What class should I choose?

[Ec8er]

Hello.

Last year I started to play real pen and paper D&D 5e as a dual welding thief and I really liked this class in 5e.
Usually, I play as thief/Dex class in this kind of RPGs and I don't want to play a generic fighter.
I've created this thief swashbuckler with these proficiencies on the screenshot.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2329052667

I plan to play whole BG series with this character and MAYBE multiclass into some spellcaster.
Am I for a bat time? Is there a class that supplements with other party members? I briefly looked and my first party members are going to be a thief, fighter/barbarian and some spellcaster/cleric.

I'll be plaing Baldur's gate series for the first time in my life after I bought the whole pack with all DLCs.
My first AD&D RPG game on infinity engine was Planescape Torment and I fugging loved it. The choice of the class for TNO was fairly easy, in your party you have 2-3 fighters, 1 good thief, 1 cleric and a multiclass fighter/mage. I chose to be a mage + you get some really cool looking spells and in general P:T have only 3 classes - fighter, thief and mage.

Any help?

[Messsucher]

Would never make str 9 thief.

[mrandocalrissian]

Yeah, I would want more strength than that, even if only for the carry weight. God, it's annoying needing to move items between party members continually.

[Bored and Tired Gamer]

The entire game and characters aswell as the setting is superb. At the same time it is ready cooked and thereis no real scenario twists and extra ordinary option for themain character.

Alas, Rogue/Thief class aswell as Bard class and anything related to them (social interaction, the ability to use magic and off class items, boosting social skills, forgery etc anything those two classes has at D&D) is not represented well at any of these games.

The game consists of awesome scripts and reasy set conversation and interaction but our characters does not have the ability to play creative by any means.

I would advice anyone to multiclass or dual class Thief but also would warn them that thieves can not roleplay and survive and support the group as creative a true D&D thief would do.

The game series is based on bashing or blasting things when it comes to action; the ready cooked scripts of the scenario cant be effected and twisted by our main character aswell. (Bits such as Charming npcs to see hidden scripts is the only exception whch is not that deep at all)

Ps: The most creative class at D&D is Rogue/Thief (Version of Bards aswell). At the game it is warriors (just butchers no social interaction, tactics and intelligence) and agressive casters resembling mad warlocks of D&D (not wise but brutal spell spammers)

[Ec8er]

Publicado originalmente por karakkedi:

The entire game and characters aswell as the setting is superb. At the same time it is ready cooked and thereis no real scenario twists and extra ordinary option for themain character.

Alas, Rogue/Thief class aswell as Bard class and anything related to them (social interaction, the ability to use magic and off class items, boosting social skills, forgery etc anything those two classes has at D&D) is not represented well at any of these games.

The game consists of awesome scripts and reasy set conversation and interaction but our characters does not have the ability to play creative by any means.

I would advice anyone to multiclass or dual class Thief but also would warn them that thieves can not roleplay and survive and support the group as creative a true D&D thief would do.

The game series is based on bashing or blasting things when it comes to action; the ready cooked scripts of the scenario cant be effected and twisted by our main character aswell. (Bits such as Charming npcs to see hidden scripts is the only exception whch is not that deep at all)

Ps: The most creative class at D&D is Rogue/Thief (Version of Bards aswell). At the game it is warriors (just butchers no social interaction, tactics and intelligence) and agressive casters resembling mad warlocks of D&D (not wise but brutal spell spammers)

So, play as a warrior/fighter or as a spellcaster.
Anything else? Any more tips?
Also, does wisdom effects social interactions as inteligence do?

[Bored and Tired Gamer]

My most favorite character throughout the years is Fighter/cleric Halforc or Dwarf. You can play with other type of character but it takes alot of time to pack their lacking physical abilites just to survive. Max physical stats and max wisdom. If Fighter/Mage, them max intell and max physical stats, samewise. (This is a fact about the game. I would prefer a character with 14-16 at all ablity scores to be versatile but sadly the game rules doesnt let it so. Bonuses from stats start at 15+ and big bonuses come at 17+. Stats between 9 and 14 has no difference at BaldursGate series and Icewinddale series)

(Other games have other rules such as 12+ start giving bonus aswell as wisdom, charism and intelligence may effect the Saving throws etc)

I advice using Imoen as the face character aswell as the thief. (Especially 100 disarm traps, pick locks, rest ofher skills is up to you)

If you wish to roleplay with high intell and wisd, then you should have bodyguards around you. Yoıu should never let your character get hit.

You can be a character with very high intell, charisma and wisdom, anyhow it does not change alot when it comes to quest conversations. (As said a face character can allways do that for you when you are the real leader and the brains)

The main advantage of Divine casters is it can buff self and team, heal, mass heal insane levels, can be allmost untouchable with given physical and magical abilites/spells/items and can still cast strong agressive spells. Can nuke groups of evil beings or undead with spells or turn undead or can semi tank and lead your group at battle. Even lower level spells such as command and hold and sanctuary and aligned spells are very deadly when used at the right time.

Advantage of mage is missleading spells(illusions), picking elemental spells against certain type of evil beings who are vulnerable to those elemental effects. Better options for aoe spells vs divine casters which apply more damage. Higher damage different type of protective spells but your agressive spells can allways harm your own party mates aswell as yourself. Other than that arcane casters are allways more vulnerable to physical attacks and aligned spell attacks, Death spells when their layer of defense is dispelled.

[Ec8er]

Publicado originalmente por karakkedi:

My most favorite character throughout the years is Fighter/cleric Halforc or Dwarf. You can play with other type of character but it takes alot of time to pack their lacking physical abilites just to survive. Max physical stats and max wisdom. If Fighter/Mage, them max intell and max physical stats, samewise. (This is a fact about the game. I would prefer a character with 14-16 at all ablity scores to be versatile but sadly the game rules doesnt let it so. Bonuses from stats start at 15+ and big bonuses come at 17+. Stats between 9 and 14 has no difference at BaldursGate series and Icewinddale series)

(Other games have other rules such as 12+ start giving bonus aswell as wisdom, charism and intelligence may effect the Saving throws etc)

I advice using Imoen as the face character aswell as the thief. (Especially 100 disarm traps, pick locks, rest ofher skills is up to you)

If you wish to roleplay with high intell and wisd, then you should have bodyguards around you. Yoıu should never let your character get hit.

You can be a character with very high intell, charisma and wisdom, anyhow it does not change alot when it comes to quest conversations. (As said a face character can allways do that for you when you are the real leader and the brains)

The main advantage of Divine casters is it can buff self and team, heal, mass heal insane levels, can be allmost untouchable with given physical and magical abilites/spells/items and can still cast strong agressive spells. Can nuke groups of evil beings or undead with spells or turn undead or can semi tank and lead your group at battle. Even lower level spells such as command and hold and sanctuary and aligned spells are very deadly when used at the right time.

Advantage of mage is missleading spells(illusions), picking elemental spells against certain type of evil beings who are vulnerable to those elemental effects. Better options for aoe spells vs divine casters which apply more damage. Higher damage different type of protective spells but your agressive spells can allways harm your own party mates aswell as yourself. Other than that arcane casters are allways more vulnerable to physical attacks and aligned spell attacks, Death spells when their layer of defense is dispelled.

Thank you for your reply!

I decided to make a fighter/mage character with **dual-wielding prof. and **bastard sword prof. so I can use two b.swords at the same. Also I rolled these stats:
I think that it was very lucky to get 93 and this pc is pretty OP
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2329263552

What do you think of this build?
As far as I know to dual class as fighter main I should have level of one my classes always be greater by 1?
F/M
2/1
3/1
4/3
5/6
1/3
Is that correct?

[New Moon On Monday]

The Baldur's Gate series is based on 2nd Edition, and Multi/Dual class is way different than in editions afterward. Look carefully at the manual.

Dual class starts as one class, and at some point switches to a second. After the switch, the first class becomes inactive (you can use no abilities of that class) until the level of your second class exceeds the first. At that point, you get the abilities of the first class back, but you never get xp in your first class or advance any further again.

Multi-class splits xp between each class evenly all the time.

[Ec8er]

Publicado originalmente por New Moon On Monday:

The Baldur's Gate series is based on 2nd Edition, and Multi/Dual class is way different than in editions afterward. Look carefully at the manual.

Dual class starts as one class, and at some point switches to a second. After the switch, the first class becomes inactive (you can use no abilities of that class) until the level of your second class exceeds the first. At that point, you get the abilities of the first class back, but you never get xp in your first class or advance any further again.

Multi-class splits xp between each class evenly all the time.

So I can't make a e.g. 7/4 Fighter/mage?

[Bored and Tired Gamer]

Speaking about unmodded and non cheated game:



I would start as Multiclass non human. It is bonus to hit and total hitpoints aswell as saving throws are better and at BG2 you get better High level special abilites from both classes.

A multiclass fighter/mage gets 7/7 for each class with Baldurs gate EE Sword coast expansion. Furthermoe gets 9/10 at Siege of Dragonspire expansion. Levels up to 13/13 at Baldurs gate 2 Shadows of amn. Ends up 22/20 at Throne of Bhaal expansion of Baldurs gate2.



We can not dual class and back sadly. So you can level up up to a certain level when you switch class your old class specialties are blocked untill your new class şevel is a single levcel higher than your old class. (Player usually go for 7 fighter and 8 mage or 3 fighter and then mage. There re players who pick blur and mirror image from mage etc andthen dual to fighter aswell)

If you choose dual class, you will need a healer with you. (Imoen will be thief and spokesman at both scenarios)



Additionally leaving charisma and wisdom at 9 and maxing out other stats will be very good if you decide to play as Fighter/Mage.

For various reasons I usually go with slings and blunts and shields at my builds. (Strength bonus is added to dexterity bonus for slings but not bows) The only real restrcition at multiclassing is you choice of weapon is restrcited to mage and cleric or druid etc weapons when you multiclass with fighter. Meanwhile blunt weapons are very usefull anywhere you go against all enemy types you face. Shields are also very usefull when ranged or melee fighting or for a bit of extra defenses while casting.

If you still wish to Dual class Fighter to mage, you shouldnt go fyrther than level 7 at fighter if you wish to level up your wizard becasue there is xp cap for BG1 but by exporting you can still play and level up your character at other expansions. (Bg2 and Icewind dales)


My humble aqdvice is creating more than a single character such as Fighter/Cleric, Fighter/Mage and Fighter/Druid. You can go for it and play as pure fighter to dual to mage later on at later games aswell. (Your characters can be Exported and used at all series). The real issue with Dual classing [not multiclassing] is Pure classes allways require Thief, Healer or Warrior and Spokesman characters.

With multiclass team you can solo or duo or trio a team and swap npcs at will. A duo character allways have big weakneses compared to multiclass character untill the level of the player's new class is higher than the older class.

[Bored and Tired Gamer]

Ps: Just to make it clear You can make your Fighter lvl 13 at Baldurs gate 2 which means you will play as pure fighter at Baldurs gate 1 and its expansions. You wont be a mage or healer or anything else, which is a very long journey.

At Baldurs gate 2 you will stop at Fighter 13 and then will turn wizard. This means another very long journey to activate or Fighter abilites when you were levelling up a a lvl 1,5,9,13 wizard...Untill you hit level 14 wizard...Which means You will have to play all the way from Baldurs gate 2 to the Expansion pack untill you get that level to reactivate your fighter.

If you really wish to enjoy you should go multiclass or at least stop Fighter levels right at level 9 and get to Wizard ten at Siege of Dragonspire expansion of Baldurs gate 1. So that you will be able to start Baldur's gate 2 as a 9th level fighter and 10th level wizard. Meanwhile all excet the extra weapon specialisation you have got from Dual Classing; there is no advantage compared to better to hit chances and better High level abilites of Multiclass Fighter/Mage. The only restriction of Multiclass mage will be weapon choice.

[New Moon On Monday]

Publicado originalmente por Ec8er:

So I can't make a e.g. 7/4 Fighter/mage?

Not as such.

You can be a multi-class Fighter/Mage, in which your levels will remain roughly even.

Or you could be a dual-class Fighter to Mage, in which you are only a Fighter for levels 1-7 (or however far you want to go), then only a Mage (except with your Fighter hit points) for Mage levels 1-7. Then when you get your 8th Level of Mage, you are now Fighter 7/Mage 8. Thereafter, you go as far as you can go in Mage, but your Fighter level will be 7 forever after.

[Ec8er]

OK, so only humans can dual-class and ALL non-humans can multi-class.
So far you've told me I'm getting that multi-classing is far more better than dual-class.
As dual-class I have to stop playing as my selected class and grind lvls +1 in new class so I could use my 1st class' abilities again. Is that right?
Fugg, I wanted to play as hooman, oh well.
SO. I'm going to make a half-elf fighter with silimar stats to my current fighter so I can multiclass him with thief or mage.
I'm guessing that multiclassing into thief is mostly for times when you will be seperated from your thief in your party and you have to open some locks, right? (I know you get thief skills but this is obvious) For mage you get cool and useful spells.
So, when I multi-class, if I would play pure fighter, at the end of vanilla BG I'll be lvl 9, but if i multi-class lvl 5/4 at F/M or F/T?
Also, depending on my party count I would get less XP for my pc.

What if I go Pure fighter in all games? Do multiclassing in thief is that much better and easier even with full party? I guess multiclassing makes sense when you go with no party at all.

[hateryu]

Pure fighter is viable but not very fun.
Pure thief is quite bad, the class doesn't have bonus APR (attacks per round) and a very low THAC0 (chance to hit).
Swashbuckler is viable but F/T multiclass is way more powerful and more fun to play (because it has access to backstab and more attacks per round).

Mutliclassing is extremely powerful because classes reach their power peak very early, so having two/three classes has a lot of advantages and very few drawbacks.

I'd recommend to play a F/T if you want to scout with your main (stealth, disarming traps, backstab), F/M or F/C otherwise.
In BG1 the XP cap is 161k, so you'll be Fighter 7/Thief 8 (or Mage 7).

Also, if you plan to use the same character in BG2, F/T has access to "Use Any Item" at very high levels, which allows your character to equip any item, regardless of restrictions.

Elf is better than Half-Elf stat-wise, but it is very marginal, so it's OK to play Half-Elf if you prefer.

[New Moon On Monday]

When it comes to dual-classing or multi-classing, one is not necessarily better than the other.

i like the Fighter to Cleric dual-class. You have the spell-casting power of a pure cleric, with a lot of extra melee ability. The dual-class allows access to the high level Cleric spells faster, the buffs last longer and survive dispel attempts much better, and the extra melee power of 7 levels of Fighter (and weapon Grand Mastery) is more than sufficient. The only thing it lacks compared to the Fighter/Cleric Multi-class is access to Fighter HLAs, but I didn't miss them, and I found the extra spell-power a great trade-off.

Thief to Mage dual-class (which is what Imoen eventually becomes) is another popular one. All you really need from a Thief is Open Locks and Find Traps. You can maximize those abilities in 6 or 7 levels, and Thieves have the fastest level advancement anyway. Then switch to Mage and soon you'll be Mage with extra hit points who can handle Traps.

There's merit to going a lot of different ways with it.

[hateryu]

I'd recommend against dual classing in a first playthrough because of the downtime period.
There's also the problematic of when to dual class. A dualed lvl 7 fighter is extremely powerful in BG1, but pretty meh in BG2.

Dual classing can indeed be fun, but is more suited for later playthroughs, when you have good knowledge of the game.

Multiclassing is as powerful (for different reasons) but without any downtime to manage.