Heh, Akabar Bel Akash isn't utterly useless in Curse of the Azure Bonds now!

[Demetrios1453]

It's nice to see Akabar isn't a completely useless NPC now. It used to be that it was definitely better to not let him join when you meet him in Hap in Curse of the Azure Bonds as he had awful hit points and AC, and would act on his own in combat, often nuking your own characters! Plus, there was no way to level him up, since there's no training hall in Hap, and he leaves immediately upon the party leaving the area to go back to Essembra (the nearest training hall). So he was stuck eternally as a really bad level 5 magic-user, when your group was probably several levels higher.

But now, with the Level Up tool, after a bit, he's not so bad. I've gotten him up to level 7 just by going through the caves (haven't started on the tower yet), and as he gets max hit points per level, he's at least not completely fragile as glass now. Plus now he doesn't act on his own, but under your command like any other party member, so no accidental collateral fireball damage. I lucked out and found a set of extra bracers in the salamander cavern, so is AC isn't as terrible any more. The only issue is that he only has 20 darts, and there's not a way to replace them, so once they're gone, he's pretty much stuck with nothing when it comes to ranged attacks outside of spells. So buy a bunch before going to Hap if you plan to use him.

[Onix]

Yeah Akabar turned out to be pretty useful when I had him. Cast some key spells at key moments, was nice having another mage. I think he leveled up three times while I had him.

[Furry Wrecking Crew]

He's helping out. All the GBC improvements make a big difference. I normally don't use the GBC level-up option because i want as "pure" of a game as possible, but it's great for NPC situations like Akabar and for allowing you to exceed the game's level caps when you make a gimpy character (It lets me level my Half-elf Cleric past level 5!)

[jkbruewer]

The acting on his own is part of a hidden command ability check your party has. it's based on level, class, and charisma. if you pass the check you control NPCs. having a Paladin with a high level and Charisma is almost guaranteed to make the check .