Posted July 25, 2012
Oh yeah, I knew I wasn't addressing the issue that you brought up, I figured someone else would (like kmonster just did) and was addressing what I saw as a peculiarity. I'll to my best to explain how dual-classing and multi-classing works.
In BG there are Humans and Demi-Human. Demi-human surpass Humans in almost any pure class character and have the ability to multi-class. Multiclassing allows them to level 2 or 3 classes simultaneously. The downside to this is that XP is split between the classes, so they level slower. Humans can dual-class, which is where they stop leveling as their starting class and level from then on out only as the secondary class. This is particularly useful for casters, since it allows them to level mostly like a pure class which increases their number of spells and the level at which they are cast.
I dual almost all my casters from Fighters or Rangers, warrior classes like these get more HP and make my casters significantly more sturdy. The HP gained in the first 10 levels is all rolled at max (I believe), which is why starting as a warrior class is preferable to starting as a less robust class. Other benefits of dualling casters are increase weapon proficiency and the ability to use a helm and shield.
HP is generated based on the roll of dice, for warrior classes it is a 10 sided die, meaning that they may get as many as 10hp per level, plus the bonus from Constitution. Priests roll an 8 sider, Rogues a 6, and Wizards a 4. Note too that for non-warrior classes you do not benefit from a Constitution higher than 16. A non-warrior with a CON of 16 gets a +2 hp per level bonus, that same character with a CON of 18 will still only get +2 hp per level, where a warrior class would get +4. This means that by taking your first 9 levels as a Thief your HP is rolled at 6D+2 instead of 10D+4 had you started as a Fighter. This is a SIGNIFICANT loss.
Another problem with dualling from a Thief is that at level 9, is that your backstab multiplier doesn't reach 5x until level 13. Also, you only get two traps at that point. So dualling from Fighter to Thief allows you to get massive HP gains, more fully advance as a Thief and start off as a Berserker or Kensai, both of which are pretty nifty kits. Remember that while you maintain your thief skills, the do not progress further after changing classes. Which is why for Thieves I prefer multi-classing.
With casters you are concerned about spell slots and the potency of spells that strengthen with character level, so dual-classing is ideal. With Thieves this is not the case. A Thief with 105 points in Lockpick works the same pure, dual, or multi-classed. And even at creation a multi-class thief (with a DEX of 18) has enough points to get you 105 in Find Traps and Lockpicking. The primary difference is how they function in combat. Dualling from a Thief to a Fighter gimps your HP, your backstab and the number of your traps. Dualling from a Fighter to a Thief will gimp you out of 1/2 an attack per round (gained at level 13). By multi-classing you may have to split XP, but both classes will reach their potential.
Also, there are magical leathers and dragon scale armor that can be almost as good (better in some cases) than plate and would let you use your Thief skills without having to constantly toggle what you're wearing. Also also, why single weapon style? You can use a shield, dual wield AND use 2 handed weapons...
Okay, I'm done, sorry if I've been getting on anyone's nerves.
In BG there are Humans and Demi-Human. Demi-human surpass Humans in almost any pure class character and have the ability to multi-class. Multiclassing allows them to level 2 or 3 classes simultaneously. The downside to this is that XP is split between the classes, so they level slower. Humans can dual-class, which is where they stop leveling as their starting class and level from then on out only as the secondary class. This is particularly useful for casters, since it allows them to level mostly like a pure class which increases their number of spells and the level at which they are cast.
I dual almost all my casters from Fighters or Rangers, warrior classes like these get more HP and make my casters significantly more sturdy. The HP gained in the first 10 levels is all rolled at max (I believe), which is why starting as a warrior class is preferable to starting as a less robust class. Other benefits of dualling casters are increase weapon proficiency and the ability to use a helm and shield.
HP is generated based on the roll of dice, for warrior classes it is a 10 sided die, meaning that they may get as many as 10hp per level, plus the bonus from Constitution. Priests roll an 8 sider, Rogues a 6, and Wizards a 4. Note too that for non-warrior classes you do not benefit from a Constitution higher than 16. A non-warrior with a CON of 16 gets a +2 hp per level bonus, that same character with a CON of 18 will still only get +2 hp per level, where a warrior class would get +4. This means that by taking your first 9 levels as a Thief your HP is rolled at 6D+2 instead of 10D+4 had you started as a Fighter. This is a SIGNIFICANT loss.
Another problem with dualling from a Thief is that at level 9, is that your backstab multiplier doesn't reach 5x until level 13. Also, you only get two traps at that point. So dualling from Fighter to Thief allows you to get massive HP gains, more fully advance as a Thief and start off as a Berserker or Kensai, both of which are pretty nifty kits. Remember that while you maintain your thief skills, the do not progress further after changing classes. Which is why for Thieves I prefer multi-classing.
With casters you are concerned about spell slots and the potency of spells that strengthen with character level, so dual-classing is ideal. With Thieves this is not the case. A Thief with 105 points in Lockpick works the same pure, dual, or multi-classed. And even at creation a multi-class thief (with a DEX of 18) has enough points to get you 105 in Find Traps and Lockpicking. The primary difference is how they function in combat. Dualling from a Thief to a Fighter gimps your HP, your backstab and the number of your traps. Dualling from a Fighter to a Thief will gimp you out of 1/2 an attack per round (gained at level 13). By multi-classing you may have to split XP, but both classes will reach their potential.
Also, there are magical leathers and dragon scale armor that can be almost as good (better in some cases) than plate and would let you use your Thief skills without having to constantly toggle what you're wearing. Also also, why single weapon style? You can use a shield, dual wield AND use 2 handed weapons...
Okay, I'm done, sorry if I've been getting on anyone's nerves.
