Dualclassing a Fighter into a Mage: level 9 or 13?

[Klorox]

Berserkers and Kensai are very popular classes to dual into Mages. I just don't know when to dual class this character. My choices are between levels 9 and 13. There are pros and cons for each.

If I dual at level 9 I'll have:
3 Rages/Kais per day (I think this is enough)
I'll become a "complete character" (Berserker abilities back after dualclassing) at 500,000 XP

If I dual at level 13, I'll have:
4 Rages/Kais per day
1/2 extra Attack per Round
I'll become a "complete character" at 2,750,000 XP

I know dual classing at level 13 will end up with a more powerful character in the end, but is it worth the 1,250,000 XP?

Let me know what your experiences tell you.

TIA

[Silvanerian]

Believe there are litteraly hundreds of posts discussing this...

As for my take:

While I never play these duals, this is a more objective view.

1. First determine why you want a dual class - to be an involurable fighting machine, or to be a mage with nice HPs as well as the ability to fend off creatures who are particularly difficult to take down only with magic (The Underdark and Sendai's enclave come to mind). If the first, the extra half attack will come in handy, if not, no need to waste more time as a fighter than necessary. (again, if you want the first option, why not f/m multi?)

2. The XP; there is a ton of XP out there - that won't be the issue. The only thing to consider is how far in the game you will be before reaching the mage level you want, which again depends on your party composition. If 4 or less people (including yourself), would go for 13.

3. In lieu of Mage HLAs, the XP part doesn't matter as they have what? 10 or so abilities, with the key onces being about 5ish, hence the fact that you dual later would not impar on this at all.


Again, suggest you search a bit, as there are many who have extensive knowlegde on playing these, and probably have much better best practises to share.

[Bruce Lee]

Here is my opinion. If you play SoA only then dual at level 9 is clearly better.
With ToB I still prefer berserker level 9 dualled to mage. kensai dualled to mage is nice and stylish but in terms of advantages the scale tip towards the berserker dualled to mage.

[fable]

Believe there are litteraly hundreds of posts discussing this...

As those threads look at dualclassing for a kensai/mage, this thread's slightly different. So despite the site owner's request that we keep to one-thread-per-subject, this one's legit.

Personally, I'd suggest dualclassing at 9. You won't lack for experience, as has already been said (the more so if you use mods), and you can make your way back to full use of your first class right away. And yes, three rages are enough, especially when you can later turn into Mr. Hyde. Just my take on it.

Though if you want to go the sheer power route, again, I'd suggest the kensai instead of the fighter. But that really is covered well, elsewhere.