GameBanshee Forums

Do the little things like speed factor, rate of fire, armor bonuses against certain types of weapons, etc. really make that much of a difference? And is a Two-Handed sword better to use than a long sword?

Since BG is heavily based on D&D rules these "little things" really make a difference. I don't have the tables here, but I can tell you that most of it is based on a die system, where the computer makes a roll for you, applies modifiers (i.e. your "little things") and then decides whether a spell is successful, whether you hit or not, what amount of damage you've caused, etc.
A Two-Handed Sword overall does more damage than a Longsword (not counting the magic ones), but whether it is better depends on your playing style. Wielding Two-Handed Swords restricts you from using a Shield, which could potentially give you a high AC bonus. Personally, I like to use Two-Handed Swords with characters, who also have a Bow equipped (since all 2-handed weapons restrict you from using a Shield, and a bow is a nice ranged weapon ).

Of course they make a difference. Would you rather hit you opponent before or after he hits you? Would you rather fire off three arrows while your opponent throws one stone or the other way around? Would you like to wear plate mail or chain mail when the club comes crushing down on you? I don't say that the 2nd edition rules implements real life perfectly, but they have the ambition.

In BG1 you'll find lots of enchanted weapons. Often the to hit and damage bonuses means more than whether it's twohanded or singlehanded. I hold Spider's Bane as the best sword and Varscona as the second best. The first is twohanded while the latter is a longsword. As Eerhardt said, it's a good idea to let people who can't use a shield anyway use twohanded weapons.

Thanks for the feedback....given me some ideas on how to rearrange my party a little

General tactics: you'll probably want a party that consists of:
(note: I assume your main character is of Good alignment; if not, just let me know and I'll add/change the following list)

• a fighter you can use as a "tank". Go with either Minsc or Khalid here (though opinions on Khalid vary )
• a Thief. Plenty of choice here, though I'd suggest Imoen
• a Priest (i.e. Druid or Cleric). Jaheira comes to mind, if you decide to go with Khalid. Otherwise, Branwen isn't too bad either
• a Mage. Dynaheir is a good choice. Xan is the alternative. If you don't mind multiclassed mages, you can even take Quaylle, but he won't reach as high a level as the others, without an XP cap remover.

This is a minimum in party configuration according to me. You can add others like Garick (a Bard comes in handy because of his bard song and high Lore) or Kivan (a Ranger comes in handy as a scout and is excellent for ranged combat). Also, if your main character is already a fighter, you needn't take another fighter along. Same goes for the other classes from my "party list".

I wouldn't say that,
2mages will always come in handy,
same goes for 2fighter.

Only twoclerics is a little to much in my oppinion
I recommand having atleast 2fighter classes (figter/paladin/ranger), a thief, a cleric/druid, and a mage.

I agree with Stilgar. Maybe it wasn't too clear from my earlier post, but when I said you needn't take another fighter I ment that, according to me, having 2 fighters isn't absolutely necessary, but comes highly recommended. I usually have a Fighter and a Ranger in my party myself.

Also make sure you have some good archers.
!!!
All bow types (cros/long/short) are very powerfull!

In my opinion, I don't like Khalid. He's too whinny, but since he is a fighter and can beat the creatures of Faerun down, I usually keep him.

When I played, my party consisted of:
1- Paladin(my creation)
2- Imoen
3- Jahera(spelling???)
4- Khalid
5- Minsc
6- Dhynera(spelling????)

I only like having one wizard in the group because it helps keep the spells staight. The same with priest spells...they get a ton of them and if you have high WIS, forget about it!

I like Minsc because he usually finishes up most of the ememies with some of the stronger magical swords.(just don't make him leader of the group....his CHA isn't that high so prices tend to be more)

The paladin is a good choice because to the best of my knowledge, there isn't one you can get in the game. His Lay On Hands and Protection from Evil spells are great. Plus he isn't a bad fighter.

Imoen, she's a GREAT thief. Although a lot of people dual class her to a mage, I keep her a thief. I mainly put my points into pick pockets and find/remove traps.

Jaheria is a good fighter, plus her driuidic abilities are good. I only shapeshift because she has it...I actually use it to heal her sometimes.(you regain about 10% hp's by doing this.) Her spellcasting abilities are kinda limited, but it gets the job done.

Dhynera is as good a spellcaster as anyone in the game. I pick her over Xzar because he's an elven enchanter that could be used as Eyore's fill in! Plus since he's an enchanter, his spell list is limited, although he gets the Moonblade, but since he can't fight worth a crap, it's pointless!

Well, that was a little bit long winded, but hey, I'm bored!
Hope that helps.

Originally posted by Pogoman
The paladin is a good choice because to the best of my knowledge, there isn't one you can get in the game. His Lay On Hands and Protection from Evil spells are great. Plus he isn't a bad fighter

Looks like you mostly agree on my selection. As far as the paladin is concerned...
SPOILER concerning Paladins in BG I - highlight the following:
You can pick up Ajantis in the Ankheg Area, south of Baldur's Gate (shows up on the map as farm land with a ploughed field)

I was thinking:
Me-Ranger (Archer/Tank)
Minsc-Ranger (Ranged Support/Tank)
Kivan-Ranger (Archer)
Ajantis-Paladin (Archer/Tank)
Coran- F/T (Archer)
Imoen - Dualled to Mage at Lvl. 7 (Magic Missile/Dispel Magic is all I need)

The reason for so many rangers is that in ToSC they can get one spell slot for first level spells (Cure Light Wounds), and Ajantis has Lay on Hands. Minsc is good with the Throwing Axe +2 (No matter how late you get it, it's still a good weapon), Ajantis with Gauntlets of Dexterity can run a good bow, Kivan, Coran, and I would also use bows. Imoen is also good once she regains her thief abilities, because she can use Kiel's Buckler along with the Sling +3 (Or I could keep her with a bow or crossbow), not to mention Magic Missiles and those many wands of fire. With that party I have a lot of scouts as well. Having no cleric may be a pain in the arse sometimes, but there's always a temple to get healed, or a hidden corner in a dungeon for resting.

(Don't worry about Dynaheir, I left her in the flaming fist barracks and walked away with Minsc)

Ok...this is my current party...

My PC, Fighter/Thief (Multiclassed)
Coran Fighter/Thief
Montaron Fighter/Thief
Viconia Cleric
Imoen Thief
and Edwin Mage...

I can just say that i love backstabbing... First let Montaron backstab with "Dagger of Venom", when the enemy turns around, if he survived, my PC backstabs him from behind and then is he really dead...=)

My PC can use bows, but are currently wearing "Defender +5" and "Large Shield +1 +4 vs missiles". Coran carries "Frostbrand +3" and some shield...plus "Boots of Stealth"

One funny thing with boots of stealth...i have three (3) pairs...=)

Everyone in my team can use some kind of ranged attack weapon... The only thing i miss i magic, ok i have Edwin, but i'm thinking of Dual Classing Imoen...

Dual classing Imoen would work pretty well. Have you got BG2 ?

Originally posted by dios

One funny thing with boots of stealth...i have three (3) pairs...=)

Everyone in my team can use some kind of ranged attack weapon... The only thing i miss i magic, ok i have Edwin, but i'm thinking of Dual Classing Imoen...

3 Boots of speed? If i'm not mistaken there are 2 in the game.
And dualling imoen would be a good idea with so many thiefes in the party.

I have three pair of Boots of STEALTH, not speed, but I have only found one pair of Boots of Speed is there another pair too?

Imoen is at level 8 and i'm thinking of dual-classing her att level 9.

And yes I do have BG2:SOA...=)

Originally posted by dios
I have three pair of Boots of STEALTH, not speed, but I have only found one pair of Boots of Speed is there another pair too?

Imoen is at level 8 and i'm thinking of dual-classing her att level 9.

And yes I do have BG2:SOA...=)

Sorry I ment stealt.
1 pair is at ulcaster from a hobgoblin, and another pair you'll get in area 3800 (beneath beregost) also from a hobgoblin!

Why did you want to cheat another pair in? with 3 thiefes you could make 1 for pickpocket/steal 1 for lockpick/stealth 1 for traps/stealth.

This way you're stealth will be so high you don't need thiefes

@Stilgar

I DIDN'T cheat anything in i got one pair from Ulcaster hobgoblins another one from Hobgoblins beneath cave and the third pair from the "N" guy in a house in Baldur's Gate who wants you to kill a bassilisk in a warehouse in the docks...I thought it was strange too...=)

Never knew there where 3.
If i'm not mistaken there is only one pair of boots of speed in the game (to bad)

Good luck on you're travels