thief/sorcerer?

[Iron Greasel]

Is it possible to somehow cheat in a thief/sorcerer multi- or dual class? I'd like to make some sort of solo juggernaut of ultimate destruction, but really can't think of playing the game without someone to disarm traps.

[True_Moose]

Nope. The sorcerer is hardcoded, and it's a different class than mage, so no multiclasses.

A couple of things that have to do with modding. In the Ding0Tweak pack, there is an option where NPCs and summons set off traps. Also, in Ease-of-Use, there is a component that turns off traps completely (though this is a little excessive for my personal taste.

The RPG Dungeon Kit Pack contains a couple of modified sorcerer type-kits. There is also a resurrection of the Druidic Sorcerer mod over at Spellhold Studios. I don't know if they're balanced or whatever, but you may want to check them out.

Traps are not really an issue while soloing. With buffs like mirror image and stoneskin, or even using haste (for area effect spells), you can seriously reduce the amount of damage you take. If you want to take it to another level, the Cloak of Mirroring and Shield of Reflection basically keep you safe from most traps.

The best (normal) class I would suggest is something like an Assassin->Mage or a multiclass Thief/Conjurer (or Wild Mage if you use G3 Tweaks) through Shadowkeeper.

[Iron Greasel]

Turning traps off feels like cheating and avoiding them with mirror image and the like feels like bad roleplaying. I think I'll have two characters instead.

[ZFR]

Originally posted by Iron Greasel: and avoiding them with mirror image and the like feels like bad roleplaying.

I hope you realize that if you solo a sorceror you will have to resort to something which you might call 'bad roleplaying'. They are not cheesy mind you, but for example resting very often every hour or so, heavy prebuffing before a fight (about which technically you should not know it will happen)... etc. If you dont call heavy prebuffing before a fight bad roleplaying, I don't see why avoiding them with mirror image should.

On a side notice, you can easily manage traps even withouht that... if you solo your saves should be high enough to avoid effect traps and your HP should be high enough so that with temples, healing potions and regeneration items you shouldn't worry about damage traps.

[Andraste]

I'd say that soloing was inherently counter to strict role-playing. You ditch your best friend, skip all NCP based quests and refuse all help. Even so, as a solo mage or sorcerer you should have stoneskin on 24/7, and mirror image anytime it looks like trouble is brewing. This isn't a question of reload foresight, just common sense for the class.

And I would qualify what True_moose said - with mirror image and stoneskin you don't merely seriously reduce the amount of damage you take, you nullify it completely. In my experience there is only one trap in the game that will do you any damage at all through those two spells.

If however, you feel that precautionary buffing is not really playing fair, consider the mod where summoned creatures will set off traps. The skeletons summoned by animate dead hang around for 8 hours. So you wake up, slap on stoneskin and then summon a skeleton as trap tester before moving a step.

[Cam_H]

My [img]graemlins/twocents.gif[/img]

Stoneskin should be OK, but Mirror Image isn't ... what kind of trap gets fooled by an illusion? Nonetheless, I use ("used" to be more correct - haven't played for 'yonks') the Mirror Image wherever possible - esp. Ilbratha's when soloing warrior-types.

[Andraste]

Originally posted by Cam_H: what kind of trap gets fooled by an illusion?

Answer - the kind of traps found in Balder's Gate.

Applying rules of common sense to the game does not work.

What kind of human being, equipped with the standard number of arms, can't learn how to shoot a bow in five minutes? (and I ask this question as someone who has instructed beginners in archery) Maybe they will have a big penalty to hit, but how come a mage can't even equip a bow?

What kind of war god won't let his priests use swords?

What kind of instant wand recharger does every single merchant in the game possess, and why can't your party get one too?

The characters can carry a fixed number of items, suits of armour (strength permitting) or gemstones. Your party has to wait to buy a bag. What, no pockets?

[Iron Greasel]

Originally posted by Andraste: I'd say that soloing was inherently counter to strict role-playing. You ditch your best friend,

They might be most tragically killed while escaping.

skip all NCP based quests

Actually, I was planning on doing those. Some, at least. Maybe.

and refuse all help.

If I give him a low enough charisma, help will refuse him. And anyway, most NPCs can be disliked.

Aerie: Prepare to DIE, Ogre!
Imoen: I guess she'll have to die. "Oh my Helm! That monster just chopped Imoen into fist-sized chunks!"
Keldorn: A knight!? With a sorcerer in a town that has outlawed magic? Not gonna trust him.
Mazzy: A hobbit fighter? What use to me is someone who needs a stepladder to face her opponet?
Minsc: Talks to his hamster. And the hamster talks back.
Nalia: Annoying. Constantly complains about me not doing enough charity work.
Valygar: Hates magic.
Anomen: See: Keldorn.
Cernd: So you're a werewolf then? Would you like to come with me to that deep dark dungeon where no one can possibly hear me scream when you tear me open and eat my innards?
Something'Dalis: Annoying. And useless.
Jaheira: A harper. Harpers can't be trusted.
Jan: Say turnip again and I'll kill you.
Yoshimo: Yoshimo, my only true friend. Here we are at the gates of Spellhold.
Edwin: So you killed your previous employer for no special reason? Would you like to travel with me?
Korgan: A homicidial dwarf. Who's in it for the blood and money. I'd like to keep both, thankyouverymuch.
Viconia: She probably deserved to be burned.

Anyhow, I think that the travels of Main Character, the sorcerer, and Igor, the gnomish thief/cleric might be interesting enough.

[Elric of Melnibone]

Originally posted by Iron Greasel: Turning traps off feels like cheating and avoiding them with mirror image and the like feels like bad roleplaying. I think I'll have two characters instead.

Is it me, or is this statement a bit ironic, since you started the thread talking about how to cheat in order to create a thief/sorceror....???

If you solo either a thief or a sorceror, there are enough advantages in each class to make the character phenomenal.