Second Full Trilogy Run: Gnome Cleric/Thief or Illusionist/Thief?

Vallmyr

Hello! So not too long ago I finished my first full run of BG (BG:EE, SoD, BG2:EE, ToB) as a Half-Elf Blade Bard. I've put BG down for a bit as I finished out some other games but am looking to eventually do a second full run.

I know I want to roll a female gnome but I can't decide on Cleric/Thief or Illusionist/Thief.

I initially was going to do Illusionist/Thief to take advantage of gnomes' +1 int and access to a specialist school while multiclassing but after playing with Glint Gardnersonson I've found that Cleric/Thieves are also a lot of fun.

Cleric also fits my preferred role of playing supports, though I suppose I could prepare all buff and debuff spells as an Illusionist to achieve the same thing.

I know in the end I'll have to make the decision myself but can anyone provide insight to the pros and cons of each? Like I know already Illusionist/Thief will take longer to level and such. I do plan to take a full 6 person party.

JumboWheat01

Cleric/Thief is by far my favorite multiclass (and I'm a class purist!) It allows you freedom to form your party however you want, as you bring thieving skills, decent fighting skills and heals to your party. Both Cleric and Thief have lower exp requirements, so you can actually level up at a decent pace. Of course, the downside is that you're limited to Cleric weapons, and only Quarterstaves and Clubs can buttstab, but at least you won't have to worry about either of those weapons breaking in Baldur's Gate!

ThacoBell

I'd vote Cleric/Thief. Its a great combo.

DreadKhan

I love Cleric/thief in BG1, and UAI is nifty with a cleric, so ToB should be fine, but SoA could be a real slog.

T/I is more consistently amazing, able to decently do many things and eventually being a pretty strong spellcaster, but less fun in BG1, and might feel overpowered in ToB. SoA should be pretty easy though.

Vallmyr

I guess if I do Cleric/Thief I can always take Jan Jansen in BG2/ToB since I've never used him.

tbone1

You never take Jan? Try him. He has some banters that are fantastic, and those flashers can save several glutei.

Arctodus

Cleric/thieves are amazing backstabbers. Fully buffed with divine magic, a C/T can backstab for ~70 damage even in BG1. Watch them chunk enemies with a club or a quaterstaff is really fun. Add in trap usage and you have an amazing damage dealer. They do need a lot of micromanagement, but it is also the case for T/I.

Objectively, C/T are not as strong as a T/I, specially when you get to late SoA, because arcane magic > everything else. However, UAI have better synergy with clerics than mages, because you gain more from it : you have a huge array of divine magic to cast and also have the ability to cast arcane magic from scrolls, all that while wearing any weapon/armor you want. In ToB, you can effectively be a C/T/M that level faster than a triple class character.

If you're willing to use mods, you can also remove the cleric restriction to blunt weapon with Tweak Anthology, so your C/T can wield daggers and longswords for even more fun. All in all, it's a very fun and flexible character build that I highly recommend.

Vallmyr

Yeah, it's really surprising since Gnomes are my favorite. I do need to try him.

Vallmyr

Well, I think I've been convinced for C/T! Now to help with build and some other questions. I imagine I should focus on Dex, Con, Wis, and Cha (Charisma is my favorite stat and I try to have 18 on every character because reasons).

Like I could see
10 str (Use buffs when I melee. though if I roll high enough I'll put it at 15 to use all weapons/armor)
18 Dex
17 Con (+1 Con tome will get me max saves)
10 int
17 Wis
18 Cha

Also should I go for Club and Quarterstaff proficiency at 1 or go Quarterstaff + Sling?

Does Sanctuary count for backstabbing? If so I can prob level traps/set traps first and worry about stealth skills later.

Arctodus

You can't backstab while under Sanctuary.

Usually, when my charname is a thief, I max Set Trap, then put points in HiS/MS after. Heck, I sometimes even forgo HiS/MS until SoA, because invisibility from a mage is enough in BG1 for your backstabbing needs. I then go with Detect Illusions, since it can be very helpful even in BG1. I have to carry another thief in my party to take care of traps and open locks though. Only in BG2 I start to invest points in QoL skills like Open locks and Find traps, because by then, you'll have enough points to spare.

Low strength can work, because your buffs/items will take care of that for you. It can be an annoyance in BG1, because you won't be able to carry much and/or use heavier armors when unbuffed. In BG2 though, that problem disappear because of the outrageous number of strength enhancing items.

I'd go with Sling and Quarterstaff proficiencies to begin with, just to have a long range weapon. Your next proficiency should be THWS, for that better crit chance.

Contemplative_Hamster

Do, do, DO install the Faiths and Powers mod if you're going to play a cleric/thief. I cannot sing its praises enough. Look for it in the General Modding section of this board.

Vallmyr

I assume it's stable to use across all the BG titles? If so I'll use it.

Vallmyr

Is it worth putting open lock to 60 just for the star sapphire in Candlekeep?

lroumen

Probably it is the first so you want to maximise anyway. I rarely get the gem though, there are so many goodies right out of Candlekeep that you do not need that gem.

Aerakar

I usually go with set traps and then HS/MS first on my thieves unless solo'ing. I always try to have a back-up thief do the locks and traps until later levels so I can focus on the fun combat skills.

I agree the gem is nice but usually not worth the early OL focus for me. If solo'ing a thief I may go with OL though first as I like to rob Beregost and FAI blind.

tbone1

If I play a thief, I start pumping Open Locks and Find/Remove Traps right away. That way I am comfortable dual-classing Imoen at level 2 and she can quickly become an bow-wielding mage, i.e., still useful if not casting spells.

lroumen

I like the dart wielding pure class mage. Poison and stun opportunities three times per round .