20 réponses à ce sujet

[FFLB]

I decided to take a druid through so that I could finally do the Druid Stronghold quests, but after completing the first two tasks from the spirit and then obtaining leadership of the grove, it seems like that's the end of it. I rested a few times to get the spirit to appear again, since it had mentioned that it would have more tasks after I take over the grove, but he did not reappear. I did a quick google search and it seems like becoming Archdruid is the end of the stronghold quest. If it is, that's rather disappointing compared to the fighter, mage, and thief strongholds. I can't speak of the others since I've never done them.

Anyway, disappointing.

[Humanoid_Taifun]

Check the thieves stronghold. They are not all equal.

Oh, and yes. Saving the boy means you're done.

[FFLB]

Check the thief stronghold...? Do you mean you don't think the thief stronghold was fully fleshed out or that my druid should check it out again? I don't think there's anything left there for my druid to check out.

[corey_russell]

@FFLB: I believe Humanoid_Taifun is trying to say the Mage/Fighter strongholds are better (to the player) than the thieve's stronghold, and I would tend to agree. He is not saying your druid has to do anything with it this game.

[Humanoid_Taifun]

The first (it's not fleshed out). The thieves have 1,5 quests, and not even big ones.

[FFLB]

Ah, ok. That was the only reasoning that made sense.



The thief stronghold seemed to have just as much as the fighter and mage strongholds, in terms of character interaction. I was disappointed with there being only a single druid who always asks about the challenge even after I've challenged. The grove doesn't seem to offer much comfort, but I guess the Archdruid should be traveling about anyway so they can get the xp necessary to pass the level 14 hump.

[Seagloom]

I found that stronghold terribly disappointing too. The Fighter stronghold netted a castle and a bunch of decisions to make. The mage stronghold had a personal golem, items, and funny interactions with students. The cleric stronghold had Charname in the role of consulting priest. That was pretty cool--especially if you went with Talos and took the sneaky route dealing with a rival.



If you want to experience a truly interesting stronghold in a future game, FFLB, I would try bard. That was my favorite of them all by a wide margin. There are so many decisions to make throughout, and at the end you get to act in a play. I also liked that the stronghold narrowed itself to a cast of relatively fleshed out characters considering how minor they were. It was so fulfilling; yet so few players see it since bards are such a niche class.

[FFLB]

Thanks for the recommendation. I was always interested in trying out the Bard stronghold, but I just never had enough interest in the Bard class to take it through. I was considering a Ranger or a Mage, again, for whenever I get around to the next playthrough, but based on what you mention of it, the Bard stronghold seems like it'll be more enjoyable.

[Seagloom]

I would say the bard stronghold is at least on par with what fighters get--although it is notably more variable. Decisions you make throughout have an impact on how successful the play is. The best option is not always readily apparent. Most of all, the NPCs you interact with are distinct. There are a few funny moments, arguing, and such that one might expect when bringing passionate actors together.



Where bards are concerned I highly recommend the Blade kit for optimum fun factor. They are sort of like scaled back fighter/mages. With dual wielding, the right offhand weapons, and clever spell use, a Blade can be deadly, nigh untouchable, and very fun to play. You definitely do not have to play one as a walking buff machine; even after getting the Enhanced Song in Throne of Bhaal.

[HoonDing]

I really enjoyed playing a bard in NWN2, but never tried one in BG, particularly because they are terrible in the first game and I always import my characters in BG2. But Seagloom has convinced me to start BG2 with one without importing.

[Humanoid_Taifun]

If you start with Tutu or BGT, it should be very viable to play a blade in BG1.

[Seagloom]

I think bards are pretty good in BG1 actually. Playing them takes a different approach than a Blade is all. They are not powerhouses in a straightforward fashion. Get a good bow and the right wands and they can be very useful. Their song is also helpful early on to block horror spells. I would completely understand wanting to skip to BG2 instead.

[HolyAvenger]

Fighter, thief and bard are without doubt the best strongholds, quest and story-wise.

Druid and paladin are the worst.

[FFLB]

You know, when you mention that the Paladin stronghold is one of the worst, I just now recalled that I have played through as a paladin before, yet I don't remember anything about the actual stronghold. I guess that's further affirmation of it being that undeveloped. At least they get Carsomyr.



I prefer vanilla BG, so when I do take a bard through, it'll be without the kits. I'll decide on one once I hit BG2 though. It would probably be between Jester and Skald. It should be easier to decide once I've got a playstyle for bard figured out from playing through BG1.



I agree that the bard class seems to be more fun to play in NWN1 & 2. I also recall them being pretty good for IWD2 too, but that may be because of the kits/prestige classes in there. Or am I getting it mixed up with IWD1? I recall there being a skald or something similar for the bard in the the IWD series, and it seemed to be better than the BG2 version.

[Humanoid_Taifun]

I actually quite like the paladin stronghold. Sure, it doesn't have as much content as other strongholds (though a lot more than thieves or druids), but IMO the quests are pretty cool.

The best bard kit is the blade. After you get the Enhanced Bard Song HLA, it's actually the only bard kit that makes any sense at all (unless you install mods like Rogue Rebalancing or Refinements). Blades can do a lot of great stuff if you play them correctly. Their Offensive Spin is nothing to be laughed at.

[Grond0]

Humanoid_Taifun wrote...

I actually quite like the paladin stronghold. Sure, it doesn't have as much content as other strongholds (though a lot more than thieves or druids), but IMO the quests are pretty cool.
The best bard kit is the blade. After you get the Enhanced Bard Song HLA, it's actually the only bard kit that makes any sense at all (unless you install mods like Rogue Rebalancing or Refinements). Blades can do a lot of great stuff if you play them correctly. Their Offensive Spin is nothing to be laughed at.

With the BG2 Fixpack installed you can get the bard song to correctly give the party a luck bonus.  It's easy to underestimate how useful this can be - I particularly like the huge damage reductions when being hit with multi-dice spells like horrid wilting.

[FrostyThundertrod]

I think the jester bard kit is under estmated. since bards level fast it does well with disabling spells.
and after a while the -4 to it bard song is counterd by it higher level.

And it can dispell better then a wizzerd and claric. but not has well has a Inqisiter

[ussnorway]

The thief stronghold is the best money earner in the game.
The ranger stronghold is nice but a bit buggy.
The mage and fighter are the longest i.e. most quests.

One mans' treasure...

[Biotic_Warlock]

I can vouch for the lengh of the mages and fighters ones... i never complete them before the last act stuff.

although the mages stronghold is probably one of the hardest quests to take control.
Lots of mages with super buffs and immunity and an army of golems and stuff.

[HoonDing]

Is there any way to speed up the stronghold events? I'm playing as a Bard and am about to set off to Brynnlaw but only experienced two events so far... at this rate, I'll never be able to finish this questline.

[Dante2377]

virumor wrote...

Is there any way to speed up the stronghold events? I'm playing as a Bard and am about to set off to Brynnlaw but only experienced two events so far... at this rate, I'll never be able to finish this questline.

If you know enough about the Global Variables for that stronghold, you can adjust the timers.  Or you can just rest over and over again (that's how I get the Fighter stronghold quests to actually finish in a reasonable time) until they trigger.