Fighter/Mage Trilogy Run Build
shylaman
Member Posts: 173
I had been playing a Kensai with the idea to become a K/D (CH4) A class a thoroughly enjoyed when I used it to complete SoA for the first time many moons ago. It was much more fun starting in BG2. I was getting bored with a Kensai in BG1.
Anyhow, I have the urge to try something different. I am thinking F/I. My dilemma being, how to best build this character for a full trilogy run. BG1 ranged reigns supreme, but dual wielding is king in BG2 superior.
What weapons/proficiencies to people prefer? My ideas:
**2H Sword *LB * Two Handed. Bow for the first few levels. Then I figured Spiders Bane and Web would kick arse. I could move to other two handed weapons in BG2. Staff of the Magi seems killer. Or even the Ravager or Impaler with GWW.
or
**Axes **Dual Wield. Use throwing axes at range early on and Frostreaver and Azuredge in BG2.
or???
I know having Belm or Kundane in the off hand is advantageous, but I think I'll be bad ass enough without.
Anyhow, I have the urge to try something different. I am thinking F/I. My dilemma being, how to best build this character for a full trilogy run. BG1 ranged reigns supreme, but dual wielding is king in BG2 superior.
What weapons/proficiencies to people prefer? My ideas:
**2H Sword *LB * Two Handed. Bow for the first few levels. Then I figured Spiders Bane and Web would kick arse. I could move to other two handed weapons in BG2. Staff of the Magi seems killer. Or even the Ravager or Impaler with GWW.
or
**Axes **Dual Wield. Use throwing axes at range early on and Frostreaver and Azuredge in BG2.
or???
I know having Belm or Kundane in the off hand is advantageous, but I think I'll be bad ass enough without.
0
Comments
If you go THWS, first pick up THS with **, THWS with * and longbow/shortbow/crossbow (shortbows are pretty good in SoA, and crossbows are good at late BG1 and all of BG2) with *. For level 3's *, i'd pick either Staff or Halberd (which you aren't going to use until the Ravager so I recommend picking it later), and then level 7's * on that choice too. Spend level 9 and 12's * on halberd/staff (the one you didn't pick before).
If you go TWS, first pick longswords if you want an easy-to-get and good one-handed weapon in BG1, or, go Mace, since the Stupifier is by far the most OP weapon in BG1, Flail, Axe, Scimitars and hammers are also good one-handers, depends on what you like. at lvl1, spend ** on your weapon of choice (or * on one and * on the other weapon of choice), and ** on TWS. I RECOMMEND picking Longswords** and TWS**, then LS** TWS** Scimitar*, then pull scimitar to **, get Drizzt's (I expect you are playing without the XP cap so you can reach lvl9 as a Fighter), then spend lvl12's * on TWS, so you have LS**, Scimitar** and TWS**. The next profs will be used great in Axes** and hammers**, since LS suck at ToB if you go evil in Hell.
And there's nothing in terms of fighting that deals more damage than dual-wielding. There's a vast majority of weapons to choose from for the main hand, the second hand should be Belm or Kundane.
I agree with @CrevsDaak on longswords for the first game. Varscona is badass. And there're many good longswords at the start of BG2, including Daystar.
As a Fighter/Mage you'll get many pips you can put into your weapons and you can't put more than 2 of them. So you'll have many options covered. The number of pips will be enough to give you everything you need.
In BG2 I would gradually move to katanas and flails. Celestial Fury in mid-BG2 and FOA in late-BG2 and ToB are devastating if combined with Belm or Kundane in the off-hand.
Of course, for the main hand you can go Axes or any other weapon you think suits your concept, it.
You can check people's views on weapons here: http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/32286/what-actually-are-the-best-weapons-for-a-solo-kensage-to-wield#latest and here: http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/32281/if-you-could-only-have-one-weapon-out-of-these-which-one-would-it-be#latest
I know, a F/I can't cast in normal armor, but it makes you significantly less squishy until you get elven chain or an archmage robe. Until mage level 3 playing as basically a slow levelling fighter with lower HP is a sensible idea.
Nevertheless, I'm generally more inclined to go the dual-wielding route with an F/I rather than two-handed. A significant part of the reason for this preference is that you can carry a shield in your off-hand while you're casting or throwing or just exploring.
I'd start with *Xbow, *Axe and **2WS, then during BG1EE I'd add another *Xbow and the third *2WS (I like to get that while levelling is still quick). Then in BG2EE, I'd add another *Axe, then **Sswd, **Whmr and *S&S.
I disagree about the 3rd TWFS pip... With fighter(ish) THAC0, the off-hand boost is negligible compared to the extra 1/2 APR from specialisation in weapon of choice.
Daggers are a decent choice for bg1.... Throwable at 2apr and the dagger of venom is ace. (Maybe better on a backstabber though)
That would let you go ++ TWF and ++ LS out of the gate.
This will make you squishy though. For solo it's worth it just for the extra attack (your level 1 spells won't do much damage anyway), in a group, you'll definitely want Khalid, Jaheria or Montaron ahead of you early.
If you go the longsword or shortsword based route for fighting, I'd also highly suggest going elf instead of gnome (F/I). Of course if you go gnome (blame racial bias here), I'd look into axes, warhammers and flails myself.
Also: Re late SoA/ToB
I'd run FoA or AotU (Flail of Ages or Axe of the Unyielding) with Crom Faeyr. But that's just me.
Start BG1 with:
++ BG1 Two-handed weapon of choice
++ ranged weapon of choice
End BG1 with:
++ BG1 Two-handed weapon of choice
++ ranged weapon of choice
+ two-handed weapon style
+ BG2 starting t.h.w. of choice
If you go with dual wielding don't bother taking any ranged proficiencies. You need the two pips for TWS and as a warrior your THAC0 penalty for unfamiliar weapons is only -2 however you still get 2 attacks per round with a bow. If you're an elf, you get a +1 THAC0 bonus with bows and you can get 19 Dex and another +1 THAC0 right out the gate. If you're a gnome you don't get those bonuses, but as long as you keep at a distance you'll be fine.
By level 3 you'll have level 2 mage spells like Mirror Image, Blur, and Invisibility and can ditch the bow and dual wield full time from that point on.
I usually start:
++ BG1 weapon of choice
++ Two Weapon Style
and by the end:
++ BG1 weapon of choice
++ BG2 starting weapon of choice
++ Two Weapon Style
But if I'm solo and want to experiment with a lot of different off-hand weapons, at level 3 I go:
++ BG1 weapon of choice
+++ Two Weapon Style
It means you won't specialize your BG2 starting weapon of choice until level 9, but if you're solo that doesn't take long. Some great off-hand weapons in BG1 include The Stupefier, Dagger of Venom, Drizzt's scimitars, Ashideena, Harrower, Kondar, Albruin, the Staff Mace.. really there's a lot to choose from.
Question . . . I will soon be at level 3 fighter. Should I put the pip in TWS or my next weapon choice? I was thinking flail in case I go with FoA in BG2.