Hello folks, Scoo signing in. I´ve taken notice of IWD since it appeared in stores but never got to acquire it until last week as a PC best buy product (only had to shell out 15€ (thats Euro for those who cant display the symbol).

Tried out the demo that was supplied with BGII:SoA collector´s disc. What struck me was the intro movie and the music.. Got me really hooked. A very beautiful soundtrack indeed... Grand and intriguing..

Well, that ranting is me saying hello and querying about what made people take an interest in IWD [img]smile.gif[/img]

Scoo

[ 11-02-2003, 02:26 PM: Message edited by: Scoo Lightbringer ]

Firstly:
Hail and well met! I wish you luck with your search of knowledge in the Ironworks.
Secondly:
I started playing IWD because I liked it. It's the best answer I can come up with.

Welcome Scoo Lightbringer!

I got into Icewind Dale through Baldurs Gate.

Me and a friend got well into the first Baldurs Gate game, and nearly completed it together (each of us taking it in turns at the controls, but both of us making the all important decisions). During the times that he was unavailable to play, I wanted something that I could be playing on my own. So for christmas a few years back, I got Icewind Dale.

Actually, I have yet to complete IWD, but I am finally at the very end of the game and hope to complete it and start work on Heart of Winter over the next few days... [img]smile.gif[/img]

first off

[img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]
<font size=7> WELCOME TO IW </font>

I got started when I went to my cousins one time and he had it. I got really addicted and we went through most of the game together, I though it was so good I got it myself!

Welcome to IW! [img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]


First i didn`t like it becuase i am more of a BG player. Than i said to myself:"Stop comparing it to BG II!" so i did and played it as it was.

The scenery.

I was looking for a good ropleplaying game and chanced upon BG.... I loved it so very much. when i heard about IWD i knew it would have to be just as good.

<font color="cyan">I was looking for a RPG game after having finished Severance : Blade of Darkness (the best first person slasher of all time - IMHO ;) ) I then happened across a special IWD + HoW deal and have not been disappointed!

Great game!</font>


<hr align="left" noshade color=#FF3399 width=50% size=1>
kartetse


<hr align="left" noshade color=#FF3399 width=50% size=1>

<font face="Verdana" size="3" color="#00FF00"> I was looking for an RPG and this just looked so good.</font>

I had played Baldursgate 1+2 and i was wondering about Icewindale 1.So i tested it it was fun Cous in bg 2 you didnt fight an army in iwd you do.But the only bad thing whit iwd is : Too litle side questes.im more of a Baldurs gate fan.

I first learned about IWD through BG just like most people here. It sounded interesting and I wondered how it would compare to BG. I wasn't going to compare the two based on which is better etc, but more of how different is it from BG.

So I went through BG, than BG: ToSC, than BG2 and than BG2: ToB, than IWD. Each game and expansion pack are quite unique unto themselves and I love each of them for their own merrits. For example, what I really like in BG2 compared to BG was the ability to pause the game when in inventory. It sucks trying to figure out what something does, or switch up a weapon while your character is getting slaughtered. What I like about IWD compared to the BG series is you can create as much or as little as you want. In IWD you can create a party of one or a party of 6 if you please, though a party of 6 is of course better. In BG you gain NPC's and sometimes you get really attached to them and it's a hard decision to make who you want and who you don't. That's gone in IWD and I like yet dislike it at the same time. It gives me the control to do what I please but it also denies me some really cool creations that the talented developers at Interplay, Bioware, etc came up with.

In short, it was D&D related so I was instantly hooked.

my dad got it for my birthday one year...then i tried it, not knowing anything about D&D and fell in love. now i've beaten it and its sequel, and still know nothing about D&D

I bought IWD while I was playing BG/TotSC, figuring I'd run it before I played BGII. I loaded in DSotSC, but haven't gone far in it.

The story.

I am into computer RPG since I was a teenager. I saw the BG series and IWD in stores, but I am always reluctant to buy new games rightaway. One day I stumbled over a niceprice version of BG1, bought it and got addicted. After completing it, I came to know there was a sequel and I had to have it. So I played BG2 and ToB many times and quite a while. After beating the games over and over again I looked for a change. On this forum I read mixed comments about IWD, many said it could not stand a comparison to the BG series. So I returned to BG 2 and other games. But about 2 months ago my girlfriend and I broke up, as a result I have a lot of time now and found the ultimate collection of IWD, HoW and IWD 2 for little money in a shop about 3 weeks ago. I could not resist and I definitely do NOT regret it. I'm about halfway thru IWD (I guess) and it's almost like coming home. Maybe you know this situation: Playing the BG series repeatedly with the huge amount of opportunities and options is almost unique in computer gaming, but nothing is as intense as your first time thru the games. That's why i am currently in love with IWD: It gave me the chance again to literally sneak around the corners of the dungeons and towers, afraid of what to expect, in constant fear for my party members, proud of their victories, desperate about their fatal errors and greedy for more powerful equipment, spells and weapons. You see, I am having a great time, thanks to IWD.

IW was the first FR game I ever played, I beat it after a month or two and decided to try out the BG series, that's when I got REALLY hooked ;)

I got the expansion free with BG2 so I bought the original... Amazing...

I got IWD because I liked the Baldur's games so much. It's not quite as rich as BG but it has been fun so far.

I started on the BG series on a friends recommendation whilst waiting for the release of Ultima IX (ouch, sucker) because he told me "It's like an Ultima"

<font color = mediumspringgreen>After being out of D&D computer games for about a decade, I decided to test out the new line-up. I was looking for something similar to my experience with the Myth series. IWD was closest and was by far cheaper then the BG series. I was not disappointed in my purchase; and still haven't gotten around to the BG stuff!

</font>--------------------<font color = mediumspringgreen>
What's a party,
without a song?
Bards ROCK!
Party On!!
</font>

After completing BG1 I was out searching for another cRPG and by reading up on IWD I learned that you could roll up your party the way you wanted to. I loved that aspect and in many ways I prefer this over BG1 and joinable NPCs. Plus the music score is outstanding. IMO no other game has beaten the music from IWD.

I purchased it because the internet articles I had read about it. They spoke of the linear progression of the game. This reminded me of the old Paper and pencil AD&D "Against the giants"..."decent into the depts"..."Vault of the Drow"... and "Demon web pits" modules and campaign. To my suprise the the story and game play were better then I could have expected. I have had the game over several years now and still play. 6-8 months ago I purchased BGII and was very disapopinted. With IWD you get familiar with a certain way of running battles. BG2 is totlly different. IWD2 will be the next purchase for sure.

I purchased this for 2 reasons. One, because of Baldurs gate. I love that game.

Second, It brings me back to the original D&D games that I played......the Gold Box games. Anyone remember those? Where you actually created, and played your "own " pc's.

I enjoyed the BG first game and got a deal on IWD(nine bucks). I jumped into IWD and got thru quite nicely. The Pause setup on IWD suites me. I can only play about an hour at a whack. I am however, at the end. Behinet is not a nice fellow. Any tips on taking him on. I got about twenty rounds with him. Nothing in the game came even close to this hard. I have to believe that I'm using a totally wrong tactic. Any tips on using Bards? I tried a couple of them in BG and didn't get the hang of them at all.

Welcome to Ironworks Gage Beefenhunter

[img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]

I'm sorry that I can not help you with the ending as this is my first time through the game. I'm sure if you search around this forum there will be tips, if not just be patient and someone will help you soon.

A mod may even cut and paste this question of yours into a new topic so people can clearly see the question. that way you will get better and quicker help.

I hope you enjoy your time on Ironworks. :D

<font color = mediumspringgreen>Gage,

End game spoiler, coming...

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Yes, this is a very hard battle; and there are detailed posts on the subject, so search the forum.

The short version of how I did it: Offensive magic is worthless in this fight; so you need a very beefy party of melee types. Have the Bard playing War Chant. Use lots of buffs AFTER the fight starts (because the fight starts with a universal dispell). Know exactly where the dispell traps are and avoid them (the floor pattern will help you). Big B's attacks are predictable. Use this knowledge to avoid getting fried. Divide and conquer: I concentrated all my firepower on one Iron Golem while the weaker members led the other IG and Big B on a wild goose chase. Then take out the other IG. Finally, Haste all your big guns (hopefully you have AT LEAST 3) and gang up on Big B. You need to have lots of firepower for this last part of the battle, since BB's regenerative powers are nothing short of remarkable: Once you've engaged him you need to make it as short a fight as possible. Of course, during all of this, you need to know the approximate timing of BB's IC spell and dance away just before he throws it. Also, to get uninterrupted buffs in, have your spell caster start his spell just as BB's IC spell starts

Bards: IMHO, these guys are great to have along, ONLY if you have HoW installed. If you have HoW AND a party with AT LEAST: 2 Fighters plus 2 members of the set = (Fighter, Paladin, Druid, Ranger); then a Bard will prove to be an awesome support character. Basically, the Bard sings "War Chant of the Sith" virtually non-stop, and takes short breaks only to fire off a spell (typically before battle) and (rarely) sing one of her other songs as special circumstances warrant. She does not EVER use a weapon after she gets War Chant, unless the all the Fighters, etc., who benefit from her song have fallen. The Bardic Horn of Valhalla, available for purchase in Kuldahar, though pricey, is an excellent buy, and is the first major acquisition I would make for the party.

Here is the party I thumped Big B. with, on the 3rd try (first try after I figured out where the dispell traps were). Though there are definitely things I would change; it nicely illustrates the type of party a Bard can turbo-charge, and the type of party that will do well in HoW:

dc Fighter(10)/Druid
dc Fighter(9)/Thief
dc Cleric(12)/Fighter
dc Ranger(10)/Cleric (Ranger level is IIRC)
Half-Elf Bard
mc Gnome Thief/Illusionist

(On the Cleric(12)/Fighter: You might have a problem getting to Fighter(13) and regaining Cleric skills before meeting Big B., if you don't do HoW, first. This is one of the things I would have changed, making my dc Clerics as follows:

dc Cleric(12)/Ranger
dc Fighter(9)/Cleric . )

</font>--------------------<font color = mediumspringgreen>
What's a party,
without a song?
Bards ROCK!
Party On!!
</font>

[ 02-26-2004, 02:40 PM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]

Thanks for the Spoiler. I actually have worked all that out(avoiding the traps by memorizing the pattern and taking down the IGs first). Big B is definitely a hand full. I will try that haste thing. Keeping a battle short with him may be another thing.
I actually think I have a good mix for a party.
2 paladins both 10th Lvl
a fighter/thief 9/9
Cleric (dwarf) 10
Mage 10
and my all important Ranger 10th

Thanks again. This Forum rocks. It's my first time doing anything like this(Chat rooms/forums,etc..) This place has a helpful,friendly, informative tone. And figuring out some of the acronyms can be fun too.

Hello Scoo,
Like most of the other people here, I began with Baldur's Gate. I came across a second hand copy of Icewind Dale II in a game store (learned D&D V3 rules the hard way). I liked it so much I bought the original IWD when I got the chance.

Well I bought IWD because I liked the books so darned much. I also liked BG but I got IWD mainly because of the books. Which I happened upon accidently. SO the ending was a surprise because I didn't expect that particular enemy but I really should have...

Mercc

I bought Icewind Dale because of Salvatore's books and a friend was trying to get me interested in RPGs and told me it was pretty cool and mostly hack'n'slash so I wouldn't get all confused with a hefty plot.

It's always felt to me as if there was more 'magic' in IWD than in BG. A combination of Jeremy Soules wonderful Easthaven and Kuldahar scores, some of the best IE artwork ever (better than BG series IMHO) and a very rich storyline was what got me hooked.

Yes, it was slightly linear. But it never claimed to be 100% RPG oriented. There were a few side quests to keep the naysayers happy and I think an intriguing storyline did the rest. After BG I wanted a good hackfest.

What made me play IWD? Well, I bought the game and thought it would be a waste of money if I didn't play it. :D