If you want to be ranged as a fighter, you need to keep in mind the thrown weapons that exist. Thrown Axes and Daggers in BG1 and 2 and a Dwarf only hammer in BG2. There are also two magical thrown daggers in BG2 and thrown daggers give an extra ranged attack like Short- and Longbows do. You can buy regular thrown Axes and Daggers at most places. Making an archer type character out of a fighter is a waste, use thrown weapons so you also have a melee option when needed without wasting proficiency points.
While archers (the ranger kit) are better for using bows and crossbows, I don't agree that making an archer type character out of a fighter is a waste. This is especially true if you want to be evil, the archer kit can't be evil in BGEE and have to play as a good guy (otherwise they become a fallen ranger, which sucks toilet water). I played as an evil archer once and, you are right that the fighter didn't do as much damage as an archer, I still liked it since they were able to get to grandmastery. But yes, axes and daggers on most fighters are a really good choice.
Right, but @Antilluminati has the point that a Fighter using Grandmastery in Axes can be more versatile than just Grandmastery in Bows. They can use Azuredge or Stonefire or Frostreaver or any of the other choices in both melee and missile capacities. An Archer style Fighter isn't alignment-locked but is less flexible in combat.
@@LeastAntillesit's pretty niche, but you're right. In this case I'd rather choose a Blackguard over a generic Fighter for the innate poison ability, combined with Tuigan's Bow and poison arrows where desired, usually against other ranged characters, casters mainly. This is how I play an Assassin also. combined with quarterstaff backstabs.
@@Redjoy123 Axes are very good in both games. In BG1 you can buy enchanted Thrown axes at Bereghosts smithy that are extremely cheap and equip them as a melee weapon in your main hand for an ez to obtain, early game enchanted axe.
@@Redjoy123if they can code daggers, axes, and a hammer to toggle between melee and ranged modes, I'd say it's not unreasonable to let ranged weapons do the same. A sling is just a rock inside a pouch attached to a string, so it should work on the same principle as a flail. A crossbow is a big chunk of wood with some metal bits, so it could be a club. A six foot English longbow would slap evil about the face and neck real good, right, Boo?
Yup, we'll be releasing these on Mondays until we get through the main classes! I'll need to take a pause afterwards but later on this year I'll talk more about the multi-class options, dual-class options, and racial choices.
Start as a Human Mage with 18 STR. Dual Class ASAP (Level 2) to Fighter and by the time you end BG1 you'll have 19 STR and the missing XP won't be noticeable BUT being able to use Wands and Scrolls for most of the Game in Full Plate will make you unstoppable - all you'll need is Imoen and the two of you will level super fast. If you continue to BG2 there are Caster Only / Mage Only Items that will make you unstoppable there (Amulet of Power / Staff of the Magi) and you'll be the same level as a Pure Fighter. Your Familiar can fight for you while you for the short time you will play as a Mage in BG1 and grants extra HP for the rest of the game. Also, you still get to Grandmaster. Hard to play any other Fighter after playing this.
Some also like to say a 2 handed Barbarian or Paladin is crazy. I totally disagree. Lilarcor or that sword in the Underdark in a Barb's hands, Corsymer (However you spell it) in a paladins hands is awesome, especially if Lilarcor has the upgrade. Who needs speed when you eliminate weak and mid-level opponents with a beautiful 1 shot? Bosses are a bit challenging. but Lilarcor in a Barbs hand is a wizard's nightmare!!! Love your videos, very fun!
thanks a lot for the guide :because even though I've been playing for 29 years I'm someone who loves D&D stories and books more and so sometimes I miss something about the gameplay and I discover it now after almost 30 years. You should play a game of IceWind Dale 1: if you want ; with the hard level and people with stats set on purpose or badly or perfect. Or both games. It would be very interesting to see how you use totally custom characters by yourself. I know the story is less cool
I definitely need to give IWD another playthrough, I got WRECKED the last time I did it as a live stream because I had four of the characters as characters who had died (badly) from my Hardcore Insane Difficulty runs in BGEE. Not... optimized... at... ALL!!! Thank you for the suggestion and yes, I absolutely should do IWD 1. I'm happy you enjoyed the guide!
@@Redjoy123 the guide is really useful especially on the weapons part: I have always used the flail in Icewind but a bit randomly while they are among the strongest weapons in damage. The knife then in truth is absolutely not laughing if you have a little experience: the throwing knives in addition to the poison one are deadly.
Great question, I would say either Cleric or Mage. You get plenty of great Thieves in BG2 and TOB, you don't need an extra Thief. However, there's always a need for more spell casting. I'd say Mage would be a bit better since there's a great Fighter/Cleric (Anomen) while there aren't too many Fighter/Mages (the Mages themselves are great, just not for doubling up on Fighter). Though, if you wanted to forgo using Anomen, I wouldn't hold it against you if you went for Cleric.
I see. Got a a very lucky 96 role. I don't mind Anomen. I was thinking maybe use any item, but I can just dual to Mage and bring the Paladin npc instead.
@@martenhernebring That's not a bad choice, Keldorn is good and does a nice job of wrecking casters if needed. Just make sure you pull him out of combat as needed, he's not going to get the defensive buffs that come from divine casting that Anomen would get.
I think Kensai over significantly overrated. +13 hit and damage sounds impressive (and it is), but that is end of TOB. If we are talking BG1, there is no serious discussion: Berserker rage offers the same or better bonuses to AC, thaco and damage, bonus health, a huge list of incredibly powerful immunities and with no equipment restrictions. With gauntlets, they come out +1 hit and +2 damage ahead. In SOA, at the end of the level range, Kensai are +3 to hit and +2 to damage ahead after factoring in gloves, but no armour, bonus health or no immunities. TOB does favour a pure kensai over a pure berserker, because the bonuses become massive and in most cases, tanks relying on AC just dont work at all well. The lack of armour is less consequential (at least for the armour value; some resistances and immunities are still great). But that brings up the other issue: a powerhouse fighter dual classes. If you dont mind the inconvenience, this might be as late as level 13, but most likely level 9. At these levels, berserker is clearly the superior choice. Kai itself is a very short duration ability whose value, outside of backstabbing, is rather small.
Right, if I were to dual-class to Thief, any of these kits could work (yes, even Wizard Slayer... thanks UAI) but Kensai with Kai is pretty cool for the backstabbing. But the Berserker is just so damn good! Enrage is the ideal little boost to get through tough fights, especially in BG1 and the first part of BG2. I think the forum community holds the Kensai to be god-tier but you are right, losing out on armor, bracers, and the immunities from Enrage leaves them lacking. They certainly aren't bad, but folks need to be very careful about thinking about playing as them, it requires a different type of gameplay than the other Fighters.
Yes, this is 100% true, unfortunately WotC nixxed the idea of putting any wieldable halflings or gnomes in the game, crying something "about the children" or some rubbish. Non cannon! Heresy!
If you want to be ranged as a fighter, you need to keep in mind the thrown weapons that exist. Thrown Axes and Daggers in BG1 and 2 and a Dwarf only hammer in BG2. There are also two magical thrown daggers in BG2 and thrown daggers give an extra ranged attack like Short- and Longbows do. You can buy regular thrown Axes and Daggers at most places. Making an archer type character out of a fighter is a waste, use thrown weapons so you also have a melee option when needed without wasting proficiency points.
While archers (the ranger kit) are better for using bows and crossbows, I don't agree that making an archer type character out of a fighter is a waste. This is especially true if you want to be evil, the archer kit can't be evil in BGEE and have to play as a good guy (otherwise they become a fallen ranger, which sucks toilet water). I played as an evil archer once and, you are right that the fighter didn't do as much damage as an archer, I still liked it since they were able to get to grandmastery.
But yes, axes and daggers on most fighters are a really good choice.
Right, but @Antilluminati has the point that a Fighter using Grandmastery in Axes can be more versatile than just Grandmastery in Bows. They can use Azuredge or Stonefire or Frostreaver or any of the other choices in both melee and missile capacities. An Archer style Fighter isn't alignment-locked but is less flexible in combat.
@@LeastAntillesit's pretty niche, but you're right. In this case I'd rather choose a Blackguard over a generic Fighter for the innate poison ability, combined with Tuigan's Bow and poison arrows where desired, usually against other ranged characters, casters mainly. This is how I play an Assassin also. combined with quarterstaff backstabs.
@@Redjoy123 Axes are very good in both games. In BG1 you can buy enchanted Thrown axes at Bereghosts smithy that are extremely cheap and equip them as a melee weapon in your main hand for an ez to obtain, early game enchanted axe.
@@Redjoy123if they can code daggers, axes, and a hammer to toggle between melee and ranged modes, I'd say it's not unreasonable to let ranged weapons do the same.
A sling is just a rock inside a pouch attached to a string, so it should work on the same principle as a flail.
A crossbow is a big chunk of wood with some metal bits, so it could be a club.
A six foot English longbow would slap evil about the face and neck real good, right, Boo?
Just letting folks know, this will be part of a weekly series for all of the classes. Please let me know if the sound is good or needs to be adjusted.
Sounds good to me.
very all arounded guide, hope to see more class
Yup, we'll be releasing these on Mondays until we get through the main classes! I'll need to take a pause afterwards but later on this year I'll talk more about the multi-class options, dual-class options, and racial choices.
thanks for the movie, waiting for the next!
I always love your videos!
Thank you so much!
Start as a Human Mage with 18 STR. Dual Class ASAP (Level 2) to Fighter and by the time you end BG1 you'll have 19 STR and the missing XP won't be noticeable BUT being able to use Wands and Scrolls for most of the Game in Full Plate will make you unstoppable - all you'll need is Imoen and the two of you will level super fast.
If you continue to BG2 there are Caster Only / Mage Only Items that will make you unstoppable there (Amulet of Power / Staff of the Magi) and you'll be the same level as a Pure Fighter.
Your Familiar can fight for you while you for the short time you will play as a Mage in BG1 and grants extra HP for the rest of the game. Also, you still get to Grandmaster.
Hard to play any other Fighter after playing this.
Some also like to say a 2 handed Barbarian or Paladin is crazy. I totally disagree. Lilarcor or that sword in the Underdark in a Barb's hands, Corsymer (However you spell it) in a paladins hands is awesome, especially if Lilarcor has the upgrade. Who needs speed when you eliminate weak and mid-level opponents with a beautiful 1 shot? Bosses are a bit challenging. but Lilarcor in a Barbs hand is a wizard's nightmare!!! Love your videos, very fun!
Thank you so much!
While I prefer two weapon fighting, I would be lying if I said I never indulged in a bit of two-handed slaughter!
thanks a lot for the guide :because even though I've been playing for 29 years I'm someone who loves D&D stories and books more and so sometimes I miss something about the gameplay and I discover it now after almost 30 years. You should play a game of IceWind Dale 1: if you want ; with the hard level and people with stats set on purpose or badly or perfect. Or both games. It would be very interesting to see how you use totally custom characters by yourself. I know the story is less cool
I definitely need to give IWD another playthrough, I got WRECKED the last time I did it as a live stream because I had four of the characters as characters who had died (badly) from my Hardcore Insane Difficulty runs in BGEE. Not... optimized... at... ALL!!!
Thank you for the suggestion and yes, I absolutely should do IWD 1. I'm happy you enjoyed the guide!
@@Redjoy123 the guide is really useful especially on the weapons part: I have always used the flail in Icewind but a bit randomly while they are among the strongest weapons in damage. The knife then in truth is absolutely not laughing if you have a little experience: the throwing knives in addition to the poison one are deadly.
My quarterstaff berserker can dual to Cleric, Thief and Mage at lvl 9. Which do you recommend considering good and neutral aligned npc in bg2 and tob?
Great question, I would say either Cleric or Mage. You get plenty of great Thieves in BG2 and TOB, you don't need an extra Thief. However, there's always a need for more spell casting. I'd say Mage would be a bit better since there's a great Fighter/Cleric (Anomen) while there aren't too many Fighter/Mages (the Mages themselves are great, just not for doubling up on Fighter). Though, if you wanted to forgo using Anomen, I wouldn't hold it against you if you went for Cleric.
I see. Got a a very lucky 96 role. I don't mind Anomen. I was thinking maybe use any item, but I can just dual to Mage and bring the Paladin npc instead.
@@martenhernebring That's not a bad choice, Keldorn is good and does a nice job of wrecking casters if needed. Just make sure you pull him out of combat as needed, he's not going to get the defensive buffs that come from divine casting that Anomen would get.
I think Kensai over significantly overrated. +13 hit and damage sounds impressive (and it is), but that is end of TOB. If we are talking BG1, there is no serious discussion: Berserker rage offers the same or better bonuses to AC, thaco and damage, bonus health, a huge list of incredibly powerful immunities and with no equipment restrictions. With gauntlets, they come out +1 hit and +2 damage ahead.
In SOA, at the end of the level range, Kensai are +3 to hit and +2 to damage ahead after factoring in gloves, but no armour, bonus health or no immunities.
TOB does favour a pure kensai over a pure berserker, because the bonuses become massive and in most cases, tanks relying on AC just dont work at all well. The lack of armour is less consequential (at least for the armour value; some resistances and immunities are still great).
But that brings up the other issue: a powerhouse fighter dual classes. If you dont mind the inconvenience, this might be as late as level 13, but most likely level 9. At these levels, berserker is clearly the superior choice.
Kai itself is a very short duration ability whose value, outside of backstabbing, is rather small.
Right, if I were to dual-class to Thief, any of these kits could work (yes, even Wizard Slayer... thanks UAI) but Kensai with Kai is pretty cool for the backstabbing.
But the Berserker is just so damn good! Enrage is the ideal little boost to get through tough fights, especially in BG1 and the first part of BG2.
I think the forum community holds the Kensai to be god-tier but you are right, losing out on armor, bracers, and the immunities from Enrage leaves them lacking. They certainly aren't bad, but folks need to be very careful about thinking about playing as them, it requires a different type of gameplay than the other Fighters.
Where do u get your portraits from?
Mostly Pintrest and some Google Images. Many of these are either AI generated or crafted from different types of digital art.
@Redjoy123 thx thats a little bit to much work for me :)
Is it true that fighters with a strength of 19 or higher can equip halflings or gnomes as two handed weapons?
Yes, this is 100% true, unfortunately WotC nixxed the idea of putting any wieldable halflings or gnomes in the game, crying something "about the children" or some rubbish. Non cannon! Heresy!
84? I would never accept a role lower than 95. Otherwise, I am worse than Sarevok. Totally unacceptable.
Ha! Gotta boost that Lore Score! Make sure you have the perfect Charisma!