Soliciting Opinions

[Illumina Drathiran'ar]

Considering the fact that people solo fighters and mages and thieves (Oh my!), I think half a druid is more than adequate. And with Ironskins, she makes a fine tank. Add on several druidic and fighter HLA's and she becomes a veritable death machine.

[Andraste]

If you've never played Jaheira, I'd say that she is a definte. Her romance is the most complex, and she has the most sub-quests of any NPC. Also the fighter/druid class has fair bit in common with the ranger/cleric that you liked.

Imoen is one of my favourite chars, but since you've just played her, you could try Jan.

Between these two, you have all 4 main roles covered (figter, cleric, mage and thief) so you have a completly free hand as to what to pick for your player char. Having recently had a lot of fun with a beserker, and since you say you like mellee, I can recommend the kit.

[Pop 'n Fresh]

Solo is the only way you can challenge yourself if you've already played it through once.
I have never finished the game but my new solo wild mage (ToB) is a breeze.

[Cam_H]

Originally posted by Pop 'n Fresh: Solo is the only way you can challenge yourself if you've already played it through once.

Well, that Tactics mod can provide a few challenges, as well as the Tougher Bhaalspawns to name but two (Ascension's another that can add some grunt come to think of it). I'd be inclined to recommend to steer clear of installing these mods if a player is still finding the basic game a challenge. (Note: some of the linked sites may lead to spoilers).

I like solo-ing too, although Aladinsane seems to be looking for a balanced party of three with "good dialogue". Certainly part of the game could be solo-ed, adding in the chosen NPCs as they became available.

[Aladinsane]

Thanks to all of you for the feedback. I think I'm going to pick up Jaheira and Yoshimo -> Imoen and play as a multiclass elven fighter/mage. With respect to the challenge of soloing, I have a solo sorcerer project that I pull out when I feel the need for a solo fix. It's my first effort at soloing. He is about 50,000 XP shy of 14th level. That project has been in mothballs for quite some time while I've been playing my last campaign. Anyway, off to new adventures.

[Cam_H]

Aladinsane,

Best of luck with your game. You have a very powerful party there (indeed I think that I've done the same party myself a couple of years ago). Playing with a smaller group will probably pose a few challenges for a little while when compared to what you've been used to in full parties of six, but you'll probably be surprised how quickly you go through Chapter 5 for instance.

As for the solo Sorcerer, it too is powerful, but later on it becomes excessive (unless you have really bad spell choices) and makes a mockery of the game, particularly around the end of SoA. Nonetheless, I'd say that if you like BG2, it's good to at least have a go at solo-ing once.

[Bithron]

Now I feel weird I've never multi- or dual-classed...

[krunchyfrogg]

Originally posted by Bithron: Now I feel weird I've never multi- or dual-classed...

Really? You're missing out on the most powerful characters possible, IMHO.

[Aladinsane]

I'm a big fan of multiclasses, especially elven fighter/mages, fighter/thieves, and mage/thieves. I really like to be able to do a lot with my characters, have a lot of skills. I think that's why I enjoyed the half elven ranger/cleric so much. Spellcasting and fighting all in one. The slower leveling doesn't bother me. Oh, and I went with Jan instead of Yoshimo -> Imoen so I've never played all the way through with Jan, I've only used him as a stop gap before.

[Andraste]

Dual classing can be viewed as a way to beef up a single class, to the point of cheesiness. This is undoubtedly why it is impossible to dual to the kits. However, if you want to play a single class that can be dualed to, then there is no down side to starting as something else and dualling to that class once you have acquired the benefit you want - especially if you have not removed the experience cap.

Subtract the experience points for the highest level you can achieve from the cap. These point are effectively going to waste. And even if you dual to your second class at level one, for a measly 1000 exp points, these are the sort of bonus talents you can gain.

level 1 mage -> fighter = a fighter who can use scrolls and wands while wearing full armour

level 1 fighter -> mage = a mage who can use any weapon (long bows are my favourite)

level 1 ranger -> cleric = a cleric with 2* in dual wielding who will gain all the druid spells as well.

And of course, you will advance in your main class just as quickly as a single class character, which to my mind, is where the dual really wins out over the multi.

With each incarnation, the D&D rules have been nerfing the power of dual class characters. 1st ed duals were ridiculously overpowered since it overrode the class restrictions (mages could cast spell while wearing armour, clerics could use any weapon). By the 3rd edition rules I find that dualling is just not worth it anymore.