Originally Posted by BraveSirRobin
Originally Posted by Danielbda
So during the later chapters BG3 will follow the D&D ruleset properly? Because one of the conclusions here is that the game kinda refuses to follow the rules.

BG2 differed immensely from the rules of 2.5. That's why there's literally dozens of options on the G3 mod to go back to pen and paper rules, 'true' grandmastery or whatever or to 'un-nerf tons of things BG2 had nerfed or powered up.


100% this - BG2 made a lot of adaptations to the rules to bring 2.5e to real time and video game format. Some key changes from PnP to BG2 that people were talking about all the way back:

  • Bioware chose one of the optional initiative/combat systems (weapon speed, etc) and overall followed them pretty closely. However, the merging of real time movement and round based attack mechanics (+ no-disengagement rules) caused tons of abusable wonkiness for melee fights (i.e. running before someone can make all their attacks)

  • Some of base combat rules were heavily simplified - e.g. most of the nuance to ranged combat is gutted (firing into melee rules removed, moving and shooting rules removed, etc). Positioning (i.e. -2 Thac0 for rear attacks) were not implemented.

  • Changes to classes - most notably homebrewing classes from 3E (i.e. sorcerer, barbarian, etc). But also core class features missing but not replaced - fighters missing their 9th level lordship/followers, etc.

  • Spells changed - some obviously didn't make sense to implement, others were rebalanced (i.e. Haste nerfed - 3 Lvl PnP Haste basically had the effect of the 6th level Imp. Haste).

  • Non-weapon proficiencies completely removed. Some are obvious due to videogame limitations, but things like Spellcraft, Religion, History - skills we've seen used in later D&D games - were removed too.

  • Implemented the Weapon Mastery system from the "Combat and Tactics" book (optional) but with major simplification and omissions - in BG2 every weapon gets the same effects. In PnP, ranged weapon specializations bonuses are different from melee (you gain things like point-blank shot from 3E, Quickfire etc).

  • This one should be obvious, but all the Epic level abilities (from Throne of Bhaal) are a Bioware invention.

  • Heavily re-balanced monsters - yes, including oMg Le hP bLOaT. Some examples:
  • 60 avg. hp Balors had 120 hp in BG2 (155 for the ritual demon in the Underdark)
  • 33 avg. hp Trolls had 80+ hp in BG2 (Giant and Spectral in the 100s)
  • 39 avg. hp Vampire had 67-110 hp in BG2 (most were 75 hp)
  • 102 avg. hp Great Wyrm Red Dragon had 184 in BG2(Firkragg).
  • 35 avg. hp Djinni had 59 (45 vs. 83 for the 10k exp Noble variant)

Last edited by Topgoon; 17/01/21 09:19 PM.