It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
avatar
Coelocanth: Correct, AC means Armor Class (sorry for the acronym - we tend to think everyone playing these games is familiar with them).

No downside to low WIS - it affects nothing for a FTR. The only downside to low INT would only manifest itself if you plan to take the character through BG2 as well. In that case there's an monster type that targets INT and if you get to zero, you die. In BG1 though... no downside.
avatar
auroraparadox: Thanks for your explanations of the stats.

If I make it through BG1 I plan to start new characters for BG2.

Is there a minimum charisma I should shoot for or should I just use Imoen as some have suggested?
You can always import your current character into BG2...or if you are using one of the mods they will do it for you.

I haven't seen a need for a high Charisma unless playing as a Bard, but if you go to low you will take a hit to your reaction adjustments.
avatar
jjsimp: I haven't seen a need for a high Charisma unless playing as a Bard, but if you go to low you will take a hit to your reaction adjustments.
Except some quests actively give you a bad reward unless you have a good charisma (a few coins v. a dagger +1 in Candlekeep comes to mind, i recall there being a few more like that).
avatar
Jonesy89: Except some quests actively give you a bad reward unless you have a good charisma (a few coins v. a dagger +1 in Candlekeep comes to mind, i recall there being a few more like that).
I don't think I have ever had my CHA lower than 13 or 14 for my main character, so I don't think I have run in to that problem. But good to know about the quest rewards. My current Kensai is around 16.
About charisma:
Always have the char with the highest value as leader when you talk to other people. A paladin is best, imoen is not bad either. I think there was at least one minor quest in BG 1 I got only with a high charisma char. But you don´t miss something very importand when your char has low values in stats not needed for this class.
avatar
auroraparadox: Thanks for your explanations of the stats.

If I make it through BG1 I plan to start new characters for BG2.

Is there a minimum charisma I should shoot for or should I just use Imoen as some have suggested?
avatar
jjsimp: You can always import your current character into BG2...or if you are using one of the mods they will do it for you.

I haven't seen a need for a high Charisma unless playing as a Bard, but if you go to low you will take a hit to your reaction adjustments.
Just to clarify, are reaction adjustments how NPCs respond to you?
avatar
auroraparadox: I'll go for being an elf then. Since I'll being using a bow early on a lot +1 dexterity will be useful.

I plan to aim for 18 or 19 strength, 16 dexterity, 17 constitution. as low as possible intelligence and wisdom (I plan to move points from here to other stats), and whatever is left for charisma. Would these be good starting stats for a fighter?

I'm still debating if I should go for being a paladin instead of just a standard fighter this time.

I'm going to try and make this the last time I start over.
avatar
Coelocanth: Can't get 19 STR out of the gate (max is 18/00 for an Elf Fighter). I'd also highly recommend going for at least 18 DEX (4 AC bonus and +2 thac0 with ranged weapons) or 19 if you have the points (Still 4 AC bonus, but +3 thac0 with ranged weapons). 16 DEX is only 2 AC bonus and +1 ranged thac0.

*edit* This rule set is all about min/maxing. So don't think about what would be the lowest stats you could get away with, rather think about getting the highest possible scores in your class' main stats (for a FTR this is STR, DEX, and CON).
Is there a minimum constitution I should shoot for?

Thank you to everyone who has posted in this thread. I have already added +1 for each post you made.
Post edited October 28, 2013 by auroraparadox
avatar
auroraparadox: Is there a minimum constitution I should shoot for?
Again, highest you can get. For an Elf FTR, this will be 17. This gives you +3 HP per level. 18 would be +4, but since the Elf gets a penalty to CON, the highest you can start with is 17.

For non-warrior classes, the highest would be 16, since they get no benefit for a CON above that.
avatar
auroraparadox: Is there a minimum constitution I should shoot for?
avatar
Coelocanth: Again, highest you can get. For an Elf FTR, this will be 17. This gives you +3 HP per level. 18 would be +4, but since the Elf gets a penalty to CON, the highest you can start with is 17.

For non-warrior classes, the highest would be 16, since they get no benefit for a CON above that.
Understood. Thanks Coelocanth.

Time to start rolling the character creation dice.
avatar
auroraparadox: Just to clarify, are reaction adjustments how NPCs respond to you?
Yes that is what it is for.
avatar
auroraparadox: Is there a minimum constitution I should shoot for?
If you are a fighter make sure your STR and Dex are set high and then tackle the CON.
Post edited October 29, 2013 by jjsimp
I should mention that in this game there's no shame in screwing up the first time (at character creation or early in the game proper) and starting again. I did, more than once, when I first played, and I did know the AD&D rules.
avatar
jjsimp: You can always import your current character into BG2...or if you are using one of the mods they will do it for you.

I haven't seen a need for a high Charisma unless playing as a Bard, but if you go to low you will take a hit to your reaction adjustments.
avatar
auroraparadox: Just to clarify, are reaction adjustments how NPCs respond to you?
Yes. Characters with high charisma get better prices at stores, better rewards from a few quests (nothing amazing, though, as far as I know) and more dialogue options in certain conversations. I'm pretty sure that some companions flat out refuse to join you if your charisma is very low, although I've never tried that myself. A charisma score of about 10 should see you through just fine, I think.
There's one hidden benefit to half elves over humans: they have higher minimum stats, so your stat rolls will be better.
avatar
pi4t: There's one hidden benefit to half elves over humans: they have higher minimum stats, so your stat rolls will be better.
Good to know. Do full elves have the same benefit?
avatar
pi4t: There's one hidden benefit to half elves over humans: they have higher minimum stats, so your stat rolls will be better.
If I remember right, don't Half-Elves not get the extra modifier to strength...I think the highest is 18, not 18/00

Edit: In BG2 they can go up to 18/00 perhaps it was the original BG.
Post edited October 30, 2013 by jjsimp
avatar
jjsimp: If I remember right, don't Half-Elves not get the extra modifier to strength...I think the highest is 18, not 18/00

Edit: In BG2 they can go up to 18/00 perhaps it was the original BG.
No, they can get up to 18/00 in STR in the original BG as well. I don't recall there being any restriction on STR for any race except the small ones. What limits your STR to 18 without the extra modifier is your class. Only warrior classes (Fighter, Paladin, Ranger) can get the modified 18 STR score.