Second Full Trilogy Run: Gnome Cleric/Thief or Illusionist/Thief?
Vallmyr
Member, Mobile Tester Posts: 2,459
Hello! So not too long ago I finished my first full run of BG (BG:EE, SoD, BG2:EE, ToB) as a Half-Elf Blade Bard. I've put BG down for a bit as I finished out some other games but am looking to eventually do a second full run.
I know I want to roll a female gnome but I can't decide on Cleric/Thief or Illusionist/Thief.
I initially was going to do Illusionist/Thief to take advantage of gnomes' +1 int and access to a specialist school while multiclassing but after playing with Glint Gardnersonson I've found that Cleric/Thieves are also a lot of fun.
Cleric also fits my preferred role of playing supports, though I suppose I could prepare all buff and debuff spells as an Illusionist to achieve the same thing.
I know in the end I'll have to make the decision myself but can anyone provide insight to the pros and cons of each? Like I know already Illusionist/Thief will take longer to level and such. I do plan to take a full 6 person party.
I know I want to roll a female gnome but I can't decide on Cleric/Thief or Illusionist/Thief.
I initially was going to do Illusionist/Thief to take advantage of gnomes' +1 int and access to a specialist school while multiclassing but after playing with Glint Gardnersonson I've found that Cleric/Thieves are also a lot of fun.
Cleric also fits my preferred role of playing supports, though I suppose I could prepare all buff and debuff spells as an Illusionist to achieve the same thing.
I know in the end I'll have to make the decision myself but can anyone provide insight to the pros and cons of each? Like I know already Illusionist/Thief will take longer to level and such. I do plan to take a full 6 person party.
3
Comments
T/I is more consistently amazing, able to decently do many things and eventually being a pretty strong spellcaster, but less fun in BG1, and might feel overpowered in ToB. SoA should be pretty easy though.
Objectively, C/T are not as strong as a T/I, specially when you get to late SoA, because arcane magic > everything else. However, UAI have better synergy with clerics than mages, because you gain more from it : you have a huge array of divine magic to cast and also have the ability to cast arcane magic from scrolls, all that while wearing any weapon/armor you want. In ToB, you can effectively be a C/T/M that level faster than a triple class character.
If you're willing to use mods, you can also remove the cleric restriction to blunt weapon with Tweak Anthology, so your C/T can wield daggers and longswords for even more fun. All in all, it's a very fun and flexible character build that I highly recommend.
Like I could see
10 str (Use buffs when I melee. though if I roll high enough I'll put it at 15 to use all weapons/armor)
18 Dex
17 Con (+1 Con tome will get me max saves)
10 int
17 Wis
18 Cha
Also should I go for Club and Quarterstaff proficiency at 1 or go Quarterstaff + Sling?
Does Sanctuary count for backstabbing? If so I can prob level traps/set traps first and worry about stealth skills later.
Usually, when my charname is a thief, I max Set Trap, then put points in HiS/MS after. Heck, I sometimes even forgo HiS/MS until SoA, because invisibility from a mage is enough in BG1 for your backstabbing needs. I then go with Detect Illusions, since it can be very helpful even in BG1. I have to carry another thief in my party to take care of traps and open locks though. Only in BG2 I start to invest points in QoL skills like Open locks and Find traps, because by then, you'll have enough points to spare.
Low strength can work, because your buffs/items will take care of that for you. It can be an annoyance in BG1, because you won't be able to carry much and/or use heavier armors when unbuffed. In BG2 though, that problem disappear because of the outrageous number of strength enhancing items.
I'd go with Sling and Quarterstaff proficiencies to begin with, just to have a long range weapon. Your next proficiency should be THWS, for that better crit chance.
I agree the gem is nice but usually not worth the early OL focus for me. If solo'ing a thief I may go with OL though first as I like to rob Beregost and FAI blind.