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I completed BG2 SoA several months ago and since then I've had to get a new PC so all my original saves are gone. So I'm now wanting to start a new game of ToB but playing my original character. My questions are concerning the gear I obtained in SoA as well as stat increases that I've received since going through BG as well as BG2. Unfortunately I don't remember everything I had or what my ending stats were. So I was curious what other folks here do when starting a new game of ToB. Should I just make a brand new toon with the gear it comes with or should I tried to modify a new toon to make it exactly like my original character was? I'm okay with not keeping every piece of gear I had since I know I'll probably replace it but all the various stat increases from Watcher's Keep, Hell Trials etc... I would hate to lose that. Not sure how to go about this. Looking for thoughts. Thanks

As far as i know, for a new ToB game watcher's keep is untouched. I don't think you'll get any from the hell bonuses.

I admit, i never started a fresh ToB game with a new character because i didn't see any reason for it

If you havent played BG for a long time, SOA is recommended to get to know your character better, fights in ToB are tougher.

Yea I was thinking about just starting SoA all over again cause it's been so long. I think it was about 6 or 7 months ago that I played last. I just finished the IWD series so I'm trying to get my Baldur's Gate groove back on. I started into Watcher's Keep late into SoA though I didn't complete it. So yea I guess just making a completely fresh character is the way to go here. I was just trying continue the game more or less where I left off but playing SoA again wouldn't be so bad. Its an awesome game!

Even better, begin from scratch in BG1.

Darth Malignus wrote:Even better, begin from scratch in BG1.

I wouldn't recommend it. BG1, although great, has poor replayability value.

I will second Darth Malignus's suggestion and reccomend BG1. Despite what Stworca says, I think that BG1 worth playing. It definitely has the atmosphere and the nostalgic value going for it. It's always good to return to your humble beginnings. Don't forget that you can import your character from BG1 (with more experience, if you have ToSC) and actually find some of your lost items around SoA.

BG1 is an amazing and Sure it's worth playing! But second playthrough will not give you any new experience. I actually played through it three times in a row.. First time blindly, second time bored by those enormous landscapes with rarely anything to do

And the third time was only to level up a TUTU sorcerer, and since then i never had to bother with it again.

I've beaten it at least fifteen times to date, and always find something new (such as dialogs with charmed enemies a few playthroughs ago). Most of the roleplaying is up to you. It has such an atmosphere, that can't really compare to BG2.

Crenshinibon wrote:I will second Darth Malignus's suggestion and reccomend BG1.

Good. It's always rather silly to disagree with me. I'm usually right.

Crenshinibon wrote:... and actually find some of your lost items around SoA.

Spoiler-alert! ->

Spoiler

Yeah, the hammer Bassilus drops comes to mind. In SoA that damn thing turns up in a long lost (and apparently not so un-explored) and forgotten underground tunnel.

Definitely a typical Baldur's Gate "WTF?"-moment.

Now to disagree with you and to show that you're not always right :

Actually, that's not what I meant at all. That hammer is there regardless of whether or not you import your character from BG1. However, when you do import one, you will find other items that may have been on you at the time of "capture" around Amn, not just Irenicus's dungeon. By that I mean items such as the Golden Pantaloons (except that you can actually equip those items). These items aren't there if you create a new character.

Crenshinibon wrote:Now to disagree with you and to show that you're not always right :

Actually, that's not what I meant at all. That hammer is there regardless of whether or not you import your character from BG1. However, when you do import one, you will find other items that may have been on you at the time of "capture" around Amn, not just Irenicus's dungeon. By that I mean items such as the Golden Pantaloons (except that you can actually equip those items). These items aren't there if you create a new character.

Yeah, but it's the SAME hammer. Left in an underground tunnel not explored for a long time. It doesn't make sense.

I'll say this much about BG1, though: I don't play it because of the riveting dialogues between my partymembers or their epic personal growth. I've seen more inspirational interaction between two rocks getting beaten together than the NPC's in BG1. It's all about the storyline.

Since it's only a +1 one weapon, it's possible that multiple copies were made, as we see with the Sword of Flame +1. But nonetheless, the point was that you get to find more loot from BG1 if you import your character.

I play it for the atmosphere. While I love Baldur's Gate II dearly, it's the original Baldur's Gate, as well as the Icewind Dale games that have truly striking music and atmospheres.

Crenshinibon wrote:Since it's only a +1 one weapon, it's possible that multiple copies were made, as we see with the Sword of Flame +1. But nonetheless, the point was that you get to find more loot from BG1 if you import your character.

I'm talking about the Warhammer +2: "Ashideena". It's not a generic Warhammer, it's a very specific one. Apparently so much that it has it's own history and name.

I know exactly which warhammer you're referring to. I was just stating how when you import a character from BG1, you can recover some of your loot in BGII. This hammer isn't one of those items.

That aside, I always got the feeling that this temple has been defiled shortly before your arrival. Perhaps by the beholder or the other cultists. Who knows? It could also be a misplaced piece of lore, since we know that there are some electrically charged hammers as well.

I think it's that. As with a certain Ring of Wizardry you find after a battle with a group of angry harpers. It says you commissioned the work with your students at the planar sphere. Even if you happen to be a Barbarian or something. WTF?
Besides, doesn't Ribald sell another "Ashideena"?

Quote by Crenshinibon

and actually find some of your lost items around SoA.

What items and where?!?

Okay Cren,
You mentioned this when answering a post I made on the BG1 forum. I figured you didn't want to spoil anything (which I appreciate) and left it at mentioning the golden pantaloons. But I have taken my first BG1 character all the way through BG1 and SoA, and I am now about 1/2 way through ToB. The only item other than the golden pantaloons that I found in all of SoA was:

Spoiler

My +3 chain mail which Ilyich had (instead of the Mail of the Dead)

I know the Helm of Balduran (which is a BG1 item as well) is there but would be without importing your BG 1 character. My character is an elven fighter/mage and I did every available quest and visited every location checking every container except the big estate in the bridge district (forgot the name but is Anomen's family rival) and the family estate on the opposite end of the Jesteev's in the Government district. Didn't want to lose reputation by breaking and entering. Oh and I didn't open any chests in the Lathander temple because my character is Neutral Good (and that really is liking kicking a hornet's nest ).

Back on topic: Curiosity led me to try creating a ToB character from scratch today, and I didn't even read this thread, and the results were interesting. Tried three different ones and to me they were really nerfed by comparison. The worst was an undead hunter paladin. He started in the forest with just *mild spoiler*

Spoiler

a bag of holding containing 5 or 6 mage spells, various missle weapon ammo, but no launcher or armor, no weapon save 40 +_1 darts. Also had the necklace from Ellisime in the backpack.

I'm a paladin not a mage.

Crenshinibon wrote:I've beaten it at least fifteen times to date, and always find something new (such as dialogs with charmed enemies a few playthroughs ago). Most of the roleplaying is up to you. It has such an atmosphere, that can't really compare to BG2.

BG 1: You are a young naive Bhaalspawn oblivious to your heritage with just some weird dreams and some weak powers trying to save the sword coast from the tainted ore and discovering who murdered your foster father.
While heroic it's not even remotely as epic as it's successor.
You are more free to roam the country side and discover a lot of small secret stuffs.

BG 2: You are a veteran knowing about your heritage trying to save Imoen/take revenge on Irenicus, develping tremedous power later when you tap into the Slayer form.
The final cinematics give you an epic feel banishing your former overwhelmingly poweful enemy into the abyss.
Later chapters very streamlined for obvious reasons of urgency albeit at sart a lot to discover albeit to a lesser degree as BG 1.
It's also darker and grittier than BG 1. Copper Coronet, Slavers, Khalid's Deah just to mention a few examples.

BG 2 ToB: The grand finale and conclusion to your divine heritage with an epic fight at the end (especially with Ascension gaining the Ravager form later the ultimate destrctive incarnation of Bhaal but very difficult to control).
Your power rivals that of some demi gods and a very important decision to be made at the end, to become the new god of murder or to give up on your divine spark.
Very stream lined since the whole situation rushes towards that last confrontation in your hunt after the five. Only real diversion can be Watcher's Keep. That's why I leave it for ToB.

Imho the atmosphere in all 3 parts are caught very well. BG 2 should not have the same atmosphere as BG 1 and cannot even for the simple fact that BG 1 the whole game was absolutely new. Even in your nostalgic memories you know the feeling what it was like starting he game first time with you character and just starting on your heroic journey.
"Heya, it's me, Imoen" I am sure we all know that greeting very very well.

Different settings, different plots albeit they are connected and of course different power levels warrant a different atmosphere imho.