Now that I finally got them to install on my tablet. What class makes a good playthrough for EE?
I'm wanting to play through both BG1 and 2 with the same character and I'm wondering what class to play. I had kind of had Monk in mind but figured that it would be difficult starting out without a good weapon. What are some good suggestions? I know Monks can be good with throwing knives, and in BG1 it's all about missile weapons but throwing knives are harder to buy. Any suggestions?
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That said, a Stalker is less fun in BG1 than 2 (armour restriction is a bit brutal), but they are still good if you remember they aren't meant to do frontline duty at low levels. So consider yourself warned, they can still backstab of course, just remember they can use ranged too. A bow is very good in BG1 as you seem aware.
The most 'fun' IMHO would be a Barbarian or Berserker. Barbarians are the most fun IMHO if you don't max strength out... going from 15-17 str up to 19-21 is a HUGE jump, and makes your rages really powerful tools. At 18/00, Barbarian Rage doesn't have as much pizzazz as Berserker Rage I'd say, which has more useful immunities. BUT! A 15 str Barbarian iirc can use a Longbow, if not composite, and with his high speed, I'd use him to kite minor enemies, and Hulk Smash tough enemies in melee. If you go higher strength, you get access to the composite longbow, which admittedly is better for damage.
Another fun build is a low level dual out Specialist Mage, dualed to Fighter. You're not as overpowered maybe as some F/M builds, but you can use wands, scrolls, cast a few utility spells (casting Knock can let your thief do something other than pump lockpicking, handy for Montaron especially), and even use mage only gear. You can wear armour all the time even, and just use wands. Your HP will be a bit lower, but wands and scrolls will make you more powerful than most pure fighters.
Cavalier is really fun (for me) in BG, because they're immune to a lot of the things you'll be affected by in the game. Berserkers have the same advantages (when in rage) and get some of the strong fighter perks.
Pick one, and have fun. Or be like me. Play to about level three and have a case of 'should have, could have, would have' and start again with a different character. So long as you're enjoying it, kudos to you!
Monks, as you mention, tend to be quite weak for the first game, which really stops just one level short of where they start to mature. Also, they have to be human, but don't get the human perk of dual-classing.
You mention an interest in half-orcs, and throwing stuff. You could get some milage from a half-orc axe hurler, starting with 19 STR and CON, and 18 DEX. This guy is a monster, but throwing axes weigh a lot so it can be a frustrating journey. That said, STR damage bonus on thrown weapons rocks, and for the same weapon skills you can use regular axe in melee too. You might want to play a heroic, goodly half-orc if you want one of the best throwing axe in the game though, early in BG2. There are other magical throwing axes around though, so it is not the end of the world to miss out.
Regardless of what you pick for the main PC though, there is a sufficient variety of NPCs to fill essentially any gap, often in multiple ways, and this is especially true for the EEs if you tend towards playing evil characters, where NPCs were a little lighter on the ground before. So the main point is that you won't go wrong picking whatever seems most fun to you, as there will always be NPCs to pick up after you - but it is more fun if the PC is not relegated to a mere support cast member in their own tale
Otherwise there's no "impossible" class/race combo so just have fun with whatever suits your fancy.
I didn't get it through Steam, though; I went direct and downloaded the installation without the client. Worked like a charm.