I want to do a single class run through using 6 characters. I believe k monster did one a while back and I've been wanting to do one ever since but haven't gotten around to it till now. Wanted to get basic suggestions on race/class combos as well as weapon proficiency suggestions. I'm pretty stoked about this cause I usually play dual or multi class characters which I dig. The problem is I end up favoring a character or two over others and think this will give me an opportunity to play to each of the classes strengths and, of course, weaknesses. Thanks for any help.

This topic has been brought up a lot in the forums. General census is if you're dead set on doing only one char you should do multiclass. Wizard spells are super important, you prolly want fighter levels and thief is optional as well as cleric. Xp will fly in so a 3 multiclass is probably your best bet.

As for weapons I find a lot of early maces are good but in the long run longs words, bastard swords, or flails seem to reign supreme.

Also, If I misread your post and you wanted to do a single class run (ie no dual/multiclass) I would roll a wizard all the way!

Oh I'm sorry, I should have been clearer. I meant a party of 6 single class characters.

Haha! Well in that case!

Paladin (best weapon in game)
Fighter (make em a dwarf)
Cleric (druid could be another good choice because of shape-shifting can tank reasonably well or deal dmg while cleric could not without multi/dualclass)
Thief (Prolly you're least worthy char but will be needed to find all the loot and make sure you avoid some pesky traps)
Bard
Wizard

Simple easy party, you can loose the paladin of course but I like that Pale Justice so much!!!!

I actually think a single class party would be a fun way to play the game. When you multi/dual class the normal game (Without HOF) is too easy. I commend you on trying this! Just make sure that thief is breathing air more then he/she is eating dirt!


As for weapon proficiencies, for single class makes things a bit more difficult. For wizard slings, for Bard, Bows, for Thief, i rec bows and shortsword for the rare chance you actually want to backstab, Cleric I would go with flails if you plan on doing any meele with him (Shocking flail +4 is amazing), if druid I would go with scimitars (longswords), Fighter axe's to start with, and paladin needs to have longsword spec by end of game but mace is good in the early going

Yea I've been wanting to do it for a long time. I'm an old school D&D guy and I just love the classic iconic characters of old. I thought about enabling sneak attacks for the thief. I know he won't have many APR or do much melee damage but maybe the occasional crippling strike would be fun here and there between his bow duties.

You can but the THAC0 on your thief is going to be horrendous and from what I have noticed playing the game, if I have agro on a tank and hes bashing a mob in the face and I move my thief up behind the mob, the thief will get agro after a round or two. Something to keep in mind


The more I think about it, I think you can live without a thief and get a cleric and a druid. If I remember correct druids get a spell that allows them to find traps and you can mem a couple open locks on your wizard and you should be good to go. In a single class party druid shapeshifting is totally worth it. When you can polar bear and its amazing APR you will have basically a second fighter and still have healing and defensive harmony from the cleric.

Sigleaf's suggestion is pretty solid. If you want an alternative with an extra tank, maybe something like:

Human Paladin - Longswords
Dwarf Fighter - Axes
Human or 1/2 Elf Ranger - Greatswords (extra attack if not using a shield)
1/2 Elf Bard - Ranged weapons
Elf Wizard or Gnome Illusionist - weapons don't really matter, but sling (or, you could opt to just carry one of the daggers that gives extra spell slots and not use him for ranged combat at all other than spells).
Human Cleric or Elf Druid (both get healing spells, but the Druid gets some good AoE spells as well as better summons, and shapeshifting) - ranged weapons

Yea I've never gone with single class thief so I'm forgetting how bad their THACO is. So yea maybe I go with your suggestion and not bring one or make a single exception and make him a fighter/thief. I appreciate the tips again. It's been a while since I've played.

Single class thief is ok, don't forget this character will have his one man show when scouting, disarming and unlocking.
With 17-18 strength and a good weapon hit chance and damage shouldn't be too bad in melee and ranged damage can also be done.

Hey K, if I went with the thief do you recommend 2ed backstab or 3ed sneak attack? I can't remember but I thought you had tried sneak attack in your playthrough. Thanks

If you plan on using stealth, I'd say go with backstab. The Icewind Dale series, for whatever reason, nerfed the 3E sneak attack rules so you can't sneak attack the same target twice. The tradeoff is supposed to be that backstab deals more damage, but sneak attack is easier to pull off, but that's not helpful if you're limited to a single sneak-attack. If you're going to be keeping your thief stealthed most of the time, getting your backstab isn't too hard so there's not much point to going with the sneak attack rules instead.

I agree with Darvin. Go for the backstab. When you get a high multiplier you'll do far more damage than sneak attack, and your thief can always kite out, hide in shadows again, then come back to stab again if he didn't take the target down with the first one.

If you want to backstab from the shadows use 2e backstab. If you don't backstab from the shadows picking 3e sneak attack won't hurt, maybe you'll accidentally get a sneak attack in with a longsword.