Ranger/Cleric dual class

[manovick]

At what level should I dual the ranger to a cleric? Also, why is this class so powerful (why is it better than a figher/cleric)? I apologize if this has been covered before.

[THE JAKER]

I haven't played this class personally, but here are some of the reasons it is good (I don't have any advice really on when to dual):

As a ranger in your limited spell selection you have access to the druid spell set, which includes some very good spells like Ironskins, Insect Plague, and Summon Fire Elemental. Now when you dual over to cleric, you get the cleric spell book, but you keep the druid book too, so you have both (I think this is how it works correct me if I'm wrong folks)

Also, as a Ranger you get two free proficiencies in Dual Wield skill, and you can add another. Since Dual Wielding is generally more powerful that sword and shield or two handed weapons in the game, those points in dual wielding are nice for making your character a master of destruction.

You get a racial enemy, getting bonuses against some opponent in the game. I don't know what I would pick personally. People have differing opinions...

I think you also get stealth, which can be nice.

In return you trade off (as compared to the fighter/cleric) a slightly steeper experience curve as a ranger, and the inability to progress past specialization in weapons. I think it is a pretty good trade in favor of the Ranger/Cleric. Now in comparison to the Berserker/Cleric, it's a little more of a tossup

[Loredweller]

When dualing i did it ASAP. There might be a reason to wait until the level was ripe or reaching next THAC0, nonetheles i didn't care about it keeping in mind righteous magick. All was going exelent this way.

[Astafas]

Level 9 is probably the best choise. You get the full advantage of the Ranger's Hit Dice, get a fairly low THAC0, an extra prof point just before dualing and you'll soon regain your Ranger class abilities.

[Rodo]

I always did it at level 8 (the level when you spellbook becomes accesible).

[Xyx]

Rangers never get all the good Druid spells like Ironskins, Conjure Fire Elemental and Nature's Beauty; they only get the Druid's level 1-3 complete cr@p. They never get level 4+ spell slots. The dual will get these spells when the slots become available through the Cleric side.

If you're looking to take your character into ToB after this, I'd heartily recommend the Ranger/Cleric multi. You miss out on maybe 20 Hit Points in the end, but in return you get Greater Whirlwinds, better fighting abilities overall, and a much easier time in which you don't have to suffer through the dual transition (which really only matters if you're solo).