Taking the plunge

DraySkullan · Post by **DraySkullan** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 8:50 am

I found Baldur's Gate and Tales of the Sword Coast for 5 bucks yesterday, so I'm finally gonna play it. I've played through SoA and ToB already, but never played the original. I've heard good things though, and couldn't pass up a bargain like that.

My two favorite PCs are a thief/swashbuckler type, and a paladin. I did BG2 with my thief, which was good because the thieve's guild/vampire clan decision is not one that my paladin would have enjoyed making,hehe.

So what do you guys think would be the most fun to play in the original?

Minerva · Post by **Minerva** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 8:56 am

Whichever class you like, really.

BG1 doesn't have class related quests nor sub classes.

You start from level 1, so the game will feel more difficult regardless the class. Also, don't forget you will automatically get Imoen (you can drop her straight away, but you shouldn't.

), and she also starts from level 1 thief.

You should also consider if you want to take the character to BG2 afterwards. That changes if/when you want to dual class him/her.

I have a pile of BG1 characters collection waiting to be exported to BG2.

Enjoy!!

CrownHead · Post by **CrownHead** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 10:08 am

Personally, I enjoy playing with a mage or a bard, or a thief. One of those anyway I had a mage at level one that killed Bassilus first try, which went to show how much I kicked everyones ass at a high level, the bards get more powerful first and second and whatever spells than mages at they're high level (they can also, if played right, become really powerful in BG2

) The thieves are just plain fun to play.

But the of course theres always multiclassing and dual classing...

DraySkullan · Post by **DraySkullan** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 11:42 am

Hmmm, the idea of starting with 2 level 1 theives sounds painful, lol. Since I did BG2 with my thief, I may go with the paladin this time. Hell, I may even try one of my mage characters.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 5:38 am

No problem with two Thieves as you soon can get reinforcements. Make sure to explore all areas thoroughly as you may otherwise miss the NPCs (some are just standning in the wilderness...).

One of BG1 biggest disadvantages is that some NPCs can only be obtained very late in the game. If you don't mind cheating a bit, you can use GateKeeper to transport yourself to "locked" areas in the beginning of the game in order to pick up those NPCs.

Some other things mauy be interesting to know during character creation. Rangers and Paladins are basically weaker versions of the Fighter (no real advantages, may only Specialize in weapons) - they will not come into their own before BG2. Druids are weaker versions of Clerics (armor and weapon restrictions, a reduced spell selection and the transformations aren't especially good). And sadly to say, as this is my favourite class, Bards aren't that good either. The suffer especially from the lack of an elven chain mail (Bracers of AC 6 is the best you can get) and the fact that they don't have many spells at lower levels.

Despite what has been said above, go for the PC you want to play!

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 6:36 am

Also nice to know when building a party is that archery is extremely efficient in BG1. Thus, if you want a smoother ride through the game, it's a good idea to bring someone good at this. Coran is the best, Kivan the second...

When it comes to melee, I hold Kagain (for his HPs and his natural regeneration) and Shar-Teel (for good Strength combined with a nice AC bonus due to high Dexterity) as the best.

Edwin is by far the best Mage due to his extra spells, especially if you have a Bard or anyone else able to Identify items.

Branwen and Viconia are both good Cleric, the former more melee oriented, the latter is good with a sling.

Montaron is the one if you like backstabs. Quayle is the coolest! Tiax and Xzar are the crasiest... In short, everyone brings something to your party. Go for the ones you like the most.

Mirk · Post by **Mirk** » Fri Apr 11, 2003 7:16 am

@Astafas:

Rangers and Paladins are basically weaker versions of the Fighter (no real advantages, may only Specialize in weapons) - they will not come into their own before BG2.

have to disagree here: paladins get the nifty abilities, mainly the +2 saving throws and Lay On Hands, as well as Protection from Evil, which is excellent for BG1, if u don't forget to use it.
rangers with high dex are excellent scouts, leaving your thief concentrating on the other skills, at least at the beginning.

for both of them, i find the inability to progress beyond ++ in weapons an advantage, as u don't get "tempted" to extra-specialise in one weapon, thus resticting you to one weapon for those long "magical-item-less" wilderness walks in the beginning. a usual layout for a ranger or a paladin for bg1 for me would be: "bows ++, large swords ++, blunt weapons ++" by the end, starting with "bows ++, large swords +, blunt +" or "swords ++, bows +, blunt +", depending on fitrst intendent role of the char.

as for the original post question, i may highly recommend a ftr7/thief8 human dual class, or an elf or dwarf or halfling ftr/thief multiclass as a substitude for the swashbuckler. i find these combos to be the most effective "not-just-full-plate-and-packing-steel" warriors. these builds allow you to get the most important fighter advantages, increased # of attacks/round, 18/01-18/00 str, extra bonus HPs for high con, and the high thief bonuses. the race here is your choice, as the races are... well, balanced enough to make a role-playing decision.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Fri Apr 11, 2003 5:47 pm

The Lay on Hands isn't very good on lower levels (if ever in BG1) and being a good Bhaal spawn, you will get Cure Light Wound as innate ability. As for the Protection from Evil, I find the duration far to short to make it worthwhile.

If you want your Ranger to scout, he may only wear Studded Leather. Being restricted to Studded Leather +2 makes him even weaker in comparison to the Fighter...

DraySkullan · Post by **DraySkullan** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 8:31 am

The greatest thing about Lay on Hands is the speed. It's the one healing effect that you can almost always pull off mid fight. It may not heal much, but it can be the difference.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:24 am

Originally posted by DraySkullan
The greatest thing about Lay on Hands is the speed. It's the one healing effect that you can almost always pull off mid fight. It may not heal much, but it can be the difference.

I though it had about the same speed as the Bhaal spawn innate ability Cure Light Wound?

nephtu · Post by **nephtu** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 3:39 pm

BG1? Summons!

Summons are so great in BG1 - NO limit on number. Of course, they're all feebs, but you can command a host of them, and wear your opponents down to a nub just beating them down.

Oh, and once you reach level 7, Chromatic orb=TEH WIN! It becomes this really good casting time 1 long duration stun that lots of toughish characters (like Helmet Horrors) are just suckers for. No help on the real bosses, but still a wonderful spell.

My 2 gold worth