Bg2

[Traianvs]

I've never really used backstab in BG2 too. You need to hit your enemy in the back, which requires getting that thief all the way up there making sure he doesn't get hit by an area effect spell, and he needs to move around obstacles too which is why very often it takes a long time to get them there, giving them valuable time to hurt your party. Also, most mages/clerics have protection against the backstab (like stone/ironskin, prot from magical weapons,...)

Hiding in shadows is useful against random monsters, but even the simplest yuan-ti mage and any other human mage will simply dispell your invisibility automatically (True-seeing or the like). Ideally you should be a mage/thief. Cast some powerful invisibility spell and then try a backstab

It can be used for scouting, if you have never visited the areas before of course, but after that first time you know what's going to happen so that's not so useful anymore .

If they are high-level (ToB level) they do get some neat features like brewing your own potions, and they can also wield every weapon just like a fighter etc.. Some nice extras, but other classes receive nice extras too!

[Jamski]

Backstab is great because you can come in unseen and kill the mage IN ONE HIT before he can stoneskin etc.

When you have Boots of Speed you can do insane hit-and-run stuff, running round corners, going invis, and popping out for another backstab.

Then... we get the ability to lay traps. Traps will win you battles you thought were impossible (Demogorgon anyone without spike traps? I thought not)

Then there is the Use Any Item skill. This is SUPERB. It cannot be beaten.

All the xp from doing locks and traps adds up fast too - and thieves need less xp per level. I had some great games with a solo assassin and a solo swashy.

Ah... must go play again

-Jam

[Moral Hazard]

Ah. Im playing as a blade, so I can and have laid down some mean traps. Most battles I use a mix of insect swarm, confuse and haste. It gets the job done.

[J Bytheway]

Originally posted by Trajanus
I've never really used backstab in BG2 too. You need to hit your enemy in the back

Really? I didn't know that... Does it apply to your opponents too? I'm sure I've been backstabbed in the front...

[J Bytheway]

Originally posted by Jamski
(Demogorgon anyone without spike traps? I thought not)

I've never used traps against Demogorgan... It just seems so unfair to use traps under any circumstances - I guess I'm just too lawful good .

[Kassiopeia]

I never really bothered with traps, so I didn't use any against Demogorgon. It did take a few tries. I used so little cheese in SoA and ToB that it's almost shameful.

[Dis]

I used traps the first time I played the game. I pretty much had to. The game was hard the first time. And I used Yoshimo (I often don't use him anymore) Yoshimo is the trap master.

Great against vampires and such.

[Traianvs]

Originally posted by J Bytheway


Really? I didn't know that... Does it apply to your opponents too? I'm sure I've been backstabbed in the front...

Yeah i THink it was changed in some patch, or the expansion, I'm not sure actually.

And NO Jamski you can't backstab mages, unless they're pathetically lowlevel, and then I could just as well clubber him down with a mace or something. Good mages always autodetect me thief in shadows with true-seeing (they seem to have an endless amount of those spells memorized. On top of that most battles start off with conversations, or with teleporting enemies etc so you don't have time time hide in shadows... So you would need a good spell to get invisible.. if you have the time to cast it

[Jamski]

And NO Jamski you can't backstab mages, unless they're pathetically lowlevel, and then I could just as well clubber him down with a mace or something. Good mages always autodetect me thief in shadows with true-seeing (they seem to have an endless amount of those spells memorized. On top of that most battles start off with conversations, or with teleporting enemies etc so you don't have time time hide in shadows... So you would need a good spell to get invisible.. if you have the time to cast it

Cloak of Non-Detection is SO essential. Get it from that bar fight upstairs in the promenade. Also useful - stacks of invisiblity potions (steal the entire stocks of Trademeet and Atkathla) Absolutly brilliant to backstab Beholders and Mindflayers too

Oh, and get the Tactics mod installed (as I always say )

-Jam

[Traianvs]

potions are **** => True seeing
okay they might be useful for dealing normal monsters, but normal monsters can be slayed with fighters and regular bashing equipment.

Maybe my BG2 version was a bit buggy

[duke o' york]

Sorry for resurrecting one of the oldest threads, but I finished Throne of Bhaal last night (woo!).

I've only owned it for about 6/7 years.

Next up, finally playing more than 30 minutes of Morrowind....

Beware of other ancient threads coming back to life. Muhahahaha!

[Tuberski]

I've had this game for 9 years or so and still haven't played it.

ACK!