Question and Comments *SPOILERS*

[sonny]

QUESTION: A couple days ago I clicked on the Star in the bottom left hand corner on my character and on the left hand side appeared a Blue Man and when placing the cursor on it it said "End Slayer Change". When I clicked on it, some special effects appeared around my character and then nothing.

The only time I've used this, (after the two times it happened when I had no control) was in the Underdark. I clicked on it to see what would happen. I do not remember turning it off. So I guess the Blue man icon has been there since then. That was about 20 game days ago. Now the Star won't light back up or do anything when I use it. I tried resting a couple times because I found that sometimes affects things in the game, but that did not reset it.

To be very honest, I'm not sure when, where or if I'm even supposed to use it. It's there for a reason, but I don't know at this point if its there to help me, test me or what.

If someone could tell me why the Star does not function anymore and what this Slayer thing is all about (no big spoilers please), I would be very grateful.

COMMENTS: If there was ever any doubt in my mind about how really great this game is, it ended last night at around 11:45 PM EST in De'Arnise Hold area.

Since starting this game I've, freed friends from prison, made friends with talking trees, rescued a mother from a bad circus, killed countless monsters and bad guys, found a girl friend, made a lot of money, found a lot of neat stuff, found a boys teddy bear, meet and helped a silver dragon, helped a guy become a Knight, took an old man home to start over with his family, rescued my sister, etc., and then last night.............(If you're under 18 stop reading this now) and then last night.............my girl friend ask me to share her bed roll. :speech: I had to reload to make sure I heard her right.
It was real subtle, no cigarette or small talk, but it happened boys and girls

GOOD LORD::laugh: Whats next? I'm only in Chapter 6 of SoA, still doing side quest. So if there's another game out there that's as good as this one or even close to being as good, I hope someone is going to tell me about it.

[galraen]

Gold star on the left hand side? Surely some mistake, Jaheira hasn't been plying you with home made wine again has she?

I can only assume that you're referring to the special abilities icon, which you used to use to acces your Bhaal powers(Cure Light Wounds etc.). These powers are lost when Irenicus steal your soul, but you must have got the Slayer ability when you drove Irenicus off and escaped from Spellhold. The blue man you refer to is the icon you select when you are in Slayer form and wish to change back to normal form (hence end Slayer Change).

The fact that you no longer have the special powers icon suggests that you've lost the Slayer change ability some how, and haven't reached 3,000,000 experience points, which is the point where you start to gain High Level Abilities which also need the SE Icon. I'm not sure how or why you lost the Slayer ability, I recall it happening to me on occasion, but as I never use it with a good aligned character, I can't be sure if it always disappears if you're of good alignment.

[anarchistica]

It doesn't disappear even if you're a Paladin.

You could use Shadowkeeper to give yourself the ability again.

[CFM]

Not sure if I'm following you, it's been awhile, but the "star" in the bottom right of the screen is to access the selected character's special abilities. And as you've seen, at some point you get an icon for the "Slayer" special ability. When you click the "Slayer" icon, you turn into the Slayer, the "Slayer" icon disappears, and an "End Slayer Change" icon is then present. Clicking the "End Slayer Change" icon turns you back to human, and resets your icon back to the "Slayer" special ability.

Sounds like your game got squirreled up, and didn't reset your "End Slayer Change" special ability back to the "Slayer" icon. But it's been awhile, and I don't remember for sure.

No big deal. In my game, as a neutral good Priest of Lathander, I don't remember ever using this special ability on purpose. There are, um, unpleasant side effects if you hang as the Slayer for too long.

my girl friend ask me to share her bed roll. :speech: I had to reload to make sure I heard her right.
It was real subtle, no cigarette or small talk, but it happened boys and girls

Stud.

GOOD LORD::laugh: Whats next? I'm only in Chapter 6 of SoA, still doing side quest. So if there's another game out there that's as good as this one or even close to being as good, I hope someone is going to tell me about it.

I have two words for you:

Planescape:Torment

(You'd probably also dig Icewind Dale, it's expansions, and Icewind Dale II. Same type of game as BG, but it focuses more on the combat aspect of the game.)

[sonny]

Gold star on the left hand side? Surely some mistake, Jaheira hasn't been plying you with home made wine again has she?

My bad guys. Star on right side not left. My girl Jaheira has been treating me very nice, thank you.

So if the icon does not return, does that screw up the game? Do I need it later for other powers I may get?

Whats this Shadowkeeper? Is it hard to use for a novice like me?

CFM or anyone else
Planescape:Torment RPG? or dungeon crawler (did I say that right) eBay or Amazon.com? This info is for later. After I'm done with BG2, I've got to play it again

Thanks guys

[galraen]

So if the icon does not return, does that screw up the game? ... Do I need it later for other powers I may get?

Your current character being a good guy he probably wouldn't want to use the Slayer form. The crunch will be when you reach 3 million XP and start getting High Level Abilities (HLAs). If the icon doesn't show up then, then you have serious problems.

Whats this Shadowkeeper? Is it hard to use for a novice like me?

Shadow Keeper is an editor that allows you, amongst other things, to edit your game saves. It can be downlaoaded here Shadow Keeper, and I don't think it will be too difficult for you to get your head around.

If you want to find out if the Special Power Icon will come back when you get HLAs then you could download the editor.

Read the instructions then install it. Make separate save (so your current save is safe) then change your experience points to 3 Million.

Load the changed save in game and level up, you should be able to add an HLA by clicking on the ability button in the level up menu.

Once the leveling up is complete you should have the golden star Icon back.

Alternatively you could cross your fingers and hope for the best. I've not encountered any problems with not being able to access HLAs, and I've played the game many, many times.

[sonny]

If you want to find out if the Special Power Icon will come back when you get HLAs then you could download the editor.

Read the instructions then install it. Make separate save (so your current save is safe) then change your experience points to 3 Million.

Load the changed save in game and level up, you should be able to add an HLA by clicking on the ability button in the level up menu.

Once the leveling up is complete you should have the golden star Icon back.

Ok, I downloaded SK, and did everything you suggested (while holding my breath). It created a saved game for me. Went to that saved game, leveled up, picked a new power and after that the Special Power Icon was lite and the new power was there, but the Slayer icon is still missing. So something must have screwed up. Any way, I deleted the new saved game and am back where I was before with out the Slayer icon.:speech:

Man, it look like if you don't know what you're doing with that SK program, you could really screw things up.

Thanks for telling me how to use that program and where to get it. Maybe, after awhile when I'm more knowledgeable, I'll learn how to use it.

Still, would like to know what I did to make that icon disappear. Think not clicking on the End Slayer Change for all those hrs. could have done it?

[galraen]

Well you should have been dead IIRC if you'd been in slayer form for too long, and you certainly would have noticed it had you been in Slayer mode.

I'd be interested to know if anarchistica's Paladin ever voluntarily used the slayer form, or if anyone know what circumstances could cause it to be removed.

You're right about being able to screw things up right royally using Shadow Keeper Sonny, but one should always have a backup save in case that happens. Although you have to be tinkering with more than just the basic stuff to make too much of a mess I think.

[sonny]

Well you should have been dead IIRC if you'd been in slayer form for too long, and you certainly would have noticed it had you been in Slayer mode.

When I clicked on it in the Underdark, I died, because I could not figure out how to turn it off at the time. I reloaded a saved game and did not use or check it again until a few days ago when I found the Blue Man icon. As I said, at least 20 or more game days passed during that time and my character looked fine and the game continued as always including the Jaheira romance.:speech:

May never know.

[wise grimwald]

QUESTION:
COMMENTS: If there was ever any doubt in my mind about how really great this game is, it ended last night at around 11:45 PM EST in De'Arnise Hold area.
Since starting this game I've, freed friends from prison, made friends with talking trees, rescued a mother from a bad circus, killed countless monsters and bad guys, found a girl friend, made a lot of money, found a lot of neat stuff, found a boys teddy bear, meet and helped a silver dragon, helped a guy become a Knight, took an old man home to start over with his family, rescued my sister, etc., and then last night.............(If you're under 18 stop reading this now) and then last night.............my girl friend ask me to share her bed roll. :speech: I had to reload to make sure I heard her right.
It was real subtle, no cigarette or small talk, but it happened boys and girls
GOOD LORD::laugh: Whats next? I'm only in Chapter 6 of SoA, still doing side quest. So if there's another game out there that's as good as this one or even close to being as good, I hope someone is going to tell me about it.

This reminds me of the first time I played. I was playing a paladin, and trying to play as my idea of a true paladin. i.e. Fighting for justice, being merciful, and being sexually moral as well. Imagine how I felt when Aerie jumped into bed with me without so much as a "By your leave". Obviously the game designers have different standards to the ones that I have. The way I was brought up, you don't jump into bed with your lover until you're married. Obviously, playing someone like Korgan, the plot should be different, but not paladins!

[anarchistica]

I'd be interested to know if anarchistica's Paladin ever voluntarily used the slayer form, or if anyone know what circumstances could cause it to be removed.

Nah, i was a perfect goody-two-shoes.

Btw, sonny:

In ShadowKeeper, select your character, go to the Innate tab, click "Add Spell"; Slayer Change is listed under Innate, Level 1. Add it to your character (button at the bottom of that box) and you should be able to slayer-change again.

On the ability disappearing: Maybe you used Cloak of the Wolf of that cloak that turns you into a Troll/Puddle/etc while in Slayer form?

[CFM]

Planescape:Torment RPG? or dungeon crawler (did I say that right) eBay or Amazon.com? This info is for later.

The following games use a modified version of the game engine that Baldur's Gate uses:

Planescape:Torment
Amazon.com: Planescape: Torment: Video Games

Icewind Dale (and Heart of Winter expansion) and Icewind Dale II
Amazon.com: Icewind Dale Ultimate Collection: Windows: Video Games

If you consider Baldur's Gate is focused equally on combat and story/characters, then you could say that P:T focuses more on story/characters, whereas the IWD games focus more on combat.

But they are all of the same family of games, since they all come from the same game engine, and gameplay is similar between all these titles.

Also, based on following your posts over the months, I think you might like the Fallout games:
Amazon.com: Fallout Collection (DVD-ROM): Video Games

I consider these titles priceless, since nothing since has ever come close to their depth, imho. Nowadays, it seems the industry is a bit too preoccupied with action graphics. Hopefully soon, high-end graphics will be such the norm, that focus will again return to depth. Until then: well, we got the oldies-but-goodies.

[sonny]

Thanks every one for all the help. Thanks for the info and link for SK (now I need to get the nerve to use it ) As usual, you guys have been great.

I consider these titles priceless, since nothing since has ever come close to their depth, imho. Nowadays, it seems the industry is a bit too preoccupied with action graphics. Hopefully soon, high-end graphics will be such the norm, that focus will again return to depth. Until then: well, we got the oldies-but-goodies.

CFM, you have peaked my interest in these games, especially PT. I have NWN and NWN2. My wife got them for me for my birthday, but I've never even opened the boxes. I've been having so much fun with BG and BG2 (which I still have not completed the 1st play through) that I just have not given it much thought.

Checked Amazon.com and they have 2 different games for PT. The 4 CD game which says it includes 2 games and Soulbringer, and the 2 CD game which does not say anything about 2 games.
Any thoughts anyone?

Amazon also has IWD and IWD2 at a reasonable price, so I think I'll go ahead and buy them and PT and that way I will have them. That's why I would appreciate any input on the PT 4 vs 2 CD games.

My oldest grandson was the one that told me to start out with the older games. My youngest grandson is playing a game on Xbox360 or Xbox (can't keep up) called Oblivion. And while the graphics are outstanding, when I watch him play, I can not get used to no party, no conversation, am I missing something here? Think I'll stick with the old stuff for a while. Old games for a Old man

Thanks again

[Thrifalas]

CFM, you have peaked my interest in these games, especially PT.

I'm speaking for almost everyone I know who has played that game when I say that if you're into story-lines, plots, well-developed characters and characterinteractions in any way, you'll not be sorry about buying this game.

Do understand that it lacks a lot in gameplay though, and that's where it fails in comparison to BG2, and the reason why you'll prolly only play it a couple of times while BG2 lasts forever.

It is something you'll remember, though. I'm planning on having the tattoo done myself at the start of next month, like a multitude of other dedicated gamers already have. It's definately worth it.

[sonny]

Nah, i was a perfect goody-two-shoes.

Btw, sonny:

In ShadowKeeper, select your character, go to the Innate tab, click "Add Spell"; Slayer Change is listed under Innate, Level 1. Add it to your character (button at the bottom of that box) and you should be able to slayer-change again.

On the ability disappearing: Maybe you used Cloak of the Wolf of that cloak that turns you into a Troll/Puddle/etc while in Slayer form?

There where 6 Slayer Change slots in the Innate area. Tried all 6. Nothing worked.

Don't know what happened to my game, but I guess my Slayer guy is gone forever:speech:

Thanks anyway for the help.

[CFM]

Checked Amazon.com and they have 2 different games for PT. The 4 CD game which says it includes 2 games and Soulbringer, and the 2 CD game which does not say anything about 2 games.
Any thoughts anyone?

Amazon also has IWD and IWD2 at a reasonable price, so I think I'll go ahead and buy them and PT and that way I will have them. That's why I would appreciate any input on the PT 4 vs 2 CD games.

Torment, like most games, has been released a few different ways over the years. Torment was originally released in those larger game boxes containing 4 CDs. Later, it was released in a box containing only 2 CDs. The game files on the 2-CD release are compressed (thus only needing 2 CDs), and get un-compressed on your computer's hard drive during installation.

I think the 2-CD version of the game comes with the official patch (I think). Otherwise there is no difference between the 4-CD and 2-CD versions.

I've also seen the 2-CD version of the game bundled with Soulbringer. I've never played this game, but web reviews rate it more or less mediocre.

FYI-
The cities of Baldur's Gate and Athkatla are all located in a land called Faerun, which is a Dungeons & Dragons "universe" commonly referred to as The Forgotton Realms, which encompasses the typical fantasy setting. Farther north of the city of Baldur's Gate is the city of Neverwinter, where the NWN games take place. Farthest north is the region of Icewind Dale, where the IWD games take place.

(I downloaded a huge map of Faerun on my computer, spread out across 8 jpeg files. They're too big to attach here, but I can forward them to you if interested. Maps rule!)

I prefer the BG/PT/IWD games to the NWN games. The NWN games were geared towards a different design goal in mind: its focus is to facilitate online players adventuring together, moderated by an online dungeon master, using adventures created by the online community. So while it's maybe not fair to compare games with different design goals, I prefer BG's single player experience better.

The IWD games are a great buy. The biggest difference from the BG games are that, instead of creating one dude at the start and being joined by up to 5 NPCs, you create all 6 dudes (dude-ettes?) at the start. You still have a party of 6 to manage, but no in-party banters (no Minsc, Jan, Jahiera, etc). Also, IWD is a bit more linear than BG. But otherwise, IWD has the same high quality music, story, atmosphere, artwork, combat, etc, as BG. Maybe better.

PT, on many levels, is in a class all its own. It takes place in the Planescape "universe", one of the most unique settings you'll ever come across. You play a character called The Nameless One, and you have some, um, unique personalities join you on your adventure. You say you like story and NPCs in BG? Torment takes that to a new level.

When you're ready for a break from BG, make no mistake: I recommend your next adventure be Planescape:Torment.

(When the time comes, be sure to ask for advice with creating your Nameless One at the start. Abilities matter differently in this one.)

[galraen]

The correct Slayer Change is Slayer Start, SPIN822 (scroll to the right to see the full spell data in SK). Just adding the spell isn't sufficient, you also have to increase the number memorised (the xMem column) to at least 1, it starts at zero when you add the spell.

However, as you're a good guy, and seem to be intent on role playing that way I wouldn't bother. Every time you use it your rep takes a knock, and if it (reputation) sinks too low the good guys in your party will leave or turn against you, including Jaheira!!

PS I know she's supposed to be neutral, but that's hogwash, she should be Neutral Good, but TSR (the original AD&D creators) had this weird idea that Druids were tree hugging 'True Neutrals', and for once Bioware decided to stick by the 'rules'. Except when it comes to her personality.

[sonny]

galraen, thanks very much for the help. I'm a little leery at this point of fooling around with SK to much, so I'm going to take your advice and just finish the game without the Slayer thing, unless maybe later I get the nerve to fool around with SK a little more.
Again thanks a lot

Torment, like most games, has been released a few different ways over the years. Torment was originally released in those larger game boxes containing 4 CDs. Later, it was released in a box containing only 2 CDs. The game files on the 2-CD release are compressed (thus only needing 2 CDs), and get un-compressed on your computer's hard drive during installation.

I think the 2-CD version of the game comes with the official patch (I think). Otherwise there is no difference between the 4-CD and 2-CD versions.

I've also seen the 2-CD version of the game bundled with Soulbringer. I've never played this game, but web reviews rate it more or less mediocre

(I downloaded a huge map of Faerun on my computer, spread out across 8 jpeg files. They're too big to attach here, but I can forward them to you if interested. Maps rule!)

When you're ready for a break from BG, make no mistake: I recommend your next adventure be Planescape:Torment.

CFM, thanks for all the info. I purchased IceWind Dale The Ultimate Collection last night from Amazon. It included both IWD I and II for $28.00 USD

Before I purchase PT ( the one I'm looking at is the 2CD set that includes Soulbringer, and the manual on cd), I wanted to ask if you or anyone else knows if it will run on Windows XP. The info on Amazon did not say. I'm running BG and BG2 on XP if that helps.

Thanks for all the help guys

[mcgregor]

I have the 2 CD version of P:T, which I'm currently playing for the first time, and it works fine on XP.

I saw someone else recommended the Fallout series, and I'd back that up. I rate it above the IWD games, which sometimes just feel like you have to kill everything. Slight exaggeration, of course. They (Fallout 1+2) have a tricker interface than the Infinity Engine games, but are incredibly absorbing.

mcgregor

[CFM]

Before I purchase PT ( the one I'm looking at is the 2CD set that includes Soulbringer, and the manual on cd), I wanted to ask if you or anyone else knows if it will run on Windows XP. The info on Amazon did not say. I'm running BG and BG2 on XP if that helps.

Yup, as mcgregor says, PT runs on Windows XP. As does the IWD and Fallout games.