First timer at IA, Magic heavy party - how will it fare? Options

[jojamie]

Hi all

I stumbled on this mod much by accident and it has thrown me back into adventuring through Baldur's Gate for the first time in a couple of years.
So thanks Sikret for all your hard work, and continued work

So, on to my question. I am a sucker for magic, and seem to always lean to a magic heavy party. What I would like to know is will it be fine to run a magic heavy party in IA or do I need more fighter types.

Here is my proposed party:
F/M Multi - always played dual, and can't drag myself away from being a magic user
R/C - Jaheira
Auramaster or Blade - Cernd or Haer'Dalis
Stalker - Valygar
T->Mage - Nalia
Sorcerer - Imoen

Out of the above, I have only ever take along Jaheria and Imoen. I won't leave Imoen out of my party - shes my sister!
I also wanted to try new NPCs (even if I tweaked them) as I want to hear the banter.

My standard party of old was F->M, Imoen, Jaheira, Minsc, Keldorn and Anomen.
So time for a change.

So, will my party be fine, or will I find myself in a constant reload or throwing the towel in and restarting with a new party??

I am open to suggestion, but don't want to hear spoilers - I am looking forward to the challenge.

One other question - would a triple class protagonist work? I am undecided but lean to the double-class.

Also, what is the Vagrant like to play - would he be better than using a F/M, or would I replace Valygar with him??

Sorry for all the questions

[jojamie]

Based on what I have read throughout this forum, I feel I need to add a bit more balance to the party.
I am going to take the plunge and try and move away from my addiction to playing Protagonist arcane casters. Here is what I am thinking:

Vagrant Protagonist
Keldorn (Inquisitor)
Jaheira (changed to R/C)
Haer'Dalis (Blade)
Nalia (Mage with a sprinkle of thief)
Imoen (Sorcerer when V4.3 is out)

I did think of using Mazzy instead of Keldorn, what are peoples thoughts on this? She would be an Undead Hunter using the Bluchers level 1 NPC mod.
Would she be as useful as Kel or no?
If you think an inquisitor is a must, I may make Mazzy one as I have never used her.

What are peoples thoughts on the refinements?

And who would make the best tanks?
I had thought of using a single class thief (swashie) but I can't see how I would fit one in to the above party. Any ideas.

I am looking forward to the challenge of using a Vagrant.

Does anyone know if Jaheira will leave forever if I tell her I am going it alone in Chateau Irenicus?

Thanks for the help

[Raven]

I did think of using Mazzy instead of Keldorn, what are peoples thoughts on this? She would be an Undead Hunter using the Bluchers level 1 NPC mod.
Would she be as useful as Kel or no?
If you think an inquisitor is a must, I may make Mazzy one as I have never used her.

An inquisitor is far from essential, but many people find them very useful primarily because of their dispel magic ability being cast at twice the Inquisitor's level (nice because many IA spellcasters encountered are far higher level than the party).

The other thing with Mazzy is that you may want to change her proficiencies so she starts with GM in short sword rather than short bow since missile weapons are not particularly effective in IA.

Does anyone know if Jaheira will leave forever if I tell her I am going it alone in Chateau Irenicus?

When you rescue her, if you initially let her join you and then go to reform party and kick her out, she finds her way to the Harper hold in the Docks. That's what I do.