Absolutely, most effects are modified by context in this game. Always good to keep that in mind and look at all the angles when making decisions.
Not sure how APR factors into SA though, it doesn't really increase your damage unless you expect enemies to die before you hit them - which may be the case outside of HoF I suppose but then SA is already a clear winner anyway because things don't last long enough for a Swash's bonus damage to apply often enough.
I would strongly recommend going Half-Orc for the swashie, absurd mental images aside, as 19 str is huge for a swashie.
But you can't dual a Half-Orc, only Humans can do it. So you'd be stuck with a pure class Swashbuckler. Which kind of defeats the whole point of this thread.
Maybe you didn't see the post someone made asking if a SINGLE CLASS swashie can match a F/T multi? Please remove the +5 quarterstaff from your butt, I was hardly off topic.
Singleclass swashbucklers are fine, and are clearly better at high levels with good gear. A multi F/T is not very good in IWD, dual is enough thief and much better at fighting. So, do you want your combat thief good early (multi), mid game (dual), or late (pure swashie)? Choose accordingly.
I'm pretty sure that any thief with sneak attack will outdamage a swashbuckler, unless they are fighting undead. Remind me again, are there any undead in IWD?
...There are bucket loads of undead in Icewind Dale.
I'm a little baffled by these comments. While lots of people have interesting insights, every other post is an opinionated, dismissive, "this is the best, case closed." At which point I must wonder to myself, if you have no interest in debating, comparing, and showing one shred of interest towards what other folks have to say, why are you on a forum?
And no, I am not pointing fingers at any one person. I kind of wish I were.
I'm pretty sure that any thief with sneak attack will outdamage a swashbuckler, unless they are fighting undead. Remind me again, are there any undead in IWD?
...There are bucket loads of undead in Icewind Dale.
I'm a little baffled by these comments. While lots of people have interesting insights, every other post is an opinionated, dismissive, "this is the best, case closed." At which point I must wonder to myself, if you have no interest in debating, comparing, and showing one shred of interest towards what other folks have to say, why are you on a forum?
And no, I am not pointing fingers at any one person. I kind of wish I were.
Anyway, my question is answered, thanks.
After your question was answered, I suspect people feel comfortable waltzing a bit off topic. Evrryone pretty much is comparing thief builds though, so its not like anyone is arguing Barb vs Zerk. *shrug*
Which weapon spec would a Swash->F take in IWD? It can get to grandmaster in this case, right?
I like short swords for Blood Iron, Spell Diver early. You won't want +Apr unless you use a shield... which you might consider, if you get enough swashie AC bonus. Longswords have a good +Apr weapon.
Which weapon spec would a Swash->F take in IWD? It can get to grandmaster in this case, right?
Yes, you do get GM. It doesn't really matter what weapon you take, as you're not BSing/SAing anyway and those are the only mechanic that cares about weapon type. Feel free to pick whatever you think you'll be able to use well in your given party setup. Long Swords and Flail/Morning Star are probably the best choices as they tend to have the most good weapons in IWD (though you have to wait for your Fighter levels for Flail/MS).
Which weapon spec would a Swash->F take in IWD? It can get to grandmaster in this case, right?
Yes, you do get GM. It doesn't really matter what weapon you take, as you're not BSing/SAing anyway and those are the only mechanic that cares about weapon type. Feel free to pick whatever you think you'll be able to use well in your given party setup. Long Swords and Flail/Morning Star are probably the best choices as they tend to have the most good weapons in IWD (though you have to wait for your Fighter levels for Flail/MS).
So this means that IWD:EE works as BG:EE and BG2:EE in the spec aspect: if I get (for example) 1 star in longswords on my Swash levels, and then 3 stars in longswords on my Fighter levels, I will have 4 stars total when my Fighter levels pass my Swash levels. Correct?
So this means that IWD:EE works as BG:EE and BG2:EE in the spec aspect: if I get (for example) 1 star in longswords on my Swash levels, and then 3 stars in longswords on my Fighter levels, I will have 4 stars total when my Fighter levels pass my Swash levels. Correct?
It doesn't work that way. What pips you spend on your first class don't carry over if you add pips in that category while in your second class before you regain your first class.
So, if you add one pip to long swords on your Swash and then dual to Fighter (for simplicity we will just say at 6th), you'd actually have to wait to spend points on long sword until Fighter 7th when you gain your Swash abilities and proficiencies back if you want that pip to carry over into your Fighter class and be useful.
Pips didn't add in BG/BG2 either. If you don't want to waste pips you need to choose a different weapon.
I don't think you can achieve grand mastery before you get fighter level 9, regardless of when you dual. Unless it's possible to do the hold off levelling trick.
One option you can go with is to split pips between weapon and weapon style. I.e. put your first 3 pips as a Swashie all into Two-Weapon Fighting, and none into the actual weapon; then when you dual at 6 or 7 (doesn't matter which for this particular issue) and go Fighter you can spend all your Fighter pips in the weapon. When you regain the levels you'll end up with pips only in your weapon of choice and your style of choice, and none wasted.
You do take some penalties while you level the Swashie, but if you're going HoF then it takes like 10 minutes to get to lvl 6 so... :P
I don't think you can achieve grand mastery before you get fighter level 9, regardless of when you dual. Unless it's possible to do the hold off levelling trick.
It is, and the method is to do what you just said. You answered your own question.*
*Except you didn't phrase it as a question. Lol whatever y'all get what I mean xD
I don't think you can achieve grand mastery before you get fighter level 9, regardless of when you dual. Unless it's possible to do the hold off levelling trick.
It is, and the method is to do what you just said. You answered your own question.*
*Except you didn't phrase it as a question. Lol whatever y'all get what I mean xD
I actually knew it was possible, but it's not something I would do. If I was going to cheat, I would use EEKeeper.
Comments
Not sure how APR factors into SA though, it doesn't really increase your damage unless you expect enemies to die before you hit them - which may be the case outside of HoF I suppose but then SA is already a clear winner anyway because things don't last long enough for a Swash's bonus damage to apply often enough.
Singleclass swashbucklers are fine, and are clearly better at high levels with good gear. A multi F/T is not very good in IWD, dual is enough thief and much better at fighting. So, do you want your combat thief good early (multi), mid game (dual), or late (pure swashie)? Choose accordingly.
I'm a little baffled by these comments. While lots of people have interesting insights, every other post is an opinionated, dismissive, "this is the best, case closed." At which point I must wonder to myself, if you have no interest in debating, comparing, and showing one shred of interest towards what other folks have to say, why are you on a forum?
And no, I am not pointing fingers at any one person. I kind of wish I were.
Anyway, my question is answered, thanks.
What pips you spend on your first class don't carry over if you add pips in that category while in your second class before you regain your first class.
So, if you add one pip to long swords on your Swash and then dual to Fighter (for simplicity we will just say at 6th), you'd actually have to wait to spend points on long sword until Fighter 7th when you gain your Swash abilities and proficiencies back if you want that pip to carry over into your Fighter class and be useful.
But that's no big deal, if you lose a pip or two in the process you can live with that I think
I don't think you can achieve grand mastery before you get fighter level 9, regardless of when you dual. Unless it's possible to do the hold off levelling trick.
You do take some penalties while you level the Swashie, but if you're going HoF then it takes like 10 minutes to get to lvl 6 so... :P
*Except you didn't phrase it as a question. Lol whatever y'all get what I mean xD