Choosing a Single Class PC for First no Reload Run
JAuggie
Member Posts: 28
I'm trying to decide on a class for my first no reload run. My self imposed rule is that I will use as little cheese as possible (I.e. no abusing Staff of the magi, no using Shield of Balduran, moving Robes of Vecna and Vhailor's Helm to ToB, no stealing/selling for infinite money, etc.) I want a single class PC because most of my playthroughs are with multi/dual classes.
I've narrowed it down to Bounty Hunter, Avenger, Kensai, Undead Hunter, or Priest of Lothander (sp?). I'm also open to other suggestions with sufficient reasons as to why
Note: Game will be played on Core with SCS installed and it will be entire trilogy. I am looking forward to this since if PC dies it's game over and I'm not sure how I'll handle it...I've never not finished a playthrough.
I've narrowed it down to Bounty Hunter, Avenger, Kensai, Undead Hunter, or Priest of Lothander (sp?). I'm also open to other suggestions with sufficient reasons as to why
Note: Game will be played on Core with SCS installed and it will be entire trilogy. I am looking forward to this since if PC dies it's game over and I'm not sure how I'll handle it...I've never not finished a playthrough.
2
Comments
I like playing thieves, especially on no-reload runs. They have everything you need: stealth, backstabs, traps, disarming and lockpickting, detect illusion.
But I've learned that playing as a druid can be a lot of fun as well. An Avenger is a very strong character while not OP.
I'd take one of them.
A character with cleric or druid levels can cast Chaotic Commands and Remove Fear, which will prevent any disablers, even Maze, from affecting you. Mages can use Spell Immunity for the same immunities and more, but this requires advance knowledge and preparation, and doesn't last nearly as long. Berserkers and Barbarians get immunity to basically everything when raging. Finally, dwarves, gnomes, and halflings get a +5 bonus to their saves vs. spell if they have 18 CON, and if a character's saves are low enough, they will make their saves 100% of the time (but this still won't protect against Maze or Imprisonment).
It's also a good idea to carry around Potions of Invisibility, Magic Shielding, Stone Form, and Invulnerability, each of which can be drunk right before an enemy spell takes effect and disables your character. A failed save vs. hold won't matter if you're invisible and the enemy can't dispel it. A Domination spell won't matter if you can drop your save vs. spell to -1 before the spell hits.
In general, you may have to start using a more defensive playstyle. A Kensai's offensive power won't mean much if you get hit by Maze.
And kensai is my favorite class as that was my first ever PC (that was a rough playthrough!). That's the only reason he's on the list.
@semiticgod and @Blackraven are both good at challenging BG2 solos, so take a look at their playthroughs maybe for tips.
I find it difficult to advise, taking into account your above specification. If you manage to keep (most of) your companions alive until at least mid-SoA, even a Kensai will look good. If not, well they're a hard class to solo at lower levels due to their high AC and the inability to wear certain protective armors/shields, especially Shield of Harmony, meaning disablers can pose more of a threat to a Kensai than to most other warrior classes.
To counter the vulnerability to disablers, Dwarf would be the most convenient race. This is thanks to their saves bonuses. At some point most spells will become harmless (20 CON plus Claw of Kazgaroth helps a lot in that respect, even in BG1), but until that time you'll want to hold on to all potions that lower your saves or protect against magic.
As to the Kensai's AC, a Dwarf's 17 Dex is suboptimal, but with the tome in BG1 you could get 18 Dex and thus the maximum Dex-based AC bonus. Again potions (Defense, Invulnerability), as well as the Shield Amulet (maybe you could allow yourself recharges) are helpful in both BG1 and BG2. In the course of BG2 AC, like enemy spellcasting, becomes even less of an issue thanks to more protective items such as Ilbratha, Boots of Gargoyle, and damage resistance options (Defender of Easthaven, Hardiness).
Personally I'd be very interested to see someone attempt an SCS no-reload run with a Kensai.
As to the other classes, my best and most enjoyable no-reload experience has been with a solo Dwarven Bounty Hunter (and I'm currently running a human Bounty Hunter in a party). The BH's special traps are amongst the finest special abilities the game offers, except for the lvl 16-21 Resilient Sphere traps. The fantastic level 21+ Maze traps combine very well with the HLA traps. Together with UAI they make the BH very good for the late-game.
Cleric of Lathander is really good thanks to the Boon of Lathander's extra APR. That abilty (which as I understand, stacks) plus buffs/protections should make them powerful fighters on par with warriors. But unlike warriors they also have summons, a couple of good damage spells, and thieflike abilities such as True Seeing and Find Traps. Versatile contenders for the Throne of Bhaal. Again, Dwarf would be the optimal race (for both BH and Priest of Lathander).
Avengers seem to be slightly better offensively than Priests of Lathander because of their spell repertoire, but also a bit more vulnerable: must be human or half-elf (so no save bonuses), no Shields (of Harmony, Reflection etc), only leather armor, no DoE for damage reduction). Since you say you want to avoid "cheese" I'd recommend the Priest of Lathander over the Avenger. I really think the former can be played more intuitively and less metagamey than the latter.
Paladins are probably the best warrior class, and an Undead Hunter is no exception. I do consider the Cavalier to be the superior kit though. The UH's abilities are good but can be replicated. Spiders' Bane and Arbane's protect against Hold, and the Amulet of Power and Mace of Disruption help against level drain. (The advantage of playing an UH would be that NPCs could us those items.)
My wish list (if you were to share your adventure on the forums):
1) Kensai
2) Priest of Lathander
3) Bounty Hunter
4) Avenger
5) Undead Hunter
Most solid pick:
1) Priest of Lathander
2) Bounty Hunter
3) Undead Hunter
4) Avenger/Kensai
I'd just like to point out that while playing as a solo Totemic druid through BG, I've learned that the druid does not have Remove Fear among her spells. The only way to get it is through the Deva HLA.
My first playthrough is going to be as a Bounty Hunter solo with no reloads. I really want to try this class out (more than the short sample of using Yoshimo), and she seems like a good class to try a solo. Not sure how far I'll get, but I'm looking forward to it.
Quick question on resting for both of these games. How often do you guys rest on your no reload runs. Right now I only rest when 2 or more characters get fatigued. I never rest just to reset spells and my casters will start slinging darts/daggers/slings until I finally rest (I always try to keep gamedays as low as possible).
And specific thanks to @semiticgod @bengoshi @Jaheiras_Witness @blackraven.
Edited for typos
I'm playing with the SCS mod and need as many abilities/item charges/spells for any battle as I can get, especially when the game starts giving a caster in nearly each enemy group.
My Charnames normally rest about once a day, or when some of the party members are fatigued, or when they know they're going to face a formidable enemy.
Good luck! Would you consider posting your progress in the "Maybe this time" thread? You've set yourself a very interesting challenge, one that people here on the forums would gladly read about
Edit: @bengoshi is right in recommending to rest as much as necessary. I'm a bit more conservative with resting, but it's definitely wiser to rest too often for your liking than it is to rest too little to be safe.
@blackraven I'll definitely keep notes about both playthroughs and if I can write a decent enough narrative I will definitely post them and hopefully get some feedback! Threads like that are what got me into wanting to try these challenges