Ok, I broke down and bought the collection for $20. So, I have Shadows, Bhaal and the bonus disc. But, no freakin' manual!! (checking again to make sure) No, no manual in there. I'm sure I can figure out how to make a character, but I hate the stupid help file. I'd like something right next to me I can use.

Anyway, what's a good starting character, (and I'm already dreading the question). Any hints of that sort, or any sort are welcome. [img]smile.gif[/img]

You won't need a manual. Check out SixOfSpades site here

Should give you alot of info to help you with the game and character creation.

The good thing is that its spoiler free.

Thanks TDC. Is there a list of keyboard functions that I could print out?

Not to my knowledge no. Also check your CD for a PDF manual.

If there are keyboard shortcuts/functions it would be in there.

Ok, I will. Do I use the ToB disc or the SoA one to play?

The TOB one will be your play disk

The update button to interplay doesn't seem to connect. Is there a patch you would recommend for download before I start?

Yes, at the top of the SoA forum is the sticky for "n00bs." [img]smile.gif[/img] (I still use it for the patches, lol!) The patches you will need are there. Definitely get the official ToB patch, and then the Fixpack. Those are the only ones you really NEED.

Be sure to install the Official patch before the Fixpack.

Ok, thanks. I found one patch which, when I went to install it said it wasn't needed 'cos I had ToB?
Uhh, sorry, I don't know where you are refering to for the patch?

[ 01-12-2005, 07:16 AM: Message edited by: Variol (Farseer) Elmwood ]

Install the Official ToB Patch, then get the Baldurdash ToB Fixpack v1.12.

When I went to install the ToB patch it told me it was already in there. I did install the fix pact though and I don't know what the other thing is:
Install third-party mods if any

Third party mods are modifications made by persons other than the creatores. Purely optional, and generaly a bad idea on your first run though. Some make the game easier (ease of use), many make it harder (tactics), some expand the storyline (ascension, The Darkest Day), some add new NPCs (theres a whole thread of those on the SoA forum) and some add bugs (The Darkest Day especialy).

I just finished tutorial, which I think helped me a lot.

Is there a quick save key?

Q?

Q, it's not!

Somone calling me?

When you start the launcher up hit the configure button instead of play, then hit the hot keys tab, keyboard..

Click on the Q key on the virtual keyboard in the window and then click on the Misc functions which should be in a box bellow the Keyboard, then use the scroll box to scroll down to Quick save..

Then click the apply buttom.. Now hitting Q in the game should trigger a quicksave.

Thow Drow art mine hero. I thank thee!

Ok, the games pretty good, although I don't really know what the stink is about. But this pic looks more like something out of a comic book.

http://img148.exs.cx/img148/7209/bg2pic3un.gif

it's a mozaic tile type effect I think, you know lot's of little blocks put togther to form a bigger picture..

BG2 is a fun game to play, and when it was released it was one of the best around..

Yes I know what it is, but it still looks like a comic book super hero.

And the point of that observation is?
To me it looks nothing like a comic book hero, at least nothing of Marvel or DC design that I know of.

Well, perhaps if I squint a whole lot it could
resemble a distorted Swamp Thing. :rolleyes:

It looks like a malevolent Faerun mosaic to me. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Enjoy the "stink", if you can. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Irenicus dungeon is the weakest part of the game, it'll pickup when you get out and about and get some more choices in what you do.

I'm actually in the city now and I can't believe all the stuff there is to do there! It's crazy!

[ 01-20-2005, 07:45 PM: Message edited by: Variol (Farseer) Elmwood ]

Yeah, kinda odd how a civilization that advanced could have survived for so long when they can't even deliver messages to each other without your help.

"Help me, help me! An Imp took my mirror away and I'm rooted to this spot for some reason!"
"Nono, help ME! My teddy bear has been stolen!"

Actually, I just returned the teddy bear. I got out of the city for a while and I'm clearing the castle (whatever) of the troll and yuan'ti problem.

I'm still not crazy about the combat though. PC's still walk around to where they're not supposed to during combat.

The Space Bar is your friend!

Use it wisely and you shouldn't have the problem of characters wandering around where you don't want them. If it still happens, you're not pausing enough. ;)

There's lots of options for autopausing aswell. I've had problems in bigger combats, but nothing the space bar and equally good mouse pointing can't solve.

[ 01-21-2005, 02:54 AM: Message edited by: CerebroDragon ]

it sounds like you're using the AI scripts - i never do myself

although i'm wondering now whether picking the right script might be part of the challenge and whether sitting back and watching the battles could be quite fun . . .

[ 01-21-2005, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: Armen ]

There's a few script's that are worth while..

It's either Passive or somthing like that, it's the one that makes the charactor attack back if attacked, but not cast any spell's or anything..

The Cleric defensive, is pretty good, but you've got to have a load of healing spell's memorised because they cast at the slightest thing.

I prefer the Standard Attack AI, for all my characters. "If it has a red circle, kill it."

Though it's one of the worst because all your char's will go charging off even if they can't damage their foes, somtimes running into the ice storm that you've cast..

I was playing online and the host hada wild mage charactor, very very fond of ice storm, needless to say putting the NPC's on standard attack got them a little chilly.

How do I set these things? Is it in the customize area, or is that just for what they say?

That's what ranged weapons are for....and melee characters who are smart enough to stand just outside the area of effect of cloud-type spells, so their enemies take the damage and they don't. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Bring up the record screen with the 'r' key, click on 'customize character' then 'scripts'. I'm not sure I'd bother with my first game through though - you'll learn more doing it yourself. Personally I have virtually all auto-pauses turned on and micromanage - combined with full battle text its the best way to learn.

Ok, I'll take a look but probably will leave it for now.
It's a piss off that you buy the game, even though the price may be good, you don't get the bloody manual. So, then you have to minimize the game every time you look something up. The spells are especially stupid. It takes a long time to figure out the icons because you get so many at once. If you started at first lvl you'd have time to get familiar with them at little at a time.

Can this be done differently, or is there a place I can print the icons with the names next them?

The teddy bear situation is understandable. I won't spoil further.

What's the bonus disk with the Collector's Edition? The bonus merchants? The soundtrack? (I'd flap a Jack for the soundtrack, mack.)

As for icons, you can do some adjustments on the Options menu for tooltip scroll speed. Names for the icons will pop up much faster this way and you can always change the settings later.

The bonus disc has, Weapons, Armor, & Char Ports' plus the Baldurs Gate soundtrack. According to the back of the box.

Repeat: Can this be done differently, or is there a place I can print the spell icons with the names next them?

This doesn't answer your question, but it does provide a workaround - mouseover the spell icon in question and press the tab key - you should get a nice scroll unveiling that displays the spell name. And of course, descriptions can be viewed easily from within the spell book (right click on the memorised spell in question)

Mike's RPG Center has charts listing the icon picture, the spell name/level/school, and spell description for all the mage and cleric spells.

Is the soundtrack BG1 or BG2? (I'd assume BG2 since it's in the BG2 box, but I have to make sure. ^_^)