Character Creation (2)

Learn the differences between multiclass and dual-class characters, and explore class rankings for Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn to build the ultimate hero.

Your first task in Baldur's Gate 2 is to create your character. You will spend a long time in her company so this is something you want to get right. If you have completed Baldur's Gate and / or Siege of Dragonspear and are happy with the character you created, you can also choose to import your character from a savegame. This has several advantages:

• Attribute boosts from tomes in Baldur's Gate. This gives you as much as an eight point advantage to your attributes
• Greater starting XP - up to 161000XP if you completed Baldur's Gate and up to 500000XP if you completed Siege of Dragonspear
• The possibility of carrying certain items over. This includes the Golden Pantaloons, required for a very late game bonus, and a number of magic items.

If you start a new character, you will begin with 89000XP.

Multiclass vs. Dual Class

There is a subtle distinction between multiclass characters and dual-class characters. The idea of playing an A / B multiclass character (for example, a Fighter / Mage) is to combine the best aspects of the two classes so that you get the Fighter's fighting abilities boosted by the Mage's casting abilities. The idea of playing an A -> B dual-class character is to build a better B - for example, a Mage with decent hit points and Grand Mastery in short bows. In both cases, the combination is better than either class alone.

As to which is _better_, that depends both on what you want out of the combination and at what stage of the game you ask the question. A big advantage of the multiclass character is that there is no period of downtime. A big advantage of the dual class is that the first class can be a kit (a Berserker -> Mage who can call up a Berserk Rage to acquire a whole host of immunities has that advantage over the Fighter / Mage). The dual class character will also level twice as fast in her secondary class. _Very_ long term, this becomes a distinct disadvantage, however. When you reach 4000000XP, the Berserker -> Mage has plateau'd while the Fighter / Mage is growing ever more powerful. When High Level Abilities kick in, the multiclass gets to use abilities from both classes which is twice as good as the dual-class character's options. That said, HLAs don't kick in until the very last bit of the saga (one third to one fifth of the total playtime, depending on how thorough you are) so do not allow choice of HLAs to determine your choice of level 7/8 character.

Class Rankings

There are an enormous number of class combinations that you can select, but some are distinctly more equal than others. I will point out notable classes and combinations below and give rankings to each one.

The rankings assume that you're playing on Core Rules or thereabouts. Legacy of Bhaal difficulty makes summoning extremely powerful which means that the Shaman goes from a C ranking to something like an B+.

Single Class

• Fighter (B)

  Fighter is a solid, beginner-friendly choice. You won't be doing anything much more strategic or fancy other than walloping bad guys, but Grand Mastery is a very powerful class feature. The vanilla Fighter is also a very good base for dual classing.

• Berserker (B)

  Fighter is a solid choice and the Berserker is the best Fighter kit. You can get round the weapon restriction by taking proficiency points in daggers or axes. The Berserker is also the best base for dual classing.

• Wizard Slayer (D-)

  This is among the worst class choices since you are unable to equip most magic items. The miscast magic ability and a piddling amount of magic resistance doesn't even begin to make up for the deficiencies. _Very_ long term, there is an exotic dual-class combination, Wizard Slayer -> Thief, where a High Level Ability removes the class restrictions. However, this only benefits you right at the end of the saga which makes it quite a bad build overall.

• Kensai (C)

  The Kensai will keep the party's Clerics busy if nothing else since you are forced into the front-line with very little in the way of defence. There are two components to the ideal character class: killing enemies and not getting killed; the Kensai only manages half of this. It _is_ a solid dual-class base, particularly when dualled to Thief and if you're importing your character, you've already been through the hard part.

• Dwarven Defender (B+)

  In Baldur's Gate 2, damage reduction starts to become important and the DD becomes significantly better than a vanilla fighter.

• Barbarian (B-)

  The armour restrictions are hurtful, although long-term a bit of DR makes up for it. Otherwise, it's like a Fighter; in other words, it's OK.

• Ranger (C)

  By Baldur's Gate 2, the upfront bonus of two free proficiency points in Two Weapon Style becomes less significant and the increased levelling cost for no appreciable benefit becomes more severe.

• Archer (A-)

  Because the Archer's damage bonuses keep on accruing, the character can keep on killing from a safe distance throughout Baldur's Gate 2. You'll want to specialise in the short bow because of the better weapon selection and the preferred racial choice is Elf for the Dexterity boost and solid combat bonuses. You might also specialise in slings since you can add your Strength bonus and class bonus to damage rolls.

• Stalker (C)

  Armour limitations are hurtful to the class since a Fighter / Thief makes a better scout and an Archer makes a better, well, archer.

• Beast Master (D-)

  Too much is sacrificed for the sake of a handful of weak summoning spells.

• Paladin (C+)

  The vanilla Paladin is hurt by not receiving bonuses that he should (such as immunity to disease) and the kits are all better.

• Cavalier (B+)

  The Cavalier is solid with useful immunities and resistances.

• Undead Hunter (B+)

  The Undead Hunter is a very strong choice and you'll be _very_ glad of its class immunities.

• Inquisitor (B)

  The Inquisitor is better at his job than the Wizard Slayer, I'll give it that. However, a