I've decided to start (beside my evil Assassin) a new game with a good-aligned character (not sure about class yet) once I've downloaded BGT.
Now I want to get Imoen back as fast as possible both for powergaming purposes (I want a decent mage FAST) and for role-playing (I just miss my sis so much).
I have finished the game often but I've always done the essential Chapter 2/3 quest before I got Imoen back (resulting in a lack of experience with her). This time I'll try to get to her ASAP only doing one of the quests (e.g. the keep) if any (maybe I raise the money other ways). But I'm afraid and curious.

Which quests can still be done after chapter 5 and which will be unavailable or screwed up? And what will I miss (monsters, equipment) during chapter 4/5/6 if I do them low-level?

i would say to do nalias keep because u get 500 pounds a week from there so when u come back from the underdark ul have some cash waitin for u. Also u get gold (which u need) and some good weapons (which always help) and also quite a lot of xp (especially if u kill the golems!)

That's exactly what I'm talking about. I want to get as little XP as possible before going to rescue Imoen because I want HER to participate in gaining these XP. So what I want to know is which quest HAVE TO be done before chapter 4 meaning they won't trigger afterwards or malfunction (I've heard of a chapter-related bug with the Jaheira-quest for example). I'm aware that I have to do one of the main quests of chapter 3 but what else do I necessarily have to do in chapter 2/3 that can't be done in chapter 6.

What you want is a way to gain lots of money and avoid quest EXP, not EXP in general. So try to avoid the Stronghold quests: The Keep, the Sphere, the Planar Prison, Mae'Var, Unseeing Eye, etc., all of those quests grant quest EXP, which you want to save for Imoen.

Here's a radical new way of making money: Sell some equipment. Really, there's enough stuff in Irenicus's Dungeon and Waukeen's Promenade to make over 15,000 before you even start Chapter 2, and you can still keep all the really important stuff like the Helm of Balduran. Try taking out the Temple Sewers gang and sell all of their stuff that you can do without (for instance, you can use the money you earn in the Chapter 3 quests to buy back that Helm of Defense).

Well I know how I can make money and I know which quests I want to avoid but which quests do I need to do anyway.
Can anybody provide me with a short list that says:
These are the quests you need to do BEFORE resuing Imoen otherwise they won't trigger/function/end well/...
a.) side with "somebody" to kill "somebody" to have "somebody" take you "somewhere" (wow that IS spoiler-free)
b.) the quests that occur "somewhere" because you can't go back there afterwards
c.) ...

I'm desperately hoping for help with c and following (a and b I know even if it doesn't seem that way)

If you have Jaheira and plan to complete her subquest, do it now, or you may run into problems later.

Other than that... nothing else really. [img]smile.gif[/img] Just do the quests that have items you may wish to have in Chap 4-5.

One of the most useful items is Shield of Harmony which you can get without completing a quest. That would be must for a trip to underdark and anywhere else. (if you are some sort of a fighter of course ;) )

So then I'm off! I won't take Jaheira along this time and therefore will walk to chap4 ASAP without picking up anything unnecessary. However I'll have to finish BG1 first. Just downloaded BGT and I am really looking forward to that experience.
BTW any class suggestions. I'm not quite sure if I want to start a mage from scratch or if I start a fighter and dual him later. Maybe I do something completely different [img]smile.gif[/img]

Good aligned classes? The Paladin immediately comes to mind. Consider a Ranger too( Archers are the most fun Ranger kit IMHO).