We're only talking BG1 here, since neither character returns as a playable NPC in BG2.
Xzar has the advantage of higher intelligence than Quayle, meaning he's more likely to succesfully copy spells (or at least needs fewer potions to be sure of success). He also has better wisdom, and thus more divine spells than Quayle. A drawback for Xzar is that he needs to dual at level 6 at the latest, in order for him to get his mage abilities back (Necromancer 6 -> Cleric 7). Consequently, he won't gain access to level 4 arcane spells, whereas Quayle will end up as a level 7/7 Cleric/Illusionist, with one more level 2 arcane spell than Xzar and with two level 4 arcane spells. Also, in my opinion, Illusionism has more useful low level spells (Blindness, Spook, Invisibility, Blur, Mirror Image) imo than Necromancy (Horror and Skull Trap). Quayle also has the advantage of being a multiclass, so he'll be a Cleric/Illusionist, able to cast both arcane and divine spells throughout the entire game, whereas Xzar will have the inconvenience of not being able to cast his mage spells for some time.
In sum: Xzar will end up being the better Cleric (with more divine spells), while Quayle will be the better wizard (with more and more useful arcane spells).
Also, the shorty saving throw bonuses. Quayle gets them, even with his stats, and they help a lot. -2 bonus to Wand and Spell saving throws plus additional Constitution-based -3 bonuses to to Death, Wand, and Spell saving throws. His special ability is a quick casting invisibility spell.
Also, the shorty saving throw bonuses. Quayle gets them, even with his stats, and they help a lot. -2 bonus to Wand and Spell saving throws plus additional Constitution-based -3 bonuses to to Death, Wand, and Spell saving throws. His special ability is a quick casting invisibility spell.
Umm gnomes don't get bonus to save vs paralyse/poison/death as halflings and dwarves do. IIRC. They still get bonus to save vs spells and wands, however, and thus are still awesome. Quayle has a very good save vs death anyway, being a cleric.
Also, the shorty saving throw bonuses. Quayle gets them, even with his stats, and they help a lot. -2 bonus to Wand and Spell saving throws plus additional Constitution-based -3 bonuses to to Death, Wand, and Spell saving throws. His special ability is a quick casting invisibility spell.
Umm gnomes don't get bonus to save vs paralyse/poison/death as halflings and dwarves do. IIRC. They still get bonus to save vs spells and wands, however, and thus are still awesome. Quayle has a very good save vs death anyway, being a cleric.
Don't they? Ok, I'll learn it. I thought their "no death saving throw" thing was only with innate bonuses, not additional CON-based bonuses.
remember that if you even want to dual class Xzar into a cleric you will have to give him one of the tomes of wisdom to do so, because you need 17 of the prime stat you are dual classing into to be able to dual class, and Xzar only has 16 WIS, but another route if you want to take it is Dynaheir as well, she has 15 WIS which means you have to give her 2 tomes to do it, but then you could have an invoker instead of a necromancer depending on what specialist school you like better
Jeymz
Member Posts: 11
Comments
We're only talking BG1 here, since neither character returns as a playable NPC in BG2.
Xzar has the advantage of higher intelligence than Quayle, meaning he's more likely to succesfully copy spells (or at least needs fewer potions to be sure of success). He also has better wisdom, and thus more divine spells than Quayle.
A drawback for Xzar is that he needs to dual at level 6 at the latest, in order for him to get his mage abilities back (Necromancer 6 -> Cleric 7). Consequently, he won't gain access to level 4 arcane spells, whereas Quayle will end up as a level 7/7 Cleric/Illusionist, with one more level 2 arcane spell than Xzar and with two level 4 arcane spells. Also, in my opinion, Illusionism has more useful low level spells (Blindness, Spook, Invisibility, Blur, Mirror Image) imo than Necromancy (Horror and Skull Trap).
Quayle also has the advantage of being a multiclass, so he'll be a Cleric/Illusionist, able to cast both arcane and divine spells throughout the entire game, whereas Xzar will have the inconvenience of not being able to cast his mage spells for some time.
In sum: Xzar will end up being the better Cleric (with more divine spells), while Quayle will be the better wizard (with more and more useful arcane spells).
Much better to use him as a primary caster at which he is one of the best available.