Which do you prefer? A fighter/thief multiclass, or a Swashbuckler, and why?

Swashbuckler, just because I don't like the multiclassing and dualclassing aspect of Baldur's Gate 2. IMHO that's for the people who can't choose between classes, and that (again, in my eyes) is what makes BG2 so diverse.

F/T has backstab and fighter HLAs

swashies are more 'characterful' (imo)

Swashies are purebred theives from the perspective of skills. They're a little better than normal thieves in combat, at the expense of backstabbing.

OTOH, Fighter-thieves (multiclass) are halfbreeds. As thieves, they'll only be about half as effective, skill-wise, since they'll only be leveling up about half as fast. OTOH, they will be able to backstab, will be able to wear heavier armors, shields and helmets, will be able to take 2 weapon prof points in any weapon. (Swashies can only take 2 points in thief's melee weapons.)


I think that if you are trying to decide on a PC, you have to ask yourself what you're looking for. If you want a character that's very strong in the thieving skills, go for the swashy. If you're looking for an even more combat oriented thief and can accept the tradeoff of some skills, then perhaps the F/T is for you.

I've played a couple of swashies all the way through SoA and ToB with great success. They can be very fun to play. And if you like traps, you can be one bad ass trap layer.

I have an unrelated question about the Set Traps skill: is there any point in raising yourself above 100?

solace: I don't think so.

As for swashbucklers vs. multiclass F/Ts, I prefer the multiclass. It can backstab and can Specialise in all weapons, not just melee. Also they get those Fighter HLAs... ;)

I don't see their lower amount of skill points as a problem because by the start of BG2 with a decent enough DEX you are high enough level to have 100 in Open Locks and Find Traps anyway.

i don't think so no (because there aren't modifiers working against you like the other skills)

I like the swashbuckler. I think i can make the swashbuckler sound almost invincable***SPOILERS***
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I have one, a low level, and he has -7 AC, 9 and 6 thac0, and killed 5 amnish centruians easyly. They do become some NICE fighters, becuase of their super-low AC. Their thac0 is fiarly nice aswell, once they get "Use all Items" they get incredible. They can have around -15 AC, with studded leathers; when they get UAI they can wear platemails. Even more defence. They can also then duel Weild Crom Faeyer(spelling)(although, they might be able to anyway) with FoA +3, or better. At high levels, their AC leaves the fighter/theifs behind. F/T's can use platemail anyway, but then can't use theiving abilities, and can't backstab. Swashbuckler's don't need to backstab, they're strong enough anyway, to get away with wearing full plate. They might struggle against mages, but with UAI you can use bows, attack from afar with Arrows of Dispelling, then Arrows of biting. Beleive me, use a swash right and they're incredible.

[ 01-04-2005, 01:16 PM: Message edited by: TheGodThatFailed ]

But can Swashbucklers use Thieving skills while wearing Plate-Mail (Use Any Item Ability)??

TBH, i don't remember. I think so, although my blade couldn't pickpocket with it. But the point is, he becomes such a formidable fighter, he doesn't *need* theiving skills, which allows him to mince around with his AC and thac0 grounded.

[ 01-04-2005, 03:41 PM: Message edited by: TheGodThatFailed ]