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Right; I was never a big multiplayer fan anyway, but customized parties were nice Joel Send a noteboard - 08/09/2012 08:53:45 PM
The tricky part was remembering that the saved games represented the world only, and the characters remained distinct. However, a bonus to that was that you could give the various stat-increasing Tomes and Manuals in BG1 to a character, export them, then bring them back in and drop the item indefinitely (you did not even need to save the game, just hit "C" and keep going through the character arbitration screen to swap them in and out of games.) In fact, you could do that with any and all items, which is how I wound up with a party full of guys wielding Drizzts scimitars (even if I could not dualwield until BG2.)

you may as well just CLUAconsole as do the export trick, the result is the same & you'll save a butt load of time.

I did not know about CLUAconsole when I did my first playthrough, and for some reason it does not work on the version I downloaded from GOG.

Enhanced sounds cool; hopefully it will be available reasonably soon for download on one of the sites that does that. I re-bought BGI and II that way not long ago and still need to re-finish the second, but heartily endorse creating whole parties. The AI is adept at screwing up perfectly good NPCs, both in stat allocation and proficiencies. I favor a F/M, F/T, T, R and Paladin. The last two give access to some decent priest spells at high levels, and healing potions are common enough I do not need much more. F/M/Ts advance so slowly they are not really worth it until near the end of ToB, and straight class thieves come in handy for finding and removing traps, especially at the start; trying to do that with JUST a F/T results in lots of damage because their thief skills just cannot pace the games difficulty level.

i don't think i'll player optimised players in single-player this time and pick more unlikely NPCs to mix it up a bit. actually using the roll rather than redistributing the points in the character creation and only levelling up once rather than getting the 10 hp for fights 6 for rogues etc. dual classes and tri-classes (?) are less than useless, better just to have a fighter and dual-class at level 2 or 3. latterly found NPCs are fairly messed up, but they're created on an average hp roll assumption and often weapons that reflect the character. i don't think the game appreciates the ranged+melee rule like we do ;)

I fear playing as rolled because I do not want to get stuck with a fighter who has a 12 strength and 17 charisma. Multi-classed elves are nice, but the F/M/T levels so slowly you end up carrying him for most of the game, and by the time he turns into a badass (and he really does in ToB) you are so uberpowered he is hard to appreciate. Using the export trick though, especially if you mod it to remove XP caps, you can do that early girdle return quest at the Friendly Arm indefinitely, and if you drop your party down to a single character you can get a human fighter to 9th or 10th level pretty quickly, then dual class to whatever you like. It is a bug; not only can you return the girdle indefinitely, but the guy you return them to just drops them on the floor, so you can pick them up again without even bothering to import another character loaded with them.

Also: If you use multi-player for no other reason, it is worth it to equip everyone with boots of speed. Particularly when you get kits in BGII (or even BGI if modded,) a F/T, T and R (or rather, Stalker,) makes the rest of the party superfluous once they have decent Hide in Shadows and Move Silently skills. You can just hide, waltz up to enemies and backstab three of them to death, then run out of sight, hide and do it all again.

are there enough without the CLUAconsole/export trick?

Not in BGI, because there is only the one set you get on your way down to flood the mines. In BGII, maybe, because you get a set there plus you can use mithril tokens to get another on your way out of Spellhold. Two thieves is the bare minimum to do the stab-and-run schtick though; I like to throw in a Stalker for good measure, send in the "scout" half of the party to drop half the bad guys and then have the spellcasters follow in the other half to mop up anything left.

Anyway, never done a pure evil party, no, but creating ones own party is always a good idea because most NPCs are garbage, and the computer always screws them up royally. I always loved Coran both for his stats and for what he is, but he is unavailable until the Cloakwood opens up in Chapter 3, and even going straight there ASAP his proficiencies will be trashed by the time I reach him. On the other hand, I can create my own party and spec them however I like, even start some out as human fighters and dual class them at 9th or 10th level when they are fully specced and no longer getting new HD (if you REALLY want to minmax them, hold out for 13th level so you get the extra 1/2 attack per round, but that usually requires modding the game so there is no XP cap.)

BG2 really irritates me in that you can't make a decent wholly evil team. there are loads of goody goods to choose from, but you have to have nutty jan or fragile haer'dalies who despite it all still don't really like being truly evil.

At least you get a hot platinum blonde drow who pulls her own weight. :P

I do not know how you feel about modding in general (believe it or not, I try to keep at a minimum both because I do not know what I am doing and because I do not want to take the challenge out of it) or how possible it will be for Enhanced (modding seems to have inspired much of enhance, but Wes Weimer is too busy teaching CS now to do another series of Weidu mods) but can tell you it really rejuvenated the games for me. Durlags was not nearly so fun the second time as the first though; even a decade later, it is difficult to unlearn things. Well, that was a lot longer than intended; here is hoping BG Enhanced is awesome, and happy gaming. :)

i'm not a fan of modding, i like to play it as it was made. i think it will still be possible even in the enhanced edition. happy gaming indeed!

It is nice for streamlining (or beefing up BGII so it is not as much of a push over,) and using the BGII interface on BGI was nice.
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Baldurs Gate Enhanced Edition: Edit 2 with added video & launch delay Foxhead - 07/09/2012 09:48:16 PM 2825 Views
!!!!! Kotagg - 07/09/2012 10:49:47 PM 1447 Views
are they created kindly or cruelly? Foxhead - 08/09/2012 05:34:36 PM 1402 Views
Lol! Realistically, if exaggerated to heroic levels. Kotagg - 09/09/2012 07:56:32 PM 1424 Views
I played the hell out of BG2, but only played BG1 once beetnemesis - 08/09/2012 06:07:15 AM 1540 Views
BGI is a lot more fun because a lot more challenging, IMHO. Joel - 08/09/2012 02:33:17 PM 1416 Views
*revelation* Foxhead - 08/09/2012 05:45:28 PM 1372 Views
You need not be behind them to assassinate (the high level thief ability.) Joel - 08/09/2012 06:04:31 PM 1405 Views
ahh yes i remember, every hit is a backstab for 30 seconds or something. Foxhead - 08/09/2012 07:07:12 PM 1472 Views
Right; it is pretty much an instakill, considering the multipliers at the level it becomes available Joel - 08/09/2012 09:03:47 PM 1372 Views
fireballs are so epic in BG1 Foxhead - 08/09/2012 05:41:34 PM 1409 Views
I disagree about it being the only good third level spell;lighting bolt and haste are also excellent Joel - 08/09/2012 06:26:08 PM 1539 Views
Yeah, I loved Lightning Bolt. Fanatic-Templar - 08/09/2012 06:44:59 PM 1345 Views
it was such a liability Foxhead - 08/09/2012 07:11:36 PM 1401 Views
Bouncing is what makes lightning bolts great, because you get to hit people more than once. Joel - 08/09/2012 08:59:10 PM 1356 Views
There's an unfortunate Wizard in the Firewine Bridge Ruins... Fanatic-Templar - 09/09/2012 12:58:18 AM 1437 Views
Oops. Joel - 09/09/2012 01:43:23 AM 1423 Views
that's why BG1 was so awesome. exploration=rewards Foxhead - 09/09/2012 09:09:22 AM 1388 Views
For sure; it made additional playthroughs fun even after beating the game. Joel - 09/09/2012 04:48:40 PM 1487 Views
Yeah, got to keep one of each on hand. Joel - 08/09/2012 08:57:31 PM 1306 Views
Also, FB and Skull Trap are also almost interchangeable until 10th level, but ST damage is uncapped. Joel - 09/09/2012 02:02:17 AM 1916 Views
Multi-player was actually pretty simple if you just used it to create your whole party. Joel - 08/09/2012 02:19:35 PM 1398 Views
well yeah, because there was no connection to figure out Foxhead - 08/09/2012 06:59:49 PM 1495 Views
Right; I was never a big multiplayer fan anyway, but customized parties were nice Joel - 08/09/2012 08:53:45 PM 1501 Views
Where's the fun in having a customized party and losing all the character interaction, though? Legolas - 09/09/2012 04:03:10 PM 1491 Views
I dislike most of the BG NPCs anyway, so I do not much feel the lack. Joel - 09/09/2012 04:45:12 PM 1596 Views
Re: I dislike most of the BG NPCs anyway, so I do not much feel the lack. Foxhead - 10/09/2012 01:23:44 PM 1422 Views
Agreed. Joel - 11/09/2012 07:01:07 PM 1461 Views
Suggestion since you're not using the NPCs anyway... Legolas - 15/09/2012 11:34:28 PM 1499 Views
That is a good thought; I never played IWD. Joel - 16/09/2012 03:31:01 AM 1385 Views
Where did you think I just got it? Legolas - 16/09/2012 04:39:43 PM 1338 Views
How would I know you just got a game released in the late nineties? Joel - 17/09/2012 06:57:19 PM 1334 Views
Re: How would I know you just got a game released in the late nineties? Fanatic-Templar - 17/09/2012 11:08:09 PM 1498 Views
I still like GURPS' character points best. Joel - 17/09/2012 11:40:12 PM 1383 Views
Heh, I'm not surprised. Fanatic-Templar - 18/09/2012 01:47:55 AM 1381 Views
If you want to avoid hyperspecialization, avoid classes. Joel - 18/09/2012 07:36:43 AM 1606 Views
I've never played GURPS, so I don't know how its system works. Fanatic-Templar - 18/09/2012 03:32:21 PM 1470 Views
I recommend it, but it is a bear to run. Joel - 19/09/2012 03:37:19 AM 1814 Views
Re: I recommend it, but it is a bear to run. Fanatic-Templar - 19/09/2012 08:35:24 AM 1403 Views
It is the difference between "what if...?" and "whatever...." Joel - 19/09/2012 10:58:31 PM 1500 Views
Re: It is the difference between "what if...?" and "whatever...." Fanatic-Templar - 20/09/2012 12:31:10 AM 1389 Views
AD&D cannot avoid one-sided encounters without restricting epic characters to epic encounters. Joel - 24/09/2012 05:53:39 AM 1707 Views
Re: AD&D cannot avoid one-sided encounters without restricting epic characters to epic encounters. Fanatic-Templar - 24/09/2012 07:03:39 AM 1380 Views
Things are a little different if you are the GM, yes. Joel - 24/09/2012 08:33:23 AM 1634 Views
Re: Things are a little different if you are the GM, yes. Fanatic-Templar - 24/09/2012 07:24:51 PM 1496 Views
My point is no one should be at any level. Joel - 25/09/2012 01:23:21 AM 1630 Views
Re: My point is no one should be at any level. Fanatic-Templar - 25/09/2012 03:41:42 AM 1633 Views
I know no more about AD&D 3rd Ed. than I retain from skimming the book a few times in a store. Joel - 25/09/2012 05:16:49 AM 1430 Views
Re: I know no more about AD&D 3rd Ed. than I retain from skimming the book a few times in a store. Fanatic-Templar - 25/09/2012 06:05:39 PM 1574 Views
Re: [Insert relevant subject line here.] Joel - 26/09/2012 08:12:05 AM 1578 Views
Re: [Insert relevant subject line here.] Fanatic-Templar - 26/09/2012 05:48:34 PM 1416 Views
Re: [Insert relevant subject line here.] Joel - 27/09/2012 10:26:16 AM 2053 Views
Re: [Insert relevant subject line here.] Fanatic-Templar - 27/09/2012 05:23:13 PM 1366 Views
I did not realize how awful classes were until liberated from them. Joel - 28/09/2012 12:49:14 AM 1509 Views
Re: Things are a little different if you are the GM, yes. Macharius - 24/09/2012 08:45:05 PM 1350 Views
I thought Yrrth a perfectly fine game world; obviously anything less generic requires some effort. Joel - 25/09/2012 12:14:09 AM 1421 Views
GURPS and TV Tropes are a natural fit, so I will throw in a link to their page on it. Joel - 19/09/2012 03:50:37 AM 1497 Views
I can't speak for IWD I, but II is okay on the story front so far. Legolas - 18/09/2012 06:36:16 PM 1324 Views
Nah, IWD I barely had any story at all. Fanatic-Templar - 18/09/2012 08:16:49 PM 1258 Views
agreed Foxhead - 19/09/2012 09:42:28 AM 1541 Views
I've still only played about 4 hours of BG1 Stephen - 08/09/2012 03:59:49 PM 1440 Views
If you have not yet, you should look into the Weidu mods. Joel - 08/09/2012 06:12:20 PM 1314 Views
But what's the point in playing the game if you don't use the NPCs? Fanatic-Templar - 08/09/2012 06:47:38 PM 1343 Views
agreed the NPCs are half the fun Foxhead - 08/09/2012 07:02:22 PM 1369 Views
Not having a bunch of potentially useful but AI ruined incompetents constantly fumbling. Joel - 08/09/2012 08:55:53 PM 1470 Views
Yeah, but optimising the whole group sounds ridiculously easy. Fanatic-Templar - 09/09/2012 01:03:51 AM 1328 Views
Well, there are always mods for that. Joel - 09/09/2012 01:37:42 AM 1280 Views
For talking to pretty much anyone, really. Fanatic-Templar - 09/09/2012 03:20:29 AM 1375 Views
True. Joel - 09/09/2012 03:46:24 AM 1392 Views
Well, I usually don't have thieves in my party. Fanatic-Templar - 09/09/2012 04:56:21 AM 1333 Views
there wasn't a good enough thief option in bg2/ToB Foxhead - 09/09/2012 09:15:21 AM 1272 Views
I noticed that also; another argument for creating a party via MP even if you move it back to SP. Joel - 09/09/2012 11:45:12 PM 1385 Views
storyline man! Foxhead - 10/09/2012 01:43:51 PM 1340 Views
I make my OWN storyline. Joel - 10/09/2012 06:35:43 PM 1420 Views
Just how many thieves do you even need? Legolas - 10/09/2012 06:22:58 PM 1388 Views
You can get by with half a thief, yeah, but it forces you to forego maxing out some thief abilities. Joel - 10/09/2012 06:47:48 PM 1340 Views
that's why god made potions of master thievery stackable Foxhead - 11/09/2012 09:06:12 AM 1388 Views
There is that, but there are only so many inventory slots. Joel - 11/09/2012 07:00:03 PM 1376 Views
The stealth skills come in very handy though. Joel - 09/09/2012 04:11:40 PM 1372 Views
Any suggested parties for beginners? *NM* Roland00 - 10/09/2012 01:13:38 AM 750 Views
I plan to do custom characters for the other 6 slots Roland00 - 10/09/2012 01:42:41 AM 1322 Views
There are no "other" six slots - there are six slots, period. Legolas - 10/09/2012 06:24:33 PM 1325 Views
well, absolute standard would be: Foxhead - 10/09/2012 01:35:15 PM 1418 Views
My own recommendation would be: Joel - 10/09/2012 07:36:04 PM 1343 Views
I am completely stoked about it. Panorphaeon - 10/09/2012 07:07:09 PM 1445 Views
TotSC made BGI a LOT more fun. Joel - 10/09/2012 07:46:03 PM 1284 Views
all the kits/races/dual wielding etc will be available in bgee Foxhead - 11/09/2012 09:02:35 AM 1318 Views
Ah; nice. Joel - 11/09/2012 06:57:14 PM 1435 Views
i'm not sure they were even state of the art at the time Foxhead - 12/09/2012 09:26:05 AM 1338 Views
Remember, BGI was released only about two years after Doom. Joel - 13/09/2012 12:05:11 AM 1392 Views
If by "two" you mean "five," then yes. DOOM was released in 1993. Ghavrel - 13/09/2012 03:22:58 PM 1351 Views
Ah, 1998. The golden year. Ocarina of Time. Starcraft. Half-Life. *NM* lord-of-shadow - 13/09/2012 04:16:21 PM 781 Views
Can't believe I forgot about HALF-LIFE. *NM* Ghavrel - 13/09/2012 09:06:55 PM 761 Views
That just reminds me of how sad it is that StarCraft died this year . *NM* Fanatic-Templar - 13/09/2012 11:55:28 PM 743 Views
Fair enough; I was thinking of Doom in terms of when I started playing it and Doom II (1995.) Joel - 14/09/2012 03:56:50 PM 1453 Views
I don't mind the graphics in it Stephen - 12/09/2012 04:38:47 PM 1390 Views
Good, me neither, but I have heard others criticize them. Joel - 12/09/2012 11:51:16 PM 1277 Views
I used the PS3 web browser as my primary browser for about 3 months Stephen - 13/09/2012 01:13:22 PM 1304 Views
*nods* I suspected as much, but had no first hand experience confirming it. Joel - 14/09/2012 04:03:15 PM 1371 Views
Re: I don't mind the graphics in it Fanatic-Templar - 13/09/2012 01:55:24 AM 1300 Views
I'm going to ask this here rather than start a new topic as its somewhat related. Stephen - 10/09/2012 07:42:32 PM 1343 Views
I remember Wisdom being important beetnemesis - 14/09/2012 04:28:23 AM 1272 Views
And it now has been delayed till Nov *NM* Roland00 - 15/09/2012 03:52:41 AM 731 Views
On another note, shame on all of you for not telling me Jon Irenicus is Ra's Al Ghul Roland00 - 15/09/2012 04:19:21 AM 1379 Views
Among many many others. Joel - 17/09/2012 06:45:33 PM 1364 Views
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