Whens a good time to dual-class?

[Sir Goulum]

What level is a good time to dual class? Thanks!

[pritchke]

I think it varies on what you have and what you are dual-classing to?

For example of you have a thief and dual-class to a mage then you may want to be at level 6 before doing so to have decent stats in locks and traps, you may decide to go a little higher to increase your stealth ability.

If you have a fighter maybe three or four to get some decent hitpoints before dual-classing. You may decide to go for an extra proficency stat for example you have two in bows and you want a third so you go a few more levels before dualing.

Alot of it is preference but you obviously do not want to go to high.

[ 10-16-2002, 08:25 PM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

[True_Moose]

I played through a game with the following dual-class party

Human fighter
Human fighter
Human fighter 2 -> rogue
Human fighter 2 -> conjurer
Human ranger 2 -> cleric
Half-Elf bard

Worked wonders. Those extra hp and the extra weapon profs make 'em a killing machine.

Other than that, wild guess would be around lvl 8 or so...

[NobleNick]

Sir Goulum,

Let me see if I can get this right. The fighter progression (thru lvl 15) is:

When
Leveling
Up To
LEVEL: . . . The Fighter Gains:
------ . . . ----------------------
(start). . 4 Proficiency Points (PP) and 2 (or is it 1-1/2?) attacks/round (ATT)
3 . . .. . 1 PP
6 . . .. . 1 PP
7 . . .. . 1/2 ATT
9 . . .. . 1PP
12 . . . . 1PP
13 . . . . 1/2 ATT
15 . . . . 1PP

So, it depends on what you want and how much patience you have. I consider the really "sweet spots" for dualing a fighter over to another class to be immediately after leveling up to LEVEL3, LEVEL 7, possibly LEVEL 9, or LEVEL 13. The latter takes a lot of patience.

Assuming you have a character with 18 CON, dualing over at the following levels has the benfits described below. For purposes of illustration, I'll assume you stack you proficiency points as high as you can in a selected weapon.

LEVEL 3: QUICK and easy way to start your mage with 42 extra HP. And be on track to quickly regain 3 point proficiency in bows/missile and 2 point proficiency in a melee weapon (or vice versa). All for the cost of, what, 1500 expo? That *IS* a bargain!! This would be a no-brainer, even for those who want to play a straight non-fighter, except it forces you to use a human.

LEVEL 6: DON'T stop here! An extra 1/2 attack/round is just one level away!

LEVEL 7: Start your character out with an extra 98 HP; and eventually regain 4 point proficiency in one weapon, 2 point in a second, and an extra 1/2 attack per round.

LEVEL 9: 126 HP head start. Go for this break point if you just gotta' have 5 point (grand mastery) in your primary weapon, and you're willing to wait for it.

LEVEL 12 is a possibility, if you want the max allowable 5-point/3-point masteries in melee weapon and bow/missile, respectively; but if you've come this far, why not wait one more level to get the extra 1/2 attack/round?

LEVEL 13: The last reasonable level at which I would advise dualing over, and then ONLY if you have HoW installed AND intend to visit those areas or do the Heart of Fury thing. Also, you need LOTS of patience before you get your fighter skills back. Around a 170 HP headstart, 5-point/3-point weapon masteries, and an extra full attack per round.

I originally thought of LEVEL 3 for several fighters I have slated to dual over to specialist mages; because it *IS* so cheap and easy. But, as I progressed through the game, and contemplated all the extra HP, PP and extra attacks I could have if I waited just a bit longer.... I continually got greedier, until I was PAST the LEVEL 7 sweet spot! I will possibly dual one at LEVEL 9 and one at LEVEL 13, but more likely both at LEVEL 13. I also have a cleric and fighter that will probably dual over to fighter and cleric, respectively, around LEVEL 9.

Party On!

Edited to add more information about levels

[ 10-17-2002, 10:55 PM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]