Dual Wield Character Build
Talex
Member Posts: 2
Hey guys, I was just looking for some help with a Dual Wield character, preferably using Longswords or Scimitars or Katanas (basically not blunt). I have the idea of a light armored fighter, I guess in the style of 4th Edition Ranger, similar in styling to Redguards from Skyrim. Whatever class, whatever race, as long as it's a strong, fun dual wielding character. If it matters, I'd like to play Neutral Good or CG.
Honestly, I'm having a severe case of character creation paralysis. I'd like to have a character I can take through the whole series, but at this point I just want to play the game. Here are the classes I've tried so far:
Kensai: feels like my PC is worthless and relies heavily on the party (I basically play as Ajantis); planned Kensai/Thief
Fighter/Mage: I read it basically plays you buff yourself and go be a Fighter, and that playstyle was boring as hell in Dragon Age: Origins.
Blade: Heard they fall off hard, spellcasting is crap? Lore never amounts to much, seems like better options, but I'm open
Swashbuckler: Seems great in theory, but I read it falls off hard? Don't care about losing backstab, but am I gonna be missing constantly? HLAs also apparently not too great either? Seems best in theory but dunno
Stalker: Read the xp cost and lack of anything really great makes Fighter/Thief MC or DC better, but seems to fit
I don't need my character to be the most powerful being on the planet, but being effective is important. For example my Kensai can't hit crap Dual Wielding, so it's really hard to enjoy the character (I know he's a late game powerhouse). I'd like for whatever I play to be fun at all stages of the game, but not be crap at the latter half of BG2.
Dual Classing or Multiclassing is fine by me (I know there's a dip in power when you dual). I guess I'm looking at straight Fighter/Thief? Not sure, backstabbing isn't too appealing but Open Locks, Stealth, and Find Trap seem a lot of fun.
Thanks in advance, I know it's a wall of text!
Honestly, I'm having a severe case of character creation paralysis. I'd like to have a character I can take through the whole series, but at this point I just want to play the game. Here are the classes I've tried so far:
Kensai: feels like my PC is worthless and relies heavily on the party (I basically play as Ajantis); planned Kensai/Thief
Fighter/Mage: I read it basically plays you buff yourself and go be a Fighter, and that playstyle was boring as hell in Dragon Age: Origins.
Blade: Heard they fall off hard, spellcasting is crap? Lore never amounts to much, seems like better options, but I'm open
Swashbuckler: Seems great in theory, but I read it falls off hard? Don't care about losing backstab, but am I gonna be missing constantly? HLAs also apparently not too great either? Seems best in theory but dunno
Stalker: Read the xp cost and lack of anything really great makes Fighter/Thief MC or DC better, but seems to fit
I don't need my character to be the most powerful being on the planet, but being effective is important. For example my Kensai can't hit crap Dual Wielding, so it's really hard to enjoy the character (I know he's a late game powerhouse). I'd like for whatever I play to be fun at all stages of the game, but not be crap at the latter half of BG2.
Dual Classing or Multiclassing is fine by me (I know there's a dip in power when you dual). I guess I'm looking at straight Fighter/Thief? Not sure, backstabbing isn't too appealing but Open Locks, Stealth, and Find Trap seem a lot of fun.
Thanks in advance, I know it's a wall of text!
0
Comments
The way I see it, you want a powerful dual-wielding melee warrior who only wears light armour... that's a bit problematic in BG cos unless you wear heavy armour or use magical protection, you will always be a bit squishy to function effectively as a frontline fighter.
As somebody who has played exclusively with multi-class Fighter/Mage in my first playthrough of BG 1 and BG 2, I have to disagree with your assessment of them. There is so much flexibility with my Charname that my tactics are always changing based on circumstances. Against weak enemies, he just wears heavy armour and fights as a melee fighter or archer. If necessary he can throw direct attacks, or AOE attacks, or cc... and of course, he can self-buff and get stuck in on the frontline as you mentioned. My Charname has not always been the most powerful member of the party, (I didn't min/max his stats), but there is so much flexibility that he's almost always useful.
-many weapon swings are cosmetic, meaning that there's no actual chance to hit. To see which swings are genuine, turn on to-hit rolls
-it's pretty common to miss a lot at low levels, even for the most melee-capable characters
-you're going to miss a lot more when you're dual-wielding unless you have at least 2 proficiency points in dual-wielding
-having high strength and 2 or 3 proficiency points in whatever weapon you're using can go a long way
I don't think dual-wielding pays off until you reach a good level of proficiencies (so probably doesn't really shine until BG 2).
With regards to Fighter/Mage, I really recommend it. If you are totally new, I'd recommend using a half-elf multi-class character, as opposed to Human Dual-Class. The latter requires a bit more metagame knowledge to pull off. If you aren't worried about min/maxing, Multi-classing is just so much more convenient. I think it pays off in the long run too.
And yes, there's so many ways of playing a Fighter/Mage, you will almost certainly be able to find a style you'd enjoy. I've recently completed BG EE and now reached level 9/10 in Bg 2 (A long way to go yet...), I don't think I've ever used Glitterdust in battle!
Furthermore at low level, and for most of Baldur's Gate 1, ranged combat rules the day. A single melee character is quite enough. Now, in BGII, melee starts to actually become preferable, but in BG1 ranged combat is waaaaaaay better.
Also if you want a badass, pick up Kivan. With a 18/12 Strength and 17 Dexterity, the guy is great at both melee and ranged combat. The same can be said for Shar-Teel.
Any way.....
As has been covered....if you plan to dual-wield, make sure you have ** in two-weapon style. Otherwise you take a massive hit penalty with both weapons.
Melee is a little bit weaker early on (but not by much) due to most characters being limited to a single attack per round, unless using bows, thrown daggers, or darts. It's not until lvl 7 that you can earn a full extra attack per round. However...dual-wielding does put you on par with a bow...but with a str bonus to damage...so it can work.
Also the kensai's hit/damage/speed bonuses don't start applying until level 3. Kai and -2 AC is all you have at creation.
There's no real point to not simply wear the heaviest possible armor, because unlike later editions, it doesn't penalize you at all...unless you're a thief or mage. I mean, if you weren't power-gaming and had only average to above average strength, sure, your armor choices would be more limited since weight would actually matter and you might not have enough min str to meet some requirements....but the typical stated fighter will easily have enough.
Though if you're not worrying at all about min/maxing and just going with it....I commend you, and encourage you to keep at it.....
I completed the first installment with a party, then did bg2 + tob solo as the kensai was simply too strong. For first playthrough going solo is probably not a wise decision, but hell it feels great taking down dragons 1 vs 1 like a badass.