I'm just curious if anyone, tempted by the wide choice of 3e multiclassing, will decide to "break out" from his original pattern of gaming and choose completely different chars for IWD-2. Sure, unlike BG-2, IWD-2 gives the possibility to try out 6 new classes simultaneously ... :D ... Since this topic is a spinoff of my more party composition focussed other topic here, let's focus on classes, the best races for them and 3e multiclassing especially. ;)

I think I'll play not that many pure classes: Most certainly a, halfling of course, paladin and maybe a shield dwarf pure fighter:D

But I will certainly make use of 3e multiclassing for some of the other chars:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>Playing an interesting cleric, a longsword wielding priest of Tyr (who is NG and almost a pally) , in PnP I'll probably try "copy" him for IWD-2 (as far as this is possible without deities and domains :mad: ).
<u>Race:</u> Human, for the extra feat<LI>Multiclassed pladins are also interesting for me - since they allow me to replicate the votary kit that sounded so interesting.
<u>Race:</u> Most certainly Aasimar since their fav multiclass is paladin<LI>I will also try to replicate an archer by creating a ranger and giving him fighter-levels to improve ranged combat.
<u>Race:</u> elven, probably wood elf<LI>Another must will be an mc rogue-mage or rogue-sorcerer ... of course to replicate the now dead arcane-rogue kit :(
<u>Race:</u> Of course halfling for halfling are THE THIEFS PER SE, probably lightfoot halfling because of the racial bonuses[/list]

On the other hand I fear that almost everyone will not be able to rersist the temptation to choose at least one fighter level for his chars in IWD-2 :D Powergaming glore! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Any special chars or char concepts you will try to create for IWD-2 ? Like the ultimate dualwielding drow ranger named Druzzt ... or will you replay your PnP heroes in IWD-2? Tell us about it!

[This message has been edited by Ragusa (edited April 04, 2002).]

I am pretty tempted to have a tiefling rogue/fighter in my party. Tieflings are cool. Maybe a tiefling mage too, the +2 int is useful. All the new races can be fun to play, might even try out a drow even though they are alittle silly.

I'll use the same classes I've used in PoR.

That means anything except pallies. This class is out unless IWD2 keeps 3rd ed's "overpowered" Turn Undead for cleric/pallies.

Oh, yes, all prestige classes I also won't use. At least I hope. I never knew what, why and which class is prestige nor I believe such thing exists.

Finally, I'll take races on random. Just to put some challenge. ;)

I strongly expect to see tons of drow heroes in IWD-2 ... with a lot of MR "Me luvz drow cuz they're sooooo kewl! No spell against them ever works". R.A. Salvatatore's shadow falls over IWD-2 ... :D :p No drow for me, no thanks! :p

My choices of races, except for halflings, has always been taken from an effectiveness point of view :D Seems as if I'm a hopeless roleplaying powergamer.

I think I'm going to make a human or aesimar paladin, a halfling thief, a nice dwarven fighter, some kind of cleric, and I'm not sure about the other 2 slots.

From my IWD1 experience, I think I'd go with Bel's party (more or less) and have a Druid & a Bard in the other slots.

Races per class.... (and please excuse the spelling ;) )

Assimar Paladin
Gold Dwarf Cleric
halfling (lightfoot probably) rouge
Bard ... Race?... maybe Thieling?
Druid ... no clue what race is good for these guys, but a gnomish druid would be uniquie ;)
Drow Sorcerer

Me is stunned ... constant begging and bickering sometime does have an effect on the BIS boards. J.E.Sawyer has announced that cleric domains and deities will be included in IWD-2 ... though he admits that a lot of work will have to be done till then. Anyway, veeeery promising :):roll::spin::square:

So one thing I'll play for sure: A good aligned human cleric of Tyr or Ilmater or any other deity (at worst: Helm) allowing use of a longsword :D with about 4 fighter levels (weapon specialisation ;) ).
Though there will still be one drawback: afaik there will not be the feature that the choice of the WAR domain will automatically give your char martial weapon proficiency and weapon focus in your deities fav weapon. So, if necessary I'll live with a mace and add the l'sword with a fighter level ... but things may change ...

More here: http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/IWD2/clerics.htm

[This message has been edited by Ragusa (edited April 08, 2002).]

I wonder how many halfling classes there are?

Generally IWD-2 follows 3e rules, that means every care can be any class ... so I think you may be referring to sug-races: There are two sub-races for halflings:

<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>LIGHTFOOT HALFLING:
Unlike the more segregated strongheart halflings, the lightfoots of the Forgotten Realms are a common sight in human, elven, and dwarven lands. Lightfoot halflings are known for their incredible luck and their love of travel. They tend to be more gregarious than even their strongheart kin. Unfortunately lightfoot halflings are not as strong as normal halflings.

Advantages:

+1 to all saving throws; +2 to saving throws vs. paralyze, poison, death magic, and spells; +1 attack bonus with slings, daggers, and darts; +5% to Pick Pockets, +5% to Open Locks, +5% to Find/Remove Traps, +10% to Move Silently,* +15% to Hide in Shadows.
Disadvantages:
-2 to Strength.


<LI>GHOSTWISE HALFLING:
Ghostwise halflings are the feral, reclusive cousins of lightfoot and strongheart halflings. They are found most often in the southern forests of the Realms living in small communities. Ghostwise halflings are rarely seen in large cities, but occasionally set out to explore the world for reasons known only to them. Visitors to ghostwise settlements often report that the halflings have kinship so tight with their fellows that they can communicate without speaking. Ghostwise halflings are more agile than their normal kin and gain the ability set snares once per day. This comes at a cost to their experience points earned.
Advantages:

+2 to Dexterity, Set Natural Snares 1/Day; +2 to saving throws vs. paralyze, poison, death magic, and spells; +1 attack Bonus with slings, daggers, and darts; +5% to Pick Pockets, +5% to Open Locks, +5% to Find/Remove Traps, +10% to Move Silently, +15% to Hide in Shadows.
Disadvantages:
35% Experience Points through 10th level (a little less than one level lower).[/list]

The xp-penalty is implemented to compensate for the racial bonuses of the sub races. It is only implemented till lvl-10, so a sub-race char will be about 1 level behind a pure race char, not that disadvantageous.

Hope that answered your question

PS: there are some neat summaries and descriptions (as precise as they can be by now) in the IWD-2 section of SP ;)

Id like to try making a wild, hairy shaman type character; probably a multiclassed druid/mage. I assume this will be possible. As for race, Im not really sure. Maybe Half-Orc...

I think I'll probably start up a couple of games, one with traditional characters that the majority of people will use (aasimar paladin and the like) and another with more outlandish race/class combos as above. Perhaps a few themed groups too, like my BG2 evil magic-user party. Ahh, the possibilities....

Thanks Eternal Halfling!

A tiefling sorcerer or an Aasimar paladin

[This message has been edited by Trias (edited April 22, 2002).]

After some research I find the idea of a multiclassed halfling monk-rogue super scout :D nteresting, however, I doubt that will be possible :(

But however, when I want one I simply create one ... :D ... shouldn't be the problem ;)

[This message has been edited by Ragusa (edited April 27, 2002).]

I have a thing for halflings. I don't know why but I've always liked them (maybe because thy're my size, although I'm 14). I'm looking forward to the extra classes for them, because before there was so little classes for them. It would cool to have a halfling sorcerer, they'd look cool to. I'd have either a Ghostwise for their +2 dexterity. Or I'd get a Lightfoot for their +1 to all saves.

For sure I'm going to have a Svirfneblin. :D I love gnome thief/illusionists, like good old Jan Jansen. Too bad about the experience hit, but its worth it IMHO for all the other bonuses and the ability to play Svirfneblin. I just love that word Svirfneblin. :spin: :roll: :spin:

Tiefling's, lotsa tieflings. I love tieflings and my thief will of course be a female tiefling fighter/thief with red hair called guess what.... Annah (play Ps:T)
Then i'll have my lovely tiefling sorcereor along with a tiefling fighter etc.
The tieflings shall rule the dales!!

tieflings are nice, and since there will be no size modifiers there's no point really in picking halfling over tiefling as my rogue, oh by the way I love rogues, they can do huge amounts of damage as long as the opponent is not undead an ooze a plant a barbarian or immune to critical hits, also if they also give the free ambidexterity and two weapon fighting thingy at first level to the ranger as long as he wears light armor then my rogue will probably have at least one level of ranger, if they keep the animal friendship spell then I'm gonna reach fourth level ranger so I can ride a wolf, though let's face it there's probably not gonna be any animal companions or riding is there? oh well c'est la vie, I will survive