I just finished the 1st game & about half an hour into BG II it's less freeform then I remember it being with the quest to gather tons of gold coin?Was it just my imagination or was the 1st one more relaxed about the main quest/side content?
>>727747116Ch2 of BG2 is notorious for overloading the player with quests and time limits.BG1 was notorious for companion pairings.Just use a guide if you need to.
Can someone translate whatever the hell this guy's saying into English, please?
>>727747283In BG2, after the tutorial level, one of the first quests you get is tasking you to get 20000 gold coins. Op is stating that he remembers more freedom in how and when you get that 20000 gold. He is then asking directly if his memory is incorrect. The answer is yes.
>>727747503thanks anon
>>727747116You can dick around in Chapter 2 for a LONG time if you want. BG2 just does the now standard false narrative urgency for both Chapter 2 and to a lesser extent 6. The reason to rush to spellhold is if you want to use Imoen.
Post the gameplay
>>727748059All the companion quests have actual urgency
>>727748059But I never used her I ran an all custom party with wizard slayers elf warriors & gnome cleric of talos
>>727747257What time limits?
>>727748275Sure. But if you don't recruit them they'll mostly patiently wait till you get around to them. Its once they join and they tell you about the task they need done that the timer starts. But that's similar to BG1.
>>727748669I remember BG1's being less forgiving
>>727748664Some companion quests are "timed" so if you dont hurry up and activate their first flag, they fuck off and you lose a party member.Stronghold quests are the same if you dilly dally.
>>727748669Depends on who you recruit. A couple npcs will whine and bitch then eventually shut up
2 is lazy with the story. basically as soon as you get out of the tutorial dungeon the game just slaps you with a "do whatever until you get enough money" quest.
>>727749024>recruit yoshimo or jan>steal from traders that accept stolen goods (the guy in the sewers)>sell items back amd resteal them>repeat until youre in the 100k+ rangeEasy.Even easier if you steal Potions of Thieving beforehand.
>>727747257This is why I skip most of chapter 2 apart from certain companion quests. If I'm a good guy protag, I'll at least do Anomen's and Keldorn's associated quests and then head to Spellhold to retrieve Imoen. If I'm big dick bad guy, I'll put in the legwork to secure Edwin, Viconia, and Korgan, as well as either Haer'Dalis or Jan for the sake of Chapter 5 since Yoshimo will be coming with me and Jaheira to confront Irenicus.
>>727749370>not creating your own custom party of overpowered characters
BG2 sucks
>>727749608Better than 1.
>>727749584>being a ball-swallowing faggot and min-maxing a single-player video gameCouldn't be me!
>>727749628Nah.
>>727749584The companions are the heart and soul of bg2. You've robbed yourself of the true experience.
>>727749628>>727749741They're both ass because of wizards. BG1's gameplay is Stinking Cloud and Web abuse while everyone uses a ranged weapon. BG2's gameplay is Dispel Magic + True Sight + Haste while using +3 weapons in Chapter 2 abuse. The only differentiating factor for whether you like a game more than the other is if you like mowing lawns or reading blogposts more as your time waster. If you prefer the former, you'll like BG1 more; the latter, BG2.
>>727749584There are SO many different banter combinations. That's a bit of a waste. Custom parties is what Icewind Dale is for.https://sorcerers.net/Games/BG2/bg2_npc_banters.php
>>727749951>that mazzy & natalia different
>>727747116Oh just you wait. it gets worse (then it gets way better)Trust me, just take your time doing whatever quests you can in chapter 2. you really want to do as many of them as possible before going on with the main story.Also, there's no way you made it all the way to that part of the story in just a half hour. I don't care how quick of a reader you are, and how fast you complete the intro dungeon.
>>727749951post the cn anomen and aerie dialogueyou know the one
>>727750180Entries aren't duplicated and its alphabetical aside from the PC. They both have quite a few banters. Check Korgan - Mazzy for example.
>>727750520>you really want to do as many of them as possible before going onNaw dog, Imoen will be severely underleveled if you do this
>>727749943You don't HAVE to play like total faggot. Retards like you can and will ruin any game you play like that.>>727750545Que?
>>727750551Korgan/Mazzy is the best romance in the game.
>>727750713You don't have to use Imoen. Jan exists. And Nalia can also handle things with a little gear and an occasional potion.
>>727750713I guess. Maybe not all of them, but I rushed through as few of them as possible just so I can beeline it to get my full party back together, and ended up woefully unprepared for the next three chapters of gameplay.The main issue I think is that you only get let off the leash at the start of chapter six out of seven, and there's no indication that it's that much of a commitment. Especially when there's nothing even close to this in the first game. the return to Candlekeep lasted one short chapter.If it wasn't for that little fact, I'd be very content calling this game an upgrade over the first in every way. But it seems like the DM got subbed out for a few sessions, and the party got railroaded to hell and back.I think if they went with the original plan for what happens to Imoen, I might have just dropped the game and moved on. The twist that we actually got was bad enough that I'm still genuinely upset at it.
>>727750834>using Janishygddt>using Naliashiggy diggy>>727751048What other reason could there have been for Imoen to have been kept at Candlekeep WITHOUT the twist we currently have?
>>727752747Same reason everyone else was at Candlekeep I assume.They didn't add the whole "origins as mysterious as your own" until BG2. And even then, she could have been any other type of orphan.As it stands, it just makes Gorion look bad, Sarevok look dumb, and messes with the whole cursed child thing we've got going on, for the benefit of a whole lot of nothing. (so far. I'm not finished with it yet, admittedly, but I'm not holding my breath)All it would take is half a line change: Irenicus: "Yes, she possesses the essence of Bhaal just the same as you. Though she was not born one, our experiments bore beautiful fruits, and her soul is now ready to be extracted."
>>727753128>it just makes Gorion look badIn what way?>it just makes... Sarevok look dumbHow so?>it just... messes with the whole cursed child thing we've got going onIn what way is that affected?
>>727747116>Then I rememberLearn what "then" means before you post your esl babble
>>727752747>What other reason could there have been for Imoen to have been kept at Candlekeep WITHOUT the twist we currently have?NTA but people who aren't Bhaalspawn get adopted every day.Maybe she was an orphan of one of Gorion's companions. Maybe Khalid and Jaheira rescued her. Maybe her parents who lived in Candlekeep got sick and died. Maybe Gorion knew she'd be a powerful mage.I'm with >>727753128. Her being a Bhaalspawn cheapens the MC, and Serevok's knowledge of his existence.Also it makes wanting to wife her weird.
>>727753229It means that Gorion knew that his ward was Bhaalspawn from a young age, and naturally would have known Imoen was too. Yet he seemed to give special care to just one child who logically should have been a target. He didn't lead us and Imoen out of Candlekeep. She was supposed to just stay put.Sarevok somehow manages to track down a bunch of his siblings, including us, but doesn't ever comment on or notice how there's another one in Candlekeep. Possibly even in the same group for the whole game.And instead of our character being alone in this aspect of his own tragic history, shunned by the world and without anyone who understands, we've got a sister who's always been by our side, and is going through the exact same thing.Also, I really wanted an Imoen romance. She was always my favorite companion in BG1, and the only one I never dismissed or let die.
>>727753586...Are you me?
>>727753661I think so.Half-elf Chaotic Good Mage?
>>727753586All of this is valid so I won't argue. Thank you for taking the time to explain.
>>727753686Full-Elf Chaotic Good FighterMage
>>727753586This is all true.Aside question, why would sarevoks plan succeed in making him a god if thats not how the prophecy goes as expplained in ToB? The fire giant killed a whole town as well and didnt ascend. Sarevok killed less than the pc yet he was next in line for godhood. Wtf were biowares problems?
>>727753686>Half-elf Chaotic GoodOh fuck I'm gonna puke.
BG2 is still unmatched in the sense anywhere you go, you get a high quality adventure. Even visiting the first tavern on your way results in fighting a slaver den.
>>727753128About that theoretical plot change:>Soooo... it now seems we aren't related, right...?
>>727753784close.I've already got plans for my next playthrough because like with every first run, I feel like I built my character wrong.I was planning next time to go human so I can dual Fighter at 3, then go full mage after. Just so I can use more than a stick and slingshot for the 90% of the game when I'm not casting spells.I think I'll just do it in Icewind Dale though. Got a lot of CRPGs in the backlog.
>>727753806The prophecy only states:>The Lord of Murder shall perish, but in his doom he shall spawn a score of mortal progeny. Chaos will be sown from their passing.Sarevok, in his hubris, didn't understand that "their passing" meant "their deaths", but rather "their passing [through this world as children of Bhaal]." He believed he needed to create the biggest war ever to create as much chaos as possible, and by being the instigator of the greatest series of murders in Faerun, he'd ascend. He didn't know that the prophecy was fortelling that the "game" is following Highlander rules.
>>727753976That makes a lot of sense. Cheers anon
>>7277471162 is where Bioware started their "story driven" RPG formula they use in their other games like DA:O and Mass Effect so it's more railroaded
>>727753806May have something to do with Bhaal being the lord of Murder, and not lord of justified Self-Defense, or death of dangerous evil creatures/people.
>>727753894>human so I can dual Fighter at 3, then go full mage afterI wonder what's best practice for that in BG. I think it's Thief 6 or 7 -> Mage, but I don't know about Fighter.>think I'll just do it in Icewind Dale though. Good call. I'm currently watching a BG streamer I like do his first playthrough with a buch if companion mods I've never seen and the nostalgia is crushing.
>>727754053I tried asking when a good level to dual is, and one guy told me I should do it as a level 9 fighter.>Yeah, just play the entire first game as a fighter. That's how you build a "mage that isn't limited to just mage weapons"that's why I'm leaning towards 3. I'll get enough points to have a bit of competency in short bow and long sword, but aside from that, I'm the same as any other mage.
>>727754247I guess it's less painful if you're gonna go all the through ToB. And you headcanon it like Jon's nonsense awoke your latent mage powers or something.But yeah, that's why I love multiclass over dualclass.
>>727754247Well yeah, if you want a mage that's also a fighter you're gonna have to spend some time as a fighter.You could try multiclass, they're good at both things immediately and end up stonger overall than dual if you're doing it at 3. It'll just take a bit longer to get the top mage spells.
>>727754053Dual-class break points:Fighter: 7, 9 (for Grand Master), or 13 (2 APR, THAC0 8)Ranger: 9 (non-kitted rangers), 12Cleric: Usually 11 to get Heal, can vary depending on kitDruid: 12 to get Heal, 13 if a ShapeshifterMage: 12 to get access to 6th level spells like Pierce Magic or True SightThief: 11 is enough for most people, but in extreme cases (read: you know what the fuck you're doing) can dual-class at 16 or 21.
>>727754349I guess it really depends what you're after. Being 90% mage 10% fighter appeals to me more than 50% mage 50% fighter.It's just a weird system, and I'm kind of glad they streamlined it in later D&D editions.
>>727754473>Thief: 11Meta's changed a bit since BG1 I guess kek.
>>727754473Is it really that important to get Grand Master weapon proficiency? Are you going to struggle to hit enemies in the late game otherwise?
>>727748059You should, gets only worse from there.
>>727754541>Being 90% mage 10% fighter appeals to me more than 50% mage 50% fighter.Yeah, I feel that.>and I'm kind of glad they streamlined it in later D&D editions.I hate to say it, because it feels like acquiescencing to retarded power gamers, but, yeah.Battle Master Diviner is the only way I can enjoy BG3.
>>727754541Do you understand how multi-classing works?You need to reach the same level you were in the original class to gain the benefits back of that class. So a 90%/10% split would mean you get back your 90% towards the end of either game where its useless.
>>727753586>naturally would have known Imoen was tooNoone else did. Sarevok wasn't after Imoen. Until Irenicus began experimenting noone apparently knew this at all.You're assuming that everyone should somehow know Imoen was a Bhaalspawn for some reason. Why would they. Sarevok chanced upon recognizing that the player character was a Bhaalspawn. He never met Imoen. And Sarevok was only able to recognize the player character because of his connection to Bhaal.Also, it was the Harpers that were incompetent. Not Gorion specifically. And that's in keeping with the setting, where the Harpers are useless pieces of shit.
>>727754561I'm multitasking so I fucked up:Unkitted: 9/13Assassin: 9/13/17/21Bounty Hunter/Swashbuckler: 11/16/21>>727754640It's important only insofar that all a pure-martial class does is whack things. If they aren't whacking, they aren't doing anything. It's kind of important for Fighter/Thief.
>>727754640Grandmaster gives you an extra half attack per round, which means more damage. The issue in lategame is not hitting the enemies, it's dealing damage quickly enough to kill them before they can instakill you.
>>727754747I mean that I'm planning to start out as a Fighter, then dual at level 3 so I can spend the rest of the game as a mage.
>>727754836>It's kind of important for Fighter/ThiefI think this is true and not, at least for Mage duals.Critical Strike makes THAC0 irrelevant, and before that your job's really to facetank and backup your main mage with CC and nukes.
>>727754845If youre only playing BG1 thats fine, but for the trilogy (1, 2 and ToB) the best is 7/9/11.Also you'll be weaker than every other pure and dual class, but web and sleep will keep you op.
>>727754949Unless you meant specifically the F/M dualclass, kek.
>>727754972Weaker only for BG1*
>>727755013>F/MF/T**. Jfc I'm losing it.
>>727754972If they're just playing BG1 they may as well multi-class as a half-elf Fighter/Mage rather than bother with dual-classing as a human. The level cap in BG1 means there's nominally no difference between its multi- and dual-class forms, but at least a half-elf has some passive benefits.
HIIIIIIYAAAAAAAAAAA betrays you
>>727747116No you didn't image it, and that's why BG1 is the better game.
>>727755228I take him because the chunk of exp for delivering his heart to a temple is satisfyingly huge and he frees up a slot for Imoen so you don't have to let anyone be dm handwaved to safety when she joins
I'm about to start bg3, is there something I should know beforehand?
>>727755617It's a shit game.
>>727755617If having sex with a consenting adult polymorphed as a bear isn't bestiality, then having sex with a consenting adult polymorphed as a child isn't pedophilia.
>>727755617Pick Bard or Paladin for your MC.
>>727755706Ever playing as anything but a paladin, bard, druid, or enchanter is anathema to me. You're the protagonist, so why wouldn't you play one of the more likeable classes?
>>727748275so like BG1
>>727755776>likeable classes>bard>>druidOnly cunts more obnoxious are monks.
>>727755830
>>727755706I want to play as a character that tries to further himself as much as possible in the shortest time frame, focused around speech, which class would be the best? I like playing characters like that
>>727755513This.
>got Death Spell for my sorc>now any lower level shit including all trolls just fucking dies when i look at themPlaying caster in this game is so satisfying
>>727755881Charisma is a main stat for bards, paladins and sorcs so unironically either of those 3.
>>727755881Bard is perfect for that. However any high charisma class would excel, so sorcerer, warlock and paladin. Pick halfling for extra luck.
>>727755881Swords bard with bows or crossbows or any flavour of sorcerer if you read spell guides beforehand. But "focusing on speech" in this game is not important, a good chunk of classes either get unique dialogue options or alternative ways to win conversations. For example wizard can just read minds.
>>727755881Bard or Swashbuckler rogue.
>>727756141>>727756158>>727756164ok perfect, I want to push my character a bit towards the evil alignment . Someone who subscribes to machiavellianism
>>727756276Bard all the way then. Paladins are moral so any immoral shit gets you punished.
>>727753586There is a rather well-made mod for the last part.
>>727756105its fun untill you need to rest AGAIN after casting 1 spell
>>727754949>>727755062I'd definitely recommend F/T multi over dual for the vast majority of people. The only reason for F/T to dual is Kensai shenanigans and that's best if you have a specific plan you want to maximize (Kensai > Thief with Dagger GM is a personal favorite of mine).
>>727756337I never played DnD so I assumed that bards are faggots that play music and boring stuff like that. I will go with one in that case
>>727756276I played swords bard redeemed durge as a pragmatic asshole who still picked up rationally positive outcomes and was a murder machine disguised as a performerYou can do neat stuff like starting a performance around the group of not yet hostile foes, enter turn based mode, place a glyph of warding with sleep or damage on them and murder them all at once which feels insanely flavourful for the character
>>727756436that sounds fun, I'll go for something like that
>>727756407They can cast magic, fight as well as a fighter and sing songs. Its a jack-of-all-trades that can become amazing with w/e they want. Just squishy the first 3 levels.
>>727749584The only acceptable modification is giving yourself the summon cow spell
>>727756356You can cast 5-6 times per spell level as a sorc or dragon disciple which allows you to drown everything in spells. And resting is not an issue in older titles.
>>727756276I'll give a different charisma based recommendation. Hexblade Warlock. Bond an evil shadow blade, summon ghosts when you kill people, do tons of damage, cast a few spells. Really strong, naturally evil themed. Basically the only downside is that your "Patron" and warlockness will be overshadowed by the patron of the Companion Warlock.
>>727756407Swords bard in 5e is basically the strongest gish in the game. Especially ranged one since his flourishes are stronger than fighter abilities in exchange for him being squishier.
>>727756697That sounds amazing, I think that I found my character. Thanks
>>727755617Once you're almost done with the first big area, you'll be offered to take, let's call it, either high road or low road. The options aren't mutually exclusive though if you take the low road first and then come back and take the high roadExplore everything. Learn how to use Jump button and Ungroup button, both extremely useful.
>>727755617start on tactician it should be default difficulty
>>727756827thanks I will>>727756884that's the higher difficulty right?
>>727756697>Companion WarlockWho?
>>727755617You can save during the dialogue and even before making a roll, allowing you to savescum just before important checks
>>727756105>Cast Death on troll>It dies>EXP received>It's also still alive>Hit with fire damage>It dies again>EXP received
>>727756945Wyll and Mizora. He'll leave a sufficiently evil player so you may not even have to deal with him. Don't worry about it, just a pet complaint of mine.
>>727757194I forgot Wyll even existed, much less was a Warlock, kek.
>>727755706Bards are weak anon
>>727758242lmao
>>727756884Fuck no, if it's anything like DoS2, Larian combat encounters are so incredibly tedious and badly designed, I don't want to spend any extra time on them than I have to.
>>727747116BG2 has 2 chapters which are really open and let you approach them however you want while the rest of the game is more railroaded.That being said, BG1 has a lot more time pressures put on you for certain quests and events while 2 is pretty relaxed on them for the most part.
>>727758242
>>727757194>wyllLiterally who?
>>727758463why play games then, watch a movie instead
>>727748750Yeah, I lost Minsc because I took too long to clear out the gnoll fortress and only saved when I was almost done but it was like a few seconds before Minsc's time limit runs out so I could literally see the negro witch sitting in the pit when he gets mad and leaves my party.
>>727755830Gnome Sorcerer anon
>>727755706I picked a ranger. It was banger for lvl 5, and 2 levels into fighter after it gave me some decent boost for hairy situations due to action surge.There is a challenge to spec into every class... idk how it will work to be an actual jack of all trades.
>>727753832And that's its biggest failing. Theme park design kills immersion.
