Trying Something Different (For Me) – Opinions Please

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Every party I’ve played invariably falls back to what is essentially a melee-based approach, and frankly, I’m getting a bit tired of it. So I’m looking for something different.

To set the stage:
I’m playing Tactics mod (I’ll probably use core rule for this run-through);
I want to do Unfinished Business;
I want to de-emphasize reliance on tanks (definitely not a kensai, because I always seem to use one);
I want to play classes that I haven’t used before (or not much);
I want good NPC interaction;
I want do a stronghold other than Fighter (I’m sick of it) or Thief (never done it, but based on other people’s comments, I don’t think I want it) or Mage (done it already).

What I have in mind is this:

Me – Totemic Druid. Never tried it. Female, because I want to use –

Kelsey (Sorcerer) – never tried him, and I don’t have much experience with sorcerers. The romance might be a bit weird (since I’m a guy), but anyway…

Minsc – Barbarian (from the Alternate NPC mod). For Unfinished Business.

Valygar – Wizard Slayer (from the Alternate NPC mod). For Unfinished Business.

Jan – because I need a basic thief. And given that I’m trying to put less emphasis on melee, I think the extra mage could be useful.

Sixth spot is open for quest-based NPC’s. I’d prefer not to have six permanent members (actually, I would have preferred to keep it to only four, but I couldn’t decide who to drop), but I’m open to suggestions.

So, what do you think?
Are there any glaring deficiencies here?
Will I have to rely on a non-melee approach (which is my goal)? Or am I likely to fall back on melee because that will end up being the “easy way out”?
Anything you would change (keeping in mind what I want to get out of this game)?
Any suggestions on weapons, armor, spell choices, etc.?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

The party's okay.
If you're not going to be using tanks, at least you need bait. Summoning spells from your druid should be enough, though.

No deficiencies, you have the best of most departments.
If you really want a non-melee approach, try replacing Minsc and/or Valygar with Viconia/Jaheira/Mazzy, or anyone who can hold the ground so your casters don't become targets. Have these go ** on Sword and Shield Style so you won't be relying too much on melee, and so you won't be worrying about them too much while you micromanage your casters.
Your choice may depend on what kind of interaction you want, though.

 

The only reason I want Minsc and Valygar is for Unfinished Business. I suppose I could restrict Minsc to Xbows to lower the melee factor, but that seems kind of artificial, and just doesn't seem appropriate for Minsc. And I suspect that Valygar as a w/s could be an interesting character; I may restrict him to attacking spellcasters only.

This just occurred to me - does a wizard slayer's 10% spell failure attack apply to ranged weapons? It seems to me that I've seen this asked a few times before, but the answers were conflicting.

 

Aye, the 10% magic failure is in missile weapons as well, and therefore a improved hasted wizardslayer is VERY good with a fast bow, but I just use swords so what do I know.

 

Splunge, Kelsey will be one of your most powerful characters because he is a Sorcerer.
Sorcerer is actually invincible at high levels, so a bit overpowered.
Have fun!

 

Dare I suggest you try my own 'no buying magical items' rule? You can buy spell scrolls (since mages do trade spell knowledge), but not protection scrolls. And no potions allowed either.

You'll soon discover that the game maker's have been very sparse on certain potions, which makes using the ones you find a real matter for careful thought.

 

Heh, that rule is so random, Magical items are found pretty quickly and easily even in P&P Senior Keldor . You got a good party, but I've actually never heard of that sorcerer, (is he from the mod?). I'd suggest Edwin over Jan though. In the end Knock and Detect traps does the trick, if you really need a thief you can always use the sixth slot for one!

Just my thoughts though, I haven't gotten into bg2 that much, I just create characters and go on a weekly basis, doing different things here and there.

[ February 10, 2004, 03:09: Message edited by: omnigodly ]

 

I'd go with a Bard (the most underestimated class in BG2) - preferably Skald. Keep him singing and give him a ranged weapon, I'd go for Short Bow (*minor spoiler*
*
*
what's it called, the 3 shots/round bow from coppers coronet)
*
*
and you got your sixth man/woman.

 

Hmm, I forgot about this thread.

@keldor – thanks for the suggestion, but for me, part of fun in the game is raising enough gold to buy certain items. I wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation (I know, I’m weak).

@spetznaz – thanks as well, but I think I’ll save that one for an “all-rogue” party that I’m considering.

Anyway, I'm just about to get back into this game, so I think I'll go with what I originally posted. Thanks to everyone who replied.