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Since I am waiting for the stuff to copy over, just wanted to brainstorm on which classes/kits would be harder or easier to play in BG1:
Fighter:
- Berserker: Would be stronger than a regular warrior. The lack of specialization in ranged weapons wouldn't hurt much, and rage would be a major boost in the big battles.
- Kensai: Would be tough to play. Don't get much bonus to hit and damage yet, and no armor would hurt some, especially in early to mid game. Only throwing axes and daggers hurts some.
- Wizard Slayer: Another tough one. Not much magic resistance yet, and not able to use some of the magic items that could really help in some situations.
Ranger:
- Archer: Solid. No specialization in melee hurts some, but otherwise not too bad (no metal armor doesn't hurt too bad yet)
- Stalker: Weak, since can't backstab too well yet. Better off playing a thief or fighter/thief
- Beast Master: Would actually be worth playing at this point. Summoning animals would be strong at this point, but countered by no metal weapons. By the time you get to SoA, that would change, though.
Paladin:
- Cavalier: Only thrown axes and daggers would hurt some, and bonuses against demons and dragons wouldn't help much, but their other abilities would help immensely. Solid.
- Inquisitor: True sight and strong dispel magic right from first level? No annoying mirror image or invisibility on those tough magic using bounty hunters? Very nice.
- Undead Hunter: Another solid choice. Level drain resistance won't come into play too much, but immunity to hold is a life-saver. +3 v.s. Undead is strong in some places, too.
Barbarian: Great choice! No plate mail hurts a little, but otherwise all of their abilites are great.
Clerics:
- Specialty Priest of Talos: Both of their bonus spells help, and with no downside v.s. regular cleric, why would you play a no-kit evil cleric (single-class)?
- Specialty Priest of Helm: Just as good if not better than the Specialty Priest of Talos. Both spells help immensely.
- Specialty Priest of Lathander: Their spells are not as useful as the other two kits, but considering that they are just as good as a regular cleric otherwise, why not?
Druid:
- Totemic Druid: Lose shapeshifting ability, but those awesome summons more than make up for it. Solid.
- Shapeshifter (talking non-modded only): No armor hurts, but the werewolf form would help a lot, in the early going especially.
- Avenger: Penalty to strength and constitution always hurt, but the extra forms would be especially useful in BG1.
Monk: Ouch. They are already weak at the beginning of BG2. But starting one at first level? Good challenge, and all that more satisfying when you get to ToB, knowing what you went through to get there.
Thief:
- Assassin: The penalty to thieving abilities hurts bad, but the combat bonuses and poisoning helps offset that. Still, a tad bit weak for the loss in thieving skills.
- Bounty Hunter: Extra trap setting right from the beginning and bonus traps help. A little loss in thieving skills is not too bad. Pretty solid choice.
- Swashbuckler: No backstab hurts (especially since you can backstab many opponents you run into), but the extra ability in combat makes up for it. Another solid choice.
Bard:
- Blade: The spins would just rock at earlier levels, and the losses they take would not hurt too much (except for lore reduction).
- Jester: Considering how more likely you are to have opponents fail saves, they would be pretty darn good in BG1, casting the equivalent of a level 4 spell right from first level.
- Skald: No pickpocketing is not too much of a problem, and their bonuses in combat and better song would make them rock.
Mages: Only really need to discuss the Wild Mage, as the others are the same. I would be terrified of playing one, as there is pretty much a 5% chance of getting blown to dust every time you cast a spell!
Sorcerer: Still very powerful, as they get more castings right from first level (always a weakness at lower levels for a mage), and the restrictions on spells known is not too terrible a price.
What do you think?