Icewind Dale Strategies and Discussion

[Raistlin Majere]

Talk about the way you made your party(ies) in Icewind Dale 1 or 2.

I always made six people, though I think you're better off with 4, because there's less XP distribution and you level up quicker. However it's difficult to get all of your class needs with just four characters.

I've found that this is the best way to go about a four-character party on IwD.

1. Ranger
2. Rogue
3. Mage/Sorcerer (any kind)
4. Paladin or Cleric

However by this layout you risk some people succumbing to certain spells and or weaknesses that other classes could help conquer. A six-character party should usually have 2 fighters/rangers, or maybe a fighter and a ranger. Rogues should be limited to one, and you should have a mage and a sorcerer (or two mages, but I found that sorcerers are highly useful, sometimes moreso than mages). A cleric should also be present, and whatever may be left is up to you.

I'm trying to put the 4-character party to a good test. We'll see how things go...

[Jon Irenicus]

theres no way to strategize with gear in this game. in IWD finding items is so random most of the time. you dont always get the gear you want.

[Raistlin Majere]

Jon said:

theres no way to strategize with gear in this game. in IWD finding items is so random most of the time. you dont always get the gear you want.

Sure there is, in party styles. Alot of encounters aren't random. There are a great deal of preset encounters that you can prepare for.

[DeLorean]

Raistlin said:

Sure there is, in party styles. Alot of encounters aren't random. There are a great deal of preset encounters that you can prepare for.

really? they seem pretty random to me!

[Raistlin Majere]

DeLorean said:

really? they seem pretty random to me!

Trust me, I've played IwD2's prologue fifteen times through. Only item pickups are slightly randomized. Granted, I haven't played IwD as extensively, but the prologue cannot be beaten in one day, for me. It's just impossible with all the quests.

All the encounters in the prologue are set, give or take a few random things, but for the most part everything is set.

But you can still discuss strategies on making parties and crap.

[DeLorean]

Raistlin said:

Trust me, I've played IwD2's prologue fifteen times through. Only item pickups are slightly randomized. Granted, I haven't played IwD as extensively, but the prologue cannot be beaten in one day, for me. It's just impossible with all the quests.

All the encounters in the prologue are set, give or take a few random things, but for the most part everything is set.

But you can still discuss strategies on making parties and crap.

so... there IS a pattern after all.