Need Advice on Dual Classing

[The7thStooge]

The times that I dual, I will take a fighter, put all his proficiency points into either hammer or mace, then dual to a cleric at level 9. If memory serves, the cleric will get to level ten right around the time you go into the caverns at Dorn's Deep, before first entering it. Either that, or around the time when you obtain the first badge.

It's been a while since I played, though, so don't quote me on that. But this character does quite a number on the opposition.

The7thStooge...

[Philos]

I had a fighter that I switched to mage at 7th. I can see advantages both directions. He still has 6 profic. slots I split between bow and long sword, although another 1 in bow (for a total of 4) would be pretty nice. Still, he has 100 hps even with the switch at 7 (has 18 con). He is really starting to come into his own now.

[Aerich]

You can only have a max of 3 PP in a ranged weapon (other than melee weapons with throwing equivalents, e.g. axe and dagger). Sorry.

However, an additional PP in long sword would be good - the long sword of action (+4, extra attack) was just made for a rampaging, buffed F/M.

No worries. I'm sure you will be very happy with a F[7]/M[x]. If you were going to take the character into HoF mode I would still recommend dualing later, though.

[Philos]

Hadn't planned to do HOF this time around. Just HOW and TotL, but might change my mind. I won't feel bad about the switch at 7th if I do choose to to try HOF. I give up a few hit points (If you count average die rolls around 9/10, or 16 if I max it) and 1 pp. But it is so nice being able to use both so quickly and I will be farther down the wizard path which might be real helpful. If I start a party with HOF in mind I will probably wait till 9th though

[krunchyfrogg]

Originally Posted by Floyd_theBarber

Fighter/Bard isn't a valid multiclass in 2nd edition rules so that's out.

Yes it is. It's just not possible in the Bioware Engine.

In the 2E rules, ANY dual class is possible, barring alingment.

[Aerich]

Are you sure? In my experience, 2E didn't allow bards or paladins to multiclass. Maybe you are thinking of IWD2 and the 3E rules?

[krunchyfrogg]

I'm positive.

[Endugu]

Hmm, I think under the core rules (read: player's handbook) bards couldnt multi- or dualclass, but the "complete bard's handbook" introduced those concepts for the bard. About Paladins, if I remember this right, they could dual into another class and lawful good chars could dual into a paladin.

Makes you wonder why this was never used in any of the Infinity Engine AD&D games, doesnt it?

[krunchyfrogg]

Yeah, I guess it was just overlooked. BTW, Bards could not multiclass in the Players Handbook, but ANY human with a 15 in the prime requisite(s) of the first class, and 17 in the prime requisite(s) of the second class could dual class.

You could also dual class more than once in AD&D, something that is not possible in these games.

[Philos]

You're so right about changing classes Krunchy.

In fact in the 1st edition rules, the only way to even begin as a bard was to first acheive a minimum number of levels as a fighter, and a thief, and maybe mage as well (memory fails me on that), After dualing through each of those pre-requisites, THEN you could dual into bard. Really tough to have a bard in those days! Not sure you would call it "dual-class" with that many changes. Maybe quad-class

[krunchyfrogg]

Originally Posted by Philos

You're so right about changing classes Krunchy.

In fact in the 1st edition rules, the only way to even begin as a bard was to first acheive a minimum number of levels as a fighter, and a thief, and maybe mage as well (memory fails me on that), After dualing through each of those pre-requisites, THEN you could dual into bard. Really tough to have a bard in those days! Not sure you would call it "dual-class" with that many changes. Maybe quad-class

In 1st edition, you started as a Fighter, had to switch at a certain time to Thief, and then switch to a Druid, which was when you became a Bard (that part never made much sense to me).

So, the only magic the 1st edition Bard had was druidic in nature. And, if your DM stuck to the dual class rules, you'd need a 17 Strength, Dexterity, Wisdom, and Charisma. Interestingly, even with the dual class, the you could be a halfelf bard (who aren't supposed to be able to dual class).

[Philos]

Yep,

Didn't make much sense to me either. It was so convoluted I never tried one myself and the one person that started that path while I DM'd got so disgusted with trying to plan for it that they opted just to switch to thief and stay there. I was relieved big time.