Bioware has a taste for 2-handed swords?

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I really hate how they made 3 warriors that specialized in two handed swords...namely Sarevok, Keldorn, and of course the hamster loving moron Minsc. These guys must really like Two Handed Swords to set aside game balance in order to make many characters good with these weapons...

I always thought Sarevok was using a Bastard Sword in BG1, since he only used one hand when wielding it. I mean Sarevok is a big guy and all, but to wield a Two Handed Sword with only one hand? Besides, I think *Bastard* Swords fit into his personality too, if you know what I mean

 

True. Savervok's sword was a two-handed sword though(one flaw in BG saga). Considering you get it in BG2 at the start. Good point but I wouldn't knock bastards. It means your parents weren't married at the child's date of birth. So this means all children of Bhaal were bastards same wth Jesus Christ if you read the bible.

 

Lol, I wasn't referring to his lineage more to his personality.

 

I must agree here. There are way to many twohanded swords specialists in the games. I dont even think there are one that specializes in sword and shield style. I may not be a good style but someone must use all those cool shields.

 

Jahiera(sp?) has the sword and shield style. and as for it not being usefull if I make a Fighter/cleric or pure cleric he gets it for the AC bonuses.

 

Both Anomen and Jaheria have proficiency in Sword and Shield style. IMO it's the least useful proficiency because it only gives a small bonus vs missils fire.

Three NPC's specialized in 2H-swords is not really too many. It makes perfect sense for a Paladin thanks to Carsomyr. At the start of BG2 that leaves Minsc for the rest of the 2H-swords, and you get both Sarevoks old sword and Lilarcor at the very start BG2.

Someone should use 2H-swords and it's better if that's an NPC than the protagonist because of the better protection that can be had via shields.

 

Bah, at least when I play the Protaganist *always* gets the best equiptment! Say you wanted all three of these guys in your party and you choose two handed swords! I really can't think of any weapon as over used as this exept maybe short bows...

 

Well, lets see...
Quarterstaff - 7
(Imoen, Jaheira, Edwin, Nalia, Aerie, Jan Jansen and Cernd)
Dagger - 7
(Imoen, Edwin, Nalia, Yoshimo, Jan Jansen, Haer'Dalis, Valygar)
Mace - 4
(Minsc, Aerie, Anomen, Viconia)
Sling - 4
(Viconia, Jaheira, Aerie, Anomen)
Short Bow - 4
(Imoen, Nalia, Yoshimo, Mazzy)
Short Sword - 4
(Nalia, Jan Jansen, Haer'Dalis, Mazzy)
War Hammer - 3
(Viconia, Korgan, Anomern)

I might even have missed someone.

 

Do a chart of the Warriors in the game. Of course Staves and Daggers are going to be the most used weapons by MAGES and PRIESTS! Duh!

[This message has been edited by Lord Sarevok (edited January 13, 2002).]

 

What I always wondered was why Minsc was specialized in both 2-handed swords and duel-wielding, is Boo supposed to have a sword also?

 

Uh, he gets the points in dual wielding because he's a ranger! All rangers, including Archers, get ++ in two weapon style from the start...

 

Yeah, I know, I was just yanking your chain a bit there, Lord Sarevok!

Still, in SoA only Minsc and Keldorn went for the 2H-swords, so I don't think it's that bad with adding Sarevok in ToB.
Do you think there are too few good 2H swords to go around? Seems to me there are plenty.
Consider katanas. With only one good katana in SoA how are you going to do if you pick Valygar? No katana for the protagonist in that case, right?

 

Well those three choices for proficiences do make sense.

Sarevok - He has a two-handed sword. Simple.

Minsc - He's meant to be a beserk warrior who is crazy. Two-Handed Sword fits this persona.

Keldorn - They need someone to use that nice sword of theirs incase the protagonist isn't a paladin.

 

MINSC has actually no two handed sword specialisation when you get him in SoA. He has proficiencies in mace and two weapon style. I used him like that ( mace of disruption,...), but I also think of him as a 2handed swordsman ever since I saw him in Nashkel in BG1. Sarevok and Keldorn are ok, especially with 3-4 great 2handers in the game. I just wish there were more classic sword&shield style NPCs. (Valygar- 2 weapons,...)

 

Well, i have to note that when I first played ToB, I was drowning in two/handed swords and had only one person capable of wielding them. Sarveok, of course. Although after the UAI skill I had my (hacked) thief dual wield the Purifier...

Ara
(Illegitimate and proud of it... don't diss bastards!)

 

Bioware made mutch more "useful" 2 hander swords than for example...long swords. The description says something that long swords are the most common type long bladed weapons on Faerun...but the majority of the magical long swords in the game are "only" +2 enchanted(like Namarra, Adjatha the drinker, daystar, Varscona), which means they are useless against the greater enemies in the game. The +3 long swords, like Blade of Roses and the Equalizer are( I'm sorry to say that clumsy weapons). The only good long swords are Black Razor +3 and Angurvadal +5.

BG2 has many more highly enchanted nice two handed swords, like Sword of Chaos +2, Lilarcor +3, Carsomyr +5, Soul Reaver +4, Warblade +4, Silver sword +3, Gram the Sword of the Grief +5, Psion's blade +5.

As you can see there are plenty of very powerful two handed swords in BG2. I personaly prefer these big blades over other bladed weapons. If I start a fighter character, it is 100% sure he will wield a great sword. It is not just the wide choice of 2h swords that made me chose this weapon class. The character, wielding that huge blade is so....COOL!

 

I completely agree. Two handed swords are supposed to be somewhat exotic, I thought.

Besides, the game is always pushing the longsword as a "cheap and commonly used weapon." How many people actually use them though? Keldorn, Minsc (???). That's TWO. Thieves don't count - they SHOULDN'T use them. You CAN'T backstab with a 5 foot long sword, I'm sorry! It just doesn't happen.

 

I agree about the the lack of really good one-handed swords. There are just a few really good longswords and bastardswords in BG-2 SoA/ ToB

SoA:
With Namarra +2 (however, +4 damage), flamethongue (hits undead +4) and Jhor the bleeder +2 and the blade of searing +3 there are some great and very effective weapons available.

ToB:
The addition of foebane and the purifier (carsomyr light) in ToB gave two more excellent weapons to choose. Angurvadal is indeed an awesome weapon, especially when upgraded.

I'm with TIN-MAN here: there should be more good bastard- and longswords in BG-2 - especially when considering the wide choice in mighty two-handed swords available. However, with the ones in the game you come along quite well ....

[This message has been edited by Ragusa (edited January 19, 2002).]