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ScottG · 07-02-2003, 12:23 AM

ZarahNeander,

I differ with ChaosTheorist on this one (for a pure hybrid). First look at what their primary use will be: ALWAYS physical combat (otherwise go with a pure magic caster or a magic caster dualed to a magic aligned hybrid later). The magical portion will be a distant second (particularly with damage spells). (This isn't to say you can't have your cake and eat it to however - at least most of the time.) Next ascertain its primary form of physical combat. If its a character with formation at the front-line then you need to be able to take hits - which suggests a melee character with substantial hit points. If not then this suggests ranged physical combat. Choose your attributes to max according to the characters use. For instance a Ranger that will focus on ranged combat should look at maxing dexterity and speed first (hit rate and number of attacks). If you think it will be almost exclusivly ranged then the next attribute would be senses followed by strength. (If you intend to dabel in melee then I'd suggest strength followed by senses - but I wouldn't recomend this.) (Of course you might want a Ranger to be a melee expert who dables in ranged combat - which would suggest an alternative attribute concentration.) Now choose your race to fit this profile the best.

As far as skills are concerned: physical combat skills are rather easy to increase even if your character is a senseless moron. Magic skills can be difficult to increase for hybrids because higher spell levels are not available until latter (the higher the spell level the faster the skill increase) - ALWAYS allot your skill points first to the magic realm (alchemy for ranger) and then distribute points in those magic skills that you use the least. (Of course train all skills as best you can.)

Spells and Powercast.

Obviously look for resistances, in addition however (if you can) utilize spells that work with your combat preferance. For ex. when utilizing a ranger as a ranged combat expert then fire off offensive spells like sleep or blinding flash. Even if they don't work you'll still increase your skills. If they do work then you will have a physical combat advantage with a ranged weapon (as well as a defensive advantage). If you need the particular offensive spell to work then look at your party: obviously if someone else has Powercast and the required spell then utilize that character; alternativly if you have a group of weak casters with the same spell then have 3 or more cast the same spell at the same time. I have often utilized this tech. with multiple rangers all at level 50 intelligence. If the monster group is near your level with around a 50% resistance (or less) AND each character fires off the spell at full force (assuming you have the ability) then typically more than 40% of the monster group(s) will sucumb to the spells effect (and because its at full power the spell lasts longer). I particularly love this tech. with magic casting monsters (pop off sleep x3 at full level). This technique typically does NOT work with a single high resistance monster like Nessie. (And of course this technique works well/better with strong magic casters.)

Additionally when looking at hybrids, look for defensive spells (rather than offensive spells) to use. This is typically a far better solution (particularly with a Ranger ranged combat expert because of the alchemist book). At higher levels the ranger can use soul shield and element shield. As important - they most likely have Snakespeed and will be "speed" casters who have a better chance of getting up defenses before monsters will strike (something your other magic casters might not be able to do as quickly). Finally, you don't have resistances to counter here.

All that said however, I can't really see a reason for choosing a pure hybrid unless its just something new for fun. Which ties in with ChaosTheorist's example of: if you want a fighter get a fighter, not a hybrid.

07-02-2003, 12:23 AM	#15
ScottG Drow Warrior Join Date: June 13, 2003 Location: Never Never Land Age: 55 Posts: 267	ZarahNeander, I differ with ChaosTheorist on this one (for a pure hybrid). First look at what their primary use will be: ALWAYS physical combat (otherwise go with a pure magic caster or a magic caster dualed to a magic aligned hybrid later). The magical portion will be a distant second (particularly with damage spells). (This isn't to say you can't have your cake and eat it to however - at least most of the time.) Next ascertain its primary form of physical combat. If its a character with formation at the front-line then you need to be able to take hits - which suggests a melee character with substantial hit points. If not then this suggests ranged physical combat. Choose your attributes to max according to the characters use. For instance a Ranger that will focus on ranged combat should look at maxing dexterity and speed first (hit rate and number of attacks). If you think it will be almost exclusivly ranged then the next attribute would be senses followed by strength. (If you intend to dabel in melee then I'd suggest strength followed by senses - but I wouldn't recomend this.) (Of course you might want a Ranger to be a melee expert who dables in ranged combat - which would suggest an alternative attribute concentration.) Now choose your race to fit this profile the best. As far as skills are concerned: physical combat skills are rather easy to increase even if your character is a senseless moron. Magic skills can be difficult to increase for hybrids because higher spell levels are not available until latter (the higher the spell level the faster the skill increase) - ALWAYS allot your skill points first to the magic realm (alchemy for ranger) and then distribute points in those magic skills that you use the least. (Of course train all skills as best you can.) Spells and Powercast. Obviously look for resistances, in addition however (if you can) utilize spells that work with your combat preferance. For ex. when utilizing a ranger as a ranged combat expert then fire off offensive spells like sleep or blinding flash. Even if they don't work you'll still increase your skills. If they do work then you will have a physical combat advantage with a ranged weapon (as well as a defensive advantage). If you need the particular offensive spell to work then look at your party: obviously if someone else has Powercast and the required spell then utilize that character; alternativly if you have a group of weak casters with the same spell then have 3 or more cast the same spell at the same time. I have often utilized this tech. with multiple rangers all at level 50 intelligence. If the monster group is near your level with around a 50% resistance (or less) AND each character fires off the spell at full force (assuming you have the ability) then typically more than 40% of the monster group(s) will sucumb to the spells effect (and because its at full power the spell lasts longer). I particularly love this tech. with magic casting monsters (pop off sleep x3 at full level). This technique typically does NOT work with a single high resistance monster like Nessie. (And of course this technique works well/better with strong magic casters.) Additionally when looking at hybrids, look for defensive spells (rather than offensive spells) to use. This is typically a far better solution (particularly with a Ranger ranged combat expert because of the alchemist book). At higher levels the ranger can use soul shield and element shield. As important - they most likely have Snakespeed and will be "speed" casters who have a better chance of getting up defenses before monsters will strike (something your other magic casters might not be able to do as quickly). Finally, you don't have resistances to counter here. All that said however, I can't really see a reason for choosing a pure hybrid unless its just something new for fun. Which ties in with ChaosTheorist's example of: if you want a fighter get a fighter, not a hybrid.