Larian Studios Forums General Chat RPG Chat Baldur's Gate 2

It might be old, but I am re-playing it for the (9th, I think) time.
This time I picked a class I never chosen before: Totemic Druid.
I don't understand why it is so underated: first, a druid has nifty spells, like summon elementals and summon driads. Then his level 3 lighting can kick everyone's [nocando] outdoors. Sure his weapon choice is not the best and he only can wear leather armour but if you get an Ankheg armor and some magical trinkets, you might get a negative armour level. Also some of the best staves in the game are Druid Only. I got a 9 THAC0, which isn't bad for a 12 level druid, and if I find a good buckler and a scimitar... Also the Totemic druid can summon Spirit animals, which are unbeatable for the first quarter of the game. Later, you can summon three, and they rip most armies apart.
I read in Dan Simpsons' guide that rangers are among the worst game classes, and I am forced to disagree <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />.

I've played a Paladin (Undead Hunter) and it never let me down. Druids are nice, but when it comes to taking a beating they... well, suck <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

I have never tried a paladin but I heard very good opinions about them, especially the inquisitor. Plus the Carsomyr is a great weapon. But I have a bit of a darker side in me so I tend to play chaotic good.
Yes, druids are not best for melee but when attacking with lots of creatures and buffs, you have a good chance to stay alive.

I solved both Baldurs Gates and NeverWinter Nights as a ranger. They rock. Boy scouts with swords. Gotta love 'em! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

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Yes, I finished BG2 as a Ranger at first.

I have BG1 on DVD, i have tried twice to play the game but just could not get "Into" the game!!
If i were to try again have any of you got any tips on which character i should start with, and any words of advice or general gaming tips. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

Since you talk about that game could you help me a bit? I have a really stupid question. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />

bg2 is one of the games I play at the moment. Since I bought it recently it came with bonus the expansion. Now the manual is in English so.... I don´t think I got it right. Do I install both BG2 - Amn and the expansion and start to play? I have read in the manual that if you install the expansion you can not go to the areas of Amn again. So I installed only Amn and play but I think that this is wrong.... Please some advice would be most welcome.

Hate English Manuals!! *#@*

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If you've installed bg2-sofA and then install the expantion, you CAN go to the other areas of Amn first. But when you start with the areas for the expantion, then you CANT get back to the areas of Amn (in the same game that is).

When you start a game, you can choose to start amn or the expansion. If you start Amn, then you start from the beginning and play 7 chapters of the Original BG2 before starting the last 3 chapters of the expantion.

Jolie thnx so much for explaining. Now I have reached in some point of the game. Can I install the expansion and import my char? Or do I have to uninstall and reinstall the whole thing ?

#%&"@ *Lucretia is using really nasty words*... English Manuals.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/memad.gif" alt="" />

No, you can just install the expansion and the game will just continue as normal - apart from the fact that 'Watcher's Keep' will be added to your world map. There's no need to import or make a new character - just keep going as you were. Watcher's Keep, by the way, is very difficult. Don't start it until you've become fairly powerful. I.e. until you're at least halfway in SoA.

By the way, yes the Inquisitor is really nice, but you get one of those as NPC. As an Undead hunter, I just stand and hack at vampires (immune to level drain) while Keldorn gets rid of illusions or uncharms me if necessary. Which is nice <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

thnx Stormrider <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

But are there any new classes with the expansion?

Yeah... the Wild Mage. But he's pretty uninteresting. The Expansion does add 10th level spells and high level abilities, which are nice, and it also adds a whole slew of enemies. Yay!

Have you ever tried Planescape: Torment, by the way? It's even better!

Thnx Stormrider <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Actually 'Watchers keep' is the only place that canbe accessed from both games (Before or after you've started the expansion chapters iirc).

Its certainly worth it, but i wouldnt go before i'm near the end of the 6th or 7 th chapter (around lvl 30-35)

Oh 1 big tip: save often <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

And out of curiousity
Whats your char and who do you have in party so far?

Sorry, Shadow. I tried Planescape but I didn't like it and sold it on ebay.
You can't argue about tastes, right? I mean there's a 14 pages thread about P:T here, which means that many people like it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

Spick, I'd reccomend you to try BG2: it has many changes and another feel. You should find BG2 VERY cheap arround. The 'gold' version comes with the expantion and costs arround 20-25$ US.
Of course I presume you'd like to know more about the game. I'll post here later: gotta return to school.

@DATD, cheers mate, i'll have a butchers next time i'm in town <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />, you run along to School now, and don't forget your lunchbox. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Actually I was eating at home, that's why I could type that message. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />
I am back now, spick, and I shall tell you about the only game, except Dungeon Keeper 2, that I never regretted buying.

The core differences between BG1 and 2 are:
- BG 2 has a higher resolution
- BG 2 has kits. i.e. Assassin, Swashbuckler and Bounty Hunter for Rogue
- BG 2 features Strongholds: one for each protagonist's class
- BG 2 is bigger, IMHO, and you do not wander arround empty spaces as you travel: you only stop if you get random encounters.
- In BG2, assuming you have an expantion, you can get your rogue to level 40, whereas in BG1 the level cap was arround 7-8 (I am not sure about this one. Feel free to correct me)

The list goes on. If you would like to buy BG2, I would reccomend buying the expantion too. Along with Frozen Throne, it's the best expantion I ever played (now it seems that Hordes of Underdark is also a great expantion, but I still have to buy NWN).

Finally, if you are interested, I'd reccomend to buy the game on ebay: it should cost arround 5-6 UK pounds. ]Ebay.com link.

Ah yeah: almost forgot:
LUCRETIA,
If you wish, you can download BG2 bonus merchants here.
It adds 2 merchants: one in the Copper Coronet and another in the Adventurer's Mart. They both sell very expensive items (arround 30 000 each) but if you play a mage character, you should buy the Robe of Vecna as soon as you can. The 2 files originally came with the Bonus CD when you pre-ordered the game but were later distributed online.
Have fun.

@Spick : After all the hype I was kinda disappointed in BG 1. I solved it but it wasnt what I was expecting. BG 2 is everything I was hoping BG 1 would be. Truly great stuff. Its not PS:T but it is definalty worth your time.

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Thanks for the info and comments DATD and Mandrake. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />