class suggestion

[Guest Dreamer Sasha (Moongaze)]

I absolutely adore Kivan. he was my fave companion in BG1 (could never resist taking him along! )

 

anyway I was thinking. the archer kit fits Kivan like a glove but I miss that feeling I had from BG1 where he was a plain ranger. Deheriana has 4 different classes you can choose from during install. Id like to suggest giving the player the choice to make Kivan an archer or a trueclass ranger.

[Kulyok]

I'd like that very much, too. And with BG1 proficiencies... What were his original weapon proficiencies before TUTU? ** in Large Swords and ** in Large Bows, I believe? That is, ** in Two-Handed Sword and ** in Long Bows for BG2, probably.

[Domi]

I am not very keen on giving Kivan and alternative kit set up, because well, everything about him screams an archer, and every single time I saw people's configurations for TUTU Kivan was always an Archer. I will think about it, but I don't want to promise anything.

 

Kivan's proficiencies in BG1 were:

 

Proficiencies (L2)

Bows **

Spears **

 

L4

Bows **

Spears **

Large Swords *

 

L6

 

Bows **

Spears **

Large Swords **

 

Ie he was a bowman and a spearman before all else. Which is understandable for a ranger of the elven background. Large swords combines all of the 'large swords', but since the long swords and long bows are traditional elven weapons, I selected long sword over the two-handed sword. Two handed sword while an impressive weapon is hardly of much use in the woods. Long sword is far easier to carry and wield.

 

Also, with the BG2 leveling up and the Archer Kit, he will have proficiencies in any weapon you wish pretty quickly.

[Kulyok]

Certainly, it's your call. Just keep it in mind, ok? I guess I am a bit turned on "Oh, the developer made him plain ranger, developer is God, let's keep him plain ranger." (sigh) Another pet peeve of mine. But I'll try to shut up here.

[Domi]

Oh, I understand this line of reasoning, but I think that if developers had the kit structure in BG1, he would have been an Archer. They, however, did not, so it is just a fairly good guess.

[Raven_Song]

I'm more inclined to agree with Domi, whenever I took Kivan in BG1 I found his CON a little too low for tanking, so I used him as an archer.

 

Also bear in mind that BG2 already has Minsc and Valygar as melee orientated rangers, and the stats of obth characters are probably better suited to tanking.

 

At present the only ranged specialist is Mazzy, so Kivan is more likely to be included in a party as an archer than a pure ranger, providing an alternative for those who want the choice (or those strange people who just don't like Mazzy )

[Guest Dreamer Sasha (Moongaze)]

Kivan rocked in BG1 with the longbow even if he wasnt an archer kit. I never made him use a spear or halberd unless he was attacked in melee combat. its just that Ive always found it the most natural thing to have him wear chain and plate and have him rock at what he does best: archery.

 

Im happy youre considering this but if you say no I wont complain cuz I understand what you mean about him being an elven archer rather than a heavily armored elven missile soldier. I agree if BG1 had kits Kivan wouldve been an archer.

 

Could you also consider giving him a bit more reasonable starting equipment? I mean he has a bow but no arrows at all? and why does he carry a large shield around when his starting weapons are a spear and a bow with no ammunition? but dont remove the helm!!! love the helm!

 

Also bear in mind that BG2 already has Minsc and Valygar as melee orientated rangers, and the stats of obth characters are probably better suited to tanking.

 

At present the only ranged specialist is Mazzy, so Kivan is more likely to be included in a party as an archer than a pure ranger, providing an alternative for those who want the choice (or those strange people who just don't like Mazzy  )

 

funny. I use Valygar either for archery (elven court bow *le sigh*) or for heavy melee fighting with dual katanas but I always use Mazzy as a knight with short sword and shield. I guess that depends on how people wanna use their characters. Im sure some use Minsc or Keldorn with bow/crossbow too.

[Raven_Song]

Could you also consider giving him a bit more reasonable starting equipment? I mean he has a bow but no arrows at all? and why does he carry a large shield around when his starting weapons are a spear and a bow with no ammunition? but dont remove the helm!!! love the helm!

 

Funny I'd never thought about this before but you are right it doesn't make that much sense. Fortunately you're likely to have over 1000 arrows after leaving Irenicus' dungeon

 

I use Valygar either for archery (elven court bow *le sigh*) or for heavy melee fighting with dual katanas but I always use Mazzy as a knight with short sword and shield. I guess that depends on how people wanna use their characters.

 

I never giver characters who dual-wield, ranged weapons (can't be bothered with all the switching, so I'm glad Kivan has proficiency in Spear (although I usually SK it to Halberds). Mazzy I actually use as both knight and archer, when Kivan is re-released/updated chances are Mazzy wil become more of a knight for me (she's a permanent fixture in all my parties)

 

Domi, I realize you don't want to change Kivan's kit from archer but have you thought about the Bowslinger kit from the Divine Remix? I only ask as it is specifically for Elves.

[Domi]

Could you also consider giving him a bit more reasonable starting equipment? I mean he has a bow but no arrows at all? and why does he carry a large shield around when his starting weapons are a spear and a bow with no ammunition? but dont remove the helm!!! love the helm.

 

Actually, I've already did that. Kivan will have +1 arrows and his BG1 Elven Spear of Entanglement and more money on him when he joins. And I removed the shield.

[Domi]

Domi, I realize you don't want to change Kivan's kit from archer but have you thought about the Bowslinger kit from the Divine Remix? I only ask as it is specifically for Elves.

 

I will need to talk to the DR team about that.

[Guest Dreamer Sasha (Moongaze)]

Funny I'd never thought about this before but you are right it doesn't make that much sense. Fortunately you're likely to have over 1000 arrows after leaving Irenicus' dungeon

 

not me cuz Im a hardcore Dungeon-be-gone user.

 

I never giver characters who dual-wield, ranged weapons (can't be bothered with all the switching, so I'm glad Kivan has proficiency in Spear (although I usually SK it to Halberds). Mazzy I actually use as both knight and archer, when Kivan is re-released/updated chances are Mazzy wil become more of a knight for me (she's a permanent fixture in all my parties)

 

no no I dont combine ranged weapons with dual wielding! I said either Valygar with a bow and his family katana as backup, or Valygar dual-wielding two katanas. it depends on my other party members and their skills how I use Valy. Mazzy is usually my melee knight though. dunno why I never use her bow.

 

Domi,  I realize you don't want to change Kivan's kit from archer but have you thought about the Bowslinger kit from the Divine Remix? I only ask as it is specifically for Elves.

 

sounds good to me! if not I'll just have to SK Kivan!!

 

Actually, I've already did that. Kivan will have +1 arrows and his BG1 Elven Spear of Entanglement and more money on him when he joins. And I removed the shield. 

 

yay!!

[Grand_Dracolich]

How about giving the player a choice about spears or halberds? Both weapons can be used for thrusting and in open areas you can slash with halberds, so it seems like an elf would use it. And long swords and bows are good elf weapons (I play icewind dale 2 alot and elves no matter what class can use bows and long swords).

 

I also usually like giving kivan a point to katana and when he gets attacked in melee, jab him with the Celestial Fury, then either fall back and use arrows, or keep at it with the Impaler.

[Domi]

I think that ShadowKeeper is a better way to implement the player-driven changes like that.