I've been re-thinking my planned figher/mage build for BGEE (even perhaps playing as a half-elf, see: http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/6648/thinking-about-choosing-a-half-elf-instread-of-an-elf-fightermage ) and was wondering whether axes would be a viable ranged weapon choice to take me through to BG2?
I know there's only a couple of magic throwing axes in BG1 (a +2 one in Candlekeep Dungeons and Bala's Axe in Durlag's Tower, which can be used both for melee and ranged), which means lugging around the heavy non-magical ones for much of the game and having to restock often (though I think shop supplies are pretty much unlimited - is that true), but axes have a few things going for them:
1) they're one of the few ranged weapons (other than some magic hammers in BG2, I think, and one sling) which add strength to damage, so good for fighters with high Str
2) they're one handed, so can use a shield with them
3) some of the magic throwing ones in BG2 pretty good (e.g. Azuredge, which is +4 vs. undead, though you have to be Good to use this, and the +2 Hanguards axe and +3 Rifthome Axe, though I can't remember how easy these are to get early on), as are some of the melee ones (e.g. Frostreaver, Axe of the Unyielding).
4) Don't require buying magic ammo (though I know the same could be said for one shortbow and one crossbow in BG2, but my main archer will be using the best of these), and +3 magic arrows aren't available until ToB
I guess if going for these, would make sense to also go for two-weapon fighting in the long-run, rather than two-handed, though the off-hand abilities of axes are not amzing, though would probably go for Belm (+! APR) or that sword (a Katana?) that gives bonus spells in the off-hand
There's a +1 melee axe avilable early on in Beregost, though the +2 one isn't available until you get into Baldur's Gate itself.
Was thinking that could start in BG1 with :
Axes ++
Two-weapon fighting ++
Then:
Level 3-7
Scimitar ++ (picking up the +2 one on Durlag's Tower late game)
[Or perhaps an extra pick in two-weapon fighting first]
So would start BG2 with both these "ready", would mean missing out one quarter staves early on, though, but I guess these would be my next picks (or maybe Katanas for the one that gives bonus spells)
What do you reckon, are axes worth it over bows for my fighter/mage in the long-run?
I know there's only a couple of magic throwing axes in BG1 (a +2 one in Candlekeep Dungeons and Bala's Axe in Durlag's Tower, which can be used both for melee and ranged), which means lugging around the heavy non-magical ones for much of the game and having to restock often (though I think shop supplies are pretty much unlimited - is that true), but axes have a few things going for them:
1) they're one of the few ranged weapons (other than some magic hammers in BG2, I think, and one sling) which add strength to damage, so good for fighters with high Str
2) they're one handed, so can use a shield with them
3) some of the magic throwing ones in BG2 pretty good (e.g. Azuredge, which is +4 vs. undead, though you have to be Good to use this, and the +2 Hanguards axe and +3 Rifthome Axe, though I can't remember how easy these are to get early on), as are some of the melee ones (e.g. Frostreaver, Axe of the Unyielding).
4) Don't require buying magic ammo (though I know the same could be said for one shortbow and one crossbow in BG2, but my main archer will be using the best of these), and +3 magic arrows aren't available until ToB
I guess if going for these, would make sense to also go for two-weapon fighting in the long-run, rather than two-handed, though the off-hand abilities of axes are not amzing, though would probably go for Belm (+! APR) or that sword (a Katana?) that gives bonus spells in the off-hand
There's a +1 melee axe avilable early on in Beregost, though the +2 one isn't available until you get into Baldur's Gate itself.
Was thinking that could start in BG1 with :
Axes ++
Two-weapon fighting ++
Then:
Level 3-7
Scimitar ++ (picking up the +2 one on Durlag's Tower late game)
[Or perhaps an extra pick in two-weapon fighting first]
So would start BG2 with both these "ready", would mean missing out one quarter staves early on, though, but I guess these would be my next picks (or maybe Katanas for the one that gives bonus spells)
What do you reckon, are axes worth it over bows for my fighter/mage in the long-run?
