GameBanshee Forums

Hello, I've recently got back into BG2 and have started a new game with all the new mods that are out.

Well anyway I would like some help regarding dual classing. I want either a Beserker/Cleric, Kensai/Mage or a Fighter/Shapeshifter, i've looked at posts about the first two but didnt find anything obvious about shapeshifter other than that it sucks

Fighter/Shapeshifter is very appealing as a character for me, dunno why, I just like it . So I would like some comments on if this would work/how to make it work. I have tactics mod installed and ToB so if this matters...

What level to dual at would also help, btw i know a druid's max level is 14 (ps why is this?) so should i be a shapeshifter -> fighter or fighter -> shapeshifter
I havn't played in a long time so forgive me if im completely wrong on some things, and im not against using sk to get my fighter/shapeshifter.

Thanks

Edit: if i multiclass fighter / druid will druid stop leveling at lvl 14 and if so does all the experience then go towards fighter or would it still be shared even though the druid won't need it?

Fighter/Shapeshifter

1. If I remember correctly you can only Use Kit's in your 1st class, so this means shapeshifter X levels dual to fighter. You can go the other way round by using SK or other editors

2 My advice would be to use multiclass (half-elf)Fighter/Druid. After creation use SK to apply the kit and set levels back to zero in both classes and reduce hitpoints to 1 (you don't need to it's just more in line with the rules; aside from using SK)
The reason for multiclass are:
- you gain Druid and Fighter hla's
- are more balanced meelee/spell wise
- this is a near perfect character if you use Wes Weimar's Shapeshifter rebalancing mod (spellcasting while morphed) which I highly recommend to use with this class combo

Tips (using shapeshifter mod):
1 Specialize in dagger as claws are considered daggers (if it isn't changed since I last played)
2 You can use any weapon effect such as elemental damage or slow ... etc, when dual wielding; use such a weapon and your "claws" in offhand
3 Use spells to boost your already high resistance (armor of faith and you laugh about meelee enemies other combinations are possible)
4 With item upgrade mod there are throwing spears (to use in normal form)
5 Be creative with spells and equipment
6 Have fun

P.S.: With ToB druid can gain higher levels than 14, look in the manuel to see what you get (hint, hint: Spellprogression, elemental resistance)

I think many people on this board know that I love druid / fighter combos. If you dual, I personally recommend the totemic druid (his special ability is summoning things which is perfect when you need help kicking butt, and is also a very fast way of bringing in a friend).

The max level is 14 because in SoA, the experience cap is 2.9 million (roughly), so you can't reach the 3 million mark to hit level 15. Either way, Kaah is right that your first class can be a special kit, but the second class is always a generic one (Kensai -> thief, Assassin -> fighter, Berserker -> mage).

Since you do have ToB, install it now, as it won't affect you in SoA other than giving an extra map area and a new mage class (highly recommended). I'd recommend dualling your druid over around level 12 - you will have to be a level 13 fighter to reenable your druid side (until then, all spells and abilities are locked away) which can be a while, but when you do reenable to druid class as a fighter, you suddenly get back all your spells, with the full range of spell levels, including iron skins and insect plague (both fantastic!). The other advantage is that it only takes 300k of druid experience to hit that mark, which is pretty quick, and you don't "waste" a lot of experience points on your inactive class, helping you to start sooner on your primary (fighter) class. Fighter HLA's are often talked about here and are a fantastic way of making the toughest creatures die (whirlwind a dragon with 10 attacks a round and a fighter's THACO).

For weapons, since druids are limited, I'd recomend either dual wielding scimitars (there are a couple of +4 scimitars, and belm, +2, gives you an extra attack every round) or single wielding spears (you can get a +3 spear right in walkeen's promenade very early in the game, and later get a +6 spear, one of the few weapons that can hit through the best mantle spells that liches like to play with). Pros and cons of each, and to each their own.

Armor? Fighter / druids can wear anything and tank with the best (ask Jeheira) so +1 full plate, gloves, helm, whatever. You'll have a very nice AC, and can still cast to disrupt enemy mages, heal yourself, et al.

For the other classes, a Kensai/mage is nice (everyone here has tried one once) but I think a Kensai / thief is a better option - still great hitting, plus you can backstab with a fighter's thaco and easily start doing 50+ damage with a single hit (100+ is common, too). Added bonus: once the thief gets HLA's, choose Use Any Item to cancel out all the problems of Kensais, and then drop their AC some more and wear armor again and gloves, too.

Also, apparently, berserker/mages are a nice bonus, since they can use their rage ability to become immune to imprisonment and maze, so hang in longer against Kangaxx and other liches. Dualling katanas (for Zakkon's Derth Blade in the off-hand for extra spells) or singly using staves (there are tons of good staffs, including the staff of the magi (aka staff of cheese), and one of the few +6 weapons, are good ideas there.

Instead of a Berserker /cleric, I'd probably choose another druid, but clerics get some good spells that druids don't: holy smite (area affect with more damage as characters level up that won't damage your good or neutral party), and chaotic commands (make the target immune to charm-type spells) are some of the biggies that clerics get.

Anyways, I have to go back to work now.

N........

Wow thanks for the help, i think a multiclass fighter/shapeshifter is more what i want. Btw when i dual class a beserker to a cleric what are the minimum ability scores i need ?

[QUOTE=M0NSTA-]Wow thanks for the help, i think a multiclass fighter/shapeshifter is more what i want. Btw when i dual class a beserker to a cleric what are the minimum ability scores i need ?[/QUOTE]

Well, your best fighter scores (18 con, 9 int to use some items, 18 dex, the best strength you can (but don't stress on it - there are many strength enhancing items) target 16 or better. Plus, to dual to cleric, you'll also need at least a 17 wisdom. Forget the charisma, as there's an item that can raise that to 18 and it's available very early.

Let's see:
16 str
18 dex
18 con
9 int
17 wis
3 cha
That totals 81, so it's reasonable to get after rolling a few times, I think.

good luck!

well, but, if he has a bit more charisma he may use the finger he'd use for the useless ring of human influence with something usefull, as the Batalista or some resistance ring.

Give your char 9 on char too, IMO.

Alternative to Fighter/Druid

Well, BG2 is (if not all, but) a lot about items, as a shapeshifter you won't use this to the max.
A Ranger(Stalker Kit) dual or multi(SK) to Cleric gives you:
- Limited armor (up to studded and some special very good armors)
- Weapons (only blunt(cleric), so make sure you invest points in club (dual wield) and/or staff (+6 staff in ToB comes to mind)) for backstabbing
- Backstab (up to 5 times damage not only 3x as the handbook states (you just need more levels))
- Divine spells up to lvl 7, yep even druidic's + Haste!
- Turning
- Hide in shadows