Cleric/Thief multi and dualclass

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Greetings after a period of absence.

After searching the forums and several FAQs I've noticed a serious lack of discussion on the cleric/thief combination. Why is that? Is it such a crap combination, or is it the lack of racial possibilities? (gnome for multi, human for dual?)

I'm asking this because the party for my next game still lacks both a cleric and a thief...

So... what are your thoughts on the Cleric/Thief combination?


P.S.: If needed, I can post my party thus far.

 

the only problem I can think of with them is that they might not be able to backstab, because the cleric is restricted in weapon selection, and not all weapons can be used for backstab (and I dont think maces and warhammers can).

I would say a Ranger/cleric is a better combination. you get a mix of druid and cleric spells, you can sneak around, and your proficiencies and THAC0 will be much better.

 

I soloed a gnome cleric/thief in SoA/ToB. It can be a very powerful class. Gnomes make good characters -- you should also be able to make a half-elf (not as good as a gnome). I'm not sure how the game mechanics are different with IWD -- in BG you could backstab with a club or staff.

Are you taking a druid? (a good choice for IWD)
Is this going to be your only divine caster? (not advisable)
How many are in the party? (multiclasses level painfully slow in large parties)

 

That's not true. Half-elves can't be cleric/thieves. Only gnomes. Or you could go for a human dual-class. Just take a thief up to level 7-8 (to maximize Open Lock and Traps) and then dual class to a cleric.
Gnomes are not that useful as clerics since they have a -1 to their Wis. You will also not be tempted to use the potion of Holy Transference (-1 Dex for +2 Wis).

 

and half orcs

 

Half-Orcs are permitted to be C/T's under 2nd edition rules, but not in IWD. I stand corrected about half-elves.

The -1 to wisdom doesn't hurt much in IWD. But it doesn't help either.

As I said, the cleric/thief can be a very fun character to play. It can be a challenge in a party situation.

 

Most people don't even think about the cleric/thief because they don't know how useless wisdom is for clerics and think a cleric with less than 18 wis is crippled.

The rest just knows about the weakness of the cleric/thief.

So only a few players who don't want a very powerful party remain.

 

They only get 1 weapon slot, that annoys me (but it's doable).

I get just about all I want out of Thieves after about 8-10 levels, so the dual works well for me.

 

Uhm, no. That's not my point. Is not useless at all. You get bonus spells depending on your wisdom.
The fact is, they didn't implemented the feature of no spells above level 6 for clerics with less than 18 Wis, except for the manual. Regardless, a cleric/thief is the worst combination for a thief. You need to invest in Dex, Wis and Con. And even some Str if you plan to use him in melee.

 

I will have to agree that Cleric/Thief is not exactlly an optimal build. But as most other things it can work out nicelly. Generally speaking I would prefer to separate them and give each fighter levels (F/T and F/C or R/C for example) As having warrior levels really helps in this game.

One of the easiest parties to make efficient I have seen is Fighter, fighter/Thief, Fighter/Cleric, Fighter/Wizard. The only loss is slightly slower cleric progression. Multi or dual as you see fit.

 

In my last game I had the Cleric, Wizard and Thief multiclass as fighters. It works very well for all of them. The F/C can actually make a very good fighter with some buffing, and the F/T is an incredibly good backstabber, especially with the Strength bonuses. Less skill points isn't a problem for a F/T (you don't need that many anyway). Slower spell progression can be annoying for the F/C, but I was playing on Insane so that was not really a problem.

 

Thanks for the replies so far!

Powergaming will not be an issue, as I intend to go for a good role-play. (I also want to try and write a story around it as I go along.) I was also curious about the backstabbing, since hitting someone on the head with a hammer from behind doesn't exactly constitute a backstab.. (though imho the effect should be the same ).

My party thusfar:

1) Elf, mage
2) Dwarf, ranger
3) Dwarf, fighter/mage
4) Druid, probably gnome or halfling
5) Cleric/thief, probably gnome or halfling (maybe human..)

Yes, I know some of those choices aren't officially possible, but as I said, I finf roleplaying more important (this time at least) and out-of-the-ordinary characters are just the thing to get that going. Forgive me, lol..

 

Officially impossible is just cherry on the cake. But they are also atrocious. Dwarf mage? No arcane pussies when it comes to being a dwarf.
Try to play a party of dwarves once, with only official classes.

 

I hear you Redrake, but that's exactly why he's part fighter. Soften up the opposition with a fireball (maybe one from the elf too) and then move in with a waraxe to finish off whatever's still standing.. )

I like your idea of a dwarf party though...