I will soon be starting BG2 but I have a problem: I know that I will only play this game once so I want to get the most out of the experience (i.e. items, weapons, sub-quests, NPC interactions, spells balah, blah).
Therefore, what race/class/kit should I create to maximise my enjoyment???

[evil laugh]
He thinks he will only play once!
He hath forgotten about the special feature of his new life. Extra addictiveness!

Seriously, It's impossible to do _all_ quests with a single character due to the stronghold and romance quests. You could get through most of the NPCs, but even then you wouldn't get everything.

Best bet is to go with what feels right. Personally I like assassins, but I think that mages get the most out of it...

Anyway, I seriously doubt that you will only play once (odds anyone?)

why are you only going to play the game once!!!??? that is such a waste. i would recomend playing as a berserker with grand-mastery in warhammers. that gives you access to the greatest weapons in the game, lets you use any armor, and do butt-loads of damage too. or play a sorceror if you like magic (like me) sorcerors are gods in their own right.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by david_m11:
I know that I will only play this game once<hr></blockquote>

You are wrong my friend. You WILL play this more than once. Trust me, it's addictive.

Seriously:
You can't do all the subquests,romances etc. completing SoA once without cheating. That's why most people play BG2 over and over.
If you REALLY intend to do it only once you should certainly use a mage, as magic is the most wonderful aspect of the game IMHO. You could make him a dual-class fighter/mage or thief/mage (mage as secobnd class) therefore human, or a multi-class, which will really excel if you have Throne of Bhaal.
Due to some minor bugs dual and multis will give you two (or even three) strongholds, with their appropriate quests.
Also the storyline and NPC selection strongly suggests to play on the good side, as you will probably miss out some great quests as an evil-doer.
If you want a long and exciting romance quest romance Jaheira (be careful though, as this romanc is extremely buggy).

Welcome, David.

If you want to get the most out of your experience on your first trip through...I would suggest a multi-class fighter/mage. This will give you access to the best weapons and magic spells in the game.

Plus - as Faceman said - this combination will allow you to gain 2 strongholds rather than 1 (if you do it right...you can check on that when the time comes).


<font color="yellow">SIDEBAR:</font> Hey, Faceman...if you took you're name from the source I think you did, then what happened to Hannibal, B.A., and Murdock? Or am I wrong about my guess?

Its your choice on what to do, but for a beginner, I'd go with a fighter, cuz you get to experiance the most, armours, weapons, and such.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric:
<font color="yellow">SIDEBAR:</font> Hey, Faceman...if you took you're name from the source I think you did, then what happened to Hannibal, B.A., and Murdock? Or am I wrong about my guess?<hr></blockquote>

You are perfectly right!
Hannibal and MadMurdoc (he prefers to omit the "k") are still some of my closest friends, B.A. switched his name to Rambo.
Honestly: These A-Team related names came up with me and my best friends on our first private LAN party some years ago (it was DOOM and Duke3d we played then)
Especially me and Murdoc have gotten used to them as nicknames since then

I played through the first time with a Paladin (Cavalier) and don't regret the experience. If you're comfortable with the magic system, play a specialist mage or a Sorcerer. If you want more sneaky fun, play a rogue (Bard or Thief). Archers are nice bridges between straightforward fighters and rogues.

There are too many clerics in the game as it is ... I won't play one of them. An Avenger Druid is fun, though.

-- Nifft

Well, certainly that hammer is a great item, but it's debatable as to whether it's the best. Many would argue for a certain paladin-only 2H sword, or Mage-only Staff.......

Actually, if you can seriously limit yourself to only once through BGII, I'd recommend a dual-class char-->that way you do get to equip a variety of items, choose one of two strongholds, and also max out in one class to get very high-level skills. Possibilities could be:

Kensai/mage-awesome fighter, top spellcaster
Swashbuckler/mage-same as above, but a thief
Fighter/druid-there are some very cool druid-only spells, and the druid NPCs aren't that great

IF you have ToB (trone of bhaal) you MUST take either a Sorcerer (but be VERY careful when you pick the spells) or a (my favourite class) Kensai thief. Human. Kensai lvl 17/thief lvl ??. Check some of the other posts you can find howi made my Kensai thief and realise how powerful it is. I dish out over 700 damage a round :D

[ 02-22-2002: Message edited by: Lucifer Lord of demons ]</p>