Multi-class = you progress your selected classes at the same rate. Not available to Humans
Pros and Cons:
- You get the best of both worlds when it comes to Thac0, saves, proficiency etc
- HP is averaged between classes and you don't get max proficiency (i.e. Fighter/Mages can only specialize in weapons (2 points))
- In ToB you can access High Level Abilities (HLA) for both classes more easily (as soon as you hit 3 Million XP)
- No kits (main class only, so no Kensai/Mage, etc).
Dual-class = only available to Humans. You basically "change jobs". The result is you mainly play a new class, while retaining some benefits from a previous class. Powerful because of how front-loaded progress is in BG 1/2.
The process goes:
1) Start off normally as Class 1 (i.e. Fighter). You can choose to introduce Class 2 at any time (you'd want to do it right as you cross into a new level)
2) Relearning Period (Class 2 is catching up to Class 1. Your character is handicapped - You forget the skills of Class 1 and you're basically playing a brand-new character of Class 2 with an existing larger HP)
3) Dual Class 1/Class 2 (Class 2 caught up. Only Class 2 continues to progresses. Class 1 abilities are remembered and you take the best of Thac0, saves etc from the 2 classes)
The length of the relearning period is determined by how far you've progressed in Class 1.
Pros and Cons:
- You get the full HP on level-up prior and after dualing. Because of the way HP is gained in BG2 (only full HD up to level 9), you can end up with more HP going Fighter to Mage than a Fighter/Mage multiclass. However, the inverse is also true.
- Dual class means Class 1 can be kitted (more powerful combos). However, Class 2 is still main class only (so you'll never have a Kensai/Assassin)
- Obviously, the "relearning period" sucks, especially the more you progress into Class 1
- Usually less HLAs. Essentially you need to hit the 3 Million XP individually for each class to get HLAs. This means most people don't see Class 1 HLAs (since you don't want a 3 million XP+ relearning period).
- You can split the 8 million XP cap more efficiently between the 2 classes
That helps, but (head explodes) hehe. When I play these games, I want a bit of information about game mechanics, but I try to avoid full spoilers and get just enough so I don't shoot myself in the foot immediately. Like avoiding the situation where you pick a class and then find out the first companion is the same class and is also really important that you not replace them, etc. Really, I should just pick a pure class, play the game, and to hell with worrying about the balance, and that's my own fault that I have trouble getting over that.
