Is dual-classing really practical in SoA (no ToB)? If so, what is the optimum level to dual class at, 'cause I can never seem to get it right. I always end up with a guy who can kick little guys butt's two different ways, but is WILDY ineffective against anyone at all strong.

Thanks.

In plain SoA probably the most effective point to dual is right at the beginning. You'll have your primary class abilities back right out of the first dungeon and thus start a new char with some (mightily nice) extra abilities right out of Waukeen's Promenade. The XP from the first class won't cost you a single level from the XP cap and thus you get to eat your cake and have it :D

Although any Dual-Combo can be fun there are some that are prefered (especially powergamingwise).
Kensai->Mage - the cheesiest of them all
Fighter->Mage - have your mage wear (elven) armor and kickbutt with grandmastery in Quarterstaffs.
Ranger->Cleric - get druidic and priest Divine spells
Assassin->Mage
Fighter->Assassin - combine good Thac0 with septuple backstab

...

Most often one will take a tank-class (Fighter, Ranger, Swashbuckler) and then dual to a spellcaster-class because
Fighters are stronger on low levels and spellcasters become incredibly powerful on high levels.

However if you are in for some nice experiments you could try any combination. A fighter with some low level spells for example.
Just remember that it's not all about maximum damage but about maximum fun. A Kensai->Mage can get boring rather quickly (especially using the Staff and Cloak of Switzerland ;) ).

[ 12-26-2004, 02:33 AM: Message edited by: Faceman ]

I still haven't heard if a Swashbuckler/Cleric.
Should be a cool one. ;)

Hey, try it and let us know...

It was just an expression.
Can Swashbucklers actually dual? I see nothing that should prohibit them from it, but on the other hand I've never heard of Swashbuckler->Mage, Swashbuckler->Fighter or the Swashbuckler->Cleric for that matter :D

Yes they can dual, but as they gain certain advantages as they gain level's it's kinda not as good..


Swash get's extra AC per X level's, if only you could take kit's the other side of dual classing, then they'd be good..

One thing I don't like, you can't make a Cleric/Diviner like you could in BG1, you can only make a Diviner/Cleric or Cleric/Mage..


Most fun, Mage -> fighter you get to cast spell's, use scrolls and wands while still having good fighter ablitys.. Taking the caster before the non is more fun for a lot of people, though having the caster last is also "fun" but in a nothing can stand before you kinda way..

! Swashbucklers are quite popular options for dualclassing. Primarily the ->Mage and ->Fighter options. A quick use of the Search function will yield many threads on these combinations.

that's not to say it's the best combo.

Not all dualclasses need to be on the same munchkin level as the Kensai->Mage. ;) The Swashbuckler->Mage can hold its' own very well, not to mention the Swashy->Fighter.

Pros & Cons are quite well documented in the archives.

I will admit however, that I have not heard of anyone making a Swashy->Cleric.

Because you lose the bladed weapon skill's, that means you stuck with quarterstaff skills or loading up on two weapon fighter style and them getting proficencys from your cleric side.. I don't think I've seen too many Thief -> Cleric duals because of thief cheese, you can see it in ToB a fair bit, though in SoA it's much more munchkin to Cleric -> thief for a few of the lower level cleric spell's like santuary and backstabbing from the afformentioned..

But you can only do that with quarterstaffs because of the only backstabbing with thief weapons..

So, if you're dual classing, you should do it right off the bat? Even before you gain any levels in the first class? For example, with the kensai, even though you won't get the speed and attack improvements that kensai's recieve as they level?