Hey GOGers,

it is a sort of my gaming habit to replay the whole BG series every year and this time, in order to make it a bit special, I decided to ask you for some inspiration concerning the character choice. Kindly note that I am mainly interested in a role-playing experience and I don't care about power gaming at all. For the same reason, dual-class in not an option.

Right now I am inclined to pick either a male elven ranger (archer kit, Chaotic Good, main specialization on short bows, character background: undead/vampire hunter) or a female elven cleric (priest of Helm, Lawful Neutral, lower strenght, single weapon spec., character background: wizard/witch hunter).

The gameplay is intended to be party-oriented (4-5 members in BG, 6 members in BGII) instead of solo. No save.

I know this I totally individual, however I would really appreciate any suggestions regarding possible character archetype in terms of both editable values (such as race/class/alignment/attributes/weapon spec./spell utilization) as well as non-game values (such as character background, character nature and preferred tactics).

Once this question is cleared, I would eventualy like to create a playthrough thread/blog and share the adventure :).

Many thanks,

T.

Try creating a neutral evil alignment main character, then become rude to every npc you meet. Don't do anything that will alarm the guards in the city areas but things that will lower your reputation to 'dislike 'early in the game until you come across quests that would help restore your reputation to 'liked'.

The goal is to challenge yourself through redemption.

Those both sound like great characters, but two things stand out as a bit strange to me. First, why choose short bow when you can use long bow? Short bow is mainly available as a specialization for those who can't use long bows, namely thieves; long bows provide better benefits in accuracy and damage. Second, why do just single-hand weapon specialization when you can use weapon + shield instead? Single weapon is mainly a good choice for classes that can't use shields (again, especially thieves).

For the Ranger, you're setting yourself up with a ranged specialist, so you'll stay out of damage, and CON is less important than it could be. Your most important stats should be STR and DEX. Divide points between the other stats as you like. For an Archer kit, I would strongly recommend specialization in long bow as well as 18 STR, because that lets you use composite long bows.

For the Cleric: A cleric can't really do a lot with missile weapons, so you should mainly focus on melee and spellcasting. WIS is the most important stat, and next is the three physical stats, STR and CON more so than DEX. Personally, I think choosing an Elf would work against you, as that race gives you a bonus to DEX and a penalty to CON, which works better for ranged characters than melee ones. From a role-playing perspective, this isn't really important; you can be whoever you feel like being. Just be aware of that minor issue.

Personally, I see an elven cleric as rather an oddity, both in lore and in game-play/mechanics. For starters, elves get bonuses to bows and swords, both of which a cleric cannot use. They also, typically, do not follow Helm, Lathander or Talos -- there are exceptions, yes I know. But on the whole, it seems like a very strange choice to me. But maybe that's the point, and why not choose that? Hmm. Something to think about.

For your wizard/witch hunter, there is a kit designed specifically for that, though your character would have to be a warrior. There's also a specialist undead hunter kit for paladins.

I'm not going to give any specific recommendations or story/character plot lines, because then the result would not be your own. Though you might want to consider your character's starting background, in Candlekeep. He/she is going to be novice at best, at whatever path they choose. And this is for the good, because it gives you room to grow your character, learning and developing, making good and bad choices along the way, with the help (or hindrance) of any party members you meet. This also plays very nicely into your 'no save' policy (which I like). Tough time ahead... good luck.

Thank you very much for your inputs, I'll try to follow-up and then ponder on the issue a bit more. I see your point, however I personally perceive the long bow as a warfare weapon to be used at longer distances, whereas the short bow seems much better suited for the purposed of adventuring and close encounters. Therefore the reason behind this choice (and gamewise, there and more than enough bows to choose from).

The logic behind the single weapon proficiency for the cleric is very similar. Since the shields are likely hinder spellcasting of their users (although this is not reflected in the game rules in any way), it just feels more appropirate to leave a spell-dependent cleric unhindered in this respect, even for the sake of higher AC (and the corresponding in-game cons like spell interruption). I also feel a bit restrained by the available cleric kits and may eventually opt for a vanilla priest. The allegiance to Helm was more or less a by-product of LN alignment which feels best suited for the "inquisitior-ish" character.

Is that directed at me? If I came across that way, I'd like to add to my comments that BG is a super versatile game, and anyone can and should play it however they want -- you *will* be ok, and a challenge playthrough is at least as fun as creating a powerful character. That said, I think composite long bows for rangers and shields for clerics are pretty standard strategic choices, and well within the scope of what makes sense for a DnD character.

It wasn't directed at anybody. You should know my feelings about power gaming by now. That my comment came after yours is pure coincidence.

Druids are a unique and versatile spellcaster who can hold their own pretty solidly depending on what spells they roll out. Shapechanging offers all sorts of fun. They have a wide variety of debilitating and support spells and an exciting compliment of summons. Elves are good for this.

You could play as a specialist mage (idk, you may consider that 'multiclassing' in a way) and limit your spell selection to a very particular set of spells (read that in liam neeson's voice for me, okay?) and see how you make due. a gnome would make for a fun mage and an elf would work too.

Rangers could make for a fun choice. A Drizzit type who can sneak around and snipe with a bow but tear it up with dual weapons at close range might make for an amusing dynamic. Even more fun if you go around backstabing with impunity. Throw in a summons or companion for good measure if you can manage.

After reconsidering the matter, I decided to begin the trilogy with Felisin, a half-elven priest of Helm.

Bio:
Felisin's elven lineage is unmistakable in her features as well as in the natural easiness of every single motion. However, being of a gentler physical disposition, she has always been more interested in various teachings and theology lessons offered to her in the sanctuary of Candlekeep rather than in the rigours of the martial arts' training, on which her father Gorion firmly insisted for some reason. While not a consciouss choice, her sense of duty and a strong belief in a need for balance, without which the universe of the mankind is doomed into chaos, found its solace in the old deity of Helm, the Watcher. As opposed to the vigorous preaching of the followers of Lathander, or the constant threats of the Talassans, the virtues of her faith, where the burden of responsibility for order dominates all else, eventually made her a silent but dedicated defender of the universal law instead of a clamant advocate of God. Yet, all this remains to be tested behind the walls of her home...

Should you be interested you may follow her exploits throughout the Sword Coast at "Baldur's Gate 1 - No-reload Challenge" thread at BioWare legacy forums (I seem to be unable to post a direct link).

Cool. I'd like to point something glaring out in her bio, though, if I may: her elven 'progeny' (offspring) is way off. I'm pretty sure you mean her elven lineage, right? ;)

Also, for anybody than may be interested, tbn's monica on the Bioware forum is Borco, and the entry link for Felisin is right here, though be warned that there are currently 489 pages of that subforum!

Yea, I got that mixed up somehow. Many thanks for pointing this out for me, it has been fixed :).