What to do, what to do.

Butterfingers · 01-07-2003, 08:58 PM

I am leaving the Assassin Cleric on the drawing board for now. I just did my Stormlord game. So, I want something a little different.

Ok. I am brushing off my powergaming character imported from BG1. He is a male human fighter. All of his stats started at 16. After books, he had 17s in everything, except wisdom which was 18. (Took me about 3 and a half hours of rolling to get 16s in every stat)

So... What fighter kit to choose and what class to dual to. He is true Neutral to keep almost all options open.

Berserker Druid looks tempting.

I started thinking about how fearsome a Kensai Druid would be... Barkskin to fix AC, grandmastery in spears, Ironskins for tanking, all those great buffing spells. Then I realized the alignment problems. Argh. Scrapped the thought.

Kensai Mage. Possible option.

Wizard Slayer not an option.

Berserker Mage looks juicy.

Berserker Thief might be entertaining.

Just did a clerical sort of character, so, I don't really want a divine caster mix. Really not sure what I want from this character, or, if I will even pull him out. Might yank my Gnomish Illusionist Thief.

Looking for ideas and options. Or, might forget the drawing board characters from BG and possibly try a Half Orc.

Pyrenk · 01-07-2003, 09:13 PM

I wouldn't suggest Kensai/Mage, as it takes some fun out of the game. Berserker/Mage is a better idea. First, it can use bracers, armor (elven chain comes to mind), and the like. Second, it can rage, gaining valuable hp and immunities. If you want a F/M, take this one. Berserker Thief...has potential. It can wear armor from the beginning, and rage. Once you get UAI and spike traps (just UAI, as a matter of fact) you will be pretty much unstoppable.

Now, a suggestion. Unless you are a roleplayer (and a pure one at that) you can simply recreate a fighter, and modify his stats and proficiencies to match those of your import. SInce you already made that fighter, it isnt really cheating...then you could match the alignment, and make a Kensai Druid. Very good idea, btw.

P.S. Grandmastery in spears, eh...Impaler? Id prefer the Staff of the Woodlands and the elemental staves, but oh well. And iirc, you dont have tob, so no staff of the ram.

Imrahil · 01-07-2003, 09:21 PM

If you want to keep him power-gaming, I'd say go with Kensai-Mage, dualled at 12th or 16th level (probably depending on no-ToB vs ToB, respectively).

No real drawbacks to your Fighter class for being a Mage, awesome spell potential plus great Fighter-type self-buffs available (don't overlook Tenser's Transformation, even though it may seem redundant - double your HP & fight at your Mage level instead of your Kensai level).

When you import him into SoA & get to re-assign your proficiencies, I'd suggest putting them all into Katana & Dual Wield. If you are using the Tactics Mod, Improved Celestial Fury + Senchuudoku is amazing! [img]smile.gif[/img]

For fun, reset your PLAYERHASSTRONGHOLD variable to 0 after getting Nalia's Keep to have the Keep & get the Planar Sphere both (yes, if you haven't guessed, I've played this combination & it's fun [img]smile.gif[/img] ).

- Imrahil

Pyrenk · 01-07-2003, 09:24 PM

Small problem...he can't exactly get the mods on his mac. Also, Sanchy is too powerful...It kills anything that can hit you with melee or magic (lol).

Sorry for speaking for you, butterfingers...couldn't help it.

[ 01-07-2003, 09:25 PM: Message edited by: Pyrenk ]

Butterfingers · 01-07-2003, 09:44 PM

Kensais must be lawful, Druids must be true neutral. It would never work unless you cheated, something I am not in the mood to do. Cheating BAD. Period. I abuse the game as much as possible with in it's own confines, just to see what the game will allow, but, I will not actually cheat. I have been known to modify just a touch however for role playing purposes. I created a Drow Cleric in BG just to see what it was like. Complete with 50% magic resistance. And in BG, it was a pain in the hind end. (The only Mac editor is rather half arsed and only works with BG1, but, it crashes badly and can and will corrupt your entire hard drive. Ick)

Last few games, there has been the Celery Fury. I want something a little different this time. Looking at spears mostly. Possibly halbreds.

That said, I might do a Berserker Mage. Kensai is not an option because of alignment. If I do, I could go spears, or, be really crazy and get grandmastery in daggers. Hello Firetooth!

No mods, no bonus merchants, no nothing but vanilla SoA. Survive on wits alone, can't rely on super powerful super items from bonus merchants.

Also, on this run, plan to kick the difficulty up one notch from normal rules. Must take this into account.

Desuma Malevois · 01-07-2003, 09:57 PM

Actually, kensai's must be non-chaotic - it's monks that must be lawful. There is no reason why your true neutral fighter can't become a kensai and dual to druid if you want him to.

[ 01-07-2003, 09:59 PM: Message edited by: Desuma Malevois ]

Pyrenk · 01-07-2003, 10:05 PM

So sayeth the mighty Desuma. Go the halberd way, Im using a halberd kensai [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 01-07-2003, 10:05 PM: Message edited by: Pyrenk ]

Imrahil · 01-08-2003, 12:03 AM

I don't know if the Tactics Mod can be used with a Mac, but if so, you can add difficulty without adding benefits. Installing all the "Improved [monster]" stuff w/o adding anything else will boost the difficulty but not aid you in any way (some of the other stuff - Acid Kensai, obviously, add difficulty but also add extra items).

I'd still go Dual wielding Kensai though, even un-Mod'ed. Use Celestial Fury & a regular Katana/Malakar/Hindo's Doom (last deep in Watcher's Keep, alas). Kensai + Celestial Fury (+ anything) is entertaining. I'll admit it was not my most enjoyable run through from a game-play aspect (most fun was a good-aligned Mage/Thief, but, you did say this character was from a power-gaming background [img]smile.gif[/img] ), but as far as killing-everything-in-sight goes, it was fun.

- Imrahil

Lemmy · 01-08-2003, 12:39 AM

Butterfingers:
"I want something a little different this time. Looking at spears mostly."

...Spears?! Say no more! When you need spears, there's always one paramilitary organization at your beck and call. You know which.

And those stats? Beautifully sculpted for the leader of said organization. Or, that's what he wants his recruits to think. And, indeed, what place could be better for him than the City of Coin?

For dual-classing: I don't see him as a mage. Thief, definitely. Ohhh, yes.

-Lem

karlosovic · 01-08-2003, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lemmy:
Butterfingers:
"I want something a little different this time. Looking at spears mostly."

...Spears?! Say no more! When you need spears, there's always one paramilitary organization at your beck and call. You know which.

er.... I don't (it's probably obvious though)

ps. don't blame you, I keep looking at all the other weapon types thinking "there must be something worth using in these catagories"
it's only ever swords or FoA/crom feyer (with maybe a wave thrown in once in a blue moon)

btw... why is spear a 2-handed weapon ??? in every other fantasy/medieval world regular soldiers are most commonly equipped with spear + shield. If I could use a shield with it, I might be tempted to actually use a spear sometimes
(would it work to shadow keeper a shield into his hand ?)

[ 01-08-2003, 08:34 AM: Message edited by: karlosovic ]

01-07-2003, 09:13 PM	#2
Pyrenk Symbol of Cyric Join Date: January 2, 2003 Location: Old Bethpage, Long Island Age: 37 Posts: 1,156	I wouldn't suggest Kensai/Mage, as it takes some fun out of the game. Berserker/Mage is a better idea. First, it can use bracers, armor (elven chain comes to mind), and the like. Second, it can rage, gaining valuable hp and immunities. If you want a F/M, take this one. Berserker Thief...has potential. It can wear armor from the beginning, and rage. Once you get UAI and spike traps (just UAI, as a matter of fact) you will be pretty much unstoppable. Now, a suggestion. Unless you are a roleplayer (and a pure one at that) you can simply recreate a fighter, and modify his stats and proficiencies to match those of your import. SInce you already made that fighter, it isnt really cheating...then you could match the alignment, and make a Kensai Druid. Very good idea, btw. P.S. Grandmastery in spears, eh...Impaler? Id prefer the Staff of the Woodlands and the elemental staves, but oh well. And iirc, you dont have tob, so no staff of the ram. __________________

01-07-2003, 09:24 PM	#4
Pyrenk Symbol of Cyric Join Date: January 2, 2003 Location: Old Bethpage, Long Island Age: 37 Posts: 1,156	Small problem...he can't exactly get the mods on his mac. Also, Sanchy is too powerful...It kills anything that can hit you with melee or magic (lol). Sorry for speaking for you, butterfingers...couldn't help it. [ 01-07-2003, 09:25 PM: Message edited by: Pyrenk ] __________________

01-07-2003, 09:57 PM	#6
Desuma Malevois Emerald Dragon Join Date: March 20, 2001 Location: Louisville, KY, USA Age: 65 Posts: 967	Actually, kensai's must be non-chaotic - it's monks that must be lawful. There is no reason why your true neutral fighter can't become a kensai and dual to druid if you want him to. [ 01-07-2003, 09:59 PM: Message edited by: Desuma Malevois ] __________________ Guerilla gourmet, and proprieter of the KFA.<br /><br />\"It\'s all part of the master plan.\"

01-07-2003, 10:05 PM	#7
Pyrenk Symbol of Cyric Join Date: January 2, 2003 Location: Old Bethpage, Long Island Age: 37 Posts: 1,156	So sayeth the mighty Desuma. Go the halberd way, Im using a halberd kensai [img]smile.gif[/img] [ 01-07-2003, 10:05 PM: Message edited by: Pyrenk ] __________________

01-07-2003, 08:58 PM	#1
Butterfingers Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: November 30, 2002 Location: Five Flagons Inn Posts: 633	I am leaving the Assassin Cleric on the drawing board for now. I just did my Stormlord game. So, I want something a little different. Ok. I am brushing off my powergaming character imported from BG1. He is a male human fighter. All of his stats started at 16. After books, he had 17s in everything, except wisdom which was 18. (Took me about 3 and a half hours of rolling to get 16s in every stat) So... What fighter kit to choose and what class to dual to. He is true Neutral to keep almost all options open. Berserker Druid looks tempting. I started thinking about how fearsome a Kensai Druid would be... Barkskin to fix AC, grandmastery in spears, Ironskins for tanking, all those great buffing spells. Then I realized the alignment problems. Argh. Scrapped the thought. Kensai Mage. Possible option. Wizard Slayer not an option. Berserker Mage looks juicy. Berserker Thief might be entertaining. Just did a clerical sort of character, so, I don't really want a divine caster mix. Really not sure what I want from this character, or, if I will even pull him out. Might yank my Gnomish Illusionist Thief. Looking for ideas and options. Or, might forget the drawing board characters from BG and possibly try a Half Orc.

01-07-2003, 09:21 PM	#3
Imrahil Elminster Join Date: November 4, 2001 Location: North Carolina, USA Posts: 469	If you want to keep him power-gaming, I'd say go with Kensai-Mage, dualled at 12th or 16th level (probably depending on no-ToB vs ToB, respectively). No real drawbacks to your Fighter class for being a Mage, awesome spell potential plus great Fighter-type self-buffs available (don't overlook Tenser's Transformation, even though it may seem redundant - double your HP & fight at your Mage level instead of your Kensai level). When you import him into SoA & get to re-assign your proficiencies, I'd suggest putting them all into Katana & Dual Wield. If you are using the Tactics Mod, Improved Celestial Fury + Senchuudoku is amazing! [img]smile.gif[/img] For fun, reset your PLAYERHASSTRONGHOLD variable to 0 after getting Nalia's Keep to have the Keep & get the Planar Sphere both (yes, if you haven't guessed, I've played this combination & it's fun [img]smile.gif[/img] ). - Imrahil

01-07-2003, 09:44 PM	#5
Butterfingers Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: November 30, 2002 Location: Five Flagons Inn Posts: 633	Kensais must be lawful, Druids must be true neutral. It would never work unless you cheated, something I am not in the mood to do. Cheating BAD. Period. I abuse the game as much as possible with in it's own confines, just to see what the game will allow, but, I will not actually cheat. I have been known to modify just a touch however for role playing purposes. I created a Drow Cleric in BG just to see what it was like. Complete with 50% magic resistance. And in BG, it was a pain in the hind end. (The only Mac editor is rather half arsed and only works with BG1, but, it crashes badly and can and will corrupt your entire hard drive. Ick) Last few games, there has been the Celery Fury. I want something a little different this time. Looking at spears mostly. Possibly halbreds. That said, I might do a Berserker Mage. Kensai is not an option because of alignment. If I do, I could go spears, or, be really crazy and get grandmastery in daggers. Hello Firetooth! No mods, no bonus merchants, no nothing but vanilla SoA. Survive on wits alone, can't rely on super powerful super items from bonus merchants. Also, on this run, plan to kick the difficulty up one notch from normal rules. Must take this into account.

01-08-2003, 12:03 AM	#8
Imrahil Elminster Join Date: November 4, 2001 Location: North Carolina, USA Posts: 469	I don't know if the Tactics Mod can be used with a Mac, but if so, you can add difficulty without adding benefits. Installing all the "Improved [monster]" stuff w/o adding anything else will boost the difficulty but not aid you in any way (some of the other stuff - Acid Kensai, obviously, add difficulty but also add extra items). I'd still go Dual wielding Kensai though, even un-Mod'ed. Use Celestial Fury & a regular Katana/Malakar/Hindo's Doom (last deep in Watcher's Keep, alas). Kensai + Celestial Fury (+ anything) is entertaining. I'll admit it was not my most enjoyable run through from a game-play aspect (most fun was a good-aligned Mage/Thief, but, you did say this character was from a power-gaming background [img]smile.gif[/img] ), but as far as killing-everything-in-sight goes, it was fun. - Imrahil

01-08-2003, 12:39 AM	#9
Lemmy Manshoon Join Date: October 20, 2002 Location: Montgomery, AL Age: 41 Posts: 157	Butterfingers: "I want something a little different this time. Looking at spears mostly." ...Spears?! Say no more! When you need spears, there's always one paramilitary organization at your beck and call. You know which. And those stats? Beautifully sculpted for the leader of said organization. Or, that's what he wants his recruits to think. And, indeed, what place could be better for him than the City of Coin? For dual-classing: I don't see him as a mage. Thief, definitely. Ohhh, yes. -Lem

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