Dragon disciples in IWD?

BelgarathMTH

Hello, friends, I just started a new IWD run today, with the NPC Project, with me as a dragon disciple.

I really agonized over whether to choose DD or pure sorcerer. But, I'm thinking that in IWD, at least, the DD's advantages are kind of interesting, and maybe better than in BG2.

I've already had my life saved by my DD extra hit points when I got hit with a goblin arrow for 6 damage at level one. As a sorcerer, I would have died. As a DD with 8 hit points, I survived, ran back, and Nella was able to heal me before I got shot again.

Also, I took 18 constitution, thinking that the eventual two bonus points would put me to 20, and some handy regeneration. Not super great, but nice for an arcane caster. Also, the AC bonuses and fire resistance bonuses are going to be nice, and potentially life-saving in IWD mobs, where you can't always keep your squishy characters away from attack.

I noticed that my spell slots as a DD are the same as a specialist mage, and I have no opposed school penalties. I'm not sure that having that bonus sorcerer spell slot is all *that* telling, especially in IWD. Most people argue against the DD saying, "But, 8th and 9th level spells trump everything!" In IWD, I'm not sure I'll ever even reach that spell level. I know I can get 8th level spells during the expansions. I may not even play the expansions. Somewhere in the last possible hours of a complete run including expansions, I might get a 9th level spell. And the game will almost be over.

I'm thinking now about trying a DD for my eventual BG:EE to SoD run. I know that he will have a disadvantage from a pure sorcerer in ToB. But, I rarely ever play through ToB. I vastly prefer lower level and medium to low-high level play, levels 1-12, and then 13-20, and I've never enjoyed epic level play all that much. And, I think the DD's advantages are very, very nice to have at the lower levels I enjoy playing, plus it has a lot of role-playing opportunities embedded in its lore. I'm beginning to become a fan of the kit.

Here are a couple of screenies of my new character and IWD run:



Notice I have roughly the same hit points at level two as all the less squishy characters, and pretty decent AC, with Severn's skald song. I might actually survive an unavoidable hit or two, even without any defensive spells active.

JuliusBorisov

Good luck! Are you playing a no-reload? Whom do you have in your party? What difficulty have you chosen?

You may share your progress in the "Maybe this time" thread. It would be interesting to watch your progress, as I'm currently playing IWDEE as well.

BelgarathMTH

@bengoshi , I am playing the NPC Project party, as a minimal reload, on Core Rules, which is my permanent play style. See the screenshot above. Are you not familiar with the IWD NPC Project party? If not, I could post further screenshots and info.

I guess I could publicize the run in the no-reload thread, until and unless I get a party wipe, if there is interest. IWD makes a much easier no-reload than BG, since only a party wipe ends the run, as opposed to the death of the main character.

I don't think I'll accept any chunking of one of the NPC's, though, since I am trying to see all their banters and dialogues as I play. And of course, no chunking of myself as the main character will be accepted.

Mivsan

Dragon Disciple or not, you're still a Sorcerer kit, really powerful and able to completely break IWD through not following the scroll progression the developers had in mind, getting certain spells waaaay earlier than a Mage could.

Also, there are so many AoE scenarios in IWD that you'll have plenty of opportunities to use the DD's breath weapon and enjoy some fireworks - especially when you get some levels to increase its damage and get familiar with the cone of that ability for optimal aiming. For example, Presio's Wight hordes in Dragon's Eye or all the ice-themed creatures in the frozen aquatic temple respond really well to some fire breathing. Happy roasting!

DD's fire resistance, while not being that great, is not entirely useless either, particularly in Lower Dorn's Deep.

As for the DD in BG and SoD - it's still a very powerful class simply by virtue of being a Sorcerer kit. Having one less spell cast per level is not that big of a deal. If you feel like playing it, go for it and don't look back.

JuliusBorisov

@BelgarathMTH I know a bit about the NPC Project party but I know you can change class/kit combinations while installing that mod, so it's interesting to see what you have chosen.

And of course it would be nice to read your reports in the @Ygramul 's thread. I know you can create awesome reports, you've done it a lot of times with different games, from BG to Might and Magic and NWN. I still remember reading about your IWD2 playthrough.

Elendar

Dragon Disciples are good for soloing

BelgarathMTH

@bengoshi, Okay, no problem, here's how they're configured. Classes are in the upper right of the screenshots:

With the BG2 kits, and those weapon proficiencies that the mod authors chose, it's been a really strong party so far.

One interesting thing about this run is that, for the first time, I have no access to cleric spells in an IWD run. (Korin can be a ranger/cleric, but I like him better as an archer.) I wonder if I'll miss them? Nella is our only healer as a fighter/druid.

Ygramul

bengoshi said:

And of course it would be nice to read your reports in the @Ygramul 's thread. I know you can create awesome reports, you've done it a lot of times with different games, from BG to Might and Magic and NWN. I still remember reading about your IWD2 playthrough.

Would indeed be most welcome.
A good narrative is always appreciated. Also, the Dragon Disciple is, in fact, also my current no-reload class (proceeding at veeery slow pace due to work):

https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/40393/

lunar

Ooh so IWD npc mod works for ee now? Did not know about that. I never got the chance to play that mod in vanilla iwd. Now will be a good opportunity, then.
Does the mod have romances like iwd2 npc has? How I wish Severn was romancable.
Thank you for alerting me to this happy news!

JuliusBorisov

BelgarathMTH said:

I guess I could publicize the run in the no-reload thread, until and unless I get a party wipe, if there is interest. IWD makes a much easier no-reload than BG, since only a party wipe ends the run, as opposed to the death of the main character.

Now thanks to the CamDawg's mod, it can be changed. I've changed it in my game already.

@lunar It's been working for a while already, it even had a new version not long ago.

BelgarathMTH

@lunar, I think it's possible for a female charname to romance Holvir, and for a male to romance either Nella or Teri, but don't quote me on that, because I'm not sure. I'm not a fan of romances, and if I smell one in the dialogues, I'll give a "let's just be friends" response as soon as one is available.