Single Best Mod NPC? Suggestions?
Calemyr
Member Posts: 238
In honor of BG3 news coming out recently, and current events keeping me in my apartment, I've booted my BG2EE back up and started killing my time with different permutations of the game.
The next one I want to do is what I'm calling a "maximum plot party". One consistent party (except for Imoen shenanigans, leaving space for required cameos for certain plot-lines like Valygar, Neera, or Rasaad) with a party that's either as tightly knit as I can manage, or filled with fun interactions, preferably both.
The one rule here is only one mod-introduced party member. This does not include mods that augment BG2EE characters (like Wilson, Bear Paragon or the NPC Flirt and Banter Packs). It's really hard to get good party interaction with multiple Mod NPCs, as they tend to ignore each other for the most part, but one can serve as the glue and the spice that makes everything else work.
The question is, does anyone have any suggestions on the NPC? It doesn't need to be a romanceable character, just one that adds a lot to the story and really brings a party together.
The next one I want to do is what I'm calling a "maximum plot party". One consistent party (except for Imoen shenanigans, leaving space for required cameos for certain plot-lines like Valygar, Neera, or Rasaad) with a party that's either as tightly knit as I can manage, or filled with fun interactions, preferably both.
The one rule here is only one mod-introduced party member. This does not include mods that augment BG2EE characters (like Wilson, Bear Paragon or the NPC Flirt and Banter Packs). It's really hard to get good party interaction with multiple Mod NPCs, as they tend to ignore each other for the most part, but one can serve as the glue and the spice that makes everything else work.
The question is, does anyone have any suggestions on the NPC? It doesn't need to be a romanceable character, just one that adds a lot to the story and really brings a party together.
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Comments
Isra probably has the more interesting side-quest, and she gets turn undead (though at the reduced Paladin level). She also is one of the more unique character types, exploring one of the lesser known faiths.
However, once she gets Carsomyr, Sirene becomes a siege engine all on her own - and she actually becomes a very nice NPC companion one you get through her tough shell. You do miss out on all but the most essential divine magic (she has four innate abilities), but she can tank with the best of them.
I haven taken both from BG1 to BG2 (haven't made it to ToB yet) and I now consider them essential party members.
I've taken both of the Paladins up to Spellhold, but not further. Both are excellent. Other ones I really liked were Sheena and Tyris Flare. Honestly, Sheena is awesome with her dragon form and would be my go-to if she weren't SoA-only and her romance didn't leave her life-linked and low CON.
I think Sirene can use paladin spells but cannot turn undead or use ranged weapons.
https://artisans-corner.com/sirene-npc-for-bgee-and-bgsod/
That said, I believe you get a couple of options for which kit she uses. I believe I selected inquisitor instead of martyr.
I don't know if I'm really interested in doing the entire trilogy over yet again. BG1 is pretty dull and requires heavy modding to be interesting, while SoD is a frustrating shaggy dog story where the adventure is built on a lie, the resolution is unsatisfying, and the conclusion manages to be even more blatantly railroad-y than a pre-sequel like this would naturally require. Only saving graces SoD offers are Corwin and M'khiin, and they are not so much as mentioned in post 2.0 BG2EE. As such, I tend to just use EEKeeper to augment my BG2EE character as if I'd gone through them again (250k XP, stat boosts from the books, golden pantaloons). I might do so if the character is worth it.
If you ARE willing and able to romance an NPC, I would highly recommend FADE. Her mod adds a LOT of content and dialogue to quests like the Guarded compound, the Underdark, Firkraag's dungeon, and the Bodhi abduction. She also makes for a highly efficient backstabber, especially if you choose the option to maker her a shadowdancer.
A few words of warning though:
-I don't know how much of said content would still be available if you don't romance her.
-She doesn't become available until Chapt. 3, and you MUST side with the Shadow Thieves in order to get her.
There's been a few updates to the mod that have changed her base kit as well as other options for what to install her as.
This was the description of her kit when I played her:
Faren wasn't bad either, but wouldn't be my first choice.
@minsc4prez I guess you mean Weimer's Solaufein (not mine), and it's "broken" because Weimer's mod wasn't converted to EE yet.
nah it works in EE, its just broken because Solaufein is overpowered af. Like he just destroys everything in his path and any sense of challenge goes out the window. But God help you if Bodhi gets him lol
Clara from the "All things Mazzy" mod was surprisingly good imo. The mod lets you kill Hexxat and revive Clara, and she can join you. She starts at a really low level (3), and the party basically acts as mentors to her. She has dialogues with everyone but Wilson (so far) where different party members reach her different things. These interactions give her better stats and some special abilities. As far as I know, there isn't another NPC that has this dynamic.
Next on my list to try will be the Angelo mod.
This is a MUST install mod for anyone.
Aside from the fact that Angelo himself is a colorful character, he also offers you a VERY useful item when you meet him (which you can keep even if you don't let him in) AND it installs a pair of merchants in the Temple District who sell some very useful stuff as well.
Angelo too, though not for his item. I remember reading his first meeting introduction and I was already hooked, and the writing was great.
Sirene is mentioned, and I already read a lot of her writing and always been a fan of the mod author, especially their skill with technical mechanics in classes. A good choice if you've played her BG1 with her for the complete playthrough experience.
Kelsey is a good pick from older mod choices. But it is also an older mod, and I find the character a bit uninteresting compared to others.
I don't like normal Clara, so it's hard for me to recommend the opportunity to use her from All Things Mazzy. But if you've wanted to explore more of the character through another author's vision, it could be another choice. I don't like all the mods writing, situations, or content choices but the writing excels when handling character to character banter, and probably has some of the best I've seen.
One day I'll write a full review for some of these mods.
Personally though, I'd pick an original character over an expanded old/new character for a single NPC mod slot, just for the experience.
One solution to multiple Mod NPCs is to find mods from the same author, as they tend to have crossmod with eachother. But I actually agree with a mix as well for SoD/BG2. For BG1 I would probably lean to an all custom NPC mod party.
Be advised that if you intend to romance Isra, there's a LOT of requirements - good alignment only, at least 13 char, and a high rep that you need to keep building higher, just off the top of my head.
She'll romance a character of either gender, though.
Agreed. There's a bit of cringy homebrew stuff pulled off a wiki for some halfing, uh, "racial behaviour".
This is what I've heard too. Same is true of Sirene I believe.
sirene's starts in sod.