Party of four in IA, avoiding 4-party burnout Options

[kilolima2]

My last few games of BG2 I have used at most 4 party members (including the PC) with a few "guest npcs" for special sections.

I feel that any number over 4 makes control difficult. I also like to use powerful npcs (like Valen or Solafein) which make other npcs dead weight. In the beginning of the game a small party can make the game very difficult and a tactical challenge. But since they gain more exp per kill (even using multi-class characters), by mid-game my party is way over-powered and the game starts to get boring.

However, the appeal of a < 6 party is the increased exp reward, so I don't want to use a reduced experience mod. Can IA provide a satisfying gameplay experience for a small party from beginning to end? (or will my 4-member party just get their collective butt's kicked?)

I guess this question doesn't really have an answer, but I'd like to hear if anyone else has had a similar experience.

cheers,

kilolima

[Sikret]

@kilolima2

All of us have played BG2 (even modded BG2) for countless times and I'm sure we will continue playing it over and over. Isn't it better that each time you will start a new game (with a different protagonist) you know that not everything is the same as your previous game? I have split IA's different quests for different protagonsts to give fresh flavor to the game each time you start a new game. (IA's randomization program is also another feature of the mod which adds to this flavor, because each time you start a new game the powerful items are distributed randomly and they may be in different and new locations.)

Multiple Stronghold component of Ease of use will work fine with IA. It will allow you to see all of the standard quests of strongholds regardless of your protagonist's class and even the ones which are enhanced by IA. For example, if you play a non-ranger protagonist, the multiple stronghold will allow you to fight with the improved Umar witch. Only the new quests added by IA will not be affected by multiple stronghold. "The mystery of the shimmering light", the new quest added for rangers, really needs your PC to be a ranger. Some of the dialogues and rewards would not make sense if the quest was allowed for non-ranger players. The new quests added to the mage stronghold (except "Danger at harbors"), on the other hand, could have been coded differently so that a non-mage could still play them if he/she had the multiple stronghold, but I deliberately made them specific to mages/sorcerers for the reason I mentioned above. However, if I see more similar requests from players, I may reconsider and make the mage specific quests available to all classes (though it's not really my preference. I prefer them the way they currently are ).

I have also ideas for an expanded fighter stronghold feature to be added to IA. I love playing with a Berserker protagonist and I think that an expanded fighter stronghold will be cool. The mysterious thing you will find with Glaicas (in v4) is also related to this feature of the mod, but I guess that completing the expanded fighter stronghold may be postponed to IA v5.

As for your question about Stalkers, yes, stalker is a very interesting and powerful kit (the best ranger kit, IMO). The main advantage over a thief is that you do backstab with a fighter's THAC0! I had sent a post to Sorcerer's Place forum regarding how to play Valygar efficiently. It's still there in the archives, but I can't find it now to give you the link. If I find the post, I will send you the link.