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[Fifty]

Ugh, I can't figure out why I have this constant stuttering. The game will work flawlessly for a few seconds and then briefly lag.

I've tried multiple known solutions: disabling ambient noises, turning off/on 3D acceleration, nothing helps. When I turned on 3D acceleration, it actually made problems worse. I know my laptop's videocard isn't great, but surely it can run this.

I've installed the widescreen patch for my 1280x800 laptop screen, and the set of fixes in post #3

It's just pathetic that I can't run a game that's over 10 years old! Has any one else encountered a problem like this?

edit: it seems to have smoothed out when I change my processor affinity from one core to multiple ones..we'll see if this unlikely solution holds out!

 

[Yasae]

Ugh, I can't figure out why I have this constant stuttering. The game will work flawlessly for a few seconds and then briefly lag.

I've tried multiple known solutions: disabling ambient noises, turning off/on 3D acceleration, nothing helps. When I turned on 3D acceleration, it actually made problems worse. I know my laptop's videocard isn't great, but surely it can run this.

I've installed the widescreen patch for my 1280x800 laptop screen, and the set of fixes in post #3

It's just pathetic that I can't run a game that's over 10 years old! Has any one else encountered a problem like this?

Hmm. Maybe an install order conflict? The widescreen mod has to be the absolute last thing installed for it to work correctly, if memory serves

Spoiler

obvious Yoshimo reference

.

 

[Verdre]

When I turned on 3D acceleration, it actually made problems worse. I know my laptop's videocard isn't great, but surely it can run this.

BG2's "3D acceleration" is trash. 3D acceleration just improves some fog and spell effects. It's not worth bothering with.

 

[mattiewheels]

I'm out of the first dungeon for the first time ever, and you guys are right, this game is 100% badass.

I feel lucky that my first ever playthtough can be on a great monitor with the ws/res hack, too.

 

[epmode]

BG2's "3D acceleration" is trash. 3D acceleration just improves some fog and spell effects. It's not worth bothering with.

Y'know, I've played through BG2 several times over the years and I just discovered something after configuring the GOG version:

I have never actually played the game with 3D acceleration. I *thought* I had. I just figured that the difference was hard to see.

But now that I finally set it up correctly, the fog is a goddamned revelation! None of that Torment-style dithering! It's beautiful! *sheds a tear*

 

[luiztfc]

Just installed it. Which are the mandatory mods for the game? Sorry to ask this, but I got confused after reading the thread pages. Thanks!

 

[onken]

OK I just started playing this, 2 questions:

- is my hit/attack ratio is supposed to be under 10%? Majority of the time my party are just swinging away wildly at the enemies and then EVENTUALLY some hits land and they die. Am I doing it wrong?

- camping only restores a tiny bit of health, guh? Is there some better way of healing that I'm missing or do I just have to lose less health? I guess this is probably linked to question 1.

 

[ntropy]

OK I just started playing this, 2 questions:

- is my hit/attack ratio is supposed to be under 10%? Majority of the time my party are just swinging away wildly at the enemies and then EVENTUALLY some hits land and they die. Am I doing it wrong?

- camping only restores a tiny bit of health, guh? Is there some better way of healing that I'm missing or do I just have to lose less health? I guess this is probably linked to question 1.

you should equip weapons you're proficient (or better) at. you will get penalties to your THACO otherwise.

you can set in the options to sleep until fully healed.

luiztfc, read post #3.

 

[NZNova]

I've gotten too used to games where dying is less of a penalty... :lol

 

[Yasae]

OK I just started playing this, 2 questions:

- is my hit/attack ratio is supposed to be under 10%? Majority of the time my party are just swinging away wildly at the enemies and then EVENTUALLY some hits land and they die. Am I doing it wrong?

- camping only restores a tiny bit of health, guh? Is there some better way of healing that I'm missing or do I just have to lose less health? I guess this is probably linked to question 1.

If you're not using a weapon you're proficient with and your THAC0 is poor, absolutely. Even straightforward fighters (among the best weapon wielders) are going to be somewhat inaccurate at the start. It's always important to mention that lower THAC0 means you're more accurate; a lower armor class also indicates that you're more difficult to hit (though not necessarily damage reduction.)

It's a real eye-opener compared to most RPGs or even BioWare's later games. I think the only time I missed that often was uh... FF1? :lol

 

[A Black Falcon]

If you're not using a weapon you're proficient with and your THAC0 is poor, absolutely. Even straightforward fighters (among the best weapon wielders) are going to be somewhat inaccurate at the start. It's always important to mention that lower THAC0 means you're more accurate; a lower armor class also indicates that you're more difficult to hit (though not necessarily damage reduction.)

It's a real eye-opener compared to most RPGs or even BioWare's later games. I think the only time I missed that often was uh... FF1? :lol

Yes, always equip characters with weapons in their proficiencies! Trying to equip weapons they aren't proficient with is a bad idea, you'll almost never hit anything because of the to hit penalties.

But remember, in D&D armor doesn't reduce damage. Instead, it increases the chances that the attacker will miss. So, you miss a lot because it's central to D&D's design. In 2nd edition D&D you check your attack roll against the enemy's armor class, first. And yeah, remember that in 2nd edition lower is better for AC and THAC0 (this was changed for AC in 3rd edition, and THAC0 was removed entirely). If the attacker hits, they then roll for damage, based on the amount of damage your weapon can do (ie the die type the weapon uses, plus any applicable bonuses), if that person is vulnerable to the kind of weapon you are using.

In comparison, most videogame RPGs have armor reduce damage, so you do less damage based on the armor class of the defender. D&D doesn't work that way. As you get farther you will get more skilled and hit more often, but still, you will miss a lot in D&D games. That fact is countered with the fact that when you do hit, you always do the full damage roll that your weapon can... I think the system works well, but some people dislike missing so much I guess.

 

[ShadowPampers]

At first I was really confused but as you get used to it it becomes cooler and cooler, as you learn to get efficient ways to use the spells and weapons, etc. Im only at the beginning since I haven't had much time to play.

Something that kinda bothers me though.

You sorta start the game at level 10, which makes it a bit more confusing since you aren't building your characters from the start, and the mages have a ton of spells to use. Is it always like this.

This kinda makes me want to play Baldurs gate 1 to start from level 1, feel it may feel more complete that way, is it recommended?

 

[Minsc]

At first I was really confused but as you get used to it it becomes cooler and cooler, as you learn to get efficient ways to use the spells and weapons, etc. Im only at the beginning since I haven't had much time to play.

Something that kinda bothers me though.

You sorta start the game at level 10, which makes it a bit more confusing since you aren't building your characters from the start, and the mages have a ton of spells to use. Is it always like this.

This kinda makes me want to play Baldurs gate 1 to start from level 1, feel it may feel more complete that way, is it recommended?

If you think you'd have the interest to last the 150+ hours for both, it can't hurt! You can always just try BG1 for 4 or 5 hours, and if it doesn't catch you, just skip it for BG2. It's still a fun game, just not BG2.

Alternatively you could get Icewind Dale, which also starts you at level 1, and you get to make 6 characters. The combat in that is a bit better/more fun, since it's a faster pace and you level quicker and the battles are more varied. It's also a shorter game, and has a more focused/linear story too.

 

[coopolon]

That fact is countered with the fact that when you do hit, you always do the full damage roll that your weapon can... I think the system works well, but some people dislike missing so much I guess.

You still roll for damage. So a 2D4 sword can do 2 to 8 damage. At least that's how I've always understood it. It doesn't always do 8 damage.

 

[Patryn]

You still roll for damage. So a 2D4 sword can do 2 to 8 damage. At least that's how I've always understood it. It doesn't always do 8 damage.

His point is that armor doesn't reduce the natural range of a weapon, which is the way most games deal with armor.

 

[delirium]

So I finally finished Baldur's Gate 1 using BGTutu. I defeated the end boss to only find out that you need to do TotSC before doing that. Heh, guess I'll just skip that and move on to BG2 now.

 

[jon bones]

god i might have to start this tonight...

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Finally got it all patched up (TuTu, Fix 1 and 2, Banter, and WS) and tested that it works (it does)...now to just start playing! I'm starting with BG1 first.

 

[Lostconfused]

OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHhhhhhhh. The Blair Witch Project. I just got that, how clever bioware. Yeah all these sharp pop culture references a decade later, not even quiet sure what to think.

 

[_Bro]

Just got done playing for a little bit. Just got to Chapter 3. It's really hard to get going in the game after you've played the first couple of areas hundreds of times and never progressed.

Sooo... I'm playing in small doses. So, after multiple playthroughs of the circus tent,

Spoiler

is there anyway to find out how Kalah managed to create that Illusion?

 

[Agyar]

I grabbed both BG1 and BG2 from GoG but I'm having some issues getting the BiG World trilogy mod process to work. I just want to get something working to play BG1 using the BG2 engine etc, with minimal fuss but I'm struggling to find a guide to suit. Any guidance?

 

[Minsc]

I grabbed both BG1 and BG2 from GoG but I'm having some issues getting the BiG World trilogy mod process to work. I just want to get something working to play BG1 using the BG2 engine etc, with minimal fuss but I'm struggling to find a guide to suit. Any guidance?

The most surefire thing to use is EasyTuTu. I was warned about the BiG mod (when I thought it sounded cool and simple), and rightfully so it seems. There's a few links for instructions on setting up EasyTuTu in the main GOG thread, I've still never used it myself - always just stuck with the original interface.

 

[epmode]

EastyTutu is, well, easy. And it's absolutely worth the time just for the improved fog of war and exclusive mods. The only semi-drawback is how your guys walk at the faster BG2 speed. While it's nicer for getting around, combat is a bit less balanced. The Tweak Pack hack to slow everyone down causes more problems than it's worth.

When I want to get somewhere quickly, I just turn on cheats and use ctrl-J to teleport around.

 

[Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!]

So in 2000 I took this game to the front counter at gamestop and then at the last second decided to get Deus Ex instead. Now that I'm playing it I'm beginning to regret that decision (even though Deus Ex is awesome). I also decided not to purchase Neverwinter Nights at the last second once too, should I get that one as well?

Also, playing this game and Icewind Dale has made me wonder why the game pauses in between turns in Fallout. Was this a engine limitation or a deliberate choice?

 

[peakish]

So in 2000 I took this game to the front counter at gamestop and then at the last second decided to get Deus Ex instead. Now that I'm playing it I'm beginning to regret that decision (even though Deus Ex is awesome). I also decided not to purchase Neverwinter Nights at the last second once too, should I get that one as well?

Also, playing this game and Icewind Dale has made me wonder why the game pauses in between turns in Fallout. Was this a engine limitation or a deliberate choice?

Simply, if they had wanted real-time combat in Fallout they would have created the engine with that in mind. Turn-based combat offers quite a few advantages to real-time (that goes both ways, of course).

 

[jtb]

So in 2000 I took this game to the front counter at gamestop and then at the last second decided to get Deus Ex instead. Now that I'm playing it I'm beginning to regret that decision (even though Deus Ex is awesome). I also decided not to purchase Neverwinter Nights at the last second once too, should I get that one as well?

Also, playing this game and Icewind Dale has made me wonder why the game pauses in between turns in Fallout. Was this a engine limitation or a deliberate choice?

With a choice between BG2 and DX... you really can't go wrong. And skip NWN1, it's campaign is complete shit, go straight to NWN2... hell, if you're really impatient and don't want to sit through a game the size of BG2 but nowhere near its quality level, skip straight to NWN2 MoTB (the first expansion).

 

[Lostconfused]

I think I am having the same trouble with BG2 combat as I did with Dragon Age. Most of the encounters are set up around two gimmicks: hold person or a mage loaded up with protection spells. Which leads to the encounter either being nearly impossible where at least a couple of party members die or incredibly simple where you slaughter everyone. You either have a mage in your party loaded up with spells to remove all the buffs on the enemy mage and remove all the charm/hold BS on your party, or you are just screwed.


Edit: Basicly it just annoyes me that encounters are incredibly difficult unless you get a single lucky roll which completely negates the thing that made the encounter difficult. Like a random encounter with a named vampire. Had to reload a save game ten or more times to get through it. All I needed though was a lucky break with "hold undead" scroll and then suddenly they cant do anything as my party wails away at them for a few minutes until they die. DnD shenanigans, fuck them.

 

[Archie]

How the fuck do I beat the

Spoiler

invisible dragon, Draconis

? My party is MC (lvl 24 monk), Mazzy, Minsc, Viconia, Imoen and Edwin. The first half is easy since I summon a Planetar and he kills the first form no problem, but I get steamrolled during his second form, and I'm at a loss as to what to do. I tried cheesing it by having Edwin cast breach and using my main character's Quivering Palm, but that doesn't seem to work.

 

[Lostconfused]

How long is chapter 2 compared to the rest of the game? I think I am wrapping up the last two or three quests that I managed to find and I am kind of ready to move on.

Spoiler

Also kind of feel like getting cracking on NWN2 sometime because I am more comfortable with the 3rd edition rules

Because really this is kind of messing with the flow of the game for me. I mean I do a side quests and then go back to copper coronet and just kill some time there by managing the inventory, going over the spell books, resting and then I am probably done with the game for the day. Really its like I am not even trying to rescue Imoen, already up to 100k gold.

 

[Sinatar]

How long is chapter 2 compared to the rest of the game? I think I am wrapping up the last two or three quests that I managed to find and I am kind of ready to move on.

Spoiler

Also kind of feel like getting cracking on NWN2 sometime because I am more comfortable with the 3rd edition rules

Because really this is kind of messing with the flow of the game for me. I mean I do a side quests and then go back to copper coronet and just kill some time there by managing the inventory, going over the spell books, resting and then I am probably done with the game for the day. Really its like I am not even trying to rescue Imoen, already up to 100k gold.

Chapter 2 is all the open ended sidequest stuff, if you do everything, it's like 40+ hours just for that chapter. Chap 3 onward is more linear.

 

[Ventrue]

How long is chapter 2 compared to the rest of the game? I think I am wrapping up the last two or three quests that I managed to find and I am kind of ready to move on.

Spoiler

Also kind of feel like getting cracking on NWN2 sometime because I am more comfortable with the 3rd edition rules

Because really this is kind of messing with the flow of the game for me. I mean I do a side quests and then go back to copper coronet and just kill some time there by managing the inventory, going over the spell books, resting and then I am probably done with the game for the day. Really its like I am not even trying to rescue Imoen, already up to 100k gold.

Chapter 2 and 5 allow you time to go do the sidequests, the rest of the game is more straightforward.

 

[Lostconfused]

Chapter 2 is all the open ended sidequest stuff, if you do everything, it's like 40+ hours just for that chapter. Chap 3 onward is more linear.

Ok then I think I will finish up whatever quests I have and move on. Save any missing stuff for another playthrough.

 

[TheDarkKnight774]

ugh..i just installed it from gog.com on my win 7 64 bit computer and its a mess. Constant flickering, and wierd lag artifacting, etc. I don't even know where to begin to fix this

edit: hm..i got BG2 working, but BG1 is still a mess. But that's ok, I can live with that

 

[garath]

So I just finished installing BG2 + fixpack + widescreen mod at 1680x1050. Unfortunately once in the game I'm greeted with slight flickering, very poor shadows and lines through textures. In the graphics options I don't see anything about 3D accel, just transparent shadows and a couple of unselectable software options.

Any suggestions?

ugh..i just installed it from gog.com on my win 7 64 bit computer and its a mess. Constant flickering, and wierd lag artifacting, etc. I don't even know where to begin to fix this

edit: hm..i got BG2 working, but BG1 is still a mess. But that's ok, I can live with that

What did you do to fix it? Sounds like my issue. I also have Win7 64bit.

 

[Minsc]

ugh..i just installed it from gog.com on my win 7 64 bit computer and its a mess. Constant flickering, and wierd lag artifacting, etc. I don't even know where to begin to fix this

edit: hm..i got BG2 working, but BG1 is still a mess. But that's ok, I can live with that

So I just finished installing BG2 + fixpack + widescreen mod at 1680x1050. Unfortunately once in the game I'm greeted with slight flickering, very poor shadows and lines through textures. In the graphics options I don't see anything about 3D accel, just transparent shadows and a couple of unselectable software options.

Any suggestions?




What did you do to fix it? Sounds like my issue. I also have Win7 64bit.

The 3D acceleration options are not in-game, you have to run the config tool manually in the game's folder to change them I believe.

You should both give D3DWindower a shot, links and links to setup instructions are in the GOG thread. It may or may not fix those problems, but it definitely will fix slowdown if you run in to it, and is a handy program to have around, even if you don't end up using it.

Edit: Actually another thing to try is to disable any AA/AF you may have forced in your video drivers.

 

[TheDarkKnight774]

]
What did you do to fix it? Sounds like my issue. I also have Win7 64bit.

For me i turned on the 3D acceleration options on the BG2 config application. When i did that it all worked clean. Unfortunately all the other Infinity engine games are suffering the same problem and don't have these options. I'll have to continue to investigate the issue.

 

[Lostconfused]

Well finished BG2, the ending dragged on a bit and chapter 2 really is the best part. Kind of rushed through it a bit so not a perfect play through, some mods some bugs screwed things up here and there a bit. Oh and it throws you right into throne of Bhaal huh. Jeez now I have to play it all over again just to get a decent save that I want to carry into the expansion. Well I haven't the strength in me to do it right now. Maybe I'll relax with some nice 3rd edition games, like NWN2.