GameBanshee Forums

I am returning to the game after a long hiatus. I managed to get running on my Macbook Pro using Crossover. Funny, the Windows version actually runs better on Snow Leopard.

Anyhow, my most of my run throughs in the past my PC was some kind of Druid. Either K/D, B/D, Avenger/Fighter, Totemic/Fighter, of Shapeshifter. I tried other classes, but only ever completed SoA (never completed ToB) with Druid based character. This time I decided to try a Blade. I have always like characters that can do a little bit of this and a little bit of that and maybe not be the typical uber-powergamer class.

I am a litte ways into CH2. My Blade is:
Level 11
13(19 with belt)
18
16
18
10
15

Scimitar *
Dual Wield ***
Scimitar+1 in both hands

Party is Minsc, Jaheira, Nalia, and Aerie.

My frustration is the Blade is not hitting much. He only has 17 kills (13%), whereas Minsc ha 52 (35%), Nalia 41 (30%) and even Aerie is right on my toes at 11 (11%). My character has held up pretty well with a combo of Stoneskin and Spirit Armor and other protections, but he is definitely no "butt-kickin' for goodness". When does the Blade get to the point that it starts dealing more damage and racking up some kills? I have been using Offensive Spin.

I was thinking maybe a similar build of a Swash (10) --> Mage might be better?

Unfortunately, Bards just don't balance too well in this game. I've played through to the end of ToB with a Blade and the best THAC0 I can get is -4. Blade combat abilities improve well with "Tensers Transformation" spell. Generally though, a Blade is not a killing machine. You probably should not be using scimitars either (there is only one +3 scimitar in SoA). Play ToB if you want to focus on scimitars. Twin Warhammers work best if you use ToB. Bards do have good stronghold quests though.

Although power-gaming should not be part of roleplaying, completing a CRPG means doing just that. Ultimately, you still need to win the boss-fights. I recommend Paladin/Undead Hunter, if you can kill the dragon to get the Holy Avenger, that is (thank you, mods)!

Swashbucklers should only be used single class. You could try Kensai/Mage dual class, but you might not get mage leveled-up enough to have the kill-ratio you desire. Elf Fighter/Thief or Fighter/Mage for multiclassing is the best option.

Hope this helps. I might try a druid now... I never bothered before because of the messed up XP tables!

IMO, they become powerful as soon as they get PfMW since that + Stoneskin is basically immunity to physical attack for four turns, after which it can be re-cast. It makes them very good tanks. Killing potential is a different problem, though PfMW + other protections as needed e.g. Spell Immunity + Sunfire has always gotten me quite a few kills as a sorcerer. A big part of your problem is the weapons you are using - I recommend going to the Druid Grove ASAP for Belm to double your attacks per round and boost one of your swords to +2.

Scimitar is a good choice for Belm, though EastFrame is right that beyond that the choices are a bit limited pre-Watcher's Keep. After you pick that up, you can get good mileage out of any weapon you choose, even club until ToB. If you want recommendations, there are very good and easy to get long swords, flails, hammers, and axes available in chapter two. For example, The Copper Coronet will sell a +3 axe that does additional fire damage after you do the slaver quests (possibly before then - I don't remember); this along with Belm in the offhand would provide a huge boost to your melee power.

Would a Swash (10) => Mage be more effective in combat? Or is the THACO still nerfed? I was reading Dan Simpson's character guide and he seemed to really like the Swash => Mage combo. I got used to the Kensai/Druid build. I would have Iron Skins always on, cast Insect Plague, summon a Fire Elemental and then go head to head in melee and whoop some arse. I'd also have some other useful spells like Kai + Harm and Nature's Beauty. Nevertheless, wanting to try something different. I want some kind of versatility (spellcasting either arcane or divine) and be able to whoop some arse.

Do you have ToB installed ?

Swash (10) => Mage uses the bad mage thac0, only getting +2 to hit and damage from the swashbuckler side, he'll be even worse than your blade.

If you want to do serious physical damage you need warrior levels for extra attacks per round, mages and bards can cheese themselves invulnerable with spells instead.

You could increase your blade's damage output a lot by dualwielding belm and kundane (+2 extra attacks per round).

If you can't stand other party members doing more damage just kill them.

If you want to do something else try a sorcerer, bad in offensive physical combat but can cast so many spells spontaneously that it doesn't matter.

shylaman wrote:Would a Swash (10) => Mage be more effective in combat? Or is the THACO still nerfed?

AFAIK, blades and swashbucklers use the same THAC0 table. Blades get extra THAC0 from Offensive Spin, swashbucklers passively get floor(level/5) extra THAC0. Both are still far from a fighter's THAC0 table.

You might want to have a look at the [url='http://readme.spellholdstudios.net/readme_rr.html']Rogue Rebalancing Mod[/url]. Among other things, it grants swashbucklers a fighter's THAC0 table when wielding melee weapons.

Hello. Now, I personally love bards, and in particular, skalds. I've soloed both SoA and ToB on my skald and I can say from experience that they have great strengths. However, I've never tried a blade out before. The skald gets a +1 to THACo and damage to all weapons right off the bat, which doesn't mean too much later on, but it sure helps. I mostly used dual-wielding katanas or two-handed swords.

In a party, a barb is more of a support role. Such as being an off tank when your main tank needs a heal, or being a nice arcane support caster. In my own opinion, I don't see the blade as being all too effective since their main kit focus are the offensive and defensive spins. Sure they help, but once that wears off your damage and THACo are lowered.

My personal favoite bard kit is the skald for another reason though, their bard song. It doesn't effect enemies, but helps allies by a lot. It can be a great counter for fear, stun, and confusion (at lvl 20+) and for lower levels a good boost to ac and to THACo and damage. I'm sure blades can become good, but as EastFrame stated, scimitars aren't really the best for SoA. I wish you luck with whatever you do, and I hope you can start killing more ('cause that's always fun). Cheers~

Thanks. I may have to rethink my character choice before going any further. Maybe a Dwarven F/C, though that may play similar to the F/D that I am use to playing. Plus, no Romance. I never have completed one of those. Or played much into TOB. I do have TOB installed and would like to finally play through it after all of these years.

The party I was thinking about doesn't have anybody using flails, so this could work.

Minsc - Axes/Halbred
Jaheira (maybe) - Staff/Spears (I have done the Scimitar/Club thing in the past)
Aerie - magic
Yosh or Nalia and then Imoen. Yosh if I don't have any other character to open locks better.

I like to have 5 and rotate the last spot for quests. May not use Jaheira as she is like most of the PCs that I have played in the past.

I had been playing Skyrim and got bored. That is why I am back. Determined to go all the way through TOB.

I think Blades are insanely powerful once they get their hands on some loot in BG2.