Half-Orc vs Dwarven Berserker

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In typical fashion, I’ve barely started one game, and I’m already thinking about my next one. It’s no wonder I never seem to finish a game.

Anyway, one thing I’ve been thinking about is creating a berserker, with Str, Dex and Con maxed out. But I’m not sure on race – half-orc or dwarf. The dwarf seems more “classic” from a role-playing aspect, but I’m not really looking at it from that perspective; rather, I’m looking at racial bonuses:

Half-orc can get 19/18/19 in the 3 stats, vs. 18xx/17/19 for the dwarf. The difference in Str isn’t that big of a deal, as long as the dwarf’s is 18/51 or better (plus a dwarf could always use a strength belt if I really wanted to, but that would negate being able to use a different type of belt). The difference in Dex means the dwarf’s AC is worse by 1 point. However, with 19 Con, the dwarf gets a +5 bonus to magic and poison saving throws.

So to me, it boils down to what is more important – 1 AC or +5 to saving throws. My initial reaction is that it is saving throws, but I could be wrong. Does it matter whether it’s early, mid or late game? This is my first time playing a ToB game, but I’m still in the SoA part. I think I’ve read that in the ToB part, AC isn’t really all that important because the more dangerous enemies are always going to hit you regardless of AC; however, at that point your saving throws are pretty good as well.

Comments?

 

Yup. For some reason I see half-orc more as barbarians and dwarves as berserkers . . .

 

Mostly subjective preference. I am a big fan of orcs adn will ALWAYS play one over the 'standard' fantasy races if I am allowed(Half-orcs are as close as you get in BG II). To me dwarves, elves and halflings are a big *YAWN*(and humans I steer WAY clear of if I can help it!).
My first game of BG 2 was with a Half-orc berserker as the protagonist and things went pretty easily for me(didn't finish the game though).

 

@ dmc - thanks. You pretty much confirmed what I figured about the TOB part.

Of course, by the time I actually start my next game, I'll probably have changed my mind about what I want my PC to be.

 

You know, now that Drumheller mentions it, I'm the same way:

Dwarf = Berserker
Half-Orc = Barbarian

 

Just to throw in an extra "consider this," if you play evil you will be able to get another +2 constitution. Does the dwarf bonus to save go up with that bonus? If so, the gain would be even greater.

That being said, I'd probably play a half-orc. The dwarven berserker is a little...done...to me. But then again, a pair of evil dwarven berserkers does sound mighty fun right about now...

 

+2 constitution by being evil?

isit true?

 

Not just from being evil, Ghost. From the evil tear of bhaal (can't remember which one). Actually there is a total of +3 constitution if you play as evil and play through ToB--the tear (greed?) and the machine of good ol' Lum the Mad. If the bonuses from constitution go up that high, it would make playing the dwarf that much better.

 

I'm really not quite sure what he means there. As I recall, the hell trial with Sarevok, if you take the evil path, gives you +1 to strength, and +1 to your primary stat, but in this your primary stat is strength for both a berserker and a barbarian. Lum's Machine gives you +1 to Constitution, but you don't have to be evil to use it. I have no idea what he's talking about.

However - if there was such a way to raise your constitution by 2, then yes, the bonus keeps going up. Your saves versus spells go down 1 for every 4 points of consitution you have, rounded down. So for a 19 in constitution, you get +4 to saves, but once you hit 20 it's +5.

 

If you take the evil path for the Fear tear, you get +2 Con.

And that's a good point, which makes the dwarf a bit more attractive (well, not literally )

 

Sorry about the somewhat vague wording. If you put my two posts together it can make sense, but I shouldn't make you guys work that hard. Splunge figured out what I meant--if you take the evil path for the Fear tear, you get +2 con. Then the machine of lum the mad gives you another +1, for a total of +3. Good characters can only get the machine of lum the mad bonus, +1. So an evil character can get a fantastic constitution, and if you play as a dwarf that gives you an enormous bonus on your saves.

 

You'll find a certain axe in ToB that gives +1 CON when upgraded. That's 23 CON for an evil character. As a Barbarian, you'll be in hitpoint city!

 

And if it is imported from bg1 you could get another 1 con.

Can't play half-orcs in bg1.

 

Well also if your evil, you can use Malla's Soulstone as an item rather than giving it to her father which gives u plus 1 to your dexterity as well as your constitution negating the dwarf's disadvantages as well as giving him a whopping contitution of 24!!!

 

Ah, the Fear Tear. I'm sorry about that - I thought you were talking about the anger test, with Sarevok. That's +1 to strength, and +1 to your primary stat, which again, is strength.

The next question comes as to what the hitpoint table looks like for constitutions like that? I know 19 is +5, and that 20 is still +5 but gives regeneration. When you start getting into the range of 23-24, I assume that the regeneration rate increases dramatically, and that you start getting bonuses beyond +5 hitpoints per level.

 

I'd say get a Dwarf Splunge. All things being equal, except for 19 STR or 19 CON, I'd say go for the extra CON. Extra hitpoints never hurt...plus Dwarves can get upto 21 CON by being evil, which means they will have free regeneration!! That's always good.

And yeah...Dwarven Berserkers are just right...like Elven Wizards, Halfling Rogues...you know...they just go together!

 

The regeneration won't matter... you'll find more things that will regenerate you along the way much faster than from a high CON.

I still say go for the dwarf, though.

Not only are they the coolest race, but those extra hit points, and magic/poison save bonus can't be beat!

 

Isnt regeneration cumulative from the various sources, though? I know you'll probably say its irrelevant in the big picture, but it can be fun to make a themed character sometimes.

 

It certainly is. So a character with a constitution of 24, the Ring of Gaax, and wielding the upgraded Axe of the Unyielding would have a really fast regeneration rate.

EDIT: Spelling

[ September 30, 2004, 15:23: Message edited by: Aldeth the Foppish Idiot ]