Favorite and Interesting Character Builds.

[GawainBS]

Don't you have to give up two schools for being a specialist? But with an 18 CON and 19 INT, compared to the Elf, you're golden.

[Klorox]

Originally Posted by GawainBS

Don't you have to give up two schools for being a specialist? But with an 18 CON and 19 INT, compared to the Elf, you're golden.

Illusionists lose Necromancy, which has Horrid Wilting and Skull Trap. Other than that, you're not really losing anything. I play my F/M (F/Ill)'s with their spells being used to augment their fighting capabilities, not as blasters so it never matters to me.

[Crenshinibon]

I find Blades useful from the very start. By the time I hit ten, I am already doing five attacks per round with maximum damage. Again, I usually solo so the song is useless to me and even if I had a party. I don't think that the Skald has any significant advantages over the Blade at all.

I don't really like the multiclasses that much. I'd rather stick with dual classing as it gives you more control. For great damage I usually go as Assassin/Fighter or a Kensai/Thief. Both classes can handle themselves in melee and have amazing backstab damage.

The Fighter/Mage combination, in my opnnion would be better suited for yet another dual class option, the famous Kensai/Mage, only dualed at level 19 for maximum damage output. The armor isn't a problem and if you're casting spells, either way you'll probably have the Robe of Vecna on you. At level 19 you get +6 to hit and damage on top of the +12 to hit and damage gained from six Tenser's Transformations not to mention you get -12 to AC. You're already better than a Kensai or a Fighter/Mage multiclass. The only difference that's present is that a Kensai/Mage gets the Kai ability and the much loved hit and damage bonus at the cost of all non robe armors.

[GawainBS]

Like I said, Blades are to my tastes much to fragile, and since they're bound to be on the front line, this will hinder them much more than a Skald, which you can hold back with a bow. Also, Blades suffer from the max STR of 18 which limits their to-hit in melee (+1), as opposed to 18 DEX (+3). Ofcourse, if your bard is imported and has 19 STR from the tome, this isn't an issue. (Or once you get a Belt or Gauntlets).
I never played solo and probably never will, since I find party-interaction the greatest asset of BG2.
On the issue of Multiclassing: I prefer it because over the course of many levels, you gain more benefits. But indeed, most combinations with Kensai are very strong.

[Crenshinibon]

I have never thought of bards as frail. Usually, my bards have around ten strength anyway as I use the Strength spell until I get the Girdle of Hill Giant Strength. Strength isn't a problem. As for multiclassing, I think it's very limited. It's is more set in stone that dualclassing and thus doesn't give you a lot of options in how you want your character made. Sure, you might gain more abilities but really, it's all in the class bonuses. Like for the fighter/mage, you don't get the bonus of the Kensai but you get more abilities which in my opinnion, are unnecessary. I'd rather have Kai and the damage bonus. For the mage, you'll probably take them all anyway and if not, what do you really need? An extra sixth level slot for convenience and perhaps Summon Planetar if you're feeling unsure. The abilities are almost useless and sometimes I wonder if people like them because they're "high level".

[GawainBS]

It's more a matter of taste, I think. I feel more comfortable knowing that my level advancement in one or the other class isn't finished.

[Klorox]

Originally Posted by Crenshinibon

I have never thought of bards as frail. Usually, my bards have around ten strength anyway as I use the Strength spell until I get the Girdle of Hill Giant Strength. Strength isn't a problem. As for multiclassing, I think it's very limited. It's is more set in stone that dualclassing and thus doesn't give you a lot of options in how you want your character made. Sure, you might gain more abilities but really, it's all in the class bonuses. Like for the fighter/mage, you don't get the bonus of the Kensai but you get more abilities which in my opinnion, are unnecessary. I'd rather have Kai and the damage bonus. For the mage, you'll probably take them all anyway and if not, what do you really need? An extra sixth level slot for convenience and perhaps Summon Planetar if you're feeling unsure. The abilities are almost useless and sometimes I wonder if people like them because they're "high level".

It's all about the Greater WhirlWind.

[Thrifalas]

Originally Posted by Klorox

It's all about the Greater WhirlWind.

Improved Haste is way better. ;P

[fable]

Think builds, guys. Not spells. We already have a thread for the spells.

[Crenshinibon]

Improved Haste for this one. Greater Whirlwind has a very short duration. As a Blade or a Kensai/ Thief or Mage, I'd be dualwielding say a Yamato +4 and a Belm +2 for example, which would give me four and a half attacks per round while any mix of fighter would have five and a half attacks per round (Gauntlets of Extraordinary Expertise included). So Improved Haste lasts about 217 seconds (3.6 minutes, 31 rounds) in the case of a level 31 mage (that can STILL best a vanilla fighter or almost any combination that doesn't include the mage class) or 147 seconds (2.45 minutes, 21 rounds) for a level 21 mage, which is about right for dualing a level 19 Kensai to one. If I remember correctly, Greater Whirlwind lasts, at most, for two rounds. Not only does it have a good increase to attacks per round but it also doubles the damage healed (as well as the damage overtime taken). You'd get more out of this one. Also, some abilities stack with Improved Haste such as Offensive Spin and Boon of Lathender. For the latter, as it stacks upon itself, you could cast the spell, use the ability four times and reach ten attacks per round while using a weapon and a shield. The only reason as to why you'd use Greater Whirlwind is if you want a higher defense at the cost of attack speed (which isn't a problem for a Blade) or you're a vanilla figther type and don't have access to items that grand Improved Haste.

[Thrifalas]

GWW is one round and spells are capped at 20, so your calculations are wrong. And why would anyone dual at 19? ;p The good thing with GWW is that it's 10 attacks set, which is nice for 2h weapons with usually only gets to 6 attacks with Imp Haste. Also, you don't need more than max 2 GDB, 1 Smite, 2 Hardiness and 2 RM for a fighter, so you might as well pour your points into GWW. It's not like you use your 1-ability/round for much else as a regular fighter. Sarevok usually have lots of GWW when in my party, you'll want max attacks with Ravager.

Anyway, true, it's about builds. I made quite a nice spellcaster build that I find quite usefull, and very fun, to play. It's quite simple, it's a Cleric dualled to Mage at 15, loosing out on one level 8 mage spell for 6/6/6/6/4/2/1 Cleric spells. I use it in duo with a F/T/M, so they level up insanely fast, and bring a long Viconia in Watcher's Keep for her level 25 ring, giving you 3 level6 and 2 level7 clericspells at the cost of 1 level 8 mage spell. ^^

Gonna try to duo the Eclipse party and the whole Ascension mod with these guys. ^_^ Might throw in another char, but duo sounds more fun. Anyone soloed Ascension/Eclipse party?

[Crenshinibon]

Capped at twenty? What do you mean? It's good for sword and shield style characters as well as two handed characters, as you said, otherwise it's useless. Overall, a character with Improved Haste has a greater advantage that one with GWW. I find the Deathblow abilities a waste as I'll kill the creatures one way or another, without much trouble and Smite is only good for ranged characters as if you're melee, it doesn't make sense to have it as you want them next to you. Nineteen because it gives you a highest bonus of the Kensai class possible while still getting a descent duration of the spells and having enough slots per level.

[Thrifalas]

I meant exactly what I said - spells are capped at 20. For example, ADHD does 1d8 for each caster level. A 3rd level mage would deal 3d8 damage with it, a level 14 caster would deal 14d8 damage with it, but it doesn't matter if you're level 20, 24 or 31, your ADHD would still only deal 20d8 damage.

There are a few exceptations, some Power Words are capped at 21. Check out the Spell-50 mod from Weimar for a full description. Still, 90% of the spells ingame are capped at level 20, no doubt is Imp Haste one of them.

As for 19 being the best level for a Kensai, what do you base that on? A kensai gets +1 atk/hit each 3rd level, you don't get more HP after level 10 and atk/rnd stops increasing at 13. 9 or 13 is the usual dual-levels, and if we go higher it's obvious that 15, 18 and 21 are neat as well. If you go higher you can't dual to a mage though, since level 21 kensai lets you hit 22 as mage.

And yes, both deathblow and haste are kind of a waste, but so's all warrior abilities. MR and Harden is nice, but you don't need more than 2-3 of 'em.

[Crenshinibon]

I am nut sure if it is capped at 20 but either way, if you dual at 19 you' should have about 24 mage levels. As a Kensai/Mage you shouldn't even use damage spells. At level 19 (because even if you dual at 18 you'll still come out as a level 24 mage and you get the +6 to hit and damage bonus from the Kensai which increases applies to ALL weapons. The way I play that class though, I don't care about attacks per round as they are already set, whether you have the proficiencies or not. Either way, as a 22 Kensai or a 19, you can play that character in many ways.

[Klorox]

Originally Posted by Thrifalas

Improved Haste is way better. ;P

And a multiclassed F/M gets both.