Is there a way to import characters from Icewind Dale to Heart of Winter? The main reason I wanted HoW, was so that I could use my ID characters again.

Two ways.

1) Load up a save game and go to the character screen. Click on the Export button and save your character(s). Start a new HoW game and import them.

2) Complete the IWD game, your characters will automatically be saved in the character list. Start a new HoW game and import them.

I did complete IWD with 2 different groups (several times) and exported them. But when I put those files into the character folder of HoW it still didn't show those as being able to import.

Strange that they don't show up at all. You should be able to open an old game, export to the character list, and import them as needed when you start a new game with the HoW expansion.

Hmmmmm? You do not need to copy and paste anything. When you export a character, it is automatically saved in the following directory,

<font color="white">C:\Program Files\Black Isle\Icewind Dale\characters</font>

EDIT] Grammar.

[ 11-08-2002, 08:07 AM: Message edited by: Dundee Slaytern ]

Exactly Dundee. I don't understand what additional actions are performed on an exported character, but for whatever reason, The Ornery One can't Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V them into that folder. There isn't too much additional work just going into the game and exporting them the regular way however.

If you did complete it twice the second group will have overwritten the first group file unless you renamed it. So when you start a standalone HoW game it will say something like "We see you have completerd IWD would you like to import your characters into HoW." Just say yes.

Dundee is correct, you should have no need to cut and paste anything. Unless of course you originally uninstalled IWD and have your characters saved elsewhere for safe keeping. HoW uses the same file system and reuses most of the existing IWD files to run, just think of it as an upgrade to an existing application.

[ 11-08-2002, 11:43 AM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

I'd exported each of the characters (by name) when it was near the end of the game (just in case).
My computer crashed a few months ago and I was barely able to get into it enough to get to the character files and same them to disk. Then I had to completely redo my computer, wiping out all programs. Meaning that I had to add the game programs again, but IWD was borrowed, so I couldn't put that back in. The character files for Balder's Gate imported back into that game with no problem, but for some reason the IWD characters still won't import into HoW.
Maybe if one of you would let me send you the files for a couple of my characters, you can see if they work for you (meaning the problem would be with my computer or my HoW folders.

[ 11-08-2002, 10:22 PM: Message edited by: The Ornery One ]

Just found this: http://icewind2.blackisle.com/faq.html

Q: Can I bring my characters from Icewind Dale?
A: No. Icewind Dale II takes place a generation after the events in the original Icewind Dale game.

Have any of you been able to somehow import yours, or did you all start with new characters?

Heart of Winter is not Icewind Dale II! HoW is the expansion to IWD1, while IWD2 is the sequel.

Feel free to send your character files in a WinZip, and I will try to see if I can import them. If successful, I will e-mail you back the save game in a WinZip.

Like Dundee said, Heart of Winter and Icewind Dale 2 are totally separate deals. Heart of Winter is an expansion pack for Icewind Dale (the original) and absolutely will not work at all without the original game being installed. Your characters from the original game will work with HoW because it's the same game.

If, however, you've bought Icewind Dale 2 thinking it's HoW, it's not. It's a totally and completely separate game. It is NOT Heart of Winter. And no, the characters from the original game and Heart of Winter will NOT work with Icewind Dale 2.

So what was it that you bought- Heart of Winter or Icewind Dale 2?

*Gives self a smack* I've got IWD 2. (Was thinking that IWD2 and HoW was the same thing.) I just grabbed whatever had IWD on the cover and didn't really look. So if I get HoW, that one will allow the characters from the original to be imported?

[ 11-09-2002, 03:45 AM: Message edited by: The Ornery One ]

Yes.

<font color = mediumspringgreen>Easy to do. I was just in Fred Meyer (a grocery/dept. store chain we have in Oregon and Washington) and saw IWD and IWD 2 boxes jumbled together. Logos are almost identical: hard to tell them apart if you are not watchful. The sad thing is that IWD was being sold sans HoW... for $20!! I guess the marketeers are hoping that new IWD 2 fan's will grab the "pre-quel" on impulse, and will only find out later that they want HoW. Cheesy. </font>

[ 11-11-2002, 07:34 PM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]