Jagged Alliance 2

[Dorkenstein]

Anyone here have any advice on what custom merc to make and what starting team to hire? I got into this game today but was lost by the sheer amount of learning curve. A google search didn't reveal much information that was definite but rather a lot of "general advice". Any solid help would be really appreciated.

 

[DaveSimmons]

This is a good game, and when you're tired of stock play the Urban Chaos total conversion is like a whole new game with the same engine.

I usually go for a custom merc with automatic weapon skills, either both slots (expert?) or maybe auto + heavy weapons for LAW rockets and such near the end.

I usually pick Fox for one starting merc, for her dialogue, low price and because she learns & improves very quickly.

I think you can find the user-made strategy guide for it at Bear's Pit - JA-Galaxy forums

If not, PM me a valid email address and I'll email a copy.

 

[9mak9]

in your custom merc make sure your wisdom, (helps you gain in skills), health and marksmanship are max. Then you really dont need the other 3 skills so you can keep them really low or at 0...then use the rest to up dex to a good number cause it helps with shooting, and then the rest in agility and strength. For skills night visions is great because you fight plenty in the nighttime, weapon skill is ok, or teaching for militia is good.

as for mercs its really up to you...I've beaten the game over a dozen times on different levels with different mercs, its really preference. Obviously marksmanship is the most important so look for that, but don't go for anyone on the top 2 tiers to start off. This is mostly because they are very expensive and you really dont need a high powered merc in the early (easiest) portion of the game.

to start i like to go with wolf, ice and fox...around that...you get 2 solid mercs and a low end merc that can start training militia at the beginning.

 

[Skott]

Nowadays I use six custom IMP mercs and just go around killing everything in sight in the v1.13 mod. Whats nice about having six custom mercs is that they dont cost anything since they are free. You can pre equip them with anything you want before hand and also set their stats anyway you want as well. Its like sending in a professionally hired hit team. But if you want to do it the old fashion way you can hire cheap mercs like Grunty, Bull, Steroid, Fox, Buns, MD, Grizzly, Barry, Gasket, Flo, and Biff and build them up over time and keep them or trade up to better mercs as money allows. There are many ways to play through JA2 although the end game objective is always the same. For more info check out http://www.ja-galaxy-forum.com/

 

[DaveSimmons]

A 6-custom squad is something to maybe do after playing the normal game many times. Aside from being too easy you'll also miss out on all the merc banter.

 

[Skott]

Oh, yeah I agree Dave. Play thru the vanilla game first and then get into the various mods and extras that come with v1.13 after you have exhausted the vanilla game mercs combos. JA2 is an older game now but its still fun to play around with despite its aged graphics.

 

[9mak9]

then you should play unfinished business and then get the new mod which is more difficult but very well done