Wow. Just wow. Questions from a new player, The game is beating the crap out of me, but I'm starting to like i Options

[ksshan]

What a week it has been. Bumped into a friend whom I have not contacted for a decade. We were gaming buddies, and those were the days of counter-strike, diablo 2, and BG2 (has it really been 10 years? Kinda scary thinking about it. Seems like yesterday). Anyway, this dude is still playing BG2 with IA5, and he could'nt stop raving about it, so I decided to fire up my old BG2 discs (very scratched, but surprisingly still playable).

Well, I started off thinking, how hard could it be? After all, I did play tactics. All those guys complaining about difficulty must be 12-16 yr olds who have never played contra or ninja gaiden etc etc. Buncha wimps. So imagine my pleasant surprise when the suna seni encounter, ordinarily a walk over, decimated my entire party. Thats when I started browsing SP and BWL forums for more info, and boy have I learned alot, but still, I fear, not enough.

Well, armed with my meager new knowledge, I'm starting a new game that will hopefully make the game easier, and this time I'm sticking like glue to the suggested quest order. My usual play style is melee heavy, which seems to fit well with the play style of IA5 from what I've read, so thats cool.

So, what party would you guys recommand for the easiest time for a first time IA player? It doesnt have to be bioware NPCs since the dialogue has gotten old years ago. And since weapons have been revamped, and many weapons made inaccessible early game (I'm gonna miss celestial fury), who should use what weapons?

Thanks a million for whatever help you guys can give. This is the hardest game I've played since Godhand, though its a action game

[Zarathustra]

I would suggest something along the lines of:

1. Vagrant (PC!) - Axes, Longswords, Clubs, Flails...
2. Dwarven Berserker OR Barbarian OR Kensai - Two-Handed Swords, Staves, Halberds...
3. Human Berserker -> Cleric - Hammers, Flails, Maces...
4. Dwarven Fighter / Thief - Short Swords, Daggers, Clubs...
5. Gnome Fighter / Illusionist OR Half-Elf Blade - Katanas, Bastard Swords, Flails...
6. Sorcerer - Staves, Daggers...

Characters 1, 3, 4 and 5 should switch between dual-wielding and shield use as the situation requires.

I had a fantastic time with that party (the Kensai and F/I version). I'm not a veteran, however, so take my advice with a pinch of salt.

Note that you may want to use Anomen for slot 3 and Imoen for slot 6; it won't make a huge difference either way.

Good Luck!

This post has been edited by Zarathustra: Mar 25 2009, 03:03 PM

[Sikret]

Welcome, ksshan!

I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying the mod. There are lots of similar topics in the mod's forum. Check them for more opinions and suggestions.

2. Dwarven Berserker OR Barbarian OR Kensai - Two-Handed Swords, Staves, Halberds...
4. Dwarven Fighter / Thief - Short Swords, Daggers, Clubs...
5. Gnome Fighter / Illusionist OR Half-Elf Blade - Katanas, Bastard Swords, Flails...

I would really advise against using dwarves and gnomes in the party if you are looking for a genuine challenge. These races have cheesy bonuses to their saving throws which have been fixed in v6. But as long as you are playing v5, it's best that you be your own policeman and avoid using them. I don't recommend using a blade either, because this character is nerfed in IA v6. Playing a blade in v5 won't give you any useful tactical experience to be useful in v6.

[Zarathustra]

Welcome, ksshan!

I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying the mod. There are lots of similar topics in the mod's forum. Check them for more opinions and suggestions.

2. Dwarven Berserker OR Barbarian OR Kensai - Two-Handed Swords, Staves, Halberds...
4. Dwarven Fighter / Thief - Short Swords, Daggers, Clubs...
5. Gnome Fighter / Illusionist OR Half-Elf Blade - Katanas, Bastard Swords, Flails...

I would really advise against using dwarves and gnomes in the party if you are looking for a genuine challenge. These races have cheesy bonuses to their saving throws which have been fixed in v6. But as long as you are playing v5, it's best that you be your own policeman and avoid using them. I don't recommend using a blade either, because this character is nerfed in IA v6. Playing a blade in v5 won't give you any useful tactical experience to be useful in v6.

To be fair, the OP did ask for the party which would give him the easiest time (using v5, I assume). I stand by my suggestion in that respect. But if we extend the domain of discourse (so to speak) to include future v6 games of the OP, then surely you're right, and it would be best for them not to get used to the transient advantages of Dwarves, Gnomes and Blades in the first place.