Baldur's Gate: The Thread

[Sajiri]

I'm surprised that there's an apparent lack of Valygar Romance mods. Wasn't he supposed to be one of the female romance options that was cut before the final release? I'd go for him over Anomen or Haer'dalis.

I think there was also a mini Valygar Romance in the romantic encounters mod..maybe that one, it was basically previewed in some mod and whoever wrote that part was going to expand it into a full mod but I dont think it ever got finished and released.

[Sylthia]

Isn't Gaelen supposed to send for you once you have around 10K gold? Maybe I just need to wait, or maybe one of the mods is interacting. I always tend to do most of the sidequests before getting Imoen, but don't want to game to break.

[Cheesegear]

Mages and priests get new spells, which are far more interesting. I'm not talking about power here.

Does that show up on the Level Up Screen though? That's what I thought you were talking about.

Besides, Rangers and Paladins get spells too - eventually. Rangers and Paladins in BG1 are top tier. They start the game strong, and finish even stronger.

[Sylthia]

Solution to Aerie's wing angst: you're a Mage, just cast Fly on yourself.

[Winthur]

Solution to Aerie's wing angst: you're a Mage, just cast Fly on yourself.

Right, as soon as I learn Dimension Door like everyone else around me does.

Oh wait.

[Sylthia]

Right, as soon as I learn Dimension Door like everyone else around me does.

Oh wait.

You must have taken Stuff Bioware Didn't Want to Program as a barred school.

[ICN]

I think there was a mod that makes it so neutral characters dont complain if your reputation gets too high or low. At least, I remember playing a good character and Jaheira was always saying how happy she was

Try the tweak pack, pretty sure it's got an option to do that.

Isn't Gaelen supposed to send for you once you have around 10K gold? Maybe I just need to wait, or maybe one of the mods is interacting. I always tend to do most of the sidequests before getting Imoen, but don't want to game to break.

He comes in at 15k, you're still good.

[Morty]

Does that show up on the Level Up Screen though? That's what I thought you were talking about.

Besides, Rangers and Paladins get spells too - eventually. Rangers and Paladins in BG1 are top tier. They start the game strong, and finish even stronger.

I wonder what it is about my posts that makes people take them far too literally.

I ended up making another Black Pits party. The end result is a Dwarven Defender, Half-Orc Kensai, Inquisitor, Elf Archer, Half-Elf Transmuter and Halfling Priest of Helm. It seems Halflings get a penalty to wisdom now for some reason. Oh well. The Kensai keels over with predictable frequency. I think stocking up on Potions of Defence is in order, since the potions seller has an unlimited supply.

[Cespenar]

I wonder what it is about my posts that makes people take them far too literally.

I ended up making another Black Pits party. The end result is a Dwarven Defender, Half-Orc Kensai, Inquisitor, Elf Archer, Half-Elf Transmuter and Halfling Priest of Helm. It seems Halflings get a penalty to wisdom now for some reason. Oh well. The Kensai keels over with predictable frequency. I think stocking up on Potions of Defence is in order, since the potions seller has an unlimited supply.

Yeah, the Kensai has terrible defense. It must be supplemented by an outside source, be it potions, buffs, or self-buffs through dual class.

[Sylthia]

So are Dorn's quests incompatible with Keldorn and Anomen, even if I don't have them in the party at the same time? Do his quests permanently change the Radient Heart HQ?

[Morty]

I seem to have reached the finale of Black Pits. Good to see Baeloth continues the best traditions of Baldur's Gate by cheating with multiple Sequesters and Contingencies.

[Calemyr]

So are Dorn's quests incompatible with Keldorn and Anomen, even if I don't have them in the party at the same time? Do his quests permanently change the Radient Heart HQ?

No, it's actually a different version of the map - nobody that matters to the original game is there or reacts to any of it.

That said, I imagine Dorn himself is incompatable with Keldorn and Anomen, just as he was with Ajantis. Keldorn can abide nearly anyone, but I don't think even he's capable of giving Dorn a fair chance (not that Dorn would make good on said chance in any case - there is nobody you can recruit that is as outright and actively evil as Dorn, including Korgan).

I seem to have reached the finale of Black Pits. Good to see Baeloth continues the best traditions of Baldur's Gate by cheating with multiple Sequesters and Contingencies.

It's even better if you recruit him in BG1EE. Apparently his "I wish to be protected from death" wasn't wise to demand of a genie who dislikes you. He gets stripped of a lot of levels and dropped alone and helpless on the surface in front of a band of adventurers who would probably kill him if they weren't so busy laughing at his alliteration.

[Winthur]

Halfling Priest of Helm. It seems Halflings get a penalty to wisdom now for some reason. Oh well.

This has always been the case, actually, even in a vanilla game. It's not such a terrible deal. 18 CON halflings also get bonus saving throws since they're a race of shorties. And 19 Dex on a support caster (I figure most single-classed clerics fall into that niche) isn't bad, you can do some really mean stuff with the innate halfling proficiency in slings and all that Dexterity once you've exhausted your spell compendium. And you can make a successful Cleric/Thief unless that multiclass is barred for some reason for halflings.

It's not documented in the game but maybe the fact that Dwarves can't have maximum 18 Charisma and Gnomes and Halflings can't have maximum 18 Wisdom is some sort of a counterbalance mechanic due to how awesome their racial powers are. Any dwarf with 19 CON has some really serious saving throw boni, and a Gnomish Fighter/Illusionist with 18 CON is also a fun, safe build.

[Morty]

It's even better if you recruit him in BG1EE. Apparently his "I wish to be protected from death" wasn't wise to demand of a genie who dislikes you. He gets stripped of a lot of levels and dropped alone and helpless on the surface in front of a band of adventurers who would probably kill him if they weren't so busy laughing at his alliteration.

I presume he also loses the ability to have more than one copy of those spells going.

This has always been the case, actually, even in a vanilla game. It's not such a terrible deal. 18 CON halflings also get bonus saving throws since they're a race of shorties. And 19 Dex on a support caster (I figure most single-classed clerics fall into that niche) isn't bad, you can do some really mean stuff with the innate halfling proficiency in slings and all that Dexterity once you've exhausted your spell compendium. And you can make a successful Cleric/Thief unless that multiclass is barred for some reason for halflings.

It's not documented in the game but maybe the fact that Dwarves can't have maximum 18 Charisma and Gnomes and Halflings can't have maximum 18 Wisdom is some sort of a counterbalance mechanic due to how awesome their racial powers are. Any dwarf with 19 CON has some really serious saving throw boni, and a Gnomish Fighter/Illusionist with 18 CON is also a fun, safe build.

Huh. I didn't actually know that. It may be because I've never tried to make a halfling cleric before. But yes, 19 Dexterity on a cleric isn't bad. It gives him a decent chance to hit something with his sling, and good AC. I think the only multiclass available to halflings is fighter/thief, though.

[Sylthia]

Oh Storekeeper in Mae'Var's HQ, why must you go red? I don't want to hurt you.

[Morty]

After a second attempt, Baeloth's cheating did not save him from succumbing to a righteous beating after a well-timed Dispel Magic from my Inquisitor stripped away his defences. For all the byzantine spells and counter-spells Baldur's Gate has, the Inquisitor's innate Dispel Magic works wonders and is much simpler. So, that's Black Pits done with. Now to try to figure out how to beat Sarevok and grab BG2:EE if it goes on another sale.

[Sylthia]

I still haven't gotten the next stade of Hexxat's quest to start. When is this Mr. L supposed to show up?

[Morty]

I bought BG2:EE. Unfortunately, it apparently really is bugged. And now I need to finally beat Sarevok somehow. Maybe I'll just Ctrl+Y his buddies and wear him down.

[Thialfi]

I bought BG2:EE. Unfortunately, it apparently really is bugged. And now I need to finally beat Sarevok somehow. Maybe I'll just Ctrl+Y his buddies and wear him down.

I used the strategy that always works in these games. Draw aggro and run so you can pick them off one at a time.

That'd my go to move. That or using a protection from magic scroll on my paladin main character and have him go in and solo it.

Then there is the morally questionable move of summoning a bunch of crap to serve as cannon fodder. That's how I beat that insane demon in ulgoth's beard. I'd go in with neera, she'd use her wand of monster summons right in front of the demon and I'd run around hasted chopping all the minions down so I only had to face the demon once, then a scroll of protection from magic to remove his stupid death gaze effect.

When I first played this game over a decade ago that's how I killed all the stupid liches in BG2. Run in and run out until he doesn't follow you. Then go get a cup of coffee while all the buffs it cast on itself wear off.

[Calemyr]

I bought BG2:EE. Unfortunately, it apparently really is bugged. And now I need to finally beat Sarevok somehow. Maybe I'll just Ctrl+Y his buddies and wear him down.

My strategy was to have my mages (my skald, Neera, and Imoen) just place as many skull traps as humanly possible just on the edge of the where they would see me, particularly on the edges (where the minions are). Then used my casters to summon decent medium duration summons (don't need 8 hours, but 8 turns is good) to buff my forces. Then I walked up just enough to initiate the fight and retreated back towards the door. The skull traps did a lot of damage to the minions (not much to Sarevok, unfortunately). With a lot of summons out and Neera and Imoen flipping to shortbow/sling, I used bardic music to buff everyone, using the horde to wipe out one follower after another while my tank drank health potions like water to keep ahead of Sarevok. Took me a couple of tries to get it right, but ultimately it worked pretty darn well.

[Morty]

I only have one mage, Neera. And no wands or scrolls of summoning. Or protection from magic scrolls. So it's not looking too great.

[Calemyr]

I only have one mage, Neera. And no wands or scrolls of summoning. Or protection from magic scrolls. So it's not looking too great.

Okay, what do you have?

[Morty]

My team consists of:

• My human Fighter, with a "kit" that I introduced using the console. The idea is that he's restricted to studded leather or chainmail but gets the Spins like the Blade kit. Other than that he's a Fighter, using a two-hander.
• Ajantis, fighting with a sword and shield.
• Kivan, with a pair of axes.
• Imoen, a full Thief.
• Faldorn
• Neera

I have an assortment of strength potions, defence potions and a few magic resistance, shielding and blocking potions. Also fear wands, fire wands, ice wands and lightning wands, but no summon wands. I do have a protection from magic scroll, as it turns out.

[Calemyr]

My team consists of:

• My human Fighter, with a "kit" that I introduced using the console. The idea is that he's restricted to studded leather or chainmail but gets the Spins like the Blade kit. Other than that he's a Fighter, using a two-hander.
• Ajantis, fighting with a sword and shield.
• Kivan, with a pair of axes.
• Imoen, a full Thief.
• Faldorn
• Neera

I have an assortment of strength potions, defence potions and a few magic resistance, shielding and blocking potions. Also fear wands, fire wands, ice wands and lightning wands, but no summon wands. I do have a protection from magic scroll, as it turns out.

You are very melee heavy team, there, and I'm rather surprised that anyone uses Faldorn. If I were you, I'd retreat for a moment and visit Sorcerous Sundries to get some supplements for Neera. You can do so even after entering the temple (as long as you don't start the fight). I like the girl, but Wild Magic is not something you want to rely on in a boss battle, especially as your only mage. Get some wands. Summon Monster is a very handy one. Protection from magic is another worthwhile scroll if you can get it - shuts down a spellcaster quite handily.

If Faldorn can cast it, memorize a slot or two of Iron Skins. If Neera can cast it, memorize a slot or two of stoneskin. The enemies here can just about one-shot either of them, so every one of the skins they get via those spells is a life saved. Duration is great enough that you can cast ahead of time.

Get your best defensive fighter (sounds like your Scion) to draw Sarevok, and use Faldorn (and healing potions) to weather the assault. Focus the rest on a single target to bring them down ASAP. Protection from Magic on the mage is a great way to soften him up for an easy takedown.

Neera can be put to pretty decent use casting invisibility on Imoen so that she can backstab targets. Magic missile is pretty good for disrupting spells, too, if you can time it right. Otherwise, keep using the wand of summoning (if you can find one) to soak up damage your party would otherwise take, or any of the other wands you have. Faldorn has a few good summons as well.

The hardest part of the battle is keeping Sarevok's target alive. As a spinning fighter, you've got good health and good defense. With Faldorn's aid, you should be able to weather the storm until everyone else can join the main event.

Oh, yeah, it's a bit of an exploit, but it's handy. Put a ring of free action on your Scion. Defensive Spin + being able to move = ability to kite Sarevok. The more time he has to spend trying to get close to you, the less time he's spending trying to hit you.

[Morty]

I'm actually pretty sure they fixed this exploit in the Enhanced Edition. As far as Faldorn goes, I decided to take her into my party because I'd never done it before.

[Thialfi]

Do you have the boots of speed?

I'll say it again. Run. There is no reason this fight needs to take place in the Temple. Use the fog of war to your advantage. Pull only who you need to pull. I didn't have to kite since I just hit Sarevok with a wall of summoned monsters. Having him chase you while the rest of the party pelts him with ranged weapons works really well. If you want to stand up to him, you have the melee to do it. Potions of haste and giant strength will make this fight really short.

[Sylthia]

Do you have the boots of speed?

I'll say it again. Run. There is no reason this fight needs to take place in the Temple. Use the fog of war to your advantage. Pull only who you need to pull. I didn't have to kite since I just hit Sarevok with a wall of summoned monsters. Having him chase you while the rest of the party pelts him with ranged weapons works really well. If you want to stand up to him, you have the melee to do it. Potions of haste and giant strength will make this fight really short.

I think EE greatly reduced the amount of summoned creatures you could have at once, so you can't spam summon wands as nauseum anymore.

[Morty]

That's correct. I tried doing it with Neera's normal summon spells, and I got a message about a limit.

[Thialfi]

I think EE greatly reduced the amount of summoned creatures you could have at once, so you can't spam summon wands as nauseum anymore.

I just finished the Enhanced Edition for BG1. The numbers received from spells are greatly reduced. Not so the wands. You'll still get a half dozen gnolls or wolves when you use those.

Now I'm on to the Enhanced Edition for BG2. The thief options are so limited that my human paladin is forced to take Hexxat in his party to get anything done. I'm early on but one thing I noticed that they didn't fix was the troll's wonky regeneration.

This time I'm going to ultimately go with a party of characters that I didn't use in my first go around. I was looking at;

Bastion - Human Paladin PC
Aerie - Avariel cleric/mage
Jaheira - Half-Elf druid/fighter
Neera - Half-Elf Wild Mage
Mazzy - Halfling Fighter
Jan Jansen - gnome illusionist/thief

So far, the most notable difference is that Aerie and Jaheira don't seem to get along well and everybody hates Hexxat.

[Sylthia]

I just finished the Enhanced Edition for BG1. The numbers received from spells are greatly reduced. Not so the wands. You'll still get a half dozen gnolls or wolves when you use those.

Now I'm on to the Enhanced Edition for BG2. The thief options are so limited that my human paladin is forced to take Hexxat in his party to get anything done. I'm early on but one thing I noticed that they didn't fix was the troll's wonky regeneration.

This time I'm going to ultimately go with a party of characters that I didn't use in my first go around. I was looking at;

Bastion - Human Paladin PC
Aerie - Avariel cleric/mage
Jaheira - Half-Elf druid/fighter
Neera - Half-Elf Wild Mage
Mazzy - Halfling Fighter
Jan Jansen - gnome illusionist/thief

So far, the most notable difference is that Aerie and Jaheira don't seem to get along well and everybody hates Hexxat.

Anytime you have a male PC, Aerie, Jaheira, and Viconia will fight for his affection.