Advantages of a Halfing against an Elf

Arcane · Post by **Arcane** » Tue May 07, 2002 12:00 pm

Shrine of the Short!(gnome and halfing discussion thread, people under 5' only!)

im planning to start a fighter-thief (i wanted a challenge after the ToB stroll with my 30 totemic druid).problem is, i cant decide whether i will be a halfling (good from roleplaying view, kinda like frodo) or an elf (usual tall ppl) problem is im around 4'9 meself. I will dual wield short swords in the beginning and maybe cutthroat and the equalizer towards the end of SoA, then SSoM and Cutthroat. I wont solo (i need sabres site so i can dload the multi-romance since i cant seem to get tashia working-any advice, my pc cant find the unix whatever and the taevil or something). i cant decide wat to be...what are the advantages of a halfing over an elf?

GNGSpam · Post by **GNGSpam** » Tue May 07, 2002 12:07 pm

Well, Halflings get 19 dex like elves, but have 18 constitutions as opposed to the elven 17. Since youre a fighter dual thats beneficial to you. The flip side is you have 17 strength as opposed to an 18/and some percantile strength, but with all the strength enhancement items out there (including the easy to aquire Hill Giant Strength belt) thats not a major concern.

Beyond that, I dont see to many advantages. Halflings get nice saving throw bonuses for magic and poison, but really, your saving throws get so low anyways its not overly nessecary. The big thing is that Elves get a +1 in long swords, which if your dual wielding will probably be your sword type of choice, as opposed to Halflings only getting it in slings.

Honestly, if I were doing a fighter/thief id pick Elf. Besides, their better looking then hairy footed halflings.

Sojourner · Post by **Sojourner** » Tue May 07, 2002 1:02 pm

Just play what you like. I've played both, myself.

Phantom Lord · Post by **Phantom Lord** » Tue May 07, 2002 2:38 pm

Halflings are slightly better Fighter/Thieves.

Most important of all, Halflings have superior racial modifiers for thieving skills. Besides that STR 17 is not a problem, because STR beyond 18/19 comes from many items in BG2 - CON beyond 17 doesn't (besides a certain girdle with only temporary effect).

Edit: If you choose short swords as your first weapon (a good choice IMHO) and you have ToB installed you should buy the Short Sword of Mask outside WK asap.

GNGSpam · Post by **GNGSpam** » Tue May 07, 2002 3:45 pm

Thats true, I forgot about the thief modifiers.

But honestly, the difference is minimalist at best. Any of the races can be effective in any of their available classes.

Ode to a Grasshopper · Wed May 08, 2002 12:35 am

Elves have more style.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Wed May 08, 2002 1:34 am

But halflings are cooler.

UserUnfriendly · Post by **UserUnfriendly** » Wed May 08, 2002 2:22 am

once had a gnome, with maxed stats, of course, really very funny seeing this wittle guy with giant tw handed sword chopping away...

seemed to hit more often than elves, too....

closer to certain target zones???
ouch!!!

samcu · Post by **samcu** » Wed May 08, 2002 2:26 am

I think for a pure role playing point of view, it will be hard for a halfling like Frodo to have strength of 17. So an elf will be more logical with this view.

However, you said you are a person who is not tall, and from a game-playing point of view, you want to play someone who resembles you. So a halfling will be more appropriate with this view.

I personally think halfling is the way to go if you are going to watch Lord of the Rings this December. You can name him Frodo and let him stay back while the world collides.

Ode to a Grasshopper · Wed May 08, 2002 2:33 am

Originally posted by Astafas
But halflings are cooler.

No way. It's just that the elves in BG2 all suck, apart from Viccy. Elves in general are by far cooler than halflings.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Wed May 08, 2002 2:43 am

Originally posted by Ode to a Grasshopper
No way. It's just that the elves in BG2 all suck, apart from Viccy. Elves in general are by far cooler than halflings.

But halflings are so small, yet stab so good. Pretty much like a bee, and we all know how extremely cool those are. What? C'mon, they even make honey for God's sake! And halflings got furry feet while elves only got pointed ears.

Ode to a Grasshopper · Wed May 08, 2002 2:45 am

Originally posted by Astafas

But halflings are so small, yet stab so good. Pretty much like a bee, and we all know how extremely cool those are. What? C'mon, they even make honey for God's sake! And halflings got furry feet while elves only got pointed ears.

Help! Mods! Pervy hobbit fancier!

Halflings can make honey?

EDIT-elves can always wear socks, you know.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Wed May 08, 2002 3:08 am

Originally posted by Ode to a Grasshopper
Halflings can make honey?

EDIT-elves can always wear socks, you know.

Well, not Mazzy of course, but the rest sure can. I though this was common knowledge, maybe you should hang around here more often? It takes two rounds to create a jar of honey. Each jar heals up to 16 HPs but also creates a 30 ft sticky area (save vs honey at - 4 or get stuck until at least 3 bears arrive) around the user - unfortunately the halfling himself is not immune to this effect and daggers and shortswords aren't particularly good against large bears.

Socks? Yeah, right, *very* cool...

Stilgar · Post by **Stilgar** » Wed May 08, 2002 3:20 am

Originally posted by Astafas

Well, not Mazzy of course, but the rest sure can. I though this was common knowledge, maybe you should hang around here more often? It takes two rounds to create a jar of honey. Each jar heals up to 16 HPs but also creates a 30 ft sticky area (save vs honey at - 4 or get stuck until at least 3 bears arrive) around the user - unfortunately the halfling himself is not immune to this effect and daggers and shortswords aren't particularly good against large bears.

Socks? Yeah, right, *very* cool...

LMAO

I realy like halflings, they just look cool, and their made for thiefing!!!! go for Halfling.
Also with the boots of honeywalking (+5 to all saves vs Honey) you'll wont have much trouble from the honey-effect...

@Astafas No, this isn't like the blade thread, i already agreed with you before I read you arguments!

lompo · Post by **lompo** » Wed May 08, 2002 3:37 am

I would choose the halfling, but I would give him short sword+shield and sling (not beeing a front line fighter having a ranged weapon is very useful), and halflings with slings rocks (and some shields are very good too)!!!

Sojourner · Post by **Sojourner** » Wed May 08, 2002 4:21 am

Originally posted by Astafas

Well, not Mazzy of course, but the rest sure can. I though this was common knowledge, maybe you should hang around here more often? It takes two rounds to create a jar of honey. Each jar heals up to 16 HPs but also creates a 30 ft sticky area (save vs honey at - 4 or get stuck until at least 3 bears arrive) around the user - unfortunately the halfling himself is not immune to this effect and daggers and shortswords aren't particularly good against large bears.

Slightly off-subject, which do you think is better: a dwarven thrower or a halfling thrower?

Stilgar · Post by **Stilgar** » Wed May 08, 2002 4:26 am

Originally posted by Sojourner

Slightly off-subject, which do you think is better: a dwarven thrower or a halfling thrower?

Isn't there an old thread of Fable about dwarfen throwing???

Dwarfen thrower off course!!!!

Sojourner · Post by **Sojourner** » Wed May 08, 2002 4:27 am

Originally posted by Stilgar

Isn't there an old thread of Fable about dwarfen throwing???

Dwarfen thrower off course!!!!

Yes, it's right here.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Wed May 08, 2002 4:27 am

Originally posted by Sojourner

Slightly off-subject, which do you think is better: a dwarven thrower or a halfling thrower?

The dwarven thrower is a tough one to beat, that's for certain...

Ode to a Grasshopper · Wed May 08, 2002 4:57 am

Originally posted by Astafas

Well, not Mazzy of course, but the rest sure can. I though this was common knowledge, maybe you should hang around here more often? It takes two rounds to create a jar of honey. Each jar heals up to 16 HPs but also creates a 30 ft sticky area (save vs honey at - 4 or get stuck until at least 3 bears arrive) around the user - unfortunately the halfling himself is not immune to this effect and daggers and shortswords aren't particularly good against large bears.

Socks? Yeah, right, *very* cool...

I guess I am a bit out of touch.

But wouldn't the halfling's hairy little feet get all sticky and gross with all that honey on them? Dwarves and halflings, in fact pretty much all races other than elves should get -penalties to their saving throws. Elves, on the other hand, have hairless legs, so they should get a +2 bonus on all saves Vs honey, unless wearing socks.

Elves could wear velvet socks, that would be cool, you've got to admit.