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[Felix Lighter]

First of all, I'm a huge Bioware fan. I have never played one of their games that I did not enjoy, but I was introduced to the developer through KOTOR.

So after seeing Baldur's Gate 2 mentioned as the best RPG ever made for about the 100th time, I felt compelled to play the game this year. I just bought and downloaded the game from GOG yesterday. I applied the widescreen mod and launched the game. About 2 minutes into creating my character, I realized, I need advice before I dive in.

Typically, these LTTP threads are posted after the player puts some time into the game but I'm a bit paralyzed. I'm afraid of making simple mistakes early on that I would regret later. Jumping into a decade old, 100 hour RPG is a little overwhelming.

So Gaf, help me make the most of this huge time investment.

What mods should I install?

What systems should I be familiar with?

How should I create my character?

What is the best way of catching up on the story, outside of actually playing the original Baldur's Gate?

What's the usual playtime for a newbie like myself?

Spoiler

The Witcher is likely my next game, so it feels like the majority of my gaming time over the next few months is spoken for. Too. Many. RPGs.

 

[Sinatar]

What mods should I install?

Widscreen Mod
Fixpack
Unfinished Business

What systems should I be familiar with?

Brush up on D&D second edition (AKA advanced dungeons & dragons). The only real things you should learn with any depth would be the armor class and THAC0 systems.

How should I create my character?

Tough to give tips on this until you pick a class.

What is the best way of catching up on the story, outside of actually playing the original Baldur's Gate?

There is a recap in the intro that fills you in on everything you need to know.

What's the usual playtime for a newbie like myself?

If you stick to only the story, maybe 75 hours. If you do everything it'll go well over 125.

 

[Lostconfused]

D3DWindower is a must have.

If you stick to only the story, maybe 75 hours. If you do everything it'll go well over 125.

That sound a bit exaggerated, it probably depends more on the pace at which you play. The game is divided into several chapters. But there are two chapters that are much much longer than the rest and it really depends on how much time you want to spend playing them.

Edit: Unless you are counting Throne of Bhaal as well. I am pretty sure I finished just BG2 in less than 75 hours.

 

[epmode]

I've been replaying this game myself. While I appreciate what BG1 was going for with all of the wilderness areas, BG2 is a goddamned revelation after that. So many awesome sidequests!

Widscreen Mod
Fixpack
Unfinished Business

I'd even go with the Tweak Pack for a handful of convenience tweaks. Item stacking for instance.

 

[Kinosen]

Awesome, I just got BG II from GOG myself a couple days ago. My first BioWare games and Western RPGs were the Mass Effect games, and I'd heard a lot about how BG II is basically the best CRPG ever. I'm going through the 266 page manual and it's intimidating, but I'm really excited about all the possibilities of character and class customization. For now, I can only recommend at least skimming through the manual, it's very informative.

 

[epmode]

Awesome, I just got BG II from GOG myself a couple days ago. My first BioWare games and Western RPGs were the Mass Effect games, and I'd heard a lot about how BG II is basically the best CRPG ever.

BG2 is tops for for general RPG structure, Torment for story and writing. Try em both!

 

[Felix Lighter]

Wow, thanks for the tips. I'm starting with the mods. Then I'll start skimming the manual and look in to the advanced dungeon and dragons.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

The only thing you really miss from not playing the original is getting attached to some of the characters that are back for the sequel.

 

[Lostconfused]

I guess I should also mention that its probably a good idea to play with sound on. There isn't as much voice over work as there is in modern games but there is still some there for your companions which will probably have an impact on how you feel about them.

 

[Sinatar]

That sound a bit exaggerated, it probably depends more on the pace at which you play. The game is divided into several chapters. But there are two chapters that are much much longer than the rest and it really depends on how much time you want to spend playing them.

Edit: Unless you are counting Throne of Bhaal as well. I am pretty sure I finished just BG2 in less than 75 hours.

I assume he's playing BG2 complete from GOG which includes ToB, so I included that in the playtime estimate.

 

[epmode]

I guess I should also mention that its probably a good idea to play with sound on. There isn't as much voice over work as there is in modern games but there is still some there for your companions which will probably have an impact on how you feel about them.

Not to mention that the ambient sound is one of my favorite things about the game. Pretty good music too!

 

[Felix Lighter]

GTU Light or GTU Classic?

I assume he's playing BG2 complete from GOG which includes ToB, so I included that in the playtime estimate.

Yup that's the one.

There's an in game tutorial. Is that worth checking out?

 

[Patryn]

Get ready for a new definition of depth. Even Bioware admits that they went overboard with content.

Just remember that you pretty much always want a mage, a cleric and a tank in your team at all times. Two tanks are even better.

A thief is also REALLY useful, but not 100 percent necessary (I'd only say 95 percent).

Yup that's the one.

There's an in game tutorial. Is that worth checking out?

Have you ever played an Infinity Engine game before? If not, it probably wouldn't hurt.

 

[Donos]

I guess I should also mention that its probably a good idea to play with sound on. There isn't as much voice over work as there is in modern games but there is still some there for your companions which will probably have an impact on how you feel about them.

Also the background noises in the cities bring much to the atmosphere. Don't miss them.

 

[Felix Lighter]

Have you ever played an Infinity Engine game before? If not, it probably wouldn't hurt.

Nope and I'm guessing my DA:O experience isn't going to be of much help.

 

[Desi]

I am so mad I can not find my copy. Just re-installed BG1 and ToTSC on my PC today.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Cleric is a pretty solid class for the main character in BG2. Power gamers might talk about soloing it with a kensai/mage but who cares really. Cleric does the job.

You don't really need to know that much about the first game as the introduction eases you in.

One of the trickiest things about the game at first are the mage battles. Timestop is very powerful but the key to mages is the protection spells they have to protect them from your fighters and the spells you need to strip away those protections.

 

[kevm3]

BG2 is the reason why I find so many rpgs hard to play now and why I've been disappointed with much of Bioware's releases after, although they are still high quality. BG2 is the pinnacle of RPGing... in my eyes at least.

 

[Felix Lighter]

Alright, Mods installed, D3D Windower setup to run at 1280x720.

Cleric is a pretty solid class for the main character in BG2. Power gamers might talk about soloing it with a kensai/mage but who cares really. Cleric does the job.

You don't really need to know that much about the first game as the introduction eases you in.

One of the trickiest things about the game at first are the mage battles. Timestop is very powerful but the key to mages is the protection spells they have to protect them from your fighters and the spells you need to strip away those protections.

Ok, I'll keep that in mind.

 

[WanderingWind]

Perfect timing for this thread to pop back up. I couldn't remember the mods for the life of me.

 

[ssowinski]

Played it back in the day on PS2...does that even count?

 

[Patryn]

Nope and I'm guessing my DA:O experience isn't going to be of much help.

Minimal, especially if you played on console. DA:O said it was the successor to BG2, but it's much closer in heritage to KOTOR than it is Baldur's Gate.

Played it back in the day on PS2...does that even count?

As that's a completely different game that only has the D&D license in common, not in the least.

 

[RyanDG]

Nope and I'm guessing my DA:O experience isn't going to be of much help.

Any experience with AD&D?

 

[Felix Lighter]

Minimal, especially if you played on console. DA:O said it was the successor to BG2, but it's much closer in heritage to KOTOR than it is Baldur's Gate..

I played the PC version but I guess it doesn't really matter.

Any experience with AD&D?

None at all. I'm coming in blind. It's a little overwhelming.

 

[Patryn]

None at all. I'm coming in blind. It's a little overwhelming.

Just remember that it's not unusual to rest after every fight or two. Don't forget to prep your spells.

And realize that you HAVE to manually control all your people. The AI for your party is TERRIBLE.

 

[water_wendi]

None at all. I'm coming in blind. It's a little overwhelming.

In the game options there is a toggle to show To Hit Rolls (i think thats what its called.. going from memory atm). This will help you get a feel for how things work because with it on you will see the underlying mechanics of what you do.

Also, set pause on Enemy Sighted in the options as well that way you are never caught too off-guard.

 

[Felix Lighter]

In the game options there is a toggle to show To Hit Rolls (i think thats what its called.. going from memory atm). This will help you get a feel for how things work because with it on you will see the underlying mechanics of what you do.

Also, set pause on Enemy Sighted in the options as well that way you are never caught too off-guard.

Thanks, I enabled both of those settings. I went through the tutorial which was helpful. I understand the basic actions like learning and memorizing spells. The tutorial rolls right into the game. I don't have a feel for the combat yet. Most of my attacks seem to miss and I'm not sure if that is just how it goes early on or if I'm just doing something wrong. I need to read some more of the manual. I wish I had a physical copy. Reading a pdf on a screen just isn't the same.

 

[Dresden]

Thanks, I enabled both of those settings. I went through the tutorial which was helpful. I understand the basic actions like learning and memorizing spells. The tutorial rolls right into the game. I don't have a feel for the combat yet. Most of my attacks seem to miss and I'm not sure if that is just how it goes early on or if I'm just doing something wrong. I need to read some more of the manual. I wish I had a physical copy. Reading a pdf on a screen just isn't the same.

Your attacks are based off THACO, which is basically hit rating. Lower the number, the better. Early on, unless you roll a fighter, you're going to have a hard time hitting things.

Clerics and such are powerful but I don't recommend going with casters early on--clerics in particular are very dependent on casting buffs. Any fighter-type with the exception of wizard slayers, swashbucklers, rangers, and paladins will be quite easy to play.

The single easiest class early on is Totemic Druid, as its class summons carve up almost everything all the way through levels 1~13.

Just remember to keep two things in your party at all times:

--a capable mage, not just for damage, but more importantly, for stripping enemy buffs!

--a thief.

Thankfully the game tosses thief/mage hybrids at you all over the place so you won't need to look far for those particular roles. Just focus on hacking things down with big weapons.

 

[Felix Lighter]

I started over as a fighter to simplify the combat early on and I just finished the first dungeon. Lots to digest. I'm afraid I'm moving at a snails pace because I need to inspect every item. The trickiest part when first starting is figuring out what loot is worth picking up and what should be left behind.

I know how these games go though. At a certain point you reach a familiarity with the loot that you instantly know what to take and what not to take at a quick glance. I just wish I was at that point.

 

[NIN90]

I'll never get why the first dungeon gets so much flak. It was an awesome start to a brilliant game and the first time you leave that dungeon is a magical moment.

 

[Mister_Bubbles]

I started over as a fighter to simplify the combat early on and I just finished the first dungeon. Lots to digest. I'm afraid I'm moving at a snails pace because I need to inspect every item. The trickiest part when first starting is figuring out what loot is worth picking up and what should be left behind.

I know how these games go though. At a certain point you reach a familiarity with the loot that you instantly know what to take and what not to take at a quick glance. I just wish I was at that point.

To be honest, pick up everything you can within your weight limit / inv space so that you can sell it later.

 

[epmode]

As I mentioned earlier, it helps to use that Tweak Pack mod so that you can pick up infinite stacks of gems, jewelery and ammo.

Try to grab everything you can but leave behind most non-magical weapons and armor since it weighs a lot but won't sell for very much.

Eventually, you get access to bags that allow you to dump a LOT of stuff into each one. You don't really need to worry about what to pick up after that. You can even use that same Tweak Pack to make the bags store an infinite amount of stuff, rather than just ~50 slots.

I'll never get why the first dungeon gets so much flak. It was an awesome start to a brilliant game and the first time you leave that dungeon is a magical moment.

I agree. I just played through all of BG1 and started 2 and the intro dungeon in BG2 is easily better than anything in BG1 aside from maybe Durlag's Tower.

It just becomes annoying on multiple replays is all.

 

[water_wendi]

I started over as a fighter to simplify the combat early on and I just finished the first dungeon. Lots to digest. I'm afraid I'm moving at a snails pace because I need to inspect every item. The trickiest part when first starting is figuring out what loot is worth picking up and what should be left behind.

Thats probably a good idea if this is your first AD&D game. Fighters are pretty straightforward.. load them up with armor, give them a sword, and point toward bad guy lol There are plenty of joinable characters though so youll have access to just about every class.

And dont worry about the slow pace. Half the fun is running across different items and reading their background. Some are really interesting to read.

I know how these games go though. At a certain point you reach a familiarity with the loot that you instantly know what to take and what not to take at a quick glance. I just wish I was at that point.

In the beginning its anything you can fit into your inventory so you get a little gold. Towards the middle of the game the general rule of thumb is magic only weapons and armor (+1 or better items).

 

[Felix Lighter]

As I mentioned earlier, it helps to use that Tweak Pack mod so that you can pick up infinite stacks of gems, jewelery and ammo.

Try to grab everything you can but leave behind most non-magical weapons and armor since it weighs a lot but won't sell for very much.

Yup, I installed the tweak after playing for a couple hours. It's a game changer. I don't mind little cheats like that to keep the game moving smoother. I think my inventory was over run with spell scrolls. Should I just learn the spells as I get them with whatever mage I have at the time?

 

[epmode]

I think my inventory was over run with spell scrolls. Should I just learn the spells as I get them with whatever mage I have at the time?

That's OK for a first playthrough. But once you know the NPCs, it's a little helpful to save spells for your primary mages (since it will take some time to collect your ideal party).

 

[water_wendi]

Yup, I installed the tweak after playing for a couple hours. It's a game changer. I don't mind little cheats like that to keep the game moving smoother. I think my inventory was over run with spell scrolls. Should I just learn the spells as I get them with whatever mage I have at the time?

Well it depends. Be aware that you can only learn a certain amount of spells and its based off the Intelligence stat. At 19 in Int would be needed for unlimited spells. At 18 i think you get 18 slots per spell level iirc.

The spells you dont think you are going to use you could sell. Personally i hoard them just in case i ever need them. Mages need to rest to memorize spells and some spells are so situational that its nice to have access to a free cast of it without having to rest.

 

[epmode]

Well it depends. Be aware that you can only learn a certain amount of spells and its based off the Intelligence stat. At 19 in Int would be needed for unlimited spells. At 18 i think you get 18 slots per spell level iirc.

Good point. I always forget about the spell limit since I get rid of that too. Some of those DnD rules are a little too rigid for me. And that one in particular hurts new players more than veterans.

I feel that the daily spell memorization limit is enough, no need for anything else.

In related news, I just made a sorcerer for the first time and I'm loving it in spite of the minuscule spell library.

 

[water_wendi]

Good point. I always forget about the spell limit since I get rid of that too. Some of those DnD rules are a little too rigid for me. And that one in particular hurts new players more than veterans.

Yeah. Its not so bad in BG2 since you can delete them (or was that introduced in ToB?) but in the first game its annoying when you forget. Click, learn, click, learn, click, learn, click.. error noise.. frowny face.

 

[coopolon]

I always refer people to DSimpson's AD&D FAQ to just get a basic understanding of the rules.

 

[Felix Lighter]

I always refer people to DSimpson's AD&D FAQ to just get a basic understanding of the rules.

Thanks for that. Great FAQ. Everything is spelled out clearly and he gets right to the point.

Well it depends. Be aware that you can only learn a certain amount of spells and its based off the Intelligence stat. At 19 in Int would be needed for unlimited spells. At 18 i think you get 18 slots per spell level iirc.

The spells you dont think you are going to use you could sell. Personally i hoard them just in case i ever need them. Mages need to rest to memorize spells and some spells are so situational that its nice to have access to a free cast of it without having to rest.

18 per level is limiting? Good god how many spells are there?

 

[Dresden]

18 per level is limiting? Good god how many spells are there?

A ton, but not many of them are actually useful enough to use constantly.

 

[WanderingWind]

Is there a mod to make the text bigger?

 

[Felix Lighter]

I just played a ton more. I'm starting to get a feel for it.

It's crazy how many random situations turn in to quests. I was on my way to d'arnise keep when I run into a bunch of thugs who just poisoned a man. I rescue the man and take him back to a building where he said he would get assistance. As I'm walking away from the building, a man, who I'm guessing played some role in the original BG intercepts me and tells me the man I just saved was a harper and his group just imprisoned his partner in crime. I accept the quest to release the spy from the harpers but I chose to search for the local leader of a gang of thieves first because a party member suggested I do so but while search a near by inn, another party member is cursed by an old slave trader she exposed and I had to track him down. Quests are stacking up ridiculously quickly.

 

[Patryn]

Oh, and one important thing for any new player to realize: Armor does NOT reduce the amount of damage you take, only the likelihood of you getting hit.

If you get hit, you take the full brunt, regardless of whether you're wearing leather or full plate.

Some classes do have damage reduction skills (mostly the monk) and mages get spells that can reduce damage, but this is an important thing to realize, especially for those who come from a JRPG background.

I just played a ton more. I'm starting to get a feel for it.

It's crazy how many random situations turn in to quests. I was on my way to d'arnise keep when I run into a bunch of thugs who just poisoned a man. I rescue the man and take him back to a building where he said he would get assistance. As I'm walking away from the building, a man, who I'm guessing played some role in the original BG intercepts me and tells me the man I just saved was a harper and his group just imprisoned his partner in crime. I accept the quest to release the spy from the harpers but I chose to search for the local leader of a gang of thieves first because a party member suggested I do so but while search a near by inn, another party member is cursed by an old slave trader she exposed and I had to track him down. Quests are stacking up ridiculously quickly.

Chapter 2 is lousy with quests. It really does get so ridiculous at points that on my first playthrough I was practically begging to be able to just finish one quest without getting about four more.

 

[Felix Lighter]

Just when I was hitting my stride, I hit a road block. I've worked my way through the de'Arnise Keep but now Torgal is tearing my party to pieces. It really isn't even a close fight.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

Yeah, that guy is no joke if you do the keep early on, but he can be killed. Who do you have in your party?

 

[Felix Lighter]

Yeah, that guy is no joke if you do the keep early on, but he can be killed. Who do you have in your party?

My Fighter, Minsc, Jaheira, Yoshimo, Aerie and Nalia. I've tried ever buff and debuff I have memorized. If it wasn't for the other 2 giant trolls, I feel like I could focus on him and maybe take him down but they tip the scales and hard.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

That's generally my party when I play that area, so it's definitely doable, but you may have to keep trying until you catch a lucky break. If Aerie or Nalia know haste, that spell would definitely help you out if you aren't already using it. For Jaheira, I usually equip her with a scimitar and shield to help with her armor class. With that she's a pretty good fighter.

 

[water_wendi]

You could try firing fireballs just outside of dialogue range. Have everyone else hang back in the room before ready for the coming trolls. Also summons help give more targets to soak up damage. And Haste.. Haste is your friend. Youll love it. Just be aware that when Haste ends you get Fatigued and need to rest to recover from the debuff. Haste and other buff spells also works on your summons.

edit: Oh you have Yoshi with you? You could try laying traps on the ramp before you launch fireballs into the room so the first ones up the stairs take damage.

 

[Catshade]

Keep at least two or three Breach spells memorized at all times.