It has been over a year since I've played this game, probably closer to two, and in that time I played tons of other games (and ten playthroughs of Arcanum). I browse random forums on here occasionally and got a strong urge to play this again, but I have forgotten a LOT.

I'm trying a 3 member party, all lawful good: Cleric of Pelor, Paladin, and Monk.

1. Cleric of Pelor, Good/Sun, Weapon (that I plan using): Spike Chain - I saw talk of a solo play with this type that was apparently badass, though I didn't watch the vid. So I chose it. Now, I've always filled clerics full of healing spells, never really used buffs. What are some essential spells I should use often?

2. Paladin, Weapon: Ranseur - I only tried a Paladin once before, and early on I realized he had fallen and I started over. And I have forgotten, what indicates if my paladin has fallen? What do I look for?

3. Monk, Unarmed I guess??? - Ok, I need lots of help with this one. I have never tried a monk. I've read that they are super powerful later in the game. How should I build my monk? Which feats to choose, etc. Also, should I go unarmed or try to focus a reach weapon on him? I really have no idea which would be better.

4. I think I remember finding a Holy Ranseur after a certain large battle late game, and maybe even a Holy Spiked Chain .... Should I use my cleric to make holy/axiomatic weapons for them or just use these? I already plan on crafting wondrous items .....




That's all I can think of now but I was pretty sure I had more while I was playing ;)

The Monk question is the most important I think as I have NO IDEA how to build up an effective monk ...


Thanks in advance!

I'm doing the same thing. Played the vanilla game years ago, and now I've installed the Co8 mod pack and I'm currently re-discovering this game anew. Currently I am running around with the NPCs Spugnoir, Zaxis and Scorpp the Giant in my party, and I am having a blast. The Giant is definitely WAY uber for clearing enemies fast.

Unfortunately I don't have a Cleric, Paladin nor Monk in my party, so I can't give you any tips there on uber-builds. But you might at least take a look at these builds posted at Sorcerers Place:

Dwarven Cleric
Paladin
I don't really agree with all that he says about his Feat picks (from my *ahem* considerable experience), but overall I am sure they are both solid.

As far as fallen Paladins go, just don't do anything out of character for a LG alignment, and you should be fine. That means donating all your hard-earned money to every sammy-sob-story that comes along, no drink contests, no assassinating the locals, no joining any temple factions, and above all no whoring. In other words, you are pretty much going to be playing a straight hack-and-slash instead of really experiencing some of the rich alternative story lines this game offers. There are some NPCs that only are available to good parties (Rufus and Berne come to mind), but there are some fun NPCs that won't join you if you are good. I chose Chaotic Neutral, although that was more to reflect my role-play preference for this run-through rather than based on any intimate knowledge of what to expect.

I have no idea about monks either. But you can at least get a clear picture of the Special Abilities on level-up here to plan for it.

Also there is some good advice on crafting here. Personally I think once you have some money to burn that crafting scrolls and then using them in combat is the way to go. No more miscast magic woes for my wizard wearing her scale-mail bikini.

Remember you can also level-up some NPCs to do the crafting as well. Thats why Spugnoir makes a pretty good member imo to join early so as to build him up. He will be useful very early on for scribing scrolls. He makes a decent Wizard (16 Int) and comes with Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot, so he is a competent slinger as well. He doesn't cost any money to join and will rejoin again if you dismiss him from the party. Just don't open any treasure chests while he is in the party, and he never takes any share of the loot.

Other early-recruitable NPCs with crafting potential are Meleny (lvl 1 Druid, S 8 D 13 C 12 I 10 W 17 C 15) who will always be weak in combat, but who should make a good crafting Druid or could even dual into a Cleric, Sorceress or Bard. You need to marry her to get her to join the first time, but she can be dismissed and will rejoin again. And there is Pishella (lvl 1 Sorc / lvl 1 Wiz, S 14 D 16 C 16 I 16 W 12 C 18) pretty awesome stats and she is cheap to hire. Find her hanging around inside Burne and Rufus's Guard tower. Co8 mod added Ronald Rynnwrathi (lvl 1 Cleric, S 14 D 15 C 14 I 14 W 16 C 12) who will rejoin if dismissed, but he asks for a full share of the loot. He is at the Church of St Culthbert.