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New Player - Class help?

Hi everybody! I'd like to introduce myself a little bit. I played BG2 back in the day, and completed the game only once as a Cavalier. I loved this game, and played through lots of times but never made it very far with other characters (Fighter/Mage Elf was my second favorite, but just felt a little too OP eventually). I just recently got BGEE and BG2EE, and I would like to play through again. I am having a little trouble deciding on a character to play through, and I'm wondering if you (the community in general) might have a suggestion for me. I enjoy the RP aspect of the game a lot, so that being said...

First, I come from the school of thought that PCs should in general have better stats than normal people, so I'm not opposed to min-maxing a little bit, but I don't necessarily need an uber character. At the same time I'm not willing to have 3 Int, for example. If Minsc is my benchmark... I have to at least be a little smarter (though not necessarily more wise). :D

Second, my character idea is a "field general" sort of character. Given that I've already played BG2 with a front line fighter character, I think I would enjoy experiencing the whole saga from another perspective. I was thinking of a character who's role is to direct the field of battle. I think that from an RP perspective starting as a fighter or maybe thief/bard makes the most sense, but dual classing isn't out of the question (I think I can find a "mentor" character fairly easily for most any class in BG1) and I'm not opposed to starting as another class either, I just want to think of a reason for why I'm a Druid, for example.

I've thought about a few ideas. I thought perhaps a Thief/(Mage or Cleric) dual class would make sense, because I could put points in Detect Illusion and Set Traps, allowing me to "see through the misdirection of the enemy" and prepare the battlefield to my advantage. I also thought that Skald would make sense, because I could imagine the bard song as being me shouting out orders to people (plus the mage spells wouldn't hurt). My friend suggested a Priest of Helm would make sense too (the True Sight ability would fit in well here, I think).

Anyway... I was wondering if you guys had any thoughts about which of these combos would be the most fun, or if maybe there is another combo I haven't thought of. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Comments

  • elminsterelminster Member, Developer Posts: 16,317
    Skald sounds good for what you are looking for. You'll get just enough spells that you can also get some handy buff/debuff spells as well.
  • booinyoureyesbooinyoureyes Member Posts: 6,164
    I actually think making a mage that concentrates on "crowd control" and buffing would fit in with this role-playing idea. He can direct the battle and make sure things turn out in your favor. He can distract the enemy with a chaos or something, or buff your allies with a haste, shouting orders to each warrior, telling them who to attack.

    A blade would also work well. Since you are interested in making your characters background make sense from a role-playing perspective (which I 100% approve of) I dunno if a skald would really fit. However, if you are interested there is a nice mod called Rogue Rebalancing that improves the bard and thief classes and their kits(more spell levels for bards for example, with improved bard songs and extra high level abilities). You may want to check it out, since it would make bards fit your role-playing needs a little better. You can find it here: http://www.shsforums.net/forum/79-rogue-rebalancing/
  • BlackravenBlackraven Member Posts: 3,486
    I add my voice to that of booinyoureyes: fleshing out a backstory and personality for your character really enhances and also facilitates the role-playing experience. The concept of a field general sounds really good to me, original also.
    Apart from the suggestions elminster and booinyoureyes have given already, a Watcher of Helm could also be a sensible choice roleplay-wise. Helm is the deity of vigilance, he teaches his followers to be ever aware and prepared for one's enemies. His priests are battlepriests. They get a true seeing ability every five levels (similar to a thief's detect illusion as you described). It's not the most powerful priest kit I think, but the kit does seem to fit your concept imo.
  • booinyoureyesbooinyoureyes Member Posts: 6,164
    edited March 2014
    A cleric/mage might also fit that role, since he has a wide variety of things that can control a battlefield. Also the synergy between that class combo and the background of being the child of a god really makes things interesting.

    Also nothing says "field general" better than cleric buffs instantly cast in a mages sequencer!
  • BlackravenBlackraven Member Posts: 3,486
    Yes, a multiclass Cleric/Mage (or a Priest of Helm/Mage using an editor) would be excellent I think. Your party members would be the frontliners, while you direct them. Cleric spells like Defensive Harmony, Protecion from Evil 15' Radius, Glyph of Warding really fit your Field General I think, as do crowd controlling mage spells (all these amazing area of effect spells like Grease, Stinking Cloud, Web, Cloudkill, Chaos) and some other mage spells as well, such as Invisibility 10' Radius on your party so that you can decide the terms of battle (when to strike, how, etc).
  • SilverSovietSilverSoviet Member Posts: 5
    Thanks for the suggestions, everybody! I really appreciate it. I've decided to try my hand at a Cleric/Mage first. So far it's taking a bit of getting used to, letting Khalid do all the heavy lifting while I sit back and keep things from getting out of control, but I'm enjoying it so far! :D
  • BlackravenBlackraven Member Posts: 3,486
    You're welcome. Have a great run with your General!
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