How to use the F/M/C
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I'm having a very large issue, for me anyways. I can never decide on a class I want to play, and I usually just end up playing a Fighter Mage, and I would like a new Favorite. I would LOVE a Ranger/Mage... but that multiclass is not available (yet anyways) and I wanted to try a Fighter/Mage/Cleric!
The only issue with this, is the fact that a triple class... well... Levels up exceptionally slowly, and I don't know how I'm going to figure this out while playing with a full party... or semi full party.
Is this a good idea or should I try something else? I just can't decide on a perfect class...
The only issue with this, is the fact that a triple class... well... Levels up exceptionally slowly, and I don't know how I'm going to figure this out while playing with a full party... or semi full party.
Is this a good idea or should I try something else? I just can't decide on a perfect class...
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Considering playing a fighter/mage or fighter/mage/thief right now myself, If I could do a ranger instead I would be so happy, and would mostly make the f/m/t un necessary. (maybe I can find a mod to do it)
Problem with the F/M/C is that unlike the F/M/T, the two caster classes conflict a bit, as you can only cast 1 spell at a time and a lot of the buffs overlap. At least the F/M/T it doesn't interfere much to backstab and do the traps and locks.
I'd pick a f/m or F/C and stick with that.
If you really want the dual caster just go mage/cleric. You will have so many spells you wont have time to melee stuff anyway.
You miss out on bonus attacks, basically, but not in bgee (you'd need 192k xp). Because of the xp break down, both F/M/c and m/c have 16 base thac0 at cap, so the only advantage f/m/c gets is a slightly better hp pool and the ability to specialize. On the balance, you're better off at m/c, since you're bsically trading specialization and a bit of hp for a level of mage and cleric.
That extra level in cleric and mage unlock fourth level spells for both, btw, so it's an important extra level. What would you rather have, specialization or stoneskin?
Something else you could do is farm ankhegs in the ankheg cave, near where you get Ajantis. I'll admit, it's sort of "cheesy", but ankhegs die easy enough, and the 975 experience divided three ways would get you, what, 325 in each class?
Then, once you're happy with where you're at, pick up the others as an afterthought.
If only they gave out those x% bonuses to experience for high prime requisites like in pen & paper...
I'm currently fiddling around with a Mage/Cleric (as a few of you suggested) but I really hate not being able to melee stuff down (I feel like I need to be able to do everything) and so I tried a bard, but the THAC0 progression is terrible, and maybe I should just try a blade...?
Lastly, as much as I love Rangers... i hate having to stay in the good alignments. Neutral has always been my area, I either pick True Neutral or Chaotic Neutral. Chaotic neutral usually wins out though because I love cats :P
I also want to have a mage component really badly, as I only played through the saga the first time with a ranger.
As for alignment I am thinking neutral as well but it seems cheesy metagaming rep so much to keep near the midpoint.
Most of my alignment decisions right now are based on what kind of party I want.
I ran the classic khalid/jaheira/minsc/dynaheir/imoen back in the day and i really want Edwin and Viconia this time around. In BG2 I MUST have Korgan and Viconia as well. I used to bring them along with my good parties sometimes but it caused issues.
Here is a thread with some helpful suggestions and opinions on the class's merits compared to others.
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/11159/fighter-mage-cleric-most-underused-multiclass/p1
For the long run, the whirlwind, critical strike, and other high level fighter abilities are much more attractive for my money than the spellcaster abilities. (Don't get me wrong - there are some very good ones but they are kind of take-them-or-leave-them since you get similar power with good use of the default 7th and 9th level spells).
+ with M / C you can be a gnome and be an Illusionist / Cleric. Extra spell per level + shorty saves yay.
Oh yeah, I love those spells. Xan's entire level 3 spell book is filled with skull trap.
I never played through with Jan in BG2.
Really looking forward to BG2:EE to play with a lot of NPCs I never used for more than a few levels. For whatever stupid reasons I played with almost the exact same party every time I played, and I had a lot of plays only changing CHARNAME.
I always had Keldorn for Carsomyr.
I always had Har Dalas because I thought he was cool.
I always had Viconia because I was a 15 year old male. Lol.
Sometimes the last 2 would change but 9 times out of 10 I had Minsc and Nalia if I was good, and Korgan and Edwin if I was evil. I was boring.
Everyone else... it depends on my main character, because let's be honest, there isn't as much variety in BG2 as there is in 1.
In my first play through ever having no idea what I was doing or what was going to happen next, I had the pommel jewel of the equalizer on Imoen before she got taken away. Upon getting her back she did not have this in her inventory, so I always held it against her. Didn't say it made sense.
Guigui
@moopy was actually counting three. Recall that gnomes begin with a wisdom penalty, so it would take the three tomes to get to twenty.