Going to Solo!

[EternalKnight]

I was going to solo through a new game, but I needed some advice first. Mostly in the area of character creation. I want to know which character I should create that wouldn't be pushed around by an army of monsters. I play with parties and I still have trouble taking on some monsters, and groups of powerful monsters, oh my! So, what should I create? I want to steer clear of multi-classing though. Well, old guys, thanks for the help. Since I got to chapter 6, am I an old guy too?

[Caernarvon]

Naw, you aren't old until you've finished the game about 4 times... lol

If you don't want to multiclass, there are 2 options: dual class, with something like a Kensai/Mage. There's even a guide on how to do it on this excellent site.

If you don't want to dual class, there isn't a clear-cut class that you should be. I personally prefer a monk, but it will be tough early on because it seems like every monk level is 200K XP apart, so things are slow early and very fast later on. A sorcerer is good too, provided you don't mind resting in between every battle . An inquisitor can be effective also once you get Carsomyr.

The only classes I wouldn't recommend are theives and clerics. Theives were a viable solo class in BG, but now you can't invest points in hide in shadows, and that greatly weakens backstab. Unlike mage spells, cleric spells are mostly party support or special purpose counter spells, and these generally don't lend themselves well to soloing.

The most important thing for soloing is to get good stats. Dexterity and constitution are very important. Let charisma slide, and then either int or wisdom (depending on character type). You might also want to let strength slide, but be careful--this will make the early game very difficult.

Hope that helps. Have fun soloing!

[Ubik]

1. Soloing is kinda hard (no, it is REALLY hard) unless you have a super beefed-up character.

2. If you are not into multiclassing, there are few options. To start from scratch, a Paladin kit would fit the best (they are propably the most strong and all-around class).
If you have one handy, export a kensai-mage and go through the game with him - in other threads you can read how strong those guys are.

3. You can do some experiments in what to do and how to proceed. Dual classing would be a good idea too, but you have to be VERY carefull in the time you choose to do that.

[Black Hand]

Dual classed Fighter/Clerics are excellent warriors, with powerful healing magic and (VERY important) protective spells and combat enhancements.

Especially the 'Call upon Holy Might' spell, is one mighty powerful enchantment, which will give the caster +level/3 to all physical attributes (now who needs the slayer ability??).

[Caernarvon]

Cleric spells aren't bad, but IMHO for a dual classed fighter they aren't even close to stoneskin, mirrored image, tensor's transformation, improved haste, horrid wilting, spell turning, magic missle, etc.

The big killer for cleric spells though, is the ridiculously long casting times ...

[Black Hand]

But they can still cast while wearing Dragon Scale Armor.

On the other hand, how are you supposed to open locks without a thief or knock spell? I could not force most locks with a strenght of 21!

[Genesis]

Sorcerers do very well for soloing...one tip...vampire are very susceptible to feeblemind spell. Not the named ones like bodhi or tanova but the stupid ones that attack you in the streets...Also you will need your summoning spells when soloing as a sorcerer...lots of summoning spells

[Anatres]

Originally posted by Caernarvon:
Theives were a viable solo class in BG, but now you can't invest points in hide in shadows, and that greatly weakens backstab.

You can put points in 'Stealth' and 'Move Silently' which together (or seperately perhaps) are the same thing.

[Craig]

barberians are good(IMHO)fast,rage only prob no plate(no real prob actully most armor is better than norm plate,magicly enhanced armour(not plate)usealy was better/good as plate +1,witch was what you gotmostly with plate )