Is There Any Way To Pick The Sub-Classes When Dual/Multi Classing?

RyanFialcowitz

Whenever I dual or multiclass I only seem to get the options to choose the main classes and not the sub-classes. The exception being if I start in one of the sub-classes. Is there anyway around this?

- Ryan Paul Fialcowitz

Gallowglass

If you want to stay within the official rules of the game then the answer is no, you can only have a kit when single-classed or as the first class of a dual, not as a multi-class or as the second class of a dual. (The sole exception is that a gnome Mage is always an Illusionist instead of a plain Mage, even when multi-classed.)

However, if you don't care about playing by the official rules, then you can cheat your way around the restriction with ShadowKeeper.

RyanFialcowitz

My understanding is that in the original version of the game this was possible- but I gather this version is more in line with the sequel where it's not.

Google says ShadowKeeper is a save editor- is there no mod that would do this? Or perhaps a file I could edit to achieve these results?

Edit
Are the armour & weapons restriction rules the same for dual classing as they are when multi classing?

- Ryan Paul Fialcowitz

TJ_Hooker

There's a specific case where you could do this in the original: dual classing into a specialist mage (e.g. conjurer, etc.). There's been some requests to have this option restored, but I'm not sure if it's being worked on. Also, if you're a gnome, you can be a multiclass illusionist/X. This still works. These 2 things don't really count though, as specialist mages aren't really kits.

Otherwise, no, there wasn't (and still isn't) any way to have a kit with a multiclass character, or in the second class of a dual class character . As far as I know, there isn't any mod that changes this. There may be a file you could edit to get it done (although I wouldn't know which one), but I think you may have an easier time just using Shadowkeeper.

Edit

RyanFialcowitz said:

Are the armour & weapons restriction rules the same for dual classing as they are when multi classing?

Off the top of my head, yes.

atcDave

I don't believe it was ever possible, it isn't in PNP, and the BG rules should reflect that. Only starting, single-class characters can have a kit.

Shadowkeeper can really work magic, its probably the best solution for what you want. I have used it successfully for "illegal" classes like half-elven Paladin before.

The short answer for armor and restrictions is yes, dual and multi class should incur the same restrictions. I can't think of any exceptions to that. You know the only catch is that when you first dual class your initial class goes "inactive", and its limitations won't be in effect until the class itself is re-activated (new level exceeds the old one). So when you dual that cleric over to thief you should be able to use a short bow until the cleric comes back!

RyanFialcowitz

I appreciate the information from all of you. I think I'll stick to the game as is at the moment- using a save editor feels like cheating. Although I suppose the same could be said about using mods. . .

- Ryan Paul Fialcowitz

[Deleted User]

I seem to remember there being kits for specific multiclass combinations (i.e. a kit for Fighter/Mage/Thieves) in the Complete Book of Elves, but that's a different animal than playing, say, a Fighter/Bounty Hunter, and probably beyond the scope of the BG2 engine.

atcDave

Kaigen said:

I seem to remember there being kits for specific multiclass combinations (i.e. a kit for Fighter/Mage/Thieves) in the Complete Book of Elves, but that's a different animal than playing, say, a Fighter/Bounty Hunter, and probably beyond the scope of the BG2 engine.

I don't remember that but its certainly possible, there were many exceptions in the supplemental books.

Ryan as far as "cheating" goes I think the usual consensus is it depends a lot on what you're trying to do. If you just want straight 25s on your scores then yes, that is clearly cheating.
But there are so many exceptions and conditions on things that many of us will know of situations when the core rules were violated for a PNP campaign, and it seems a lot less like cheating. I played that half-elven Paladin character in a Greyhawk campaign for many years (over a decade), so when I decided to recreate her for BG I had no qualms about it!

Fardragon

RyanFialcowitz said:

My understanding is that in the original version of the game this was possible- but I gather this version is more in line with the sequel where it's not.

No, it was never possible. The original version of BG didn't have kits, apart from specialist mages.

Google says ShadowKeeper is a save editor- is there no mod that would do this?

No, it would require a reworking of the character creation interface, which is well beyond what can reasonably be achieved with mods.

Are the armour & weapons restriction rules the same for dual classing as they are when multi classing?

Yes.

Fardragon

Kaigen said:

I seem to remember there being kits for specific multiclass combinations (i.e. a kit for Fighter/Mage/Thieves) in the Complete Book of Elves, but that's a different animal than playing, say, a Fighter/Bounty Hunter, and probably beyond the scope of the BG2 engine.

Yes, this is correct. PnP 2nd edition had kits specifically for multiclassed characters. I could think of ways you could code it in the BG engine, but it would be a bit of a cludge.