I'm just embarking on my first solo attempt

I've decided on chaotic-good Female Elven fighter/mage/thief.
Stats = 86 total
str-18/81
dex-19 (bonus thief points)
con-15
int-16 (should i sacrifice 2 wis (lore penalty) for 18 int ?)
wis-10
cha-8

Thief points
innate - added - total
move - 35 - 10 - 45
hide - 30 - 15 - 45
lock - 25 - 65 - 90
trap - 15 - 75 - 90
PPck - 35 - 00 - 35
setT - 10 - 00 - 10
illu - 00 - 00 - 00

spells
Lvl 1 - charm person, familiar, M-Missile, identify, shield, spook, minor drain
Lvl 2 - scorcher, detect invis, glitterdust, acid arrow, mirror image, web
Lvl 3 - dispel magic, fireball, haste, non-dection, skull trap

I'll be playing on core rules, probably do mage stronghold (haven't tried it yet)

should I change any of these stats or thieving skills ?
is a tripple class solo harder than others ? (slower level ups Vs more skills)
should I take Nalia out of Dungeon 1 with me ? (for the encounter with Irenicus)
any other tips or pointers ?

[ 01-06-2003, 07:54 AM: Message edited by: karlosovic ]

<font color="gold">A Fighter/Mage/Thief is always a good start-point for soloers, giving all the necessary abilities. Now to the questions.

1. I suggest you take two points from Charisma, actually, to get 18 Int. This is because very early in the game, you can find a great ring called Ring of Human Influence.
2. Stats & skills looks fine to me, you've balanced yourself out quite perfect.
3. As I already mentioned, the Fighter/Mage/Thief is more solo-compitable than most other classes, giving all necessary abilities. Slower level ups? Don't worry about it, you'll probably max out relativetly early anyway.
4. Hmm? Nalia out of dungeon 1? Do you perhaps mean Jaheira? Nalia is in de'Arnisse Keep. If you are referring to Jaheira, my answer is yes, get her out of the dungeon, as well as Minsc. Do not take them in your party, though, only get the XP for freeing them.
5. Not that I can think of.
;)

Hope this helps. [img]smile.gif[/img] </font>

I would definatley drop 2 WIS and add it to INT. Your lore rating is not important if you pick up the Glasses of Identification when you meet Gaelin Bayle.

Your spells selections are up to you, but i would drop familiar (you can cast it from a scroll) and non-detection (it never seemed to come in handy for anything for me!)

A triple class PC will remain weaker than others due to the simultaneous levelling of three classes. Since your playing solo this will not matter one bit. Indeed, it is the easiest class combo to play solo with.

Good choice. It'll prove worthwhile. ;)

Seems fine to me.

There are easier solo classes (cf Sorcerer), but the F/M/T is a fine choice for your first solo game. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I assume you mean Imoen, right?
Call me purist, but in my opinion, soloing is soloing. Don't take Imoen with you - the plot will go as planned, rest assured.

Hmmmm....

Dual wield. Specialize in Flails and Katanas - use Ages and Fury as main hand weapons, and Daakon Zerth Blade (extra Stoneskin per day!) as your off hand weapon. Use Ages against Undead and Mages, and Fury against the rest. Fury also serves as an excellent backstab weapon.

Raid Pai'Na (the Spiders' Girl in the Crypts) early on for three very useful items - the Pale Green Ioun Stone, a scroll of Spell Immunity (use it, love it) and a scroll of Spider Spawn (to use in conjunction with Web).

Stock potions en mass. Potions of Storm Giants Strength and Potions of Magic [Shielding/Blocking/Protection] are all very useful.

Buff your heart out when necessary. Get Pro-Fire (3rd level spell) and Spirit Armor (4th level spell, useful for the saves bonus), and have them on 24/7.

Have fun, and good luck! [img]smile.gif[/img]

For a soloist I find that wisdom is really important, as it affects your saving throws. When playing solo there are a lot more spells in the game that can take you out off comission, spells like maze and charm will now finish you off completely, so a high wisdom can help combat that.

Also I've never been a big fan of the fighter/mage/thief he has skills in everything but excels in none. By the time you reach the XP cap your levels will be around 12/12/14 (unless you have TOB) which can really limit the effectivness of the character, I mean that means only level 6 spells and I'm just not willing to give up my wilting horror ;) . Don't get me wrong I'm not telling you not to be a F/M/T, they might actually prove to be quite good in a solo game, but if I had to choose any class to solo it would be either a sorceror or a thief, they were the easiest solo's I have done.

[ 01-05-2003, 08:10 AM: Message edited by: Daniel ]

yeh sorry, I meant Imoen. I was just wondering what happens with the story if you leave her but of course a major plot event would have to taken into account by the game. (incidently I even tried getting her killed just to see what would happen, it won't let her die)

I can't lower the charisma, it's already as low as allowed. while I will use shadow keeper to make any adjustments you guys recomend, I'm not using it to cheat. the other thing is i don't want a ring space taken up just for char.... Oh I suppose i could swap it on and off huh...I do it all the time with shields and weapons but never considered it for rings. doh, lol

weapon proficencies ! Forgot all about them. I had already taken
katana **
Flail *
Dual wield **
so from your advice I'll just leave that.

EDIT: considering I'm dual-wielding should I ever worry about any sort of missile weapons ? if so what

Mage spells, I took the familiar because I already selected all the spells I wanted and still had a choice, so it's not a waste.

Daniel I know what you're saying about tripple class characters (which is why I asked) but on the advice I'm hearing (plus I have ToB and Weirmers mods which include EXP cap remover) I think I'll stick with it this time.

Speaking of mods... I use weimers item-upgrade and (parts of) ease-of-use mod. So I will definately be upgrading CF to +5. what other equipment do you guys recomend ? (bracers, cloaks, rings, amulets etc) with those mods in mind ? what parts of ease-of-use should I use ? unnerfed thaco and lvl 50 spells ? any parts I **shouldn't** use ?

-I also have dungeon-be-gone (but i don't think I'll use it this time), nalia-imoen-tashia-valen mods, and extra merchants. most of these shouldn't effect the game though i think.

PS. thanks you guys for all your help ;)

[ 01-05-2003, 08:48 AM: Message edited by: karlosovic ]

Daniel, i'm 90% sure that in BG2, Wisdom does not affect your saving throws, because BioWare didn't had time to implement it.

Oh, and Maze does not allow a saving throw. ;)

Hmmm... I usually have a missile weapon at hand, but you're part Mage, so Magic Missile should suffice, IMO.

That depends... What part of the Fighter/Mage/Thief is more dominant in your playing style?

<font color="gold">Don't worry about Imoen, she'll find her way out. ;)

Missile weapons. I wouldn't waste a point on any, but it is always smart to have one equipped as a quick-weapon. ;)

Other equipment. I'm sure someone else ill help you out more here. My few tips though: Boots of Speed, Ring of Wizardry, Cloak of Mirroring (it's late in the game, I know, but it is very useful), and Pale Green Ioun Stone. ;)

Also, I suggest you install all the components of Ease-of-Use. From the top of my head, I can't remember any component which can't prove useful. ;) </font>

Since (s)he's planning to dual wield, he won't be able to have a missile weapon in his quick slot. ;)

Personally, i don't like the "Multi-Class Grand Mastery", "Wear Magical Armor AND Magic Rings" and "Un-Nerfed THAC0 Table, Saving Throws, Grand-Mastery, and Arcane, Divine Spell Progression" components - too much non-BG2 for my liking.