For the nth time, I'm gonna try to play Baldur's Gate 2.

[Fenixgoon]

roll a monk. they are weak at first, but gods by the end of the game. i kid you not.

 

[murphy55d]

dual wielding kensai's are awesome too. Celestial fury + Belm or Kundane FTW

 

[nanobreath]

Originally posted by: AmberClad

Originally posted by: shortylickens
I dont mean this in an insulting way BUT, even though BG2 is assloads of fun its not for everybody.

Its about the closest thing you will get to sitting down for a traditional Dungeons & Dragons session except on a computer instead of a kitchen table.

Temple of Elemental Evil felt quite a bit more true to the pen and paper game to me.

TOEE is hands down the best recreation of DnD rules in a computer game. Turn by turn combat, crafting, etc etc.

BG2 is just so much better on the story and depth.

 

[AlgaeEater]

Originally posted by: Dumac
For some reason I could never get past the first dungeon. I don't know why BG2 is so difficult to me. Also, I have no clue what the hell is going on.

I've played similar games, but I just can't get into or succeed at BG2, which is a shame since everyone praises it.

BG2 isn't a "fair game", it's a chance game. There are a lot of rolls to everything that happens in the game, and you can suddenly die pretty much at any time with the luck of the "roll". I'm not saying its entirely constant, but sometimes you just become mince meat in a matter of seconds just out of sheer luck. It's the nature of the beast, since its based on rolls. You'll find most people who have played BG2 for years (like me), use exploits or circumvent the system in their favor simply due to memorizing trap locations, the best items, the encounters, etc. But playing as it is intended on your first couple of run-throughs will always get you frustrated to the point of not having fun anymore. (Mind flayers killing my party in 2-3 hits was an eye opener to me the first time, not knowing int 0 = death)

A more modern game I can think of that has a similar experience is Company of Heroes. The random variables in that game make it interesting enough that although you can employ the best tactics, there's still a lot of chance in the game that makes luck a heavy enough factor to turn the battle or make things lop-sided.

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: AlgaeEater
(Mind flayers killing my party in 2-3 hits was an eye opener to me the first time, not knowing int 0 = death)

Of course, all but one of the mind flayer encounters are completely optional -- and even that one can be bypassed.

Anyway, for those trying to play Baldur's Gate on a recent-ish Nvidia card, somebody has finally found a fix for most of the graphical glitches.

Edit: Oh yeah, if you're going to try soloing a tank, you'd better go with Saemon later when you have the choice. (You'll see.)

 

[WhipperSnapper]

I don't think I'll ever forget my first battle with the Mind Flayers, which I encountered in the city sewers. I spent hours with a few saves and many reloads concocting a way to kill that horde with a small party. I'd start with five summons and then send someone over to open up the door to the next room and run back to safety while hitting them with spells and ranged weapons.

 

[dennilfloss]

I'm about to solve the pipes and get me something nice (I hope). Got the ring, hand, kobold staff and carrion crawler blood.

 

[dennilfloss]

Miraine just got a nice zweihander from those pipes. Looks like I don't have to worry about her getting charmed or confused anymore.

http://www.imagebam.com/image/222def24166064

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: shortylickens

Originally posted by: Dumac
For some reason I could never get past the first dungeon. I don't know why BG2 is so difficult to me. Also, I have no clue what the hell is going on.

I've played similar games, but I just can't get into or succeed at BG2, which is a shame since everyone praises it.

I dont mean this in an insulting way BUT, even though BG2 is assloads of fun its not for everybody.

Its about the closest thing you will get to sitting down for a traditional Dungeons & Dragons session except on a computer instead of a kitchen table.

Most folks dont get or cant handle the gameplay of tabletop D&D roleplaying, and since the Baldurs Gate games recreate this experience so well they arent as popular as they could be.

You should consider playing the tutorial. I would suggest reading the manual but nobody does that anymore. Unfortunately BG2 is so close to the book rules that you really need to understand them to understand the video game.
This is NOT turn-based Diablo, despite the visual similarities.

*snip*

I'm not retarded; the Diablo comment was uncalled for.

As I've said, I've played similar games (all the other Bioware/Black Isle games), however I just can't get into BG2. Perhaps BG2 is more faithful to DnD rules than the likes of NWN or Icewind Dale?

As for the comment "I have no clue what the hell is going on", I was talking about the story. I never played BG1, so I'm assuming that's why.

 

[shortylickens]

Crap. Sorry about that, I got carried away on the technicalities and forgot to comment on the story issue. I knew thats what you meant.


You should watch the intro video again a few times.
And pay REALLY close attention to the dialogs of Jaheira, Imoen and Minsc when you first get them. They explain things really well.

I didnt get into BG1 until AFTER I played BG2. I could follow the story just fine.

Basic rundown:
In D&D lore the great god was angry with many of his lesser gods for some inane reason. He sent many of them down to earth as mortals for a year or so to teach them a lesson.
Many of those gods didnt like it and did bad things to spite him. Some went into hiding. Some tried to start a following of loyal minions to gain power as mortals.
The Lord of Murder, Bhaal, went so far as to make a bunch of babies so his essense and will would stay on the mortal plane and give him a stong link. He planned to do many more bad things later on after he was restored to godhood.

I forget if he made it back or not, BUT, he did make lots of babies and they were all a little more powerful than most mortals.
Several groups tried to take advantage of their powers, other groups tried to destroy them. Some folks tried to hide them so they might have a chance to turn out normal.
A great sage named Gorion took you (the hero) and kept you in a little place called Candlekeep so you wouldnt learn about you heritage too soon or be exploited.
One of your brothers (one of many, actually) has already learned of his divine essence and decided to start taking over the world for himself: Sarevok.

At the start of BG1 you are just a simple country bumpkin. You go on with your daily life and have no real issues. Soon as Gorion hears of Sarevoks rampage he tries to escape Candlekeep with you.
Thats when you get control of the game and start your legacy. Eventually you will make your way to the town of Baldurs Gate and confront Sarevok.

At the start if Baldurs Gate 2 you have just stomped your brothers ass and roamed the countryside as a free god-child. Then things go bad. You dont know exactly what happened but you wake up in a dungeon with some friends and a lot of questions.

I wont get too deep into the plot but: It turns out you got a little too much fame and glory and now several different groups wanna snatch you up and exploit your powers (which is exactly what Gorion tried to avoid.)
Some folks just want to capture and experiment on you. Some try bribery and extortion. Some just pester you for favors until you give in.
When your sister gets kidnapped and your soul gets stolen you start to take it all just a little bit personally. You enlist the help of either the Shadow Thieved of Amn or a gang of vampires (your choice) to get you to a secret island where you rescue your sister and confront your soul thief.

At the start of BG2 Expansion (Throne of Bhaal) you have your soul back and people still want more favors from you.
Eventually you wipe out the last of your divine brothers & sisters and ascend the throne of the Lord Of Murder. Either to destroy it or to use for your own purposes. Your choice.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: Dumac
As for the comment "I have no clue what the hell is going on", I was talking about the story. I never played BG1, so I'm assuming that's why.

You really should at some point. Many, if not most, of the NPCs in BG1 return in some form in BG2, so you're missing out on quite a bit if you're not familiar with the backstory.

 

[Via]

I couldn't agree more - that was the point of my earlier post.

Knowledge of the story makes everything immeasurably richer. Otherwise, why even care about why you're breaking out of the dungeon and rescuing all of those random characters in the first place.

Ex. - How would you even know who Khalid (I think that was his name) was? And why would you care that he had been killed if you hadn't spent time with him during the original plot?

The story that runs through the original BG is great.

 

[compcons]

I may re-install this after reading through the comments. I have been playing titan Quest and the expansion lately but might need less action and more of the traditional stuff.

The last time i played, I went with some sort of Evil, dwarven cleric. I used a LOT of potions and healing and went really slow. I didn't level up for an extended epriod of time. Since the XP you gain is based on your level when it is gained, when I finally leveled, I went from lvl 1 to like 12. If i had leveled as usual, i would have been about lvl 5 or 6. It got too biring though.

EH

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: AmberClad

Originally posted by: Dumac
As for the comment "I have no clue what the hell is going on", I was talking about the story. I never played BG1, so I'm assuming that's why.

You really should at some point. Many, if not most, of the NPCs in BG1 return in some form in BG2, so you're missing out on quite a bit if you're not familiar with the backstory.

It's not particularly critical to play BG1 to enjoy BG2, though. I played through the BG1 story (through Baldur's Gate Trilogy - I couldn't stand BG1 graphics the first time I played) and though some of the holes in BG2 seem to have been fleshed out, they're not particularly important. A lot of the BG1->BG2 interactions are from NPCs that are there to provide humor and backstory, that's about it (Ned, Tiax, Dradeel, Garrick, many others).

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
roll a monk. they are weak at first, but gods by the end of the game. i kid you not.

I named my monk Fenix. By the time I hit Sahuagin City he was doing ~30dmg for a normal attack, four times a round, crits 70-80. Then I got the gauntlets of crushing .

Of course, this was an uncapped EXP BG1->BG2 runthrough, so I was already at around 3.5 million EXP at that point.

 

[Qbah]

I'm replaying BG1 + TotSC + DSotSC + BG1 NPC + BG2 + ToB + BG2 Tweaks and class rebalancing. All in one game (BG Trilogy mod).

Started a druid shapeshifter. He was really strong at first, now he's just ok. I wonder if I can hit lvl13 before getting to the BG2 part...

I'm running with Imoen, Branwen (romance), Dynaheir and Minsc. I just don't see a game of BG without at least Minsc... Can't wait for Jan Jansen in BG2!

I love the game. Running at 1440x900 using the WS mod on my 40" TV is just awesome. Things are not too small, not too big. Everything looks so fantasy-like - just amazing! Shows you what a great game can be created, beyond time and technology, if you get the right people to do it.

 

[aka1nas]

I am finishing up in the Underdark now on my current play-through. I am finally going to make it through Throne of Bhaal this time.

 

[zerogear]

Get a Netbook, play it on that. I find i play old games more often on a netbook (because it can't play anything else )

 

[Keeper]

Must fight urge to re-install


AUGH

 

[AdvancedRobotics]

Originally posted by: Keeper
Must fight urge to re-install


AUGH

lol. i really want to play icewind dale now

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Aflac

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
roll a monk. they are weak at first, but gods by the end of the game. i kid you not.

I named my monk Fenix. By the time I hit Sahuagin City he was doing ~30dmg for a normal attack, four times a round, crits 70-80. Then I got the gauntlets of crushing .

Of course, this was an uncapped EXP BG1->BG2 runthrough, so I was already at around 3.5 million EXP at that point.

hahaha well done! :thumbsup:

 

[dennilfloss]

Well. Miranda just went Wild Bill Hickock on the Shadow Thieves. Gonna do a couple of side quests and gain a couple of levels now before going on the boat with Bohdi.

 

[Via]

arrghh...

cant' take it anymore.

must re-install and play through BG,TotSC,BG2,BG:ToB as an evil thief.....

(the one way I've always wanted to and never have)

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: Via
arrghh...

cant' take it anymore.

must re-install and play through BG,TotSC,BG2,BG:ToB as an evil thief.....

(the one way I've always wanted to and never have)

You might want to try installing the new Ninde mod for this playthrough.

 

[Via]

lol

I actually didn't read the top of this page before I posted; apparently my sentiments were exactly the same as Keeper's.

that's what these retro threads tend to do.