The Definitive Weapon Styles by Flavor Thread

[Western Paladin]

Contrary to the title, I'm not so arrogant to think that this thread here is the first or will be the last about which weapons and styles (as in Single Weapon Style, Two-Weapon Style, Two-Handed Weapon Style, Sword and Shield Style) fit best conceptually with which classes and characters. I would be interested to hear any opinions board members have, though.

(And no, this is not a "tell me what style to use for my next character" thread. But I will take whatever is said into consideration. [img]smile.gif[/img] )

[Sir Degrader]

By this I'm guessing for powergaming?

K/M: 2H or Dual Weilding. Either the staff/huge swords, or two very specific weapons that'll make you uber.

[Illumina Drathiran'ar]

Two-Fisted Monkey Style...

[Madman-Rogovich]

To be honest, there is no weak weapon style and although as Degrader mentioned dual weapons and 2 handed can be mental, single and shielded have their benefits - especially with some of the more powerful items found later in the game Personally i just tend to RP the weapon and style, although as i generally always play a theif its usually single weapon katana or scimitar with crossbow proficiency that are the favourites (sometimes just going for the dualling daggers works nice too tho )

[Sir Degrader]

Yeah, I'm not sure if dueling is such a good idea, bioware and black isle have gimped them in other games (KOTOR, KOTOR2), so it would make sense. I'd RP really, as Madman said, its easy to be uber, but it gets boring.

[ 12-27-2005, 12:42 PM: Message edited by: Sir Degrader ]

[SixOfSpades]

Dual-wielding: There are so many kickass weapons in the game (especially as you get further and further along) that you just want to use ALL of them! It seems a crying shame to leave any of them behind, so you've got to take advantage of what weapon enchantments you can. Obviously, this is only an option for Warriors, who have the THAC0 to make their offhand strike count for something, and who also have the hitpoints to be able to run around without a Shield. I use this style very sparingly, however, since it's the only one where you can't equip a ranged weapon, and I'm a BIG fan of shooting down the bad guys before they can get to you.

Sword & Shield: Don't EVER throw any of your proficiency points down the toilet that is Sword & Shield Style. What, 2 weapons stars for a piddling -2 AC bonus vs. Missile Weapons? If they made to be against all weapons, it would be worth something, but as it is, it's just crap. This is not to say that Shields are worthless, however--I love love LOVE my Tanks, and use one all the time (except in situations like Dragon battles, when there is no such thing as a Tank). True, a Shield will only get you a -3 to -5 AC bonus, which is rather paltry in BG2, but it's worth it to have 1 character who's that much more difficult for the bad guys to hit. There's a BIG difference between being hit 5% of the time, and 25% of the time.

Two-Handed Weapon: For me, the main reason to use this style is if I have a 2-handed weapon (ranged or melee) that is worth more than 2 1-handed weapons. A lot of ranged weapons fit the bill here, since I almost always have party members that I want to keep out of the fray, but a few melee weapons (such as Carsomyr) are worthwhile as well. There are a lot of good Bows in the game, so this style sees a lot of use with me.

Single Weapon: This style is useful for....Thieves who want to raise their chances of a Critical Backstab from 5% to 10%....and....that's about it. Seriously, get a damn Shield.

[Andraste]

Originally posted by SixOfSpades: Sword & Shield: Don't EVER throw any of your proficiency points down the toilet that is Sword & Shield Style. What, 2 weapons stars for a piddling -2 AC bonus vs. Missile Weapons?

Nervously, timidly and with quivering knees, I'm going to disagree with six <<>> but I usually give Aerie a point in sword and shield. The only weapon I ever bother giving her ever her is a sling, so she can carry a shield as well (some of which carry nice other bonuses) and ideally she is well back, so that missile weapons are all she has to worry about. Plus, where else is it worth putting her proficiency points? It's not as if she uses the sling that much either.

[krunchyfrogg]

You're right, Andraste. I finished the game with Aerie, and she ended up with the Blackblood club as her melee weapon, and never used it! I don't think I ever got into melee combat with her once in the game (which explains how I was able to keep her alive!).

IMHO, the weapon styles are good to add-on to character concepts (except for Two Weapon Fighting). Always choose the weapon proficiencies first, then build the style points around them for a little boost.

Does Sword/Shield style suck? Yeah, pretty much! But it's better than wasting a slot in a weapon you'll never use.

[Sir Degrader]

Sling+Shield=good for AC bonus, especially for mages.

[Armen]

i think you were after a more 'characterful' answer than a 'power' answer, so my unguarded thoughts would be . . .

paladins - as my typical knights of, y'know, yore - paladins should have a shield i reckon for hiding behind when dragons breathe and for carrying their device - 2-handed swords are also perfectly acceptable of course - pretty much any weapon is appropriate i'd say with the possible exception of lightwight scimitar type swords, clubs or quarterstaffs (not too much use against your similarly armoured foes) - also missile weapons would probably be frowned on - certainly they could use these things but wouldn't invest much practice time in them

ranger - the two free *'s in 2-weapon style is a clue and fits well with the lighter armour of most ranger kits - also (if you ignore the slight problem that your average BG2 maxed strength ranger could easily be carrying four sets of plate mail, a halberd, 2 spears, 4 long bows . . . ) i don't see a ranger travelling the wilderness weighed down with a shield - similarly halberds and 2-handed swords are battlefield weapons although the spear is good for hunting - bows of course are perfect and more 'fitting' than crossbows - generally i see swords and axes rather than warhammers, maces and the like

fighter - take your pick based on chracter concept and preference but don't dual wield a scimitar with a warhammer (imho )

thief - the weapons that they're allowed all seem pretty appropriate i think and the inability to use a shield also fits for me

cleric - as you're not going to be skilled enough to wield two-weapons the main choice is shield or no shield - if you're a fighting cleric then shield (and indeed full plate) is the way to go but otherwise, not - ironically it's the 'non' violent cleric character that could most usefully have a shield to protect against missile fire withought interfering with sling use but why would a back row cleric bother to lug one around? come to think of it, it's a shame there aren't any cleric kits that give some bonuses for the choice not to wear armour, more healing spells or something . . .

that'll do for now!