Newbie stats question

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If I create a character, do I need to put many points into "non-essential" stats? For example, I create a bard, do I need much in Wisdom? Does a Cleric need Int?

 

The simple answer is 'No'.

That is, you don't *need* them, but it's always good to have at least medium in all stats. Neither do you *need* 18s in everything. It only makes the game easier, not more enjoyable (in my humble opinion, of course).

[This message has been edited by Namuras (edited December 14, 2001).]

 

That's not always the case, so it's best to max out the stats that are important to your class and then try to balance out the others.

For example, a higher wisdom gives you a bonus to your saving throws, making you more resistant to magic, which could be very useful to a fighter(or any class), although you don't NEED it. Also if you are playing a human and wish to dual class, keep that in mind when you are rolling.

Dexterity and Constitution however will help you a lot no matter what class you play. A high strength is also useful for practically every character class exept the mage.

Another thing: the only classes that will benefit from a constitution higher than 16 are the warrior classes(fighter,ranger,paladin, and any dual or multi class involving these).

Look at the tables in the manual; they will help you a lot.

 

GOOD IDEA: Put those few stats you absolutely do not need down as low as possible, and the ones you actually use up to eighteen. 3's and 18's, I say.

Other good newbie things to know, brief FAQ:

-A sorcerer must have high Charisma.

-The two numbers after the Strength should be really really high. Reroll again, as that one's not good enough. 00 is a good number.

-For unfighteristical classes (i.e., not a fighter), extremely high Constitution doesn't matter. Bonuses for unfighteristical chars end shortly after 16.

Those are some things I never understood until I got smart, I reckon.

 

A sorcerer in BG don't really need high charisma (he would under the 3e rules however).

The percentile strength is only available for fighter-like classes so don't look for them if you rolling a wizard for example.

Putting 3 in a stat is not really advisable unless you are really into PG instead of RP. An int of 3 will (spoiler) possibly make you unhappy.

 

Why, thankyou, Zor-man - now he'll REALLY know what to do!

 

Whelp,I decided to go for the RPG aspect. I like Bards, and they have high Int (cleverness), but might not be too wise. So I got 18 Int and 10 Wis. Dex at 18, Con at 14, Str at 10 or 12, and of course Cha is 15.

So I'm a charming, very clever, nimble Bard who's not too wise and not too tough. Sounds right.

 

With stats like strength and dexterity though, is there any class that would not benefit from having them fairly high? Between being able to carry more, and THACO and damage bonuses, and AC modifiers for dex. I can't think of why any character would *not* want them at 17-19. Even at the expense of charisma that the ring of human influence can take care of.
What does constitution do in terms of modifiers?

 

Constitucion add hit pionts per level and reduce the resistence to resurrect (that is inusable for your main character, because if he die end the game). The bonus per level began in 15 of CON, and no fighter classes stop getting hp with 16 of CON.

 

Good job BP! Took me awhile to get out of my whole Fallout 2 powergaming attidude so I usually did the 18/19's and 3's. But the D&D rules are so balanced that it's much better to have a well rounded character. If you play a Fighter for example and give him 18 strength 18 dexterity 18 con 3 wisdom 3 intelligence and 18 charisma, you might be the total killing machine against other fighters but you'll recieve a -4 on all of your saving throws, making you helpless against magic(like they had thrown in a Greater Malison). Also there are a few times in the game where intelligence will help you in a particular quest, and it doesn't seems right for the protaginist to be an idiot.

There for, it is good to max out the stats you need, and try to balance out the others. Also a fighter would probably have more wisdom than intelligence, but a mage would be the other way around. Also priests should have high intelligence as well.

 

Hey Lord Sarevok....

Can you tell me where you found that knowledge about savingthrows etc? Some website/page at Sorcerers?
Really want to see some influences of stats on abilities etc...
Some nice tables perhaps?
Thank you in adv.!

Well..er...Thanks to Kingsgambit (thanks a lot King!!) I think I already know where to find the info...

[This message has been edited by Master of Nuhn (edited December 23, 2001).]

 

A problem with the BG series (the best games this side of the Civilization ones) is that you cannot "lead" your party from the back. Charisma affects the price of goods and saving throws involving morale, and is checked against the player in the point position. Consequently, if you play as a mage, cleric or other light lifter, you might as well set your charisma to 3 and give the Ring of Car Sales to Minsc and let him deal with the public.

 

I know that when you are about to level up, you should take a potion to raise your Con in order to get the max possible HP's. Is this also true with stats that are class specific? (i.e. raise your Int for mages, Wis for Clerics)

 

I doubt it would count if you drank a potion before hand.

Oh and the charts are in the back of the manual for either BG1 or BG2.