Wondering about a Berserker/Mage run
Tad_Has_A_Cold_Olive
Member Posts: 183
So, I've stalled on my Fighter/Illusionist run, mainly because I underestimated just how much XP it takes to level up as you progress in BG2. So, I've been thinking of starting over. Still going with a general warrior-wizard build, because it's awesome.
My current plan is to start as a Berserker and dual to mage at levels 7-9 (not sure which yet). My initial weapon pips are going to be: Quarterstaff ++, Longbow +, and Two-Handed Style +. My fighter levels will be spent getting Quarterstaff to either High or Grand Mastery.
Does this plan sound viable? I know that dual-wielding is supposed to be the strongest way to go with a Fighter/Mage, but I like being able to seamlessly switch between melee and ranged weapons (and longbows served me well in BG before). I also like the idea of being a staff-wielding badass. They're not the best 2-handed weapons, but am I gimping myself too much by focusing on them?
And finally, is starting as a Berserker instead of a Kensei okay? I know that Kensei's are supposed to be the best kit to dual out of, but I think starting with no armor and no spells to mitigate that is a little... harsh. Plus I like the idea of going around in elven chain. It just seems to fit the warrior-wizard aesthetic so well!
My current plan is to start as a Berserker and dual to mage at levels 7-9 (not sure which yet). My initial weapon pips are going to be: Quarterstaff ++, Longbow +, and Two-Handed Style +. My fighter levels will be spent getting Quarterstaff to either High or Grand Mastery.
Does this plan sound viable? I know that dual-wielding is supposed to be the strongest way to go with a Fighter/Mage, but I like being able to seamlessly switch between melee and ranged weapons (and longbows served me well in BG before). I also like the idea of being a staff-wielding badass. They're not the best 2-handed weapons, but am I gimping myself too much by focusing on them?
And finally, is starting as a Berserker instead of a Kensei okay? I know that Kensei's are supposed to be the best kit to dual out of, but I think starting with no armor and no spells to mitigate that is a little... harsh. Plus I like the idea of going around in elven chain. It just seems to fit the warrior-wizard aesthetic so well!
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Comments
Berserker has the berserk ability that gives him immunity from many of the most troublesome enemy attacks so it should be a very strong choice. Armor is pretty irrelevant once you come into stoneskin and other mage defensive buffs anyway, and if you have 7 or 9 levels worth of Fighter HP you shouldn't have much trouble keeping your "1st level" mage alive.
To decide which level to switch over at, just read the kit description to see when bonuses and extra uses of kit abilities kick in. Also consider at what level you stop gaining max HP, the tradeoff is the earlier you cross over the faster you'll see mage 9th level and HLA but switching too early may leave you with a rather mediocre fighter who you'll mostly just use as a mage.....at which point you totally might as well have just been a straight mage.
Lastly, I really hate taking specialist mage. I find there is no spell school I really want to give up having the option to use and not being able to memorize those spells is just robbing me of XP.
Your build is very much viable, in fact more than viable, as Berserker=>Mage is one of the strongest class combos out there, arguably stronger than Kensai/Mage over the course of the entire BG1 to ToB playthrough. If you want to go Bow+Staff for roleplay reasons, go for it.
As others have pointed out however, bows lose some of their effectiveness in BG2, also I personally think it's a bit of a shame not using a fighter/mage type character for frontline duty, because he is going to be the most effective tank in the party in BG2. Bows are obviously ranged weapons and even the quarterstaff can be used in the second rank behind a friendly combatant.
As for when to begin the dual-class process... lv9 is generally the optimal point because you get a proficiency point on lv9, and those are precious once you become a mage (only one every 6 levels, also the 2 points you get during the process cannot be assigned to any fighting styles or fighter weapons). Some people wait until lv13 to max out APR and create the "ultimate character", but it would leave him crippled for most of SoA.
It's your choice if you prefer a more magic oriented character, but overall, and especially if you take BG1 and ToB into account, the multi is stronger.
Also, MC vs DC has been debated numerous times and both are strong enough to dominate both BG, BG2 and ToB, so no need to change your setup. Both of these chars you have will be more than adequate.
So, my final advice would be to make the dual from zerker to mage at level 7, that way you are level 8 mage very early (just memorize scrolls) and you will still have enough pips to GM in staves. Going to 9 is not much more cumbersome, so do that if you wish. OR you could just stick to the gnome char of yours since F/I are strong and the added spells per level from specialist mage can be worth it, (as well as shorty saves ofc).
Have fun,
Cheers//Skat.
The berserker mage is the most powerful because all though you have more spell slots you as a fighter/illusionist you miss out on some really really good spells like horrid wilting and skull trap
The Fighter/Illusionist was also fairly tough when he wore armor, but I stayed ranged and used spells more often. They were both good.
At the xp cap for BG2, a Fighter Illusionist will be 14/14, and the Berserker/Mage will be 9/17. Hard to say which is 'better'. A lot depends on your companions and the difficulty level+mods. I enjoyed both runs on SCS+Tactical. The Berserker was nice against Liches and the earlier level 9 spells in TOB were really nice. The Fighter/Illusionist was a better melee damage dealer while being an equal tank, although against some opponents needed more micro-management. They were both among the most powerful characters I've played through a trilogy run.