install sword coast later?

Shine · Post by **Shine** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:34 pm

Hi
I bought the wrong version of Baldur's gate on ebay and now I'm having a heckuva time getting the Sword Coast add-on for a decent price.
Meanwhile, Baldur's Gate is on its way here and I'd like to get busy with it!

Is it possible to start playing Baldur's Gate, at least for the first few areas, and THEN install Sword Coast or should both be installed at the same time?

kmonster · Post by **kmonster** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 6:33 pm

I finished BG before installing TotSC. It worked well.
You can install TotSC at any time and continue from your save.

To be honest, I wouldn't even bother with the add-on. It's not worth it unless you prefer unfair save-and-reload orgies (to avoid the customer realising how little he got for his money) over roleplaying.

BTW, the valuable hidden bonus ring in the FAI area is only there if you reached this area in a unpatched game or with TotSC, if you want it don't patch before you have entered the FAI area. (Just a crippling made by the official patches to make you buy the expansion)

Rabain · Post by **Rabain** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 7:08 pm

As an add-on it wasn't bad at the time. It wasn't a sequel after all.

And there were some changes to the way the game plays that are worth having TotSC such as extra weapon slots for some classes (mage) etc

Durlags Tower alone is worth it.

Klorox · Post by **Klorox** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:13 pm

There's no point in waiting to install the mod. It's fun and challenging, although it really has nothing to do with the storyline of your character.

CFM · Post by **CFM** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:40 pm

I vote to buy & install it asap.

As mentioned in previous posts, you can play it fine without the expansion (but be sure you got the main game only patch from Bioware.com), but I like the multitude of enhancements to the entire game that the expansion provides.

I elaborate here:
http://www.gamebanshee.com/forums/baldu ... post898463

Shine · Post by **Shine** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:35 am

Thanks for the info. I guess I am expecting my copy of BG to arrive before the add-on and want to get going

Question: how do I know if I need a patch? The BG version I'm expecting (any day now!) is three CD's plus one which apparently has sound files on it. Is there a way to tell if this is a version that needs patching?

kmonster · Post by **kmonster** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:50 am

Install the game.
The version number should be in the "readme" or displayed somewhere in the game.
Keep in my that different versions require different patches.
But the game should be playable even without patch.
After installing TotSC the TotSC patch is all you need.

DaemonJ · Post by **DaemonJ** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:06 am

The 3 CD version also known as The Original Saga does *not* need to be patched. You will ruin your installation if you install any of the official patches.

You can view your version number by starting a game and going to the options screen. The version number is displayed there.

CFM · Post by **CFM** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:30 pm

Shine wrote:Thanks for the info. I guess I am expecting my copy of BG to arrive before the add-on and want to get going

Question: how do I know if I need a patch? The BG version I'm expecting (any day now!) is three CD's plus one which apparently has sound files on it. Is there a way to tell if this is a version that needs patching?

I think the "three CD's plus one" version of the game is officially called "Baldur's Gate: The Original Saga."

As DaemonJ pointed out, "The Original Saga" version of the game comes fully patched out of the box. In fact, this version also includes the TotSC expansion, which is automatically installed with the rest of the main game. If you bought the "add-on" separately, you may find you already got it.

Shine · Post by **Shine** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:29 pm

CFM wrote: If you bought the "add-on" separately, you may find you already got it.

SCREEEEEECH!!!!!!!
I spent more on the add-on than the original! Oh man, that's what I get for being impatient

CFM · Post by **CFM** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:48 pm

If you bought the 3-disc version I'm thinking of, then the front of the box will say:

"Baldur's Gate: The Original Saga"

...and beaneath that in smaller letters:

"includes Tales of the Sword Coast" (or something like that)

Whatever hardache this all brings to you, I think you'll find this gem of a game was worth it.

Shine · Post by **Shine** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:07 pm

Well, for future reference, the 3-disk 'original saga' set plus soundtrack does, indeed, include ToSC. Well, at least I only paid $10 for it. Install did not ask for the soundtrack CD so I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with that.

Started playing last night. The engine is a little different and things seem a little slow but it seems very spiffy so far.
I may make up my own party instead of picking up NPC's - mainly because that little thief at the beginning is really annoying and I can't seem to be able to change her sound and I'm not all that crazy about the images assigned to those other two that get picked up next. This is messing with my RP!

Thanks, all