Best Class for first time player (using BGT)?
ArbitraryNerd
Member Posts: 14
Hi all,
I've been looking at some of the other suggestion topics for best class for beginners and the like, but my request is a touch different.
What I really want is a character class that is the most interesting from start (BG1) to finish (ToB). I'd like a decent amount of variety, though have a few stipulations/additional thoughts:
I don't mind a challenge.
I don't want to dual/multi class (mostly because I feel like I don't get the most out of a single class).
I'm not a min/max kind of player.
I'll be playing a Human or Elf (or Half-Elf?) for my first character.
I'll be playing a "good" character (could be important for party members, I believe).
I'll be using minimal mods (BGT being the main, I'll take a look at some others that don't change the story).
I don't like thieves or clerics (for my main).
I'm comfortable with D&D stats/rules (well, somewhat. Played 3.5 most recently, limited 2E experience).
I'm just looking for some suggestions, really. I understand it will eventually be based on my preferences, but ToB isn't coming in until Thursday, so I have a couple days before I can start and want to have a plan set out.
I was looking at a Sorcerer, but am concerned about picking the wrong spells due to my lack of familiarity with the game. I prefer their versatility of not having to memorize a certain amount of a given spell, however. I'm not opposed to a more physical centered class, I'm just concerned that I'll get bored with them, especially going through all of BGT. I could be wrong, I've just always felt magic types offered more interesting gameplay options.
Thanks for any tips, I hope I'm not JUST asking the same question you always see...
I've been looking at some of the other suggestion topics for best class for beginners and the like, but my request is a touch different.
What I really want is a character class that is the most interesting from start (BG1) to finish (ToB). I'd like a decent amount of variety, though have a few stipulations/additional thoughts:
I don't mind a challenge.
I don't want to dual/multi class (mostly because I feel like I don't get the most out of a single class).
I'm not a min/max kind of player.
I'll be playing a Human or Elf (or Half-Elf?) for my first character.
I'll be playing a "good" character (could be important for party members, I believe).
I'll be using minimal mods (BGT being the main, I'll take a look at some others that don't change the story).
I don't like thieves or clerics (for my main).
I'm comfortable with D&D stats/rules (well, somewhat. Played 3.5 most recently, limited 2E experience).
I'm just looking for some suggestions, really. I understand it will eventually be based on my preferences, but ToB isn't coming in until Thursday, so I have a couple days before I can start and want to have a plan set out.
I was looking at a Sorcerer, but am concerned about picking the wrong spells due to my lack of familiarity with the game. I prefer their versatility of not having to memorize a certain amount of a given spell, however. I'm not opposed to a more physical centered class, I'm just concerned that I'll get bored with them, especially going through all of BGT. I could be wrong, I've just always felt magic types offered more interesting gameplay options.
Thanks for any tips, I hope I'm not JUST asking the same question you always see...
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Comments
My vote is Blade (Bard sub-class).
@Quartz is right. A bard might be your best bet for getting some utility while learning the game at the same time.
You also might want to invest in a PC that can fill a class or role that's not available to any of the NPCs in the game (I won't say what for fear of spoilers if you aren't familiar with them yet).
While I'm not a fan of dual classing and am ambivalent about multis, I'd urge you to look at some of those options. A dwarven FIghter/Cleric has great defenses, good offense, and quite a bit of utility. That makes for a more well rounded, and for me, more fun, character in the long run.
Bards start off a bit slowly, but this is mitigated by decent (but by no means great) physical damage abilities and very quick leveling. On top of that, they get some nice perks like high lore, decent charisma, and a free pickpocketing skill.
And all this depends on whether you are running a STRICTLY good party, or just do good things. As long as you keep your rep at or below 18 (20 is highest), evil characters won't leave.
There is an EXCELLENT Good thief available to you *right out of the gate.*
There are many talented Fighters. As a Good party you won't have a shortage. Khalid, Ajantis, and Kivan (yay Kivan!!) are all great fighters. Oh, and Coran's a Fighter/Thief, but he can deal some serious hurt too.
A lot of Clerics are kind of "meh" in this game. Passable though, certainly. There's only one Good Cleric though, Yeslick, a Dwarven Fighter/Cleric. He's pretty neat though. Several Neutral ones, and two Evil ones.
There is only one Good mage. She sucks because she has two opposition schools, meaning no charm magics and no conjuration magics. Yeah, mages are a bit difficult in BG1 ... you have Dynaheir, who I just mentioned, who is rather limited. You have Xan, who is neutral, has an epic sword, but lacks a lot of the high damage spells. You can work around that and make Xan fun though. You have Edwin, who is Evil, and hands down the best mage, really no argument there. Then Xzar, who is Evil, and pretty decent as well.
If you don't like Bards fair enough. But Bards are great for filling in gaps in your party formula. They can bring up the spell-casting, the fighting, and buff your party with their bard song. Also, both the bards in this game blow pretty hard.
Also, I agree with Brude: Don't hate on Fighter/Clerics. They are incredible. You can't go wrong with them and they are quite fun.
Mages also gain one of the most interesting class-based quests in BG2.
Immunity to Poison and Charm is useful the entire saga, ESPECIALLY in the first game.
Immunity to Fear and Morale Failure with the ability to cast Remove Fear as a Once Per Day Per Level ability which is VERY helpful.
20% Resistance to Fire and Acid. Fire is a very common damage type, and you can easily stack fire resist gear. The extra 20 the Cavalier gets is very helpful.
And finally, Bonus +3 to hit and damage against all demonic and draconic creatures. Doesn't really come into play til the next game but it's nice to note.
The downside is you can't use ranged weapons without a "melee component". So, you can use a throwing axe but not a longbow. Tip: Paladins should specialize in 2h swords.
Playing a mage/SW is all about strategy, since you can't wade into every battle like your armored characters. And finding spell scrolls throughout the game to add to your spellbook, memorize, and cast is half of the fun.
Paladins are sturdy with good hp, bonuses to saves and are able to equip the best armour so you don't have to worry about them dying and you don't have to micromanage them too much. Saying that they also have some abilities making them more interesting to use than a plain fighter. Later they gain some minor (but genuinely useful) spellcasting.
I like the Undead Hunter as immunity to hold is good in both games and immunity to level drain is a genuine lifesaver in BG2 (you will fight ALOT of undead in BG2). The Cavalier is also good but the inability to use missile weapons is a big negative in BG1.
The undead hunter isn't bad to be sure, any paladin kit is better than the normal paladin.
I love Monty, but he's got two potential drawbacks for the first-timer. (No spoilers, but you can figure out what those might be).
I played a fighter-thief for my very first complete run through of the game. It gives you a lot of flexibility in terms of party comp, because you've got key skills covered regardless of who is in your party and what level they might be.
The class also doesn't require special knowledge of the game or micromanagement, and it's good enough at combat to feel "epic." (That's part of my issue with Bards and other casters, at least early on -- they tend to feel a bit gimp compared to a fighter who swings a big two hander and chunks mobs on his own).
Only downside is that the OP doesn't enjoy multis, and I disagree a little bit more over pure class thieves. (Hehe, I rolled a pure class thief for my first toon because I enjoy rogue-like classes. It was a little disheartening to run into Imoen and Monty in the first 5 minutes of the game, because it made my guy feel totally redundant. It took awhile, but ventually I rerolled to F/T.
As CaptRory said, they get a bunch of VERY useful stuff:
Charm, Fear and Poison are very common effects in the first game.
Spiders and Wyverns poison you all the time and you can die very easily as you lack the tons of HP or antidotes or spells in the early game.
Charm is pretty annoying too as you lose control of your character. That's usually game over in the first game. Sirens anyone?
Fear is the same. You lose control and you run away, not very heroic and annoying. And enemy mages like to cast Horror very very often.
The 20% Fire Resistance is very good and you can get it above 100% in BGII/ToB. That means fire will heal you.
The 20% Acid Resistance is nice but not that great.
They can cast Remove Fear once per level on your whole party. Read above about the effects of fear. Not only it removes it but I believe it actually makes your team immune to it for the duration.
They get +2 to Saving Throws. Nuff said. Very useful.
Turn Undead is not that great if you have another Cleric in your party. But if you go by the canon party (Minsc, Dynaheir, Jaheira, Khalid, Imoen), you will be the only one that can do it. You will be a few levels behind in Turning power but it's not that bad.
Also, in BG2, the only Clerics are Aerie, Anomen and Viconia. Unless I am forgetting someone.
Aerie is Lawful Good and a Mage/Cleric, which is perfect for a Paladin to romance her and her Turning power will be weaker than yours.
Anomen is a dual Fighter/Cleric, many say that he is extremely annoying and a jerk. Didn't care for him, didn't use him.
Viconia is evil. A Paladin with an evil drow? Doesn't make much sense but I think you can change her alignment if you romance her.
In other words, your Turn Undead power will not be the best but will remain effective in every game.
Lay On Hands is a free, instant healing ability (Paladin level x 2). Not bad. Good in every game.
Protection from Evil x Paladin level. Nice buff until you get the mass version of the spell for your Priest.
Detect Evil can help you in all games to see who is the bad guy for a quest. Used it often but not essential.
Cure Disease, kinda crappy but hey, it's free.
You have high Charisma, which means you are the leader and party face. No need to use another person to speak to people (which I find annoying).
Also, it prevents morale failures from party members. I believe Khalid rarely if ever chickened out with my Cavalier.
And it gives you a discount in the shops. Very very useful, obviously.
Fighter/Clerics cannot have high Charisma in the first game. Unless you get insane rolls, cheat or get that Ring in the second game.
That +3 To hit and Damage against Dragons and Demons is awesome.
It is not that useful in the first game, I believe except a few very important occasions.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think Wyverns are in dragon category. They are in 3E, I think.
Also, Demonknight and Aec'Letec are demons and also two of the hardest bosses in the first game.
In BG2 and ToB that +3 becomes even more useful, so I won't elaborate.
They can use Carsormyr, one of, if not the best, weapon in BG2 and you can upgrade it in ToB.
Again, Fighter/Clerics cannot use it. Although, they get that other overpowered hammer, which Paladins can use also, I think.
Also, F/Cs lag behind in BG2 if they are multiclass. Though, dual Berserker/Clerics are awesome.
And you don't need high Dex for a Paladin. Just start with 18/anything Str, 18 Con and 18 Cha. You get tomes for each of them and Dex gauntlets very very soon. You can get the gauntlets at level 1 and are hard to miss.
Also, the only downside is that they cannot use missile weapons. Which is totally unimportant. Do you really want to waste your limited proficiency points in any missile weapons? You have to unequip your shield for them. If you NEED to use missile weapons with a Paladin, just use Throwing Axes. They can use them, I think.
I love the story of having a Paladin with Viconia in the party.
The Dashing Knight rescues the maiden in distress. Despite her evil nature he takes it as his duty to safeguard her and turn her to the path of righteousness. And eventually, after years of patience, manages to rescue not only her body but her soul.
Gah! My friend Wendy is right, I am "squishy". Too sentimental. Hahaha
So far my Cavalier has ** in: 2h Style, 2h Swords, Axes, and Sword and Shield Style. This gives me a lot of flexibility. Sometimes you just wanna have the extra AC of having a shield, or if I'm using a throwing axe I might as well have one equipped to block return fire.
But giving Viconia a second chance and trying to improve her from the path of evil makes for fun RP. I just chose Aerie for my Paladin, last time.
I did the same with the proficiency points also. Use longsword and shield in the first game and two handed swords and style in the second for Carsormyr.
Axes don't seem too Paladin-like to me so I ignored them, I think. Went for Flails etc.
I went Axes because my Cavalier Kit lets me use throwing axes but not bows or darts etc.
Montaron is great! Problem he and Shar-Teel have is they are just a bag of stats. Doesn't have anything really setting them apart, and therefore it's pretty easy to just simply roll a better one.
Also, I was thinking saga-wide. Once you hit BG2, you're left with Yoshimo (no need to spoiler this, but you know why this isn't a viable option), Nalia (only upside to her thief levels is an expanded usable gear list), Imoen (capable at thieving but she's a wizard and is not going to be a combat rogue), and Jan Jansen (again, wizard.) Sarevok can dual-class to thief and it's probably better end-game if you do that, but I just hate waiting that long to gain the fighter levels back and I prefer using two-handed swords anyway.
If you're considering BGII, then, totally agree with you then. Fighter/Thief is very fun anyway.