A BG2 thread? And I missed it?
SHAME!
Originally posted by: you2
Would dwarf berserker be ok for first play ?
Yes.
As with many RPG's, if you arent familiar with the system a fighter is usually a good first choice. A berserker is nice for a few reasons.
There are a handful of mega-liches in the game that can cast imprisonment on you about a hundred times before running out.
Imprisonment is permanent unless you have a spell or scroll of Freedom handy. If your main character gets hit with it, AUTOMATIC game over. (Regardless if you have Freedom handy.)
For some reason, the Berserkers Berserk ability not only protects you from charm and such, but also Maze and Imprisonment. If you see a mega-lich you can activate that ability and hack away at him with impunity. Use weapons that have a high hit bonus and maybe do extra damage against undead. (Although he's evil and evil people cant use Azure Edge, an axe which has an insta-kill ability versus Undead.) BUT, there is a really excellent Axe in the lower levels of Watchers Keep, so he can be very useful to you.
NOTE: Another way to deal with them is use a Spell Immunity on yourself with protection against the school Imprisonment uses (I think its Abjuration). Then you can fight a demi-lich using anybody.
There are only a couple of them in the game but that super-quick, unlimited Imprisonment ability is REALLY annoying.
Please also note, you do find a Dwarf Berserker in the game: Korgan (at Copper Coronet). And he has a Grand Mastery in Axe when you get him. If you get him right away and keep him all the time, he will have enough levels to get a 2nd Grand Mastery.
TOTALLY UNRELATED NOTE:
I used the huge BG2 Tweak Pack and am having all kinds of fun with my half-elf Mage/Cleric. I can do each and all of the Stronghold quests, have unlimited items in stacks, and about 30 other cool things.
EDIT 2:
Shadowknight brought up a good point which is well known in the AD&D and D&D world.
If you want a basic mage but dont want him getting his ass kicked all the time, start off as a fighter. Dual-class immediately and go to Mage. In BG2 you will probably have a level 7 fighter and level 30 Mage by the end of the game. Super good wizard powers, but not a wimp either.
In D&D 3rd Edition (Neverwinter Nights 2) its pretty similar. Start with a Fighter, then after that put all your levels into Wizard. By the end of the game you will have a very strong magic user (level 19) and the extra weapon and armor proficiencies and HP from the level 1 fighter will help you throughout the game. Barbarian and Ranger also make decent starting classes. If you could get the Barbarians damage reduction at a low level it would be awesome. But that doesnt come until later and you will probably end up with a Barbarian7/Mage13, which doesnt excel at either job. By the end of the game you wont be terribly useful.