I'm not really sure but, I think I've played BG2 plus ToB at least nine times. I am now going for a totally good party for the first time. My main character is an elven archer (real original, huh?). But, because I have done nothing but play evil. I have a totally new NPC line-up waiting. I have used shadow-keeper to change the classes of the NPC's to something that I either want or never tried before. My party is as follows.

Valygar- wizard slayer- I simply changed his class never played one before.

Mazzy-fighter- Brought her strength to 18 and Con to 17 but otherwise left her alone

Nalia-wizard- changed her class to wizard. INT to 18, WIS to 16.

Jan- assassin- DEX to 18. Class to assassin.

Haer Dalis'- Cleric/mage- WIS to 17, INT to 19, plus class change.


One could accuse me of power-gaming, but I thought I kept all of the stats to a realistic point. This allows me to see the interchange of the different NPC's. And, indeed I have. Mazzy and Valygar have a 'thing' going as it seems. Mazzy and Jan have some very humorous exchanges. Haer dalis' is kind of a peter-puffer, but still cool. Shadow keeper allows me to make a custom party. I am a player who plays multiple characters and the DM besides.... Kind of.

I can't wait to finish and pick my next party, which will also be good. Hmmm.... Maybe Cernd and Keldorn and annoying-man.

[ January 02, 2004, 17:28: Message edited by: Beren ]

Check out

http://www.fortunecity.com/boozers/winelodge/79/

The Level 1 NPC's mod you'll find there allows you to change several of the NPCs to other classes, much the way you are talking here, but it makes sure everything (class, stats if necessary, saves, etc.) is changed appropriately. Pretty sweet. I use it a lot for the same reason you're talking about.

[ January 02, 2004, 05:23: Message edited by: Xindell ]

Using Shadowkeeper to change the npc's attributes, class and skills abducts the real meaning of the npcs.

and by the way...

Haer Dalis'- Cleric/mage- WIS to 17, INT to 19, plus class change.You've just made him a weakling compared to his former glory as a blade. You ask why? It's actually a long story and Scythesong Immortal might be able to help you.

If you really want to appreciate and experience the real fun in playing BGII. Try to depend on your own tactical skills with good combination of unedited NPCs.

Lastly, i got bored when using Shadowkeeper compared to what you just said as " it rocks ". ;)

First off, a Blade is very different from a Cleric/Mage and I tend to like the latter class very much as well.
Secondly, he really needs a cleric so it's fine by me. :D
Third, I couldn't stop laughing that of all classes you had to make Haer a cleric/mage. That's like making Korgan into a Sorcerer.
No offense. ;)

And what's wrong with a C/M? they can heal, cast mage spells (more often then Bards btw but lets try not to get too much into that shall we?) and can beat any pure fighter if they wanted to.

If you want a cleric/mage, why not take Aerie? She fits into that party a lot better.

Honestly, I strongly agree that changing the class of these NPCs kind of makes the game less fun, which is doing what you can with what you have. There's plenty of mod NPCs out there to do what you want.

Uh... I have to say, I don't know how people can say that changing the classes makes the game less fun. Maybe for YOU, but fun is relative. This guy said he's played through the games several times, and now he wants to try out some NPC's he hasn't used before. I know personally, I haven't used certain NPCs before because I don't care for their class/kit, or they've just never seemed to fit into the well balanced parties I always try to make. Playing around with changing classes so you can make a party that simply wouldn't have worked before is OK by me. Specially since we're talking about someone who's played through the game plenty of times before. But hey, to each their own. If you guys wanna give him a hard time for tweaking things to make it MORE likely he'll play through using certain characters, then that's you're call.

No, I do not take offense to anyone's view. I post so I can get feedback.

Xindell is right. I do this mostly for the character interaction. Though I have played evil exclusivly, I have had some good NPC's in my party from time to time. My last game, I took Aerie all the way through. I just don't think I can do that again. And Minsc I've had a few times (hence his absence). My protaginist was a blade once, and Haer just looks like the magic type to me. And yes, he kind of a weakling compared to his former self, but I want it that way. And Valygar as a wizard-slayer just seems to fit him too.

The interaction has given me a fresh outlook on the game. And I tried to keep it challenging. The chances I will used these NPC's again, unedited is very likely. Thanks for the feedback so far.

The reason why I can't see Haer as a cleric/mage is because it contrasts his general background. I find it amusing that Haer would draw his spells from any god. ;)
It's an interesting possibility though.
I'm not against changing classes, though I'm not very fond of it either, but short of changing roleplay a bit I think it shouldn't have any adverse efects on your game.

yup, its quite fun to change a npc's class into something else.....brings some refreshment into the game.

ever tried to play trough the game as a goblin?

try! :p