I really want to play an offline multi-player with two characters. A Swashbuckler and a Blade. But, I will probably go for just a Swashbuckler, and pray I can get the rolls I want. I'm looking for at least a 15 in STR, CON and CHA. An 19 in DEX, and anything above 10 in WIS and INT. For the Swashbuckler of course.
What is the level cap in BG1? I thought it was around 14 so was going to do Kensai/Mage dual at 7. Does that seem reasonable?
The experience cap is 161000. It hasn't changed. You will be able to get to level 8 as a fighter, or you could do a level 7 / level 8 dual class fighter/mage. But it would take a long time to get your fighter skills back with this.
Cavalier probably, my first char was a paladin so it feels fitting. Although this time my english is better so I won't dump my Constitution to 4 (didn't know what Constitution meant back in 1998, still amazed that I finished the game with 29 hp).
What is the level cap in BG1? I thought it was around 14 so was going to do Kensai/Mage dual at 7. Does that seem reasonable?
The experience cap is 161000. It hasn't changed. You will be able to get to level 8 as a fighter, or you could do a level 7 / level 8 dual class fighter/mage. But it would take a long time to get your fighter skills back with this.
PC - Sorc or FM Vicky Monty (Beefed up with real armor at the expense of thieving to be a more to be an alt tank) Xzar (Dual to Cleric at level 6) Edwin Dorn (To get a new NPC in there and for generally tanking)
The weak point is there's no real sack of hit points to tank unless I roll a fighter mage....but the idea would be to have maximum spell power with cleric and mage spells possible. No druid abilities, but then again monty might make a good tank who detects traps with the right gear. And you would be able to constantly summon.
I'm still undecided about the race and the alignment. I love solos, but I am having second thought about having a party in the 1st run through. If I go wiht a party it will be max 4 characters (ie 3 NPC's).
I'll go with Cavalier as my first char as usual....
Dorn Rasaad Imoen Viconia Neera and that's who I plan on finishing the game with. I wanna see the new stuff all at once! It's a weird setup considering alignment, but hey...
Cavalier probably, my first char was a paladin so it feels fitting. Although this time my english is better so I won't dump my Constitution to 4 (didn't know what Constitution meant back in 1998, still amazed that I finished the game with 29 hp).
Chaotic-good half-orc Swashbuckler. I'll be avoiding two-weapon secialisation and playing around with other styles however, just because I like to play around with things. Skald looks interesting though; never played a combat-bard before.
I think the biggest issue isn't what class to play but wich party to choose. Want at least two of the new npc, so it will probaly be Neera as arcane caster, Rasaad and Imoen, the last two spots still open. Big fan of Jaheira but not sure about Khalid, maybe as an archer. Does kobolds count as draconic? oterwise it won't be much use of the cavaliers bonus, execpt against the demon knight and whatever the demon back in the beard is called.
1. Play as a Swashbuckler, with an eye to dual-classing to something interesting at some point in BG2. Playing as a thief is a good move because they're fun to roleplay, your PC will have lots to do in dungeons, and there frankly aren't many good NPC options in the game. 2. Play as a Cleric/Ranger and simply monopolise divine magic while tanking and absorbing damage on the front line as well. 3. Revert to my first-ever play-through of BG, and go back to the Paladin! Could try out the Blackguard (though I find it difficult to RP as evil), or the Cavalier (with that incredibly useful 'remove fear' ability) 4. Pick a cleric with an interesting set of abilities and look for a good moment to dual class?
6th swashee (detect traps and set traps - no stealth) dualed to 9th mage (knock chests). Solo. Hardcore but not ironman. Str10 Dex17 Con15 Int17 dump wis and cha. Will farm some xp in the dual class hole. Thankfully I'm senile and haven't played BG1 in a decade, so it should be like the first time!
I'll also have a multiplayer game going for the NPC humor and plot coverage.
I will force myself to think of my character as BG1 only, so no way I'll compromise any potential in his power/skills (such as weapon proficiencies) just because I know there will be a payout in the sequel. That's also why I'll stay away from dual-class. By the time BG2:EE comes out (which could be a year from now, or more, or... never), I'll probably have lost any will to carry through those characters I will have created in the next few weeks, so why bother...
What's wrong with multi classing from Kensai to Kensai/Mage right at the beginning? Would I not just progress equally in both (although more slowly, obviously)?
What's wrong with multi classing from Kensai to Kensai/Mage right at the beginning? Would I not just progress equally in both (although more slowly, obviously)?
I guess you mean dual-classing? if it is done very early in the game (say, Fighter3->), then I would be fine. If we're talking a lvl.7/9 dual-classing, then half of BG1 playthrough will be crippled for a later payout (in BG2 basically).
@ChurchOfBoo: If you dual class, your 1st class doesn't progress any more. If you switch too early you won't gain (m)any of the benefits of the 1st class so there isn't any point doing it.
@ChurchOfBoo: If you dual class, your 1st class doesn't progress any more. If you switch too early you won't gain (m)any of the benefits of the 1st class so there isn't any point doing it.
Oh, that makes it tough then. That means if you dual class at 7 then you spend half the game trying to 'catch up' level wise. Must be awful to get to level 13 Kensai then be crawling your way back up through the levels. Why is Kensai/Mage so popular then? Sounds like a pain in the butt!
@ChurchofBoo The problem with multiclassing a mage is that the mage half gets only half your XP, so your mage is level capped to mage 7, not mage 9. The difference is two caster levels, fewer spells, and no level 5 spells. That's great hurt compared to the gains from advancing the other class.
The secret to dual classing a mage in BG1 is to dual before you spend 26000XP on the first class, so that you reach mage 9 with the remaining XP. If you solo or use a small party, you will get several times the XP of a full party, so you will play most of the game at the level cap.
Comments
So my party would be...
PC - Sorc or FM
Vicky
Monty (Beefed up with real armor at the expense of thieving to be a more to be an alt tank)
Xzar (Dual to Cleric at level 6)
Edwin
Dorn (To get a new NPC in there and for generally tanking)
The weak point is there's no real sack of hit points to tank unless I roll a fighter mage....but the idea would be to have maximum spell power with cleric and mage spells possible. No druid abilities, but then again monty might make a good tank who detects traps with the right gear. And you would be able to constantly summon.
I'm still undecided about the race and the alignment. I love solos, but I am having second thought about having a party in the 1st run through. If I go wiht a party it will be max 4 characters (ie 3 NPC's).
He puts on some heavy armor, fights with the ONE-HANDED WEAPON STYLE and AC can be reeeeally nice
Also count all the spell immunities he gets when he goes berserk, I think Sarevok isn't gonna have a chance !
Dorn
Rasaad
Imoen
Viconia
Neera
and that's who I plan on finishing the game with.
I wanna see the new stuff all at once! It's a weird setup considering alignment, but hey...
Hard.
1. Play as a Swashbuckler, with an eye to dual-classing to something interesting at some point in BG2. Playing as a thief is a good move because they're fun to roleplay, your PC will have lots to do in dungeons, and there frankly aren't many good NPC options in the game.
2. Play as a Cleric/Ranger and simply monopolise divine magic while tanking and absorbing damage on the front line as well.
3. Revert to my first-ever play-through of BG, and go back to the Paladin! Could try out the Blackguard (though I find it difficult to RP as evil), or the Cavalier (with that incredibly useful 'remove fear' ability)
4. Pick a cleric with an interesting set of abilities and look for a good moment to dual class?
I'll also have a multiplayer game going for the NPC humor and plot coverage.
The problem with multiclassing a mage is that the mage half gets only half your XP, so your mage is level capped to mage 7, not mage 9. The difference is two caster levels, fewer spells, and no level 5 spells. That's great hurt compared to the gains from advancing the other class.
The secret to dual classing a mage in BG1 is to dual before you spend 26000XP on the first class, so that you reach mage 9 with the remaining XP. If you solo or use a small party, you will get several times the XP of a full party, so you will play most of the game at the level cap.
Avenger
Thief/Cleric (not sure if multi or dual)
Cleric/Illusionist (gnome)
Blade (or Skald?)
additionally
Sorcerer (never played it)
Archer (boooring i know, but uber)