CHAPTER 1 | CHAPTER 2 | CHAPTER 3 | CHAPTER 4 | CHAPTER 5 | CHAPTER 6 | CHAPTER 7 | CHAPTER 8 | CHAPTER 9 | CHAPTER 10 | |
Avastrian | Jaheira | Anomen | Keldorn | Minsc during Shadows of Amn | Sarevok during Throne of Bhaal | Imoen Asteroth | Korgan | Sarevok during Throne of Bhaal | Jan Jansen | Viconia | Edwin The Other NPCs |
Yoshimo, M TN Human Bounty Hunter
Attributes
Strength | 17 |
Dexterity | 18 |
Constitution | 16 |
Intelligence | 13 |
Wisdom | 10 |
Charisma | 14 |
Why He's Not Included
He makes a decent substitute for Imoen until the good party can get her back. After that, the plot literally forces him against me.
Nalia, F NG Human Mage/Thief
Attributes
Strength | 14 |
Dexterity | 18 |
Constitution | 16 |
Intelligence | 17 |
Wisdom | 9 |
Charisma | 13 |
Why She's Not Included
Her thieving skills are inferior to Imoen's. I thus view her as a poor man's Imoen.
Valygar
Attributes
Strength | 17 |
Dexterity | 18 |
Constitution | 16 |
Intelligence | 10 |
Wisdom | 14 |
Charisma | 10 |
Why He's Not Included
There's nothing really wrong with Valygar. He can be a very effective fighter, especially with good enough armor and a Strength-enhancing item. It's really a matter of preference. A dual-wielding character cannot use missile weapons. A lot of my tactics are based on having an invulnerable character absorb the onslaught alone while the rest of the party contributes from a safe distance. I thus prefer to have a buffed-up Fighter/Mage as my dual-wielding character. In the end, Minsc fits better with my party design than does Valygar.
Cernd, M TN Human Stalker
Attributes
Strength | 13 |
Dexterity | 13 |
Constitution | 9 |
Intelligence | 12 |
Wisdom | 18 |
Charisma | 15 |
Why He's Not Included
Cernd and Jaheira are an apples and oranges comparison. Cernd will proceed much faster to the coveted 15th level as a Druid, when 6th and 7th level spells will become much more plentiful. For me, a key consideration is that my use of Druid spells is infrequent and situational. I thus like to have my Druid be able to participate in physical combat as well. Cernd's Werewolf form is pretty weak unless you download the Improved Shapeshifter mod, but then I've heard that it becomes game-breaking. At any rate I get Jaheira earlier, and come Throne of Bhaal she becomes both a powerful warrior and a powerful spellcaster who can almost do it all. And besides, I prefer Jaheira for other reasons that are obvious. ;)
Haer'Dalis, M CN Tiefling Blade
Attributes
Strength | 17 |
Dexterity | 17 |
Constitution | 9 |
Intelligence | 15 |
Wisdom | 13 |
Charisma | 16 |
Why He's Not Included
Again, there's really nothing wrong with Haer'Dalis. But for my tactics I prefer to use a Fighter/Mage instead of a Blade. I don't really have room for three arcane spellcasters, as there's only so many spell scrolls to go around.
Mazzy, F LG Halfling Fighter
Attributes
Strength | 15 |
Dexterity | 18 |
Constitution | 16 |
Intelligence | 10 |
Wisdom | 13 |
Charisma | 14 |
Why She's Not Included
Mazzy is certainly a serviceable NPC, especially if she gets a strength-enhancing item. Problem is, I just don't find any of the short swords all that useful, even after the Item Upgrade mod.
Aerie, F LG Elven Cleric/Mage
Attributes
Strength | 10 |
Dexterity | 17 |
Constitution | 9 |
Intelligence | 16 |
Wisdom | 16 |
Charisma | 14 |
Why She's Not Included
Aerie can definitely become a powerful NPC. And I acknowledge there are legitimate reasons why many gamers like to use her. She's the only NPC that can use the Robe of Vecna to cast Clerical spells with much reduced casting times (e.g. Heal, Storm of Vengeance, etc.), and can combine those same Clerical spells in things like a Time Stop, a Spell Trigger, or a Spell Sequencer. The sky is the limit for Aerie, although it will take time to get her there. She could definitely work in a party that involves a different Bhaalspawn protagonist. But I do have a deep-seated preference for playing a Fighter/Mage. In the end, my choice to exclude Aerie from the good party is more of a stylistic one than anything else.