robobrien: Anyone completed the game as a class other than a fighter?
I have BGTutu installed which i think gives me access to the BG2 classes, so does anyone have a suggestion for tackling the game as something other than a fighter.
Any tips for improving survivability as a less physical class during the early stages of the game would be appreciated too.
Thanks.
Inquisitor (paladin) is very powerful, since you can dispel magic at twice the Ievel of the Inquisitor (once per day per level, iirc) instead of the usual lay on hands ability. Cavalier, another paladin set, is also quite nice. Both of them have good immunities and resists to fear and such.
Stalkers (ranger set) are kind of neat if you like the idea of an assassin/fighter hybrid.
A Kensai (fighter set) is interesting, but very hard in the early stages of the game. Most folks play a Kensai to level 9 or level 13, then dual-class into mage. Towards the end of BG2, this is arguably the most powerful dual-class build. For BG1, they are just going to seem like a fighter that can't wear any good armor, though.
Sorcerers can be a different flavor experience than the run of the mill mage. The only danger is that you have to be very carefully in choosing which spells the sorcerer knows.
Early on, if you are playing a more squishy class, such as a rogue or mage, then use a range weapon and 'run and gun' (or 'kite' in common MMO vernacular). Really, it shouldn't be a problem, as once you add a few NPCs to your party, other folks can play blocker for you while you plink them with darts, arrows, bolts, or bullets.
EDIT: With my gnome illusionist/cleric, I just cleared out the first area after you leave Candlekeep with just me and Imoen (we would trade off running madly from wolves and bears while the other shot at them). I then cleared out the map just south of there (High Hedge) and that was enough to get me to level 2/2 or 3/2 (can't remember which). After that, I had enough hitpoints to take more than one good hit from enemies, so I moved on with the game. It doesn't take too long to clear both those maps, but you will have to patiently whittle down bears and wolves at range.
EDIT2: Can't believe I forgot this one. If you are a mage, learn Familiar on character creation. Once cast, the familiar will d half it's health to the caster's hitpoint pool (6 hitpoints, since I think the familiar's hitpoints were modded down by 50% in Tutu... at least the familiars have 12 hitpoints with the mods I have running in Tutu currently). This is not insignificant to a mage. To keep the familiar safe, put it in your backpack (inventory screen). For a sorcerer, I am uncertain this would be a wise spell investment for the long term, but in Throne of Bhaal, familars do have 36 hitpoints...
