First time playing IA, May need some pointers... Options

[GreyArea]

Hello everyone.

This is my first post on the forums and first off I must say this mod is the most challenging one I have played yet. I got up to the druid grove fighting in the pit part (it's late and I can't remember the Shadow Druid bosses name other than it begins with F). She rips me apart in the pit. Well she doesn't..the bears do.

After that trial and seeing the learning curve i am going to start a new game. I am having issues deciding on a party as I would like to use in-game NPC's. I have Valen, Tashia (love the character and banter really...and sorc kit rocks) and Sola mods installed, though not using them other than the scripts from the Sola Romance one, they are handy and I like to run with a sorc so she rapidly buffs herself for those annoying mage hunters that seem to be around in IA.

Now on to the guts of the post.

My first run I used a Vagrant and after 20 minutes or so of stat rolling I managed to get what I wanted. She was great in the first run and I am looking forward to getting Swanmays (any indication WHAT they are besides lyncropes (sorry spelling) and their progressive abilities? I cannot find it in the read me and I don't know anything about modding/IE tools to find out that way).

Now with my decision to go with ingame NPC's I have got to decide with various things.

The following is who I KNOW I want in the group:

KEEPERS

Natlia <--- Mage and semi thief that is needed, nice ring once upgraded
Cernd <--- Looks like a fun character, upgraded gear looks pretty good and I want to try out a druid finally
Tiefling dude (Heir'Deliss?) <-- OS/DS, lore, pick pocket and minor spells (is it true he can get to level 8 spells? Though max was about 5?) His upgraded sword is pretty funky too...maybe that and Zerth Blade?

Now that leaves 2 more slots to fill. I am thinking of taking :

HOPEFULS

Amorin <---90% sure on this dude cos I need healing...though cernd may assist there? (never used him or any druid)
Paladin dude in sewers <-- Silver sword/upgraded and Holy Avenger
Custom Sorc <--- Flexibility and powerful spell slinger
Tashia <--- As above but with some fun banter added in
Minsc <--- Cos he is a funny bugger and may make the hard game more enjoyable. Also bloody strong and good with weapons


Any insight to what is to be expected with IA V5 would be good with the above options in mind. I have read others run throughs and it looks tough (not played BG2 for about a year now) but learning the hard battles first makes the rest easier, you get better party control and know what to get out of cirtain spells/items/situations.

Looking forward to being shown some things I never considered and some general helpful advice.

Regards

EDIT:
Added Minsc to the list of hopefuls

This post has been edited by GreyArea: Apr 3 2008, 09:24 AM