I just started playing Baldur's Gate: Shadows of Amn (collectors's edition, so I also have ToB installed) and I've been reading thru the forums for awhile now, waiting for my application to be approved. I was wondering what impact keeping the original group members as pure as possible will have on my progress? I'm refering to the fact that I still have all the original cast with the exception of Aerie, she left in a huff after a squabble with Jaheira. And it seems that I've taken a rather bizarre turn in my choice of quests and the order in which to do them, referencing the various posts and walkthroughs I've read thru to get clues as to what to do next. My current group members are as follows: Myself, Minsc, Yoshimo, Nalia, Jaheira, and Anomen. I've completed the De'Arnise Keep quest I think, it wont let me back inside. And various little quests: ghost boy/bear, joined with Bodhi to save Imoen (which I think screwed up all the theif guild related quests as I was forced to kill all the shadow theifs thus far.) I went to the Druid Grove, but Jaheira is only lvl9 so she got stomped being unarmed and all. I'm debating on starting over with a new cahracter and putting this save game on the back burner for awhile, or I may continue it to see how far I can get. Any thoughts on my choice of scenarios? Please be nice, I'm not a newb. I've been playing these types/styles of games for many years, but this is my first go around with BG (cant find a copy of BG1, so I'm starting with BG2 collector's ed.)

Actually, you are doing the absolute best thing you can with any game; you are playing through and learning from your mistakes. Try to avoid the walkthroughs and such as much as possible, since they will lessen your enjoyment of the game. After the first time finishing the game, then go back, read what you missed, then the next game through go back and do the stuff you missed. Other than the quests involving the main plot, the other stuff is all optional.

You can have any party you want. It doesn't matter at all if you keep the original characters, though they do tend to have a large amount of dialog (all optional). I would use a well-rounded party at the very least (at least one each of warrior, priest, thief, and mage), at least until you finish the game the first time.

Your best bet is to read this site for more information. It is a non-spoiler guide to the game written by one of the experts on the game that frequents this board. It is designed for newbies just like you.

You joined with Bohdi and Minsc stayed with you?? Anyway, you are doing fine. Any alignment can win the game, evil makes it a little harder, but not much. If you get *too* evil, Minsc will leave, I think!

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If you get too evil (reputation too low), any good NPC leaves the party. The opposite is true as well (evil guys leave if reputation gets too high). Joining with Bohdi in and of itself does not cause Minsc to leave. However, some of the choices you make along the way can make him not too happy with you. Oh, and as a ranger, if the party's reputation goes below 6, then they become fallen, and cannot use any of their ranger abilities.

Just want to say "Hi!" and Welcome to Ironworks! [img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]

Nerull, you called Rogue_at_Heart a newbie when he specifically stated otherwise. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Oh well, even if he's not a newbie to RPGs, at least he's a newbie to BG and to this forum, which is why we welcome him!
[img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]

And now I take this moment to get up on my Guru Soapbox and proclaim that NPC Paladins and Rangers actually <u>cannot</u> become Fallen, the game only applies that change to the PC if Reputation drops too low.

About starting over: If I were in your shoes, I would not. Many times I have wished to have my memory of the game erased so I could start fresh--it gets to be a bit of a drudge when you've memorized the locations of all the Traps, and with game knowledge like that, the roleplay suffers accordingly. I say keep going, be true to your character, and learn from your mistakes.

A word of warning: Chapter 5 takes place in a large area that has NO TEMPLES. Got that? Equip yourself accordingly--you don't want to be stuck in a situation where you're stuck with a Dead or Level Drained party member for any length of time.

'(cant find a copy of BG1, so I'm starting with BG2 collector's ed.)'

Try amazon... I had the same problem until a week ago 8)

Oops...re-read his post and saw that. Sorry about that, Rogue_at_Heart! At least you are new to the game, and for anyone new to the game (or even as a reference for those who have already played), the link I provided to Six's site is a good one for reference. It will answer a lot of your questions.

Welcome Rogue_At_Heart!

what everybody else said [img]smile.gif[/img]

that's welcome to IW - and keep going with your first 'never played before' game - sounds like you're doing fine