Gorgar Irontusk my Half Orc barbararian dual wielding maces in BGEE then flails in BG2EE. Ulric Foehammer my Dwarven Defender shield and hammer. At the moment I am doing a berserker run. ( Gorgar variant) with Quarterstaff. I always go blunt damage.
My favorite pure fighter I ever played was a Dwarven Kensai wielding hammers. You might like that because their growth curve is kind of similar to a mage, i.e. start squishy, end up incredibly powerful.
In ToB, he and Korgan were dishing it out so bad that I kinda felt bad for the other Bhaalspawn
Edit: I should have asked, are you planning on playing through BG2? If not, then I'd pass on the Kensai and go Berserker, DD, or Barb instead.
Honestly I think the closest I came to a pure melee class was a Stalker. I have never played a pure fighter, since I could never get over how incredibly limited their playstyle is compared to literally every other class. At least the Stalker had a tiny bit of play variety, but I was still wishing I'd played a Stalker/Cleric by the end.
You should try a berserker. I find them much more useful than a barbarian. Also I like to think the berserker rage comes from the bhaal essence inside him raging against his/her good nature.
Honestly I think the closest I came to a pure melee class was a Stalker. I have never played a pure fighter, since I could never get over how incredibly limited their playstyle is compared to literally every other class. At least the Stalker had a tiny bit of play variety, but I was still wishing I'd played a Stalker/Cleric by the end.
This. I think my first attempt at BG2 was with a Fighter (maybe a berserker... not sure). Ditched him very early for the extra features of an Undead Hunter... Then ditched him and eventually finished it with a Wild Mage.
I am more a Teamplayer guy, so just bringing raw Umpf~ as a Basic Fighter, was never enough to me. But Fighter as a Basic for a Fighter/Mage-Cleric-Druid then we are Cookin !
Fighter is the most versatile class. It's not about point n' click, it's about having the right weapon for the right occasion and knowing how to use the resources that are around you.
My Wizard Slayer in BG2 carried Daystar (area damage against undeads), Celestial Fury (a hell of a chance to neutralize almost every spellcaster), Mace of Disruption (to make 100% sure the undead will stay dead), Ilbratha (mirror image = good), Arbane's (haste = excelent!), Peridan (immunity to fear & regeneration = perfect).
Sling to damage the golem before he comes melee? Done.
Bows to disrupt wizards with arrows of dispelling? Done.
Dagger of Venom for the bastard with regeneration? Done.
People tend to look at the fighter as the "master of a single weapon", when in fact he is the master of ALL weapons. That's why he have the lowest penalty for being non-proficient with a weapon and gains multiple attacks despite specialization.
With your godly high Strength and insanely low Thac0 you don't need to bother if you have a proficiency in the weapon. I go for Grandmastery in longswords because it's a classic.
And there's more!
Want to be an elf? Ok. A gnome? No problem. A dwarf? Sure. A halfling? Go for it. A half-orc? Your call. A human? Okie dokie. A banana? Why not?
One of the best weapons in BG1 is a warhammer (Ashideena) and you're able to get him as soon as you leave Candlekeep (it's in an area close to Beregost with a mad cleric named Bassillus). You can get a +1 around Bandit Camp, I don't remember where exactly. But if I was on your shoes I would dual Warhammer and Mace to use the Stupefier without penalties.
It felt so good to solo Sarevok and crew as a fighter. Sure he had to go invis and heal when Tazok jumped in...but fight smart and you can go toe to toe with the final boss alone. Now *that* is what it means to be a single class fighter.
But as a dwarven berserker I'd go warhammer ** and two weapon fighting **
Stupifier can be given to Minsc who already has mace proficiency and two weapon fighting as well. As maces drop off in BG2 you don't need to waste proficiency points on it. You will want your points going towards mastering having two hammers up until lvl lvl 12. Then you can switch to something like axes or flails.
Or...if you are thinking for BG2 just go flails and tough it through BG1. Because flail of ages main hand and defender of easthaven are a great combo. Dropping hardiness with defender of easthaven makes for a great tank and when combined with FoA for offense...
So I've always played a mage. This time I think I'll do a pure fighter. What have been your favorite charname fighters?
1. Berserker. Nothing worse then having your head messed with. Zerks frown upon such foolery. 2. Dwarven Defender. Easiest play through you will ever enjoy. 3. Invoker2/Fighter8. Something incredibly fun about wading into combat wearing full plate and carrying a greatsword. And then just nuking the area with a fireball from your wand. 4. Half-orc fighter/cleric. Dual mace wielding war priest named Sauron. Feels like your a jedi knight with all the command and hold spells.
Right now playing a dwarf fighter. I switch up my weapons, but mostly going with 2h swords and halberds. I have a couple of magical ones that I swap depending on the circumstances and the battles that I am going into. I enjoy the couple of spells that we get, the Self Heal and the Slow Poison. They have been life savers for me at times!
Some people thing George Lucas does a pretty poor job of character development, but I still think he's great. Not quite a character fighter, but I'm not sure what that would be.
I'm thinking of doing a Dwarven Fighter Berserker dual wielding warhammers. Anyone know the two best in BG1?
The +1Warhammer @Raduziel mentions is in Peldvale methinks, but only in Chap.3. Carried by one of the 2 potential Bandit Camp recruiters, the other being in Larswood.
My favorite Fighter kit is probably the Wizard Slayer, at least in theory. It's just that not being able to use magical rings, gauntlets, belts, etc. is way too steep a price in my opinion (especially since I don't like to create characters with all 18s). Every time I see him I really want to play him, but then think about how I can only equip him with weapons and armor, how he can't cast spells, and how he doesn't have thief skills.
Before the EEs way back in the early 2000s, I played one run all the way through as an Elven fighter focused on single and dual-wielding long swords, roleplaying him as a neutral cynical Elven mercenary type. My goal was to get this legendary sword he knew about through lore called the "Equalizer," which matched his neutral world view. This was the first time I had ever used Cromwell to forge something, so it was quite entertaining at the time to quest for the pieces. I will admit I have never forged it since, but at the time it felt like hitting the jackpot
I have never tried the dwarven defender, but if I were going to play a fighter again, I would give it a shot. I enjoyed role-playing them immensely in NWN.
I have never tried the dwarven defender, but if I were going to play a fighter again, I would give it a shot. I enjoyed role-playing them immensely in NWN.
I didn't think about the Dwarven Defender, but that is probably the coolest Fighter kit.
My first EVER Baldur's Gate character was an Elven Berzerker; I got BG2 first back in the day.
My favorite Fighter (specifically the fighter class) was my Half-orc Kensai that used a halberd though I think I was planning on having him master halberds and staves. If we expand it to any fighter-type I'd include my Human Cavalier (Paladin) using 2h swords (who romances Viconia; I love a redemption story) and my Elf Archer (Ranger) who specializes in crossbows.
Never played a fighter before this thread. Now playing a half elf kensai in celebration of Dragonspear. Long swords and single weapon style until maxed, then figure it from there. Fun so far, definitely a new strategy for me.
You can have your party members buff your AC; Barkskin is really good and you can grab the shield amulet.
Playing my first Fighter playthrough and enjoying it much more than my typical F/M or Cleric/Rngr. An 82Pt Human but with 18/00 strength wielding Long Sword and Sling with Shields. Pure unfettered joy.
I had gotten so tired of holding back when Ogre Berserkers were approaching, hoping they would fall to ranged weapon fire or a spell of some sort. How much more satisfying to take them on in melee with -6AC or better.
Yessiree and "Bob's yer Uncle!!". Thasss what I'm talkin' 'bout. And THAT!! And THAT!!! ET CETERA!!!
My party is Imoen dual-classed at level 4, Minsc, Branwen, Kivan. Planning to recruit Quayle once we get to Baldur's Gate for some Cleric and Mage firepower. No problems so far.
Just doing BG1. If I were going to do the whole saga I would probably have gone with a more intelligent Charname that could dual-class in Chateau Irenicus to Mage. Can't wait for that fourth pip and Grandmastery Longsword.
I like playing fighters and it's exactly, as @Raduziel said - the versatility and use is in the player, not in the character. The character just bashes away at things. The player has to be smart. Just like with Thieves - Fighter with a smart player can obliterate anyone (even mages).
My favourite fighters (the ones I had most fun with): - Monks (especially Dark Moon Monk) - using fists and daggers (melee/throwing) plus scimitars. Also, there is something inherently satisfying on punching a dragon in their snout. - Stalker - Stealth-based scout. Mage-killer. Surprise Ace in the sleeve. At the end of the day - a good fighter with some nice tricks. - Blackguard - ... strap the heaviest armour on him, get the meanest weapons and kill everything in sight. Also - it is good to be bad. Revel in it. - a few simple Fighters with funny setups - like a fighter specialised into throwing daggers/axes with GrandMastery, but I do tend to dual-class my fighters to Thieves in the end anyway.
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Ulric Foehammer my Dwarven Defender shield and hammer.
At the moment I am doing a berserker run. ( Gorgar variant) with Quarterstaff. I always go blunt damage.
And, in BG2, always carries a normal version of his main weapon (just in case of a PfMW or Magic Golem).
In ToB, he and Korgan were dishing it out so bad that I kinda felt bad for the other Bhaalspawn
Edit: I should have asked, are you planning on playing through BG2? If not, then I'd pass on the Kensai and go Berserker, DD, or Barb instead.
It's enough to solo BG1. Save all Strength potions you can find (including the Giant's ones) and Oil of Speed for the "hard" fights.
Bring up a Bard so he can cast Strength on you and make a song about how was awesome you stoning Sarevok to death.
I think my first attempt at BG2 was with a Fighter (maybe a berserker... not sure). Ditched him very early for the extra features of an Undead Hunter... Then ditched him and eventually finished it with a Wild Mage.
My Wizard Slayer in BG2 carried Daystar (area damage against undeads), Celestial Fury (a hell of a chance to neutralize almost every spellcaster), Mace of Disruption (to make 100% sure the undead will stay dead), Ilbratha (mirror image = good), Arbane's (haste = excelent!), Peridan (immunity to fear & regeneration = perfect).
Sling to damage the golem before he comes melee? Done.
Bows to disrupt wizards with arrows of dispelling? Done.
Dagger of Venom for the bastard with regeneration? Done.
People tend to look at the fighter as the "master of a single weapon", when in fact he is the master of ALL weapons. That's why he have the lowest penalty for being non-proficient with a weapon and gains multiple attacks despite specialization.
With your godly high Strength and insanely low Thac0 you don't need to bother if you have a proficiency in the weapon. I go for Grandmastery in longswords because it's a classic.
And there's more!
Want to be an elf? Ok. A gnome? No problem. A dwarf? Sure. A halfling? Go for it. A half-orc? Your call. A human? Okie dokie. A banana? Why not?
It felt so good to solo Sarevok and crew as a fighter. Sure he had to go invis and heal when Tazok jumped in...but fight smart and you can go toe to toe with the final boss alone. Now *that* is what it means to be a single class fighter.
But as a dwarven berserker I'd go warhammer ** and two weapon fighting **
Stupifier can be given to Minsc who already has mace proficiency and two weapon fighting as well. As maces drop off in BG2 you don't need to waste proficiency points on it. You will want your points going towards mastering having two hammers up until lvl lvl 12. Then you can switch to something like axes or flails.
Or...if you are thinking for BG2 just go flails and tough it through BG1. Because flail of ages main hand and defender of easthaven are a great combo. Dropping hardiness with defender of easthaven makes for a great tank and when combined with FoA for offense...
Defender of Easthaven + Hardiness + Armor of Faith
You can throw your Fighter in the middle of a mob and go make a sandwich.
Also there's the "now I'm a Wizard Slayer" combo that is Everard's Morning Star + Bala's Axe.
Seriously, how can someone not love the Fighter?
2. Dwarven Defender. Easiest play through you will ever enjoy.
3. Invoker2/Fighter8. Something incredibly fun about wading into combat wearing full plate and carrying a greatsword. And then just nuking the area with a fireball from your wand.
4. Half-orc fighter/cleric. Dual mace wielding war priest named Sauron. Feels like your a jedi knight with all the command and hold spells.
My favorite Fighter (specifically the fighter class) was my Half-orc Kensai that used a halberd though I think I was planning on having him master halberds and staves. If we expand it to any fighter-type I'd include my Human Cavalier (Paladin) using 2h swords (who romances Viconia; I love a redemption story) and my Elf Archer (Ranger) who specializes in crossbows.
I had gotten so tired of holding back when Ogre Berserkers were approaching, hoping they would fall to ranged weapon fire or a spell of some sort. How much more satisfying to take them on in melee with -6AC or better.
Yessiree and "Bob's yer Uncle!!". Thasss what I'm talkin' 'bout. And THAT!! And THAT!!! ET CETERA!!!
My party is Imoen dual-classed at level 4, Minsc, Branwen, Kivan. Planning to recruit Quayle once we get to Baldur's Gate for some Cleric and Mage firepower. No problems so far.
Just doing BG1. If I were going to do the whole saga I would probably have gone with a more intelligent Charname that could dual-class in Chateau Irenicus to Mage. Can't wait for that fourth pip and Grandmastery Longsword.
~~~~~~"FREEEEEDOM!!!!!!"~~~~~~~ [Braveheart]
My favourite fighters (the ones I had most fun with):
- Monks (especially Dark Moon Monk) - using fists and daggers (melee/throwing) plus scimitars. Also, there is something inherently satisfying on punching a dragon in their snout.
- Stalker - Stealth-based scout. Mage-killer. Surprise Ace in the sleeve. At the end of the day - a good fighter with some nice tricks.
- Blackguard - ... strap the heaviest armour on him, get the meanest weapons and kill everything in sight. Also - it is good to be bad. Revel in it.
- a few simple Fighters with funny setups - like a fighter specialised into throwing daggers/axes with GrandMastery, but I do tend to dual-class my fighters to Thieves in the end anyway.