Viable party compositions, Topic split by Sikret Options

[rbeverjr]

I see that the wildmage is ending in the next version? Too bad. I am playing Xan as a wildmage (no hand of undoing, just improved chaos shield). He seems to be very effective. I'm really not interested in the rationale for just dumping the class; I don't agree. Even in IA, I think that the wildmage probably becomes the most powerful mage. Even so, he's not the most powerful class in IA, unlike the vanilla game. Furthermore, the wildsurges can be disasterous in the tough battles; so, you have advantages and disadvantages. While I am disappointed, I could and may just play a second sorcerer or perhaps a wizard in IA 5.1+. (Any chance of editing out "For the Needy" from Nalia?)

I agree that without PfMW the bard class may as well be dumped too. (At least, I consider there are better alternative classes in my game.) I further agree that the IA teams that each player uses will become more similar as valid alternative classes are eliminated.

Once 5.1 is done, I will have to carefully consider all the changes before I elect to play the new mod rather than sticking to 5.0.

[Sikret]

Writing the enitre list will take pages, but I have acutally given the formula to produce the list in the last paragraph of my previous post. Consider 6 empty slots and fill them with all possible combinations of classes and kits. Each combination will be an entry to the list as far as you compose a balanced party, in general, to cover every kind of needs you will have during the game. If you want a very powerful party, you can just be cautious and avoid single class thieves (swashbucklers are exceptions).

Just a few examples of different party compositions out of hundreds of possible choices:

(I: a combination of dual-class, single-class and multi-class characters)
1- Sorcerer
2- Swashbuckler -> Cleric
3- Berserker
4- F/M
5- Auramaster
6- Barbarian

(II: without multi-class)
1- Vagrant
2- Sorcerer
3- Berserker -> Cleric
4- Swashbuckler
5- Berserker
6- Mage

(III: more focused on mutli-class)
1- Necromancer
2- Riskbreaker (or Kensai)
3- Cleric (any kit)
4- F/T
5- F/M
6- R/C

(IV: arcane heavy)
1- Necromancer
2- Sorcerer
3- F/M
4- F/M
5- Swashbuckler-> Cleric
6- Barbarian (or Berserker)

I agree that some players are not skilled enough to play the fourth combination (for example) easily; but it just means that they need to start with other combinations and try to improve their skills. It's not the mod's problem that some players are more comfortable with melee-oriented parties. The variety of different party compositions a player can play IA with, has direct relation with the player's tactical knowledge.

Also, note that if I put certain classes or kits in the first slot (such as Vagrant), it's just for the more new quests they have and can see.

EDIT: Let's add a "divine heavy" example as well:

(V: Divine heavy)
1- Vagrant
2- swashbuckler -> Cleric
3- Auramaster
4- Sorcerer
5- R/C
6- Berserker

This post has been edited by Sikret: Feb 11 2008, 09:11 AM