Just curious.
I do not like the fighter class in any of the D&D games. Paladins and Rangers are fine, and Fighters are good for dual or multiclassing, but pure fighters? *Thumbs down*

Can you elaborate? Why don't you like them? Why do you like Paladins and Rangers?

I tend to prefer dual classing them or using them in a mutliclass combo in AD&D. In later editions, I tend to use them as a splash class. But I've always preferred Rogues and Bards.

I despise classes that don't have any special abilities. It just seems like such a waste. I know in AD&D they get Grand Mastery, but that just increases numbers. I like abilities you have to use.

I wouldn't say hate, but I never really saw the appeal. Mechanically they're so bland, compared to.. well, every other class. Which is mostly because `normal' combat in DnD is so boring. Consider the manoeuvres added in the tome of battle, or normal combat in White Wolf's Exalted, with its stunt bonuses and awesome feats(charms). Now that makes for awesome combat. In DnD? Most fighters are indeed just bland high number generators, or at least, that's how they feel to me. The only fun you're going to have in DnD combat is using spells and special abilities, which is exactly what the fighter lacks.

In party games like IWD they are ok since it's enough to micromanage some of the party members.

In solo games it's easier to imagine being someone who can hold a sword than someone who shoots fire from his fingers.
And if you think of a fantasy hero it's almost always something like the brave knight in shiny armor. not a caster or thief.

Are fighters boring? Yes, but they serve a vital role in games like this. Generally you want someone who can take alot of damage and dish it out in return. One dedicated Fighter is enough, but everyone can benefit from dual or multiclassing with it.

No, seriously, I have more trouble imagining me being able to swing a sword and hurt anyone but me than me shooting fire out of my fingers :P

What's wrong with both? I always have an irrational urge to make my main character a spellsword/battlemage in every single RPG I've played.
No, Mr Angry Nerd man, I don't care if it's not as efficient as a bard/sorcerer. I want to hit people with swords then set them on fire then hit them again. Eez fun!

Agreed, I generally prefer Paladins / Rangers since they can take & dish damage right well but get some fun and interesting special abilities. (Such as in IWD where a fighter fights...great but a Paladin can make wights and bone golems explode just by walking up to them).

In NWN however I make an exception... The Fighter > 7 levels of Weapon Master > Fighter sequence produces an character with not only ridiculously high numbers (able to do around 600 damage in one combat round) but also with fun "feat" abilities like great cleave, knockdown, disarm, called shot, and whirlwind attack.

This may be because for me though there is some appeal in the boring-high-number-fighter character after all...I find it to be a great feeling when you've sculpted your character carefully through the beginning of the adventure and at the end are able to just sit back, do next to nothing at all, give a single "attack" command, and watch her cleave through a dragon or an army of demons like a she's a lawnmover.... it's a nice relaxing feeling. :)

Weapon Master is a fun prestige class. I played a Fighter/Weapon Master through SOU and started HOTU with her, but then got sidetracked.

I like Fighter/Thief for a real damage dealer.

That would be a 'cheat' in IWD2, but I don't feel it would in IWD1, due to the way the rules are set up. You can't bounce around between classes in IWD1 and the only race that can take a single level in a second class is Human. And once you switch you're restricted to your new class. So I look at it as having changed professions.

The way the 3.x rules work is far more akin to 'cheating', since you can bounce back and forth between classes at will.

while its popular to dualclass fighters..

a lvl 15-20 fighter is just plain awsome. It may not have the tanking power of a fighter/cleric, But as a master of weapontry, and just hands down bashing, its really hard to beat...

use your mage/cleric to cast a few buffs on him and then get back to doing what ever it is you wanna do with your mage/cleric and you will see that there is really no comparison.


People forget its a D&D, and its all about the group... a lvl 10 cleric and fighter are definatly better than a couple of multi-class combos. You are getting more attacks, higher lvl spells, better saves, better thaco.. basically better in every single way..

sure if you had 2 fighter/cleric mulit class combos, it could be pretty decent, casting double holds, maybe a couple summons, command,, buff yourselfs, ext.. But at the same time that all takes rounds. and in dnd more rounds usually means its better for the other guy.

Now if you just had 2 pure PC's, Your fighter is already engaging and hacking away, while your cleric tossed out a hold, depending on how the fight is going you can cast a buff or 2, maybe your fighter needs a quick heal, maybe not.

Basically, if you have a fighter/cleric it cant fight and cast at the same time.. all your basically doing is being a caster, which makes your fighter part useless, or your buffing, then fighting, and then stoping to fight to cast a heal or something durring combat...

one character hacking away, and the other casting, is definatly a better way to go if ya ask me..



thats not to say that i dont dual class, or multiclass ever.. But many times the singles are the way to go. even things like mage/theives.. many mage spells make the thief ablities useless.. things like knock, invisiblity, dimention door.. But at the same time, it can be fun to have a jack of all trades toon.. the always under powered but never outmatched, mage/cleric/theif..


basically my point is.. if you havent tried a party of a bunch of single classes.. give it a shot, you might be surprised on how good it really is....

fighter, cleric, mage, theif, paladin, druid... give it a try,, You might be very surprised how well it plays..

I remember a long time ago in a galaxy far far away when I first played CDND with the gold box TSR titles. I played Triple classed characters and thought plain fighters were weak. Oh how naive I was. I agree with all the things you've said, you just get a better party that way with each character having clearly defined roles. They are more powerful because they stayed pure in intent of class.