NPCs with the most "value-add", story-wise?

greckoboy

Hi, I've played through BG2 quite a few times, but I only tried a bit of BG before BGEE came out. I was wondering whether the NPCs in BG are like in BG2, where after you're done with their associated quests, they'll have side quests that trigger after some time to flesh out their characters a bit. Or can I just dump NPCs in BG aside once I've done their "main quests"? Or are some characters more fleshed-out than others?

My aim's to have the 2-3 NPCs which add the most to the story permanently in my team, and the remaining space is for "rolling subs" so I can give as many NPCs a try during just 1 playthrough. No need to worry about team balance for me; I'll manage somehow. X)

rufus_hobart

the BG1 npc's are definitely much lighter on for dialogue and quests then BG2, but they're still fun to have around...Minsc is probably the most fleshed out, or Edwin...Jaheira and Khalid also perhaps, but i've never kept them for the entire game to be sure, sorry...

ZanathKariashi

Their "quests" usually consist on one thing required to keep the character and that's it (you don't even usually get xp out of it, aside from stuff you killed a long the way), and some are just there to push you through the main plot quests, if you happen to be lost. There was no canon party till BG2 came out and said "we don't care if you're the most evil MFer in the world, you traveled with a bunch of good guys, and you liked, GD it!".

Chow

They don't really have quests. Some of them have things they're associated with, such as Xzar and Montaron being on the way to investigate the iron crisis, but nothing stops you from doing their thing even if you don't pick up the related NPCs. At worst it results in a few dialog lines less.

If NPC quests are a big thing for you, I'd recommend taking some of the new guys along. They seem to be more fleshed-out in this regard.

ZanathKariashi

Yeah, the new npcs have more BG2 styled quest lines to work with.

greckoboy

Hmm, okay, thanks everyone! Guess new guys it is; I'll have to give some of the others a try though or it won't feel like I'm experiencing the original game hahaha. Hopefully those 2 spaces left in my group is enough for everyone else...

Renulan

Edwin and Viconia are winners.

[Deleted User]

The thing about the original NPCs who have personal quests is that those quests aren't exclusive. You can usually do them without the associated NPC, they just add a little bit of color to it (as opposed to BG2, where, for example, you can't hunt for the Nether Scrolls without Edwin in the party). As others have pointed out, the new NPCs do have exclusive quests, so it's worth taking some of them along if you want some additional content.

CaptRory

Coran has a couple of quests. One when you get him in a "Do it or I leave" manner and a second in Baldur's Gate that you can get otherwise but lacks a personal touch without him.

karnor00

Rolling subs doesn't really work very well in this game. The NPCs who are sitting out don't gain xp, so when their time comes to be subbed in, they are likely to be several levels behind.