11 replies to this topic

[Klorox]

I'm trying to build a compact, power group to tackle Sword Coast Stratagems for the first time.

So far, I think my protagonist will be some kind of Fighter/Thief dual or multiclass (not sure yet). I have a lot to choose from: Swash > Fighter (I think he'll get a great AC), Barbarian > Thief (lots of resistances to damage), Fighter/Thief multiclass (really good HLA choices, demihuman bonuses), Wizard Slayer > Thief (MR, after UAI is gained, no drawbacks).

I plan on bringing:

1)Kelsey -- I like a great spellcaster, and he's a wonderfully done mod.
2)Anomen or Jaheira -- both make good divine spellcasters and tanks.
3)A tank. Not sure if I should go with Keldorn, Minsc, or Korgan.

I really like 4 person parties, and I also really like having 3 of the 4 make good tanks. Oh yeah: Since there's only 1 set of Gauntlets of Dexterity and I'm powergaming here, I won't take both Keldorn and Anomen (they both need it).

Any and all input is appreciated! TIA!

[Manascyth]

If you don't have Refinements, make your main character a Fighter/Mage/Thief. He can enhance himself and tank as good as Jaheira, handle your locks and traps, use bows, and throw spells. When he starts casting Level 9 spells, try this powergaming combo out for size: Improved Alcarity + Greater Whirlwind Attack OR Improved Haste + Critical Strike + Assassination and watch the carnage unfold. You can also add Time Stop, Tenser's Transformation, or Black Blade of Disaster to the combo to make it even deadlier.

[Klorox]

The problem is that a FMT will never get 9th level spells.

[Dark-Mage]

The problem is that a FMT will never get 9th level spells.

That's unfortunately true, whehn I tried out a F/M/T I believe the highest spell level I reached was 6th, maybe seventh. Seem to remember it being around the same casting ability as a bard.

If your looking for a mage suitable for a powergaming party then maybe you should just take Edwin. No real limit on the number of spells he can memorise and due to the way Bioware created him (seems like they were trying to make him the mage of choice for every party) he gets two extra spells per a level - might not be as many as a sorcerer but more then your run of the mill mage.

[the bigg]

I like plain F/Ts myself (Half-orc for a powergaming party). They have good enough melee power, handle the needed thief stuff, and are deadly backstabbers; later on, Detect Illusions totally pwns True Sight. With HLAs, they are even too powerful (Time Stop Trap + Improved Haste + Belm-equivalent + Assassination = kill everything in sight). A FMT won't get many spells and will have worse fighting skills, but he will compliment Kelsey's selection with the odd lower level spells (can you even do a Gnomish one for the Illusionist kit?). I think I'll try one next run through.
In a six man party, they should get 6th level spells by mid SoA (750,000 XP per class = 2,250,000 XP total), for buffs like Improved Haste or PFMW. 7th level spells will be available at 1,500,000 XP per class = 4,500,000 XP total = end of SoA. So, in a four men one, they'll have no problems getting higher level spells (8th level spells at 2,250,000/6,750,000 XP). For extra cheese, play solo for a bit, to take a lead in level ups... and abuse the write-unwrite-rewrite trick for faster level ups

For tanks, why not take both Anomen and Jaheira? The latter can cast Iron Skins and Insect Plague, the former can cast Holy Smite and a ton of buffs... both seem better choices than a pure fighter with just slightly higher thac0 (not that you'll have troubles hitting anything with neither Jaheira nor Anomen). The downside is that (unless you use Ashes of Embers) you'll lose out on most weapons (both the FT and the FMT are backstabbers, so they should use thief-only weapons for max effect).

[Klorox]

For tanks, why not take both Anomen and Jaheira? The latter can cast Iron Skins and Insect Plague, the former can cast Holy Smite and a ton of buffs... both seem better choices than a pure fighter with just slightly higher thac0 (not that you'll have troubles hitting anything with neither Jaheira nor Anomen). The downside is that (unless you use Ashes of Embers) you'll lose out on most weapons (both the FT and the FMT are backstabbers, so they should use thief-only weapons for max effect).

I was considering this as well.

Halfling F/T (I like a 19 DEX better, since you lose 1 in hell, and I love the bonus to Saves)
Jaheria
Anomen
Kelsey (Sorcerers are so much better than Wizards. Besides, Edwin is Evil, which is annoying.)

[the bigg]

Halfling F/T (I like a 19 DEX better, since you lose 1 in hell, and I love the bonus to Saves)

Go for Elf then. 18/X strength and 17 const is a lot better than 17 strength and 18 const - you get at least an additional +0/+2 to thac0/damage (important for backstab damage) over a 17 (even better if you get an higher extra strength), and 9 HPs aren't really that useful (it's quite rare to finish a battle with 9 or less HPs, and there are always potions). This way, you can wait before needing a Belt of Strength (as you find only two such items in CH2, the third one in CH7 unless you don't forge Crom Fayer). And, having +10...+25 to backstab damage vastly improves the chances that said bad guy doesn't deal you a single hit point of damage

[Zyraen]

If you don't have Refinements, make your main character a Fighter/Mage/Thief. He can enhance himself and tank as good as Jaheira, handle your locks and traps, use bows, and throw spells. When he starts casting Level 9 spells, try this powergaming combo out for size: Improved Alcarity + Greater Whirlwind Attack OR Improved Haste + Critical Strike + Assassination and watch the carnage unfold. You can also add Time Stop, Tenser's Transformation, or Black Blade of Disaster to the combo to make it even deadlier.

You can try out the Reaver Kit from Zyraen's Miscellaneous Mods.

Take note thought that without IA you can't stack Critical Strike with Assassination. Try using Time Trap with GWW that should really rock your day more than enough. Alternatively if you have IA on, you can use Time Trap then fire off GWW and Assassination back-to-back. Very Nasty.

And yes, they do have level 9 Spells very very very quickly. Its not called an uber-kit for nothing

[Klorox]

Halfling F/T (I like a 19 DEX better, since you lose 1 in hell, and I love the bonus to Saves)

Go for Elf then. 18/X strength and 17 const is a lot better than 17 strength and 18 const - you get at least an additional +0/+2 to thac0/damage (important for backstab damage) over a 17 (even better if you get an higher extra strength), and 9 HPs aren't really that useful (it's quite rare to finish a battle with 9 or less HPs, and there are always potions). This way, you can wait before needing a Belt of Strength (as you find only two such items in CH2, the third one in CH7 unless you don't forge Crom Fayer). And, having +10...+25 to backstab damage vastly improves the chances that said bad guy doesn't deal you a single hit point of damage

I disagree. A halfling will get 9 more HP, which I do find big. His saving throw bonuses are the clinching point though. BTW, the STR isn't an issue the moment he exits Chateau Irenicus. I'd probably have him use Crom Faeyr in his offhand.

[the bigg]

I don't think you can backstab if Crom Fayer is equipped. Besides, I think it's better to leave the Belt of Hill Giant Strength to Jaheira, otherwise she's just sitting ducks in melee (unless you wish to rely on Strength spell).

Or, if you wish to cheat, assume having done a Tutu run and give yourself +1/+1/+1/+1/+3/+1

[Klorox]

I don't think you can backstab if Crom Fayer is equipped. Besides, I think it's better to leave the Belt of Hill Giant Strength to Jaheira, otherwise she's just sitting ducks in melee (unless you wish to rely on Strength spell).

Or, if you wish to cheat, assume having done a Tutu run and give yourself +1/+1/+1/+1/+3/+1

Hehe, I have done the cheat in the past, having beating BGI so many times before, but I don't want to do it this time.

BTW, you can backstab if Crom Faeyr is in your offhand.

I'm considering a 4 person party made up of all self-made characters. I don't know if the lack of talking will bore me too much though.

[DavidWallace]

I don't think you can backstab if Crom Fayer is equipped. Besides, I think it's better to leave the Belt of Hill Giant Strength to Jaheira, otherwise she's just sitting ducks in melee (unless you wish to rely on Strength spell).

Or, if you wish to cheat, assume having done a Tutu run and give yourself +1/+1/+1/+1/+3/+1

Hehe, I have done the cheat in the past, having beating BGI so many times before, but I don't want to do it this time.

BTW, you can backstab if Crom Faeyr is in your offhand.

I'm considering a 4 person party made up of all self-made characters. I don't know if the lack of talking will bore me too much though.

I hope that SCSII isn't so scary that you need to go all-out with your party design, btw... any reasonably balanced Bioware team ought to be able to handle it. (Though don't let me stop you!)