Struggling to pick (and keep) a class.

[Ghostwheel]

I've played BG:EE through multiple times but I've never managed to reach all the way to the end of SoA and I've never touched ToB. i keep getting an itch to roll a new PC so i end up just playing BG:EE over and over again part way. I badly want to be able to play all through the trilogy for once in my life!!!

Does anyone else have this restartitus the same as i do? how do you stop? what classes would you suggest to carry my attention through the games? what was your favorite?

sorry if this is poorly worded, the kids are ensuring there isn't a lot of sleep going around right now. trying to play Baldurs Gate is my only real down time.

Thanks!

[ZirzoR]

Originally posted by Ghostwheel:

Originally posted by ZirzoR:

Just play a bard, if you cant pick and stick to one thing, why not play a class that does everything? hehe!

what bard kit would your recommend?

If you want to play a buff bard with melee I recommend Blade. (I think they get 3 pips in dual-wielding aswell same as ranger.) with a built in tank ability and haste.

If you want to play a scroll flinging mage scaling machine, I recommend regular bard. (Works better if you have BG2 Tweaks to say that scrolls cast at caster level, instead of caster level 6 in BG1 and caster level 10 in BG2) so with a fast levelling bard, you will fling scaling scrolls like a madman during encounters, so a level 20 bard will cast fireball as if he was a level 20 mage, for example. (This nerfs HLA Scrolls to level 1 if the person doesn't have any caster levels, such as pure thieves or kitted thieves without dual-classing into a mage or from a mage.)

I always have a TON of scrolls left-over after every completed session, so having a dedicated scroll/potion user on the team is nice, especially with how much gold you get and they have super pickpocket skill so you can steal a lot of potions and scrolls from stores. (Really nice amounts of lore to, so you can self-identify most items.)

Jester is meh (Since they removed the ability to sing while invisible) and Skald only works well if you have a physical dmg party.

[Etxxu]

Originally posted by New Moon On Monday:

I like dual-class better than multi-class for the fighter/cleric. And that assumes that when you roll up your character, you'll have 18/__ STR (as well as 18s in DEX, CON, and WIS), and assumes you will avail yourself if the stat-increasing tomes that you find.

Though your primary function as a tank is defense, I think your offense is better when you dual-class. A multi-class Fighter/Cleric will eventually get that extra 1/2 attack/round that comes at Fighter 13. However, the multi-class Fighter/Cleric cannot get a weapon Grand Mastery like the dual-class can, which comes with a 1/2 attack/round and attack and damage bonuses.

A multi-class Fighter/Cleric doesn't really have much of a THAC0 advantage. The Cleric THAC0 progression doesn't lag too far behind the Fighter THAC0 progression. Once the party is averaging 9th or 10th level, the multi-class Fighter/Cleric starts moving significantly slower up that THAC0 progression. I haven't actually done the math, but if you compare where what the characters will have as base THAC0 with the same xp, there is not going to be much difference. And that's before Grand Mastery closes that difference. And when you get to the point where your final THAC0, with all your bonuses, is better than -10, there's not a lot of value to extra bonuses.

The dual-class Cleric gets higher level spells earlier, can cast more high level buffs earlier, they last longer duration, and are difficult to dispel.

I'm not sure how the hit points eventually work out. Multi-class is a bit lower in hp to start (9 max base per 1/1 F/C compared to 10 max base per 1 F). Dwarves and Half-Orcs can have 19 CON which make up that hp gap. But a Human can get 19 CON in BGI- Dwarves and Half-Orcs can go to 20 but that doesn't come with extra hp above 19. Then at about the 10th level range, mult-class are getting I think 5 hp per 1/1 levels while the dual-class is getting 4 per 2 levels. I don't know the exact math but it's not much difference.

The multi-class Fighter/Cleric does eventually get access to the Fighter (as well as Cleric) HLAs, and Hardiness is of significant use to a tank. That is an advantage to the multi-class Fighter/Cleric, but you are waiting a long time for it to come to fruition.

And of course a Half-Orc Fighter/Cleric can start with 19. But that doesn't help your tanking. (And despite your starting Strength, Holy Might is never going to take it past 25 anyway. Nor will Crom Faeyr.)

Do you recommend a dual F(9)/C with dual-wielding? I mean because i want to keep Jaheira as tank (HLA of fighter and romance)

[New Moon On Monday]

Originally posted by Etxxu:

Do you recommend a dual F(9)/C with dual-wielding? I mean because i want to keep Jaheira as tank (HLA of fighter and romance)

What I like about the Fighter/Cleric Dual-Class is the ability as a tank.

If you want a character not to tank, but who can fulfill the Cleric role primarily and secondarily be really good in melee, it's a fine class option. You can skip the shield for a second weapon if you aren't going to tank.

If you wanted a pure damage-dealer, you could probably do it better with a different class. But you really don't lose a whole lot by dualing from Fighter 7 (or 9) to Cleric. You lose the extra 1/2 attack/round that a Fighter gets at 13, you don't get the Fighter HLAs. Your THAC0 is quite as good but I'm not sure it's a significant difference when you already have high Strength and Grand Mastery and a good weapon- 1s will always miss no matter how good your THAC0 is.

[Ghostwheel]

It's always hard to decide.

Fighter->cleric for tanking and buffs

Inquisitor for glorious mage execution.

F/M/T for magey slashy Geralty goodness

Fighter/thief for sneaky sneaky stabby stabby.

Or just be a sorcerer and joyfully nuke everything.

I keep changing my mind....

[Ghostwheel]

Originally posted by ZirzoR:

Originally posted by Ghostwheel:

what bard kit would your recommend?

If you want to play a buff bard with melee I recommend Blade. (I think they get 3 pips in dual-wielding aswell same as ranger.) with a built in tank ability and haste.

If you want to play a scroll flinging mage scaling machine, I recommend regular bard. (Works better if you have BG2 Tweaks to say that scrolls cast at caster level, instead of caster level 6 in BG1 and caster level 10 in BG2) so with a fast levelling bard, you will fling scaling scrolls like a madman during encounters, so a level 20 bard will cast fireball as if he was a level 20 mage, for example. (This nerfs HLA Scrolls to level 1 if the person doesn't have any caster levels, such as pure thieves or kitted thieves without dual-classing into a mage or from a mage.)

I always have a TON of scrolls left-over after every completed session, so having a dedicated scroll/potion user on the team is nice, especially with how much gold you get and they have super pickpocket skill so you can steal a lot of potions and scrolls from stores. (Really nice amounts of lore to, so you can self-identify most items.)

Jester is meh (Since they removed the ability to sing while invisible) and Skald only works well if you have a physical dmg party.

Blade might be fun. Only getting one pip in weapons is sort of a downer but shouldn't be too bad.
Might try to play him as a sort go witcher esc character.

[Bibibobaba]

Playing bard it the best I found in BG. You are like the lor master, the story teller. I use it with lot of item, wand, scroll, instrument. With a crossbow or a bow you will never left it idle in battle. It have so much option to choice from for action. With buff spell and some mass control like web or confuse bard are superb class. Bard pure class or Skald are better , I found blade singer one of the worst kit. You need an elven chain mostly to be usefulll.
Bg1 it hard to finish because it have some borring moment. I rarely finish game, but bg series was the one I finished the most often. I didnt reach SoD yet, Im at the Durlag tower now, near the ends chapter with over 130k xp.
Maybe I just finish ToB 2 or 3 time and for Bg1 maybe 10 time maximum. But For Bg2 I done it so much time as I dont remember it with the original version. What it cool like you said it you dont have to wait for dual-class or wait to have a decent taco. In bg2 at 90k exp it the pefect start, your not a demi-god yet, but you are not a noob neither.
My run as a Kansai two-handed sword was real, fun, a dual wileder scimitar or Katana are always fun to run too. Archer kit for ranger are real strong and fun, dwarven defender for dwarf, illusionist or illusionist-thief for gnome. Palaldin and sorcerer are my favorite, I even made a multi-player game alone on local network with a party full of paladin. Half-Orc Barbarian are classic too.
What can help alot it to have a custom party of 6 in single or multi-player mode. It help alot to complete a run without loosing interest or have mainly to have the envy to try another character. It also have the save game editor(Keeper) who can save you some time.
I also make saves in start of every chapter so with a multi-player game you can start where you want in the story and edit you party as you lke.
If you export all you character in every game you dont finish, that can make a real bunch of adventurer to manage in a custom group game. It can be great fun to bring a higher level mage for example or a lesser level to level it up.

[retsam1]

Originally posted by Ghostwheel:

I've played BG:EE through multiple times but I've never managed to reach all the way to the end of SoA and I've never touched ToB. i keep getting an itch to roll a new PC so i end up just playing BG:EE over and over again part way. I badly want to be able to play all through the trilogy for once in my life!!!

Does anyone else have this restartitus the same as i do? how do you stop? what classes would you suggest to carry my attention through the games? what was your favorite?

sorry if this is poorly worded, the kids are ensuring there isn't a lot of sleep going around right now. trying to play Baldurs Gate is my only real down time.

Thanks!

The only cure for alt-itis is self will. Honestly really that's it. Outside of that are just superficially picking classes that best match your playstyle interest. If you don't like the characters either from the basic story and want to stack things for yourself, make a multiplayer session with -only- characters you make(this way you have a full party of your alts! That may also perhaps get you over the slump but really even when you play with the story's characters they're technically your alts aready since you make choices for them for some things. I would also perhaps suggest not doing a full 6 but 5 so that you can flip between story various(not all) story characters to do their personal quests too if that matters to you.

[NomadTR]

Originally posted by Ghostwheel:

I've played BG:EE through multiple times but I've never managed to reach all the way to the end of SoA and I've never touched ToB. i keep getting an itch to roll a new PC so i end up just playing BG:EE over and over again part way. I badly want to be able to play all through the trilogy for once in my life!!!

Does anyone else have this restartitus the same as i do? how do you stop? what classes would you suggest to carry my attention through the games? what was your favorite?

sorry if this is poorly worded, the kids are ensuring there isn't a lot of sleep going around right now. trying to play Baldurs Gate is my only real down time.

Thanks!

This happens to me in every rpg i play. I literally get bored with a character in about 3-4 game sessions. Then roll a new char. I'm sick of bg1 because of this.

[Hamish]

I tend to finish SoA and loose interest in ToB. But if you want a good solid class, Multi Class Fighter Mage is what I used to kill Demogorgon for the fist time last year! (without cheese tactics) High AC, stoneskin, blurr, mirror image makes a pretty solid tank. and of course 19 str, dex, con and int at the start of SoA

[Selminus]

Originally posted by Ghostwheel:

I've played BG:EE through multiple times but I've never managed to reach all the way to the end of SoA and I've never touched ToB. i keep getting an itch to roll a new PC so i end up just playing BG:EE over and over again part way. I badly want to be able to play all through the trilogy for once in my life!!!

Does anyone else have this restartitus the same as i do? how do you stop? what classes would you suggest to carry my attention through the games? what was your favorite?

sorry if this is poorly worded, the kids are ensuring there isn't a lot of sleep going around right now. trying to play Baldurs Gate is my only real down time.

Thanks!

I go thru this with every game. Make a full party of 6 and go powerlevel early. Do it repeatedly until you've tried everything, then play the game. I want performance amd versatility so I settled on Transmuter / Blackguard x2 / Totemic Druid ( Healer ) / Wizard Slayer ( Ranged ) and Fighter/Thief. If you don't like creating 6 then you may want to play whatever BG did the worst job of providing which most people will agree is the thieves and casters. Those need good stats and micromanagement. Cavalier is obviously superior for the tanks but I wanted the flexibility to commit criminal acts.

[Gustuv Wynd]

Heh, yeah...this pain is real. I've finished ToB probably 10 times over the years. but played up to it more times than I can count.

Though I think the main reason is there gets to be a point where the game play isn't very good any more. When fights between melee characters turns into which ever one rolls less 1s is the winner and you are resting constantly because you need your spells to remove spell protections and when even normal mundane henchmen type enemies become immune to back stabs...ect...I start to lose interest.

[Bored and Tired Gamer]

I like Half Orc and Dwarf 90-93 points (Yes rerolling is dull but it is worth the time). Fighter/Cleric and Cleric/Thief are my top fun characters. Maxed out physical stats, self healing and buff abilites, hold/mass hold, saves, part heal, Turn undead and traps.

At original D&D I usually play rogue and another class combo but thieves at Baldurs gate suck hard untill the character hits BG2 snf further. Thief class is mainly for Disarming traps, stealing opening locks and Setting traps at later BG series which I leave to Imoen and other npc characters. Additionally Use magic item, disguise etc like roleplay and high versatility abilites of Rogues lack at early BG series. (I would sure play rogue/- combos if Thief class started with Use magic device, had social abilities same as D&D and if scrolls and gear for Healing and Turning undead; arcane divine tricks with tools for thieves ever existed. But it does not at BG). Its mostly unlocking, stealing, laying traps and backstabbing which is very boring.

Pure warriors and Casters are fun up to a point but too weak without a group aswell as ending up very boring ( I play solo at times to lvl up and then use Imoen when there is dungeon spots with traps, shopping or when talking to key npcs). My one and only companion is Imoen and I swap other npcs only for running their specific story quests.

After I max out or allmost max out my character, I lvl up Imoen and then all other npcs coupled or as group at the Ankheg lair for BG1 part. Samewise for following BG series and Icewind.

What I really wish for the entire BG series from lvl 1 to the end would be all races being able to choose any class and up to three classes for multiclassing or dual classing without any restrctions, (also Use magic item for thief class aswell as Divine and Arcane scrolls and item use for thieves starting at lvl 1 at BG1) That way I would choose to play other races, interesting class combinations may be even evenly delivered ability stats instead of all characters starting as Norris (Top warrior or Top Nuke mage etc which turns out boring) of fantasy realms with allmost fix class combos and same stats and item sets.

[Ghostwheel]

I know its been a while but I've been extremely busy with life and getting ready to move.
On my breaks at work I've spent some time coming up with some class ideas that i like, i figured i might as well post them in my thread.

hopefully they make some kind of sense haha.

Undead Hunter Paladin
Logain
Human
** B.Sword
** Axe
** Flail
Tanking using Sword and Shield.
+ Minor Cleric spells.
+ Solid bonus against Undead
+ Resistance to Level Drain
+ Lots of Romance options
RP as less of a shiny doogooder as much as a solid slayer of evil.
Kind and giving to many but utterly ruthless against what he sees as Evil or unjust, though not as zealous as a "normal" Paladin. Not sure, More Light Gray than Pure White. Especially as he gains experience with the world.
Maybe RP that his undead slaying abilities come from time spent in the crypts.

Fighter/Cleric
Darmin
Dwarf
** Warhammer
** Mace?
** Flail?
** Sling? (ranged option)
*** Two weapon fighting
Tank that starts using Hammer and Shield
then transfer to Two Weapon.
Primarily self buffing. Minor Party buffs.
+ Heavy Buffing
+ Probably best Tank
+ Dwarf
- Terrible Romance options
RP as strong and Loyal. Completely devoted to Gorions teachings at first
but grows into his own with experience. Basically a hammer wielding face smashing beast of a Tank. RP that the origin of his Cleric abilities are a mystery, maybe RP tie them into his Bhaal spawn powers.
Might have to be a later playthrough though due to Romance restrictions.

Fighter/Thief
Elf
** Long Sword
** Short Bow
** Dagger
Primarily sneak attacks and ranged support.
May transfer to Two Weapon Fighting later on.
+ UAI HLA
+

Blade
HalfElf
** Halberd
** Two Handed Sword
** Two Handed Style
Arcane debuffs mixed with Summons and "Trickery" spells.
Aiming for Carsomyr.
+ UAI trickery.
+ Side Spell Support
Having a hard time thinking of how to RP this one, Honestly i just like the look of the Rogue Sprite holding big Two Handed weapons. Plus the idea of the Blade using a Halberd with offensive spin.


Stalker
Human
** Long Sword
** Axe
*** Two Weapon
Scout, Mage Stabber and (hopefully) Two Weapon wielding Blender.
Spent much of his years sneaking around Candlekeep as well as sneaking over the walls or out the gate to spend time sneaking about the woods. Never went far but spent many a night in the dark forest. Very comfortable in both "city" castle type places as well as the deep forest. Warms up to cities quickly, learning to move silently and quickly. Over all has a good guy outlook but isn't overly concerned with how he goes about it... maybe. lol.
Honestly every time I think about the Stalker I see River Tam holding that axe and sword combo

[jonnin]

The first thing I would say is just roll out a whole party so you can have a full group of your favorites.

BG1 combat is dull for the first 2/3 no matter how you slice it. Out of combat you have the occasional rogue activity or spell. You may as well have 3 halfling warriors with slings and 3 elf fighters with swords and bows for how combats play out for the vast majority of the first game. Towards the end you start having enough spells that do enough stuff to stop using your wizards as sling/dart guys and play the class more. The cleric stops trying to be a warrior and starts praying. Its starting to get good, and the second game continues that very nicely. Constant restarting may be a side effect of how the game starts out and the boring content early on.

[Ghostwheel]

Originally posted by jonnin:

The first thing I would say is just roll out a whole party so you can have a full group of your favorites.

BG1 combat is dull for the first 2/3 no matter how you slice it. Out of combat you have the occasional rogue activity or spell. You may as well have 3 halfling warriors with slings and 3 elf fighters with swords and bows for how combats play out for the vast majority of the first game. Towards the end you start having enough spells that do enough stuff to stop using your wizards as sling/dart guys and play the class more. The cleric stops trying to be a warrior and starts praying. Its starting to get good, and the second game continues that very nicely. Constant restarting may be a side effect of how the game starts out and the boring content early on.

Im wanting to nail down a single character since i want to be able to enjoy the NPCs in the second game. i want atleast 2 NPC rich play throughs before i start creating the perfect team.

that would be pretty cool though lol.