Thief Soloing BG1

[sniperfreak]

I just got back into baldurs gate series and finished BG1 so many years ago. I flew by it with a cleric and a full group now i wanted to try and finish it in more depth. I wanted to either solo the original or finish it in a small group of 3 or less. I was just wondering if anyone has done it using a full on thief not duel classed or multiclassed. Could use a few helpful suggestions too.:mischief:

[Pellinore]

I was thinking of going my next trip thru with a halfling fighter/thief and Imoen dualling to mage after level 3 (get a few points in a skill I may not pay attention to with my fighter/thief). I may take Branwen as well (or Viconia if I choose to be evil).

[sniperfreak]

well i was hoping to become an assassion in bg2 so i was just wondering if anyone has solo'd bg1 with their PC as a straight thief...it might be hard but was wondering.
or maybe i could still become a assassion even if i am thief/warr... plz looking for answears

[DaemonJ]

A solo thief (especially Elf) can definitely solo BG1 and it was a great challenge for me.

I highly recommend downloading the Ease of Use mod to allow for item stacking. I didn't have that when I played but sure could have used it.

[CFM]

In my (only) game, I also played a Cleric, with a full party of Khalid & Jaheira, Minsc & Dynaheir, & Imoen. With plenty of Armor Class Hit Points & Healing, I bashed everything's brains in, head-on, toe-to-toe, whenever it was typically called for (in a non-evil way of course), as per "typical" gameplay.

However, I would think a single-class solo thief would lead to interesting "non-typical" gameplay: head-on, toe-to-toe violence is avoided whenever possible to accomplish quests. Scout out what's around the corner of the next turn, and sneak around that nest of giant spiders. I've always wondered how much of the game is complete-able, when keeping the violence to a minimum.

Kinda like that game "Thief: The Dark Project". It's a First-Person-Shooter type game, but with a non-shooter mentality, making it unique with it's "non-typical" FPS gameplay.

Now, you'd miss out on experience points by not killing everything. But because you're adventuring solo, I would guess that missed experience still wouldn't be a problem. And when you're up there in levels, you can unleash your Assassination ways...

Although, I couldn't image going solo into Ulgoth's Beard. And other mandatory events would probably require head-on violence to complete. But I wouldn't think it'd take too much to get a couple of the NPC's up a few levels, then left somewhere to be recruited as needed. A three-person party would still level quickly. Hit level 7 or so solo, then get Kagain, up him to level 6 or so and drop him, then later get Quayle, up him level 5/5 or so and drop him. Then, when you feel you need more punch, or more spells, or both, go get one or both of 'em.

Let us know how your thief does.

[DaemonJ]

The majority of the game I was Hidden in Shadows for scouting and backstabbing. I had no problem getting into the fray but using Stealth and Potions of Invisibility in combat against some of the "groups" was definitely necessary.

By going solo you definitely level up very fast and therefore your skills are high at an earlier part of the game not to mention not having to share all of those cool items.

A fighter/thief multi-classed Elf would definitely be better though. Awesome strength and dexterity makes for incredible backstabs and fighting potential. Not to mention that better armor (when theif skills aren't needed) and potions can be used.

[CFM]

A fighter/thief multi-classed Elf would definitely be better though.

I agree. I myself have no experience playing a thief (except Imoen, and some Yoshimo in BG2), but it would certainly seem as if being half thief would nicely compliment any other class in a multi-class combo.

With 161k XP, you'd end up at level 10 as a single-class thief, and level 8 as a multi-class thief. Not much behind, when you consider what the other half of your multi-class combo would bring to the table.

Although, if sniperfreak wants to use the Assassin thief kit in BG2, then single-class is his only option (with maybe changing to a dual-class thief later in BG2, if he selects the Human race and has appropriate ability scores).

DaemonJ, what was your ability scores & final skills at when you hit the XP cap as a solo multi-thief?

[DaemonJ]

DaemonJ, what was your ability scores & final skills at when you hit the XP cap as a solo multi-thief?

I actually played a straight thief but suggested that a multi-classed fighter/thief would be better.

I went through the game solo a few years ago and do not remember any of the details from that long ago sadly. A wild guess would be:

Str: 15 maybe 16
Dex: 20
Con: 14
Int: 10
Wis: 10
Chr: 14

That is taking into account all of the Tomes that increase stats by +1.

That is about how all of my characters' stat points are distributed, taking into account class and any racial bonuses.

Find Traps and Open Locks would have been max. Hide in Shadows would have been 110% after adding the bonuses from Shadow Armor and Boots of Stealth.

Definitely nothing great or godlike but he did very well.

[Stilgar]

I soloed a fighter thief once, and although it is fun to do, be willing to use alot of cheese tactics.

Backstab - drink potion of invisibility - backstab - drink potion - etc.

[Luis Antonio]

As Stilgar mentioned, it relies A LOT on backstabbing and in my opinion the game gets really boring after a while, but it is really possible. Prepare to die a lot too, and you'll eventually need to use the item swap cheese too to boost your stats/attacks/make some tactical choice.

[DaemonJ]

Personally I don't consider backstabbing and using potions of invisibility a cheese tactic. That is what a thief is supposed to do afterall.

Prepare to die a lot too, and you'll eventually need to use the item swap cheese too to boost your stats/attacks/make some tactical choice.

I only recall dieing twice - once being the sirine that kills you by kissing you.

What item swap cheese tactic are you referring to?

[Sirensowns]

Solo is easy

no one has posted the fact
in the tower place along the coast if you sleep sometimes a siren is there
=2000 exp easy kill with bow
just gear up some good dex or what ever kill one siren , then get 5 poisen arrows then repeat because they cant cast when poisened.
1 kill = level 2
3 kills = level 3
5 kills = level 4
etc

[DaemonJ]

The best XP farm in the game is the golem cave near where you are referring to. Kill all of the golems, sleep, and keep repeating.

You shouldn't need to XP farm when soloing though as you max out very quickly even with ToTSC's raised limit.

[wise grimwald]

Non-violent thief soloing

I am currently soloing a halfling fighter thief who avoids violence at all costs. So far I have managed to avoid killing anyone, though that does not mean that there have been no deaths. My number of kills is zero though I have been through Candlekeep and am about to return to Baldur's Gate, have retrieved Shandalar's Cloak, and acquired Durlag's armour and Kiel's buckler and helmet. Unfortunately I could not think of any way of getting to the chess board without killing anyone. Just getting that far, I have become level 6 fighter, level 7 thief. I am wondering if it will be possible to complete the game without having any kills.

[CFM]

@wise_grimwald

Wow! That's exactly what I was wondering: could a thief sneak his way through the game. Now that's someone's game I'd love to hear an account of.

I do think, eventually, you'll have to smoke somebody.

[Klorox]

I am currently soloing a halfling fighter thief who avoids violence at all costs. So far I have managed to avoid killing anyone, though that does not mean that there have been no deaths. My number of kills is zero though I have been through Candlekeep and am about to return to Baldur's Gate, have retrieved Shandalar's Cloak, and acquired Durlag's armour and Kiel's buckler and helmet. Unfortunately I could not think of any way of getting to the chess board without killing anyone. Just getting that far, I have become level 6 fighter, level 7 thief. I am wondering if it will be possible to complete the game without having any kills.

I call Shenanigans. There are some characters you need to kill to advance the game.

[DaemonJ]

Mulahey would be the first that I can think of.

[wise grimwald]

non-violent thief

Finished Ducal Palace last night. Doing that without killing anyone was tough and needed a number of re-loads until I sussed it. Have nearly finished it now, so will write a report, though cannot think about how to do so without having a number of spoilers. Minor Spoiler for Ducal Palace:Just had to help other protagonists as much as possible by use of wands, healing spells and taking the brunt of the attacks myself.

[wise grimwald]

Answer to Klorox

You don't have to kill them, you get somebody else to do the dirty work.

[wise grimwald]

Answer to Daemon

Spoiler: Have you ever tried making friends with him with a certain item found in Beregost and waited to see what happens to him. I didn't say that nobody died.