Okay, I'm way behind the times. I just finished my Master's degree and these past 9 months were filled with hours of internship. Now I am able to start playing BG2. So my question is this, from your own experience is it better to role up a whole new character or is using your character from BG1 more satisfying? (I finished with a Half-elven ranger but I don't have the slightest idea on how to go about transferring him into BG2) I realize that this is a purely subjective answer on your part, but that's what I am looking for. Thanks ahead of time.

<font color="lightgreen" face="Old English text MT">It depends on what you want... importing will give you a more powerful character, rolling a new one gives you more kit options. </font>

If you have TOSC then when you import to BGII you start with 161000 exp (if you reached the cap lvl) if not when you rolea new pc you get 89000 exp to start. I ran my ranger from BG1 into BGII and just had to decide which ranger kit to take ( I love archer myself). I also ran a palidin from BG I an dagain just picked the kit I wanted.

I've done it before, after TOSC. You have to realocate most of your abilities (theif skills, proficiantcies and such) because they are handled differently in SOA. You also get to pick the kits, if you want them, that were not available in BG1. I imported my whole home made party of six members. When I went all the way through TOB, it was really great. When you think about how great you are and remember just strugling to stay alive against a bear in the woods, you can't help but smile. Very cool.

Thanks for your replies. Its exactly what I was looking for when it comes to opinions. So, how does one go about transferring a BG1 character to BG2? If you answer this please try to answer in step by step instructions that a high functioning moron - that would be me - could understand. Thanks!

One moment--don't neglect the possibilities involved in rolling your own. ;) If you get the add-on, ToB, installed, you'll be able to create a Wild Mage. It's potentially the most interesting class, with a strong chaotic element that allows the spellcaster to achieve amazing success or ignominious failure. Well worth a look.

unfortunately you'll have to start up bg1 and EXPORT your char (name him something you can find, his name?, search you dirve (thou it should be in the characters folder of bg1 directory) and copy that to the char folder of bg2 and in char creation import char
et voila

HOWEVER i imported but i felt the changes to the abilities etc... so different that it felt like a whole new char. the only real point of importing, IMHO, is (unless you're a diehard RPer) if you have the golden pantaloons as they are the only thing (i think) that is imported in to the game with you (oh,BTW import character from bg1 final save)

hope this helps

[ 04-27-2002, 11:31 AM: Message edited by: Aar-Daneel ]

Thanks again everyone. I think I'll roll up a new character since certain things change. Now what to be...?

be someone that no npc can be for you... for example, edwin is better than any pc wizard, viconia is better than any pc cleric etc.
i´d suggest an archer or ranger dual-classed to cleric...
kensai/mages are probably THE choice if you´re interested in sheer power though.

As much as I wanted to do that (transferring over a BG1 char), I couldn't because there so many new classes to choose from.. I just looked at potentiality and I lost it (if there is such a word) ;)

Pick a class that is cool to you, don't worry about power. Your character will develop, and end up with special little strategies no matter what. I have a lvl 14 Kensai, dual wielding, and though I forsook the more powerful kensai/mage, she is still a wicked blademistress and fun to rp.

Where did this myth of Edwin being better any PC mage come from?

Its blatantly false.

I would preserve my own character, simply because it feels more fluid when you have the same stats/character and you don't have to spend 20 minutes rolling the dice.

Not really, Edwin has a most remarkable amulet. In exchange for the Amulet of Power, he gets an additional 2 spell slots per spell level. This gives Edwin an obscence amount of spells, and spells is what a Mage is all about.