Pure mage or multiclass cleric/mage

moltovir · Post by **moltovir** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 4:52 am

I'm playing BG1 with a pure mage now, and i think it's a rather boring class, so I consider changing the class to a multiclassed cleric/mage. Is it possible to change class when importing my character (but keeping the attributes), or do i have to use SK for this? I also wonder if this is a good class, so i don't end up with an underpowered cleric and a weak mage. Will I be able to cast all spells a single-class cleric or mage can cast? If not, what are the penalties? My current stats are:
Str 10
Dex 13
Con 11
Int 19
Wis 21
Cha 19

Thrain · Post by **Thrain** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 7:33 am

Penalties:
- no mage spells with armour
- slower level progression

Advantages:
- cleric spells in contingencies
- more hp

there are probably more, but i can't list them as i'm not a big fan of spellcasters. i do know that the cleric/mage is eant to be one heck of a powerhouse at later levels (and i can see why, i just don't use them

)

moltovir · Post by **moltovir** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 7:53 am

Is the amount of spells you can cast (mage spells) based on your mage level or your total level? And what about spells who grow more powerful with levels? (eg animate dead)

SP101 · Post by **SP101** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 9:31 am

Its based on your Mage level.

iamweaver · Post by **iamweaver** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 11:11 am

My only issue with the cleric-mage (through observation of Aerie) is they come into their power pretty late in a 6-man game.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 11:45 am

[QUOTE=moltovir]<snip> Is it possible to change class when importing my character (but keeping the attributes), or do i have to use SK for this? <snip>[/QUOTE]

You need to use Shadowkeeper to make a single class into multiclass when importing from BG1 to BG2.
Also you don't mention your race, but remember - humans can't multiclass, they dual-class instead. (and there I will not recommend a mage/cleric dual-class).

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 12:00 pm

[QUOTE=iamweaver]My only issue with the cleric-mage (through observation of Aerie) is they come into their power pretty late in a 6-man game.[/QUOTE]

But when they hit, they surpass all other professions, IMO, in sheer power.

iamweaver · Post by **iamweaver** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 12:08 pm

It looked that way, Fable - but since Aerie had just gotten her 9th-level spells as I was on the 5th baddie in ToB, I never had much time to tinker. I was thinking that if you are going to run with multiclass folks, you might want to trim down to, say, 5 or maybe 4 folks in your group to achieve that end.

UserUnfriendly · Post by **UserUnfriendly** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 2:44 pm

[QUOTE=iamweaver]It looked that way, Fable - but since Aerie had just gotten her 9th-level spells as I was on the 5th baddie in ToB, I never had much time to tinker. I was thinking that if you are going to run with multiclass folks, you might want to trim down to, say, 5 or maybe 4 folks in your group to achieve that end.[/QUOTE]

4 is good...

fable is absolutely correct, with a four party, cleric mages are one round dragon killers...with a 3 person party, fighter mage clerics are beyond belief...

moltovir · Post by **moltovir** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 9:46 am

Hmmm... my plan was playing with all the npc's i haven't played with yet (being Keldorn, Valygar, Haer'Dalis, Cernd en Jan - sorry Mazzy

, but now that i read your posts i'm thinking of starting a 3-person MP game, with a monk, a dualclassed kensai/thief and my cleric/mage. No doubt it will change my view on the game

SP101 · Post by **SP101** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 9:53 am

A 3 player party lvl REALLY fast.

I'm exiting the Underdark right now, and Viconia is level 26 while I'm lvl 13/17 (Swashy/Mage).

Thrain · Post by **Thrain** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 11:55 am

user, how much different is playing a F/M/C in a party to solo? i'm finding the combat side of things really difficult with my solo F/M/C

FireLighter · Post by **FireLighter** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 11:56 am

No kidding, I started a 4 person party, dualed at 9 from kensai-mage, and just with all the scrolls I had, I got to lvl 5 right off the bat, then it took like an hour of playing and doing some quests like maevar, and im already lvl 9 kensai/9 mage, in a few quests ill have my kensai abilities back.