Need advice on weapon proficiencies for the Stalker kit (Ranger)

Celidon

I have looked through this sub forum for the answer, but didn't see a thread on the subject. So, I'm asking all of you knowledgeable Rangers out there which weapon proficiencies would be most practical.

To give a an idea of what I'm working with so far:

Elf Ranger: Stalker
Chaotic Good
STR 18/20
DEX 19
CON 17
INT 11
WIS 18
CHA 15

I am new to the game, and realized pretty quickly by reading the forums, that stats and proficiency slots should be well thought out ahead of time when creating a character, so any practical advice without any spoilers would be most welcome!

Thank you in advance!

P.S. I should also mention, that of the 4 beginning proficiency points given, I have put one in long swords and one in long bows, to capitalize on the Elf racial gains.

sandmanCCL

Weapons to use:

Literally anything you can backstab with. Might as well stick with longswords.

Also jesus christ, that roll. I don't understand why people will spend so long rolling stats when none of them outside the physical ones do anything for you.

Cyricist

That's a great roll. I'm guessing the 11 Int is for Mind Flayers in BG2? Damn good roll. Even better when you find the strength tome and roll out of BG1 with 19 strength. Gonna be a scary mofo.

That said, hands down the best one handed weapon to backstab with is gonna be a Katana. 1d10 damage range, so it wins. However, for BG1... good luck finding katanas, really. If you stick with Longswords, you've got a few readily attainable magic ones, including Varscona, a +2. If you go with Bastard Swords, there are a few decent ones in BG1, pretty reasonably attainable as well. (Mentioning Varscona by name isn't a spoiler, is it? I didn't say where to find it, so... yeah!)

I'm enjoying the hunt for the weapon type I chose for my Blade, currently. I picked the Scimitar/Wakizashi/Ninjato option. So far I've found a Wakizashi +1, and nothing else. I do know where to get a pair of fantastic scimitars... just not sure how to go about acquiring them yet.

So yeah. I'm rambling.

TL;DR - If you're sticking to BG1, go Longswords. If you plan on transitioning to BG2EE when that comes out, I say go Katanas, break out the Celestial Fury in BG2 and start chunking people.

sandmanCCL

@Cyricist: Can't backstab with bastard swords. Rogues can't use them.

As for scimitars, a good place to get one early...

head to the roof of Durlag's Tower. Bring protection from petrification because there's a bunch of basilisks.

ZanathKariashi

Hard to say...a stalker can't actually backstab till they hit the level cap....so...you're basically a ranger with crappy armor choices and better stealth for most of the game. Long swords are decent, the +2 Longsword is the best non-charge based BS weapon you could use (the staff of striking is the best BS weapon period but loses a charge per hit and only has a few charges..and it's really wasted on a stalker...they just don't hit hard enough on a backstab for that kind of damage vs giving it to a thief with x3+)

Rangers get ** in two weapon style for free, which is a nice plus (so you could Duel-wield if ranged wasn't cutting it), though in prep for the sequel I'd recommend [at creation][** longsword, * Longbow, *]* Quarterstaff, * two-weapon style (doubles the crit chance with 2 handed weapons...but only for the first *, the 2nd just further increases weapon speed by a tiny bit, uneeded on staves).

For level 9 in the sequel, * in single weapon style (also increases crit chance for the first *, only applies for 1 handed weapons when your off-hand is empty). The Blade of roses is an excellent early BS weapon since it's a longsword with bastard sword damage, is +3, and easy and cheap to get. Eventually replaced with the Staff of the Ram +4 (+6 later) as the best BS weapon period. Any other points...whatever.

Celidon

sandmanCCL said:

Weapons to use:

Literally anything you can backstab with. Might as well stick with longswords.

Also jesus christ, that roll. I don't understand why people will spend so long rolling stats when none of them outside the physical ones do anything for you.

That was actually my second roll, believe it or not.

Celidon

So I ended up going:
Longsword **
Scimitar *
Long Bow *
And then the natural ** in two weapon.

Celidon

Hopefully the Scimitar wasn't wasted points

Space_hamster

Composite long bow, you'll be unstoppable.

toshiro

There a good long sword in 2 places, since you're using a bow, go for single weapon 2 points there will lower your ac

ZanathKariashi

Scimitars is a waste unless you plan to kill Drizzt (and you'll most likely become fallen in the process since he gives a MASSIVE rep penalty for killing)...there's only a single +1 scimitar in the game, other then the two +3 ones Drizzt has (they're a little more decent in the sequel, but longswords just have so much more choices involved).

More then * in single weapon or two-handed weapon style is a waste....+1 ac or -2 weapon speed just isn't worth it in the long run, vs gaining proficiency in another weapon, 1 point however is awesome as it doubles your chance to crit.

None of the weapon styles function with a ranged weapon equipped (except for throw knives/axes)