Marceror's Latest Adventure

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About every year or two I get the hankerin’ to run through BGII. I’m playing again, and as I usually do, I thought I’d share what mods and party combo I’ve chosen. I’m sharing mostly just to share, but I certainly welcome comments and suggestions if anyone has them.

Mod List
• Ascension
• G3 BG2 Fix Pack
• Sword and Fist (provides several new fighter kits)
• Level 1 NPCs (included for the increased weapon options for cleric/fighters and druid/fighters
• Unfinished Business
• Quest Pack
• Tower of Deception
• Banter Pack
• Sword Coast Stratagems II (SCSII) – Generally speaking, I chose the options that would increase difficulty by the greatest margin
• Rogue Rebalancing
• BG2 Tweak Pack
• Spellhold Studios’ 1 Pixel Productions (1PP) – improved paper dolls, animated flaming sword, etc
• Widescreen (This one is bloody brilliant. I’m running in 1600 x 900 resolution. 1920 x 1080 looks great too, but made everything a tad too small for my taste).

Party
1. PC (*Duskblade) - TWF - Bastard Sword/Katana
2. Minsc (Berserker) - Longsword/Shield
3. Jaheira (Ranger/Cleric) - TWF - Hammer/Axe
4. Anomen (Fighter7/Cleric) - Flail/Shield
5. Nalia (Swashbuckler5/Mage) - Sword/Buckler
6. Keldorn (Inquisitor) - Two Handed Sword

I’m having a lot of fun with this game so far. I’m still in chapter 2, and am generally trying to role play these guys as a party of goody two shoes (not hard to do). I allowed a bit of thievery early on by Nalia, for the greater good, but now that Keldorn is in the party, that has been put to a stop.

This is the largest number of mods I’ve ever used. So far it all seems to be working out well. I really enjoy what SCSII adds to the game. It’s not at the same level of difficulty as Improved Anvil, but it does keep you on your toes, while allowing you to still role play through the game (IA is a great tactical mod, but roleplaying goes largely out the door in favor of planning the optimal order to complete quests).

I’ve enjoyed using a new kit, the Duskblade, which has been a fun diversion from the usual class options. And as I’ve gotten into the habit of, I’ve done some tweaking of base classes/kits used by the Bioware NPCs in my party. This is a good compromise for me on my desire to have a custom party, yet still have plenty of banter and interactions. As it makes sense, I may drop occasional updates on my progress. I’m currently still in chapter 2 with only a handful of smaller quests completed.

* Duskblade is a fighter kit introduced by Sword and Fist. It is essentially a fighter with limited spell casting abilities. He can wear up to splint mail armor only, and can cast in any armor he can wear. He can only specialize in melee weapons and cannot use ranged weapons (but has some good ranged spells). Otherwise, he gains hit points, To Hit rating, saving throws just as a fighter does. The kit’s hit point calculation is buggy (it gives way too many), and I’ve had to do some tweaking in ShadowKeeper to keep my Duskblade’s hit point amount legal.

 

You're using LG Anomen/Sir Anomen? I can't stand the pompous fool. CN Anomen is more fun.

 

True but if you're playing a good guy how can you justify taking Keldorn away from his loved ones?

 

Because she's a no good cheating mare

 

Of course! Well, he is still Lawful Neutral, but Marceror will surely coach him against the evils slaying a man for the murder of his sister without proof. I almost always play with LG Anomen. Yes, he's pompous, especially when you first meet him, but with good role models he will gain perspective, and do much for the cause of good. He also happens to be a great cleric and a great fighter.

I have only played with CN Anomen once. It was during my first playthrough of BG2. I was horrified at what happened to him after his ceremony. And yes, as Montressor points out, with Keldorn in the party it didn't go well. I vowed never to send Anomen down the path of evil again.

 

Goody two shoes are missing all the fun.

I don't care for the lower Wisdom, getting Anomen to fail his test is the only way to make his presence bearable. LG Anomen deserves to be sent naked in a beholder's lair.

 

I give him a *whole* day with his family, more than he's had in ages. And he's quitting the Order after our little adventure. What's a little more time for the greater good. It perhaps is not the most compassionate approach, but I see nothing evil in keeping Keldorn around.

And as 8 points out, she was cheating on him. Keldorn, as a man, likely needs some time away from her to work through that. It's all for the best, I say. The fact that it also happens to serve my needs, is a bonus.