Triple Multi-class Baldur's Gate 2
In this write-up I compare two of the most versatile classes in Baldur's Gate 2: the triple multi-classes of Fighter Mage Thief and Fighter Mage Cleric.
Triple Multi-Class Commonalities
This section details what both triple-multi-classes have in common; what features they share.
Both triple multi-classes have access to arcane circles one through eight which constitute the vast majority of BG2 Best Spells. That's right, both are limited to the eighth arcane circle and below - which actually isn't a big deal if you keep in mind their role in the party; that is, to fill in for any glaring weaknesses the party may have over the course of the campaign by virtue of their unequaled versatility.
However, towards the end of SoA, and in ToB, triples can certainly take over and stand in the spotlight - which gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside to have watched my CHARNAME slowly mature into a juggernaut of destruction.
As per all Mage BG2, both triples can wear the Robe of Vecna and both can wield the Staff of the Magi and Staff of the Ram, which are two of BG2 Best Weapons. (FMTs cannot backstab with Magi but Celestial Fury is the backstab weapon of choice in SoA, anyway.)
THAC0 BG2 progression is slower than single class and double-class warriors but caps out with a difference of only a few points. Why is that? THAC0 progression grinds to a halt at warrior twentieth level (i.e, at Base THAC0 of 0). Thus, at the end of the day, the difference in THAC0 between triples, doubles and singles isn't all that much except in the case of Kensai and Archer PRCs whose to-hit bonuses allow them to reach the godly negatives (-13 and -11). (Spells with level-based variables also generally cap out at twentieth.)
Overall, triple-classed characters are for tacticians and players who like to maintain a flexible and adaptable playstyle over the campaign's course.
As per all Mage BG2, both triples can wear the Robe of Vecna and both can wield the Staff of the Magi and Staff of the Ram, which are two of BG2 Best Weapons. (FMTs cannot backstab with Magi but Celestial Fury is the backstab weapon of choice in SoA, anyway.)
THAC0 BG2 progression is slower than single class and double-class warriors but caps out with a difference of only a few points. Why is that? THAC0 progression grinds to a halt at warrior twentieth level (i.e, at Base THAC0 of 0). Thus, at the end of the day, the difference in THAC0 between triples, doubles and singles isn't all that much except in the case of Kensai and Archer PRCs whose to-hit bonuses allow them to reach the godly negatives (-13 and -11). (Spells with level-based variables also generally cap out at twentieth.)
- The slower level progression of triples can be compensated by adventuring with fewer party members, but you don't need to.
- Heavy armor such as Full Plate can be put on after arcane buffs have been cast (can be useful in the early stages for Armor Class BG2).
- Both only have access to two on-hand weapon switch slots which is a minor inconvenience.
- Both can attain Specialization in multiple weapons, and a godly ApR BG2 when dual-wielding under Improved Haste.
- Find Familiar adds a one-off and permanent +12 HPs to Charname if summoned in SoA and +24 if summoned in ToB.
Overall, triple-classed characters are for tacticians and players who like to maintain a flexible and adaptable playstyle over the campaign's course.
Gnome Triple Multi-classes
Hey, how about Gnome triples aka Fighter Illusionist Thief and Fighter Illusionist Cleric? Unfortunately, they are greyed out and not selectable in the chargen process. By rights, as Specialists, they would receive +1 spell slot per level and a few other minor perks, but they would be barred from casting Necromancy spells (it's their Opposition School).
Assumptions
For comparison purposes, I'm assuming Max HPs on lvlup, Specialization and Max primary stats in chargen. The following statistics for both triples are cited from the Throne of Bhaal XP cap of 8 million, without stat boosts from quests and tomes factored in. However, the screencaps show the FMT and FMC in beast-mode.
Aside from a generic weapon, items are not equipped on either character for stat citation purposes. Major differences are highlighted in blue and expanded upon in the pros and cons sections.
Fighter Mage Thief BG2
- Base THAC0: 3 (If you don't know how we get +10 THAC0, see: Spectral Brand BG2).
- Base AC: 6
- HPs: 122 (Find Familiar adds a one-off an permanent +12 HPs in SoA and +24 in ToB)
- ApR: 3 (Base 1 + Specialization +½ + Warrior 7 +½ + Warrior 13 +½, rounded up)
- Lore: 56
- Spell Slots (arcane): 5-5-5-5-5-3-3-2
- Saving Throws: 3-5-4-4-6
- Thief skill points: 715 (Elf + 19 Dex)
- Proficiency allotments: 12
- Backstab: x5
- HLAs: 20 HLAs drawn from the Warrior and Thief pools
- Key HLAs: Greater Whirlwind, Critical Strike, Hardiness, Assassinate (x2), Spike Traps, Use Any Item
Fighter Mage Thief Advantages
- Receives +1 seventh and +1 eighth arcane circle slot over the F/M/C.
- Gains non-trivial utility experience points for performing thieving tasks such as Open Locks and Find Traps. You're looking at 30,000 UEP in the Prologue alone.
- Can Use Any Item (UAI) which opens up all kinds of possibilities, including EZ mode 100% MR and AC cap attainment.
- Spike Traps are the best boss-killers in the campaign (again, EZ mode).
- Can get 10 ApR under Improved Haste thanks to Belm (UAI). And that with Critical Strike or Assassinate. Gets access to the Tuigan (+1 ApR) nice and early for a bit of casual sniping.
- Elves get +1 THAC0 when wielding Longsword, Longbow, Short Sword, Bastard Sword, Scimitar, Katana and Two-Handed Sword, but not Short Bow (don't ask me why).
- Gains access to Mislead and Polymorph Self backstabs in the mid-levels. Wait. How do polymorph backstabs work? The ogre form wields a backstab-capable spiked club. Anyway, backstab as a general mechanic is very powerful in BG2 since it allows you to take out the biggest troublemaker before the combat encounter begins. That's usually a Mage and they are rarely protected by Stoneskin.
- Detect Illusion is a useful Thief skill that replaces the need for True Sight and other anti-illusion spells. It can be used without limit and at no cost.
- Exploit: Heavy armor such as Full Plate can be put on after modal stealth has been activated (and then be stealthed in).
Fighter Mage Thief Disadvantages
- The only disadvantage of the FMT is that it cannot cast divine spells naturally. However, arcane spells are infinitely superior to divine spells.
Fighter Mage Cleric BG2
This is a Half-Elven Fighter 18 / Mage 17 / Cleric 19.
- Base THAC0: 4
- Base AC: 6
- HPs: 134 (Find Familiar adds a one-off an permanent +12 HPs in SoA and +24 in ToB)
- Lore: 71
- ApR: 3 (Base 1 + Specialization +½ + Warrior 7 +½ + Warrior 13 +½, rounded up)
- Spell Slots (arcane): 5-5-5-5-5-3-2-1
- Spell Slots (divine): 11-11-9-9-6-4-2 (a mere 18 Wisdom)
- Saving Throws: 2-5-4-4-6
- Proficiency allotments: 10
- Turn Undead: 19
- HLAs: 16 HLAs drawn from the Warrior and Cleric pools.
- Key HLAs: Greater Whirlwind, Critical Strike, Hardiness, Globe of Blades, Summon Deva (and other HLA spells)
Fighter Mage Cleric Advantages
- The FMC doesn't need quest rewards, gauntlets, girdles, Crom Faeyr or Slayer BG2 to attain Titan Strength (25). Just cast Righteous Magic and Draw Upon Holy Might, the latter of which will scale to 24 Dex and 24 Con in addition. (Good-aligned F/M/Ts will lose their Bhaalspawn DUHM special ability in Spellhold and never get it back.)
- Will remind you of a Kensai BG2 thanks to Righteous Magic maxing the weapon damage roll.
- Extensive divine spellcasting repertoire that includes invaluable wards such as Chaotic Commands, Negative Plane Protection, Protection from Evil 10' Radius, Free Action and Death Ward, allowing the FMC to laugh in the face of many of the most powerful BG2 enemies known to Realmslore. Note that Chaotic Commands protects against Stun and Maze.
- Can combine divine and arcane spells into sequencers & contingencies. That is too good.
- Robe of Vecna allows for fast healbotting and buffing on the fly (Bless, Chant, Heal, Regeneration etc.)
- Easily attains 100% damage resistance BG2 due to Armor of Faith erroneously stacking with itself (doesn't need Defender of Easthaven or Hardiness).
- Can somewhat make up for the lack of Thief levels with utility spells such as Sanctuary, Find Traps, Knock, Glyph of Warding, Skull Trap and Invisibility.
- A humble Turn Undead level allows for the disruption of mid-tier undead, but not liches. However, F/M/Cs have access to the underrated Sunray for disruption purposes, and there is always the Deva and IMoD to fall back on.
Fighter Mage Cleric Disadvantages
- Difficult to roll for due to having 5 prime stats.
- Slower leveling.
- Limited to unfashionable slings for ranged weapons but there are lots of great, easy-to-find slings itemized - remember, the early-itemized Sling of Seeking adds Strength modifier to dmg and F/M/Cs have no lack of Strength.
- "Only" 9 ApR with Improved Haste dual-wielding and GoES.
- Needs a lot of pre-buffing to fight on the front lines in the early stages.
- Cannot wield bladed weapons, meaning it can't wield Belm BG2 for +ApR (only GWW will give it 10 ApR). Celestial Fury is out, too. But really, the best weapon damage type is not slashing or piercing - it's blunt/crushing. And that means Gnasher, Flail of Ages, Staff of the Magi and Staff of the Ram.
Conclusion
Both triple multi-classes are very versatile in party or solo play, and which one you choose depends on the needs of the party, and your personal tastes.
The Fighter Mage Thief is superior from a powergaming point of view due to the easy combat encounter design of BG2 that not only devalues divine buffs and wards but also lets backstab and Spike Traps run riot. UAI is also a major perk due to the powerful itemization that adds even more flexibility to Charname.
Thus, I acknowledge the theoretical staying power of the Fighter Mage Cleric but in light of the campaign design (which doesn't demand staying power outside of BG2 SCS) the Fighter Mage Thief is probably going to be favored by most players. You can't go wrong with either, though. Enjoy!
| BG2 Best Classes | Fighter Mage BG2 | Kensai Mage BG2 | Fighter Mage Cleric BG2 |
| Baldur's Gate 2 (Index) | Berserker Druid BG2 | Kensai Thief BG2 | Fighter Mage Thief BG2 |
| Archer Cleric dual-class | Ranger Cleric dual-class | Cleric Ranger multi-class | Fighter Cleric multi-class |