@Elrandir eeeh, it's decent, I like spears from a RP point of view, they are like one of my favorite type of weapons, plus, I don't know why, but whenever I make a Bard I give it spear proficiency at some point.
I think I'll run with this set up, with the halberd or spear proficiency being the only one up in the air.
Two handed sword: ** Two handed weapon style: * Axe: * Two weapon style: * Flail: * Long sword: * Short sword: * Two weapon style: ** War hammer: * Axe: * Flail: * Two handed weapon style: * Long sword: * Halberd or Spear: *
Final proficiencies: Two handed sword: ** Two handed weapon style: ** Axe: ** Flail: ** Two weapon style: *** Long sword: * Short sword: * War hammer: * Halberd or spear: *
You can afford to take maces late. The only great mace in BG2 is the Mace of Disruption +2 and if you're solo you'll have access to the Amulet of Power for level drain immunity and Azuredge to instagib undead.
If Amulet of Power is usable by paladins (which iirc it isn't) I would also skip maces. If not, then at least one pip in maces wouldn't be a bad idea, solely for a more effective use of the Mace of Disruption.
As to your question@Elrandir re: longswords. I mentioned them because there are good ones in SoA, and great ones in TOB. Some of these don't require any proficiency in longswords, I admit. You can just use them for their equipped effects. Ras (fights on its own for 4 rounds, consider this a welcome summon), Namarra (cast Silence 3x day), Blade of Roses (for lowest possible shop prices, though in a solo game money will be no issue) are examples. Other good longswords are used more effectively if you do put proficiencies in them, for example The Answerer (TOB, target loses 15% magic resistance and 2 AC every hit), Daystar (good bonuses against evil, great bonuses against undead creatures), and Adjatha the Drinker (immunity to charm and domination: great combination with Mace of Disruption for fighting vampires), Angurvadal (TOB, for permanent 22 STR).
@Necomancer, ok that's good to know. I guess Rangers can also use the Amulet of Power then? They'd be considered priests for being able to cast spells.
In that case I think Amulet of Power + Azuredge or Daystar + Shield of Harmony (to prevent domination) + Ring of Free Action (I think vampires can hold their targets) would be the way to go against undead for a Cavalier. EDIT: @Elrandir -> with the Cavelier's immunity to charm you won't have to fear domination, so you won't need the Shield of Harmony for that. It's still good against Hold Person and Confusion though.
Good to know. Thanks for all the tips guys! (and gals!)
I think I can do well without mace, and I'm going to take a pip in Lsword, so I think I should be good. It's a relief to know I can use the AoP, since I know how good it is.
Any tips on armor? I know armor isn't as deep a conversation, but what are some pieces I should be looking out for? (BG2-ToB. I know BG1 armor well enough) From looking over the armors in the game, I think Shurruppak's plate will be my final piece, but what're some other noteworthy ones till I get to ToB?
A few item questions: Is the cloak of mirroring as good as it sounds? All spell damage reflected back to the source? If it's not, is the cloak of protection, eventually upgraded into the improved version the best cloak? I'm guessing boots of speed are the best choice, hands down? Even with the free action, which removes haste, should I still upgrade FoA to +5? (I would assume yes) Is the belt of inertial barrier any good? It sounds quite nice. I'm really quite unsure as to the best helmet. Helm of the Rock seems quite nice. Tips? Would the Paladin's bracers, upgraded to the Blessed Bracers be the best choice? What would be my second choice of ring? (Ring of Gaxx being the first, obviously) Amulet of Power is really the only amulet my character will need, isn't it? None of the others seem that good Is the Shield of Harmony the only one worth keeping?
A few item questions: Is the cloak of mirroring as good as it sounds? All spell damage reflected back to the source? If it's not, is the cloak of protection, eventually upgraded into the improved version the best cloak? I'm guessing boots of speed are the best choice, hands down? Even with the free action, which removes haste, should I still upgrade FoA to +5? (I would assume yes) Is the belt of inertial barrier any good? It sounds quite nice. I'm really quite unsure as to the best helmet. Helm of the Rock seems quite nice. Tips? Would the Paladin's bracers, upgraded to the Blessed Bracers be the best choice? What would be my second choice of ring? (Ring of Gaxx being the first, obviously) Amulet of Power is really the only amulet my character will need, isn't it? None of the others seem that good Is the Shield of Harmony the only one worth keeping?
Yes it does, sometimes it don't reflects the damage, but you won't take the damage so it's still good. Yeah, it can be upgraded, but the Cloak of Prot. +2 is the one you have to upgrade to a Improved Cloak of Prot. +2 that has nice item abilities. No (at least from my point of view), you can pick better boots that give resistances and other stuff, but they still good. Yes, you won't Haste as much as if you had a mage, plus, if you use haste from the Ring of the Gaxx without the Ring of Free Action and then equip the RoFA, you'll still be hasted. Yes, it's good, consider STR belts too, you can swap belts in the middle of a battle if you want. It is unusable by Paladins but there are many good helmets, starting by the Helm of Balduran and Gift of Peace. No, the Gauntlets of Extra Specialization are better, still you should have them too if you want. Depends on, Ring of Free Action is a good choice to swap with Ring of Regeneration/Ring of Prot +2 when you use a plain full plate, The Ring of the Ram, the Ring of Fire Control and others are cool for your class. Yes and no. You should keep the Amulet of the Seldarine to get more Magic Resistance easily, but then, yeah, it's the best one. Of course it is! Just until you get the Ring of Free Action or if you want to use other ring.
More items to consider: Helm of Brilliance, Cloak of the Sewers, Vhailor's Helm, Enkidu's Plate Armor and Firetooth+4. Shupprak's Plate gave a -1 to THAC0 and -2 movement rate in vanilla, many magical plates reduces movement rate, but it is not denoted in the descriptions, although it's very good one.
- I never use the Cloak of Mirroring. I think've nerfed it through some mod, but I understand it's great if you can bear with the visual effect (or have said effect removed by a mod). I'm more a Belt of the Inertial Barrier user though. - Improved Cloak of Protection, Cloak of the Sewers (or Cloak of Balduran if you cared to edit that one in) could be your other cloaks of choice. - Boots of Speed > all other boots. - I never upgrade, because I love speed. - Belt of Inertial Barrier is really good, though less useful for you if you use Cloak of Mirroring (besides your saves vs breath will be good anyway as a paladin); you could consider working with STR belts instead. - Helm of the Rock is good for its resistances but comes very late; Helm of Balduran and Vhailor's Helm (only for casting simulacrum) are really good as well. - Gauntlets of Extraordinary Specialization (before that: G. of Weapon Expertise) are better than Blessed Bracers I think, you could always put the latter on when you want to heal yourself. - As to a second ring I would vary between invisibilty (for emergency situations), regeneration (e.g. when travelling or resting), ring of free action, ring of protection +2 or +3. - Amulet of Seldarine (+10 MR) could be an alternative to Amulet of Power. - Shield of Balduran is popular for reflecting Beholder rays.
Thanks for all the tips! I think I missed some of those (For instance, Vhailor's Helm, Shield of Balduran, ect.) because the site I was using wasn't perfect. It didn't have some of these on there. The big one I'm unsure of is FoA. I think I will upgrade it, because I like power, and I'm not going to be hasting as much anyway. @CrevsDaak Does the trick with the Rings you mentioned also work with the FoA?
What can I expect my magic resistance to be? 50 from Carsomyr, 10 from Amulet of the Seldarine, 5 from Enkidu armor... Did I miss any? That's a 65% right there, which is pretty darn tough to beat.
@Elrandir Ring of the Gaxx +10%, and some spoiler-ish stuff I'm sure you won't like to know. You can use Potion of Magic Resistance which are very strange but very useful. Anyway by mid-ToB you'll have 100% MR. The FoA+5 gives 5% MR more, and then you can get more from a Machine and from a Door.
Oh riiight! I forgot about story based ones. (Don't worry about spoilers, I already know them, despite not having played the second game. =p) Well 100% MR means I can just go to town on my enemies in melee, with little concern for their pathetic spells. I like this...
Oh of course, if it was that simple the game would be no fun. But he can go to town on his enemies in melee, with little concern for their "pathetic" spells. =p
You can get kundane in the astral prison which is probably the hardest quest of the chapter 2. You can get belm without fighting a single monster.
As for your item questions : cloak of mirroring is great. It makes you immune to all magical damage. It is especially good for an arcane caster using skull trap but it's anyway a very neat item.
Boots of speed are by far the best for a ranger attacker (mage, archers,...) For a paladin it is less obvious but anyway the normal running speed is unbearable for me
Please upgrade FOA. When you need to run fast just use another weapon. You cannot cast improved haste anyway and GWW is not impacted by free action. Anyway this question is not that important since you will be able to use it for 2-3 fights only.
Belt of inertial barrier is useless once you get the cloak of mirroring.
There are a couple of items that grant Improved Haste on use. They can be very useful, even if you only swap them in to cast it.
The upgrades Cloak of Protection +2 can cast Improved Invisbility and Improved Haste once daily. Bracers of Blinding Strike also cast Improved Haste 1/day. I think the Ring of Gaxx does too, but of very limited duration.
With boots, Boots of Speed are a solid choice. Getting into melee fast is good. Situationally though things like Boots of the Gargoyle (backstab immunity, casts stoneskin) can be essential.
I know you're going solo, but consider Rasaad's quest in BG2. It can get you a very nice ring that casts Mirror Image on the user 3x daily, usable by anyone. Swap it in when needed.
If you have the item from Rasaad's quest (I forgot what it is called) and the book of infinite spells you could cast true seeing 2x a day. Or use the book to cast spell turning instead.
Greatswords: Carsomyr exists, so it is required to put here. Also spider's bane in BG1. As a former cavalier (during the vanilla games) I think both of these options end up substandard due to other weapons. Also The Silver Sword Lirlacor
Longswords: (take 2 pips and call me in the morning) Varsoncia BG1 Dragonslayer BG2 (Synergizes really well with cavalier) Daystar BG2 (Goodbye undead) Blade of Roses BG2 (There's a sucker born every minute) The Drinker BG2 (I feel there are better, especially if you don't DW but its good) Ras BG2 The Answerer ToB (Good, but you'll want to GWW it and then switch to something else. I feel its a lot better in a party setting than solo) Flametongue Both Games BG1/BG2 Needed for Werewolf island to some degree, great at killing trolls as well Sword of Balduran
Axes: Golden Axe +1 BG1 (chance to dispel on hit, requires killing someone for it who is otherwise not hostile) Axe in Durlag's BG1 chance to put miscast magic on the target but its not enchanted +2 returning Throwing axe BG1 Stonefire BG2 Azureedge BG2 The blue ice/acid axe BG2 (buyable at the same time as Azureedge, serves the same function as Stonefire, it is your troll killer)
Hammers: Ashadeen +2 BG1 (a lot of enemies have some sort of damage resistance to slashing, like skeletons. Trust me using a blunt weapon will make a difference) Crom Faeyr BG2 Runehammer BG2
Maces: Stupifier BG1 (Requires some petty thievery, so its not very paladinesque) Mace of Disruption BG2 (Requires some lying, depends on how you feel about that as a paladin to get the best version) Jerrod's Mace (Bonus v Demons) BG2 Stormstar BG2 (WK)/TOB
Flail/Morningstar: Flail +2 BG1 but nothing special about it. You can also get a +1 flail relatively early for free Wyvern's sting BG2 The Sleeper BG2 Flail of Ages BG2
Bastard Swords: Bastard Sword +1, +3 against Shapeshifters BG1/BG2 good against enemeis in both games, especially the tail end of BG1 Blade of Searing +3 BG2 unfortunately acquired too late to be a decent anti-troll weapon Foebane BG2 (WK)/ToB The Purifier (1h version of Carsomyr, doesn't hold up as well unless upgraded to +5)
Spears (As part of my name I must include them on the list) Spear of the Unicorn +2 BG2 Ixil's Nail
Halberds: Dragon's Bane Dragon's Breath The Wave Ravager +6
Staves: Good options in both games remarkably useful if you plan on running spears, halberds or greatswords.
PERSONALLY: I think Longsword, Mace and Axe make the best starting proficiencies, with enough all around options in both games to make them awesome. Nods also go to Warhammer (especially in BG1, in BG2 crom feels like forever, and I envision paladins with shields anyway) and Flails of course (the anti-demon mace just felt like it fit cavaliers more which is why it got the nod).
Comments
Two handed sword: **
Two handed weapon style: *
Axe: *
Two weapon style: *
Flail: *
Long sword: *
Short sword: *
Two weapon style: **
War hammer: *
Axe: *
Flail: *
Two handed weapon style: *
Long sword: *
Halberd or Spear: *
Final proficiencies:
Two handed sword: **
Two handed weapon style: **
Axe: **
Flail: **
Two weapon style: ***
Long sword: *
Short sword: *
War hammer: *
Halberd or spear: *
Edit: Formatting doesn't like me...
As to your question@Elrandir re: longswords. I mentioned them because there are good ones in SoA, and great ones in TOB.
Some of these don't require any proficiency in longswords, I admit. You can just use them for their equipped effects. Ras (fights on its own for 4 rounds, consider this a welcome summon), Namarra (cast Silence 3x day), Blade of Roses (for lowest possible shop prices, though in a solo game money will be no issue) are examples. Other good longswords are used more effectively if you do put proficiencies in them, for example The Answerer (TOB, target loses 15% magic resistance and 2 AC every hit), Daystar (good bonuses against evil, great bonuses against undead creatures), and Adjatha the Drinker (immunity to charm and domination: great combination with Mace of Disruption for fighting vampires), Angurvadal (TOB, for permanent 22 STR).
In that case I think Amulet of Power + Azuredge or Daystar + Shield of Harmony (to prevent domination) + Ring of Free Action (I think vampires can hold their targets) would be the way to go against undead for a Cavalier.
EDIT: @Elrandir -> with the Cavelier's immunity to charm you won't have to fear domination, so you won't need the Shield of Harmony for that. It's still good against Hold Person and Confusion though.
I think I can do well without mace, and I'm going to take a pip in Lsword, so I think I should be good. It's a relief to know I can use the AoP, since I know how good it is.
Any tips on armor? I know armor isn't as deep a conversation, but what are some pieces I should be looking out for? (BG2-ToB. I know BG1 armor well enough) From looking over the armors in the game, I think Shurruppak's plate will be my final piece, but what're some other noteworthy ones till I get to ToB?
Is the cloak of mirroring as good as it sounds? All spell damage reflected back to the source?
If it's not, is the cloak of protection, eventually upgraded into the improved version the best cloak?
I'm guessing boots of speed are the best choice, hands down?
Even with the free action, which removes haste, should I still upgrade FoA to +5? (I would assume yes)
Is the belt of inertial barrier any good? It sounds quite nice.
I'm really quite unsure as to the best helmet. Helm of the Rock seems quite nice. Tips?
Would the Paladin's bracers, upgraded to the Blessed Bracers be the best choice?
What would be my second choice of ring? (Ring of Gaxx being the first, obviously)
Amulet of Power is really the only amulet my character will need, isn't it? None of the others seem that good
Is the Shield of Harmony the only one worth keeping?
Yeah, it can be upgraded, but the Cloak of Prot. +2 is the one you have to upgrade to a Improved Cloak of Prot. +2 that has nice item abilities.
No (at least from my point of view), you can pick better boots that give resistances and other stuff, but they still good.
Yes, you won't Haste as much as if you had a mage, plus, if you use haste from the Ring of the Gaxx without the Ring of Free Action and then equip the RoFA, you'll still be hasted.
Yes, it's good, consider STR belts too, you can swap belts in the middle of a battle if you want.
It is unusable by Paladins
No, the Gauntlets of Extra Specialization are better, still you should have them too if you want.
Depends on, Ring of Free Action is a good choice to swap with Ring of Regeneration/Ring of Prot +2 when you use a plain full plate, The Ring of the Ram, the Ring of Fire Control and others are cool for your class.
Yes and no. You should keep the Amulet of the Seldarine to get more Magic Resistance easily, but then, yeah, it's the best one.
Of course it is! Just until you get the Ring of Free Action or if you want to use other ring.
More items to consider: Helm of Brilliance, Cloak of the Sewers, Vhailor's Helm, Enkidu's Plate Armor and Firetooth+4.
Shupprak's Plate gave a -1 to THAC0 and -2 movement rate in vanilla, many magical plates reduces movement rate, but it is not denoted in the descriptions, although it's very good one.
- I never use the Cloak of Mirroring. I think've nerfed it through some mod, but I understand it's great if you can bear with the visual effect (or have said effect removed by a mod). I'm more a Belt of the Inertial Barrier user though.
- Improved Cloak of Protection, Cloak of the Sewers (or Cloak of Balduran if you cared to edit that one in) could be your other cloaks of choice.
- Boots of Speed > all other boots.
- I never upgrade, because I love speed.
- Belt of Inertial Barrier is really good, though less useful for you if you use Cloak of Mirroring (besides your saves vs breath will be good anyway as a paladin); you could consider working with STR belts instead.
- Helm of the Rock is good for its resistances but comes very late; Helm of Balduran and Vhailor's Helm (only for casting simulacrum) are really good as well.
- Gauntlets of Extraordinary Specialization (before that: G. of Weapon Expertise) are better than Blessed Bracers I think, you could always put the latter on when you want to heal yourself.
- As to a second ring I would vary between invisibilty (for emergency situations), regeneration (e.g. when travelling or resting), ring of free action, ring of protection +2 or +3.
- Amulet of Seldarine (+10 MR) could be an alternative to Amulet of Power.
- Shield of Balduran is popular for reflecting Beholder rays.
I think I missed some of those (For instance, Vhailor's Helm, Shield of Balduran, ect.) because the site I was using wasn't perfect. It didn't have some of these on there.
The big one I'm unsure of is FoA. I think I will upgrade it, because I like power, and I'm not going to be hasting as much anyway. @CrevsDaak Does the trick with the Rings you mentioned also work with the FoA?
Edit: Yes, it also works with FoA+5 and with Nixil's Spear+6 as well. I should kinda report it :P
You can get belm without fighting a single monster.
As for your item questions :
cloak of mirroring is great. It makes you immune to all magical damage. It is especially good for an arcane caster using skull trap but it's anyway a very neat item.
Boots of speed are by far the best for a ranger attacker (mage, archers,...) For a paladin it is less obvious but anyway the normal running speed is unbearable for me
Please upgrade FOA. When you need to run fast just use another weapon. You cannot cast improved haste anyway and GWW is not impacted by free action. Anyway this question is not that important since you will be able to use it for 2-3 fights only.
Belt of inertial barrier is useless once you get the cloak of mirroring.
The upgrades Cloak of Protection +2 can cast Improved Invisbility and Improved Haste once daily. Bracers of Blinding Strike also cast Improved Haste 1/day. I think the Ring of Gaxx does too, but of very limited duration.
With boots, Boots of Speed are a solid choice. Getting into melee fast is good. Situationally though things like Boots of the Gargoyle (backstab immunity, casts stoneskin) can be essential.
I know you're going solo, but consider Rasaad's quest in BG2. It can get you a very nice ring that casts Mirror Image on the user 3x daily, usable by anyone. Swap it in when needed.
Greatswords: Carsomyr exists, so it is required to put here. Also spider's bane in BG1. As a former cavalier (during the vanilla games) I think both of these options end up substandard due to other weapons.
Also
The Silver Sword
Lirlacor
Longswords: (take 2 pips and call me in the morning)
Varsoncia BG1
Dragonslayer BG2 (Synergizes really well with cavalier)
Daystar BG2 (Goodbye undead)
Blade of Roses BG2 (There's a sucker born every minute)
The Drinker BG2 (I feel there are better, especially if you don't DW but its good)
Ras BG2
The Answerer ToB (Good, but you'll want to GWW it and then switch to something else. I feel its a lot better in a party setting than solo)
Flametongue Both Games BG1/BG2 Needed for Werewolf island to some degree, great at killing trolls as well
Sword of Balduran
Axes:
Golden Axe +1 BG1 (chance to dispel on hit, requires killing someone for it who is otherwise not hostile)
Axe in Durlag's BG1 chance to put miscast magic on the target but its not enchanted
+2 returning Throwing axe BG1
Stonefire BG2
Azureedge BG2
The blue ice/acid axe BG2 (buyable at the same time as Azureedge, serves the same function as Stonefire, it is your troll killer)
Hammers:
Ashadeen +2 BG1 (a lot of enemies have some sort of damage resistance to slashing, like skeletons. Trust me using a blunt weapon will make a difference)
Crom Faeyr BG2
Runehammer BG2
Maces:
Stupifier BG1 (Requires some petty thievery, so its not very paladinesque)
Mace of Disruption BG2 (Requires some lying, depends on how you feel about that as a paladin to get the best version)
Jerrod's Mace (Bonus v Demons) BG2
Stormstar BG2 (WK)/TOB
Flail/Morningstar:
Flail +2 BG1 but nothing special about it. You can also get a +1 flail relatively early for free
Wyvern's sting BG2
The Sleeper BG2
Flail of Ages BG2
Bastard Swords:
Bastard Sword +1, +3 against Shapeshifters BG1/BG2 good against enemeis in both games, especially the tail end of BG1
Blade of Searing +3 BG2 unfortunately acquired too late to be a decent anti-troll weapon
Foebane BG2 (WK)/ToB
The Purifier (1h version of Carsomyr, doesn't hold up as well unless upgraded to +5)
Spears (As part of my name I must include them on the list)
Spear of the Unicorn +2 BG2
Ixil's Nail
Halberds:
Dragon's Bane
Dragon's Breath
The Wave
Ravager +6
Staves:
Good options in both games remarkably useful if you plan on running spears, halberds or greatswords.
PERSONALLY:
I think Longsword, Mace and Axe make the best starting proficiencies, with enough all around options in both games to make them awesome. Nods also go to Warhammer (especially in BG1, in BG2 crom feels like forever, and I envision paladins with shields anyway) and Flails of course (the anti-demon mace just felt like it fit cavaliers more which is why it got the nod).