Skyle's 5 PC Party

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This party development page features my 5 human PC party that I have played in all of the Exile games. See the Tactics for the Player (Adobe PDF file) playing aid for additional information. There is also an Exile 3 Advice text file with some good party development opinions.

I always play a party whose average level is lower than the author's recommended level. If necessary, the party can fight more wandering monsters, go through side or optional dungeons, revisit dungeons after the 4 town reset, or (as a last resort) I can use the PC editor if the party is constantly outclassed by monsters or other scenario challenges.

During the scenario, I build the skills based on what is available - Alchemy for alchemy recipes and herbs, Mage/Priest level for Mage and Priest spells above 3rd level, etc. The PCs gain Mage Lore (up to 5 points each for 25 points total) early in case spell books are found - revisiting a dungeon is not a pleasant experience (and some books may be a one-shot read). I try to always have 5 or 6 unused skill points for spell users in case the party just gains access to the higher level spells.

A party may want to have a higher casting level than needed as some spells may be found just before they are needed in dungeons (i.e. Ravage Spirit and Protection in Of Good and Evil). The party may not have a chance to go back to town and train to get that additional spell level.

Once, I played a Nephil Jared (Nared), but wasn't too impressed by the additional dexterity benefits (i.e. +1 dexterity and better with missiles, disarming traps, and lockpicking). I noticed he was taking more damage from poison than the other PCs. I have yet to play a Slith PC or party (it would be a more combat effective party, but I don't like the additional 20 xp penalty).

All the PCs have Good Constitution, that little resistance to poison and disease helps.
	Patrick Human Magically Adept Good Constitution 130 xp/level	Skyle Human Toughness Ambidextrous Woodsman Good Constitution Exceptional Strength Recuperation 161 xp/level	Jared Human Toughness Ambidextrous Nimble Fingers Cave Lore Good Constitution Recuperation (mod 3) 142 xp/level (157 mod 3)
	Shawna Human Magically Adept Good Constitution Highly Alert 137 xp/level		Jennifer Human Magically Adept Good Constitution Highly Alert 137 xp/level

Skyle is my main Fighter and volunteer for Split Party tasks. He is based on my favorite AD&D character, a Ranger. At higher levels, he gains more intelligence, spell points, and additional Priest Levels to effectively cast low level Priest spells. His main task is to engage the hostile spell casters in the rear.

Jared is the Fighter/thief, again based on an AD&D character. He is the secondary fighter, carries the bow or crossbow, and is skilled at disarming traps. At higher levels, he is the alchemist and carries the herbs to brew potions (a dumb alchemist with 1 Intelligence). He is the most important member of the party - alchemy is vital for my playing style. He also advances to engage the rear spell casters.

Jennifer is nearly identical to Shawna in mage skills. She carries the Sapphires to cast Magic Map and any alchemy ingredients that Jared can't carry. She is usually better armored than Shawna, which allows her to be closer to the action to cast Slow Group. In her support role, she tends to carry much of the unidentified items out of a dungeon. At higher levels, both Jennifer and Shawna develop their dexterity skills to kill the wounded monsters. With repeated Major Blessings/ Bless Partys/Curse Alls, they become effective fighters.

Shawna is nearly identical to Jennifer in mage skills. She carries the Piercing Crystals and Smoky Crystals (with a Ring of Will, she is the first choice for MindDuelling). To balance spell points, she is the first to learn Capture Soul (Jennifer learns it later as gold permits). In her support role, she tends to carry much of the unidentified items out of a dungeon. At higher levels, both Jennifer and Shawna develop their dexterity skills to kill the wounded monsters. With repeated Major Blessings/Bless Partys/Curse Alls, they become effective fighters.

Patrick is the main Priest and is mainly the party's rear guard and support (via Bless Party and Curse Alls). In general, he is the lowest level PC in the party, but I usually send him out alone to finish the wounded monsters (after Hastes and Blesses) to catch-up. He also frequently casts Cure Disease.

To balance levels, I shift weapons among the PCs and usually let the lower level PCs kill the wounded monsters or fight them all (with a few Blesses, Curse Alls, and attacks to wound them first). The PC that strikes the death blow gets most of that monster's experience points. Doing this, most of the PCs in my parties differ only by 4 levels (Skyle is the highest, Patrick the lowest).

I sometimes split the party to explore the dungeon faster or for a two sided attack - Skyle and Shawna in a group and Jared, Jennifer, and Patrick in the other. For a three way split, it's Skyle solo, Jared and Jennifer, and Patrick and Shawna.

Saved games are zipped in the Skyle 5 PC parties file and are for the Windows version of Blades of Exile. View the text file listing the party's attributes.