Need advice on a solo multiclass character

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I plan on playing the game with a solo character this time (I soloed only once a long time ago but I never was able to actually finish the game with my half elf Rogue -I was trying to implement a Pnp character so there was absolutely no powergaming involved)

I've got an idea which may sound weird (to say the least) to most people...

female Drow Paladin 4 Sorcerer 4 Monk 3 Cleric X

with these stats:

STR 13

DEX 20

CON 1 (to be raised to 2 to avoid losing HP while levelling up as a Sorcerer)

INT 8

WIS 18

CHA 20

I hesitate between STR and INT, INT would get the Expertise feat, but STR enables the Power Attack and the Cleave feats (useful for a solo character facing hordes of enemies) besides I don't want to use weapon finesse (lack of damage and restriction in weapons) since she would be a paladin...

I won't go lower than 8 in INT since I believe it is preposterous from a RP point of view, thus 8 would be the lower limit below which the character could be considered as being really dumb.

Starting as a Monk to get the most of the AC bonus. I want some high saves so I need a high charisma. No XP penalties so I need to get all the other levels between 3 and 4 (hence Monk level 3) I need a Paladin level 4 to get the extra HP and the attacks (notwithstanding the immunities I'm not sure whether level 3 wouldn't be good enough?) and Sorcerer level 4 to be able to cast at least one level 2 spell (I'm planning on taking Shield as a level one spell which combined with the paladin's protection from evil would help raise the AC) eventually I'm thinking to get to Cleric level 17 to cast level 9 divine spells.
I'm thinking about using Broken Ones and Ilmater templates (for better coherence and abilities).

A female Drow's favoured class is Cleric so I think it's appropriate. I thought about using a human but that meant much lower stats and no innate magic resistance (extra feats and skill points don't seem to make up for this) besides if I'm not mistaken the level adjustment avoids the (otherwise) necessity of level squatting?

Any comments or suggestions are welcome

 

I discourage taking a low number of arcane spellcaster levels. If you get rid of the sorcerer mix-in, you should be able to reduce the number of levels as monk and paladin.

HP is not lost on levelling up. The least you can get is 1 and you always get at least one point.

If you don't aim for Finesse, this high DEX isn't really the best way. You would be better off in a full plate with a decent STR and CON. CON 1 for a tank is suicide. It's -5 to HP per level.

 

Thanks for the feedback!

You've got a point about the Sorcerer levels, 4 levels are not going to do a lot to help this character. Yet I feel that Shield (for the extra AC bonus) and Mirror Image (though the latter is not as powerful as in BG) are worth the trouble... perhaps I'll reconsider though (either no sorcerer levels or only one, or just use a Shield amulet and forget about it altogether, I don't know yet).

Actually if you have a character with only 1 in CON (it has to be an elf) and you level up as a Sorcerer (I didn't try as a Wizard but I guess that any class which uses D4 to calculate the number of HP per level would be concerned by this) you lose 1 HP when you level up (I tested it so I know it's the case, I have no Mods and the latest patch installed).

True enough Finesse would make sense for the character, my point is that the best weapons for a paladin do not benefit from the Finesse bonus, besides taking the Power Attack feat with Finesse would negate all the advantages of the latter... Something of a dilemma.

Besides a high DEX allows to avoid spending the few skillpoints this character is going to get on some useful skills such as Hide and Move Silently which can be useful at times.

The character will have a high WIS and in order to get the extra AC points as a Monk, she won't be able to wear any armour. If she was to wear an armour she would only benefit from the Monk Evasion Feat (a feat she couldn't get from a Rogue MultiClass as a Paladin).

A Deep gnome would be better suited for the job (+4 AC), only this character would have to be a Wizard (otherwise there would be some high XP penalties involved).

In Icewind Dale 2 you get 7 stat points to give your character as it levels up. If 1 point goes to CON, the rest will go to WIS which will serve two purposes: enhancing the Monk AC and (last but not least) get extra spells as a Cleric.

It is true that taking 5 to 8 points from DEX to raise CON would make this character less of a liability as a tank... As it is, I agree that this is "suicide"

Nevertheless it remains controversial for this character is aiming at a higher AC to avoid being hit rather than being able soak up a lot of damage. Perhaps I'm making a mistake by taking it only half way and the character would be better off with Expertise (AC+5) and Finesse and switch between INT and STR...

 

Yes, this build does sound weird. But, as I have said many times in this forum, people have soloed Bards and completed this game so pretty much any build can get you through the game if you get your tactics right. The key is to know the strengths and weaknesses of your character and to make best use of the potions and scrolls that are strategically placed throughout the game to get you past encounters that would otherwise prove difficult.

I would be philosophically opposed to a character with 1 constitution because that person would (if this was real life) probably be spending their whole life in a sterile hospital room hooked up to a life support system. They would certainly not be out adventuring. But it's only a game and you can do what you like.

I agree with Chev that taking a few spellcaster levels (sorcerer in this case) is usually not a good idea as spellcasters are usually backloaded in that they are better at higher levels.

 

If only Sorcerer was the favourite class for dark elves (I don't like wizards!)

@Harbourboy: You're right a character with only 1 in CON requires some willing suspension of disbelief: the best I can think of is that being a follower of Ilmater -the god of suffering- she has decided to take upon herself as much pain and suffering as is possible for a mortal without dying thus lowering her constitution and stamina in the process...

 

Spells are the only way to kill crowds of monsters in Hearth of Fury! You need Wail of the Banshee, Symbol of hopelessness,good summoning spells,good protective spells, and Heal spell of clerics.Besides high casting statistic, spell focuses are essential.
For stats, dex ,is least important stat. AC is not important if you will play HOF, since all enemies attack with +40 or more. AC is of no use.
You can beat the game without a rogue. There are no very nasty traps. For locks, you can allways cast a good old knock.
Con is VERY important. Yet there is a composite shortbow which give +4 cons, in HOF, it gives you+60 hp in level30!
Con1?NO WAY YOU CAN BEAT THE GAME!(solo)

Ideal one will be a level 13cleric, level 17 wizard.
Start with at least 18 in BOTH int and wisdom, mediocre dex(12-13), low str(8),moderate cons(12) or reduce your cha BADLY and raise con. more.
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Give all stat points into intelligence, you will use arcane spells to kill, and clerical spells to heal, so arcanes need high DC!
There are potions of holy transference in battlesquaares as a reward(level 2 or 3?), it lowers dex by 1 and increases wis by 2!Definitely use it for extra spells!
There is an amulet which gives +5 wis. in underdark. Get it asap!
Saablic Tan's dagger give +2 or +4(normal or HOF) int but can only be used by evil.
There is a robe in final act.+1 or +3 int(normal or HOF)
THUS, you will have both incredibly high intelligence and wisdom!
Become a SPECIALIST mage, since you have cleric level, you will be able to cast your banned schools as well.(was it a bug?)

Your strategy will be very much same, protect yourself with mirror images, blur, stoneskin, improved invisibility, summon undead or shadow creatures, cast Wail of the Banshees or Finger of Deaths, Disintegrates etc.for quick kills,horrid wiltings and others for area damages, cast symbol of hopelessness to paralyze all enemies, cast a quick holyword or heal when you ara troubled.
BE SURE TO TAKE ALL GREATER SPELL FOCUSES, your spells will rock!
This builds take a time to be effective, but then truly formidable.
There are few enemies you can not defeat by magic.(ie:final bosses)
Summon a lot of most powerfull demons to help you out.Gelugons do cold damage and tear Isair and Madae quickly!(They re very weak to cold damage even in HOF!)

ofcourse, this is my plan if you ever want to play HOF,this will be the only character that can last enough to live.
Thanks for reading...

 

"here are few enemies you can not defeat by magic.(ie:final bosses)"

This is false, end bosses take magic damage quite nicely. Horrid Wilting owns them. High level fire spells work too (I've got DBFs do 150 damage on them). Go for Isaer with it.

 

@Silverstar,
I like your idea, I think I'll give it a go. I'm thinking of this for the build:

Male Drow Evil
Cleric 12 / Necromancer 18
10 (12) / 15 (13) / 14 / 18 / 18 / 5
Small Blades, Bow
Feats: Ambidexterity(?), Two-Weapon Fighting(?), Weapon Finesse(?), Spell Focuses (starting w/ Necromancy)

Couple of questions:
1) Which is better, dual wielding + weapon finesse using short swords w/ added dex or spending a feat on long/great swords and adding to str?

2) Cleric, what domain? I always have trouble picking one and was curious as to what you suggest, keep in mind I want this guy to be evil (chaotic, neutral or lawfully). Of the evil clerics (Watcher of Helm, Lorekeeper of Oghma, Dreadmaster of Bane, Battleguard of Tempus, Demarch of Mask & Stormlord of Talos), which has the best additional quests?

Just had another thought, what about this:

Female Drow Lawfully Evil
Dreadmaster of Bane 12 / Sorceror 18
14 / 13 / 14 / 3 / 18 / 18
Small Blades/Bow

Something else that I realize, is that unless your INT is higher than 11, you will only get 1 skill point per level up. I think that just sucks. So, IMO and role playing aside, it only makes sense to tank INT and add it to something else.

[ March 31, 2005, 23:46: Message edited by: Vassago ]

 

Everyone takes physical damage pumped up nicely by magic, hehe. When you get +54 to hit and damage like 40 without a critical, what can they do?

 

Yes, but I didn't like to put my sorc on the line with that stunning attack from Madae (kinda stupid that Mirror Image will protect you from area things like fireballs, but it won't shield you from things like stunning, poison and stuff).

3 or 4 Horrid Wiltings should first drive the Twins to the pool, a few more and they should be gone (assuming you went for Isaer, since Madae likes to cast Heal on herself).

And the end bosses resist quite a bit of damage too. Both had IIRC 1 physical damage type they weren't too resistant. It could be that it was that both were vulnerable to the damage type they use themselves, or then the other way around. So Isaer would resist slashing the least and Madae bludgeoning, or vice versa. Checked it with Dalekeeper some months back.

Anyway, they still can be taken down with spells.

 

Isair, Madae and the avatar of Xvim all take +5 bonus electrical damage. IIRC they also have a low resistance to blunt damage. Isair goes down faster than Madae imo. Just give them time for their protections to run out and then pile up on him.

Con 1 is just impossible to play with. And there is no way it can make RP sence. Does she have every disease in Faerun? That is the stat of someone who is bedridden, let alone being an adventurer.

Putting points in weapons is a waste. You are better off taking a level as fighter.

There are no real quests that the Cleric gets. Banites get +2Wis during the course of the game. iirc Lorekeepers have the best domain spells.

 

Well I don't like HoF: hiding behind hordes of summons isn't my way of playing this kind of games, besides ID2 is at times already too "hack-n-slash" for my taste... HoF is just worse. That's only my opinion though, it's nice if you enjoy it.

@Shrikant: My character is going to get 2 pts in CON asap, the point I'm trying to make is that although it's a weird build it can be done (I'm going to give it a try anyway) and yes she has been exposed to all kinds of illnesses and hardships that come to mind, she worships the god of suffering, does she not?

 

I am happy if I am of some help.
The reson why I can't defeat final bosses with magic is the fact that I allways cast anti-magic scrolls on BOTH of them to disable their most annoying spells.
In HOF, my fighters could do LİTTLE damage to them, they resisted 20+ damage each hit!
And what was their AC? my fighter missed on a roll of 43!!!
Then I discovered they are weak to COLD via a Gelugon attacking Madae.(ALWAYS FOLLOW THE COMBAT DİALOGUE TO DİSCOVER RESİSTANCES AND WEAKNESSES!!!) Madae takes 10 additional cold damage each hit.so..

I used HALBERD OF THE NORTH which does 3d6 cold damage and even more!
3 fighters pounded her with halberds, a Gelugon teared her with her freezing attacks, and I beat HOF VERY easily!

Magic is the ONLY way to beat HOF, a mere fighter will heve NO CHANCE unless he has a very weird weapon. This weapon is SO special that it gives a CHANCE to even the purest fighter! It is a..

An axe called Coward's Flight in HOF! It is DEVASTATING to enemies since it slows the target(NO save!) %50 chance, and then panics it (NO save!) %50 chance! This means each time you hit, the victim will be either slowed or panicked or both! This way a fighter with 30+ strength can kill a TOUGH target VERY easily and quick! You see, they TRY to run away, but they CAN'T since they are slowed to a crawl, so hit it from back!(and if this is a rogue attacking, a sneak attack from rear! NOW this is NASTY.)
There are enemies immune to fear but they can be slowed regardless.
I forgot weapon's location, though it is in middle or last chapters.

A 13 level of cleric will give you holy word(if you are good aligned),VERY useful to freeze everybody to escape or recover!
The MOST important cleric spell is HEAL! One second and POOF! you are completely healed!

Slayer Knights of Xvims are very strong in HOF!(I even thought they are worse than Isair or Madae!)
They have all saves with +40 or more, never miss, do 60+ damage, attack 5 times a round, immune to most necromantic spells and energies(fire, cold , electricity, even magic!)

A fighter has NO chance to beat a couple of them and Isair had 4 of them together in the final battle, they are FAR,FAR deadlier than twins.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND weapon feats if you are going to be a pure cleric/wizard (or sorc.).. Weapons will only help you by their special abilities, STAT BONUSES are crucial!


GET ALL spell focuses! This makes a wizard'S spells harder to resist!
Play HOF! It is FUN!

 

Didn't post for 5 months and had to reregister. oh well.

Here's a char plan I made for a 4 drow party. This char was to be the decoy and should be close to your original. I don't remember the setup exactly.

Female Drow LG
monk3/pal-ilmater3/sorc4/cleric-lathander18/rogue2
4/19/6/14/18/19
by end of hof with nonrandom items
10/22/6/18/36/22
spell resistance, great saves, evasion, ac 64, poison/disease immunity, ability to turn burn and heal.
For solo with melee abilities try
13/19/6/8/18/16
The rogue2 was to wear a +3 armor item so you could put something else there.