Best starting character

[namster]

Owing to constant forgetfulness to turn off my anti-virus when playing the game, i am regularly restarting my characters (saved games don't seem to work with AV in background?!)...

I must be on my umpteen character now... and have tried all the 8 types of starting characters (male/female)

At first I thought squire was a good starting character but then i found the court lady! She's quite cool for a starting character: good mount, a heck of a blade (you can't block with a dagger but after you sign up with the constable, he gives you a shield anyway.) I can pick off most pirate fodder with bolts and back off on a fast mount.

Once i get the cash i switch over to a lance quickly since the mount is perfect for it.

For a challenge, I go with a nun - i find that character tough to start for some reason. i get overwhelmed too easy to begin with.

These days I go with either the court lady or the hunter and haven't given the others much thought.

What do you like to play with?

 

[The Pope]

Are the male and female characters different? I never checked/noticed.

 

[Kdar]

I think they are a bit different.

Court Lady Have skills like sergery, wound tritment etc...

 

[namster]

unlike the politically correct games out there, M&B appears to offer some differences real world disparities between the sexes - at least for starting characters.

When it comes to game play after character build, i've not seen a difference anyway.

 

[allan]

As far as I can tell after a while all the classes are quite equal, I've tried them all just to start out. The skills move around but they always reach the same total (I think) and although some types get more cash, well equipment anyway, I think after a few levels they seem much of a muchness.

People call ladies Madam too (and they look less silly in dresses)

 

[Ingolifs]

In general, i've found hunters and merchants to be good starting characters, especially if you want money quick.

 

[Sir Prince]

Ok, since I use cheats... (for reasons already stated).
I use my char for leader skills and warrior, borcha becomes super hunter and warrior and marnid becomes trader, healer and warrior.

 

[Boris]

Court lady seems to offer best value for money to me.

 

[DaLagga]

The court lady does start with one of the best horses in the game (fastest anyway), but that dagger is rather lacking even if it is watered steel because of its pitiful range. However the crossbow makes up for it. The priest type is mainly if you plan on having a party, as he has the worst starting equipment out of any class. And then the squire is basically a warrior, and the hunter is essentially a scout/ranger as any other game would class them as. I never like playing as a merchant though, as it's much more fun to slaughter enemies for money than run goods back and forth IMO (unless the economy were improved to be more dynamic). So i usually start as a squire, and almost always play male characters... because it is rather odd to see a female all decked out for battle in the dark ages (no sexism intended).

 

[slavetrader]

my opinion is that the merchant is the the most ultimate starting character. why?
1. rather decent armor. the leather jacket isn't that bad in the beginning.
2. lots and lots of starting money, and great potentials for making some more money. (go solo, from town to town, and you'll soon be able to buy that equipment you'd normally have to fight for in the arena for oh so long)

that said, you still shouldn't put experience in to the trade skill since money is never problem in the higher levels. just leave the skill as it is, it's still quite good.

if i recall correctly, the merchant also has a high charisma, so you can put points in to agility and strenght rather freely in the beginning.

 

[compfreak]

I always choose merchant or hunter for the bonus in archery or starting charisma.

 

[Worbah]

If you want to become more of a 'let other dumb bastards fight for me' character, the priest is good. You can easily raise the weapon skills in the arena.

 

[Cataphract]

Yes priests are good, its quite fun to be a general and watching your poor peasants fight from a hill, but when fighting i go with a hunter and develop the riding and throwing skill.

 

[katank]

I think court lady is by far the easiest and slightly overpowered.

She doesn't need any arena time and can go river pirate hunting immediately.

Real battles rakes in experience and cash far faster than arena.

Her horse is great and the great lance is easy to get. As for the dagger, its reach is crap but really dishes out a lot of damage with a slash.

Two slashes from the back of the courser and I can kill a river pirate.