1. SPS Accounts:
    Do you find yourself coming back time after time? Do you appreciate the ongoing hard work to keep this community focused and successful in its mission? Please consider supporting us by upgrading to an SPS Account. Besides the warm and fuzzy feeling that comes from supporting a good cause, you'll also get a significant number of ever-expanding perks and benefits on the site and the forums. Click here to find out more.
    Dismiss Notice
Dismiss Notice
You are currently viewing Boards o' Magick as a guest, but you can register an account here. Registration is fast, easy and free. Once registered you will have access to search the forums, create and respond to threads, PM other members, upload screenshots and access many other features unavailable to guests.

BoM cultivates a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. We have been aiming for quality over quantity with our forums from their inception, and believe that this distinction is truly tangible and valued by our members. We'd love to have you join us today!

(If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you've forgotten your username or password, click here.)

Dualing Imoen?

Discussion in 'Baldur's Gate (Classic)' started by Djieff, Feb 18, 2004.

  1. Djieff Gems: 7/31
    Latest gem: Tchazar


    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2002
    Messages:
    229
    Likes Received:
    0
    [​IMG] Most people usually agree that level 5 or 6 is the best time to dual Imoen to mage. But my question is: what should her thief skills be like before she is dualed?

    In BG2, for example, with 85-90 in detect traps and open locks you're pretty much set for the whole game.

    What would be the equivalent for BG1? Around 65 should do it, I think.

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Duke Eltan Gems: 14/31
    Latest gem: Chrysoberyl


    Joined:
    May 25, 2003
    Messages:
    670
    Likes Received:
    0
    I say more. The chest on second floor in candlekeep inn requires 75 or something. If you have ToTSC installed I´d say around 80.
     
  3. Aldeth the Foppish Idiot

    Aldeth the Foppish Idiot Armed with My Mallet O' Thinking Veteran

    Joined:
    May 15, 2003
    Messages:
    12,434
    Media:
    46
    Likes Received:
    250
    Gender:
    Male
    There are several traps and chests that require more than 65%. Off hand, there are the chests in the bottom floor of the Cloakwood mines, and a great many chests and traps won't be unlocked or disarmed with less than 90% in Durlag's Tower.
     
  4. Harkle Gems: 16/31
    Latest gem: Shandon


    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2002
    Messages:
    824
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yeah, if you dual-class Imoen at level 6, you can still reach mage level 9 (of course, you need to have TotSC). She doesn't really need stealth and pickpocketing. So, I'd put something around 90 in find traps and the rest in open locks.

    The time when Imoen has her thief levels inactive is really big pain, if you don't have another thief in your party or do quests in right order. That's one reason why level 5 could be better time to dual-class Imoen.
     
  5. Baronius

    Baronius Mental harmony dispels the darkness ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2002
    Messages:
    1,783
    Likes Received:
    14
    Dual-classing Imoen does not make much sense IMHO unless you pick up a good thief. Imoen as a single thief becomes very effective at level 9, the only problem she has is the low strength, thus low backstab damage.
     
  6. Harbourboy

    Harbourboy Take thy form from off my door! Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

    Joined:
    May 29, 2003
    Messages:
    13,354
    Likes Received:
    99
    If you did have a good thief - could you dual her to Wizard right after level 1?
     
  7. Baronius

    Baronius Mental harmony dispels the darkness ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2002
    Messages:
    1,783
    Likes Received:
    14
    Imoen is a good thief, people are always unsatisfied. And no, I do not like dualling them to wizards.
     
  8. Wil Gems: 6/31
    Latest gem: Jasper


    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2003
    Messages:
    172
    Likes Received:
    0
    BG1 is more demanding than BG2, I always try to have 100% pickpocket and detect trap.
    They say you should consider dualing Imoen only if you play the extension too.
     
  9. Tillix Gems: 5/31
    Latest gem: Andar


    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2005
    Messages:
    100
    Likes Received:
    0
    [​IMG] Hi there everyone.

    I have some Questions about the whole dual classing Imoen topic.

    1. I read in a Walkthrough that this one thief skill is called find/REMOVE traps. Am I right that this is wrong?? Open locks skill is needed for removing traps right??

    The text in the character creation modesays it...


    2. If I try to compensate the lack of skill points in thievery stuff for Imoen because of the dual classing in the following way, WHEN to dual class her then?? :

    - Use Jaheiras Find trap spell
    - Use Garricks pick pockets skill
    - Use Kivans Stealth
    - Use Mage spell Knock

    3. Am I right that the really ONLY thing ONLY a thief can do (apart from backstabbing) is Disarm traps and
    therefore I should spend my skill points in Open Locks before dual classing????

    I hope you all get what I mean with all this...

    I´m looking forward to your posts!!

    P.S.: I dual classed her after she reached 3rd level, but I spent all points on FIND traps... If it´s right what I wrote so far this was a fault.

    Probably I should send Garrick and Imoen away and take a full mage and a full thief to settle this.

    [ February 20, 2005, 19:32: Message edited by: Tillix ]
     
  10. Makini Gems: 1/31
    Latest gem: Turquoise


    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2005
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Well all this depends on where your heading... Myself - with a thief as the protagonist, I don't really need good thief-skills in Imoen, I'd rather use her as a mage from the start. I think I dual classed her already on lvl 2 or 3 ;P

    As for Tillix - if u use all those other NPC skills (and spells), then I can't see why you wouldn't do the same with your Imoen. I mean - of course you could maximize your use of the game system, and thereby pull out every ounce of potential from Imoen - but what's the point? Of course that may be fun - and good as for coming far in the game - but think about the roleplaying? Imoen wouldn't have sat down thinking about what would be *best* for her to do you know ;P I think she'd go with her feelings.

    So pump her up with as much Disarm trap skill as you like (wheter it's the Open Locks Skill or the Find Traps Skill that defines it, I do not know. Always thought it was Open Locks, makes more sense) - and then dual class her. When it feels right ya know.
     
  11. Tillix Gems: 5/31
    Latest gem: Andar


    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2005
    Messages:
    100
    Likes Received:
    0
    I definitely agree with you that one should not forget about the roleplaying. Level 80 Berserker/Wild Mage/Assassins tend not to be more fun than a thief IMHO.
    I just spent ages thinking about who to take in my party and which character to play - Maybe just let it flow is the answer. Do things and take npcs with in the party just as they approach.

    Anyway I was curious if I have found the ONLY thing only thieves can do - if you don´t use summons to solve the trap Problems...

    By the way, I Didn´t take the other npcs with me just to compensate the thieving skills, it only resolved to be so after taking them.


    :confused:
    So, is anyone out there sure which skill is used for disarming traps in the bg1 engine??
    :confused:

    [ February 21, 2005, 12:12: Message edited by: Tillix ]
     
  12. Makini Gems: 1/31
    Latest gem: Turquoise


    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2005
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    I'm now quoting exactly from the Thief Abilities Table in my Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Rulebook from 1978 (I don't have the version which BG is based on):

    "'Finding/Removing Traps' is accomplished in exactly the same way as opening locks."

    It also lists "Finding/Removing Traps" as one skill, and Open Locks as another.

    Even though this rule is from -78, things shouldn't have changed as much as to alter this baseline of the thieving abilities. By this - the Remove Trap Skill should be imbedded within the Find Trap Skill.

    Hopefully this is still active!
     
  13. Tillix Gems: 5/31
    Latest gem: Andar


    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2005
    Messages:
    100
    Likes Received:
    0
    [​IMG] Impressive!!
    :eek: 1978!! :eek:

    ** Bow low in astonishment **

    I´ll come over to Sweden for a round Pen & Paper AD&D... :cool:
     
  14. Aces Gems: 19/31
    Latest gem: Aquamarine


    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2002
    Messages:
    1,169
    Likes Received:
    0
    Some stuff in Durlag's Tower are over 100 I think, so bring some potions of master thieving with you.

    If you need another good thief there is the hobbit girl in the Hall of Wonders. You should find her about the time you get Imoen to level 6 or 7 when you might want to make the change. These are the only two good thieves in the game if you are role-playing an all good party.
     
  15. Carcaroth

    Carcaroth I call on the priests, saints and dancin' girls ★ SPS Account Holder

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2004
    Messages:
    1,655
    Likes Received:
    5
    @ Tillix
    It's the find/remove traps skill which gives the ability points, however the find traps quick slot can be switched on and left (like hide in shadows), whilst to actually perform a one-shot action you need to use the other quick slot. This just happens to double for removing traps and picking locks.

    Just because it uses the same quick slot doesn't mean it uses the same ability type. (Though there may be a bug somewhere in the game which allows you to disarm a trap you don't know is there whilst attempting to lock pick. I've done it on occasion)
     
  16. Tillix Gems: 5/31
    Latest gem: Andar


    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2005
    Messages:
    100
    Likes Received:
    0
    Allright, maybe the bg1 makers meant with the line

    "He (the Character) also uses it (open lock ability) to disable traps"

    in charachter creation that the thievery quick slot is used for both...

    Pretty confusing, I´d say...
     
  17. Makini Gems: 1/31
    Latest gem: Turquoise


    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2005
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yeah that seems to be a bit of an odd explanation, they should've put down more time to make it understandable ;P

    To Tillix:
    Yeah, grab a plane for Sweden and we'll do some nice ol' time RP here, with my -78 rulebook :D
    Sure would be a lot of fun!
     
  18. Abdel - Bhaal Spawn Gems: 13/31
    Latest gem: Ziose


    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2005
    Messages:
    561
    Likes Received:
    0
    I try not to dual Imoen all the time. If my character is a non-thief than I keep her as a Theif, if my character is a combination or single class thief than I dual her immediately.
     
  19. Sir Fink Gems: 13/31
    Latest gem: Ziose


    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2005
    Messages:
    576
    Likes Received:
    4
    There aren't that many traps in the game. And, frankly, most aren't going to kill you.

    Plenty of locks to crack, but the mage spell Knock works on these. Thing is mages don't get that many spell slots, so taking them up with Knock might be a bit of a waste.
     
  20. kmonster Gems: 24/31
    Latest gem: Water Opal


    Veteran

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2005
    Messages:
    1,917
    Likes Received:
    28
    @Tillix

    The "Find Traps" skill is used for disarming traps.

    70 wasn't enough for disarming the traps in Durlag's Tower. 80 was enough for any trap.I don't know if it works with 75.

    You might need less if you don't play ToSC.

    Imoen is a full mage (with more HP + weapon profs + better AC) if dualed at level 2-6 (I'd prefer to illusionist).

    You'll find a multiclass thief who is also an even better archer than Kivan in the first new area of chapter4.
     
Sorcerer's Place is a project run entirely by fans and for fans. Maintaining Sorcerer's Place and a stable environment for all our hosted sites requires a substantial amount of our time and funds on a regular basis, so please consider supporting us to keep the site up & running smoothly. Thank you!

Sorcerers.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products on amazon.com, amazon.ca and amazon.co.uk. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.