BG II: What makes a good first character

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you2

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2002
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New but unrelated question:

At what levels do a character get new skills to allocate? I looked at the manual (pdf) but it does not seem to say...
 

you2

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2002
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Per comment I read the game manual and could not find when you get additional skill points. I checked both under class description and the tables.
 

you2

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2002
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Still can't find it. The closest is page 51 which merely states that some class gain prof. faster than others. Bleh.
 

jandrews

Golden Member
Aug 3, 2007
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depends what your personality is like and what you like to play, all the classes are manageable without much issue it just matters what you like to play as. Personally my first time through I was a paladin because I love the class even though they arent the best. Second time through I was a mindless barbarian. Basically you can be a melee type magic type or sneak type all are good with the wizard types being the most powerful for obvious reasons.

Anyway, the baldurs gate story is superior to icewind dale in so many ways I dont even know where to begin, enjoy!
 

you2

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2002
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Thanks shadowknight!!!

Mostly my concern (and orientation of this thread) is that I don't play for 30 hours and reach a point in the game where my character is too weak to proceed and i have to start over :(

Not sure if this happens with bgii but it seems to happen a lot in rpg games...
 

Shadowknight

Diamond Member
May 4, 2001
3,959
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People have successfully soloed the game with a wizard, so if you get a decent party and equip them decently, you should be fine. Just remember that you need a mage in your party (you, or someone else) who can cast spells like breach, dispel magic, and penetrate magic, to bring down combat defenses on the tougher, magic-casting critters. The boss battles in ToB can be tough, but it's not too big a deal while you're in the regular, BG2 section.
 

you2

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2002
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Well TOB is a bit of a concern since I will eventually go there but it seems like my berserker - multi to mage at level 10 will be ok.

Unrelated question:
Is there a way to remap '=' key (for select group) to ~ or ` ?

I went into configure and keyboard and it brought up the keyboard. I moved the mouse over the '+' key and it said it was mapped to select group and could not be remapped. Is there any way to change this mapping (even though ti sez it can't be changed) ?
--
I'm not sure if there is some hidden config or txt file that controls this mapping and it can be hand edited ?


 

BladeVenom

Lifer
Jun 2, 2005
13,540
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I started with the first one and chose a cleric. Good hit points and armor with both offensive and defensive spells and not to bad in melee either. I think there were also more Books of Wisdom than any other stat improver. I remember having a super high wisdom score and lots of spells.
 

Shadowknight

Diamond Member
May 4, 2001
3,959
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Originally posted by: jandrews
I should also note that there are a fair amount of mods and fix packs to add more quests and just fix general issues. They have most everything here

www.pocketplane.net/
I'd definetly apply the "grand mastery" fix. They actually made it WEAKER than it was in the original pen and paper game, as well as the first Baldur's Gate game.

EDIT
Originally posted by: BladeVenom
I started with the first one and chose a cleric. Good hit points and armor with both offensive and defensive spells and not to bad in melee either. I think there were also more Books of Wisdom than any other stat improver. I remember having a super high wisdom score and lots of spells.
Oh, I like dual-classing that as well. In Icewind Dale, having a cleric with grand mastery in maces and mastery in slings? Very useful.
 

aCynic2

Senior member
Apr 28, 2007
710
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Originally posted by: you2
Well TOB is a bit of a concern since I will eventually go there but it seems like my berserker - multi to mage at level 10 will be ok.

The fights in the unmodded ToB weren't that hard. There were a few exceptions, but most were surprisingly easy. Just make sure to buff up before walking through the door.

You may actually want to mod the game and make some of the fights tougher so you'll get more experience befor the end game. The last fight IS tough.
 

you2

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2002
5,678
917
126
Unrelated question:
Is there a way to remap '=' key (for select group) to ~ or ` ?

I went into configure and keyboard and it brought up the keyboard. I moved the mouse over the '+' key and it said it was mapped to select group and could not be remapped. Is there any way to change this mapping (even though ti sez it can't be changed) ?
--
I'm not sure if there is some hidden config or txt file that controls this mapping and it can be hand edited ?

 

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
Originally posted by: Shadowknight
Originally posted by: jandrews
I should also note that there are a fair amount of mods and fix packs to add more quests and just fix general issues. They have most everything here

www.pocketplane.net/
I'd definetly apply the "grand mastery" fix. They actually made it WEAKER than it was in the original pen and paper game, as well as the first Baldur's Gate game.
It's not a bug, it's an intentional rebalance.

There's only one mod you absolutely have to download (and you already downloaded the official TOB patch, right? -- because I assume you installed both BG2 and the expansion already): BG2 Fixpack (and note that this *supersedes* Baldurdash). Besides that, I'd suggest playing through the first time unmodded and unspoiled. Seriously.
 

you2

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2002
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Yea I had installed the tob patch and the bg2 fixpack (in that order). Unrealted but related now the stupid thing won't run. I played for an hour last night - shut down per normal and now when i run the game it doesnt' freaking work. If i go into configure and check the display (change it to any resolution) and test it cannot draw the pretty little boxes. Nothing was installed on the computer between now and last time i played and all other games work fine. Is there an easy way to fix this short of uninstalling the whole thing and reinstalling? It sounds like a video driver problem with the game but i'm trying to think of how the video driver could have been corrupted when nothing was installed.
 

you2

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2002
5,678
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damn it now it works. I had to click 3d acc. This is very frustrating that the game would just decide to stop working. Of course with 3d acc. on it looks a *lot* nicer. It was off previously because it woudln't work in that mode. Weird game.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
82,854
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Originally posted by: you2
damn it now it works. I had to click 3d acc. This is very frustrating that the game would just decide to stop working. Of course with 3d acc. on it looks a *lot* nicer. It was off previously because it woudln't work in that mode. Weird game.
Its not a weird game, its a 2D game. They put in 3D acceleration ONLY to enhance the spell effects, and that decision was not made when they started working on the game. Also, it was made back in the days when Glide was king and 3DFX cards required special attention.

As for the previous issues:
ALL classes are able to complete the game. The designers went out of their way to ensure BG2 was balanced. No one class is especially weak. Your ability to complete the game will be based mostly on your tactics, which includes selecting the right party.
Your party should generally consist of: A warrior, a divine spellcaster (cleric or druid), an arcane spellcaster (Mage, Sorcerer, perhaps Bard), and a thief. (Unlike Final Fantasy 1, thieves are actually required in D&D.) Please keep in mind that your hero is part of this mix.
The extra two slots are your choice. For a beginner I'd recommend another warrior (different type than the first) and another cleric.

You dont have to worry about the experience points holding you back either. They once estimated that the core quest takes about 50 hours and all the side quests added up take about 200 hours. MOST of the XP's come from side quests. Many of them are right in town and accessible as soon as you clear Irenicus's dungeon.

Waukeens Promenade for example: You see the circus tent as soon as you get out, and we all know about the fun adventure which ends with a load of goodies and Aerie as a companion. BUT, some folks either dont know or forget about the Inn.
At one of the inns you find a group of toughs upstairs who threaten you. When you are strong enough you can beat 'em up and take their nice equipment. (Friendly force-attack method is highly recommended.)
Also, on the southwest side is an Ore merchant (she has a role in the middle of a church quest) and Cernd's home, and his Son quest.

Each of the other zones is the same way. There is at least one thing you should do in most of them for the main quest, and SEVERAL side quests, some of which are pretty darn big and open up OTHER sidequests. Like the Cult of Unseeing Eyes in the Temple District. Or the Free Hendak quest at the Copper Coronet in the Slums.
If you have the expansion you can go visit Watchers Keep any darn time you please. The first level isnt too tough if you race in with an (improved) invisibility, disarm all the traps, steal the important goods like some infinite ammo items and some really sweet containers, then haul ass out.
Also dont forget the chick on the outside, she sells some unique items (powerful crossbow that makes its own bolts). If you forget about her, complete the Watchers Keep and go back outside, she'll be gone for good.

Sorry, guess I went on a rant. The point is: If you find a certain area kicking your butt, go explore, get some minor quests, and come back with better gear and a few more levels. But its darn near impossible to get "stucK'.

--==DO A FRESH HARD SAVE WHEN YOU ENTER A NEW ZONE!!==--
Enter something descriptive too, like "starting the Bridge District".
There are two really nasty places in the Bridge where you could theoretically get permanently stuck if you arent tough enough to fight your way out. (The little Planar area in one of the unmarked southwest doors, and the theater Planar area in the basement of the Five Flagons inn. Both of them require several steps and cant just be wandered into.)

Read an online strategy guide. Theres tons of stuff you can do before your "allies" stick you on a boat and send you out of town (to find Spellhold). From that point on you have fewer choices until you clear the Underdark.
 

Shadowknight

Diamond Member
May 4, 2001
3,959
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It's not a bug, it's an intentional rebalance.
Uh, duh. I never said it was a bug. It's just them hosing up your character's maximum combat potential when they based the game on an already existing one (pen and paper) and made your character WEAKER by depowering the grandmastery.
 

you2

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2002
5,678
917
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Two questions on dual classing:
a) Can i pick what type of mage I will be - i.e, when i hit dual class the only classes it offers are mage and cleric - how do i become a specialized mage (such as conjurer?)

b) Do i need to dual class right away or can i save up a bunch of xp without leveling and then dual class - will those xp be used towards my new class or will they be lost ?
 

Shadowknight

Diamond Member
May 4, 2001
3,959
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a) You should be able to specialize, I THINK. When you dual class and click mage (or cleric) it should allow you to choose a "normal" type mage/cleric, or be a specialist. I dunno. Just press the dual-class option, select mage, and it should bring up the list of choices. Really, I don't bother with specializing, cause I don't like losing access to an entire school for a whopping extra one or two spell slots per level.
b) When you dual class, you start over as a level 1 character. (In concept). XP doesn't transfer.

My advice? You're worrying about it too much. The whole point of a game is to HAVE FUN. Either go as a straight warrior, and don't dual class, or dual-class immediaely (or by level 13) and play as a mage with lots of hit points until you get your warrior abilities back.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
82,854
17,365
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a) Nope. Dual and multi-classes are very restricted. You cant be a specialist mage. (Unless you have installed a hack pack, but like Shadowknight said, it isnt that big a deal.) The only exception to this is Gnomes. In AD&D Gnomes can only be Illusionists. So if you make a multi-class out of them, they will always be an Illusionist/Whatever. Jan is a perfect example of this.


---- NEW INFO!! ----
I've been in the middle of a game recently, had some trouble with a quest not activating, and went to google to see if I could find the flag or code for it in an editor. Found this instead.
http://mikesrpgcenter.com/bgate2/index.html

EXCELLENT resource for everybody, especially newbs.
Just click on MAPS, then click on the quests in the lower right hand side and it will tell you pretty much everything you need to know. Good stuff and its layed out well too.
:thumbsup:
Have fun!
 

aCynic2

Senior member
Apr 28, 2007
710
0
0
Just play the game!

Don't use any maps, walkthroughs, cheats, mods, etc.

Just play the game.

Discovery was such a great experience in BGII.
 

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
Originally posted by: aCynic2
Just play the game!

Don't use any maps, walkthroughs, cheats, mods, etc.

Just play the game.

Discovery was such a great experience in BGII.
:thumbsup:

Discovery is *the* pleasure of BG2 -- there's just so much.
 

you2

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2002
5,678
917
126
How do I active items special skills ? For example I found "Arbane's sword". The description indicates it can haste once a day. If the character wield it and then I click the characters special abilities haste is not an option.