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Cleric/Rangers vs. Fighter/Clerics

Discussion in 'BG2: Throne of Bhaal (Classic)' started by PennyAnte, Apr 22, 2005.

  1. PennyAnte Gems: 1/31
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    Why the enthusiasm for Cleric/Rangers over Fighter/Clerics? It can't be Ranger stealth. Is it the extra low-level priest spells later?

    Fighters have no armor issues, so that helps in that build.

    Just trying to get a handle on the benefits of one over the other.
     
  2. Harbourboy

    Harbourboy Take thy form from off my door! Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    It's the fact that the multi-classed Ranger / Cleric has access to all Cleric AND Druid spells.
     
  3. Klorox

    Klorox Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-mênu! Veteran

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    There's a bug in all bioware games with this multiclass: A C/R can choose ANY druid or cleric spell for his spell slots.

    Obviously, that makes for one helluva spellcaster, and probably the best tank you can have too (Ironskins+best armor possible).
     
  4. Colthrun

    Colthrun Walk first in the forest and last in the bog Veteran

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    Also, if you don't care about stealth, a multiclassed ranger/cleric can wear any type of armour.

    And let's not forget that Ranger/Clerics get two stars in dual wield for free.
     
  5. Jechor Gems: 4/31
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    *drools* Dualwielding Cleric/Ranger with FoA + Crom Fayer or something similar *drools*

    That would be a good reason, maybe not those choice of weapons, but oooh, 25 Str from one weapon, and +5 in the other :)
     
  6. Aldeth the Foppish Idiot

    Aldeth the Foppish Idiot Armed with My Mallet O' Thinking Veteran

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    I generally concur with what the other people say, but I'd like to add that high level druid spells are very powerful, especially the 7th level summon elemental spells. Ironskins are another useful spell, as are the two Insect spells. As a R/C you will actually get to cast more of these spells at an earlier level than any MC Druid, and in the case of 7th level spells, earlier than even a single class druid due to the high levelling requirements to get to level 15 as a druid.

    Additionally, there's really no penalty in fighting ability for a R/C vs. a F/C. As cleric multi-classes, both are restricted to two points in any weapon proficiency, and both are restricted to cleric allowed weapon choices. There isn't any penalty to THAC0 either. Both a ranger and fighter get a bonus of 1 to their THAC0 for every level up until they hit level 20. Yes, rangers do need to acquire more experience points for each level up, but the difference is not huge. Fighters max out needing 250,000 XP to level up, while rangers require 300,000 XP to level up. So basically the F/C will earn 6 fighter levels for every 5 ranger levels the R/C earns. The only reason I see of playing a F/C as opposed to a R/C is if you wanted to get the bonuses of one of the shorter races that are not allowed to become R/C (for example, a dwarf cannot become a R/C).

    The bottom line is a R/C gets a huge boost in spell potential, with the only penalty being he needs a little bit more experience to level up as a ranger as opposed to a fighter. The two free proficiency points a ranger gets in dual wielding are nice too.
     
  7. Jechor Gems: 4/31
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    And when I think you can give the ranger a third point at character creation in two weapon fighting is even nicer :) Or am I thinking of a specific kit ?
     
  8. Aldeth the Foppish Idiot

    Aldeth the Foppish Idiot Armed with My Mallet O' Thinking Veteran

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    @Jechor - normally you are correct. Rangers CAN get three points in two weapon fighting style, but R/C, just like all fighter or ranger multi-classes are limited to two points in any given proficiency.
     
  9. Klorox

    Klorox Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-mênu! Veteran

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    @Aldeth: A R/C can get *** in Dual-Weilding. This is in the Baldurdash fixpack, along with an explanation from the creators that this is indeed the way the game was supposed to be.
     
  10. Jechor Gems: 4/31
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    *drools again* Sorry, can't be helped, just something about *** in two weapon fighting for basically nothing is sooooo worth it, given at character creation you'd only have to add one slot to it and then put remaining stars where ever you like *drools*
     
  11. Caradhras

    Caradhras I may be bad... but I feel gooood! Veteran

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    Anyway being able to pick a favoured enemy is quite nice too... though you don't even need the extra bonus.

    Another minor perk is that the stat rolls for a MC R/C are usually much better than for a F/C because the requirements are higher.

    Of course there is a minor drawback: you HAVE to be good and that can bother some people. :(

    minor SPOILER:

    I don't think that a MC R/C can lose his ranger status contrary to a pure ranger or paladin, I might be mistaken but I don't recall losing it when I played this character.
     
  12. Faraaz Gems: 26/31
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    Um...he CAN lose his status. He becomes a fallen Ranger, but I don't think this has any effect on the spellcasting side of the character.
     
  13. Kulyok Gems: 11/31
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    He does a very unpleasant thing when he falls: he becomes an evil cleric, so he cannot blow up undead. :(
     
  14. Misantrophe Gems: 5/31
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    i think insect spells and ironskin is more than enough to pick R/C over F/C. i wrote this before but i find it interesting so i'm writing again; if you SK your R/C and get sylvan mystic kit you can't use any weapon in the game (clerics only use blunt, sm use blade)... of course you can cheat all the way and give your char thiefs "use any item" but than game is too easy
     
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