What class is the BEST class?

[Undead Killer]

I want to know what class is the BEST?

[Arch_Angel]

You really can't get a straight answer to this question. How sucessful you are with your PC depends on what kinda of class that YOU work best with. You'll probably get a lot of replies about the kensai/mage combo, and true this is a very powerful class but it's not much good if you don't like it and have trouble using the character effectivly. I cannot stand to use bards, bards are not crap but they are simply a character that's not for me. Where as some people might argue that bards are the best class to use. It's really all up to you, what type of character do you think you would enjoy? The kind of fist in face fighter? Someone who stays back and casts some really wicked spells? Or a mix of the two? There is no answer as to which is THE best class as everyone has their favourite for their own practicle/aesthetic reasons. You'll find that all classes have some situation in the game that they will preform well in.

[Obsidian]

Couldn't have said it better myself. I find however, that the first class you pick will be the one you most relate too. For example, personally, I'm drawn towards paladins and rangers, so, My first character was a staight ranger, chaotic good, as to why I picked it over a paladin, I spose I was feeling more chaotic that day. Just read through the choices, and find one that you like and agree with their purpose in life. Kensai/mages and stalker/clerics are both very powerful characters to start off as. Ranger clerics of any kind are good.

[Xyx]

You can also never go wrong with a Berserker/anything. Really.

[Delacroix]

When he ask for the BEST character class, I understand that he is talking about POWER between the class; of course the best character class about PLAY is the one that you identify with.

Supose you mean POWER between the class(that is also based on personal preference, but a little less):
The classes have capabilities of their own( ohhhhhh !) . kidding. The thing is that these capabilities couteract thenselfs (like a pentagram circle, or elements circle [ the 1 beats the 2, that beats the 3, that beats the 4, that beats the 1,...]). So suposing this is right the class with more capabilities will have more counteracts and less vulnerability. So from the start I should say it is probably a Multi/dual class.
This multi/dual should be compesed with the two single class with more capabilities, in my point of view it should be a Mage/Cleric ( because of the spells variety and possiblity of counter), BUT even this combination (like all others) will have similar fragilities from their root single class( a fragility of the mage that is also from the cleric, meaning that is a fragility of Mage/cleric), for example: a thief with cloak of non-detection will fool the the Mage/Cleric.
I mean that will always be a way to counter some combination or strat. I think is possible to be a better class against an especificaly other. But not a better class against the general. In the case of a Mage/Cleric probably something with stealth and cloak of non-detection.
My personal opinion with most conteracts and less fragility still the Mage/Cleric.

But this confusion must be also added with some more variables: Like level, equip, spell chosen(sorcerer), spell memorized(mage/ cleric/ druid), abilities chosen,...

I'm realy confused now.

I am remember when I was 12 years old, I ask to a Karate master, what is the most eficient matial art(stupid question). He say in a serenity way( hate when they do it ) : "There is no better martial art, there is better apprentice." (There is no better class, there is better player [or better cheese. ] )

Sorry about my english, sorry to everybody who try to understand it and fail; is realy dificult to say such long things in other idiom.

[Quark]

The class that I have played the best is a dual Wizard Slayer/Thief

It can get tough at times, but once you get Use Any Item this guy is the best fighter/thief available.

[Silvanerian]

It also depends a whole lot if you're soloing or not, but let's assume that you are, as when with a party, it doesn't really matter what - even if it's the protagonist - class one out of six is.

When soloing this game it's obvious that there're some requirements that your character must meet.

1: He needs to be able to fight or summon something that can fight for him, as there're no way to smooth-talk your way through the game.
I find that some fighter type or a dual/multi combo is best, as there are some battles in the game that's VERY hard to get through without brute battleprowess. And those fights you usually can't sneak out of.

2: There're quite some high level spellcasters to get by. Again you need to fight your way through. You need someone that's either resistant (Magic resistance or never-fail-saving throws) to magic or being able to counteract it.
For these fights, it's obvious that a mage (or any spellcaster) is at his edge compared to a fighter.
So, to get by these fights I find either the mage, monk or inquisitor the best.

3: Thieving. Thieving is in my experience nice to have, but not essencial. You have to realize that without a thief there're some items you can't get (or at least it's very very hard)
Traps effects can be avoided by the mage if he's prepared and the fighter type has the Hit Points to take the damage (watch out for the nastier traps with spells...)


All in all, the game is (easily) doable without a thief. And as they aren't anything special with regards to fighting or spellcasting, I never play them (anymore). In my opinion the thiefkits extra fighting abilities (poison and extra traps, ect.) is only making the thief a bad fighter (averege at best).
The only thing about the thief that's absolute excellent is the backstab. Dispatching the enemy spellcaster before the battle truely begins is a great ability.

So, everything taking into consideration, my bet for the best classes would be: (for soloing)
Inquisitor (paladin kit): he's able to deal with the fighting, being a paladin. He's able to deal with the magebattles being an inquisitor (true sight and dispel magic) and with the amulet of power and carsomyr he's immune to level drain and very magic resistant - not taking his natural low saving throws and abilities into consideration.
I found the game rather easy with this character.

Monk: well, his very good at close combat, and with his magic resistance he has little trouble with mages (mostly because of their bad IA)
He has great speed and immunities.
There have been so much talk about the monk, so I'm not going in depth with this character.

Fighter/mage (multi or dual): This should be rather obvious. A great fighter with some awesome buffing mage spells and a good enough mage to deal with all the magic thrown our way. (multi)
Or a regular mage with the capability to handle yourself way better than a regular mage (or scorceror) in close combat.
I prefer the multiclass as it's just as powerful (in my opinion) and more fun.

Now, those were guidelines, and choosing what class to dual is up to your preferance.

-Silvanerian

[UserUnfriendly]

Sorc is my favorite. I love the use of spells and have downloaded xyx's great spell guide and have posted several cheese spell tactics.
I do think tho, that quite a lot of tough bosses in TOB require "fist in face" tactic above a magical solution but havev yet to find it. I do like clerics, tho. I use special techniques to enable my 3 girls, viccy and aerie and jahiera to serve as front liners and good fighters, but overall my favorite meoments in BG and tob are taking on liches and wizards in a nasty one on one mage battle. The sorc is also a really tactical player too. No sorcs exist in the npc ranks, and edwin, the best spellcaster is still not as versatile as a good sorc. Think of it this way....a sorc is like tube artillery, a pain to set up, kinda slow to move, but decisive in almost every battle once the shells start dropping.

[Raven Avenger]

There's no BEST class. It's depending how do you play it and what do you want: you wont rush into heat of the combat with a staff equipping mage. A thief has backstab andwith the invisibility potions he's deadly. If you like to stay out of the combat, choose a spellcaster or the Archer kit. If you like slice and dice your foes, pick the fighter. But remmember, there's no BEST class.

-- R.A.

[Rob-hin]

Just read the manual, when you see a discripttion of a class of what you say: "whooo, that's cool/funny/whatever", pick that one.

All classes have advatages,no one is stronger or better then an other.

[Kane]

Yawn,
MONK MONK MONK

[Xyx]

Originally posted by Raven Avenger:
<STRONG>There's no BEST class.</STRONG>

Heh. Very popular saying. Still...

• There is difference.
• If there is difference, there is
  better and worse.
• If there are better and worse, there are
  best and worst.

In a well-balanced game like BG, the difference is so small it's hard to notice, but it is always there.

[UserUnfriendly]

Be aware there are some "hidden" chars out there. the fighter/cleric multi class is actually better known as
Ultra-invulnerable kensai- cleric
multiple armor of faaith (without balderdash patch) will cheese up your fighter cleric and righteous magic will make your char invulnerable and all the abilitys of the kensai.

Using shadow keeper you can create illegal classes too. I've created monk/cleric, like bodhi

For spellcasters the mage cleric combo is really wicked, with really nasty perk of chaining cleric spells. particularly deadly against undead and demons.

Wizardslayer thief allows you to get magic resist up to 100% using cheese tactics.

A lot of people hate cheese and will not play them. I love cheese tactics.

Don't forget the wild mage, where every spell cast is a roll of the dice.

[Raven Avenger]

Originally posted by UserUnfriendly:
<STRONG>A lot of people hate cheese and will not play them. I love cheese tactics.
</STRONG>

Yeah, we see

[Shadowwarrior]

I wonder why I´ve never seen anybody name Dual-classed Kensai/Thief... with use any item you actually cancel ALL withdraws with the Kensai!!! And you can with some nice assassination skills do like 150 dmg every hit... yes every! (if you´re using a backstab-able weapon)

[Raven Avenger]

Ah! Shadow, it's a long story: people concider K/T cheese (for more info ask our Cheesemaster: UserUndfrendly ). Use the search here to find out more about this.

--RA

[Shadowwarrior]

Oh I´m sorry... you still can´t put proficencyslots in missileweapons and sword-and-shield style... but except that what? tell me!!!

[Raven Avenger]

It's ok, shadow...

A kensai is this good because he's trained to fight without encumbrance. That's the whole idea. If you put an armor on him, he must loose his bonuses.

[Shadowwarrior]

Cheese? I guess a characters far to superior?

[Shadowwarrior]

Then the Wizars Slayer/Mage should be the cheesier snack Or a cleric stalking you all the way home to then cure you OH NO!!! hahahaha