First Solo Attempt - looking for advice

Stonewarrior · 09-29-2005, 05:05 PM

Hi all, I have been playing BG2 for about 8 months and have decided to try a solo campaign. My thinking is that I will go as a half-elf F/M/T, but I am not sure which weapons proficiencies to choose. When I play a fighter I typicaqlly like two handed swords, flails or katanas, a mage I like staff and sling and as a thief I like short bows, katanas or short swords. I have never really taken full advantage of backstabbing (not sure why lol) when playing a thief. I will likely start playing with core rules and only a few mods (no tactic's or the like).

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Peace, John.

Armen · 09-29-2005, 06:44 PM

2 handed swords or flails won't work for backstabs - short swords and katanas will

i only have really one piece of advice and that is that even though you level up quickly as a solo FMT you only get weapon prof points for the fighter levels so you don't get that many to play with - the main decision is whether you want to build a dual-wielder 'cos that uses 3 valuable *s

i'd probably play a FMT as a sniping / backstabbing character so i'd choose weapons for that - a 1-handed weapon style * is good for backstabs as it increases the chance of a critical hit backstab

it's possible to play an FMT and spend most of your time in plate mail using the thief skills in a utility way and the mage spells for summoning and buffing

or you can mainly be an (under-powered) mage who can fight a bit and do the thief thing

actually i find it hard to stick to a character when i play FMTs and usually end up abandoning them

a solo FMT has power to spare though so you can probably go with whatever you want - you don't even have to backstab - how about thinking about your character a bit more broadly in like a back story way and picking weapons like that - personally i don't like the way katanas look with the elf avatars . . .

there's loads of options (obviously)

enjoy:

(there will be loads of threads on this by the way if you want some more prescriptive thoughts)

Stonewarrior · 09-29-2005, 07:02 PM

I am not really looking to do a lot of backstabbing...mainly I wrote that b/c I have never really used it and don't know if I would start now. Another option I have considered is a Swashbuckler/Mage. I have played a Swashbuckler in the past and really enjoyed it. I had him dual weild katanas (CF) and flails (FoA) while occassionally using a long sword. I like the Swashbuckler kit and have thought of using Shadowkeeper to do a multiclass.

As for a F/M/T, if I go that direction a lot would depend on who I was facing at the time. I could see myself focusing on my Mage skills as well as the Fighter skills in battles while primarily using the Thief skills when looking for traps / locks. So with this combo I had thought of katana (for the Zerth blade), staffs for SotM and Slings for when I want to stay back a bit.

Peace, John.

Cam_H · 09-29-2005, 10:19 PM

I think Armen's made a number of good points - I too would lean towards backstabbing options if going with the F/M/T, even though you don't seem to be into it much.

You already have a good grasp of the various weapons in the game, so it largely boils down to a personal preference thing as there are only a few poor choices. I would start with dual weild in Scimitars (Belm and possibly Usuno) and Katanas (CF and Zerth), and swap in the Tuigan Bow, Mace of Disruption, Arbane's Sword, or whatever 'special feature' weapon needed at the time. Crom Fayer and Blackrazor are a couple to bear in mind for later on.

While I think that the F/M/T is the best solo for a first-timer, if you're not planning to backstab I might suggest a Fighter/Mage multiclass as an alternative, and use Stoneskin and Mirror Image to trip traps, and Knock on locks. Just a thought.

Generally with solos, it's good to plan for equipment collection and pursue the necessary quests as soon as practicable. If you intend to dual class (e.g. Berserker-Mage), make sure you leave easy XP quests (e.g. Skinner Murders, Buried Alive, Wellyn, Risa, Madulf, etc.) for quick level ups of the second class.

Andraste · 09-30-2005, 05:32 AM

I understand the first time soloist's urge to get the widest skilled multiclass character possible - you've never played without thief/mage/cleric/fighter before and are nervous of trying. However, the big advantage of the solo is to level up quickly and the F/T/M multiclass throws 2/3rds of this away. You will only level up at double the rate of a single class in a 6 player party. The sorcerer is the easiest class to solo, but if this feels to limiting to you, go for a dual-class rather than a multi.

Iron Greasel · 09-30-2005, 06:43 AM

I suggest you take a thief. multiclass or dualclass if you want, but being able too see traps before walking in them is useful.

I've never touched the zerth blade, mainly because it should have died with Dak'kon. And it looks a bit nerfed.

Andraste · 09-30-2005, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Iron Greasel:
I suggest you take a thief. multiclass or dualclass if you want, but being able too see traps before walking in them is useful.

Unless you've cast Mirror Image and Stoneskin first, in which case you can walk through 99.9% traps without a worry in the world. I only know of only one that causes problems, and it can't be disarmed anyway.

A buffed up mage can rush in where thieves fear to tred.

[ 09-30-2005, 08:05 AM: Message edited by: Andraste ]

Lignoba · 09-30-2005, 02:48 PM

I find that maze is my worst enemy... that and I was a retard and chose my kensai to be a dwarf, so here I am... level 32... only getting HLAs, weapon proficiencies and hit points...

krunchyfrogg · 09-30-2005, 10:42 PM

Why does choosing to be a Dwarf make you a retard?

Dwarves are great solo characters, they can have the highest Hit Points possible, and have better chances of making a saving throw than any other character.

If you had played the character with optimal stats through BGI, he'd even regenerate!

Cam_H · 09-30-2005, 11:06 PM

Lignoba,

On the maze ... spoiler warning ... Ctrl-A to reveal below

The Book of Infinite Spells: Spell Turning is your saviour here (provided you can't flood the battlefield with summons and hope that the mage goes after one of them instead).

It surprised me when it first happened in The Underdark - I saw the fence coming in on my buffed Undead Hunter, and ... "Hang on ... it's centred on the mage!" [img]smile.gif[/img]

09-30-2005, 06:43 AM	#6
Iron Greasel Fzoul Chembryl Join Date: July 13, 2004 Location: Finland Age: 36 Posts: 1,701	I suggest you take a thief. multiclass or dualclass if you want, but being able too see traps before walking in them is useful. I've never touched the zerth blade, mainly because it should have died with Dak'kon. And it looks a bit nerfed. __________________

09-30-2005, 10:42 PM	#9
krunchyfrogg Red Dragon Join Date: February 14, 2004 Location: NY, USA Age: 49 Posts: 1,516	Why does choosing to be a Dwarf make you a retard? Dwarves are great solo characters, they can have the highest Hit Points possible, and have better chances of making a saving throw than any other character. If you had played the character with optimal stats through BGI, he'd even regenerate! __________________ <i>A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.</i><br />- Jackie Robinson<br /><br /> [img]\"http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/3353/salsashark7xl.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

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09-29-2005, 05:05 PM	#1
Stonewarrior Manshoon Join Date: January 10, 2005 Location: Independence, MO Age: 54 Posts: 234	Hi all, I have been playing BG2 for about 8 months and have decided to try a solo campaign. My thinking is that I will go as a half-elf F/M/T, but I am not sure which weapons proficiencies to choose. When I play a fighter I typicaqlly like two handed swords, flails or katanas, a mage I like staff and sling and as a thief I like short bows, katanas or short swords. I have never really taken full advantage of backstabbing (not sure why lol) when playing a thief. I will likely start playing with core rules and only a few mods (no tactic's or the like). Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Peace, John.

09-29-2005, 06:44 PM	#2
Armen Symbol of Cyric Join Date: February 11, 2003 Location: UK Age: 55 Posts: 1,375	2 handed swords or flails won't work for backstabs - short swords and katanas will i only have really one piece of advice and that is that even though you level up quickly as a solo FMT you only get weapon prof points for the fighter levels so you don't get that many to play with - the main decision is whether you want to build a dual-wielder 'cos that uses 3 valuable s i'd probably play a FMT as a sniping / backstabbing character so i'd choose weapons for that - a 1-handed weapon style is good for backstabs as it increases the chance of a critical hit backstab it's possible to play an FMT and spend most of your time in plate mail using the thief skills in a utility way and the mage spells for summoning and buffing or you can mainly be an (under-powered) mage who can fight a bit and do the thief thing actually i find it hard to stick to a character when i play FMTs and usually end up abandoning them a solo FMT has power to spare though so you can probably go with whatever you want - you don't even have to backstab - how about thinking about your character a bit more broadly in like a back story way and picking weapons like that - personally i don't like the way katanas look with the elf avatars . . . there's loads of options (obviously) enjoy: (there will be loads of threads on this by the way if you want some more prescriptive thoughts)

09-29-2005, 07:02 PM	#3
Stonewarrior Manshoon Join Date: January 10, 2005 Location: Independence, MO Age: 54 Posts: 234	I am not really looking to do a lot of backstabbing...mainly I wrote that b/c I have never really used it and don't know if I would start now. Another option I have considered is a Swashbuckler/Mage. I have played a Swashbuckler in the past and really enjoyed it. I had him dual weild katanas (CF) and flails (FoA) while occassionally using a long sword. I like the Swashbuckler kit and have thought of using Shadowkeeper to do a multiclass. As for a F/M/T, if I go that direction a lot would depend on who I was facing at the time. I could see myself focusing on my Mage skills as well as the Fighter skills in battles while primarily using the Thief skills when looking for traps / locks. So with this combo I had thought of katana (for the Zerth blade), staffs for SotM and Slings for when I want to stay back a bit. Peace, John.

09-29-2005, 10:19 PM	#4
Cam_H Zhentarim Guard Join Date: July 12, 2005 Location: Australia, if you must know. Age: 59 Posts: 320	I think Armen's made a number of good points - I too would lean towards backstabbing options if going with the F/M/T, even though you don't seem to be into it much. You already have a good grasp of the various weapons in the game, so it largely boils down to a personal preference thing as there are only a few poor choices. I would start with dual weild in Scimitars (Belm and possibly Usuno) and Katanas (CF and Zerth), and swap in the Tuigan Bow, Mace of Disruption, Arbane's Sword, or whatever 'special feature' weapon needed at the time. Crom Fayer and Blackrazor are a couple to bear in mind for later on. While I think that the F/M/T is the best solo for a first-timer, if you're not planning to backstab I might suggest a Fighter/Mage multiclass as an alternative, and use Stoneskin and Mirror Image to trip traps, and Knock on locks. Just a thought. Generally with solos, it's good to plan for equipment collection and pursue the necessary quests as soon as practicable. If you intend to dual class (e.g. Berserker-Mage), make sure you leave easy XP quests (e.g. Skinner Murders, Buried Alive, Wellyn, Risa, Madulf, etc.) for quick level ups of the second class.

09-30-2005, 05:32 AM	#5
Andraste Manshoon Join Date: June 8, 2003 Location: UK Age: 70 Posts: 182	I understand the first time soloist's urge to get the widest skilled multiclass character possible - you've never played without thief/mage/cleric/fighter before and are nervous of trying. However, the big advantage of the solo is to level up quickly and the F/T/M multiclass throws 2/3rds of this away. You will only level up at double the rate of a single class in a 6 player party. The sorcerer is the easiest class to solo, but if this feels to limiting to you, go for a dual-class rather than a multi.

09-30-2005, 02:48 PM	#8
Lignoba Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: August 17, 2005 Location: Boise Idaho Age: 38 Posts: 41	I find that maze is my worst enemy... that and I was a retard and chose my kensai to be a dwarf, so here I am... level 32... only getting HLAs, weapon proficiencies and hit points...

09-30-2005, 11:06 PM	#10
Cam_H Zhentarim Guard Join Date: July 12, 2005 Location: Australia, if you must know. Age: 59 Posts: 320	Lignoba, On the maze ... spoiler warning ... Ctrl-A to reveal below The Book of Infinite Spells: Spell Turning is your saviour here (provided you can't flood the battlefield with summons and hope that the mage goes after one of them instead). It surprised me when it first happened in The Underdark - I saw the fence coming in on my buffed Undead Hunter, and ... "Hang on ... it's centred on the mage!" [img]smile.gif[/img]

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