POLL: Poll about Cleric/Ranger for SOLO

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After reading this post: http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/10/3743.html

I want to try a solo of this kind.

Berzerker/Cleric (Dual to Cleric) great immunity while in Berzerk
Fighter/Druid (multi) Jaheira
Ranger/Cleric (Dual to Cleric) ?
Ranger/Cleric (multi) All Cleric and Druid spells

Which one can solo through all game in the easiest way?

Poll Information
This poll contains 1 question(s). 36 user(s) have voted.
You may not view the results of this poll without voting.

Poll Results: Poll about Cleric/Ranger for SOLO (36 votes.)

Which one make all the game in the easiest way (Choose 1)
* Berzerker/Cleric (Dual) - 22% (8)
* Fighter/Druid (Multi) - 8% (3)
* Ranger/Cleric (Dual) - 8% (3)
* Ranger/Cleric (Multi) - 61% (22)

 

Ranger/Cleric rules. And, on the long run, I think the multiclass is more fun to play. Sure, the dual-class will get to a higher level more quickly (Especially if you dual early), but in any case you'll be casting level 7 spells by the end of the game, and the multiclass will have a better THAC0. Not much difference between the 2 builds though.

Fighter/Druids are very powerful if you know how to take advantage of their strengths. Just look at Jaheira

 

R/C multi or Bers/Cleric. The others aren't nearly as good.

I'd personally go with the R/C, but you need to know when to cast certain spells like "Chaotic Commands" beforehand, or you'll run into problems.

 

Ranger/druid multi class. Later on you gain from lower THAC0, all the spells and of course the HLA.

 

What about Berzerker (or other fighter kit)/druid dual-class? I've played character like that once, and he was quite powerful. The only problem were high stat requirements: strength, wisdom and charisma 17

From those options I'd go for multiclass Ranger/cleric.

 

I'd like to try a Kensai/Shapeshifter in Dual since none of them can wear armor. It could be very overpowered if you look all the details but it seem to be impossible. When I try to dual the Kensai the only option I have is Cleric.

 

You cannot dual to a kit, only to the "base" classes (though you can dual from a kit to those base classes). And if you're trying to dual to a druid, you have to make sure your alignment is True Neutral, and that you meet all the prerequisite stats.

 

Check out how the choices have developed at some different stages!

250,000 xp
Berserker-9/Cleric-1
THAC0 12
Best spell level: 1

Cleric-8/Ranger-7
THAC0 14
Best spell level: 4

500,000 xp
Berserker-9/Cleric-9
THAC0 12
Best spell level: 5

Cleric-9/Ranger-8
THAC0 13
Best spell level: 5

1,000,000 xp
Berserker-9/Cleric-11
THAC0 12
Best spell level: 6

Cleric-10/Ranger-9
THAC0 12
Best spell level: 5

1,500,000 xp
Berserker-9/Cleric-13
THAC0 12
Best spell level: 6 (two spells)

Cleric-11/Ranger-10
THAC0 11
Best spell level: 6 (one spell)

2,000,000 xp
Berserker-9/Cleric-15
THAC0 12
Best spell level: 7

Cleric-12/Ranger-11
THAC0 10
Best spell level: 6

2,500,000 xp
Berserker-9/Cleric-18
THAC0 10
Best spell level: 7

Cleric-13/Ranger-12
THAC0 9
Best spell level: 6

2,950,000 xp (the xp cap)
Berserker-9/Cleric-20
THAC0 8
Best spell level: 7 (two spells)

Cleric-14/Ranger-13
THAC0 8
Best spell level: 7 (one spell)

* Comments *
- THAC0
Note how THAC0 is almost identical. The Dual classed begins with a better THAC0, while the multiclass is better around 2m xp and when they reach the xp cap both have identical THAC0.
With regards to adjusted THAC0 The dual classed will at practically every stage of the game have the edge thanks to one of the following:
- Berserker rage
- Better weapon specialization
- Higher casting level (Draw Upon Holy Might etc)

- Spells
Initially the multiclass is the only one with spells, but by 0.5m xp the dual class has catched up and from there on the dual class will just get better.
In the end the difference is huge: level 20 vs level 14. This makes for quite a big difference when it comes to spells that base their effectiveness on the casters level.
The multiclass has the advantage of access to druid spells; more specifically Iron Skins and Insect Plague at level 5, Conjure Fire Elemental at level 6 - although the dual class gets Skeleton Warriors (which the multiclass doesn't get) instead - and the incredible Nature's Beauty at level 7.

- Other
The dual class is great at turning undead, especially when reaching the xp cap (which happens quickly when soloing). The multiclass can just forget about turning undead, because his cleric level is too low.

The dual class will have better HP's.

* Summary *
I prefer the dual classed Berserker/Cleric.

@Ziad
As you can see multiclass does not get a better THAC0.

@Klorox
Chaotic Commands is a 5th level spell. At that level you also have Iron Skins, Insect Plague, True Sight and Righteous Magic. The multiclass only gets to cast three 5th level spells/day and that is not until 2.7m xp. Tricky choice, isn't it?

@Thunder
Your post is OT.

[ January 28, 2005, 16:38: Message edited by: Earl Grey ]

 

You've not considered F/C... The only bonus they have is the racial option of Dwarf. These make excellent F/C's especially if they've come from BG1 and therefore have the wis and con bonuses available there. Their saves are excellent plus they can regenerate!

Having said that I think the R/Cs spells give it the edge

[ January 28, 2005, 18:52: Message edited by: Scythe ]

 

@dmc
There are some things I left out of my short analysis, the ranger's two prof slots in dual wielding being one of them. Ranger Stealth is another that pops up. It wasn't meant to be extensive, just thought provoking.
I'm not absolutely sure that Crom + FotA is the end-all solution. This character has so many other ways of getting incredible strength. FotA is definitely the natural choice though, I agree with that.

The reason for my post was that so many seem to trust blindly in the (supposed) superiority of the multi Cleric/Ranger.

@Scythe
IMO the one spell that has the potential of tipping the balance in favor of the multi C/R is Nature's Beauty. Anyone considering playing a multiclass C/R should look very closely at what this spell does in the game and then decide if they like how it affects game play or not.

 

That character does not need Crom.

By the time you get Crom, your caster level will be high enough to give you 25 in STR, DEX, CON with DUHM, or 25 STR for a longer period with Righteous Magic.

Your better off dual-weilding something like FotA + Skullcrusher or handling a two handed weapon like Staff of the Ram +6.

Edit: @Earl: People prefer multi because they are soloing usually, AND they take the R/C all the way through ToB...GWW, GDB, Critical Strike + Quest level spells? Yes please!!

 

I believe a well deserved "Oops" is in order here. Heh...I honestly forgot, which is probably because of too much ToB .

However, my statements regarding the redundancy of 25 STR for ANY divine caster still stand.

 

@Earl Grey
Fire elementals and insect plague are so powerful too. There are no cleric spells whch have that power at the level you get them.

 

@Scythe
I mentioned those two spells in my first post above.
As I said, I consider Skeleton Warriors about equal to Fire Elementals. The Cleric/Ranger does not get Skeleton Warriors since he won't reach level 15 as a cleric. The Berserker-9/Cleric gets Skeleton Warriors before 2m xp.

Insect Plague is the second best Druid spell and a truly great spell, that's true. Nature's Beauty is however so good as to be almost broken which is why I consider this single spell to be the determining factor in evaluating the Cleric/Ranger.

 

Try an avenger/fighter combo. You have to import a Bg1 druid to do it (since avengers have max str of 16, and you need 17 to dual to fighter), but the sheer cool is too much to resist. Better spell selection rules the roost.

 

I'd go with a Berserker/Druid instead (like Harkle) in my opinion a Ranger/Cleric is way too powerful.
The Berserker Rage can be handy sometimes and the Berserker/Druid has better offensive spells than the Berserker/Cleric.

 

I always play BGI first, and import the character. You'll have more than 3 slots if you max out your WIS and find all the tomes in that game. By the end of SoA, you'll have a...
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