POLL: Fighter/Mage -- looking for a power class here

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1)Elven Fighter/Mage: You get HLAs from both classes, access to all spells, +1 to hit with bows and swords. Highest DEX possible.
2)Gnome Fighter/Illusionist: HLAs from both classes, extra spell/level, but none from Necromancy school. Bonus on saves vs. magic based on CON. Highest INT possible.
3)Human Kensai/Mage: Higher spellcasting, less fighting than the multiclasses. Bonuses to AC (kit) and hit/damage (Kai).
4)Human Berserker/Mage: Higher spellcasting, less fighting than the multiclasses. Many immunities from Rage ability, and can use shields (many provide immunities in addition to the AC bonuses).

Poll Information
This poll contains 1 question(s). 28 user(s) have voted.
You may not view the results of this poll without voting.

Poll Results: Fighter/Mage -- looking for a power class here (28 votes.)

Fighter/Mage -- looking for a power class here (Choose 1)
* Elf Fighter/Mage - 64% (18)
* Gnome Fighter/Illusionist - 11% (3)
* Human Kensai/Mage - 21% (6)
* Human Berserker/Mage - 4% (1)

 

Whats the context?

Solo; the elven FM beats the gnome, because an extra spell is good but not worth loseing horrid wilting and skull trap.

Party with at least one non illusionist mage; the gnomes extra spell tips the balance, particularly if you're going to spend most of your time on the front line.

as for the dual class options, dualed at what level?

 

It's just a general poll. If you want to add in a factor of "when to dual" then just add it into your reply after voting.

Oh yeah, I never included a half-elf Fighter/Mage, who has the benefit of more Hit Points than an elf, but doesn't get the +1 to THAC0 w/ Swords and Bows. If you want to vote for these guys, vote "elf" and just make a note in your reply.

TIA!

 

Since we're talking ToB here, I'd have to go for Elf all the way. Dual-class characters are, IMO, totally wasted on ToB because of the HLA's. Rudiger is right about the Gnome - the loss of two of the best spells in the game (not to mention Death Spell for getting rid of summons instantly) isn't worth getting the extra spell per level and having the 19 INT. While the 19 INT is good, I don't recall it having much of an impact over an 18 INT, other than maybe an extra low-level spell, but whoopdie-doo.

As to whether I'd pick an Elf or a Half-elf, now that I think about it, there's slightly more of a benefit to picking an Elf, but it depends on your pref.

As pointed out, the Elf gets a natural +1 to both bows and long sword. But give the Elf a 19 DEX, and that's an extra +1 to missile weapons. So in deciding this you have to ask yourself what's more important to your game long term: Natural +2 w/ bows, or an extra hit point every level? Since the Half-elf can get an 18 in CON and the Elf is stuck at 17, that's the other end of the coin.

Since by the time you reach the higher levels an extra +2 in missile weapons is pretty insignificant, and eventually the extra HP per round will add up to a lot, I'd have to go for the extra hit points, myself.

Half-elf fighter/mage.

 

Elf FM here, too. ToB favours multis over duals, and Finger o' Death rocks my world. Either Elf or Half-Elf is viable, as whether you prefer ~9 HPs more versus +1 with swords (probably your main weapon) and +2 with bows (after DEX) is pretty much up to you.

The gnome's right out, IMHO. The bonus with 19 INT is the ability to memorise all the spells in a level without chemical assistance. However, it's pretty much wasted on a gnome, who won't be able to memorise any of the Necromantic spells anyway, and he'll be worse off in the long run.

Both dual-classes would benefit from dualling as late as possible to stay on a par with the elf at endgame, but that inevitably adds a problem with having to kick your heels as an apprentice wizard for ages. If you have to dual early, the Berserker is the better choice. Kensai lose the most from dualling early and the Berserker should only need a handful of castings of Rage to be effective. Both can double up as ranged attackers by using thrown weapons.

Although, I think you're forgetting something, Klorox: the Blade! A truly frightening dervish of destruction at high level when items, HLAs and spells are combined in the right way. I think that'd probably be the powergamer's most likely choice for a spellsword-type of character, even if you do miss the top three spell levels. After all, there's always scrolls!

 

I voted Elven F/M, but an F/M/T is even better IMHO. The 19 INT that a gnome would get can be easily acquired with a Tome in BG1.

 

Ach! I can't believe I forgot to mention the FMT! I frickin' love FMTs!

They are superb, but you would (again) miss out on level 9 spells, and the associated mage HLAs. Of course, you get traps and backstab, as well as a host of useful thieving skills. Lovers of sheer spellcasting power probably won't like the trade-off, however (I'm always amazed by how many people don't use backstab), but may well like the FMC triple class.

Still, I expect Klorox was more concerned with specifically picking the best from the most popular F/Ms, but Blades and triple classes are well worth consideration. They do the same sort of thing, after all, with a touch more versatility.

 

I went with the gnome because when I use a F/M I almost exclusively use buffs, disabling spells, and "can opener"spells anyway. I just don't see horrid wilting as a good enough reason to give up one spell per level when my main strategy is improved haste/pfmw+critical strike, smite, or power attack anyway. The F/M/T is probably the most dangerous class in the game if you know when to cast immunity to abjuration/divination.

 

Crap, I'll need to make a new poll (not tonight) including the FMC and FMT. I don't know if I should include Blades... they kinda fit into the Bard poll (but there's not much of a point in making one of those... Blade will win hands down).

 

Yes, but Skull Trap, Spirit Armor, Death Spell etc are a lot more useful than just Horrid Wilting by itself.

Necromancy is a very, very important spell school...right up there with Abjuration and Evocation.

I voted for the Half-elf Fighter/Mage, but the poll only allows for an Elven one...so...yeah, the Half-Elf Fighter/Mage rocks with more HP. +1 THAC0 is negligible in the face of like 10-12 extra HP.

 

My personal favorite is the Blade for sheer tacticle brilliance and versatility. Song and magic combined is just vicious. If we do not count blades then I say F/M/T for versatility again. You can do so much and unleash a lot of legal cheese against opponets that it is insane!

 

Elven Fighter/Mage. Personally I don't like gnomes and not being able to cast Necromancy spells is a big drawback

 

Hey - somebody call Aldeth - Klorox is moving in on his territory!

 

I would vote half elf F/M (for Viconia!)

Slightly off topic: I like the Swashbuckler/Mage (less offensive but better AC).

@Klorox: you know, pure power can be boring.

 

Well...it really gives you a high when you single-handedly take apart 50 or so high level characters...I mean...Greater Malison+ADHW+ADHW while fighting Yagashura's army never fails to bring a smile to my face!

 

If were talking ToB, Staight F/M or F/M/T in solo.

 

If your fighter/mage is exclusively using his magic to make himself a better fighter than necromancy just isn't an important spell school. Why waste your time throwing offensive spells at your enemies when you can kill them faster with your swords anyway? Especially after casting improved haste, improved invisibility, fire shield, protection from the elements (the level 8 version), and immunity to divination on yourself and using the critical strike feat. Or you could just cast improved haste and timestop. You'll still tear through your enemies faster dual wielding and improved hasted and wearing the gauntlets of weapon expertise then you will with spells in ToB since most of your enemies have magic resistance at this point. Rather than waste my time dropping their resistances or conjuring stuff to kill them, I prefer hacking them to pieces with the black blade of disaster and kundane using the combat buffs and other equipment mentioned above. 10 attacks per round while using critical strike, smite, or power attack is going to hurt. Who needs whirlwind, anyway?

 

Felinoid: I tried out a FMT tonight, and I have to admit, it was a lot of fun! I didn't have to worry about not being able to bash open locks or figure out how to take damage from traps... I just took care of business! And backstabbing is outstanding!

I've realized how fast this character will fly through the game though. I mean, all that CP from scrolls, traps and locks will really add up!

 

If you solo a F/M/T you quickly go up levels. If you have a party join you it takes forever. I am fond of a F/M/T. However last night I ended up rolling an outstanding speciman for a Dualed M/F

I say M/F because I will go up to level 20+ as a Mage and than Dual to a figher.

Here are my stats...

Str. 18
Dex. 18
Con. 14
Int. 18
Wis. 13
Cha. 15

Since you keep the HP from your first class when you dual I know I will not have as many HP if I went F/M but by going this way maybe when I convert my character over I can make him a Wild Mage and if you can dual to a figther after that.

Can you dual a wild mage, since it is a mage kit?

 

No, you can't dual class Wild Mages. I wouldn't, anyway, because as spellcasters they're one of those sorts that improves much more as you level, so it always feels a waste.