Ranger/Cleric Vs Berserker/Cleric

Maleous · Post by **Maleous** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 4:31 am

Is a dual classed berserker/cleric better ofr worse than a Ranger/Cleric.

Because fighters use less exp to level up if you dualled at lvl 9 thte berserker could still make it to lvl 20 as a cleric, the ranger wouldnt. The berserker has lower THAC0 and can use berserker rage. Also advanced weapon proficiencies are available.

(Just imagine a Berserk dual wielding buffed cleric with with max profiencies in hammers and flails wielding Crom Faer and Flail of Ages)

The only advantages I know of for using a ranger is that he/she would get two extra profiecency points in dual wield and can use lvl 1 and 2 priest spells.

However Ive heard somewhere that a ranger actaully gets access to the druids spells, and after the ranger becomes active again it allows the cleric to access ALL the druid spells (not just lvl1 and 2) as well as cleric spells.

Is this true and would it neccesarily make using a ranger better than using a berserker as the first class?

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 4:49 am

First, it is true, making the dual Ranger/Cleric most advantagous (probably one of the best combos possible).

The Fighter and the Ranger use the same THAC0 table (as do Paladins, all being Warriors).

I would go for the Ranger/Cleric any day.

kopywrite · Post by **kopywrite** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 4:52 am

Multi classed ranger/clerics do have access to both cleric and ALL druid spells making them potentially very powerful. I would imagine it would be the same for dual classed ranger/clerics.

Berserker/clerics are great fun -- IMO the second best dual class combination available. Infact I'm a bit hooked on the berserker kit at the moment, the enrage ability is so useful. But I've never tried the ranger/cleric dual class...

Maleous · Post by **Maleous** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 5:01 am

What exactly are the druid spells?

More food for thought... A ranger dualled at lvl 9 will have 9 proficincy points, If the Cleric maxes in SoA at lvl 19 that will be an additional 6 proficincy points to give a total of 15. If A ranger can only put two points in each wepon then you could have,
3 in dual weapons,
2 in Hammers,
2 in Flails,
2 in Maces,
2 in Sword/Shield
2 in 2 handed Weapons
2 in Quarterstaff
2 in club or sling

This would allow you to have proficiency points in practically every bludgoning weapon in the game, but would this be more effective than having 5 proficincy points in Hammers and Flails, Which is what you eventually use?

kopywrite · Post by **kopywrite** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 5:09 am

Its all druid spells for multis. As I said, I'd imagine it would be the same for duals.

Maleous · Post by **Maleous** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 5:14 am

Yes, but what I mean is Specifically which spells are Druidic, My single player party only used Aerie and Jahirea so i never worked out the difference

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 5:23 am

Originally posted by Maleous
What exactly are the druid spells?

This would allow you to have proficiency points in practically every bludgoning weapon in the game, but would this be more effective than having 5 proficincy points in Hammers and Flails, Which is what you eventually use?

What are, or which are, the druid spells? Check the manual for the latter question. As for what, I believe the druidic spells are granted by nature itself instead of by a particular god.

No, it would be less effective but on the other hand give you more versatility.

Grand mastery (*****) grants you a + 3 to hit and a + 5 to damage, while being Specialized (**) only grants you + 1 to hit and + 3 to damage.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 5:26 am

Originally posted by Maleous
Yes, but what I mean is Specifically which spells are Druidic, My single player party only used Aerie and Jahirea so i never worked out the difference

You seem a bit confused here...

Aerie is a Cleric/Mage and Jaheira is a Fighter/Druid. Compare Aerie's clerical spells with Jaheria's druidic ones and you'll see the difference (in other words, don't take Aerie's mage spells into account). They have a lot of spells in common, though.

kopywrite · Post by **kopywrite** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 5:37 am

Originally posted by Astafas
They have a lot of spells in common, though.

Yes they do, but for some strange reason the manual doesn't categorize them as cleric and druid spells, they're all under priest spells -- at least in my edition anyway

Key druid spell IMO; insect plague, iron skins and nature's beauty.
The mind boggles at the potential spell combos a ranger/cleric could come up with...

gnomethingy · Post by **gnomethingy** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 6:07 am

Almost all of the healing / Elemental protection spells are usable by both, its mainly in offensive spells where they vary, infact I dont think druids can use any of the offensive spells a cleric can aside from firestorm and earthquake, druids also miss the buffing spells like draw apon holy might

Im certain this is a list of the druid only spells, though there may be more

Entangle
Charm animal
Hold animal
Summon woodland being
Summon fire elemental
Summon earth elemental
Natures beauty
Pixie dust
Iron skins
Summon insects
Insect plague
creeping doom

kopywrite · Post by **kopywrite** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 10:09 am

@ Maleous: also, check out Xyx's spell guide for a complete list of the ins and outs of all clerical and druidic spells. Its a fantastic document

JackOfClubs · Post by **JackOfClubs** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 4:37 pm

The key cleric spells that druids are missing are Holy Smite, Negative Plane Protection and Sunray -- all useful for fighting vampires. Also Resurrection, but that is not one I use very often.

I can't remember if druids get Animate Dead or not. A very useful spell after 15th level, but not really in accordance with nature...

Bruce Lee · Post by **Bruce Lee** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 3:34 am

Druids do have negative plane protection. IMO ranger/cleric is better than berserker/cleric. The rage is good but can be achieved with the ranger/cleric using spells such as free action, chaotic commands and shield of archons.
Insect plague and natures beauty and iron skins however are all game winners.
Oh and by the way, isn't this a glorious day!!!

kopywrite · Post by **kopywrite** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 3:57 am

Ugh, I thought this was a football free zone

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 6:35 am

Ugh, I thought this was a football free zone

No way with italians (or europeans..) around!

hmpf, had to stop watching the Cup when they cancelled TWO REGULAR goals of ours in the SAME match
NEVER seen before

Better keep playing BG2

VonDondu · Post by **VonDondu** » Wed Jun 12, 2002 9:24 am

I've enjoyed playing a Berserker dualled to a Cleric and a multiclass Ranger/Cleric. At higher levels, after installing Throne of Bhaal, I'd say the Ranger/Cleric had the edge due to high level abilities. It's something to think about if you're going to play all the way through the game.