Shapwshifter Q

[Maxamus]

Well I've played alot of classes throguh the first chapters, I don't like any of the ones I've selected. I decided to go with a rpiest this tiem around, but didn't want to be soem goody to shoes, and i didn't like Talo's attributes, so I went to druid.

Long story short, I picked Shapeshifter. Are they good as a class, and what are soem tricks with them?

[Maxamus]

BUMP says my mighty hampster!!

[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs]

if you bump ever again, i'm going to hack my way into your computer, download 12 gigs of child porn onto it, make sure you get sent to prison, and then arrange to have you drowned in a toilet by someone named Bubba in the first week. Then i'll hang up your family by their ankles until the blood in their brains makes their heads explode. NOT REALLY!! JUST KIDDING!! but really now, bumping IS evil. so don't do it.

personally, i like Avengers and Totemic Druids much better. Avengers have a much wider selection (and can wear armor) while Totemics can send off their army of spirits and still cast spells left and right. Shapeshifters are kinda weak, in my opinion. Besides, you can always get Cernd, who is a pretty good shapeshifter in his own right. it is your choice, but the no-armor restriction is quite irritating. Quite irritating. Almost as irritating as bumping.

EDIT: as a priest, you can play a neutral or evil priest with no kit, decline your stronghold, and act like you are supporting some other god. (Viconia's Shar, for instance, or Tempus like that dude in the fighter stronghold) You don't have to shun clerics because you don't like chaos. Druids and Clerics are NOT the same.

[ 06-15-2002, 12:08 AM: Message edited by: Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs ]

[Maxamus]

I love chaos, but Talos is just a little to far from my tastes

By the way
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BUMP BUMP BUMP!! J/k I won't do it again

[Nerull]

Originally posted by Maxamus: Well I've played alot of classes throguh the first chapters, I don't like any of the ones I've selected. I decided to go with a rpiest this tiem around, but didn't want to be soem goody to shoes, and i didn't like Talo's attributes, so I went to druid. Long story short, I picked Shapeshifter. Are they good as a class, and what are soem tricks with them?

See the thread I posted called "Druid recommendations." Everyone hates the Shapeshifter (though it is a really cool concept, just not well designed in the game). Here are some recommendations for kits for each of the character types:

Fighter- Kensai is really good (especially when dual-classed to mage or thief), and so is the Berserker (the rage ability gives a lot of good immunities). Wizard Slayer is not that good (unable to use healing potions, good rings, etc.)

Ranger- Archers are awesome (very powerful). Stalkers are decent (gets backstabbing abilities for a ranger). Beastmaster is not that good (can only use wooden weapons, so miss out on all good weapons)

Paladin- All are good in their own way. Cavalier is great against demons and dragons, both some of the toughest monsters in the game (they have good immunities, too). Inquisitor is great at disabling enemy spellcasters. Undead Slayer will hack through any number of vampires, liches, etc.

Barbarian- Can't be as good as a fighter skill-wise in weapons, and can't wear plate armors, but is still very strong (immune to backstab, rage ability, and extra hit points), especially as a half-orc.

Cleric- Priests of Helm (neutral) have the ability to cast True Sight, which is extremely useful in this game. The other 2 types of priests are decent, though (Boon of Lathander is useful to resist energy drain, while Talosian priest cast lightning bolt).

Druid- Never played one, but from the thread that people responded to, people do not like the Shapeshifter (don't get all the werewolf abilities like regeneration). They say the Avenger is good for shapeshifting (salamander form very powerful). However, people lean towards the Totemic Druid (summon creatures instead of shapeshifting yourself).

Monk- Powergamer heaven. They start slow, but eventually become extremely powerful (strong unarmed attacks, high magic resistance, etc.).

Thief- All are good in their own way. If your favorite tactic is backstabbing, no one does it better than the Assassin (he's just not as good with the other thief skills). The Bounty Hunter's traps are excellent. The swashbuckler is also decent (better straight-up combat skills, but no backstab).

Bard- The blade is decent in combat with his offensive and defensive spins, but bard song doesn't improve until ToB. Jester is mediocre at best, but confusion song can be useful. Skald is decent in combat, and keeps most of the bard skills (pick pocket not as good).

Wizard- Conjurer is probably the best specialty, because you lose the least (Divination spells are mediocre except for True Sight, and clerics get that spell one spell level earlier than mages). Conversely, Divination is one of the weakest (for the reason is listed above), and Evocation is weak as well (the only specialty that loses access to 2 schools). If you have ToB installed, the Wild Mage becomes available (gets extra spells like specialist, no barred schools, but have random chance for mishap with each spell cast; lots of fun [img]smile.gif[/img] ).

Sorcerer- I actually don't recommend this class for beginning players, though they are quite powerful if planned properly. Why? A sorcerer gets only a limited number of spells that they can know, and once you know a spell, the only way to get rid of it is by cheating. However, they can cast spells without preparing in advance, and can cast a spell as many times as the have uses available. If spells are picked right, the sorcerer is extremely trong. If spells are picked wrong, you will have a rough time of it.

Hope this helps!

[Maxamus]

They do thanks

[Zuvio]

Whazzup with the bumping. Iznogood?

Oh yeah, and my question: When your shapeshifter shifts shape, why is then unable to speak? Bears have vocal cords also and you dont lose your INT do you?

[ 06-15-2002, 08:09 AM: Message edited by: Zuvio ]

[Dundee Slaytern]

Originally posted by Zuvio: Oh yeah, and my question: When your shapeshifter shifts shape, why is then unable to speak? Bears have vocal cords also and you dont lose your INT do you?

Tis because he/she no longer have human vocal cords... ...

[Northraven]

Just to clarify on something Nerull said...I have a PC Invoker and the only school blocked to me is Enchantment/Charm I am able to learn all the Conjuration/Summoning spells. With this in mind, I think Invoker is one of the better specialty Mages because IMHO the Ench/Chrm spells in the game are really not that useful.

[Nerull]

Originally posted by Northraven: Just to clarify on something Nerull said...I have a PC Invoker and the only school blocked to me is Enchantment/Charm I am able to learn all the Conjuration/Summoning spells. With this in mind, I think Invoker is one of the better specialty Mages because IMHO the Ench/Chrm spells in the game are really not that useful.

Really! I guess they changed it from BG1 (and did not update the manual, either).