Beastmaster/Cleric Dual

Malachy

Recently i completed a run through with a Beastmaster dual wielding clubs (+2 from the Arch Shadowdruid and a +1) and basically used him as the front line fighter, which was the best choice at the time since i was going for a bit of a misfits party.

Alora
Xan
Rasaad
Viconia

I will be looking to dual him into a cleric in BG2EE, is level 12 the optimal level to do this?

also has anyone ever done a run with a melee oriented BM/Cleric or would it be best to switch to slings?

My BG2EE party will be a little mixed up like the first

I want to see how Rasaad and Viconia plays out and i'll also add Anomen and Jaheira (party balance doesn't concern me and i know im missing a thief)

ryuken87

12 is one of the silliest levels to dual at since if you're waiting that long to dual you may as well go to 13 and get the extra 1/2 apr. If you wanted 12 for Animal Summoning III then it's not that great and the cleric will eventually get better summons.

[Deleted User]

I'd say if you're going to dual class that late, then in for a penny, in for a pound. Get level 13 as ryuken87 says for the extra APR. Being able to fill all your low level spell slots with animal summoning spells should be fun for blanketing the battlefield with distractions. Your AC will be a little lower than your average Ranger/Cleric at first, but if I remember correctly, Beastmasters can still use several of the dragon scale armors (Can they use Aeger's Hide?). And you still have all those classy Cleric melee buff spells combined with Ironskins, so I think that the front line is the place to be.