Best class(kit) and race?

IMHO the best single-style char is a human Mage/Druid with:

12 Strength (minimum): To be able to wear the Shield of Balduran (really helps against those annoying Beholders)

18 Dexterity: For the lower AC

18 Constitution: For the extra HP that any char can benefit from

18 Intelligence: To be able to cast level 9 spells and maximum arsenal

18 Wisdom: For the extra spells and Magic Defense

03 Charisma: Don't worry about this, as you will quickly be compensated (SPOILER::: In the circus tent in Waukeen's Promenade you'll find a ring that gives you 18 charisma)

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I know that the above is difficult to get, but it is possible as my Kensai have:
Strength: 18/73
Dexterity: 18
Constitution: 18
Intelligence: 18
Wisdom: 14
Charisma: 03 // 18 with the ring mentined above
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As for equipment I'm a little blank except for this:
Ring of Wizadry
Robe of Vechna
Shield of Balduran
Ring of Gaxx
Belt of Hill Giant Strength (early on)
Belt of Fire Giant Strength (later on)

The two belts are for the ability to have heavy items in your inventory as well for those spells that gives you a weapon that you swing at the enemies.
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As for levels I would suggest that you max your mage and then shifts to druid.

 

*cough* rebalenced shape****er *cough*.....ever seen a character melee a dragon? alone? no help?

reblanced shapeshifter mod can be gotten here with the ease of use mod...dont have to install it all midn you if you have something against that... and the mod just makes shapeshifters get the actually stats of a werewolf\greaterwerewolf...

mine hits for 25 or so per hit, 4 attacks per round (with gear), regens 3 hp per second + 2 hp every 6 seconds (or 20 hp every 6 seconds), Ac negative 16 with one set of gear negative 20 with another that sacrifices extra attacks, practaicly never gets hit by spells even without the cloak of cheese (cloak of mirroring), is immune to non magic weapons, has over 165 hp...(level 14 mind you)...before level 13, still great, ac is worse by 10 or so, no regen, 3 attacks, hits for 20ish, 100 or so hp....

and you can get TWO! (cernd)

 

Since i'm playing a shapeshifter too i better get that mod quickly - I'll try soloing Firkraag.

I dont know why but equipment never gives me any bonuses while shapeshifted (no Belm,...). I have the latest patch.

That locked MR(40%) really bothered me. It's much better with base 40 .

But casting while shapeshifted

I really get the feeling that now Shapeshifters WILL get too powerful. Its like a fighter with full plate running around and casting insect plague. Put up some buff spells and its WAY better than any mage. With items(TDD) you get 90% MR and GW form gives you gratly improved saves + dispel magic and other spells. Complete Anti-magic char.

[ January 06, 2003, 10:40: Message edited by: Gothmog4230 ]

 

Mage-thief and fighter-mage-thief are very good solo chars, spellcasting is a very powerful ability in BG-2.

As for the best armor, I always hear the peeps post about elven chain. Elven chain isn't bad, clearly. However, consider that *robes* are perhaps the better option when dressing a multiclassed mage, namely the incredible robe of the apprenti, the best protecting robe in the game, even usable with a ring of protection *hint*

Also, armor spells and stoneskin come in quite handy with a solo char, the dress isn't everything.