Yet another new guy at IA Options

[(Ø=M)^42]

Hello everyone.
I've finally managed to outsmart my evil email spamfilter, and thus completed my registration here. I'm very interested in IA, but I'm not sure I'm fit for it yet. I've never modded bg more than using tutu, so I don't have any experience of improved encounters. When I fight mages, I throw on some Breach and other similar spells, send fighters on and hope I kill them. From what I've read, IA mages will be just a tidbit harder to kill, using SI:abjuration and massive protections. I'm mostly wondering if there's any point in trying if I'm not sufficiently skilled in tactical bg fighting. Reloading a few times to polish a way to do a battle is of course ok, but really banging my head on a wall would drain the fun quite fast.

Due to that concern, I've also tried to get some ideas to help me out. I'd consider playing on a quite easy difficulty setting, and possibly using multiplayer, to get more powerful characters like kensai, ranger/cleric, swashbuckler, sorcerer and so on. I do view myself as a skilled gamer, but I'm just not fully attuned to bg. Hmm.. getting messy. Well, what I'm asking for is mostly tips for a newbie at IA, stuff like suggested group setup, anything similar to smart moves like having lots of Ruby Rays memorized. Maybe even a suggestion for good starting quests.

Big hugs and love goes out to everyone for helping me get into IA <3

Øystein

Edit: For what it's worth, I used Marvin^42 on SP, since that forum didn't allow for one or more of the characters in this name

This post has been edited by (Ø=M)^42: Jun 21 2007, 05:49 PM

[Arkain]

Yup, AC is really irrelevant. I had Keldorn run around with -24 (cap ) and he was still frequently hit.

On the other hand I wouldn't suggest using a kensai. Kensais get insane bonuses to THAC0 and damage... but what for? You will still deal minimal damage, because enemies tend to have resistances (either naturally or via spells... or both ).
You don't really need two multiclassed clerics either. R/C and F/C have two classes both... but eventually the R/C will become more powerful, because he has more spells and the F/C doesn't get grand mastery (without mods, that is). So it would be somewhat pointless. You could go with another F/M for example.
The F/T isn't that useful either, imho. A thief isn't really necessary (I didn't have one in ToB anymore ) and the bonuses the F/T gets aren't too great. Think about it: many enemies are immune to backstab. All traps but time traps are quite useless. And even the mighty time trap isn't *that* useful later on. You could make this character a F/M/T, for example. This way you would still have thieving abilites, including UAI of course, and combine them with a F/M's tanking power. Well, you would level slower of course... but it might be worth it. Personally I've played with a F/M/C protagonist and she was one of my top killers and the most important healer (+ only cleric) even though it's a triple class (read: levels slower). Although one should keep in mind that the protagonist gets the most exp.

This post has been edited by Arkain: Jun 22 2007, 03:08 PM

[rbeverjr]

Yup, AC is really irrelevant. I had Keldorn run around with -24 (cap ) and he was still frequently hit.

On the other hand I wouldn't suggest using a kensai. Kensais get insane bonuses to THAC0 and damage... but what for? You will still deal minimal damage, because enemies tend to have resistances (either naturally or via spells... or both ).
You don't really need two multiclassed clerics either. R/C and F/C have two classes both... but eventually the R/C will become more powerful, because he has more spells and the F/C doesn't get grand mastery (without mods, that is). So it would be somewhat pointless. You could go with another F/M for example.
The F/T isn't that useful either, imho. A thief isn't really necessary (I didn't have one in ToB anymore ) and the bonuses the F/T gets aren't too great. Think about it: many enemies are immune to backstab. All traps but time traps are quite useless. And even the mighty time trap isn't *that* useful later on. You could make this character a F/M/T, for example. This way you would still have thieving abilites, including UAI of course, and combine them with a F/M's tanking power. Well, you would level slower of course... but it might be worth it. Personally I've played with a F/M/C protagonist and she was one of my top killers and the most important healer (+ only cleric) even though it's a triple class (read: levels slower). Although one should keep in mind that the protagonist gets the most exp.

I know I'm just the new kid on the block, but several of these comments don't seem right to me. Are you sure?

First off, I think AC matters. I agree that AC is not enough. Very high physical damage resistance or spell granted immunity is better by far, but the fact that the enemy will occasionally miss because of your AC is beneficial. Sometimes, I have allowed my swashbuckler to use a shield instead of 2 weapons when I wanted the maximum AC early in the game.

Kensai are really nice in that they will hit. Your FM may run out of critical strikes in some of the long battles, but the kensai will still hit. And yeh, with the resistances, minimal damage is done, but the kensai genrally does a little more damage. Every HP counts. The kensai's AC will never be that of the other fighters, agreed. (I personally think they should be allowed to wear bracers.) However, you can boost up their DR. The FM does remain *much* more durable, but in general I found I had the hardest time when I was of relatively low level. You can't underestimate the value of being able to hit your opponent! I do understand that the spell casting melee guys can be more powerful in the end than the kensai, but the kensai does have value. He can also use the judgment day sword. While that may not make him equal to the FM and RC, it certainly helps bridge the gap.

I am kind of bummed that the thief's role is largely reduced to lock opener/trap disarmer, but as you pointed out he does have some advantages (UAI, time trap). The swashbuckler, in particular, can do very well in this game. He helped out in my game. I doubt that thetruth would try to solo one unless he felt there was some chance for him to succeed. I will try a FMT in my next run through instead of the swashbuckler. I expect him to suck eggs for a while, but he should be beneficial to the team after he garnishes some XP.