Best Melee Character?

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this is probably going off topic but is it just me or do straight melee characters in ToB, (or at least the beggining part) tend to get slaughtered very quicly without potions and summons? (or maybe because I always play insane)

 

Cavalier, single-weapon style, max dex or gloves of dex 18 . You get total immunity to poison, 20 to fire, +3 to hit/dmg vs daemons and dragons, total immunity to fear. Single weapon gives you -2 AC and threat range (that can be confirmed for a critical hit with another succesful attack roll) of 19-20 instead of just 20. You have such great spells as: lesser restoration, protections from cold, fire, nagative sphere (draining), draw upon holy might (your casting level doesn't get limited to 9 in BG2 and therefore your STR, DEX and CON grow to abysmal levels), bless, curse, bane, sanctuary (yea, pallies *can* sneak).

If you like to throw in an arrow or five, go for straight pally, but you'll lose the bonuses. You can also take inquisitor whose dispel magic is unfailing, but he can't cast spells, turn undead or lay hands. Permanent freedom of movement is nice, but a ring can do that as well (however, you save the ring space ).

Undead slayer kit protects you from draining, but that's not a great deal since all pallies can cast protection from negative energy on higher levels.

Myself, I go with cavalier. Undead? Just guess what I did to them with mace of disruption and single-weapon style.

Note: you can take Azuredge instead. There are nice axes in ToB, such as (don't remember the name) the axe +5 that has 10% chance of beheading the opponent on hit. There's also the purifier bastard +4 (optionally +5 if you don't upgrade Carsomyr). Should be very nice with single-weapon style. Katanas - of course... just think of celestial fury in this configuration (doubled threat range, big AC; STR, DEX and CON much above 20... ).

Single-weapon style also has one big plus that you cam switch to Carsomyr or any 2H weapon easily, without having to remove the shield. And your AC can hold it.

Note: kensais with 18 dex and single-weapon style have AC 2 at start...

Ah, and my brother has finished the game with a swashbuckler. All the benefits of a thief and of a warrior pool character (except attacks per round increase and HP, IIRC). Later, your AC hits -20 and you can Use Any Item (thief HLA), including Full Plate +2 or Carsomyr +6.

 

The axe you're referring to is the axe of the unyielding.

 

As I always say, the question needs to be narrowed -- what does "the best melee fighter" mean? To me, it's a tradeoff between protection and potential damage. So, in my opinion, that rules out the kensai, as his armor class suffers. It also rules out the Barbarian because of his limited use of armor. So, If I were to make such a character, I'd go with the half-orc Berserker -- tons of armor, a big honking shield, and a big axe or bastard sword and you are set to rumble! I mean, he could get his armor class below -10 fairly early in the game, IIRC, and likely quite a bit lower by the end of ToB.

He doesn't run out of offensive power (though he does run out of berserks) and he could just keep going and going, especially if you got his CON to 20 and had some regenerative gear on him -- Gaxx + ring of reg + Unyielding + the sword that regenerates (can't remember) you couldn't keep him down! Oo me, this would be the best balance between offensive punch in a melee fighter and defensive protection (that doesn't wear off like a spell)

 

You can't multi-class any kits (kensai). If you meant dual-class, I'm not sure if you can take 3 classes.


I agree with the above post. A 1/2 Orc Berserker is downright nasty in Melee. A 19 STR is easier to get than an 18/00, and the 19 CON, combined with Draw Upon Holy Might at level-ups (up the 9th level, IIRC) amounts to a boat-load of HP's.

 

@ Chevalier
No need for arrows for a cavalier. Just give him a throwing axe and he'll do just as well (in my opinion: better). There are some mighty powerful axes in this game and throwing axes are the bane of all wizards without protection from missiles.

 

Kensai is easily the best at melee, as that is what he does. He is very weak in AC, unless dualled to another class.

But, I reckon the Monk is probably the best. The whole character class and abilities is built around melee (un-armed). His fists become the most powerful weapon in the game, his AC and MR are superb, his THAC0 isn't too shabby either, plus his special abilities are just fantastic. Can't dual him, but you don't need to anyway.