Together Retro: Baldur's Gate

[BogusMeatFactory]

So, thinking of starting this tonight. Any advice before I dive in beyond what's been stated in the thread already?

I sure hope I don't lose patience too quickly. The game seems fun from the few videos I've watched of it.

Yeah I think the key is just to have that patience. You could get the urge to pull a diablo and just run in and fight...but if you do that, you will die every time. Plan your spells within your group...have designated roles and make sure your main character has good stat rolls.

[MrPopo]

Don't roll a pure thief for your main character. You get Imoen at the start who's a good thief (and can be dualed to a mage if you want to go the power route) so having a second thief is overkill. Plus, thieves don't have the damage and utility of mages and lack the survivability of fighting times.

Also, Clerics are actually quite capable in combat. They can't use edged weapons but there are good maces which do about the same damage, they can use heavy armor without penalty, and gain a good chunk of HP. They also get some good defensive spells, so Clerics can actually make very good tanks.

[Zing]

Here is my advice: don't kiss the lady on the beach. I believe it is in the expansion. I don't mind spoiling this because it is a completely bullshit moment in the game where the game decides it is just going to kill your character. If you are talking to her with your main character, your game ends and you must reload a save.

There are a few moments such as this where someone gets killed through no fault of your own. It's annoying. I tried to play the game while actually role playing my characters, just accepting their fate, but when the game did some bullshit, it made me use the quick save buttons all the time.

[ExedExes]

Whoever said it started slow but picked up fast was right. I'm *really* starting to enjoy this now. I now have 5 members in my party, 4 of them at level 3. I've just been doing every sidequest possible and getting tons of exp and GP for it. If you want to level fast, this is the way. Also picked up another Ranger character, and gave them a Composite Bow +1 and it has been invaluable.

I will hopefully get to Nashkel and the mines tomorrow. But, really excited to do so. It also has been fun to read the journal entries you get from the sidequests.

(quick hint: Dread Wolves give 650 exp so fight them whenever you can!)

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Started up the game, got to the inn, have all 6 party members possible (afaik) at this point. Now I have to deal with that nasty guy out on the stairs. I ran past him to get into the inn.

[ExedExes]

Started up the game, got to the inn, have all 6 party members possible (afaik) at this point. Now I have to deal with that nasty guy out on the stairs. I ran past him to get into the inn.

He was a pain. I managed to get a critical hit on him with Imoen and proceeded to save

[noiseredux]

Oh man I was starting to get interested but howlongtobeat says its 50 hrs if you just do the main quest... Seriously?

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Oh man I was starting to get interested but howlongtobeat says its 50 hrs if you just do the main quest... Seriously?

[ExedExes]

Oh man I was starting to get interested but howlongtobeat says its 50 hrs if you just do the main quest... Seriously?

Wow, I don't know about that estimate. I could have been pretty far had I not stopped on the sidequests....

You need a Shikigami break -- join us!

[MrPopo]

50 hours? It's not that long. BG2 is that long, maybe.