GameBanshee Forums

Hi all!

My first post here, and I just want to say that so far I love IWD2! I've been looking for a while for a good D&D game.

Anyways, I've very experienced when it comes to most things D&D-ish and since I won't play through IWD2 more than once I was thinking of doing it a certain way and I'd like your input/advice and pros/cons about my idea.

So here goes:
I have installed the game, the patch and the ease-of-use mod (not all of it, just some of the extras, and nothing that breaks the rules). I also have a very handy savegame editor (wait! don't flame me yet!) that I plan on using only once, right after char generation.

My idea is to play a game on insane difficulty. I will make a party centered around an Aasimar paladin who starts with boosted stats and a Holy Avenger (Cerat Sumat I think it's called). The rest of the party will be characters based on my old PnP campaigns (some with slightly boosted stats, and each with one minor magical item). The idea is that instead of the party being just a ragtag bunch of 1st levellers they are experienced adventurers (level 3 or 4) purposefully assembled by leader (the Paladin) to go to the aid of the town. All my characters have bios and I plan on playing as much in character as possible (no stealing from citizens, etc).

Now, a few questions:
1- Is this a good idea?
2- Since I'll only be playing it once, should I play with the standard intro or with the Latest Undead Targos release? I'm intrigued by the undead mod as it fits nicely with my party concept.
3- I noticed in the Feats that Combat Reflexes wasn't in the list, does that mean the game does not take into account Attacks of Opportunity? I bought the game used and without a manual, but so far I don't think I've seen a single Attack of Opportunity take place.

For now I am playing the game on insane difficulty with a regular party, the big fights are tough but those flaming potions are wicked useful!

Anyways, any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Vindaloo

1) Depending on your skill, the quality of the bonus items and the character stats and classes the game might become too easy (or too hard) for you.
You have to show your future party members and bonus items for a more precise answer.
Only the beginning will be easier because of the higher starting level, not the end.

2)Why not ? The standard goblins seem too weak for your high-level party.

3)There are no attacks of opportunity in the game.

1) Are you playing with the "normal" Holy Avenger, or the HoF (Heart of Fury) one?
This also links to a point - if you start your characters at a higher level, you could just jump straight into HoF mode. This is if you want a challenge, because HoF mode is far more difficult. Even more difficult would be to start them from level 4 in HoF.

2) Never touched the undead mod, because I feel that it does not tie in with the story. The prologue leads to the goblin fortress, whose leader, Guthma, is a Bugbear (a goblinoid).
But as kmonster says, the mod will be better for your higher level party (unless you play HoF - those goblins can make mincemeat out of the uninitiated!)

You can download the manual here:
Sorcerer's Place - Download IWD2_english.zip

I found it useful for the planning of characters (mostly around the spell selection), but it is does contain a number of errors - opposition schools, for one.

Despite the lack of Attacks of Opportunity I am having a blast playing the game. I am about to enter the orc fortress and this is my party composition and their starting gear:

Duke LeDaring
Aasimar Paladin 2/Fighter 4
Str:17 Dex:10 Con:18 Int:14 Wis:14 Cha:20
Gear: Holy Avenger, Full Plate +1, Tower Shield +2

Badlok the Grim
Dwarf Fighter 4/Ranger 1/Barbarian 1
Str:19 Dex:14 Con:20 Int:10 Wis:10 Cha:8
Gear: 2x Battleaxe +2, Studded Leather +1

Firenze of Tempus
Human Fighter 3/Cleric of Tempus 3
Str:17 Dex:10 Con:16 Int:10 Wis:16 Cha:10
Gear: Mace +2

Slim Shady
Wild Elf Fighter 3/Rogue 3
Str:10 Dex:21 Con:12 Int:14 Wis:10 Cha:10
Gear: Black Dragon Scale, Composite Bow +2

Fiona Solari
Wild Elf Cleric of Lathander
Str:8 Dex:20 Con:12 Int:8 Wis:19 Cha:16
Gear: Composite Bow +1

The Minstrel
Str:8 Dex:14 Con:12 Int:12 Wis:12 Cha:19
Gear: none

Originally the Black Dragon Scale was for the Dwarf Barbarian but he can't use his Rage ability while wearing it (not sure why).

Question: does the game play very differently if you are an evil party?

Question: does the game play very differently if you are an evil party?

Nope.

It only affects when you get hit by Blasphemy :mischief:

Non-related to your questions, but where can you get Black dragon scale in the game?
I've played trough the game couple of times, but that armor just keeps evading me!

You need Weimer's Ease of Use mod installed (component 18: Include Forgotten Armour and Shields). Read the EoU documentation as to where to get it.
Alternatively, create it in the cheat console (00HIDE05).