Shapeshifter (kensai/mage) run
mumumomo
Member Posts: 635
So i have decided to start my shapeshifter (NWN style) run
The point is to create a good shapeshifter. The character will be a kensai 9 (maybe 13, still unsure) -> mage.
I will play mostly solo. NPC are allowed just for specific quests, not to do things normally impossible for the character class (like thieving)
Rules of the run :
core rules max hp at level up
no reload (will probably switch to min reload)
once polymorph self is available, it should be on all the time. Fighting with other weapons is not allowed
Only transmutation spells and sequencers can be cast (i may allow abjuration spells. to be confirmed)
BG1 will play as a solo kensai which should make for a nice change.
The point is to create a good shapeshifter. The character will be a kensai 9 (maybe 13, still unsure) -> mage.
I will play mostly solo. NPC are allowed just for specific quests, not to do things normally impossible for the character class (like thieving)
Rules of the run :
core rules max hp at level up
no reload (will probably switch to min reload)
once polymorph self is available, it should be on all the time. Fighting with other weapons is not allowed
Only transmutation spells and sequencers can be cast (i may allow abjuration spells. to be confirmed)
BG1 will play as a solo kensai which should make for a nice change.
4
Comments
He is neutral good. He has 2* in quarterstaff and 2* in 2H weapon.
Quarterstaff is great because you can do melee kiting. This makes the early game very easy, even without doing the basiliks.
So far he is level 5, having done most of the early quest in FAI, beregost and nashkel. I also did the melicamp quest and the priestess of umberlee quest.
Equipment-wise he is pretty much set : +3 staff and greenstone amulet from ulgoth's beard, ring +1, elven bane belt, shield and missile amulet from the carnival, wand of sleep.
Since he cannot wear any armor, the only missing piece of equipment is boots (avoidance, speed).
Now that he has bought some potions of freedom from thalanthyr, he is ready to tackle the main quest.
My run with the group of specialists is going fine, but my no-reload virus kind of stops me from enjoying the game ever since charname got kissed to death by Shoal.
1). Get cloak of the sewers early (shape change to troll helps make up for limited spells per day).
2). Bonus from helm of baldur and several other items remain while transformed.
3). Spider + strength + DUHM is beastly for anything it can hit.
4). Single weapon style benefits most forms.
Questions:
Are you planning to use the dual wielding before transforming trick?
from my testing it worked with no form at all.
i stopped the transmuter only run because shapeshifting alone is too weak
Nashkel mines are done, as is the bandit camp. I also picked the tome of charisma and con on the way
I still had not to use any reload.
However i had to drink tons of healing potions against kobolds and bandits despite having a very good ac against missiles (crits hit quite hard when you have no helmet...).
He is level 6 and now ready for cloakwood forest and mines.
I must say that i am quite impressed by the kensai. His thaco is very low (5 i think), his damage very high (15-20).
I am starting to worry that shapeshifting will make him much weaker, not stronger....
The more i think of it, the more i see that shapeshifting is inherently flawed in that game :
A 19 str, level 9 kensai with a staff +4 (not the most powergaming choice, very far from that) and GM in staff will have 5/2 apr, with a thaco of -1. Each attack would do 20-25 damage.
No polymorph self forms can compete with that, especially in terms of thaco.
As for the shapechange forms, it's not really better damage wise.
Not to mention the fact that you cannot cast while polymorphed...
If the kensai was a speed weapon dual wielder, it is would be much much worse
Therefore the only good form would be the mindflayer but i don't really fancy playing the whole game having tentacles.
As for the mage only shapeshifter, the thaco is just too horrible.
The problem is that, while transformed, you lose the bonus of the weapon and the bonus of specialization sus leading to poor thaco and poor damage.
Furthemore, most forms (apart from the iron golem) have a lower strength than what you can reach with your human form (19 or more with the belts)
The assassin/mage looks like a good idea :
the assassin is naturally weak in fighting (no specialization, no dual wielding) and therefore would probably become better at it while shifted (especially if abusing dual wielding while shifted)
Also some forms complement nicely the abilities of the assassin : the high APR forms are great with poison weapon (it it works TBC but i don't see why he shouldn't) while the high damage forms (iron golem) are great for backstabbing.
However his THACO will be as miserable as a pure Mage.
I might try that assassin 11/mage though.
if it doesn't work i will have a assassin ready to be dualled to fighter anyway which i've been wanting to do for a long time
1). Limited duration means you can only go a few battles before needing to rest (unlike Druid forms that last all day).
2). There are no new forms or improvements between polymorph self and shape change (lots of battles as a flind).
3). It's very hard to stick with it when you have a full mage repotoire which is infinitely more effective.
I found Avenger Druids a much more practical choice. Fire off a few spells turn into a salamander or spider for the rest of the day. Eventually get cool elemental forms.
And yet, they might be a better choice because druids are actually lot less powerful than mages or fighters. Therefore they don't lose as much when shapeshifting.
That's the problem of it : shapeshifting is not really bad or unplayable but it is definetely a way to gimp your character. And the more powerful your original character is, the more shapeshifting will make you weak comparatively.
How good (or bad) are the elemental forms? (APR, damage, resists,...)
APR is 2 for the earth form (3 with dual weapon pre-transform). Don't remember the other stats off the top of my head.
Fire Elemental: 1d10 crushing (plus 1d10 fire) damage, 1 APR, fire resistance, and 23 strength.