03-05-2003, 11:47 PM
1) ToB lifts the XP cap, but it's not that important. You don't need it.
2) Sorcerers and Monks are both insanely overpowered at higher levels. At lower levels the monk may need a bit of tank support up front (Minsc, Keldorn, etc.), but only at lower levels.
3) Well, aside from the obvious romance partner (if you're male, bring all three for amusing chatter as they fight over you), select allies in pairs for good dialogue. Valygar/Mazzy is a memorable combination, as is Edwin/Minsc (though this one is temporary). Jan and Minsc is great, so is Haer'Dalis and Jaheira or Haer'Dalis and Aerie (though if you're planning to end up with Aerie, Haer'Dalis is not such a good idea). Don't match Keldorn and Viconia, or Aerie and Korgan, as conflict results with someone leaving permanently or two party members fighting.
General suggestions - pick a party including one full mage, at least 1.0 total clerics, and at least 3.0 total fighters. If you're not a thief, take Yoshimo. Count multi- and dual- classed characters as 0.5 for the purpose of my cleric and fighter recommendations. (However, you can't do that with mages, because two multi-classed mages can't make up for level 8 and 9 spells).
2) Sorcerers and Monks are both insanely overpowered at higher levels. At lower levels the monk may need a bit of tank support up front (Minsc, Keldorn, etc.), but only at lower levels.
3) Well, aside from the obvious romance partner (if you're male, bring all three for amusing chatter as they fight over you), select allies in pairs for good dialogue. Valygar/Mazzy is a memorable combination, as is Edwin/Minsc (though this one is temporary). Jan and Minsc is great, so is Haer'Dalis and Jaheira or Haer'Dalis and Aerie (though if you're planning to end up with Aerie, Haer'Dalis is not such a good idea). Don't match Keldorn and Viconia, or Aerie and Korgan, as conflict results with someone leaving permanently or two party members fighting.
General suggestions - pick a party including one full mage, at least 1.0 total clerics, and at least 3.0 total fighters. If you're not a thief, take Yoshimo. Count multi- and dual- classed characters as 0.5 for the purpose of my cleric and fighter recommendations. (However, you can't do that with mages, because two multi-classed mages can't make up for level 8 and 9 spells).