Dualing Fighter to Druid - Seeking advice, thoughts, opinions
Deucetipher
Member Posts: 521
So I got a monster roll on a TN Berserker and decided to set up a dual class to druid, a play-through I hadn't yet tried. Yeah, I know it isn't the optimized dual, but I thought it might be fun to at least try it out. Dual wielding scimitars, btw.
Anyway, my question is this: Would you rather dual at 7, 9 or 13, and why?
The main advantage of dualing at 13 is the extra half attack, along with full fighter HP and better thac0. There is no drawback under the SoA cap (if utilized), as 14 is max druid level anyway, and I'd still hit 28 as a druid in ToB. With level bonuses capping at 20, and spell casting progression at 25, I'd miss out on nothing endgame.
The main disadvantage is that I'll spend a solid half of SoA recovering levels (though it can go faster)
Dual-classing at 7 still nets me 1.5 base attacks, and additionally grants me Grandmastery in scimitar and mastery in dual wielding while still in BG1. I lose out on something like 12-18 hp vs. 9 and 13. I hit 9 druid, enough for iron skins and insect plague, two excellent spells. Most importantly, it means I hit SoA with a realized character. It is easier to hit your DC in BG1 than two, as XP camping is relatively more rewarding. I'll probably use the skeleton warrior trap in Durlag's for this. It will go very quickly.
9 probably nets me the smallest advantage, 2 more fighter hd and an additional use of berserk, but I won't spend nearly as long leveling back to fighter in SoA.
Anyway, my question is this: Would you rather dual at 7, 9 or 13, and why?
The main advantage of dualing at 13 is the extra half attack, along with full fighter HP and better thac0. There is no drawback under the SoA cap (if utilized), as 14 is max druid level anyway, and I'd still hit 28 as a druid in ToB. With level bonuses capping at 20, and spell casting progression at 25, I'd miss out on nothing endgame.
The main disadvantage is that I'll spend a solid half of SoA recovering levels (though it can go faster)
Dual-classing at 7 still nets me 1.5 base attacks, and additionally grants me Grandmastery in scimitar and mastery in dual wielding while still in BG1. I lose out on something like 12-18 hp vs. 9 and 13. I hit 9 druid, enough for iron skins and insect plague, two excellent spells. Most importantly, it means I hit SoA with a realized character. It is easier to hit your DC in BG1 than two, as XP camping is relatively more rewarding. I'll probably use the skeleton warrior trap in Durlag's for this. It will go very quickly.
9 probably nets me the smallest advantage, 2 more fighter hd and an additional use of berserk, but I won't spend nearly as long leveling back to fighter in SoA.
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Comments
true. I do wish there were a way to enable the SoA cap with ToB installed. HLAs are just too good for SoA, plus you just tend to outlevel content. 9 does seem to be a mechanics sweetspot, since hitting druid 10 won't take very long in SoA
@Quartz
That's sort of where I'm leaning. I wanted to get opinions first though. You've played fighter/druid dc before? It looks like it should be fun.
@Frosty
Well, I'll play this guy in BG2 eventually, so might as well plan for it. BTW, I think you max fight hd at 9 anyway.
F/D dualed scimitars - very nice dualed in Chez Irenicus IIRC and kept the group small (3) until he got his fighter skills back - which was before we left town I think - after dungeon and Copper Coronet maybe.
@elminster - if you aren't afraid of a little cheese, you can refrain from hitting level up until you have enough xp to hit druid 8 and master two-weapon fighting (or specialize in a second weapon). It's doable if you're xp camping, but too much of a hassle otherwise, I think.
Sure. Durlag's tower dungeon level two, false exit to three. An attempt to use the false exit will trigger a trap that spawn several skeleton warriors, as well as deploying a stinking cloud. The trap can be sprung multiple times. Each skeleton warrior is worth 5k xp and drops a twohanded sword+1
PS: sorry, we must have submitted at the same time, I swear I didn't just ignore your post
3 skeleton warriors at 4k, two of which are carrying a two-handed sword +1
FYI, there's another good spot, the final level of the candlekeep catacombs (the level with prat and the basilisks). 19/20 rests will spawn a phase spider. Not the easiest to get to but an alternative.