Does anyone use Cernd?

[Chris P Lettuce]

Currently running a non-reload game (Unless main dies or Viconia gets chunked), with RP/character based decisions. (Initially the main goal is to rescue Imoen but wince the journey has been taking a toll, decided to dedicate the character to killing Irenicus. Archer, Neutral Good playthrough).
-Neera chunked by a firetrap in the enchanged/hidden refuge
-Minsc full level drained by Vamps in Windspear Hills (Large undead room)
-Yoshimo, see Minsc
-Korgan chunked by the golems in Watchers Keep lvl 1, (tried for extra EXP by attacking the Priests Golems)
-Jan level drained by Vamps at night. The City Gates, ambushed by vamps who asked if I was working with the Shadow thieves.
-Jaheria chunked by Firekragg

At this point, my character is seeing how powerful the Vampires are. (He has no idea Bohdi is with Irenicus) and is leaning towards allying with them. He accidently murdered a citizen who turned hostile after jan stole gold from her house in the docks.

With the character siding with Bohdi eventually, I decided to form an evil party/neutral party.

-Archer
-Viconia
-Edwin
-Hextatt (Last thieft left)
-Haer D'alis
??

And I'm thinking about adding Cernd after I complete ra'saads quest. Last time I played, Cernd sucked. The worst character stat wise in the game.

Im thinking about using him as a spell caster to supplement Viconia and Edwin with summon creatures.

Does anyone use Cernd regularly? and if so, how do they use him? what equipment do you arm him with? eventually I might drop haerdalis and take nalia to spellhold after seeing the error of his ways after siding with bohdi.

[Zotliatlicor]

Nalia can be your thief once you find all the magical Thief Equipments (Boots, Rings, Gloves etc etc)

I use Cernd. Right of the bat he was able to do the Duel in the Druid Grove, and won it at lvl 10 on Insane difficulty. He is very weak, but his Werewolf form is very Strong.

And as a pure Druid he will get to the nice lvl 5 spells quite fast. Iron Skin, True Seeing, and blissfully good Insect Swarms (at lvl 3, 5 & 7)

Insect swarm is the goto spell if you play with any Druid. Cernd needs to be human to cast spells, so you either start with him chunking some spells then transform, or he is transformed and fights and cast some spells mid combat or at the end (cures etc etc)

At lvl 13 he rocks while shapeshifted into his Greater Form. Then there is the Looooong wait where he needs so much exp to lvl that he basically dont, but after 3 million he starts to level rapidly again. Jaheira is the worst here, as when she needs 1.5 mill to lvl as druid you have to earn 3 million to get her a single level.

[Zotliatlicor]

Cernd update: he has -17 AC in his GWB shape in my current game, with 21 STR and 20 DEX. Maybe not so bad after all. He can only use this form 1/day though, but with Barkskin and Armour of Faith and Iron Skin cast on in human form first he rocks in combat.

And he must shapeshift to recast spells, which is a big bummer, but still.

[red255]

hexxat is immune to many things and can't be chunked so theres that. I'm not displeased with hexxat. I gave her a cloak of mirroring and she kinda soloed beholders.


Cernd is probably usable. its just druids have a very long downtime between level 14 and 3 million XP. and Cernd is truly nothing special. Probably good for summoning elementals. as he is a druid. beyond greater elemental summoning I dunno. I don't really use Cernd.

[Zotliatlicor]

Originally posted by red255:

hexxat is immune to many things and can't be chunked so theres that. I'm not displeased with hexxat. I gave her a cloak of mirroring and she kinda soloed beholders.


Cernd is probably usable. its just druids have a very long downtime between level 14 and 3 million XP. and Cernd is truly nothing special. Probably good for summoning elementals. as he is a druid. beyond greater elemental summoning I dunno. I don't really use Cernd.

He can use helms, so he can use Vailors helm and you have 2 werebeasts in combat. And the Simulacrum can cast buff for 16 rounds while Cernd Fights. He requires much planning and micromanagement, but he can be ok'ish if you are into it.

As i am in this playthrough. Beastmaster with Jaheira, Cernd, Wilson and Rassad. Jan until Nalia can Rouge, and plan to get Imoen for Nalia. No Clerics, just Druids. Although i do miss a cleric quite often.

This sorry misfit of players did just manage to get the Shadow dragon down on Insane difficulty (average player xp 500.000), i did not have Wilson there i had both Jan and Nalia.