Possible parties for a Baldur's Gate Trilogy run!

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Hi guys, decided to run the whole series, either with EasyTutu or BGT, but that's another story.

For a good-aligned party (mostly), I'm sort of stuck between 2 choices for a party:

First, a Kensai/Mage PC and Imoen, Kivan, Minsc, Dynaheir, Branwen (-> Yeslick) for BG1, continued with Minsc, Keldorn, Valygar, Jan (-> Imoen) and Anomen (or Aerie).

The other solution would be an Inquisitor PC and same BG1 party with (Imoen dualed to a mage), continued with Minsc, Jaheira, Valygar, Jan (-> Imoen) and Aerie.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions about these builds are welcome. One other thing, if playing through the trilogy, is taking 13 levels of Kensai a more viable option?

Thanks.

 

If you play with TotSC then you won't get more than 161,000 XP that will get your Kensai to level 8 iirc so you'll still have to get 5 levels in SoA before dual classing to mage. Getting to level 13 as a Fighter can take a while but getting to level 14 as a Mage will take even longer so (unless you're very patient) you may be better off with an Inquisitor or some single class character.

The main difference in going through the entire series is that you will get the tomes in BG1 and probably a few more XP (but not that much) from playing through the first game.

I haven't finished my run through the entire series but I did take Jaheira, Minsc and Khalid (before getting rid of Khalid) so as to maintain some sort of continuity in the story between BG1 and BG2 but you don't have to necessarily take them. It can be fun at times to actually use the phrase "I thought you were dead" with an NPC who died in the first game.

Have you considered a Wild Mage? There is nothing more fun than playing a low level Wild Mage. I had one when playing BG tutu who summoned a demon by mistake. Fortunately he still had one protect from evil spell to cast but his party wasn't so lucky... At higher levels they can really rock but they're always fun.

Welcome to the Boards.

 

It depends on what you like and if you've ever played the game before. A lot of posts simply rave about the power of a kensai/mage -- but those posts are generally experienced D&D gamers who know the system. Trying to decide which magic spells to use can be confusing for someone just learning the game. I also tend to find micromanagement (which will be required during your shift from kensai to mage) detracts from the game.

There are several good points to stop kensai levels (I may be off by one with the kensai bonuses):

3rd: Good start on hp's, *** in one weapon, and quick recovery of fighter skills (Kensai: +2 to hit and damage).
7th: You'll get another * at 6th level and an additional ½ attack per round. Still fairly quick recovery of fighter skills (Kensai: +3 to hit and damage, -1 speed).
9th: Another * (you could have grand mastery in one weapon), excellent hp's. Fighter skills recovered after ~250,000 xp (Kensai: +4 to hit and damage, -2 speed).
13th: Another * at 12th level and an additional ½ attack per round. Fighter skills recovered after ~1,250,000 xp (Kensai: +5 to hit and damage, -3 speed).

A multiclassed fighter/mage will miss out on grand mastery (can only have **) and the kensai bonuses (unless you cheat), but will still have all the fighter bonuses (including attacks per round). The real advantage is the THAC0 will continue to progress for the F/M -- at 19th level the F/M will overtake the kensai/mage in ability to connect (20th if you have true grand mastery installed) -- and the multiclassed F/M will have fighter HLA's available to him/her.

A good alternative to a fighter/mage (or kensai/mage) is a blade (bard kit).

If you're new to D&D and to the game engine I'd second Caradhras' recommendation of a Inquisitor (any paladin is good, the Undead Hunter is the easiest). The game was practically designed with a paladin in mind -- but you can win playing any class (and any alignment). Pick the type of character you most empathize with and play -- there are few classes which would be more challenging for a first try you may want to avoid (jester, beast master, assassin, and any single classed druid).

 

I've tried Kensai/Mage once and dual-classed the Kensai at level 9. The transition period went quite fast (minor cheese was involved), and I didn't really miss those level 13 Kensai combat bonuses later on. IMO that million point xp difference in getting the kensai abilities back is huge (+ the xp needed to reach level 13), it cripples the character for a long time. Call me unpatient, but I don't enjoy throwing darts +1 and casting magic missiles from the back lines in SoA . Only real downside with Kensai is the very unforgiving AC.

As said above, any paladin kit is very effective and easy to play. I finished the game with a Cavalier - very enjoyable kit. Fighters dualled to cleric are also very strong. I liked especially the Berserker/Cleric-combination, it's a lot stronger in melee than Kensai/Mage.

 

When playing thru, I like the entire experience to be fun. I think with the different structures of BG1 and BG2, dual classed Kensai/Mages are not that fun. I prefer single or multi-classes for that type of run. I have tried the dualled Kensai/mage though, alot of micro-managing involved. Unless you enjoy that, I would say go for your Inquisitor. I prefer the Undead Hunter myself. IMO, the Inquisitor is a little over-powered with his AWESOME dispel abilities. Though it can free up you casters at times to deliver the divine or arcane knockout blow with some heavy-duty spellcasting.

 

Thanks guys, great advice.
I've been looking for anyone who actually completed a Kensai13/MageX, guess they're really hard to find!
Oh well, I think I'll look over the paladin classes again and give it a go...

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I was thinking, would soloing with a Kensai/Mage be worth getting a Kensai to 13? Meaning getting rid of NPC's would net somewhat more XP... but it doesn't seem likely since BG1 level cap is so low. Besides I'd need a couple of NPC's not to get murdered while I dual...

 

Umm? Does the level cap exist in BGT?

 

I meant the overall XP gained throughout BG1 is low, due to its initial cap.

 

Right. But with BGT you shouldn't have to worry about that, you won't be capped in BG1 and, someone can correct me if I'm wrong here, but I believe it should carry over into BG2, wasn't that the whole point of BGT? Or you can just Shadowkeeper your XP back to where it was if using Tutu.

 

There is a cap with Tutu, I don't know about Trilogy or mods that remove the cap.

I'd keep the cap because you will ruin game balance and challenge if you get carried away (NPCs get levels depending on your main character so if your character is level 24 at the beginning of SoA you won't face much of a challenge).

I used to solo but soloing actually makes the game way easier after the more difficult start. I'd avoid it, BG2 has so much to offer to a party with character interaction and specific quests.

Kullervo mentioned the Berserker/Cleric but if you want more power then the Berserker/Druid is a much better choice (Ranger/Cleric multiclass is even more powerful but it's almost broken).

A Kensai hits hard and fast but can't take much punishment. Mage spells can help but when you don't have them it is going to be a challenging (like in not that much fun) game especially if you're soloing. You'll need party members to buff your character and take hits instead of your character. I never liked Kensai because they're both powerful and weak at the same time. A fulltime Kensai can get a very high number of kills but will be a liability at early levels or in a really tight spot. As a Kensai Mage it also means giving up on some excellent items that can't be worn by Kensai (I believe the restrictions apply but feel free to confirm that as I've never been able to muster the patience to play a high level Kensai/Mage).

Another option would be to play a multiclass Fighter/Mage and use Shadow Keeper to make that character a Kensai/Mage. No more dual class problems anymore. Still if you don't want to bend the rules I'd suggest going for level 7 or 9, depending whether or not you're patient. A level 7 Kensai X Mage will for all purposes be a great spellsword character with good fighting proficiencies and arcane spellcasting. Dualling at level 7 means it won't be hard to get those Kensai levels back quite early in SoA.

 

By the way, does insane difficulty also boost XP gain or not? And is there a Heart of Fury mod for the BG games? That would make dual-classes worth taking through a couple of times!

 

Probably get them back before leaving the Promenade...

 

I don't recommend playing a kensai/mage unless you want to be a wimp. As a kensai you can't use bows or slings (BG1 will be nearly over when you get the first magical throwing axe) and in melee you won't last long either since you can't use armor, since you can't wear gauntlets you won't get combat bonuses from them either.

If you start as kensai you'll start as wimp and you'll remain one for a very long time. I played a kensai/mage in BG2 myself and found him cowardly hiding behind Jaheira because she didn't take so much damage, in BG1 it would be even worse.

 

Berserker/Druid is very powerful, but not the easiest dual-class choice, since the stat requirements are high (w/o any happy dual-classing etc.). Weapon choices are also somewhat limited. Dual-classed Ranger/Cleric is also nice.

I thought the whole idea in BGT was that you'll get to keep all of your hard-earned XP from BG1?

 

I really don't know about BGT allowing you to keep all the XP. I'm still convinced that it would make SoA extremely unchallenging...

The multi-classed Ranger/Cleric is even better than the dual-classed because getting both HLAs is much better than having a kit (especially since the only kit that'd work would be the Beastmaster/Cleric and that is not the most effective option).

Stat requirements are not such a big deal unless you decide to roll only once for stats (but who does that?) besides if you play through BG1 that means getting all the tomes so really no problem there.

I posted a poll 5 years ago opposing Berserker/Druids and Berserker/Clerics some very good points were raised about both builds (link if you're interested).

I really have to give the Kensai/Druid a try one of these days. I've meant to play one for years.

 

Anyone know if Insane difficulty increases XP gain? What about Heart of Fury mods for the BG games? Looked around for them and can't seem to find any coherent information...

 

Yes they do. But first ... have you ever played the game before? Insane and Heart of Fury makes the game MUCH more difficult. Most people play on those modes after they know what is coming at them (played through a few times). Reloading for every battle is no fun.

 

I've tried a scimitar-wielding Kensai/Druid. Interesting, but also very challenging build. Iron Skins helps. Hmm.. would a Stalker/Cleric work ?

 

Played both IWD and IWD2 on HoF so I know what I'm up against. The reason I suggested it is because it makes me more inclined to make a tougher dual-class PC if I can take it once through normal and then Hof.

Alas, Insane mode does NOT increase XP as far as I concluded from other posts, and there is no working HoF mod out there. Seriously, wouldn't it be worth it?!?

 

@Kullervo: no Stalker Cleric unfortunately!

@adyghost1: no HOF mode for BG, the XP stays the same but you have many difficulty enhancing mods such as Tactics, Sword Coast Stratagems and Improved Anvil.
The more mods you add the more extra XP (for extra encounters) you'll get.