IA 5.0 Party Ideas

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Since IA 5.0 is released, I'm thinking about what party I want to take through. I figure this thread can serve for anyone who's looking for party feedback, so I'll start with my current idea:

--Protagonist – Vagrant – TWF Flail and ?? (Scimitar maybe)

--Valygar – Stalker – TWF Corthala Blade and Dagger

--Minsc – Berserker – Longsword/Shield

--Jaheira – Ranger/Cleric – Hammer/Shield; Flail/Shield

--Aerie – Cleric/Mage Sling/Shield; Mace/Shield; Staff

--Nalia – Swashbuckler/Mage – Shortbow; Shortsword/Buckler; Staff

What I like about this party is that it has 4 melee power houses, which is particularly important for IA, 2 arcane casters and 2 divine casters. There are also some special items and quests in the game for a Vagrant protagonist, so I'll get to experience a lot of the new content with this party.

What I don't like is that both of my divine casters level slowly, so I won't ever have a truly lethal turn undead ability in the party, and will have to wait to get high level divine spells like greater restoration. I also don't like that I won't have access to UAI, as this is highly valuable in the late game, but oh well on that I guess.

Thoughts or suggestions from others on this party? Do others have party ideas they wish to share?

 

Looks like a fine party you've got going there .

I'm going to go for almost the same party as I did on my last run-through, meaning:

Me - vagrant (was R/C last time, but I don't wanna miss out on all the sweet new quests for this kit)
PC - Fighter/Mage (multi)
PC - Fighter/Thief (dual)
PC - Necromancer (or sorc... or wild mage, )
Jaheira - Ranger/cleric
Minsc - berserker

Just as you I'll miss out on some clerical powers, especially early on - and we all know that clerics rawk in IA (though I'm still torn between going for a pure cleric or a F/M), but you can't have it all, and this'll still be a very deadly party combo.

Meh, going stong on like me 18th hour without sleep, so I'll have to get back to you when my brain starts working again ).

 

Appreciate the feedback. I suggest you get some rest!

Are you considering using Imoen for that sorcerer slot? I guess she morphs to a sorcerer in IA 5.0, after Irenicus has his way with her.

 

Aye. If I end up deciding to go for a sorcerer then I'll use a PC until she comes available.

If only I could! There's a guy coming to check my heater in some 3 hours and after that I've got an appointment at my Doctor .

 

Just a quick note:

Flail is a must. I also suggest replacing scimitar with long sword.

 

@Sikret

One point of clarification related to the longsword suggestion. For swords like Judgment Day and The Truth, does the requirement that they be wielded by "single class warriors" include all single class fighters, rangers, and paladins? I guess I initially assumed that you were allowing these weapons specifically for "fighters." But on second thought, the term warrior can be applied to rangers and paladins as well.

I had originally intended making Judgment Day a target for Minsc (hopefully you haven’t made this encounter any more difficult, since it was plenty hard last time)!! Perhaps I should reserve the truly special sword for my protagonist, though, if he’s actually capable of wielding it.

If so, I guess I need to rethink what weapon I give Minsc. I suppose there are still a decent assortment of long swords, The Truth and Hesperus being at the top of the list. Axe is another possibility, as Volcano and even the traditional improved Axe of the Unyielding make worthy targets. Or perhaps I let his AC suffer and give him a big, two handed weapon, as I don’t have any of those represented yet. Jaheira would need to become my main tank, in that case, I suppose.

Possibilities….

 

Yes, it does. Rangers and paladins are warriors too.

That's good that you mentioned axes. As you know there is a new quest which is specifically for vagrant protagonists. At the end of that quest (if you finish it successfully) you will be rewarded with a relic axe which is usable only by vagrants (and stalkers). So proficiency points on axes is also a very good idea if your protagonist is vagrant.

 

Well, that's intriguing. Are the stats for the axe listed in one of the read mes, or is this a “wait and see” kind of item? Perhaps Axe makes more sense for Valygar than dagger.

 

Since that particular axe is not something you need to forge (via Cromwell or Cespenar), its statistics are not mentioned in the list of item upgrades; though if you are too curious you can look for it in Shadow Keeper. Its name is "Axe of the Lakesider".

However, the axe is not a suitable weapon for backstabbing; hence, I'd reserve it for my vagrant protagonist and would consider other weapons for Valygar. In addition to his own improved Katana, the improved Cutthroat can also be considered as an ideal weapon for Valygar (hence, proficiency in short swords). The mod (itself) optimises the proficiency stars of Valygar, Keldorn and Anomen.

 

Okay, again, food for thought.

I guess I could have the Vagrant use flail and axe. Valygar can use his katana and a shortsword. Which once again frees up Judgment Day for Minsc. I can live with that

Then I can give Nalia the Grandfather of Assassins dagger.

Thanks for the help Sikret.

By the way, I didn't think BG used offhand for backstabbing, does it? When I originally stated this idea, I was imagining the katana in the primary hand and the axe in the offhand (thinking that all backstabs would be performed with the katana). But your comment has me questioning whether my understanding is correct.

 

Offhand attacks can do backstab as well.

By the way, you can't forge both Valygar's improved katana and the 'Grandfather of Assassins' dagger. They have a common (unique) ingredient.

It's best to give the JD sword to a warrior with 18 wisdom (guess why).

 

The wish spells. Yes, I remember from my last run through. I'll consider that... but sometimes you can't have everything. I usually opt not to make the wishes, unless I'm feeling lucky.

On the backstab question, thanks for the clarification. I don't think I ever noticed an offhand backstab previously.

On this point, I guess that would be dagger of the star. I think I remember in previous versions hearing that there were 2 of these in the game. I guess not anymore.

I appreciate you pointing that out (would have figured it out eventually I'm sure). I'm FAR more concerned with Valygar's weapons than I am Nalia's, so Valygar wins on that. I'd sooner give Nalia a butter knife than mess with Valygar's weapon options.

Thanks again for the help.

 

IA V 5.0? Oh! Ooooh! I missed that! How!? Thank you very much for letting me know this grand event! I will download it ASAP!