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SixOfSpades · 11-09-2001, 01:50 PM

A few notes about Multi- and Dual-classing. This is a very involved, complex subject, so don't expect a short post.
When dealing with EXP caps, it's true that Dual-classing makes the most use of whatever exp you can get, while Multi-classing leaves some experience just hanging off the end, not usable for anything. The upside of being Multi is that both of your classes are always gaining levels, and you're never stuck without any of your skills. Your THAC0 is better than a Dual, but your hitpoints are worse. Also, with a Multi, you're never more than 2-3 levels behind a pure-class character (at least, I don't think so).

What's right for you? Plan ahead. Plan WAY freaking ahead. For instance, I made a Human Thief with 18/18/16 in STR/DEX/CON. When I raise that to 19/19/16, take him to at least Level 13 and Dual him to a Fighter, he is going to have the BACKSTAB FROM HELL--5 stars in Small Sword, STR of 19, Backstab Quintuple Damage, and the Boots of Speed so he can run away, come back and do it again. And I'm wondering if you can still Backstab in Full Plate in BG2.....

Alternatively, build a kickass Fighter with 18 CON. Get him to Blunt+++ Missile+++ Spiked+++, then dual him to Cleric and give him the Claw of Kazgaroth. Know Your Items: The Claw is great, but it gives -2 to CON and weakens your Save vs. Death. No problem: Clerics don't use more than 16 CON anyway, and they innately have a great Save vs. Death. Problem solved, and now you've got a kickass Cleric with 1

something) STR and a huge amount of hitpoints, plus 3 times the weapon stars a straight Cleric could get.

Plan ahead, and you can do things like that. Read the manual over and over, and ask good questions. There are little things like: A Fighter -> Thief will have more HP, while a Thief -> Fighter will have better THAC0.

My guidelines: Don't Multiclass a Fighter, the restriction of not being able to specialize a weapon is too high a price to pay. Don't Dual a spellcaster, as their first half will NEVER be able to learn any more spells. Don't play a Bard. Fighter/Thieves and Cleric/Thieves can Find Traps while wearing armor. (I personally don't like Cleric/Thieves, because their Thievery button is hidden behind their Special Abilities button.) Multiclassed Fighter/Clerics and Ranger/Clerics take FOREVER to level up. Fighter/Thief/Mages and Fighter/Cleric/Mages also take forever, and their hitpoints suck as well.

11-09-2001, 01:50 PM	#7
SixOfSpades Dracolisk Join Date: September 16, 2001 Location: Bellingham, WA, USA Age: 47 Posts: 6,901	A few notes about Multi- and Dual-classing. This is a very involved, complex subject, so don't expect a short post. When dealing with EXP caps, it's true that Dual-classing makes the most use of whatever exp you can get, while Multi-classing leaves some experience just hanging off the end, not usable for anything. The upside of being Multi is that both of your classes are always gaining levels, and you're never stuck without any of your skills. Your THAC0 is better than a Dual, but your hitpoints are worse. Also, with a Multi, you're never more than 2-3 levels behind a pure-class character (at least, I don't think so). What's right for you? Plan ahead. Plan WAY freaking ahead. For instance, I made a Human Thief with 18/18/16 in STR/DEX/CON. When I raise that to 19/19/16, take him to at least Level 13 and Dual him to a Fighter, he is going to have the BACKSTAB FROM HELL--5 stars in Small Sword, STR of 19, Backstab Quintuple Damage, and the Boots of Speed so he can run away, come back and do it again. And I'm wondering if you can still Backstab in Full Plate in BG2..... Alternatively, build a kickass Fighter with 18 CON. Get him to Blunt+++ Missile+++ Spiked+++, then dual him to Cleric and give him the Claw of Kazgaroth. Know Your Items: The Claw is great, but it gives -2 to CON and weakens your Save vs. Death. No problem: Clerics don't use more than 16 CON anyway, and they innately have a great Save vs. Death. Problem solved, and now you've got a kickass Cleric with 1something) STR and a huge amount of hitpoints, plus 3 times the weapon stars a straight Cleric could get. Plan ahead, and you can do things like that. Read the manual over and over, and ask good questions. There are little things like: A Fighter -> Thief will have more HP, while a Thief -> Fighter will have better THAC0. My guidelines: Don't Multiclass a Fighter, the restriction of not being able to specialize a weapon is too high a price to pay. Don't Dual a spellcaster, as their first half will NEVER be able to learn any more spells. Don't play a Bard. Fighter/Thieves and Cleric/Thieves can Find Traps while wearing armor. (I personally don't like Cleric/Thieves, because their Thievery button is hidden behind their Special Abilities button.) Multiclassed Fighter/Clerics and Ranger/Clerics take FOREVER to level up. Fighter/Thief/Mages and Fighter/Cleric/Mages also take forever, and their hitpoints suck as well. __________________ Volothamp's Comeuppance Everything you ever needed to know about the entire Baldur's Gate series......except spoilers.