Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - Dual-Classing... Is it as bad as it looks?

Scatter · 09-24-2003, 01:28 AM

I'm currently in a solo, and the development has been: Alchemist L1; Ranger L2,3,4; Rogue L5; Bishop Ls 6-9; Mage L10; Ranger L11; Bishop Ls 12 to now (14 as of this post), planning on returning to Ranger at L16 (if i go Ranger sooner, i'll delay Portal by a level: My caster level is quite interesting, in Wiz and Alc i'm a level ahead of Psi and Div, but i've been able to learn spells that are BOTH Wiz and Alc one level earlier than those that are just one of those, while Div and Psi are another level behind (unless combined with Wiz/Alc). The Mage level was to K-K practise the Wizardry up to make it work that way.
I started as an Alchemist for the immediate ability to mix potions and cast heal (starting with 15 Alc), and also the extra Dex, which is always my first 100. I took a Human, because i wanted to have the most Attribute points. When i return to Ranger total Character level will determine my mods in combat and resistance, as though i'd been a Ranger the whole time. I did a similar progression with Bard-to-Ranger, but i found i really missed X-Ray (and Portal took longer), so this time i decided for enough Bishop levels for that, and to get Soul Shield up to acceptable reliability at PL4 (enough resistance with 100 in Mental and an Amulet of Healing)
L11 was my Dual-Wield/Close/Mace practise level, driving Dual up to 80 with hammers against Metalic Slimes (so little damage i got enough whacks per slime it only took a total of around 20, and a couple dozen assorted rats and 3 Emeralds) This made it possible to get enough whacks per round to survive being a Bishop.
I'm mostly a run-close-and-slash type; with tiny parties you want the most damage you can get out of a round, and (esp if i get a Light) melee is the way to do that. But i did practise with a sling some on the dummies on the Rocket range, and with a Musket as a Ranger on some Blooddrinkers in the Swamp (intending on getting a Phaser--yes Ranger instawhack adds to the 5 on it)...
The early Ranger levels make it possible to survive, and help immensly with HP, too, always kinda drastic in a solo.
The hardest part is making it out of that first level. I started a Fighter out of the Start menu, and repeated until there was a dagger in the chest on the beach, and recycled to Alchemist before killing anything. I used the nice Fighter armor and shield, and the door, to survive the crabs and slimes and dragged the first random spawn to the door (more Greens). Coulda been in Ironmode--haven't been killed yet. But i want to be able to reload Jan-Ette.

[ 09-24-2003, 01:28 AM: Message edited by: Scatter ]

09-24-2003, 01:28 AM	#5
Scatter Symbol of Cyric Join Date: August 17, 2003 Location: Portland Age: 66 Posts: 1,336	I'm currently in a solo, and the development has been: Alchemist L1; Ranger L2,3,4; Rogue L5; Bishop Ls 6-9; Mage L10; Ranger L11; Bishop Ls 12 to now (14 as of this post), planning on returning to Ranger at L16 (if i go Ranger sooner, i'll delay Portal by a level: My caster level is quite interesting, in Wiz and Alc i'm a level ahead of Psi and Div, but i've been able to learn spells that are BOTH Wiz and Alc one level earlier than those that are just one of those, while Div and Psi are another level behind (unless combined with Wiz/Alc). The Mage level was to K-K practise the Wizardry up to make it work that way. I started as an Alchemist for the immediate ability to mix potions and cast heal (starting with 15 Alc), and also the extra Dex, which is always my first 100. I took a Human, because i wanted to have the most Attribute points. When i return to Ranger total Character level will determine my mods in combat and resistance, as though i'd been a Ranger the whole time. I did a similar progression with Bard-to-Ranger, but i found i really missed X-Ray (and Portal took longer), so this time i decided for enough Bishop levels for that, and to get Soul Shield up to acceptable reliability at PL4 (enough resistance with 100 in Mental and an Amulet of Healing) L11 was my Dual-Wield/Close/Mace practise level, driving Dual up to 80 with hammers against Metalic Slimes (so little damage i got enough whacks per slime it only took a total of around 20, and a couple dozen assorted rats and 3 Emeralds) This made it possible to get enough whacks per round to survive being a Bishop. I'm mostly a run-close-and-slash type; with tiny parties you want the most damage you can get out of a round, and (esp if i get a Light) melee is the way to do that. But i did practise with a sling some on the dummies on the Rocket range, and with a Musket as a Ranger on some Blooddrinkers in the Swamp (intending on getting a Phaser--yes Ranger instawhack adds to the 5 on it)... The early Ranger levels make it possible to survive, and help immensly with HP, too, always kinda drastic in a solo. The hardest part is making it out of that first level. I started a Fighter out of the Start menu, and repeated until there was a dagger in the chest on the beach, and recycled to Alchemist before killing anything. I used the nice Fighter armor and shield, and the door, to survive the crabs and slimes and dragged the first random spawn to the door (more Greens). Coulda been in Ironmode--haven't been killed yet. But i want to be able to reload Jan-Ette. [ 09-24-2003, 01:28 AM: Message edited by: Scatter ]