.... You bought the GoG version, yes? Neera is exclusive to the ENHANCED EDITION. This version is *not* the enhanced edition.

Ah, that's why. So I guess I better start a new game then huh?

I would say yes, if only because you should learn real quick how to quick-save and load up your save when things go bad. Better yet, maybe make your main character the mage so you can learn how bad it is when one dies, eh?

Just pick Garrick, in BG a bard offers sufficient arcane magic to the party. Another option is having Imoen change her class to illusionist and pick a thief instead. Even playing without a mage is possible and you can find another mage at the city gAtes of Baldur's Gate and another bard in chapter 4.

Oh, there's another mage? I thought there were only 4? I was originally planning to dual Imoen and myself into a mage, but at level 9, where the game would be pretty much finished and I would be on my way to BG2.

Except Garrick is terrible. One of the worst NPCs in the game.

I guess I'll just start a new game*sigh*

I want my team to end up looking like this

Me - Kensai - dual class mage at lvl 9
Khalid - Fighter
Jaheira - Fighter/Druid
Imoen - Thief - Dual class mage at lvl 9
Edwin - Mage
Branwen - Cleric

Is this a viable team?

If you are dualing to mage, and if you are taking Edwin with you (remember he's evil aligned, so he will leave if your reputation goes above 18, and he expects you to go kill Dynaheir), then there is absolutely no reason to dual Imoen in BG1... none whatsoever. Remember, she is the best thief in the game, stat-wise. Heck, she's the best overall character in the entire series.

2 things: 1) Don't dual-class Imoen with a set up like that. 2) Don't dual class at level 9 in BG1, ever. You'll never get your levels back. I wouldn't dual class past 3 or maybe even 4, actually.

Another thing is that you have to monitor your Reputation if you have Edwin in that set-up. Too high and he'll leave the party. I would also ditch Khalid and Jaheira for more viable units if you're not going for a 'canon party' set up. Adjantis and Kivan would be good, though you can get Minsc and Dynaheir and have Edwin join by talking to him afterward, and he'll join with no strings attached, then you have two mages.

I'm running BGT so I would dual class with the assumption that the stats would carry over for BG2.

What's a Canon Party set up? Also Isn't having a cleric in the party really important since they can heal you?

Her stats would carry over, yes, but there is no, repeat no, reason to dual her in BG1. Remember, in BG2 you lose Imoen very early on, and you have two early thieves to tide you over until you get her back -- Yoshimo and Nalia.

Don't take any notice of so-called 'canon' parties -- they are characters written into the main plot -- create your own party on what *you* want to do, and how *you* want to play.

A cleric is important, but not an absolute necessity. If you pick up Viconia in BG1 she will level up with your party, and her stats will carry over to BG2, so that's a plus. Also remember that alignment is not such an issue in BG2, as no party members will leave because of it, and Viconia can actually be 'converted' from evil in ToB.

I recommend playing with him in your party, maybe this will change your mind. As bard he has a higher casting level than mages (longer lasting haste, ...), high lore which removes the need for identifying and can use better weapons than mages (like composite bows).

Kensai is absolutely horrible at low levels (that's during the whole BG1 game and early in BG2), you'll have a melee fighter who can't stand in melee because of horrible armor class, do you really want to abuse a rule oversight (kensai>mage can wear mage robes) so badly that you cripple yourself in the process ?
You don't outsmart the game this way, you outsmart yourself.

Get either a sorcerer (for more fun casting), a multiclass fighter/mage(illusionist) or dual from fighter or berserker to mage instead.

If you want an evil character like Edwin in your party install the "happy party" mod component, it's painful having to lower your reputation artificially.

I second the opinion of not dualing Imoen during BG1 if you have another arcane caster but no other thief.


My advice: Forget everything you've read about heavily spoilered masochistic powergaming and play for yourself as the game progresses. Have the NPCs you like join your party when you meet them instead of picking them according to a flawed powergaming guide, you can even solo the game.

I've always wanted to dual a Kensai into a mage. The only thing I looked at in terms of powerleveling stuff are the best time to dual as a kensai, dueling Imoen into a mage, and ideal stats when creating your character as I knew that a low level Kensai is pretty terrible. ch.1 - 4 has been awesome with him so far and he's pretty much a powerhouse so long as he isnt aggroing.

In terms of characters that I like or want to have on my team regardless of power leveling stuff it would be :

me - Kensai - dual class to mage
Minsc
Imoen
Jaheira
Edwin
Someone else

problem with this is that I have no real tank, which is why I always kept Khalid on my team.(And I'm pretty sure Jahiera leaves your party if you ditch him)