Multiclass with Mage/thief

Faray

Hi all,

Hope this is in the right place. I decided I want to play a multiclass Mage. I originally thought of doing Mage/thief but would the thief skills get stale after a while? I know dualing is better but I want to play something other than a human this run and I like the idea of multiclassibg better.

If it matters I will probably make an elf, I know they aren't as good as gnomes but I'm ok with that.

Thanks!

Wanderon

Depends somewhat on whether this is just for BGEE or the whole series. Thief skills will be needed throughout the game either way and with a multiclass thief you would eventually have enough skill to do without another thief in the party if you wish to - or you could still have a dedicated thief and use your PC to augment their skills.

Did you have a specific reason you wanted to multiclass with thief?

Faray

Thanks for the response. I mostly want to be able to cover the thieving duties and be a mage as well. Also I've done a pure and a dual class before, so this time I want to try multiclass. I will play this one through BG2. I though Imoen had enough thief skill for everything in BG2, but it's been a while so I don't remember.

Awong124

You lose Imoen for most of BG2.

Faray

I know, I was just using her as a reference point. I think 100 is the most you needed in lock picking right?

IkMarc

Well... there are three strong thief/mage npc's in BG2, so I don't really see a point to make this multi from that perspective.

Faray

Being one means I don't have to use them and can use someone else. There are other reasons though - I want to play a multicast (already did pure and dual) and thieves and mages are generally my favorite classes to play so this way I can combine them.

ZanathKariashi

You're fine. In BG1 focus on Locks and Traps (should have enough points to hit 100 in Both with a little left over to get a head start on DI), using invisibility spells if you decide to BS something, and in BG2, max DI (eliminates the need for divination spells) and then whatever else you want...maybe trade out the invisibility by raising stealth or maxing set traps for extra punch vs magic resistant enemies. You can do it all eventually....just which one you want to do best first (though staff of the magi pretty much eliminates the need for stealth, unless you plan to BS A LOT...in which case stealth is pretty good after combining with boots of speed).

Kaltzor

Getting 100 skill in Lockpick/Find Traps is always good. Also, for a mage/thief multiclass, you continue to get more thief skills, as invisibility spells work as a replacement for stealth, you will have points to spare to get Detect Illusion and Pickpocket as well (In BG2, I think the only stores you can't pickpocket are the Adventure Mart, Shadow Thieves and two bonus merchants)

Wowo

I basically always put my level 1 points into set traps, getting up to ~50% success rate is enough to set them pretty reliably.

Traps are so good! Drizzt will go down with 7 of them ...

After that I close to max either OL or DT. There's so many thieves in BG1 you can have 1 cover what you're missing. I'd suggest to go to 80 in detect traps first and use Coran or Knock for locks. 80 is all you need in DT as potions of perception will cap you at 100 (not to mention bonuses from dex tome and DUHM).

Points after that ... Well, I'd go into Move Silently. Then get staff and THF'ing and lay down some hurt with the +3 staff from Ulgoth's beard and later the staff of striking. No reason you can't solo dungeons with this combination.

Gnomes are so much better than elves both as a caster and as a thief and the saves are just so strong in BG1. Can still romance Aerie in Bg2 too.