How to build an Evil backstabber?
tyl998
Member Posts: 144
Let's say I want to build a Rogue of some sort that I want to play throughout BG1, 2, and ToB, and I actually want to try to use the Backstab feature (speaking of which, what weapons can I backstab with?), how should I build her? Assume that I want a competent melee fighter who can *really* dish out the hurt. She doesn't need ot be tanky, but she shouldn't be dying constantly and forcing me to reload either.
Should I be going with some sort of Thief/Fighter multiclass? Some sort of Dual class? Pure Assassin?
Should I be going with some sort of Thief/Fighter multiclass? Some sort of Dual class? Pure Assassin?
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Alsoooo... Cleric/Thief is a pretty appealing option, due to Sanctuary and something-or-other...I know for a fact that a Cleric/Thief of the appropriate level and/or ability score allocation belting out a Draw Upon Holy Might, as well as a few other buffs and then a Sanctuary or drinking a Potion of Invisibility with the aforementioned staff in hand would be nasty.
I'm more of a Magic-User/Thief person, myself, so somebody else should be able to fill you in on some more of the Cleric/Thief and otherclass/Thief love, though I will say right now that it's a fun combination to play if you decide to look into it.
Cant say much about bg2 and tob though.
This would let you play kensai through bg1 and part of 2, dual at say 9 or 13 to thief and become a brutally effective backstabber and melee combatant, eventually getting use any item and equipping armor as needed on your Kensai/thief.
If I Go Kensai up til 9 (so I an get Grandmastery on a weapon), I'll have to choose carefully cuz that's the only weapon I'll ever get GM in. What's the best weapon choice for someone who wants to do a crapton of backstab damage? Also, is backstab is a multiplier? Like a 2x backstab just multiples whatever damage I do by 2? If that stacks with Kensai's Kiai...
There are excellent shortswords throughout the saga, as well as longswords. Scimitar prof gives you a ton of flexibility, and eventually gets you the scarlet ninjato, an excellent off-hand weapon (gives you an extra main hand attack. Also giving extra attacks: Kundane, shortsword and Belm, Scimitar)
In addition, you can take single weapon style and double your chance of a crit. I like dual wielding, personally, but a thief prof into single weapon isn't a bad idea if you're willing to switch to a single weapon for backstab and back for melee.
If you really want to focus on backstabbing and want it right out of the blocks you want to play a Fighter/Thief multiclass. Half-Orc is the best choice of race due to the high strength score increasing damage and THAC0. If you don't like Half-Orcs, an Elf using a longsword is a decent option. They have a higher dex, so higher hide/move silently, higher AC and a racial bonus to hit with longswords.
If you're more patient and don't mind waiting for a few levels (or the entire first game) you can make a deadly fighter/thief dual class with grand mastery. Just be sure to use a weapon that is useable by the thief class.
Should I go ahead and get GM in Quarterstaff? Is it viable for end-game in BG2 and ToB?
@goodsteve is correct. If you want to backstab out the gate, one of those choices is the ideal. Note that the elven racial bonus to longswords actually applies to all swords.
Believe me, I know that in terms of raw backstab damage, staves are best. Staff of striking in BG1 then staff of the ram and upgrade in BG2 and ToB. Like I said, I prefer blades for aesthetic reasons, and they're perfectly serviceable. IMO, you'll also be more effective in regular melee dual wielding than with staffs, particularly if you use weapons that boost apr.
For BG1, it appears I can get access to a +1 Staff decently early on in the gamr, but that's it until the staff +3 very late in the game right? Hmm...might give my Kensai a bit of a hard time, but I'm sure she'll manage. The lack of armor is gonna suck though.
To be honest the assassin isn't worth it. They don't gain BS any faster then a normal thief (it takes till lvl 16 before you start to see benefit), and they take a MASSIVE skill penalty. The +1 hit/damage is pretty nice, as is poison weapon, but they don't really make up for the fact it takes a LONG time to to really hit your stride, vs a normal thief. For the record, anything bigger then a x5 backstab is usually overkill and wasted, save for a handful of enemies that can't be backstabbed anyway (most dragons, most demons, demon knights, beholders adamantite golems, Kuo-tua (well...they're a special case, but it's just not worth trying to set up a backstab on them)).
The bounty hunter is probably my favorite...just like a plain thief, but BETTER, cause those extra special traps give them more options for things that can't be backstabbed. While poison weapon for the assassin serves a similar purpose and can be effective with a 3 attack ranged weapon...it's not nearly as satisfying.
This however will take a lot of time when you will start playing the character in BG1, so you might want to start with a thief and dual class to a fighter. This on the other hand will limit your backstabbing multiplier.
Considering that in order to obtain the benefits from both classes in BG2, you will probably be best off multi-classing a half-orc fighter/thief.
I myself rolled a human thief, took one level and dualed to fighter, just for use in BG1. I chose grandmastery in quarter staves, maxed out hide in shadows, bought shadow armor and the staff +3. Character is way overpowered. Since I also picked up boots of speed now I'm practically playing in god mode most of the game.
So in hindsight: don't use this combination at all and make a class that is actually fun to play.
Make a throne out of swords.
I totally lost interest in the character once I got Use Any Item, though. Any hint of challenge just evaporated. The character was fun mostly because of the style of play its restrictions dictated, and once those restrictions were gone, it was just an overpowered slaughter-machine.
I suggest a fighter/thief, it's fun!
But, an assassin who dual-classes to cleric after he hits x7 backstab (which isn't til level freakin' 21) can eventually do over 1000 damage with a backstab critical hit.