Woodrow Wilson
Thesblah
Member Posts: 56
Does Wilson have any interesting banter with other characters? I'm considering replacing Aerie with him. I'm assuming he's more interesting and useful.
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Also, I must be using Aerie wrong because she levels slowly, is nowhere near the mage that Edwin is, is nowhere near the cleric Viconia is, can't really melee well (unless she uses her cleric buffs), and seems overall weaker than everyone else in my party. Jaheira even seems more useful.
As for Wilson, I've never used him myself, but I think he is basically just an Easter Egg, like Baeloth in BG1, I would be very surprised if he had much content. Mechanically he is pretty useless due to all the item restrictions, and certainly much weaker than Aerie.
If you want a powerhouse to replace Aerie, I'd recommend Anomen if you don't already have him.
Jaheira and Viconia round out divine spells better than poor Aerie. Edwin is light-years ahead of Aerie.
I suppose if a team didn't have many casters, she would be useful. However, why would a team not choose the better options?
He also is extremely weak against Mind Flayers (1 hit kills him) and vampires (his level determines his effectiveness to a much greater extent than a normal fighter). Basically he requires a lot of micromanagement. Much more than most fighters. He is fine for a novelty run (or like a nature roleplaying run) but I can't say I'd recommend him over any of the other NPCs.
1. He has a whopping 18 constitution and regenerates, while Woodrow Wilson had no respect for the Constitution.
2. The former president only had 14 Points. Wilson starts with 58 and gains one more in strength every 8 levels.
3. Woodrow Wilson couldn't even stop prohibition. You try telling a grizzly bear he can't drink. Potions are like the only items he can use!
As a fun fact, if you check his spellbook, he has all three Wild Mage spell. It is utterly useless but I noticed it.
Then again, I've never seen his romance.
I usually gave her that 18str mace, unless Viconia needs it (use the Strength wizard spell in that case), a good shield and whatever helm will work. You can put Cleric spells into her sequencers/contingencies/triggers btw. At high levels, Aerie has heaps options, drawing HLAs from 2 pools. She's in the running for most powerful NPC at high levels, but is a bit of a underwhelming at first. She has a good personality imho, try bring Haer Dallis as long as you aren't romancing her.
Part of the problem is that in addition to weak AC, he's also got weak saving throws (and obviously can't use any save-boosting equipment or potions), so he'll quite often be caught out by a hold/stun/etc. (Of course the Resist Magic HLA helps, but only some of the time.) When this happens, others have to stop what they're doing and help Wilson, or he'll be dead meat.
But just test it yourself: max level Wilson with IH is perma 10APR. Just take critical strike and hardiness as HLA, then come and tell me that Wilson is that bad.
Plus his attacks can't bypass stoneskin (pretty essential for a warrior character) and his attacks won't work against creatures (like liches) that cast Improved Mantle until he hits level 19 (2.75 million xp).
They already spent time structuring the character's ability advancements as he progressed in levels. I don't see why they couldn't take a moment to make a few adjustments to the character.
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/38244/suggested-simple-wilson-improvements
- at least level 9 cleric (450k xp)
- Minor Sequencer with Draw Upon Holy Might and Shocking Grasp
- Polymorph Self -> Spider Form
- Target Self with Minor Sequencer
- Have Edwin cast Haste or Improved Haste
Result:
19+ strength spider attacking 5 to 8 times round with Flail of Ages or your favourite Sling.
Adding Spell Sequencer and Spell Trigger later only improved this (Righteous Magic for max damage and 25 strength, yes please!). In ToB you can do it with Shapechange as well which opens up a whole new set of special abilities.
Alternatively, use the Minor Sequencer to cast a double Doom or similar on tough mobs before having another caster hit them with a disable.
She really needs scrolls when you get her, but Aerie has some strong options other casters don't. Aerie is powerful the way Jan is, and has an equally live/hate personality. Heck, the ability to cast Smite Good is probably good enough to put her well above Viconia. Very very handy spell, not gamebreaking but solid.