Swashbuckler/Cleric vs Assassin/Cleric

Kandabros · Post by **Kandabros** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:43 pm

Ok, I've been thinking about this and want to share it, and of course, put this up for debate. Any input appreciated.
Well, here's the deal. I like thieves. Like... really like thieves. However, I always tend to dismiss the Swashbuckler almost immediately because of the one thing I love about thieves: backstab.
Now, I'm pretty used by now to soloing the game with crazy duals (that is, dualing at over 3 million xp, to milk every last bit of power out of the first class and then taking them to ToB to own the place).
I have found great success with this, and it makes it a very challenging game when say, you're a level 1 thief in the Underdark

However, I've never taken a solo thief to ToB

But back to the point. The way I see it, I believe the Assassin/Cleric would be the one that has the potential for absolutely obscene backstabs (without cheesing or criticals, you can get regularly upwards of 150+). Where as the Swashbuckler/Cleric really "only" has +6 Thaco, Damage and AC over the A/C. Now that is not something to sneeze at, considering the A/C can buff himself up to 30+ damage per hit power without those bonuses (and with 7 APR to boot: 1 base, 1 off-hand, 1/2 Gauntlets of Specialization, +1 Scarlet Ninja-To, doubled by Imp Haste from scroll, cloak or amulet).

But then again, are these bonuses worth the loss of backstab? I've read all over that in ToB trying to backstab is futile. But I've also read you need a +4 weapon in ToB otherwise you can't hit anything (absolutely false).
So my question is, has anyone used backstab effectively in ToB? Cause if that's the case, I think the A/C takes the cake.
Anyway, opinions, stories, anything?

Stworca · Post by **Stworca** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:40 am

That depends. If you're modding the game to make it tougher (we all can name a few of these mods) then Swashbuckler / Cleric would be, in my opinion, the way to go. Backstab helps against targets such as high level non-boss mages, but the superior survivability is the way to go.

In vanilla - doesn't really matter.

Kandabros · Post by **Kandabros** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 9:46 am

Yeah... I mostly play vanilla. But after playing ToB I found that while the battles were really exciting and I was always on edge, they were really kinda easy for the most part. I've been eyeing Ascension for some time though (even though I don't like mods for the most part :laugh

Thanks for answering. I'm rolling a Swash now, even if it's just to get over my aversion to them XD

Sykar · Post by **Sykar** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 4:31 am

Which classes really need the 3 million exp to milk out all of their power?
Caster classes should be the second class in general, fighter classes greatly diminish after 13, thief is fine after getting *4 Backstab Muliplier.
Swashbuckler without RR is lackluster imho and is in general fine if you dual at level about 15.
True, Assasin up to level 21 for *7 multiplier but that's imho the sole exception. And iirc level 21 doesn't need 3 million exp.

Sator · Post by **Sator** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:37 am

Ascension will really give you nightmares. It's been several years since I've played BG but i've recently been getting the itch. Older players know what I mean.

Anyway, back in the day I beat vanilla with a Sorcerer who pretty much went nova on anything not immune to Time Stop and ate ToB like a light snack.

Then I put on Ascension and the Vanilla difficulty mod (was a WeiDu one but can't remember atm). I reloaded my last battle save, where I had to take the Fallen Planetar and then Mel. I had a beefkake Sarevok and Korgan, and also Viconia, my protagonist and some other support classes (perhaps Imoen for story's sake)

I got utterly smashed by the horde of demons Mel unleashed. Sarevok and Korgath were the only ones who were doing anything but they pretty much got chunked before Vic could heal them. My own Planetars werent of much help either...

In short - go for Ascension and feel the awesome that is true difficulty. I've heard praise for a Kensai/Thief as far as backstabbing goes and I've actually given it a try but I messed up the dualclassing and did not make it past the Illithids.

For survivability IMO nothing beats a Berzerker/Cleric and that does not require soloing to be devastating.