Soloing Baldur's Gate 1?

me0w · Post by **me0w** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 4:42 pm

I've just started (I installed a cap remover and a max hp thing, (I often find myself rerolling as it is

)

I'm playing with a super evil Mage/Fighter/Thief, I kinda think its cheating, its really easy, its like playing with 3 supped up characters (I've got 18/75 str, 20 dex, 18 const (or whatever the max is), 18 int.

One angryfying thing, is I only have 1 wepeon slot, is there some way I can dl something to make me have 2, its just such a bore jumping into my inventory every 5 minutes to change wepeon.

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 6:15 pm

The Jester so when i lvl in fighter i can have up to 9 more Hps and when in thief i get 5 more isnt it?

You only get half con bonus for each class since you have two. Thus when leveling up you will have +2 for fighter and +1 for thief, correct

Stilgar · Post by **Stilgar** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 6:35 am

[QUOTE=The Jester]May anyone gimme links for patches,mods and whatever sites?

-Boo says WHAT!-Minsc[/QUOTE]
See here at the sticky

Brynn · Post by **Brynn** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 1:04 am

About multi-classing:

I'd like to play BG I-II all over again and create a char that can go over the whole adventure. So she probably will need to be multi-classed

I'm considering to start with a ranger/thief to play BG I, and import it into BG II later. Do you think I'll be able to multi-class her into a mage as well? Will she be experienced enough as a ranger/thief to play BG II until she gets engouh power to use her spellcasting abilities?

What do you suggest if I'd like to use rouge abilities (lock picking and searching/setting traps) but I don't want to play a thief? Is there another way to gain these skills apart form choosing the rouge class?

Btw, which is better, dual or multi-class? E.g. if I decide to leave the rouge class out, and play with a ranger, is it better to dual-class her into a mage when starting BG II, or multiclassing is more rewarding? (Actually, dual-classing is clear for me, I just don't know the advantages of multiclassing instead).

moltovir · Post by **moltovir** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 3:22 am

I started soloing the BG Saga again yesterday (in Chp 3 now), with a fighter/thief. I want to play BG2 with a load of difficulty-mods (tactics, ascension, ..) so i'm planning to change him in a Wizard Slayer/Assasin in BG2

. A fighter/thief is a good class for soloing, you level up really quickly (lvl 3/3 when exited Nashkel Mines), and you can handle all enemies (although mages are pretty though). You'll have to rely on cheese for the first 2 chapters however (like running in a building whenever a mage casts a spell), because you will be too weak to melee anyone..

The advantages of multiclassing is that you get 2 characters-in-one, who have all the advantages of both classes and few disadvantages. If you would dualclass from a fighter class you'd get a thief (in your example) who can just hit harder. If you go for a mage, i would choose a multiclass, and use all my slots for defensive spells (Mirror Image is very powerful).

Brynn · Post by **Brynn** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 3:27 am

OK, thanks for the advice. I'll think it over - as I start it all over again, my char has to be perfect

Usually it takes me days to create one. (

Do you play with a different character every time?

moltovir · Post by **moltovir** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 3:38 am

Ofcourse, what would be the fun in playing the same game over and over again with the same class? I've played BG en BG2 (not always the two) with a paladin, fighter, blade, conjurer, cleric/mage and now with an evil fighter/thief.

Brynn · Post by **Brynn** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:19 am

Wow, that's what I call experience

And which one did you like the best and why?

me0w · Post by **me0w** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:48 am

Do you guys use TuTu?

I'm now trying to solo BG with a FTM, I'm gonna import here into #2 aswell.

She has max STR, DEX, CON, INT, 3 WIS and 10 CHA. Pretty good stats for an evil FTM, I don't care about lore or talking to people.

I just killed Drizzt, (I like to explore everywhere before I go to Nashkel, but this time, I'm in a rush to find the boots of speed, so that I can quickly explore the wilderness).

I'm level 4's I think, I've been killing every mage or priest I can get my hands on, for example everyone in Friendly arm who doesn't have a quest I need to finish (who is powerfull, being despised can be a bit too difficult, although it will come).

Solo'ing is fun!! but often encounters with say 4 bandit's can be frickin' hard! the kinda all semi boss ones...

Brynn · Post by **Brynn** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 6:08 am

What's TuTu?

Aren't you afraid that by adventuring alone you miss a lot of side quest given bí the NPCs? Isn't that too much xp loss?

How on earth do you manage to stay alive alone, btw...? Did you start with a new char or import one of higher level? When I started BG I with a mage, I just kept dying all the time

Stilgar · Post by **Stilgar** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 6:40 am

[QUOTE=Brynn]What's TuTu?

Aren't you afraid that by adventuring alone you miss a lot of side quest given bí the NPCs? Isn't that too much xp loss?

How on earth do you manage to stay alive alone, btw...? Did you start with a new char or import one of higher level? When I started BG I with a mage, I just kept dying all the time

[/QUOTE]
TuTu is a mod that let's you play BG1 wiht BG2 engine and classes.
It's a little overpowered sometimes. And a underpowered in some other cases.
For example a shapeshifter is almost invincable, while a monk cant hit anything.

When i solo (did it only once in bg1) i start with a new character.
You where having problems with your mage, cause mages are very very weak n the beginning of BG1.
(No Amror, low hitpoins and can hardly hit anything)

moltovir · Post by **moltovir** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:12 am

[QUOTE=Brynn]Wow, that's what I call experience

And which one did you like the best and why?[/QUOTE]

I liked the Blade best, because he is a very versatile character, a jack-of-all-trades like the description says it. He has some very good offensive capabilities (offensive spin), can cast spells up to lvl 6 (no big deal as the most defensive spells are lvl 6 or lower), is a bard thus can use all those nice harps, gains the Five Flagons Playhouse which is in my opinion certainly not the most rewarding but the most fun to play stronghold, has a nice lore and pickpocket ability, gains levels very fast (rogue experience table), and with defensive spin and some good gear you can reach an AC of -30, allowing you to cast offensive spells in the middle of combat. And ofcourse he uses the rogue HLA pool, which means he can use Time Traps, Spike Traps, Use Any Item, ... When i casted Mirror Image, Stoneskin, Spell Immunity: Divination, Protection from Magical Weapons, Improved Haste and Tensers Transformation on him, he became a near invincible combat machine, especially while dual-wielding Crom Faeyr and the Purifier (my favorite combo

) Other equipment at the end of ToB was Aslyrefund Chain, Wondrous Gloves, Helm of Balduran, Boots of Speed, Ring of Gaxx, Ring of Regeration, Montolio's Cloak and the Belt of Inertial Barrier.

Stilgar · Post by **Stilgar** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 1:31 pm

[QUOTE=moltovir]I liked the Blade best, ...........[/QUOTE]
This is the BG1 forum, so no blades here!
Unless you install TuTu, but then they are overpowered in BG1.

The Jester · Post by **The Jester** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:38 pm

[QUOTE=Brynn]What's TuTu?

Aren't you afraid that by adventuring alone you miss a lot of side quest given bí the NPCs? Isn't that too much xp loss?

How on earth do you manage to stay alive alone, btw...? Did you start with a new char or import one of higher level? When I started BG I with a mage, I just kept dying all the time

[/QUOTE]

Sorry man but i have to say that youre a nob!
Sorry!

me0w · Post by **me0w** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 7:49 pm

^^ - no need to be rude, he hasn't done anything wrong. Being inquisitive is a very nice trait if you ask me.. although I doubt you really care

.

"Helm of Balduran" - Sorry guys, I know its the wrong place, but I found BG2 still installed on my very old machine (but only 2 of the CD's

) Now I'm playing around with a solo blade, he rocks! offensive spin is amazing! especially in conjunction with Melf's Minute Metoers (still in Irenicus's dungeon) But how did you get the helm of Balduran, its trapped, well its cuboard is, I can't deal with traps, so what do I do? I'm planning on taking on Yojimbo, and sacrificing him for the helm, but its such a hassle, how can I deal with them, I want items like the helm and the Pommel Gem (the blue one you use to forge that kick ass sword) - help!

"Aren't you afraid that by adventuring alone you miss a lot of side quest given bí the NPCs? Isn't that too much xp loss?"

Umm, you done lose exp from the quests, its really minimal. For low level exp, kill every mage or priest you ever encounter, friend or foe. I've taken out the whole of the Friendly Arm Inn (well exept commoners) Do this, but always keep 1 temple in order to repay your debt to society, and be able to shop again without being ripped off.

"How on earth do you manage to stay alive alone, btw...? Did you start with a new char or import one of higher level? When I started BG I with a mage, I just kept dying all the time "

Sleep, use sleep spell ALOT, also quicksave ALOT. The mage is the hardest character to solo the game with. If you want a good solo experience, without much hassle, be either Fighter/Thief, or a Fighter/Thief/Mage, however the latter can be frustrating, and the levels will be greatly limited without an exp cap remover, and it can feel a little to easy sometimes with the cap removed and a 3x level 10 character. Also the FTM only have 1 wepeon slot which is an annoyance.

If you want to be able to stealth and have good AR, I advice killing Drizzt early on, to my suprise today I realised I can stealth and steal in Drizzt armour.

Brynn · Post by **Brynn** » Tue Aug 24, 2004 1:03 am

Moltovir, thanks for the detailed explanation! Do you know if rangers gain the UAI ability later on? That's what I'm most interested in, though Time Trap sound reall cool, too, pity my principles don't let me play a rogue

[QUOTE=me0w]^^ - no need to be rude, he hasn't done anything wrong. Being inquisitive is a very nice trait if you ask me.. although I doubt you really care

. [/QUOTE]

Thanks, Meow!

(Btw, I'm a girl)

[QUOTE=me0w]
Umm, you done lose exp from the quests, its really minimal. For low level exp, kill every mage or priest you ever encounter, friend or foe. I've taken out the whole of the Friendly Arm Inn (well exept commoners) Do this, but always keep 1 temple in order to repay your debt to society, and be able to shop again without being ripped off.
[/QUOTE]

I can't do that, I live according to very noble principles

Not that I'm that good, but I just can't go around killing every living creature to gain more power... Hey, I'm fighting evil here, it would be a hypocracy to be the biggest evil of all

(In fact I usually go after my own intereset as long as it doesn't harm the innocent)

[QUOTE=me0w]
The mage is the hardest character to solo the game with.
[/QUOTE]

That absolutely true!!! It's quite hard to survive with two magic missiles in stock!

[QUOTE=me0w]
If you want a good solo experience, without much hassle, be either Fighter/Thief, or a Fighter/Thief/Mage, however the latter can be frustrating, and the levels will be greatly limited without an exp cap remover, and it can feel a little to easy sometimes with the cap removed and a 3x level 10 character. Also the FTM only have 1 wepeon slot which is an annoyance.
[/QUOTE]

I'm considering to skip the mage, actually, I'm after healing spells now. I think I'll create a warrior who can heal himself if neccessary - FC maybe, or RC (I don't really know what advantages rangers have over fighters, but I imagine them as wiser and more sensible creatures then a fighter who just goes hack and slash...)

[QUOTE=me0w]
If you want to be able to stealth and have good AR, I advice killing Drizzt early on, to my suprise today I realised I can stealth and steal in Drizzt armour.[/QUOTE]

That's a good idea. He's not my friend so I can kill him

Do you know if he wields the same armor ad stuff that he has in the books? Does he have the whole party with him?

UncleScratchy · Post by **UncleScratchy** » Tue Aug 24, 2004 11:13 pm

I'm currently soloing with a female elf F/M/T and find it pretty easy. I disagree with those who say the mage is underpowered and useless. My char's starting stats were 18/91 in strength, 18 con, 19 dex, 3 wis, 18 intel and 8 charisma. I think I made her neutral good. Started with two prof points on bows and great swords. Added one to darts and one to axes with the my level ups (anticipating Bala's Axe and the returning throwing axe later on. Only one weapon slot is a major hassle as the game dosn't auto-pause when I go into my inventory. (Possibly a good reason to play in MP mode when soloing this kind of char). Con and Charisma have been boosted one point with tomes so far. I'm currently working on eradicating the bandits in Peldate and then I'm onto the bandit camp. I've pretty much cleared all the other areas to the south of the Friendly Arms. I've found this soloing easier for the most part than hauling around a party of lame clerics, druids and other riff raff. Healing can be a bit of a problem but my char has two innate minor healing Bhaalspawn spells so far. When I started off I quickly grabbed the free ring of wizardry and ankhead armor and bought the sheild +1 and composite bow +1 as soon as I had the gold. Those helped a lot. Up till then it was fairly dicey. Then I concentrated on getting enough gold to buy the robe of good archmagi. I usually go around wearing the robe with the bow equipped and ring of protect +1. That way I can fire arrows (2 1/2 attacks/round) and then fire off an offensive spell with hardly any delays. Charm spell has been my bread and butter spell for harder parties of foes. I have auto pause set to pause when an enemy is sighted so I don't blunder into major combat situations. I use the charmed enemy to do my dirty work while I stand back and lend support with spells and arrows. I found that if you charm a cleric or a mage you have access to their spells while under your control. Use them up on the other enemies or waste them so they can't use them on you when Charm wears off. Though I'm level 7 mage I haven't found any level 4 spells to learn yet. Chromatic orb and magic missile seem to be doing a pretty effective job on foes especially after being soften up with a couple of arrows. Stinking cloud, fire ball, skull trap are all good for use against larger groups. I use a lot of "shoot and run" tactics also. Now and then I equip the long sword +2, shield +1 and ankhead armor to duke it out in melee. I have most of the boots and belts available to me but I'm using Boots of Avoidance for now and I think the Girdle of Slashing protection (or whatever its called). Thief skills are okay but not great (90 find traps, 85 unlock, 50 pickpocket and 35 steath). Even at 90 in traps I'm still having trouble with ettercap traps. I haven't done any backstabbing so far as I just found the invisibility spell at High Hedge to memorize and haven't tried it yet. I don't foresee any major obstacles until I get to werewolf island, Durlag tower warders, and a few of the tougher houses in BG proper. Right now I can fire my bow fast enough to keep a sirene from getting off a spell or arrow. The bow +1 plus my 19 dex and high strength is enough to drop most enemies in just a few shots even with normal arrows. (A dire wolf takes 3 arrow hits to kill, gnolls and giant spiders 2, xvarts/tasloi/gibberlings just 1). I'm almost to level 7 fighter and have already achieved level 7 mage and thief. Next goal is to get some level 4 mage spells and better thieving skills (sure wish BG1 had trap setting like BG2).

Brynn · Post by **Brynn** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 6:19 am

Whoa, that was a detailed descrition

But had some useful info, so thanks, I guess!

me0w · Post by **me0w** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 6:44 am

"on getting enough gold to buy the robe of good archmagi"

I need to stop being evil, I have all the gold in the world, well about 40k atleast, but I can't buy anything really good, because theres nothing great for sale, and I need the evil robe of Archmagi of Daeveron (.. the mines guy) .. I'm gonna try to rush there, skip the wilderness zones.

Hmm, I'm wondering, I need to know whether its worth buying the ring of Kazgaroth, on my party files, I normaly buy it for someone like Minsc, who I use as a giant human shield. But is it worth buying for a solo char, currently I have about 40-50 health, it reduces it to around 35 or something, but it is good. I decided its not really worth getting, but do you guys use it?

Luis Antonio · Post by **Luis Antonio** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 8:48 am

me0w, i used it a lot. but the trade off must be well balanced. If I'm not mistaken (long time since last played bg) I used it to improve my fighters along with the horn of khazgaroth to shield them against spells and make them ubber tanks - even against davaeorn.

I always buy the dagger of venom, the horn and the claw of kazgaroth, the shadow armor... well, the best items around the stores. I like to keep my characters powerfull enough to rule the world.