I'm very unfamiliar with AD&D rules, or any D&D ruleset for that matter. I'd like to make a Spellblade type of character for my protagonist, someone who can wield high-end spells as well as competently use a 1H/2H Sword, which will probably end up being a glass cannon build.
How should I go about doing this? What class/dualclass/multiclass would be best for this?

Elf Fighter/Mage.

The most straightforward way is to make a multiclass (Elf Fighter/Mage is a true classic) and it can be MUCH more durable tank than a pure Fighter, but you must examine the spell system and their effect (some of which are not so obvious at first glance) to make the most of it.

I wouldn't advice for a dual class on first try, because you must know when to dual and, until you reach a one level higher on your second class than the fist, you will be a low level mage against strong enemies for quite a while. If you don't play with difficulty mods, as I assume, you don't need to worry much for min/maxing so there's no real need to mess with dual classing.

As a side suggestion enable Debug Mode and during the character creation on the screen where you roll for abilities press Ctrl+8 to have all 18s (and 18/00 on Str) and adjust according to taste subtracting points. Although note that this cheat doesn't respect race limits, so if you go for an Elf you much subtract 1 from Con and add one to Dex to end up with a 19 Dex, 17 Con character.

Gnome multiclass fighter/illusionist would be the best choice because illusionists get an extra spell per day and level and gnomes get saving throw bonuses and can have high int.

If you don't want to play a little race the second best option is half-elf multiclass fighter/mage.

If you want to play human fighter dualclassed to mage does also work, for this start as human fighter (or berserker kit) and dualclass to mage when you've reached level 9 as fighter. After a relatively short weak dualing period early in the game you'll improve faster as mage than the multiclass while your offensive combat stops improving, you'll still have more than twice the physical attack power of non-warrior classes however.


As for character generation: Reroll until you get a decent stat sum, lower wis and cha to the minimum and use the freed points to raise str, dex, con and int to the maximum.
You only need a stat sum of 78 for this, if you get a higher roll there'll be points left you can wither put in wis or cha which aren't important.

As you say it is part of the fun for the first, hmm... let's say 100 times or so.
But after a while you realize that re-rolling ad infinitum is, essentially, a tedious way to get the stats you want.
That's why I advocate self restrain as a better way to enjoy the game than sticking to the rules and limitations of the engine to beat the game "legit".

Just to be clear in essence I actually agree with you. Cheating truly ruins the experience. I only use cheats for the ease of use factor and not to make the game easier.

This has been a good bit of insight, thanks everyone.

I take it humans cant dual class? What're the pros and cons of multiclassing and dualclassing? Since I've never played D&D before or any of the D&D cRPGs the concept is new to me.

Why is half-elf better than elf?

Half-elves get more CON. If he's going melee with swords the only bonus to an elf would be +1 to hit with swords,o one must decide whether slightly better thac0 is more important than slightly better HP.

On the contrary, only humans can dual class and only non-humans can multiclass.
For example if you make an Elf Fighter/Mage, you start as Fighter level 1/Mage level 1 and the XP you gain is divided to both your classes. Both classes are active all the time and raise in level up until the XP cap. In TOB you will be able to chose from both classes' pool of High Level Abilities.

On the other hand you can start as a human Berserker (single class chars can chose a kit, in this example Berserker is a fighter kit). You start as a level 1 fighter and raise him to level 9. At this point you decide to dual him to mage (second class can't chose a kit). From now on your abilities as a fighter get deactivated and you start as a level 1 mage. You only keep your hitpoints intact. Saves, thac0 etc are of a level 1 mage. This is usually called the downtime of a dual. You raise as a single class mage up until level 10 (one higher than the deactivated class) and then your first class gets reactivated. You gain all the benefits if better than the current ones (thac0, saves, attacks per round, weapon proficiencies etc). From that point on you are a Fighter(Berserker) level 9/Mage level X (all XP you get goes on your mage levels only, fighter level is set).

Few additional notes. In order to dual class you must pick a combination that is a valid multiclass, eg no Ranger/Mage or Sorcerer/whatever. Furthermore you must have 15 in your primary ability of your first class (strength for a fighter) and 17 of your secondary class (intelligence for a mage). Keep in mind that, considering the level your char will reach (single class mages reach lvl 31 in TOB), your secondary class is actually the main one, in regards of planning and role in the team.

One last thing to consider is that most classes gain most of their defining abilities/characteristics on their first 10 levels. Add to that that the XP you sacrifice compared to the cap is very small (lvl 9 fighter takes 250k XP, the cap is 8m), you can see why duals are a powergamer's favorite (8m - 250k XP gives a lvl 30 mage instead of 31). You gain much by giving away little, in comparison to single class char.
Multies level up slower but get the full benefit of both classes, albeit lower than single class counterparts (the elf F/M would get 4m on each class ending up as a level Fighter 24/Mage 20).

I see now that this post got extremely long winded, sorry about that.

TL;DR: Multies get smoother but slower progression, duals require planning and have downtime but end as really strong if you pick complementing classes.

But can't elves get 19 DEX?
If they do (I can't really remember since I don't obsess about the stats) then I'd say elves are better, since DEX is more important than CON, and the +1 THAC0 for swords and bows, plus resistance/immunity to sleep/charm is also an advantage.

In a party based game elves defintely suck since they can't be raisedf from the dead, but that is moot in BG since if the protagonist dies it's game over.

Thanks for the long post, really cleared it up, and with this information in mind I think I'll go with the dual class, reason being because it seems like it fits in the story. I started blindly, and when Irenicus and other NPCs kept referencing the protagonists potential power, I thought a mage would be fitting.

In BG2 fighters have no trouble hitting and 19 instead of 18 dex only gives +1 to hit ranged. 18 instead of 17 con grants 9 extra HP which are more useful. Elf resistances/immunities were never implemented.

IMO the strongest dual class for you would be Ranger to Cleric because this character gets access to ALL Divine spells & can cast while wearing armour... true you don’t get to use a sword but three of the most powerful hand weapons in the game are all blunt any way. The Fighter – Mage is conceivably more powerful eventually but it’s not very learner friendly; they can’t really dress in armour while casting and you have to find/ scribe all your spells from scrolls.

Hmm, haven't thought about that, I should probably check outthe divine spells.

Also, about dual classing, do I need 15 strength AND 17 intelligence by level 9?