Solo class

[Ninj]

Greetings all, tis my first time posting here at Ironworks, and naturally, I have a question. [img]smile.gif[/img] I've gone through the game several times, and now I am pondering soloing. As this will be my first solo attempt, I would like to solitcate your opinion on which class would be easiest to solo with.

I've heard that a sorcerer is the easiest, but with a limited spell list, I am uncertain. I also heard good things about the Monk since due to his clerical level-up table, he can rapidly level-up and gain several substanial resistances. I'm sure that most (if not all) classes are good soloing classes, so I am uncertain.

So there is my question! Hope to hear from you guys soon! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[LennonCook]

The Sorcerer's limited spell list isn't realy much of a liability, and they *are* powerful. Arguably the most powerful single class in the game.
But, if you want easy, a Sorc isn't for you. You have to choose the right spells to be effective. Try a fighter/mage. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[White Lancer]

Firstly, Welcome to Ironworks! [img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]

As for your first solo, mine was a straight mage, but if you want to cover all your bases, you could try the 'Swiss army knife' Fighter/Mage/Thief. Although this is a bit limiting with only SoA installed, if you have ToB, it can be a very powerful class.

I would recomend using a sorcerer only if you know the spell system very well. As for your spell picks, you could look at Dundee Slaytern's Solo Sorcerer Spell List, which can be found Baldur's Gate II - Spells Reference is an excelent resource on all manner of tactics and cheese.

[Mahlennacht]

[i][A Blade is also similar to a fighter/mage and is not hard at all, once you go up several levels, as I found out my first time solo; of course no xp cap also helps a lot... you get increased lore so identifying is less of a hassle, and the spin moves are killer... even though you max out your mage spells at 6th level spells, it's not a problem]

[ 06-04-2003, 02:52 AM: Message edited by: Mahlennacht ]

[Faceman]

Easiest should be the F/M/T if you have ToB or a dualed Fighter/Mage (dual at start) even better the infamous Kensai/Mage.

[Ninj]

Yes, I've heard good things about the Fighter-Mages and Sorcerers. And I must say, having the sheer amount of power that the Sorcerer holds appeals to my ego. The Fighter-Mage is also quite powerful from what I hear, but I am wondering, what sort of equipment would best equip a Fighter-Mage/Sorcerer for survival just out of Chateau Irenicus?

And I am also wondering on what order should I do the quests? Does anyone has a list of easy quests that can provide for a few level-ups until I gain enough power to tackle the tougher quests and eventually, Jon Irenicus himself?

And many thanks for your welcome! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[TaSSaDaR]

My first solo experience was a generalist mage. He was definitely great&powerful, to the extent of absolute nonsense. I abandoned him in the Underdark, where the game lost its interest. After that I bought ToB and started to solo a sorc. He is the best, but without Dundee's list and numerous advices from this very forum I wouldn't have managed to survive. Sorc is very powerful, but tough to play at the beginning.

The same can be said about every solo class, I think. Every class solo is definitely powerful at higher levels (the game difficulty is made for ~6 party members gaining all the XP, and now one comes and levels absurdly fast. No wonder that he becomes a demigod soon).

Try something like F/M - IMHO thats the easiest one out there. BTW, now I am soloing a Blade, and he is fun too - you just have to squize every resource possible, but it makes all the battles ultimately great.

Good luck, fellow soloist [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 06-04-2003, 04:13 AM: Message edited by: TaSSaDaR ]

[Dundee Slaytern]

Hmmmm... if by several times you mean more than 5, and on some of those occasions you chose a Mage/Sorcerer protagonist, and you feel comfortable with the spell system, a Sorcerer might be possible for your first solo.

No guarantee though, and not what I would recommend.

Soloing and Partying are two different ball games. Encounters you thought difficult with a party may become easier with soloing, encounters you thought easy with a party may become harder with soloing.

Since this is your first time soloing, I would rather recommend the Fighter/Mage first. It's more forgiving if you make a mistake. A mistake made with a Sorcerer will punish you severely in the long run.

Some tips when soloing... ...

1) If you are in Chap2-3 and are low-level, walk around Amn only in the daytime. If it is night, enter the nearest inn and rest.

2) Obtain your protection spells ASAP. Do not bother waiting for them to drop as loot. Important spells to get include, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Stoneskin, Spell Immunity, Mislead, Protection from Magical Weapons, etc... ...

3) Web + Spider Spawn will tide you over most of the early battles. Greater Malison + Emotion is another wicked combo. When you can cast Spell Sequencer, GM+Em+Slow is a deadly combination.

4) Trademeet is every soloist's dream. Easy to do, plenty of XP, plenty of cash, and some of the best items in the game.

5) De'Arnise Keep can get hairy for a soloist. Consider postponing it for a while.

6) Copper Coronet is a good place to get XP in Chap2. The second half of the quest however, can be postponed till you gain some levels.

7) If you can bear the inconvenience of not casting spells in the open, don't pay the Cowled Wizards. Wait until you become of a sufficiently high level and attract their attention, proceeding to kill all of them squad by squad( 6 in all), day by day. Otherwise, just pay them 5000 gold.

8) DO NOT ENTER THE PLANAR SPHERE UNTIL YOUR MAGE'S LEVEL IS 15+ Feel free to ignore this though... if you want a challenge.

9) The Graveyard District has many small quests and tombs to explore. Be careful though.

10) Umar Hills has many good sources of XP in the town itself. The main quest however... can wait until your Fighter's level is 13+

11) Windspear Hills can wait until your Fighter's level is about 15+

12) Cult of the Unseeing Eye. Only two ways to go about it. Buy the shield and go there ASAP. Skip the shield and wait until your Mage's level is about 15+

13) When your reputation is 12+, go talk to the Paladins in the Noble Order of the Most Radiant Heart.

Etc... ...

[Ninj]

My thanks for the many useful suggestions as per for the Fighter-Mage, I've just started an Elven Fighter-Mage, and just skipped Chateau Irenicus (I am getting rather annoyed of that duegon...) and I've just got past the Circus, so I'm at levels 8/9 or so atm.

I'm considering taking screenshots and making a story out of each boss I confront. I've heard it was done before, but I've never seen anything like that as of yet. Should be fun! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Now what would one suggest for good equipment for a Fighter-Mage? Since I've never played a Fighter-Mage, I am rather interested on what equipment would complment the F-M. Robes of Vercna is a must, as well as those Bracers of AC 3, but other than that two pieces of equipment, I am rather clueless.

And as for Sorcerer, I believe I might just try that class a solo or two down the road, as that is my favorite class when partying! All that sheer power... [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Nerull]

Originally posted by Ninj: Now what would one suggest for good equipment for a Fighter-Mage? Since I've never played a Fighter-Mage, I am rather interested on what equipment would complment the F-M. Robes of Vercna is a must, as well as those Bracers of AC 3, but other than that two pieces of equipment, I am rather clueless.

Possible Spoilers
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Belt of Inertial Barrier is a nice protective device (the resistance to magic damage and bonus to breath weapons saves will prove handy). Ring of Gaxx of course, but will be a little hard to get. Cloak of the Sewers will prove handy (change to troll to regenerate quickly). Just a few off the top of my head!