3-man party

Avari

So, we're closing in on the launch of BG2:EE, and I'm trying to decide what character I want to play, when I start my first multiplayer playthrough with two friends.

I'm not sure about their choice of profession, but I think they'll be playing something along the line of a multiclass fighter/cleric and wild mage.

This gives us a magic user and a tank, so I'm trying to figure out how to add some versatility to our party. This has lead me to the option of dual class fighter/thief.

Thus, I am looking for some tips on kensai(13)/thief and berserker(9)/thief. I like the berserker option because he's not as squishy as the kensai and it gives some marvelous immunities - plus I won't have to wait 13 levels (!) to reactivate my fighter abilities. On the other hand it would also be pretty neat to be able to add both the rogue qualities of the thief and the awesome dmg of kai/backstab combo plus the K(13)/T looses a lot of its drawbacks once you reach UAI.

I'm also looking for some input on choice of weapon! Quarterstaffs should be awesome for backstabs, but I wonder what other options are out there? It's been years since I last played my way through BG2, so I'm a bit at a loss on how to proceed.

Hope you guys got some ideas

NB - I've also entertained the notion of a pure class cavalier due to immunities and whatnot. If anyone has some input on this feel free to share as well.

FinneousPJ

Kensais aren't really that squishy; you can get a Shield amulet very very early and then you're golden. You can do a K9->Thief so that's not an advantage for the berserker. Also note you cannot use most thief skills in heavy armor!

nano

You don't want do a multiclass F/T? I'd go multiclass if I was playing with other people because 1) there's no shortage of exp with only 3 people and 2) you're competent the whole game and don't have to make them carry your sorry pure thief ass. And fighter HLAs are always fun.

DrHappyAngry

nano said:

You don't want do a multiclass F/T? I'd go multiclass if I was playing with other people because 1) there's no shortage of exp with only 3 people and 2) you're competent the whole game and don't have to make them carry your sorry pure thief ass. And fighter HLAs are always fun.

Yup, you'll have your thief abilities the whole time. Getting that sweet mix of fighter and thief HLAs. Weapon choice is just preference. Staffs are a fine choice. If you're doing an elf, long swords are good. You could go the dual wield route, too. Sword and board also works, for some reason there's no penalty to sneaking or thief abilities for having the kitchen table strapped to your arm. Half Orcs work great with that +1 to str and con.

Cavalier is a fun class, but unless you guys plan on taking along an npc thief, you're going to be in for a rough time.

Durenas

Fighter/Thief wielding Carsomyr.

Avari

Going multiclass insteaf of dual class - wouldn't that effect the ability to gain more than 2 pips in a specific weapon type? I'm a little rusty on this, but multiclass would allow for two stars only? Would it be the same for dual class?

Amberion said:

Fighter/Thief wielding Carsomyr.

Can't back stab with 2H swords? Or is backstabbing moot anyway if going multiclass?

Zarakinthish

While it is true that going multiclass instead of dual limits you to specialization, technically you shouldn't be able to go higher with dual either if you go from thief to fighter, as that is prohibited in 2nd Edition. In my opinion, only being able to reach specialization isn't much of a limit since until you reach grand mastery the only benefits are slightly better attack rolls and damage, which is something a good fighter can do well without help. If you want the benefits of a kit (without using something like EE Keeper), by all means go dual, but if your only concern is moving beyond specialization, there really isn't anything to worry about.

Awong124

Lemon party was a 3-man party.

nano

Avari said:

Going multiclass insteaf of dual class - wouldn't that effect the ability to gain more than 2 pips in a specific weapon type? I'm a little rusty on this, but multiclass would allow for two stars only? Would it be the same for dual class?

Amberion said:

Fighter/Thief wielding Carsomyr.

Can't back stab with 2H swords? Or is backstabbing moot anyway if going multiclass?

Grand mastery isn't that important. You get the APR boost from Fighter 13 anyways, which you wouldn't get as a sane dual (ie 9).

You can't backstab with Carsomyr but it's Carsomyr and it already wrecks stuff. And you can't backstab anything you'd really want to (they're immune).