D&D General BG1&2 players, who were your constant companions?
MarkB
Legend
From BG1 definitely Imoen, Minsc and Dynaheir, true-neutral Jaheira was fine until your reputation got too high and she kept on hollering about how "this is not what true heroes do!" every time you did something truly heroic.
BG2, Minsc, Imoen, Jan, Mazzy, Valygar. Plus Nalia purely as an Imoen stand-in until you get her back.
BG2, Minsc, Imoen, Jan, Mazzy, Valygar. Plus Nalia purely as an Imoen stand-in until you get her back.
Ruin Explorer
Legend
BG1's and to a lesser extent BG2's companions made basically feel like I was driving a car full of bad-tempered, overstimulated, over-sugared young kids who were constantly squabbling, and I was having to yell "DON'T MAKE ME COME BACK THERE!!!" and "I'LL MAKE YOU GET OUT AND WALK!" at them repeatedly, but it wasn't having any effect.
In BG1 I just gritted my teeth through this and hated every second of their bickering. The only people I remember were Imoen who bickered less, and Jaheira who seemed to be attempting to start fights 24/7, which I felt wasn't very True Neutral of her.
In BG2 I got about 1/4-1/3rd of the way through the game, and was like "No, we're not doing this again", so I started a new game as "multiplayer" game, created four characters (including my main), and then reserved the other two spots for whichever companion characters I was currently doing quests for. And played in blessed largely peace for the rest of the game. I really enjoyed BG2 as a result!
Note, I've never before or after had to do anything like this, nor felt I was on the edge of doing it. The closest would be DOS2 where all the companions are some species of edgelord or victim or both, but they are pretty funny and don't bicker like small children in a hot car on the motorway.
Give me a thousand "Morrigan disapproves" before making me deal with Jaheira in full-on fight-starting mode again.
In BG1 I just gritted my teeth through this and hated every second of their bickering. The only people I remember were Imoen who bickered less, and Jaheira who seemed to be attempting to start fights 24/7, which I felt wasn't very True Neutral of her.
In BG2 I got about 1/4-1/3rd of the way through the game, and was like "No, we're not doing this again", so I started a new game as "multiplayer" game, created four characters (including my main), and then reserved the other two spots for whichever companion characters I was currently doing quests for. And played in blessed largely peace for the rest of the game. I really enjoyed BG2 as a result!
Note, I've never before or after had to do anything like this, nor felt I was on the edge of doing it. The closest would be DOS2 where all the companions are some species of edgelord or victim or both, but they are pretty funny and don't bicker like small children in a hot car on the motorway.
Give me a thousand "Morrigan disapproves" before making me deal with Jaheira in full-on fight-starting mode again.
DarkCrisis
Reeks of Jedi
I started a new BG1EE game and was going to be somewhat thematic to being raised in Candlekeep. Thus a Fighter/Cleric of Oghma.
And I am trying not to use my ususal companions. Pretty much after Jahira and Khalid had enough of Montaron and Xzar and killed them I took on Garrick and Kagain and Neera. Neera is gone as soon as a find another Wizard. Possibly Edwin or Baeloth. Probably toss Garrick for Rasaad. IDK Rotate people out.... Ive never kept Dynaheir alive. Maybe its her turn to shine
And I am trying not to use my ususal companions. Pretty much after Jahira and Khalid had enough of Montaron and Xzar and killed them I took on Garrick and Kagain and Neera. Neera is gone as soon as a find another Wizard. Possibly Edwin or Baeloth. Probably toss Garrick for Rasaad. IDK Rotate people out.... Ive never kept Dynaheir alive. Maybe its her turn to shine
roger semerad
Explorer
I'm actually doing a playthrough of the EE on Switch right now.
My first playthrough of BG1 decades ago was the cannon party of Imeon, Jaheira, Khalid, Minsc, and Dynahier. That party just feels right to me. I switch it up a little now, but just for variety. Imeon, Jaheira, and Khalid in particular I just don't know how you'd justify not adventuring with in the story if you're good or neutral. My current run through is with Imeon (dual classing to mage at Lv.6), Jaheira, Khalid, Neera, and Safana.
BG2 I've actually played through only once, and my party was Nalia (switched out for Imeon mid game), Mazzy, Jaheira, Aerie, and Jan (I also had Minsc for a while but booted him when my party got big enough). My main character was a 13 Lv. Kensai/Mage, so a very magic heavy group. That's still my style, but I'm switching it up for this upcoming playthrough. It'll be Yoshimo (switched for Imeon), Jaheira, Anomen, Valygar, and Neera. That group has a lot interesting abilities and a ton of spellcasting, I'm looking forward to it. Especially since I didn't see the Yoshimo story my first time through. My main character is still a 13Kensai/mage, and I always go for a good playthrough.
I tend to like all the companions throughout the series. The only one that grated to me was Aerie, everyone else I liked. The ones that have stuck with me the most so far is Imeon, Minsc, Mazzy, and Jan. I do feel that Minsc is best left in BG1 where his occasional quips can liven up your playthrough. He doesn't fit as well in BG2 when he talks much more. If you want funny Jan is where it's at, and he has some good drama latter on too that deepens his character.
My first playthrough of BG1 decades ago was the cannon party of Imeon, Jaheira, Khalid, Minsc, and Dynahier. That party just feels right to me. I switch it up a little now, but just for variety. Imeon, Jaheira, and Khalid in particular I just don't know how you'd justify not adventuring with in the story if you're good or neutral. My current run through is with Imeon (dual classing to mage at Lv.6), Jaheira, Khalid, Neera, and Safana.
BG2 I've actually played through only once, and my party was Nalia (switched out for Imeon mid game), Mazzy, Jaheira, Aerie, and Jan (I also had Minsc for a while but booted him when my party got big enough). My main character was a 13 Lv. Kensai/Mage, so a very magic heavy group. That's still my style, but I'm switching it up for this upcoming playthrough. It'll be Yoshimo (switched for Imeon), Jaheira, Anomen, Valygar, and Neera. That group has a lot interesting abilities and a ton of spellcasting, I'm looking forward to it. Especially since I didn't see the Yoshimo story my first time through. My main character is still a 13Kensai/mage, and I always go for a good playthrough.
I tend to like all the companions throughout the series. The only one that grated to me was Aerie, everyone else I liked. The ones that have stuck with me the most so far is Imeon, Minsc, Mazzy, and Jan. I do feel that Minsc is best left in BG1 where his occasional quips can liven up your playthrough. He doesn't fit as well in BG2 when he talks much more. If you want funny Jan is where it's at, and he has some good drama latter on too that deepens his character.
J-H
Hero
I've played BG2 extensively, but including lots of solo runs.
Favorite wizard: Edwin; he's around earlier than Imoen
Favorite cleric/druid: Viconia and Anomen. Cernd is...annoying... and extremely squishy. Aerie and Jaheria's casting suffers substantially from multiclassing.
Favorite rogue: None. Jan is annoying and the others are wizards. Except for YOu know who. I sometimes pick him up for the 200kxp.
Favorite fighters: Korgan, Anomen, Sarevok, Keldorn.
A high-fighter party does JUST fine - nearly nothing can survive a single round of 6 fighter-types using Greater Whirlwind (10 attacks in 6 seconds). Managing 3+ full casters is also more time consuming than it's worth.
Final TOB party would be Anomen, Sarevok, Keldorn, CHARNAME, and whatever my wizard of choice is.
Misc. observations:
Minsc has little going for him aside from Strength and the limited-use rage. For some reason, he tends to go berserk more easily than most characters.
Valygar is cool but is better as an archer than a swordsman, and his AC never gets super great. Haste is nice on a Ranger.
Mazzy is consistently decent, except that her weapon of choice (shortswords) has very few good options.
20 years ago Anomen was insufferable. As an adult, I find that he has a very nice character arc where he faces most of his insecurities, overcomes them, and moves from annoying braggart to an accomplished and confident man, romance or not.
Haer'Dalis is too fragile and the "Belt of CON 18" is too finicky. Also he's an annoying twit.
Aerie is quite useful but also very fragile and never really moves out of "wounded bird."
Keldorn is a pretty cool dude aside from his workaholic nature causing marital problems.
I'm currently running a BG2 in 5e game pretty straight, and it's going well except for scheduling issues. The NPC with the party is currently Nalia, and 2 levels of Rogue on a wizard is actually really handy. She's behind on spellcasting, but being able to Disengage or Dash as a bonus action is something that's useful VERY frequently on a dynamic battlefield. It's probably better than the level 20 wizard capstone.
Favorite wizard: Edwin; he's around earlier than Imoen
Favorite cleric/druid: Viconia and Anomen. Cernd is...annoying... and extremely squishy. Aerie and Jaheria's casting suffers substantially from multiclassing.
Favorite rogue: None. Jan is annoying and the others are wizards. Except for YOu know who. I sometimes pick him up for the 200kxp.
Favorite fighters: Korgan, Anomen, Sarevok, Keldorn.
A high-fighter party does JUST fine - nearly nothing can survive a single round of 6 fighter-types using Greater Whirlwind (10 attacks in 6 seconds). Managing 3+ full casters is also more time consuming than it's worth.
Final TOB party would be Anomen, Sarevok, Keldorn, CHARNAME, and whatever my wizard of choice is.
Misc. observations:
Minsc has little going for him aside from Strength and the limited-use rage. For some reason, he tends to go berserk more easily than most characters.
Valygar is cool but is better as an archer than a swordsman, and his AC never gets super great. Haste is nice on a Ranger.
Mazzy is consistently decent, except that her weapon of choice (shortswords) has very few good options.
20 years ago Anomen was insufferable. As an adult, I find that he has a very nice character arc where he faces most of his insecurities, overcomes them, and moves from annoying braggart to an accomplished and confident man, romance or not.
Haer'Dalis is too fragile and the "Belt of CON 18" is too finicky. Also he's an annoying twit.
Aerie is quite useful but also very fragile and never really moves out of "wounded bird."
Keldorn is a pretty cool dude aside from his workaholic nature causing marital problems.
I'm currently running a BG2 in 5e game pretty straight, and it's going well except for scheduling issues. The NPC with the party is currently Nalia, and 2 levels of Rogue on a wizard is actually really handy. She's behind on spellcasting, but being able to Disengage or Dash as a bonus action is something that's useful VERY frequently on a dynamic battlefield. It's probably better than the level 20 wizard capstone.
Here are some of the ones I played with:
Dorn
Brawnwen
Yelsic
I would usually play for a little bit in BG2 with Keldorn, then he would fight with Dorn and I would have to kill him
Nalia
Hexxat
Those were probably my favorite NPCs. I also like Neera's story arc, but I did not particularly like playing with her.
I liked some of the "twins" but I never liked both of them. I like Minsc but hate Dywhatever, like Jahera but hate Khalid, like Montranon but hate the goofy Wizard he was with, so I did not often play with these.
I played a lot of different PCs - Elf Magic-User/Thief multiclass, Human Kensai/Shadowdancer dual class, Elf Ranger (this character ended up fallen), Half Orc Fighter/Thief multiclass
Dorn
Brawnwen
Yelsic
I would usually play for a little bit in BG2 with Keldorn, then he would fight with Dorn and I would have to kill him
Nalia
Hexxat
Those were probably my favorite NPCs. I also like Neera's story arc, but I did not particularly like playing with her.
I liked some of the "twins" but I never liked both of them. I like Minsc but hate Dywhatever, like Jahera but hate Khalid, like Montranon but hate the goofy Wizard he was with, so I did not often play with these.
I played a lot of different PCs - Elf Magic-User/Thief multiclass, Human Kensai/Shadowdancer dual class, Elf Ranger (this character ended up fallen), Half Orc Fighter/Thief multiclass
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Very first playthrough back in the 90's:
BG2: Jaheira, Minsc, Aerie, Mazzy, Yoshimo (temporary placement until getting Imoen permanently)
I played BG1 after 2, so that played a part in the party I went with.
BG1: Imoen, Jaheira, Khalid, Minsc, Dynaheir
I have to put in an honest effort for the sake of variety to pick different companions on new playthroughs because it "feels right" to go with these ones. I imagine if I started with BG1 instead of 2, I probably would've gone with a different party.
BG2: Jaheira, Minsc, Aerie, Mazzy, Yoshimo (temporary placement until getting Imoen permanently)
I played BG1 after 2, so that played a part in the party I went with.
BG1: Imoen, Jaheira, Khalid, Minsc, Dynaheir
I have to put in an honest effort for the sake of variety to pick different companions on new playthroughs because it "feels right" to go with these ones. I imagine if I started with BG1 instead of 2, I probably would've gone with a different party.
Paul Farquhar
Legend
Jaheira was never actually true neutral. A prime example of "I have to be this alignment because the rules say so, but no way am I going to play it".
If you fill all your other party slots with good-aligned characters she doesn't start fights.
Ulorian - Agent of Chaos
Legend
BG1:
Elven Fighter, bow specialist (main) named... Ulorian
Ajantis
Branwen
Minsc
Dynaheir
Imoen (switch to Coran when I came across him)
BG2:
Ulorian, round 2 (now an Archer)
Minsc
Jaheira
Anomen
Keldorn
Nalia (switch to Imoen when I got her back)
Elven Fighter, bow specialist (main) named... Ulorian
Ajantis
Branwen
Minsc
Dynaheir
Imoen (switch to Coran when I came across him)
BG2:
Ulorian, round 2 (now an Archer)
Minsc
Jaheira
Anomen
Keldorn
Nalia (switch to Imoen when I got her back)
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