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Do Katanas have a lower THACO?

FredNFredN Member Posts: 765
edited December 2025 in Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition
.... Currently my Swashbuckler at level 15 has 3 points in Two Weapon Combat and 1 each in longswords and short words. Using Blade of Roses (+3) in main hand and Sword of Mask (+4) in the left, my main hand THACO is 3 and my Offhand is 4. I hit level 16 and tried various things. Adding 1 point to Long Swords gave me a main hand THACO of 2.
,,,,, Wanting to use Celestial Fury, I tried putting a point into Katanas instead of Long Swords. I expected my main hand THACO to remain at 3. To my surprise it dropped to 4. I have the same amount of skill invested in Long Swords and Katana, so why does it drop like that? :o
.... I'm keeping the game save at me being level 15 until I hear the answer. I'll muddle along staying level 15 until then.
Post edited by FredN on

Comments

  • AerakarAerakar Member Posts: 1,106
    Are you an elf (longsword racial bonus of +1)?
  • FredNFredN Member Posts: 765
    Ah! Yes I am. I had forgotten that! OK that solves the mystery. THanks. Now I have to decide whether using Celestial Fury is worth the loss of THACO. Hmm.
  • TrouveurTrouveur Member Posts: 1,020
    It definitely is. Stunning foes is awesome.
  • FredNFredN Member Posts: 765
    Unfortunately you need to hit the target for for this to happen. A THACO of 6 isn't likely to hit anything other than goblins and other trash,
  • atcDaveatcDave Member Posts: 2,817
    Even targets with a -10 ac you’ll hit 25% of the time! That’s not trash. And any number of buffs can make that even better (a simple Bless spell raises that to 30%!).
    If you’re using Belm in the off hand, you get an extra attack with the primary also. Other haste effects are similar.
  • AerakarAerakar Member Posts: 1,106
    From a power gaming perspective, Celestial Fury's stun is very powerful and relevant the entire game. It beats all of the longswords power-wise, except arguably Blackrazor.

    But thematically you are an elf, so longsword fits better. And longsword is still a solid choice and the THACO is somewhat better. If it was me, I would add a 2nd pip in longsword at level 16 to improve your THACO and damage further (+1, +2). I suggest you go for Kundane as your off-hand.
  • FredNFredN Member Posts: 765
    edited December 2025
    Hmm, something to think about. OK, thanks for the heads up. I stayed with Longsword for now because I have Daystar, and there are lots of Bodhi's Pals running around. Daystar is +4 vs undead. I have Sword of Mask and Arbane's sword for the offhand, depending on the circumstances. Also, I don't HAVE Kundane; I haven't gone to the Planar Prison yet.
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