I just got my first HLA's last night while playing. I got them for my protagonist (sorcerer) and Jaheira.

This is a totally new dimension to the game for me, and I'd just like a little input (I don't want to make any mistakes that I'm going to really regret later).

HLA's I think are pretty redundent at that stage of the game are: Alchemy (you can get most potions you need), scribe scrolls (They are all level 1-3. If you need them at this stage you are doing something wrong), and tracking. All the others have their uses.

In an unpatched game, 3 hardness is really good(they stacks). Otherwise, the damage reduction is only small and ain't worth the time casting.

There are certainly useless HLA's for almost every class, although with a sorcerer, there are only two really bad choices: alchemy and scribe scrolls. The potions you can get you already have easy access to, and the scrolls you can scribe you can probably cast anyway. Most of the level 10 spells are pretty good though, so there aren't too many bad choices of the new spell list.

With other classes there are some real stinkers as well. Tracking springs to mind as a totally useless ranger HLA, and death blow pretty much stinks for the fighters, as it only kills monsters with less than 8 HD, which you can kill with a couple of whacks anyway.

But Deathblow allows Greater Deathblow, which can take down some more powerful creatures (such as Mind Flayers).

Yes, but if you're having trouble with mindflayers by ToB then your party is really pathetic to begin with.

Maybe it's just me, but I've never found it helpful for Jaheira to be able to turn into an elemental. Her normal fighting prowess at that stage of the game is better than her elemental form.

True with Jaheira, but it's definitely good to summon the elemental princes - one of the best HLA's in the game.

Crapola. I chose for Jaheira to turn into an Earth Elemental. Oh well, I'll choose better in the future.

BTW, can this be changed w/ Shadowkeeper?

I'm pretty sure it can be changed with shadow keeper, just reduce your exp and then do that level up again, then restore her exp level. Something along those lines probably.

Get the elemental summoning HLA, and follow it up with the elemental prince one. On HLAs in general, I wish there was a mod that gave mages and sorcerers Archmage High Arcana abilities as HLAs(Hint, Hint).

As has been said before, you will be hard pressed to screw up more than to take Alchemy or Scribe Scrolls. The elemental transformations for Jaheira arent that good as well...give her the Staff of the Ram +6 with a Belt of Fire Giant Strength...watch the chunks fly!! :D

Also, you might want to be wary of what spells you pick...for Jaheira, Aura of Flaming Death, Mass Resurrection (Not sure if Druids get this) are pretty bad spells. You WILL want to get Globe of Blades, the Elemental Summoning spells, and of course, the Deva summoning spells.

If you were to play solo, the Planetars and Devas can really turn the tide of the battle in your favor...they are extremely powerful!!