Fighter/Cleric vs Fighter -> Cleric Dual Class
AnimusRex
Member Posts: 37
So, I'm trying to decide which route would be better to go to dual class Fighter/Cleric.
I can start as a Dwarf Fighter 6 / Cleric 6, or I can start as a Human Fighter, level him up to 9 or 13, and then Dual into Cleric.
Besides the 2nd option stopping Fighter at 9 or 13 and continuing to level Cleric, are there any other differences?
So far the only drawback to starting as a Fighter/Cleric is that I don't get all weapon proficiencies at the start. Will I get as many if I started out as a Fighter and dual into Cleric later on?
Sorry if this is confusing, I am wondering also why it lets a Dwarf start as a Fighter/Cleric, but won't let him start as a Fighter and later dual into Cleric.
Be well Travelers
I can start as a Dwarf Fighter 6 / Cleric 6, or I can start as a Human Fighter, level him up to 9 or 13, and then Dual into Cleric.
Besides the 2nd option stopping Fighter at 9 or 13 and continuing to level Cleric, are there any other differences?
So far the only drawback to starting as a Fighter/Cleric is that I don't get all weapon proficiencies at the start. Will I get as many if I started out as a Fighter and dual into Cleric later on?
Sorry if this is confusing, I am wondering also why it lets a Dwarf start as a Fighter/Cleric, but won't let him start as a Fighter and later dual into Cleric.
Be well Travelers
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Comments
After thinking about it, I think my main question is this:
Will I be able to have just as many weapon proficiency points as a Fighter eventually if I start as Fighter/Cleric dual class?
Starting level 6 Fighter I have up to 6 points, and can put up to 5 into any weapon, and 3 into two weapon style.
Starting level 6 Fighter/Cleric I'm limited to 4 points, and can only put 2 into any weapon, and 3 into two weapon style.
So, if I start with Fighter/Cleric, will I be able to eventually put up to 5 points into any weapon?
when you want to combine fighter and cleric - no kits involved - the best way to go is multi: your character progress will feel more natural and you'll be able to select HLA from both classes.
people choose dual only in they feel that a fighter kit and grand mastery are better, from a rp perspective, than fighter HLA for their character...
The Dual Class can get grandmastery in a weapon, which gives damage, to-hit and attacks per round bonuses. If you dual at level 9 then they usually hit top-tier spellcasting more quickly as well, and become a better caster. Turn undead level is usually better for Duals too, and you can use a fighter kit (Berserker) for more advantages.
The multiclass ends up being a better fighter usually, as you continue to gain THAC0 up to fighter level 20, this is doubly true when compared to a level 9 dual. You will also gain access to fighter High Level Abilities, which a dual will not. As a Dwarf you also get better save throws which is a great. Being only able to specialise in a weapon means you can use Hammers, Maces and Flails and dual-wield, rather than Duals who are usually more locked to the weapon they Grandmaster.
TL;DR - The dual will be a better caster, The multi usually a better fighter. The multiclass avoids downtime.
On the other side if you play a fighter/druid I would prefer to dual since they have better offensive spells than cleric and iron skin you will spend more time casting.
Edit: It's also worth mentioning that there's a very good fighter-cleric dual class npc that you will meet early on in BG2.
Berserker -> Cleric: Can have grand mastery, berserk ability, will get access to level 7 spells earlier, will turn undead better.
Fighter/Cleric: Can be a dwarf, no down time, fighter HLAs, better thaco.
Grand mastery isn't that great if you dual before level 13, because you'll have the same attacks per round as a specialized fighter. Dualing at 13 is no fun, and in general I recommend against dualing for new players. Based on what you said I would recommend fighter/cleric so you can be a dwarf and bash things with hammers/flails.
Anyways, your point was that cleric/rangers "dominate" fighter/clerics and that they "lose nothing" by going the cleric/ranger route, and I only wanted to point out that that is not entirely the case. They definitely get certain benefits over a fighter/cleric but they also get anything fighter related (other than HLA's) much slower. For instance they'll get their level 13 1/2 attack 500,000 xp after a fighter/cleric. So they both have their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to their offence/defence (in both games).
So far I am enjoying my Neutral Evil Fighter/Cleric Dwarf immensely. I have planned him to side with Bodhi/Undead which is odd for a Cleric but I usually go with Aran Linvail and Thief guild.
To explain my character, I put 3 points into two weapon style, and 2 points into Warhammer Specialisation, and 1 point into Flail for when I get Flail of The Ages. One thing I've noticed so far is just starting at level 6 Fighter/Cleric dual wielding Warhammers without any buffs it shows my attacks being 5/2! Does this mean I have 5 and a half attacks, and if so how is this possible?
Also I tend to think that multi is better than dual for F/C or R/C. The HLA's you get as a fighter class are just too good.
For example even the humble Mage gets a new weapon proficiency at lv6, so if I were to dual-class my fighter, he gets a new proficiency point at Mage lv6.
Say u dual-classed a fighter to cleric at lv9, then his base THAC0 is 12, and when he reaches Cleric lv16, he should benefit from a base THAC0 of 10 courtesy of Cleric level-ups.
At least this is how I believe it works.
Ah yes I know about hp (I didn't consider that a 'melee bonus'), but for THAC0, is my Fighter=>Cleric dual-class example incorrect? At lv16, a Cleric's THAC0 surpasses that of a lv9 Fighter.
Mainly because single class clerics get their most powerful spells at level 14, which is only 1.3m experience. So even doubling this to 2.6m for a multi class means it doesn't take too long.
And single class clerics don't gain much beyond level 14. The extra spell slots in the next couple of levels are useful, but there's very little progress after that. There's only a couple of useful cleric HLAs for them to pick up.
Multi classes on the other hand can get essentially the same spellcasting ability (and not even that much later) and continue to improve their fighting skills throughout the game. Crucially getting those fighter HLAs which are very powerful. They can also get the shorty save bonuses which are extremely helpful.
Broadly speaking, I'd agree with you. Especially with Watcher's Keep in the mix, and the higher XP Cap.
Although I do remember Aerie seeming to be a really long way behind Anomen in my pre-ToB days. (Admittedly, this is balanced up by cool arcane-divine synergies...)
You'll also have to wait much longer for your Holy Symbol.
Good choice. The multiclass F/C is a combo you can enjoy all game long.
In dual class mode and in a usual game, the F13/C takes too long to build. Dual classing earlier is nice but your pc essentially remains a cleric.
As regards the Ranger/Cleric, perhaps this is not the best game to play them : they are stellar in IWD HoF mode where XP/levels abound.