Tiax??
sylvanus
Member Posts: 27
Has anyone ever used Tiax? Apart from being hilarious, is he any good?
I often find that by the time I get to Baldur's Gate I have collected all the NPCs I want. I have never used Quayle or Tiax or Skie for this reason.
I often find that by the time I get to Baldur's Gate I have collected all the NPCs I want. I have never used Quayle or Tiax or Skie for this reason.
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He also gets a summon ghast ability that is pretty useful if only because it is quicker at casting than Animate Dead, has 3 APR and the ghast itself is immune to a number of different status effects (as well as it being able to paralyze a foe it hits).
So I'd say he's pretty good.
The main drawback to Tiax is how late in the game you find him. Unless you plan to pick him up from the beginning, it can be hard to fit him in by the time you stumble across the crazy guy. I still don't understand the logic of the original designers in where they placed potential companions. Tiax, for instance, could have as easily appeared in Beregost or even Nashkel. Standing around outside Flaming Fist HQ doesn't seem to be crucial to his character. Alora, at least, has an introduction that makes her BG location make some sense.
His special ability really can make him shine (as well as his personality). It's a unique feature, unmatched - nobody can summon a ghast except Tiax. This ghast can help in difficult fights a lot. Plus you can use Tiax for some thieving skills - for setting traps, for example. Traps + ghast work wonders.
The main problem with Tiax is not his stats nor his abilities - it's his location, the problem. More often than not a charname comes to the city of BG with an already formed party and there simply can be no place for Tiax. The longer I travel with certain NPCs the more I become attached to them and it's hard for me to say farewell to a friend who often saved the party in difficult situations.
One component of the SCS mod actually moves Tiax to Beregost - it's a very good option.
You should probably install BG2 Tweaks even on a mostly vanilla install.
For these simple reasons.
1) He's a gnome so has pretty decent saves against spells and wands. 16 con is the best in this slot. so good hp.
2) His skills if I remember, are spread pretty evenly. So no biggie when it comes to specialising later.
3) Summon ghast is the best ability, beyond doubt. The ghast cannot be petrified and also cannot be charmed so is great against wizards.
4) He has a great soundset, and says some of the most memorable quotes from the game.
5) Did I mention he is a Gnome?
6) Thief backstabbing and cleric buffs makes the weak stats (in strength especially) obsolete. Also with the introduction of more powerful clubs (I think Amarande in the tree house wields a mighty one...) makes back-stabbing more back-kerchunking.
7) Also clerics don't really suffer from weight restrictions as you can load up on equipment you can't use when strength is buffed and then leave it equipped when the buff wears off.
8) You gotta love the fact that, Tiax is a gnome.
9) Tiax will murder Quayle for you, saving you a job.
10) Tiax is a gnome! How cool is that!
As you can see, 10 powerful reasons to take Tiax along to the party! Shame on you for not taking him as your default option. The ghast ability is reason alone.
As for not taking Quayle... ALL THE SPELLS! ALL OF THEM! Basically Aerie in BG1. Plus a chance for a bit of Gnome on Gnome action with Tiax!
Skie... Is okay... But Alora is better... Actually so is nearly every other thief... pah...
As for the late joining. Head straight there. Forget those side quests. Leave them for later!
When I played the game originally, I was on a par level wise when I met the characters in the city. Who thought you could make so much xp visiting random houses... (I never found Miriam or Firebead until about my 5th playthrough do you believe, so don't worry about meeting them supposedly late.