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teardropmina · 07-15-2004, 02:53 AM

few things...
1. imo it's rather pointless judging the "value" of a NPC by setting up one on one fight between NPCs since NPCs are for us to fight enemies but not fighting each other. Whether any given NPC is better or worse is better evaluated, discussed in the context of his/her contribution to the party.

2. Every gamer has his/her own unique style of playing and different "tic" and I think the value/rating of NPCs will therefore necessarily vary depending on which gamer is giving the rating.

3. There are almost unlimited possibilities in unique personal gaming styles/approaches -- from the most basic varible, the party size (since we're talking about NPCs, no need for solo here)PC+ one NPC pair, trio, gang of four, five stars or the full party of six, we're going to find our favorite or deem as the best/most useful...NPCs.

looking through the whole Haer'Dalis vs. Korgan debate, I feel it's kinda comparing Apple to orange. Haer'Dalis CAN be used as a tank while tank is pretty much what Korgan has to be. Haer'Dalis is more resourceful and verstaile than Korgan for sure but he might not be the more appropriate tank or fighter (I use these two terms differently) providing different party configurations. All Haer'Dalis adventages over Korgan come from his none-fighter class abilities. In the end I see Haer'Dalis could be a more useful NPC but not necessarily a better fighter than Korgan to some parties. A Mazzy/Minsc/Korgan debate makes more sense to me.

Personally, I love to play the full party of six and oftentime arcane heavy ones at that...say, when I have PC Sorcerer, Imoen, and Aerie pretty much making the battle field a playground for my fighters...a Haer'Dalis seems quite redundant most of the time to me. Of course I can play a party of 3 or 4...but personally the full party of six is most enjoyable to play; that is with five incomplete and liable NPCs would be more fun with 2 extremely powerful and resourceful ones. Of course, that's because for me the rating isn't all about the practical/battle oriented value of a NPC, but to the whole roleplaying experience and I never venture beyond core-rules (tactics yes).

[ 07-15-2004, 02:56 AM: Message edited by: teardropmina ]

07-15-2004, 02:53 AM	#47
teardropmina Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: July 23, 2003 Location: West Lafayette, IN, USA Age: 53 Posts: 681	few things... 1. imo it's rather pointless judging the "value" of a NPC by setting up one on one fight between NPCs since NPCs are for us to fight enemies but not fighting each other. Whether any given NPC is better or worse is better evaluated, discussed in the context of his/her contribution to the party. 2. Every gamer has his/her own unique style of playing and different "tic" and I think the value/rating of NPCs will therefore necessarily vary depending on which gamer is giving the rating. 3. There are almost unlimited possibilities in unique personal gaming styles/approaches -- from the most basic varible, the party size (since we're talking about NPCs, no need for solo here)PC+ one NPC pair, trio, gang of four, five stars or the full party of six, we're going to find our favorite or deem as the best/most useful...NPCs. looking through the whole Haer'Dalis vs. Korgan debate, I feel it's kinda comparing Apple to orange. Haer'Dalis CAN be used as a tank while tank is pretty much what Korgan has to be. Haer'Dalis is more resourceful and verstaile than Korgan for sure but he might not be the more appropriate tank or fighter (I use these two terms differently) providing different party configurations. All Haer'Dalis adventages over Korgan come from his none-fighter class abilities. In the end I see Haer'Dalis could be a more useful NPC but not necessarily a better fighter than Korgan to some parties. A Mazzy/Minsc/Korgan debate makes more sense to me. Personally, I love to play the full party of six and oftentime arcane heavy ones at that...say, when I have PC Sorcerer, Imoen, and Aerie pretty much making the battle field a playground for my fighters...a Haer'Dalis seems quite redundant most of the time to me. Of course I can play a party of 3 or 4...but personally the full party of six is most enjoyable to play; that is with five incomplete and liable NPCs would be more fun with 2 extremely powerful and resourceful ones. Of course, that's because for me the rating isn't all about the practical/battle oriented value of a NPC, but to the whole roleplaying experience and I never venture beyond core-rules (tactics yes). [ 07-15-2004, 02:56 AM: Message edited by: teardropmina ] __________________ In truth, positive certainty is unattainable by man.<br /> --- Charles Sanders Peirce<br /><br />Lilarcor: \"why don\'t we kill that one over there? that spoiler police? hahahaha....\"