I think in the extreme lategame multiclass is almost always going to be more powerful than single class. But Paladins are fun and reasonably powerful throughout the entire saga. Carsomyr is an excellent weapon that you can get early on in SoA. And you get to choose any weapon you want, which I like.
You can't really go wrong with either one so go with the one that sounds more fun to you. Also you might base it on who else you want to have in your party.
Yeah - those +2 to Strength and Constitution are much much better than -1 to Dexterity, +1 to Wisdom and Charisma... In *every* way possible. O_O
What can I say... being evil pays off... Slightly (a lot) off topic but...
What's up with the fear challenge : "Oooh, you'll be afraid, I offer you this cloak that will protect you from fear!" - "Dude, seriously, I got this spell - remove fear. It works WONDERS, and I had it ever since I was a little 1 year old Cleric :') "
Yeah - those +2 to Strength and Constitution are much much better than -1 to Dexterity, +1 to Wisdom and Charisma... In *every* way possible. O_O
What can I say... being evil pays off... Slightly (a lot) off topic but...
What's up with the fear challenge : "Oooh, you'll be afraid, I offer you this cloak that will protect you from fear!" - "Dude, seriously, I got this spell - remove fear. It works WONDERS, and I had it ever since I was a little 1 year old Cleric :') "
considering how being good up until that point is clearly the better option in nearly every way, I'd say it's deserved!
I still think the hit to dexterity is mean, though. I'd much rather it affect something less important to my well being. I'd even be okay with it affecting strength or constitution. Dexterity is sacred! NO ONE TOUCH MY DEXTERITY >:[
@SandmanCCL If you are a halfling or elf and used the bg1 dexterity tome on yourself you won't even notice the decrease between 20 and 19. Unless of course you are a thief (in which case 5 for each of your skills is probably not going to make much of a difference by that point). Everyone else can pretty well shrug it off, at least assuming they've used the tome and have 19 dexterity. Even characters reduced to 17 dexterity would have a slight increase in AC.
@SandmanCCL If you are a halfling or elf and used the bg1 dexterity tome on yourself you won't even notice the decrease between 20 and 19. Unless of course you are a thief (in which case 5 for each of your skills is probably not going to make much of a difference by that point). Everyone else can pretty well shrug it off, at least assuming they've used the tome and have 19 dexterity. Even characters reduced to 17 dexterity would have a slight increase in AC.
Plus you're nearing ToB, so AC is basically irrelevant anyway.
Fighter-cleric = god. Paladins are good, but being able to cast level 7 divine spells, and still have a fighter's THAC0? No contest. One of my favourite tricks was the L1NPC mod, turning Viconia into a multiclass fighter/cleric. She's brilliant!
I really like the Cleric/Ranger - cleric *and* Druid spells, though you shouldn't really get Druid spells above Level 3, so I don't usually pick those. Also the free 2 pips in dual-wielding is nice, and Stealth (for scouting, or to help with backstabs for a Stalker>Cleric is nice, and the racial enemy (vampires or demons are best) and charm animal are nice extras. Only downside is the slower leveling and can only play the multiclass as a half-elf (Dwarf fighter/Clerics get the shorty bonuses to saves). Also, you have to be good, but I prefer evil parties...
I think the thaco argument is irrelevant because clerics and druids already have the second best thaco development in the game after the fighter type classes. Clerics also have lots of buffs that enable them to fight as good as a fighter. By the end game, the only thing that the fighter classes give you in this build is 1 more attack per round, and +13 hit points.
The fighter bonuses past level 13 are meaningless unless you need the fighter HLAs, this is one class combination that really would be a lot better off as a dual class instead.
I don't think it's been mentioned yet, but Fighter/Clerics also don't have to be Lawful Good.
Is this true? Dont think so.. They can be neutral also me thinks.
What I meant is you are restricted to Lawful Good for a Paladin, but I think you can be any alignment for Fighter/Cleric, or at least be less restricted.
I think the thaco argument is irrelevant because clerics and druids already have the second best thaco development in the game after the fighter type classes. Clerics also have lots of buffs that enable them to fight as good as a fighter. By the end game, the only thing that the fighter classes give you in this build is 1 more attack per round, and +13 hit points.
The fighter bonuses past level 13 are meaningless unless you need the fighter HLAs, this is one class combination that really would be a lot better off as a dual class instead.
Clerics have the second best THAC0 progression but their THAC0 progression still sucks compared to fighters. They also lose weapon specialization which costs them another 1/2 attack per round compared to fighter/clerics.
Yeah, they can correct for *some* of the difference with buffs, but having to use multiple buffs before every single fight is a pain. So Fighter also gives you more convenience. Cleric progression is fast so you don't lose much by multiclassing.
My advice: ask yourself what you like to play. At level godsawful, no class is weak lol. So if you like a lot of versatility, go fighter/cleric. If you aren't a big fan of spells, go the other way.
By and large the most difficult fights are against mages/liches (doubly so if you've got a difficult increase mod like SCS/SCSII). And what's the best way to combat mages? The Inquisitor. No more trying to figure out what combination of spells you need to breach their protections - just fast action dispel and you're good to go. And, for me at least, there's just something right about playing as a paragon of goodness - all those little side quest just make more sense when you're supposed to be helping people. I always picture a Charname paladin as Minsc without the brain damage, but the same "Sword meet evil!" mentality.
But I wouldn't discount the ranger/cleric multi. Its super powerful, without feeling as cheesy (to me at least) as the Kensei/Mage, its a bit more natural especially wandering the woods of BG1. You get excellent spell selection too, all those tasty druid spells without giving up the bread and butter cleric spells (no hold person or raise dead for druids = lame). Finally dual wielding Crom fayer + Flail of the Ages w/ Iron Skin makes for an insanely powerful fighter.
Comments
It fixes itself when they go up a level.
You can't really go wrong with either one so go with the one that sounds more fun to you. Also you might base it on who else you want to have in your party.
What can I say... being evil pays off...
Slightly (a lot) off topic but...
I still think the hit to dexterity is mean, though. I'd much rather it affect something less important to my well being. I'd even be okay with it affecting strength or constitution. Dexterity is sacred! NO ONE TOUCH MY DEXTERITY >:[
Just saying.
He was comparing Fighter/Clerics to Paladins, Paladins are forced to be Lawful Good.
The fighter bonuses past level 13 are meaningless unless you need the fighter HLAs, this is one class combination that really would be a lot better off as a dual class instead.
Yeah, they can correct for *some* of the difference with buffs, but having to use multiple buffs before every single fight is a pain. So Fighter also gives you more convenience. Cleric progression is fast so you don't lose much by multiclassing.
But I wouldn't discount the ranger/cleric multi. Its super powerful, without feeling as cheesy (to me at least) as the Kensei/Mage, its a bit more natural especially wandering the woods of BG1. You get excellent spell selection too, all those tasty druid spells without giving up the bread and butter cleric spells (no hold person or raise dead for druids = lame). Finally dual wielding Crom fayer + Flail of the Ages w/ Iron Skin makes for an insanely powerful fighter.