So quick question about the 7 character slots.

[derek_tah]

If I recall correctly in the original there were only 6 slots with a S) for special characters (typical it be creatures conjored by the mages. Has there been a charnge that we are suppose to have seven characters or is it just a decision not to have a special slot like the old games?

[Janichsan]

It's now the same system in all three games as it was from BT2 on: you can create six characters, and add a seventh summoned special character.

The difference to the original BT1 6+S system is that the the special character can be at any position in your party roster and does not always have to be in the frontmost row.

No, sorry, I have to take that back: you can actually create and play with seven characters.

[JPMcMillen]

Originally posted by derek_tah:

If I recall correctly in the original there were only 6 slots with a S) for special characters (typical it be creatures conjored by the mages. Has there been a charnge that we are suppose to have seven characters or is it just a decision not to have a special slot like the old games?

It was changed starting with the original Bard's Tale II. In that game, and III, there were times when you needed that 7th spot filled with somone you could dismiss because they sometimes had an essential NPC you had to add to the party to complete a quest.

[derek_tah]

Originally posted by Janichsan:

It's now the same system in all three games as it was from BT2 on: you can create six characters, and add a seventh summoned special character.

The difference to the original BT1 6+S system is that the the special character can be at any position in your party roster and does not always have to be in the frontmost row.

No, sorry, I have to take that back: you can actually create and play with seven characters.

Ok, so now I confused. OK, lets say I create seven characters, does that mean I can't use a summon character?

[sirtechfan]

Originally posted by derek_tah:

Originally posted by Janichsan:

It's now the same system in all three games as it was from BT2 on: you can create six characters, and add a seventh summoned special character.

The difference to the original BT1 6+S system is that the the special character can be at any position in your party roster and does not always have to be in the frontmost row.

No, sorry, I have to take that back: you can actually create and play with seven characters.

Ok, so now I confused. OK, lets say I create seven characters, does that mean I can't use a summon character?

I haven't gotten that far into the remastered game yet, but my guess is you have to have an open spot in your party to be able to summon a creature (or snare an enemy to join you). It was this way in BTII and BTIII, as JPMcMIllen stated above.

[tremir]

Not sure about summons yet, but I can verify that wandering monsters can't join you if you have 7 PCs.

[Defendi]

Is your front line still 1-3 or is it 1-4? I seem to remember that a summoned or charmed monster was never worth it. They were sub-par and split XP. So it was better to leave the spot empty. But the front rank will help decide if going to a 7 person party is the way to go.

[tremir]

1-4 is the front line.
And yeah, the special character was rarely worth it, except in the very beginning of the game, where the earth elemental was a huge help.

[Defendi]

Cool. So I probably want something like: A pally, A warrior, a monk, another monk or warrior, a bard, 2 conjurers. Otherwise I'm playing with a front line bard.

[Rudel]

I was so surprised by the 7th slot that I went for a Rogue. I know they suck in BT1 but if you plan on re-playing all three you will need one anyways...

[tremir]

Rogues should have the hide/backstab mechanic now, so might be useful once they level enough to get critical hit skill.
Unfortunately, it doesn't let them attack from the back row like in the old BT3 right now

[Razdan]

Yes it would be a lot better if rogue could attack from back row after hiding in shadow.

[Corelian]

This is really annoying. I used to play 3 Fighter Types and 3 Mage Types, with the occasional special or summoned monster. Now I can't have a slot open for specials without ending up with a Mage on the front line.

I wouldn't mind if you could position characters 1-3, leave 4 open, 5-7 for the mages/bard...

[Darklord]

Can't you just drag the mage into the back line?

Daniel.

[derek_tah]

I thought the summoned was automaticly put to the front line if it was a melee attacker (at least I swear I saw the developers commenting on that)

[Kelanor]

yes i agree, slot #1 should be dynamic. Let us toggle slot #1, that way our whole group can get shoved into slots 2-7. (2-4 melee, 5-7 back row) that way we can leave slot one open for special if we want and our mages don't get thrown into melee please. :-)
I actually started with 7 cause of 7 slots, but ditched the 7th so i can leave it open. Didn't realize i would lose access to summons and recruits if i filled that slot. Luckily i have a bard in 4th slot so a mage isn't dragged into melee.