I'm taking another run through IWD and had a question regarding building a party. It's been quite a while since I've played, but I remember there being interactions and whatnot that you would get if you specifically had a certain classes (and possibly also races) in your party. I don't remember the details, but I know that a druid (possibly elven) was one of them.

Anyway, I'm building my party and I want to build the party that gets access to the most of these little "extras" as I can. So, can anyone tell me which races/classes get extras? Please don't tell me what they are, though. It's been so long since I've played this series, I've forgotten most everything. Anyway, I'm already planning on a druid and paladin, but I have 4 more slots to fill.

That's my first question. My second question is the same question, but this time for IWD2.

Thanks.

I don't know about IWD2, having never played it, but I'm quite versed in IWD1. As for those "extras" you mention, you have to know where to use the proper class to get the dialogs, and I don't recall any for specific races. I do know there are a few for paladins, more for good clerics, druids and bards. There are also a few gender related.

Well, those were all classes I thought I would have anyway, so I guess I'll suss it out as I go. Follow up question. Here's my party plan:

F Human Paladin (18xx/15/16/10/13/17)
M Dwarven Fighter/Thief (18xx/17/19/9/10/11)
M Halfling Cleric (17/16/15/9/18/10)
F Elven Druid (17/19/16/10/18/10)
F Half-Elven Bard (14/17/16/18/10/15)
F Gnome Illusionist (9/18/16/19/10/11)

The reason why I listed stats is because I'm self-imposing a bit of a variation. That is to say, most people roll up characters, put 18s in the important stats, and then dump the rest. However, I'm building characters with the additional rule that no two stats can have the same value. So, each character can only have one 18, one 17, one 16, etc. It's not a game changer, but it makes things a little more interesting and characters less munchkiny. In any event, I was hoping for some feedback on my stat breakdown. I'm having the most trouble sorting out the paladin. Thanks.

For IWD I think the only class you need in order to not miss out on a quest is a Bard. And there is a nice Paladin only weapon.
In any case I always prefer to use a diverse party, with both genders and as many races and classes as possible represented.

So I usually end up with this party:
Human Paladin
Half Elf Ranger/Cleric
Elf Druid
Halfling Fighter/Thief
Gnome Illusionist
Human Bard or Dwarf Fighter.

For a first time playing IWD I recommend a Bard, since you will miss out on some stuff if not, and some of their Bard songs are very useful. But the song that regenerates hit points make things a bit too easy so on subsequent playthroughs I went with a Dwarf Fighter instead.

Your party should be able to cover everything and get you through the game very well. Halflings can't have more than 17 wis so you'll have to take stats like 18/19/16/10/17/9.

They can't have more than 17 STR either.

Gnomes are restricted solely to no higher than 17 WIS.

Just to add to the completionist idea: there's one mini quest you can solve in a certain way only if the character has (IIRC) 16+ INT and 15+ CHA. It is possible to solve this quest in an alternate fashion though (but I personally find the way that requires high INT and CHA to be more satisfactory).

There's no difference in the story. But there are some quests that have extras for specific classes. I believe there are a few race-specific dialogs as well, but they have on real effect on the story.

But could you tell me what people (or monsters) I can talk to with what classes to experience those different responses?

(sorry, am I thread hijacking? should I open a separate topic or is it on-topic enough?)

Dub, I'll open a new thread with a 'Spoiler' title, so we don't spoil it for someone that may not want tot know.

Thank you, I was thinking I'm the one who ought to do it. Feeling a bit guilty, I'm a bit tired now, that's why I acted lazy. See you in the other thread.

This is for IWD2 btw, completely off the top of my head, havnt played in over a year:

Major ones
A solid diplomat (high CHA) who is not a Monk/Pal who will refuse quest rewards sans consultation with the rest of your party, the nerve! but then i guess you knew that already.

bigg-ish ones are:
Paladin - for at least 2
Dreadmaster
1 char with at least 18int
someone with a respectable alchemy score

Minor ones
1 char with at least 16con (not dwarf)
1drow
1 combat class. e.g. fighter
1 monk
1 sorc

It's worth noting that aside from the major & one of the paladin quests (which is decent, but technically you still do the quest even without one, same for the dreadmaster, you just miss the rewards) the rest are just pretty poxy, just an extra dialog option for bonus exp. but if thats how you roll brah i hope this helps.

About IWD2:

If you have a pure class paladin in the party you will loose some options.

For the most beneficial extra options you need (one level is enough)

- a transmuter with high alchemy skill
- a paladin
- a dreadmaster of bane
- a non-paladin diplomat with very high dialogue skills