In other forum topics I have come across several people who say that they no longer play with a henchman. Is there any benifits to playing without one? Do you get any extra points or anything? Personally I kind of like the companionship of having another character with me when I am playing solo...I'd be interested in any imput anyone might have.:p;)

Theres an added challenge. Some people found the game too easy like I did. (Compared to the BG series, NWN was a cake walk) I am replaying it with a sorc, but I still plan on using a henchman. (a different one of course)

[This message has been edited by Frog (edited July 10, 2002).]

It seems some people get annoyed with their stupidity at times. It can be rather annoying when you'd like them to do something, and they won't. But since I hate the idea of adventuring in a dnd world by myself, I drag em along for the ride.

No offense, but claiming to look for a challenge with a sorcerer? That's a joke.

Some sorcerer benefits:
Familiar:
-can trigger traps
-better to control in combat (compared to the idiotic henchmen, since you can possess this one)
-can reborn in battle if you have rested after summoning
-can get back after being killed by just resting
Summoned creature:
-many of the things above, combined with a familiar is far better than any henchmen in battle (except when you run into mages who can unsummon them)
-can be cast over and over again when it dies or suffers incapacitating effects, a 5/6:th level summoned creature has around 110-150hp -> almost comparable to Daelan Red in battle (well almost, Daelan is still the king)
Spells:
-very powerful protection (stoneskin on familiar/summoned), support (bull's strength/the one that raises dex, haste) and offensive (area distruction) spells
-can destroy all destructable, locked or trapped items with spells without getting hit by the trap
-high charisma (persuation -> money)

Sorcerer is by far one of the best classes there is.

If you want challenge, then play with a simple fighter or the sort. They are in a whole other dimension in terms of difficulty. No ability to disable traps, open too strong chests, protect them from spells or being overpowered by numerous enemies.

[This message has been edited by Forashi (edited July 10, 2002).]

Heh, admitedly, the henchmen can be ever so slightly idiotic in what they do. I was being chased by something, hoping that Sharwyn would start shooting it with her bow. However for some reason she decided that a portculis was far more worthy of her attention.

I'm on my second run now first time i went through with a Ranger it was fairly easy so i just stoped using Henchman cause they just got in the way.
this time I'm using a Wizard specialized in Necromancy.
the first part was alot harder but once i got to about lev 5 it started getting easier. now i'm lev 16 and i just blow away groups of monsters with ease using fireball i just obliterate rooms monsters and chests in one go then go in pick up all the stuff. Henchmen don't help a high level wizard at all except as fodder. but with 3-4 summon creature/raise undead spells ready to go what does a wizard need a henchman for?
besides My skeliton chiefton is a great fighter who usually only goes away when i rest :D
I thought it would be harder playing with a Wizard but it's actuelly easier.

I think the reason that many people are playing without a henchman is because of the crappy AI. Personally, I have not had a problem with the AI (except when Sharwyn casts spells while being engaged in melee. Bioware decided to give bards and mages the same AI script).

I think the xp is slightly greater with a henchman, because they'll always be lower in level than you, they lower the party challenge rating, which increases your xp.

Is that true about the CR? Encounter CRs are supposed to be based on a party of 4 adventurers, so I'd think the CR of a given encounter for a solo character would be higher than for a character and a henchperson... I don't know what the truth is though.

[This message has been edited by Blackthorne TA (edited July 10, 2002).]

Actually, I found a place with improved henceman AI. It's by the same one who did the inventory stuff.

Click on this fixed URL (http://snow.prohosting.com/wperpo/)

[This message has been edited by TriLleX The Slayer (edited July 10, 2002).]

The challenge rating is for a 4 player party if I got it right, BTA, though I dont think the CR inreases by soloing, you just gain more xp times the number of missing players (of a group of 4 that is). The encounter would be harder, yes, but you would likewise gain more xp.

[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited July 11, 2002).]

I've noticed something very strange..
when I first went through the game with my Ranger/rogue/fighter I did as many quests as i could find and killed everything i saw clearing all the maps. I didn't use a henchman most of the time. my ranger char is 13/3/2 for a total of 18 levels after finishing chap 4
now i'm going through with a necromancer and i usually have a henchman + my familer + summoned monster. i've been skiping quests and not bothering to clear maps but my necromancer is lev 19 in chap 3

i'm not sure what is with the experiance difference but i think you actuelly get more experience with a henchman then without. has anyone else noticed this? I think i'll experiment with this and see if it's true.. maybe it's just that wizards get more xp :)