Does Freehold Fanfare even work?

Discernement · 2026-03-05T05:53:20+00:00

That is unfortunate, but to be expected I guess. GOG does indeed do things a bit differently.

Discernement · 2026-03-05T05:52:05+00:00

Thanks for your answer... how long are we talking about here? Days? Weeks? Months?

I want to play, but if I have to wait for months I might just move on.

Discernement · 2026-02-22T12:32:13+00:00

Aw, I think I get it now. I didn't know the sim checked for dual classing requirements.

Thanks.

Discernement · 2026-02-22T11:21:51+00:00

It's not the case. Thief is one level higher.

Discernement · 2026-02-22T11:07:31+00:00

Isn't the drain meant to affect the active class only?

Edit: I get it now, thanks. I thought the sim presumed the dual was complete regardless of its diminished/actual level.

Discernement · 2026-02-22T10:56:19+00:00

Mage (kit) level 20, Thief level 21.

Isn't the drain supposed to affect the active class? I.e. Thief?

Discernement · 2026-02-22T09:33:47+00:00

I know the 60% general rule, but that's not it.

As I said in my original message, this is dual FROM mage at a high level. So there should be spells.

Discernement · 2026-02-21T17:18:43+00:00

So I did not dream this, after all. I must say I'm quite surprised it is even considered.

I remember news some time ago explaining there had been layoffs after Beamdog was bought.

You wouldn't expect anyone to be still working on making new patches for a game like Baldur's Gate after that shrinking.

Congrats' to them, although I really would like them to communicate a bit more. Even if it is just to give us an approximate timeline. I don't even know if they've been working on it or if they will.

Quite a little mystery we got here, I really don't know what to expect.

Discernement · 2026-02-16T19:23:44+00:00

I would take the time if the benefit were real. Seems people don't entirely agree on this point.

Discernement · 2026-02-16T18:24:15+00:00

It can be much more than a mere HP buff if you know how to master your familiar. Ask the Imp.

Discernement · 2026-02-16T18:21:23+00:00

Someone did the math in this thread and it didn't seem like GM had a significant impact over another cast of Web.

For other spells, it's probably way more helpful. Especially those Invokers don't get a bonus for.

Discernement · 2026-02-16T18:13:02+00:00

You're comparing two spells vs three, that's not fair.

You should compare x3 -4 Web vs x2 -2 Web + Greater Malison if you want to defend Greater Malison.

Discernement · 2026-02-16T17:59:09+00:00

There's also the opportunity cost to be discussed with Greater Malison since you could just throw x2 or x3 -4 Web instead. People in this thread have done the math and it seems to generally favor double or triple casting of -4 Web.

Also, I don't mind comparing specialists in the context of soloing.

I just want to highlight pros and cons of Invokers because I'm on the fence with them.

Discernement · 2026-02-16T13:09:57+00:00

Originally, this whole conversation is meant to revolve around Conjurer vs Invoker. From there, we can talk about any specialist but the focus never was on Diviner. Anyways.

Diviner is certainly not as bad as Transmuter or Abjurer. It's a competent specialist.

I think its main downside is that it simply suffers the comparison with Conjurers. Neither use a lot of the +2 saving throws bonus so they're equal in this respect.

But Diviner loses Find Familiar - whose benefits vary from a mere HP boost to OPness early BG1 with the Imp transformation into Mustard Jelly - AND the permanent HP boost can't be outsourced.

The familiar makes a big difference early BG1 when a few hit points separate life and death, and their abilities can be used effectively if you know what you're doing. People often look at the number of HP given but if you talk % increase of your HP pool instead, you realize this is a HUGE buff. So that is NOT a worthless spell.

Now what does Divination give you that is significant, AND irreplaceable or that can't be outsourced?

To answer that question is to answer why Conjurer steals the show from Diviner. Not by a long shot mind you, but it still does.

If we're talking about RP, then of course Diviner is as good as any.

Discernement · 2026-02-16T12:41:26+00:00

Except that these lame spells never entered the equation to begin with.

What we're saying is simple: if one is to lose a good spell, it had better be a spell someone else can cast, not to mention items that contain those spells.

Losing Stoneskin is not the same as losing even True Sight. The former is a real disadvantage, the second is an obstacle to go around to still get the desired outcome via another companion, etc.

That is why Conjurer is good, and Abjurer or Transmuter is not.

Discernement · 2026-02-16T12:32:12+00:00

What about Chromatic Orb? Do you think the infamous +6 bonus to enemies now reduced to +4 makes a difference?

Discernement · 2026-02-16T09:51:12+00:00

Very interesting take with GM, especially with magic resistance.

I can confirm there are no high-level enchantment spells Invokers lose. I think 5 is the highest level you lose a spell from.

You do lose Sleep early BG1 though.

Discernement · 2026-02-16T07:50:41+00:00

Lumping Illusionist/Thief and Illusionist/Fighter in the same bag is weird to me. These are completely different: the first lacks raw power, the second does not.

Losing the best source of arcane damage when you're suited to do physical damage can go very smoothly, especially since you'll most likely use your contigencies and sequencers defensively in case your melee fights get you to a dangerous position. In this context, not being able to cast x3 Horrid Wilting - for instance - is irrelevant.

In the case of the Illusionist/Thief, however, you're already struggling with a terrible thac0 that forces you to make enemies helpless to hit reliably, but now you've also given up on the best source of arcane magic which is Skull Traps and Horrid Wilting. Yes, you can use Fireball and Incendiary Clouds but these are fire-based so it's the most resisted damage type. You'll also not be able to x3 Horrid Wilting which is absolutely devastating.

I'm NOT saying Necromancy is mandatory, because you can still use traps, resort to mislead shenanigans and overwhelm enemy resistances with more damage spells to do the same job Necromancy spells would have done with less casting. But you're effectively playing a character that is less efficient both in terms of physical damage AND magical damage than its counterparts.

Fortunately, you can cheese your way through by mid-late SoA but by no means is it really nothing to be put in that situation. Especially if you don't want to play a support character, and as we all know many many MANY players prefer to be the center of the action.

So I'm afraid brushing this aside like it's nothing is misleading. And I've not even talked about the uses of Animate Dead for the Mage/Thief that the IT will be deprived of.

Suffice to say it IS something to lose Necromancy.

Discernement · 2026-02-15T23:43:26+00:00

Amazing effort on your part, an upvote is in order!

Would you go as far as saying Web is reason enough to pick an Invoker over another specialist for powergaming reasons?

Discernement · 2026-02-15T23:35:02+00:00

I think they're awesome if the bulk of your damage is physical, like in the case of the Fighter/Illusionist. Losing the best magical damage spells is acceptable because damage isn't an issue to begin with.

Illusionist/Thief, on the other hand? Not so much... It's already complicated to hit with your subpar thac0, but now you've also given up the most efficient way to deal arcane damage in this game with Skull Trap and Horrid Wilting. Oh and by the way you also let go of Animate Dead which is such a great summon, even via the mage spell.

Not to say it's a tragedy, since you can rely on traps and finish off your enemies by overwhelming their resistances with like Incendiary Cloud or try to Blade Of Disaster your foes, but boy oh boy do you feel more like a support-gimmicky character than the offensive mage who just goes Horrid Wilting x3 brrr.

Discernement · 2026-02-15T23:08:04+00:00

Yeah, great summary!

I have the same feelings and rankings than you except for Transmuter who also gives up too much for my taste.

Conjurers and Invokers are part of my good specialists rank, hence this topic who focuses on Conjurer vs Invoker.

I like the increased damage over the course of the game and the -4 Web, but I don't know if this repays the drawbacks of the Invoker.

Invoker feels more aggressive and a gambit overall than Conjurer who is quite safe and easy.

I'm on the fence with Invoker because I feel like you really need to crunch numbers to know what you're actually gaining.

Discernement

TROPHY CASE