New player looking for a fun/powerful class to start with
Forresto
Member Posts: 6
Just picked up the game and I have no idea what im doing. I rolled an Undead Hunter thinking I could possibly solo...it didnt go so well, got killed by a bunch of giant green bugs that threw up on me. I hear sorc is a great class to play but very difficult if you dont know what you're doing. And as much as I love spellcasters in other games I really want to start off with a melee, something along the lines of a brute with a giant 2 handed weapon that chops everyone in half. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I really want to get into this game.
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A suggestion -2 : ignore the overpowergaming guides for your first game. You don't need a superman to beat it - you still need to pay attention to your stats though (i.e. don't build a fighter with low STR for instance).
Manuals here if you don't have them yet : http://www.baldursgate.com/manuals.en.html
There is a tutorial available from the main menu. And the first map is also an in-game tutorial (noticeably the management of a six member team).
As @Musigny said pick up some companions along the way rather than trying to go solo. You'll get to learn more about how the various classes work, and you'll get to enjoy some of the interesting NPCs the game provides.
However, to answer your OP I can suggest that if you want fun, powerful, big weapon, lots of chunks, big brute:
Half Orc
Berserker
19 strength
18 dexterity
19 constitution
11 intelligence
Two handed swords**
Two handed weapon style*
Longbow*
This will give you exactly what you want but it's not a soloing character.
Look to meet up with other NPCs that can support you.
If you did want a soloing character in a similar idea then maybe a dwarf or gnome fighter/thief with longsword**, longbow*, two weapon fighting*, 18/91+ strength, 17 dexterity, 19 constitution, 11 intelligence, 3 wisdom, 18 charisma (preferably). Put all initial points into set traps.
Aside from things connected to the main plot, the BG games don't hold your hand when it comes to where you go and what you take on. That means you can stumble into encounters that are just too difficult for you at a given level ... even on the first map outside of Candlekeep. Set them aside, do some exploring elsewhere, and come back when you're a higher level, have better gear, and a good group of companions. And SAVE your game often.
Challenges like soloing in BG1&2 are mostly about knowing what's where and being able to avoid or prepare for it all ahead of time, as well as getting the most out of the rules. Without a runthrough or two under your belt it's like driving without being able to see through the windshield.
Anyhow, the Undead Hunter kit is fine for getting your feet under you. I actually like it quite a bit, not just because of some helpful perks, but because I think it complements the story of the saga in an interesting way from a good-aligned character's perspective.
Also, you could think the other way around and do Archer (ranged is king in BG) and switch to melee once enemies get close. If you pick Elf and use longbow + sword you will get insane THAC0 for ranged but still pretty good THAC0 for melee as well, even w/o specialization, and even more so when(if) you increase your strength (you get fighter roll for strength to start with, so 2+ THAC0 at 18:91+ and +1 from being elf).
Paladin with twohanded swords and crossbows are kinda fun as well and switching from 2-handed to 2-handed saves you some hazzle with inventory management (you can't have dual wield and bow equipped in quick slots).
Cheers, have fun.
BR//Skat.
If you're planning on playing the same character through the entire series, a Paladin using 2-handed weapons is a good choice, as one of the best weapons in the game is a greatsword that can only be used by Paladins.
Sorcerers aren't really all that more complicated than a normal Wizard, and I would argue that they're much more beginner-friendly due to them requiring less micromanaging of spells.
If you're set on playing a Paladin, consider playing an Inquisitor - They do not learn spells like a normal Paladin, but they can dispel magic really well. If you don't know the mechanics behind spellcasters, it would be hard to explain just -why- the Inquisitor's version of dispel magic is so great, but the short of it is that this particular version can take down just about any magical protection throughout 90% of the series, and by the time it stops being consistent you're better off using other things anyway.
That however is simply a suggestion, and my bias from using Inquisitors often. All of the Paladin kits are fun to play and viable.
"...got killed by a bunch of giant green bugs that threw up on me."
I'm guessing that you went north and ran into a bunch of Ankhegs. They're pretty tough opponents, and you're going to have to build up your party a bit before you tackle them. On the other hand, you don't want to rush too quickly into the main quest either. There are a few areas around Candlekeep/Beregost/Nashkel that are fairly good places for a low level party to explore, without getting your butt kicked. It's good to gain a couple of levels before you seriously tackle the main story line, plus it will give you a chance to properly equip your party after you sell off the loot you'll come across.
As for the dual wielding I was thinking of going Ranger, but I feel like it would be tedious opening up my inventory everytime an enemy gets close. Any mods that can fix that?
Yes, I rarely intend to use ranged and dual wielding on a character as it is tedious to go into the inventory repeatedly. Often though you'll find that you can transport toon from one style to the other in different points in the game as different styles become weaker and stronger. If you do want to have that versatility then I'd recommend using a two handed weapon combined with a bow instead to make it easier to swap between.
The best approach is to consider the best weapons and then try to have a character use them:
(In no particular order)
- Drizzts scimitars: requires you to kill him
- Ashideena (which you have on Branswen)
- Vascona (longsword from South of Nashkel Mines)
- Stupifier (mace from house in Beregost, maybe for Minsc?)
- Dagger of Venom (smithy in Beregost)
- Albruin (bastard sword from Dorn's storyline)
And ... That's pretty much it. Two weapon style is the best way to fight but a greatsword isn't bad either, especially the one that you'll find for your Berserker if you are reasonably diligent on the main quest.
Can always check here to see who your options are: http://playithardcore.com/pihwiki/index.php/Baldur's_Gate:_NPC_Rundown
The Khalid+Jaheira pair work well as Jaheira is good with the scimitar and Khalid has Longsword proficiency.
Dorn's storyline isn't particularly evil in the first game anyway so a good party can help him out without too many qualms given that he helps you out initially.
Dorns quest line doesn't need any evil actions to complete and it's a reasonable response from a good party to help someone after they've helped you if it's not an evil act (which it isn't).
I'd definitely recommend keeping Imoen and Minsc but the rest of your party can easily be swapped for some NPCs that you meet to give you a broad range of experiences. If your Charname is using greatswords as well as Minsc then I'd try to diversify him into something else (take advantage of the ranger pips in two weapon fighting) as there's only one really good greatsword until you get to the bottom of Durlags Tower which is one of the hardest quests.