New all purpose Baldurs Gate thread

[Stuie]

Just reading the two threads (this one and http://apolyton.net/forums/showthrea...hreadid=101904) convinced me. Like DoY said, if that doesn't pique your interest, maybe you shouldn't bother.

I started BG2 last night with my imported Cavalier from BG1. I was hoping for more carryover from BG1 as far as which NPCs were in my final party in BG1 and which were in my immediate area at the beginning of BG2. At least a certain rodent toting muscle-man was there.

Anyway, I got through the first area and I'm at the Promenade now. I just entered a circus tent which was not what it appeared... I hope my characters are strong enough for this at this point in the game.

By the way, after getting stuck early, I used a walk-through for much of BG1. While it helped me experience alot of what the game has to offer, it certainly took something away from the experience. So I'm trying REALLY hard not to peak at any walkthroughs for BG2. That means I might be relying on you guys.

[Drogue]

Originally posted by duke o' york
I'm not going to go and search behind trees to find hidden magic items quite yet.

Is that just a turn of phrase of do you already know which tree? I agree with the sentiment, first time through it's nice not to go straight and find things that are very well hidden.

[duke o' york]

What?

Why, which tree should I be looking behind?

No, I was referring to the Final Fantasy games, where you'd have doorways in trees, hidden items in the long grass and secret passages in the dungeons.

[Stuie]

If you really want to know.... I could spoil one or two things for you. But I'm convinced using a walkthrough so much really did just that: spoil. I'd rather discover things on my own and come here with any questions about tough situations.

[Drogue]

Originally posted by duke o' york
What?

Why, which tree should I be looking behind?

No, I was referring to the Final Fantasy games, where you'd have doorways in trees, hidden items in the long grass and secret passages in the dungeons.

Ahh, just a turn of phrase... never mind. BG has some things hidden in long grass, secret passages, etc, a bit like FF. Not that much though, IIRC.

[duke o' york]

Well as long as the items hidden away aren't really important to having any kind of a chance at the end of the game. cf - Final Fantasy VII's last battle, which required the Knights of the Round to get through.
I'm happy with my slow progress though.

[Jamski]

Only the most powerful items in the game...

But they REALLY are hidden. You simply cannot find them unless :

1.)You use a walkthrough
2.)You use Tab (when playing TuTu w/ToB)

Anyway, I got through the first area and I'm at the Promenade now. I just entered a circus tent which was not what it appeared... I hope my characters are strong enough for this at this point in the game.

Tip for the tent : Illusions cannot hurt you, unless you THINK they can... but what is real? (hint: true seeing, detect illusions, or just pure luck)

-Jam

[Dis]

good luck getting true seeing that early in the game

[duke o' york]

I thought that Jamski was posing us a philosophical problem until he spoiled it by giving away top tent tips.


Hopefully, I should get some more turns played this evening, but that will depend upon whether I'm up in any Civ 2 succession games, or if my girlfrined wants a conversation or something dumb like that.
I'll try the running like hell from the flesh golem tactic, and see what Thalantyr has to say for himself. When you buy spells from him, I assume (and hope) that you get the scrolls like those you can pick up, and not have them automatically put into your spell book.
In fact, I have the armour spell (that I haven't bothered using yet, because I'm going to get rid of the necromancer once I dual-class Imoen or pick up another wizard I want to keep) and was wondering about it. As far as I remember, this spell gives you a certain armour class. But if you have magic armour on already, that allows you a better AC than you'll get from the spell, then does the spell make you weaker? That'd be fun.

[Jamski]

good luck getting true seeing that early in the game

Keldorn

I assume (and hope) that you get the scrolls like those you can pick up, and not have them automatically put into your spell book.

You assume correctly.

But if you have magic armour on already, that allows you a better AC than you'll get from the spell, then does the spell make you weaker? That'd be fun.

Sorry, you just use the best of the two ACs. Armour is a pretty handy spell though - it lasts all day. (1 hour per level or something) A character with a decent DEX and a ring of protection can get a nice AC (for a low level wizard) using this spell. Ok, not as good as a fighter in full plate, high DEX, shield etc... but enough that most of those kobold/bandit/etc arrows will miss you.

-Jam

[Drogue]

Originally posted by Jamski
Sorry, you just use the best of the two ACs. Armour is a pretty handy spell though - it lasts all day... A character with a decent DEX and a ring of protection can get a nice AC (for a low level wizard) using this spell. Ok, not as good as a fighter in full plate, high DEX, shield etc... but enough that most of those kobold/bandit/etc arrows will miss you.

Very true.

Originally posted by Jamski
(1 hour per level or something)

IIRC it's a straight 9 hours.

[Jamski]

/me checks manual (on the desk next to computer) *

Yep. 9 hours. So if you rest, and you still have it in memory - cast it before you sleep (incase of an ambush, which always comes next to your wizards )

-Jam

[duke o' york]

Thanks for clearing that up for me.
I was thinking about casting it before resting while I was waiting for this page of the thread to load, but the answers are all here. Good work
I'm thinking that I'll need another magic missile scroll for Imoen when she dual-classificates, because I gave the last one to Xzar (is this the necromancer's name? I'm sure it is, but can't remember), and I want her to be able to cast that too. I remember from playing AD&D (1st edition), that although you can get some cool spells at higher magic levels, the spells you already know can become even more powerful than some of the new ones. Or is there somewhere in the near future I can just happen to find a magic missile scroll and should spend my money on another spell?
*duke obviously fishing around for small, general, hints*
While Imoen is a thief, which abilities should I improve? Any specifically, or all at the same rate?

[Drogue]

Originally posted by Jamski
Yep. 9 hours. So if you rest, and you still have it in memory - cast it before you sleep (incase of an ambush, which always comes next to your wizards )

Good idea if you have it left. Lil tip for wizards - they're only ambushed first if they're at the back. So don't put them right at the back, put them in position 4 or 5, and they get protection from the front line and anything sneaking up behind you. I usually put a thief or cleric at the back (they can handle themselves but not need to be upfront for major hand to hand) and mages in front of them

[Stuie]

Ok, I made it through the tent, went to the Adventure Mart, and then headed over to the Copper Coronet. Rested up and decided to head out of the city to try one of the many quests that have been accumulating, only to get yet another quest (this one involving getting a poisoned man to a certain location back in the city). I now have about seven or eight active quests. Is there any good way to know which ones I should tackle first (obviously getting the poisoned guy off my hands is #1, but I get the feeling it's going to lead to even MORE quests due to the destination).

So, how do you decide which quest is best?