Minsc the Barbarian
CaloNord
Member Posts: 1,809
Good afternoon Forumites!
Am I the only one who routinely switches Minsc's class to a Barbarian? I find it add's a fair bit of flavour to a playthrough as there are no other barbarian NPC's and Minsc is uniquely suited to becoming one, given is his ranger kit not technically illegal? Even though they explained this away with the whole head knock thing.
I wonder what he was like BEFORE the 'accident'... *ponders*
Am I the only one who routinely switches Minsc's class to a Barbarian? I find it add's a fair bit of flavour to a playthrough as there are no other barbarian NPC's and Minsc is uniquely suited to becoming one, given is his ranger kit not technically illegal? Even though they explained this away with the whole head knock thing.
I wonder what he was like BEFORE the 'accident'... *ponders*
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Comments
That makes a lot of sense! However, didn't he mention his Berserker's Lodge in Rashemen? I remember something along those lines.
I'm not sure if the Rashemen people are barbarians or not. I always interpreted it like this:
A "Barbarian" is defined by a cultural heritage that involves wild warriors who use their rage in battle. Kind of like Branwen
A "Berserker" is just a really angry fighter who is borderline crazy. Kind of like Korgan
It seems like Minsc would fit both these categories, but I'd have to know more about Rashemen first!
I would actually like to make Branwen a Barbarian/Cleric in my next run. That makes sense roleplay-wise as well. I know barbarian is technically a fighter kit right? So could I do that using EEKeeper? @CrevsDaak should know
edit: oddly enough this is the second time I've mentioned Keanu Reeves tonight. Except the first time I meant to say Tom Cruise. Time for bed zzzz
A little on Rashemen, for those who are interested!
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Rashemen
A fascinating read!
I recommend picking her at level 1, and turning her into a level 0 Fighter/Cleric with the Barbarian kit with EEKeeper, then go back to the game and level her up. Don't change her HP the first time, open the save a second time and _then_ change the HP to the correct value of 9 (without CON bonuses).
Same goes for turning Minsc into a Berserker, Barbarian or Wizard Slayer, but don't change his class.
I routinely make Kivan an Archer. It seems better for him.
But in game mechanics, Barbarian is more fitting to him. They are terms that are used interchangeably but culturally, he is a barbarian, I think.
Khalid wanted to be a fighter/mage... but Jaheira said no.
Shar-Teel = Berserker
Tiax = Jester
Imoen = Gnome thief/illusionist
As an aside, I think barbarians are very underrated while berserkers are overrated, at least on these forums.
2nd edition lore (from Spellbound: Thay, Aglarond, and Rashemen - page 71)
Although all Rashemaar - both male and female - consider
themselves warriors, the true elite of Rashemen are
the berserkers, those fighters who capable of entering a
mad battle-rage terrifying to friend and foe alike.
When a young warrior decides to become a berserker,
he or she joins a berserker lodge - a warrior society with
an animal spirit totem from which its given fighting style
is taken. The fledgling berserker is then trained in the
various self-hypnosis and fighting techniques which are
used to create the berserker rage. The young berserker is
considered a full lodge member when he or she first goes
berserk in battle.
The lodges maintain various forts and steads throughout
Rashemen. Here, berserkers gather to sing, drink ale
and jhuild (firewine), and tell stories of valor. Each lodge
fields one or more fangs of warriors (see page 73), and
their berserkers may be called up at any time by the
huhrong or the witches, should the nation be threatened
or if a particularly powerful or challenging monster or
raiding band is abroad in the land.
In BG2, I often make Yoshimo a dualed fighter/thief. That's just making things convenient again; I don't think there's really much lore saying he should be like that.
I've made Haer'Dalis a swashbuckler when I badly needed a thief but didn't want Jan, Imoen, or Nalia (and Yoshimo, you know, does that Yoshimo thing). But then I changed him back and went thiefless. Wee!
Might try Jaheria as a totemic druid.
Imoen as a Thief/Illusionist sounds awesome to!
Also, I never liked the Barbarian class, because barbarians are a type of society in the Forgotten Realms (Conan style). There can be barbarians who are barbarians per as in people but that are not barbarians as in class which is kinda confusing @_@'
Either way, I think it makes sense for Minsc to be a ranger, due to his travels and the way Rashemi are connected with nature. He's basically the kind of ranger who is a survival expert and not a scout or forest warden like other rangers, which is just equally as valid, imo.
Also, @booinyoureyes, you should play Mask of the Betrayer, it takes place in Rashemen (and partially in Thay) and has an AMAZING atmosphere. It's on gog.com.
Nope, I cheated/ modded the shit out of my NWN2 and MotB, too.
Up to six party members? Check.
Bishop romance? Check.
Sand flirts? Check.
No more spirit-eater bar? Check.
I am every dev's nightmare :'D
The spirit eater bar was a great mechanic for the first few plays, after that it became a pain in the ass. Hahaha Likewise. :P I usually have two copies, a non modded original run as intended, then a modded version for fun re runs
I am all for a Sand mod, he is one of my favourite characters period.
And now that I think of it, "Spirit Eater Bar" sounds like a place, just like Scumm Bar xD
The description of the Feralan kit is follows:
FERALAN: What happens to children who wander in the wilderness and are never recovered? Or worse, those who are abandoned there? Many succumb to the dangers of the wild, but a fortunate few are taken in by animals, raised as a part of a lion`s brood, or a wolf`s litter. Cut off from civilization, they gradually take on the characteristics of the creatures who adopted them, forming some kind of unity with the spirit of the wild. In the process they become feralans, beings who combine the savagery of beasts with the intellect of man.
Due to their wild nature, Feralans may not be of Lawful alignment. As Rangers, they are limited to Good alignments.
Advantages:
- +10% to Stealth ability
- Gains +1 AC at first level, and a further bonus of +1 AC per 5 levels
- May go into a Feral Rage once per day per 10 levels. The enraged state lasts for 60 seconds, and grants a bonus of +2 to hit, damage, and AC, and immunity to charm, hold and fear, maze, imprisonment, stun and sleep. He also gains 15 temporary hit points
- May cast Call of the Wild once per day. This summons an animal companion who will fight for the caster for 3 rounds + 1 round/level. More powerful creatures are summoned at higher levels
Disadvantages:
- Becomes winded after Feral Rage. While he's winded he receives -2 to hit, -2 to damage and a +2 penalty to armor class.
- Limited to one proficiency point in Bastard Sword, Long Sword, Short Sword, Two - Handed Sword, Katana, Scimitar, Halberd, Flail and Crossbow
- May not wear any armour or use Large Shields
- Maximum Charisma is 2 points lower than a standard member of the race
That being said those are more role play/fluff disadvantages rather then gameplay ones.
@kiwidoc I've skimmed over Elaine Cunningham many times at the local Angus & Robertson, might have to go back for a closer look now!!