Swashbuckler Mage Dual-class, Baldur's Gate 2

Swashbuckler Mage Dual-class BG2

Swashbuckler Mage Dual-class is a BG2 class in BioWare's cRPG of 2000, Baldur's Gate 2. Due to its versatility and cheap cost, Swashbuckler Mage Dual-class can be a solid entry-level dual-class for new players.

Swashbuckler Mage Dual-class Build

Swashbuckler Mage Dual-class combines the martial prowess and utility ability of Swashbuckler BG2 with the arcane spellcasting ability of Mage BG2.

It is best to think of the Swashbuckler Mage as 95% Mage but with Thief utility ability as well as the ability to wield Thief weapons (short bow proficiency + katana and scimitar two-weapon fighting Specialization). Think of the build as Imoen or Nalia, but built from a better base. Swashbuckler Mage is a low dual downtime build that has almost no XP cost.

Trying to force this build into a fuller martial role by dualing later (say, at 15th level) will only lead to disappointment, as a few points of AC and dmg are not going to improve the build by much.

That said, I've cited Swashbuckler 15 Mage 28 with 2,250,000 XP downtime (AC +3, dmg +3). However, it is best to dual the Swashbuckler at 10th level (375k XP downtime) or even immediately at 8th level (135k XP downtime) if we don't care about 1 point of AC/dmg and +50 skillpoints.

• Swashbuckler 15 / Mage 28
• Race: Human BG2
• Alignment: Neutral Good
• Stats: 18-18-16-18-dump-dump
• THAC0 BG2: -11 on-hand, -7 off-hand
• Armor Class BG2: -10
• Average Damage: 27.5 on-hand, 23.5 off-hand
• ApR BG2: 3 (6 under Improved Haste)
• Weapon Proficiency BG2: x10 weapon slots. Recommend Specialization in Katana and Two Weapon Fighting.
• HPs: 119
• Saving Throws: 4/-1/1/-2/0
• Thief skill points: 390 is enough to max the four most useful Thief skills: Detect Illusions, Set Traps, Find Traps and Open Locks. 10th duals can still max three skills; 8th can max two.

Swashbuckler Mage Dual-class HLAs

Swashbuckler Mage Dual-class should have access to the following High Level Abilities:

• Ninth Circle (BG2 HLA): Extra Spell Slot 6-8.
• Energy Blades BG2
• Improved Alacrity BG2
• Dragon's Breath BG2
• Summon Planetar BG2
• Comet BG2

Swashbuckler Mage Dual-class Equipment

• Swashbuckler Helm: Circlet of Netheril BG2
• Swashbuckler Armor: Robe of Vecna BG2
• Swashbuckler On-hand Weapon: Celestial Fury BG2 -- Best Bows BG2
• Swashbuckler Off-hand Weapon: Belm BG2
• Swashbuckler On-switch On-hand Weapon: Blackrazor BG2 -- Spectral Brand BG2
• Swashbuckler Gauntlets: Bracers of Defense AC 3
• Swashbuckler Boots: Boots of Speed Baldur's Gate
• Swashbuckler Ring 1: Ring of Gaxx BG2 -- Ring of Wizardry BG2
• Ring 2: Ring of Free Action BG2 -- Ring of Acuity BG2
• Amulet: Amulet of Power BG2
• Cloak: Cloak of the Sewers BG2, Cloak of Displacement BG2, Cloak of Mirroring BG2
• Girdle: Belt of Inertial Barrier BG2 for Magic Damage Resistance BG2

Baldur's Gate 2 Walkthrough Guide

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