Blackguard

[identity]

Do they "fall" for being too good? Thinking about trying a run with one.
Plus, is there actually anything forcing you to be evil as a Blackguard? It's been awhile, but I don't actually remember there being anything in the game that evil alignment had an affect on, as in, there's nothing stopping you from making good choices, so making an "evil" character is rather redundant and entirely up to what dialogue choice you decide to take.

[frdnwsm]

You are basically a Paladin who follows an evil force ... deity, demon lord, whatever ... so yes you do have to pick some form of evil as an alignment. Now, you don't have to ACT evil ... you can do whatever you want ... but you are likely to upset any good characters that you want to recruit. You definitely CANNOT be in the same party as, for example, Keldorn, since he will attack you immediately.

I am not sure if any other characters would actually attack you, but it is possible. Mazzy and Anomen after being knighted are possibilities, although I haven't actually investigated it. (I know Mazzy and Anomen will eventually fight with Hexxat if she is in the same party, for example).

The group's reputation drops by 1 if you recruit Dorn, so I suspect that the same thing may happen with a player Blackguard. Might give you poorer prices with merchants, though you can always pump the rep up higher by doing quests, so that may not be a real factor.

[AlexMBrennan]

Do they "fall" for being too good?

No. You can do whatever you want.

Plus, is there actually anything forcing you to be evil as a Blackguard?

You need to pick evil alignment on paper but you can do whatever you want. With the exception of hell trials alignment isn't ever enforced (e.g. paladins can go on murder sprees as long as they adequately bribe the church).

but you are likely to upset any good characters that you want to recruit.

I am only aware of two instances where companions object to character decisions (killing Valygar and extorting the kidnapped noble). Beyond that you can recruit anyone as long as you bribe the church.

The group's reputation drops by 1 if you recruit Dorn, so I suspect that the same thing may happen with a player Blackguard.

That's rather easy to test by creating a blackguard vs generic fighter with the same alignment. You will find that they have the same starting reputation.

[frdnwsm]

>>" Beyond that you can recruit anyone as long as you bribe the church. "<<

Not Keldorn.

[identity]

How is Blackguard as a class anyway? I'm guessing the poison is pretty nasty against mages.

[frdnwsm]

Originally posted by id:

How is Blackguard as a class anyway? I'm guessing the poison is pretty nasty against mages.

The poison isn't bad, but isn't the main attraction for the class. For the SoA campaign, the immunity to level drain and fear is huge, considering how much of the game concerns the war against the vampires. Drain health is useful for a fast mid-combat heal, and aura of despair at higher levels will put a nice crimp in enemy attack abilities.

Note that Dorn is a bit better than a player Blackguard can be initially. Blackguard PCs must be human; as a half orc, Dorn is a bit stronger and sturdier, although the difference can be made up later on with decent gear.

One disadvantage not often mentioned is weaponry. Carsomyr +5, the quintessential Paladin weapon, is available relatively early in SoA ... provided you can take out Firkraag, which isn't as hard as you might think. To get Ir'revrykal +5, the equivalent Blackguard weapon, you need to penetrate the Githyanki camp down on the fourth level of Watcher's Keep. However, you can get Foebane (WK level 1) a lot earlier, which is a nice +3 all purpose weapon which will serve you well until you are leveled up enough to get the other. Also, it's a bastard sword which means you can use it along with a shield. (Shield of Balduran! Buy it!)

[biogoo]

Thing is, if you import helm of opposite alignment from BG1, you can use Carsomyr as blackguard :)

[frdnwsm]

Originally posted by biogoo:

Thing is, if you import helm of opposite alignment from BG1, you can use Carsomyr as blackguard :)

Sounds a bit cheaty ... although a Blackguard shouldn't be too upset about that.

[admsmth0110]

Originally posted by biogoo:

Thing is, if you import helm of opposite alignment from BG1, you can use Carsomyr as blackguard :)

That's brilliant! I'd never allow that kind of jank in a D&D campaign, but for Baldur's Gate, it fits right in as a work around. I wonder if you can nab that helmet in BGII and beyond expansions?

[Zotliatlicor]

Dorn is stronger as a Half Orc yes, but he is not "Sturdier". That would be the CON attribute, and Dorn only has 14 and as so has no bonus hit points. As a human you would likely beef it to at least 16 (+18 HP) and preferrably 18 (+36 HP).

And he has no other special Race advantages, just 19 Strength.