Fighters and Mages

GrimReaper · Post by **GrimReaper** » Wed Jan 03, 2001 5:24 pm

I was wondering what everybody's opinion about what fighter kit is the best. Also, what is a good level to dual to a mage? Or do you like dualing a swashbuckler to a mage better? And at what level if so? I know this seems like a lot of stupid questions but I'm new to the game and just wanted to know what other people thought because I don't know much. And thanks in advance.

Anatres · Post by **Anatres** » Wed Jan 03, 2001 5:29 pm

Went with Mage dualed to Fighter at level 2 in BG I once. Awesome character. All the attributes of a fighter with scroll and wand usage even in armor!

magusg · Post by **magusg** » Wed Jan 03, 2001 5:40 pm

If they were'nt so plentiful in BG2, I would say a thief, dualed to a mage at 9th level. Thieves are so useless in my style of gameplay, as they can't deal damage in the frontline or hit well from afar like mages. A thief mage would give the party great disarm trap/open lock capability, yet not waste a party member on an otherwise useless class, and would not take much from the character's power in terms of experience. But like I said, Nalia and Imoen make fine substitutes, especially Imoen with that great ring of thieving or something.
And no offense to all you thief fanatics out there. I don't favor backstabbing much because once performed it leaves the thief a sitting duck. I hate that computer-controlled thieves can suddenly disappear, even in combat, and you can't. And if they use invisibility potions, then using one every single battle would just seem pointless for me.

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Magus, mighty sorcerer, and summoner of hordes of...magical flying swords

Anatres · Post by **Anatres** » Wed Jan 03, 2001 5:49 pm

Magusg....
How do you detect/disarm traps without a thief? True there are a few in the game but Yoshimo is a trator, Nalia needs potions to be much use as a thief, Imoen is gone for a long time, and I've never played with Jan.

I've always used a thief mostly for long range combat. They make awesome archers with the right bows and gauntlets.

And as dualed mages they are magnificent, since a bow is usually much more effective a ranged attack than a sling.

Guess it's just a matter of style.....

Mikko · Post by **Mikko** » Wed Jan 03, 2001 5:55 pm

I just like my assassin, just poison yr weapon, backstab for 80 damage and run like hell with yr boots of speed.
Or poison your dagger/bow (dunno why all the arrows are *poof* poisoned) and poison people from a distance.

rapier · Post by **rapier** » Wed Jan 03, 2001 6:17 pm

Jan is a pretty good thief...a bit annoying IMO, but a good thief nonetheless...

Elenias Nal'nair · Post by **Elenias Nal'nair** » Wed Jan 03, 2001 7:18 pm

I know it's kind of power gaming and not like P&P but I only backstab when the target has to be utterly destroyed by this very single hit (=mages). But mostly the target has companions starting bashing on you so this will work seldomly.

Another thing: Like in P&P Thief/Mages are perfect assassins for they could not only strike but perform some really crazy shit out of hiding (first:changing form/climbing walls/spider-crawling or just being invisible; then:detecting spells/illusions/traps/protections of the target and disarming them all; finally striking the target and disappearing again...sneaky, sneaky...)

to the questions: THIEF : since I suppose you're not the backstabber-type I'd play swashbuckler dualed to mage either early at 5th (only for the boni, not recommended) or better at 8th level (for more HPs, +1weapon profiency and more thieving abilities) or at 9th (for +1 saving throws and +1THAC0). Give him Longsword++ , Shortbow+ , Dagger/Shortsword/Staff+ .
Fighter : difficult, either Kensai or Berzerk, both are killers. Always dual at 9th.

Maurice · Post by **Maurice** » Thu Jan 04, 2001 5:47 am

One thing to note is that you should not let your Thief wander aimlessly about after he performed his backstab. It takes some micro-management, that is true, but you should get your Thief away from enemy eyes ASAP again (run around the corner, drink potion, etc...), and return for another backstab. Boots of Speed help a GREAT DEAL with this. Using ONLY my Fighter/Thief I cleared out virtually the entire Mind Flayer area (both that you encounter during the game).

Rail · Post by **Rail** » Thu Jan 04, 2001 6:11 am

Maurice, you are right on. Hit and run. The battle's half over in the first segment of the first round. Have the thief draw the rest of the enemies to the remainder of your characters. Works wonders with an archer-heavy party.

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Thu Jan 04, 2001 6:14 am

You're right Rail. Those ideas you posted in the proficiencies thread will work wonders with my character - a dualled thief/fighter who can backstab and run or slog it out up front.

God bless that fire support.

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Grunt Grunt!

Rail · Post by **Rail** » Thu Jan 04, 2001 6:19 am

Glad to be of help.

Combine Maurice's advice as well, run around a corner and hide in shadows. The enemies round the corner and run into a wall of arrows. And you still get a second chance at backstabbing. Heh, heh!