Is there a true advantage to multiclassing a character? or is it just to get a refeshing change of pace during the game? My guys are all at level 5 and I was thinking about multiclassing my Level 5 Bard to a Druid next time he levels up. Is it too late to take advantage of multiclassing by level 5?

It depends. If your Bard has "favored class" bard or druid, it is not too late for you to multiclass. You see in IWD2, if your A class level and B class level has a difference of 2 or above, your character will take less 20% XP everytime, so you level up slower.
Then this "favored class" kicks in to spice up a bit. Whenever determining if a character would take an xp pernalty, favored class don't count. So, if your favored class is bard, and you are level 5 bard now, multiclassing to level 1 druid wouldn't give you an xp penalty.

His favored class is a Bard. However, his Wisdom is only a 10. From what I understand about Druids, they need a higher Wisdom, so It probably would not me a smart move to make him a Druid. Correct me if I am wrong.

You're totally right. Multiclassing is a great way of boosting your characters in versatility and multiclassing makes the game much more fun to play.
But multiclassing needs the proper planning. Don't multiclass your characters just when you feel like it. You have to create your characters with planning. You have to take 'favored class' into account and you need to plan your stats. Like now you got into trouble with your wisdom. So if want to multiclass. Create a new party and plan your multiclassing.

Good luck

With a WIS of 10, you'd have a druid who couldn't cast any spells. Not a wise choice :)

Multiclassing does indeed. A Bard/Druid seems like a very interesting character. Both classes have melee capabilities as well as spellcasting. You'd have Arcane as well as Divine spells. Sounds like a very good support build.

Of course, the only downpoint is, that both classes need lots of levels to get more and better spells.

I still would like to have someone with Druid ability in my party. My only 2 characters with a strong wisdom are my Cleric and my Paladin. Which of the two would you recommend multiclassing to a Druid? (Which is less important to have a high level of, Cleric or Paladin?)...I personally think Clerics are boring but necessary for healing. I generally don't raise dead (i just reload saved game) so that is not an issue. advice???

Well, it depends on the Paladin and Cleric's Wisdom scores, and their level matters too. If you multi your level 5 Cleric into a Druid, the spells he has sofar will be rather useless in the future. So it would be best in my opinion to multiclass the Paladin to a Druid (provided he has a good Wisdom score.) (Or at least, I believe the Paladin is able to multi as a druid, I'm not sure though, and I can't check right now.

You might get a multiclassing penalty though, not sure, but I think that's up to you to decide if that's a fair trade for getting druid spells.

Do know that once you multi that Paladin to a Druid, you can't advance as a Paladin anymore.

Another option would be to get wisdom boosting items for your bard, like the potion from the Battlesquares reward, and others like it, to boost your Wisdom. However, that would still make the spells rather weak.

Essex. My eyes bulged. Don't do it! The absolutely worstest (you know what I mean?) character I ever made was a bard/druid. He was lame, bad and a joke. Always died and was plain junk. I really should have deleted him.

The druid needs almost single class to be good. And a bard if multi classed should pick up stuff that will match or truly enhance the character. Sorcerer, rogue or ranger would be good multiclassing for a bard. Druid is a bad move. Also you need 10+ spell level in Wis to be able to cast druid spells. Ie, 11 Wis lets you cast level 1 and 19 Wis lets you cast level 9 druid spells.

Actually, a multiclass druid/bard isn't that bad, from my past experience. My combination is 11 Bard + 19 Druid. Starting stats is WIS 18 CHA 18, all other 10. As i mention in the other 'bard sucks' topic, bard is a very good summoner if the 'horn' is available. Other then that, bard can play a major part in casting little enchancing spells like bull's strength and cat's grace. The nice part about bard/druid (as a spellcaster) is, bard's mirror image can help a druid in spell casting process. Also, my previous pure druids (being a spellcaster) spent most of the battle time idle. So, giving her ability to sing something isn't that bad.

Essexx, i don't think you can multiclass to druid. Paladin cannot multicalss to druid because of aglinment restriction (paladin needs lawful good and druid needs anything neutral). Multiclass cleric to druid might, just might, be an alternative. But late in the game, especially in HoF mode, your cleric will be constantly working with clergy spells during battles.

[ January 23, 2003, 01:52: Message edited by: teekc ]

None of the races has a favored class of bard or druid. So, if you MC your bard to a druid, you will get %20 XP penalty; unless your character is a human(not aasimar or tiefling) or half elf.
MCing a cleric to a druid would be a good idea. I agree that clerics are boring. I play HoF and my level 21 cleric has about 5 heal critical wounds, 4 heals and 1 mass heal. That is enough.
If I play again, I would get up to 15th level. Because 9th level spells(Gate and Summon Monster IX) are not that useful. However, I have a Stormlord of Talos and he has "Horrid Wilting" and "Wail of the Banshee" as 9th level domain spells.

A question:
When playing a bard/druid, do the "Mirror Image" still apply when shapeshifted?
That would be great. A mirror-imaged dire bear would be a sight to see.