not that that ever stopped me taking him!)
Edwin's amulet only gives him 1 bonus spell, the other bonus spell is from being a Conjurer. He gets a total of 1 more spell per level than a Conjurer Charname.
I don't have a problem at all with NPCs having non-standard abilities, stats, etc. It adds flavour and after all, throughout the games there are opportunities to acquire additional stats, who is to say Kagain didn't find his own con tome?
The only thing I'll say is that Edwin's amulet is a bit much. One extra spell per level would have been really powerful, two is a bit silly. Add that to the fact that the only spell of great worth Conjurers miss out on throughout the whole saga is True Sight which can easily be covered by the party and you have a needlessly powerful character with three more spells/level than a vanilla mage with little disadvantage (not that that ever stopped me taking him!)
Edwin's amulet only gives him 1 bonus spell, the other bonus spell is from being a Conjurer. He gets a total of 1 more spell per level than a Conjurer Charname.
@Eudaemonium In BG2 it gives two bonus spells. I've no idea what original BG1 was so maybe it got a nerf in the EE? (And maybe it'll get nerfed in 2EE too?)
Edwin's amulet only gives him 1 bonus spell, the other bonus spell is from being a Conjurer. He gets a total of 1 more spell per level than a Conjurer Charname.
Eudaemonium In BG2 it gives two bonus spells. I've no idea what original BG1 was so maybe it got a nerf in the EE? (And maybe it'll get nerfed in 2EE too?)
So he started with 4 spells each level? I'm pretty sure he's always started with three. (base mage, specialist, red wizard bonus). If he got another one that would imply he was a zulkir (rulers of Thay: get *another* bonus spell).
Edwin's amulet only gives him 1 bonus spell, the other bonus spell is from being a Conjurer. He gets a total of 1 more spell per level than a Conjurer Charname.
Eudaemonium In BG2 it gives two bonus spells. I've no idea what original BG1 was so maybe it got a nerf in the EE? (And maybe it'll get nerfed in 2EE too?)
So he started with 4 spells each level? I'm pretty sure he's always started with three. (base mage, specialist, red wizard bonus). If he got another one that would imply he was the rightful king of Westeros: gets *another* bonus spell).
I'm playing with a mod that makes some npcs available early. On my first ever evil run after 12 years, I discover tiax's special ability. Downright broken for early game haha. Seriously the abilities add amazing flavour!
It's one of the standard rules of magic that many of the most powerful items only function for certain individuals.
It's what makes it magic, and not science.
I would be fine if the item was only usable by Edwin, but the item only exists in his neck slot and disappears with his death. There would of course be one type of character that could make use of the item, and only if they hold on to it until very high levels. Mostly my problem is the fact that necklace items in BG2 and TOB are mostly garbage and there are only two that actually make a difference by equipping them, and certainly not the difference that Edwin's makes. Actually, if his unique item where a ring the whole thing would be moot, as he would actually be giving up a valuable slot to have his benefit.
I think people are getting a bit hung up on Edwin's amulet. Edwin's amulet is just the in-game jury-rigged way for him to get the benefits of being a Red Wizard without the developers needing to create a special kit just for him. Lore-wise he does not actually get his extra spell from the amulet, but from his training in Thay. The item is just a workaround. It makes no sense for anybody else to gain its benefit.
I never liked Imoen, so you can imagine my annoyance that she became an even bigger part of the plot in the second game. I much prefer to roll with a whole new band for each game.
I never liked Imoen, so you can imagine my annoyance that she became an even bigger part of the plot in the second game. I much prefer to roll with a whole new band for each game.
Just console yourself that she died tragically in Spellhold. At least she will in my game.
@scriver Odd. I've had Imoen die in Irenicus' Dungeon before. she somehow ended up on the surface regardless though.
It's possible it only triggers her "no I have to get out of here" dialogue and forces her out of the party but leaves her killable if you do enough damage before it or during the few seconds after it before she disappears.
Oh i'm fine with them, as long as they match their character, or have a role-playing aspect.
We have special abilities too, and especially in BG2, well, i don't wanna spoil anyone who hasn't seen it yet, but... we are more special than anyone else.
Doesn't matter regardless. Half the crap the main character can get is technically rigged stats. Special powers that let you cast minor spells outside of class norm? Check. Books that can permanently increase stats beyond 18-19 regardless of class or race? Check (with tomes in the first game, a half-orc can have 20 Str and Con, and 19 Dex, among raises to other stats). Special boosts to various stats near the end of the second game that carry over to Throne of Bhaal? Check (immunity to all normal weapons and resistances to all elements? Raising of various stats? Crazy).
Other crazy abilities that no other character can recieve and I'd mention but spoilers exist? Check.
Regardless of how you spec your main character; unless you PURPOSEFULLY gimp him/her, the Player-Character will be more powerful than any extra-abilities the NPCs carry with them. Way I figure it, the NPCs were made that way because the PC was getting all that cool stuff, they might as well give the NPCs special abilities that set them apart from their peers as well.
Comments
Example:
The best amulet's in BG2 and TOB are the amulet of power, which is a good item but not on par with Edwin's, its also class retricted and of the Master Harper, which is TOB only and not far behind Edwins Amulet, but only for rogues, a chunk of its bonus is lost as a thief will likely have maxed their skills by the time its available. Boots are even worse off, they are situationally useful at best other then boots of speed. It would be nice if there where other useful options for both categories, it would also be nice to take Edwin's amulet, even if you have to kill him for it.
It's what makes it magic, and not science.
The only thing I'll say is that Edwin's amulet is a bit much. One extra spell per level would have been really powerful, two is a bit silly. Add that to the fact that the only spell of great worth Conjurers miss out on throughout the whole saga is True Sight which can easily be covered by the party and you have a needlessly powerful character with three more spells/level than a vanilla mage with little disadvantage (not that that ever stopped me taking him!)
In BG2 it gives two bonus spells. I've no idea what original BG1 was so maybe it got a nerf in the EE? (And maybe it'll get nerfed in 2EE too?)
ps; you forgot the Pit's Master too btw (and also Haer'Dalis whole race..that likes Aerie too, damn!), etc..
im(h)o..
I would be fine if the item was only usable by Edwin, but the item only exists in his neck slot and disappears with his death. There would of course be one type of character that could make use of the item, and only if they hold on to it until very high levels. Mostly my problem is the fact that necklace items in BG2 and TOB are mostly garbage and there are only two that actually make a difference by equipping them, and certainly not the difference that Edwin's makes. Actually, if his unique item where a ring the whole thing would be moot, as he would actually be giving up a valuable slot to have his benefit.
Odd. I've had Imoen die in Irenicus' Dungeon before. she somehow ended up on the surface regardless though.
We have special abilities too, and especially in BG2, well, i don't wanna spoil anyone who hasn't seen it yet, but... we are more special than anyone else.
Other crazy abilities that no other character can recieve and I'd mention but spoilers exist? Check.
Regardless of how you spec your main character; unless you PURPOSEFULLY gimp him/her, the Player-Character will be more powerful than any extra-abilities the NPCs carry with them. Way I figure it, the NPCs were made that way because the PC was getting all that cool stuff, they might as well give the NPCs special abilities that set them apart from their peers as well.
Also, I wanna Sorcerer/Monk for my Charname. Well, one of my Charnames. You know what I mean.