Rogue-clerics rule the world!

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But they ain't so great in IWD2. Really, it's inexplicable. In PnP rogue-clerics are the urban and urbane kings of self-preservation, but they have a rough time of it in IWD2.

So, an experiment. I'm starting a game with three rogue-clerics, each with a different Rog-Clr ratio. I've a cleric of Bane who'll take two cleric levels for each rogue step; a cleric of Mask who'll take the opposite ratio, two rogue levels for each cleric step; and a cleric of Oghma who will equally balance between rogue and cleric levels. Over time it should be clear which of the three is most helpful and which is the lead weight.

Each will, of course, have the same attributes: 16s in the essential DEX and WIS, 14s in the less-essential-but-too-embarrassing-to-lower INT and CHA, a 10 in STR, and a measly 8 in CON. And naturally each starts life as a rogue to get the skill-point boost.

To keep this test interesting, all these characters will be Lawful/Neutral Evil tieflings. (Yes, aasimar would be a better choice from a powergaming perspective for the +2 attribute boost. Whatever.) For raw survival, I'm adding a grey dwarf barbarian who provides thuggish protection. Between the four-man party and the level adjustments, there should be enough XP to make this a workable experiment.

Any recommendations from the IWD2 regulars? Weapons, spellpicks, etc.? But please don't say "add an arcane caster" because I've just about finished mopping up the game with a party of four sorcerers, and it's ridiculous how powerful that tagteam is.

(Oh, and Darkstrike -- apologies for not going through with that other idea for a party of different rogue multiclasses. Someday I may go back to that, but I'm starting with this one for now. But if you stick with that other idea, let me know how it works out!)

 

Add an arcane caster.

No, actually, this game is tactically fascinating to to without an arcane caster. You have to be a bit inventive in certain places.

This should be an interesting experiment although I wonder if you will get the results you are after. For example, how will you decide which cleric is to perform roles like healing and buffing and turning (which would normally all be lumped on the broad shoulders of the one usual cleric in the party)?

 

GM, I think that you'll have a hard time creating a LN rogue/cleric of Mask, since Demarches are limited to LE, NE, CE, and TN.

Oh, sure, you can start him out as a LN rogue, but I think that you'll have a bit of a problem choosing that Mask cleric at level up.

 

You're right, Crucis; what I meant was, I'm making two of the characters LE (Mask and Bane) and two of them NE (Oghma and the psychopathic barbarian).

I would note that this alignment choice makes life that much harder because I can't spontaneously cast cure spells. If it proves too difficult I may switch to the side of sweetness and light -- y'know, for science's sake.

 

Well, you could always make the Banite LN and the Mask TN and retain spontaneous casting.

 

Thats all good Gray! The party you suggested is kinda boring! Like a regular party but everyone has rogue abilities! I think im gonna take your party idea but use Talos, Ilmater, Mask and a Monk to help out! And all Tiefling, was gonna use the Aasimar but there will be an xp penalty so I decided not to! And my monk will be a drow!

Going to change Ilmater ro Oghma becasue A) A good cleric in an evil party just doesnt look right and B) The Identify is a must!

And ive changed my Talos to Bane as I think Talos will have an unfair advatage to compare because of the nasty offensive spell bonus..... and I just like Bane better!!!

[ January 17, 2006, 18:36: Message edited by: Darkstrike ]