I recommend the Bard kit "Blade". Spends a lot of time as 2nd archer / 2nd mage, but advances rapidly, is a challenge, and can become a spellcasting, dual wielding whirlwind of death at higher levels. Also doesn't really have a "dump" stat, in part because in 2nd edition, the Bard casts as a mage, governed by INT...
My recommendation is actually Inquisitor. You'll be lethal in battle and it's just point and click. You'll be immune to annoying spells. And ppl will LOVE you because of your +++ charisma. But all the other suggestions are good too.
I've played through BGT a few times a few different ways. Twice I've dual classed a human fighter (of course) from fighter to something else. There is so much game play between BG1 and the conclusion in BoT that it's nice to struggle through the dual classing process. I did a Fighter > Cleric and later a Kensai > Mage (commonly done scenario.) I dual classed them both at lvl 13 so it was challenging for a number of reasons. One lvl 13 will likely put you in the middle of the fray in BG2. Starting over at lvl 1 at that point is a bit scary regardless of grand plans that occurred generating your character before CandleKeep. Second all your gear may be useless for the new class. Third, it will take a long time to get back to lvl 14 to reclaim your lost skills and by then you'll have to remember how to use the skills. It makes for playing three different characters throughout the journey. You also miss out on using any class but human and high level skills don't start showing up until it's time to finish the game.
Let me get this straight @Fish, you are advising that someone play a dual-classing character their FIRST playthrough? Look dual-classing is awesome and fun and all, but it's absolutely the last thing a new player should be doing. And I'm not trying to be elitist there at all, I didn't get into the dual-classing mess until I literally knew DnD rules like the back of my hand. I would've been miserable otherwise.
What I'm saying is: It requires a ton of meta-game knowledge to do it right, and not only does that knowledge take time, it also can tend to ruin the immersion of the game. I know it does for me.
Let me get this straight @Fish, you are advising that someone play a dual-classing character their FIRST playthrough? Look dual-classing is awesome and fun and all, but it's absolutely the last thing a new player should be doing. And I'm not trying to be elitist there at all, I didn't get into the dual-classing mess until I literally knew DnD rules like the back of my hand. I would've been miserable otherwise.
What I'm saying is: It requires a ton of meta-game knowledge to do it right, and not only does that knowledge take time, it also can tend to ruin the immersion of the game. I know it does for me.
If you're going to start with a vanilla fighter anyway, why not plan for a dual class? By the time he has played 200 hours with a fighter, chances are he'll understand the mechanics well enough. If this was Planescape or IWD it may be a different story but a BG1, ToSC, BG2, ToB is a ton of play time. As I said, dual classing would take place at some point in BG2 play. If it doesn't make sense then, keep going single classed. Why not build out stats in Candlekeep that at least give some options to the version of self that's going to be driving the PC in 200 game hours? The decision to dual class (as you know) isn't made when the player is a noob, it's made well into game play. The only research necessary at character generation is what minimum stats are needed.
I'd recommend considering Archer as well. The above Paladin/Mage suggestions are also good, but there are good tank NPCs in both games, and a great Paladin, Keldorn, in BG2 already...and Ajantis in BG1 (not as great as Keldorn, but still a good Paladin).
For the Archer role, there is nobody who really fits that bill in BG1/2. Ranged weapons are a significant factor in BG as well. Finally, Archers are not as weak in the beginning as mages.
The only potential downside is I have heard some say Archers become weaker in ToB...although I've never taken one that far (yet...plan on using one in BG:EE).
That said, my first attempt at BG was as a Specialist Mage.
If you really want Elf/Half-Elf, be an Archer. If you want human, you can do Paladin as suggested, or do Archer and consider Dual-Classing in BG2 once you are more comfortable with the mechanics (if necessary--and I'm not convinced it is).
Avoid bards(they just suck, but it's maybe just me hehe), rouges,clerics and druids for your first play through in my opinion. Leave them for the next games when you will have more knowledge about the game. You will want to play the game again. I assure you! You can't go wrong with a fighter(or a paladin) without any subkits or going ranger's archer subkit. If you want a bit advanced in difficulty character go an arcane spellcaster - they are a lot of fun, but can be very hard at the beginning with such a small HP pool and no armor.
@PhoenixDown: Bards don't suck, they're very lethal especially in BG1 - and I'm talking plain class here, no kit. I do however agree that they would not be the easiest class to play for a beginner.
The only potential downside is I have heard some say Archers become weaker in ToB...although I've never taken one that far (yet...plan on using one in BG:EE).
That's not quite true :P I usually played a dual classed warrior->rogue with crossbow focus, cause you can get one of the most insane weapons early on in BG2 (Firetooth +4) With the Grandmaster patch it does insanely damage, does not need any ammunition and does have awesome stats. (and 5 stars in x-bows thanks to warrior; yet I think that was bugged..cause as soon as you could spent the 3. point, I dual-classed and could get up to 5 while being a rogue -> should not be possible IMO) Though you might experience the fire-damage is getting ignored often in ToB...but it doesn't matter..you are like a walking machine gun.
Anyway; for BG(EE) a decent or very good starter class should be ranger with focus either on melee or archery - doesn't matter; Paladin(maybe Inquisitor) or Fighter. The available fighters are kind of a joke anyway... Else I would recommend a cleric as well, or better a dual-classed Fighter/Cleric for at least 2 weapon proficiency points. Viconia won't fit in everybodys party and Branwen *****
Haven't played a Bard yet, but in IWD2 they were/are a cheat (if abused) and in at least NWN2:SoZ they simply rock - if self-made!
Bards are pretty awesome, even a vanilla bard. They can do a little bit of everything. Need an extra tank? The bard can buff up and roll out. Need another archer? The bard is good at that too. Need more magical firepower? The bard has magic. Need more thieving points? Bards can pick pockets so that's one less category your thieves need to spend points in.
One could say that bards Specialize in being Generalists. They aren't as good as a specialized class at any one thing, but they can do a lot of things. Variety grants more options.
In terms of simplicity/efficiency, i'd suggest you go for a Half Orc Barbarian. Or a Berserker Kit, but then again you have Korgan in BG2 who has the exact same role.
So yeah, until you finish the game once and get familiarized with it, i suggest the a dual-wielding Barb (axes and long swords maybe). Very powerful and easy to use, just turn on that Rage in hard fights and hack your way through victory!
I would reccommend a Mage, they can be challenging to play the first few levels since you have access to so few spell slots in the beginning (Fireball, I'm waiting for you!), not to mention HP, to alleviate the former you can play a specialist. I usually choose conjurer, I always have another mage in my party that can cast divination spells. Either way, I agree with your view, a Mage offers a myriad of options depending on your style of play, and as you start amassing dozens of spells, they just become more and more fun :-) And if you ever start getting bored, then just change spells to give yourself a challenge, such as, if playing as a Conjurer, for a while ONLY use conjuration spells, or stay away from damage giving spells, and try to charm, befuddle, curse, or incapacitate your enemies.
In terms of simplicity/efficiency, i'd suggest you go for a Half Orc Barbarian. Or a Berserker Kit, but then again you have Korgan in BG2 who has the exact same role.
So yeah, until you finish the game once and get familiarized with it, i suggest the a dual-wielding Barb (axes and long swords maybe). Very powerful and easy to use, just turn on that Rage in hard fights and hack your way through victory!
That's exactly what I planned on doing. Go through anything that comes my way lol.
Since you mention that you'll want to play through the entire epic with this character, one other thing to consider are the strongholds and class quests in BG2. Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers have the most interesting and complex class quests. Barbarians and Monks share the Fighter stronghold/quests. Mages and Bards have the most fun/coolest strongholds, although light on quests. You said you don't like Thieves, no worries, they have easily the worst stronghold/class questline. Druids and Clerics are middle of the road for me - appropriate to the class but not too exciting.
Since you mention that you'll want to play through the entire epic with this character, one other thing to consider are the strongholds and class quests in BG2. Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers have the most interesting and complex class quests. Barbarians and Monks share the Fighter stronghold/quests. Mages and Bards have the most fun/coolest strongholds, although light on quests. You said you don't like Thieves, no worries, they have easily the worst stronghold/class questline. Druids and Clerics are middle of the road for me - appropriate to the class but not too exciting.
Which stronghold do you get for dualclass kensai/mage? Both?!
Since you mention that you'll want to play through the entire epic with this character, one other thing to consider are the strongholds and class quests in BG2. Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers have the most interesting and complex class quests. Barbarians and Monks share the Fighter stronghold/quests. Mages and Bards have the most fun/coolest strongholds, although light on quests. You said you don't like Thieves, no worries, they have easily the worst stronghold/class questline. Druids and Clerics are middle of the road for me - appropriate to the class but not too exciting.
Which stronghold do you get for dualclass kensai/mage? Both?!
Fighter. Though there is a mod that allows you to have both (or even all of the possible strongholds).
Which stronghold do you get for dualclass kensai/mage? Both?!
A dual or multi-class character can choose either stronghold, but once you've picked one, you are locked in and the other is not available. You can, as Alex mentioned, cheat and get both, but you have to mod the game.
In my eyes BG bards suck hard. ICWD bards are awesome with their many useful and cool ballad buffs, but in BG? Pff. Sure they can do anything, but they are not good at it. Fighter will be a better tank or archer, thief will be a better thief/archer, mage will be the better spellcaster. If you want a battlemage just multi class a warrior with a wizard or go kensai/wizard and that character will be three times more powerful than a pitiful bard. BG is a team game. Bard's 'all trick pony' attribute seems highly unnecessary. Unless you want to do Bard solo challenge, choose it for RP reasons or just like the concept of the class - don't choose it. They are the worst class in the game in my humble opinion.
If your aim is to keep it ogre brained simple, forget it. Ultimately, you will be controlling an entire party of adventurers, not just one character. You will need to operate spell casters, thieves, and fighters. Both BG1 and BG2 put a variety of followers in the main plot path (as well as a few that are kind of off the beaten one), so you can create a pretty balanced party. A fighter of some sort that can use a longsword would make good sense for your first go. Clerics are nice, too, for that soothing touch. Don't be afraid to play a multi class non-human character, but i wouldn't try dual classing until I had a good feel for the game. Some of the followers you will have in your party will be good and others not-so-good. Creating your main character gives you a chance to add to the party an awesome example of whatever class you choose. Try a half-orc fighter with a 19 Str, or a gnome illusionist a with 19 Int. If you are really looking for a cake walk your first time through, you can always change the difficulty setting.
@Barinthus, this discussion ended over two years ago. The people who posted in it will have moved on, are unlikely to still be interested in it, and/or may not even remember that they ever posted in it or what they said.
Pulling up a thread this old is called "thread necromancy", and it's usually considered a breach of etiquette on internet forums.
But who knows, maybe some of the old posters will come back, or some new people will get interested in it again.
Pulling up a thread this old is called "thread necromancy", and it's usually considered a breach of etiquette on internet forums.
I don't consider thread necromancy a breach of etiquette. On the contrary, I want people to feel free to continue the discussion whenever. Actually, I find it puzzling why anyone would find it rude. I'm not the only one who is interested in this topic years after someone else was interested in it, and people who no longer are can ignore it, so I see no justification for chastising @Barinthus here. It makes me sad to see people being discouraged from participating like this. What does it accomplish?
Comments
What I'm saying is: It requires a ton of meta-game knowledge to do it right, and not only does that knowledge take time, it also can tend to ruin the immersion of the game. I know it does for me.
For the Archer role, there is nobody who really fits that bill in BG1/2. Ranged weapons are a significant factor in BG as well. Finally, Archers are not as weak in the beginning as mages.
The only potential downside is I have heard some say Archers become weaker in ToB...although I've never taken one that far (yet...plan on using one in BG:EE).
That said, my first attempt at BG was as a Specialist Mage.
If you really want Elf/Half-Elf, be an Archer. If you want human, you can do Paladin as suggested, or do Archer and consider Dual-Classing in BG2 once you are more comfortable with the mechanics (if necessary--and I'm not convinced it is).
You can't go wrong with a fighter(or a paladin) without any subkits or going ranger's archer subkit. If you want a bit advanced in difficulty character go an arcane spellcaster - they are a lot of fun, but can be very hard at the beginning with such a small HP pool and no armor.
With the Grandmaster patch it does insanely damage, does not need any ammunition and does have awesome stats.
(and 5 stars in x-bows thanks to warrior; yet I think that was bugged..cause as soon as you could spent the 3. point, I dual-classed and could get up to 5 while being a rogue -> should not be possible IMO)
Though you might experience the fire-damage is getting ignored often in ToB...but it doesn't matter..you are like a walking machine gun.
Anyway; for BG(EE) a decent or very good starter class should be ranger with focus either on melee or archery - doesn't matter; Paladin(maybe Inquisitor) or Fighter. The available fighters are kind of a joke anyway...
Else I would recommend a cleric as well, or better a dual-classed Fighter/Cleric for at least 2 weapon proficiency points. Viconia won't fit in everybodys party and Branwen *****
Haven't played a Bard yet, but in IWD2 they were/are a cheat (if abused) and in at least NWN2:SoZ they simply rock - if self-made!
One could say that bards Specialize in being Generalists. They aren't as good as a specialized class at any one thing, but they can do a lot of things. Variety grants more options.
So yeah, until you finish the game once and get familiarized with it, i suggest the a dual-wielding Barb (axes and long swords maybe). Very powerful and easy to use, just turn on that Rage in hard fights and hack your way through victory!
And if you ever start getting bored, then just change spells to give yourself a challenge, such as, if playing as a Conjurer, for a while ONLY use conjuration spells, or stay away from damage giving spells, and try to charm, befuddle, curse, or incapacitate your enemies.
Unless you want to do Bard solo challenge, choose it for RP reasons or just like the concept of the class - don't choose it. They are the worst class in the game in my humble opinion.
Pulling up a thread this old is called "thread necromancy", and it's usually considered a breach of etiquette on internet forums.
But who knows, maybe some of the old posters will come back, or some new people will get interested in it again.