I FINALLY got this game.

[armageddon272]

Well, I finally got Baldur's Gate and have been playing it a little bit since yesterday. I had to restart a couple of times seeings how I didn't get a manual and needed a bit of time to figure it out. So far it seems decent, though I have to say, Morrowind did appeal more in the beginning. My protagonist is Jaggaer, a Human Necromancer, lawfuflly evil. My party currently consists of Jaggaer, Imoen, Kahlead, the "Nature's Servant" Russian lady (It was hard enough remembering the first three names), Vaconia the drow, and some bard who's name escapes me. All I know about him is that he wanted to be in the gang after I had to kill Silke. Anywho, are there any basic rules or anything I should know? Helpful hints? Perhaps certain places to go or characters to see to get some extra coin (Money is really hard to come by in this game)? I'm currently in Beregost, heading to Narshke.

On a side note, I also have the Tales of the Sword Coast expansion, but I don't have it installed yet. I was curious as to whether I should wait until I finish the main quest to install it or if I could install right away. Does it affect the game immediately like the Tribunal expansion to Morrowind?

On another side note, the way spells work in this game is really annoying. The whole "You used it up, oh well. Go sleep and get a new one. Can't sleep? Screw you." is quite frustrating. Maybe I'm just used to using mana to determine using magic.

[krunchyfrogg]

You're better off installing TotSC right away. Happy hunting!

Oh yeah: helpful hints: Use missile weapons before charging baddies!

[Firestormalpha]

Congrats on finding one of the greatest games made. Definately install TotSC right away.

Tips? Don't send mages into frontline combat. They are not tanks. hehe found that out the hard way first time I played. *blushes*

[mad=dog]

Gratz on getting the game. IMHO it is better than BG2. You really feel you travel about and discover hidden caves and artifacts.

Hints:
1) Take notes on items. I can buy this scroll there. I can buy that potion there. I sold off that hammer in Beregost. I found that book there.

2) Carefully read the description of ALL spells. Learn what they do and most importantly what they DON'T do. The spell Knock will open a chest, but is useless against traps. Mirror Image will prevent physical damage from hitting you, but does not counter special attacks. Try to figure out the optimal use of spells and spellbook. I'll extend that to include items. Also study these carefully.

3) Sell off stuff you don't need. Keep only the equipment you truely need in your inventory. Locate a good place to store items you wish to keep for later. I'll not spoil you by giving a suggestion.

4) Take notes on monsters too! Such as
------------SPOIL WARNING-----------------
Mustard Jelly: Immunity to magic, can only be hit by slashing weapons of +1 or better, uses missile special attack [slows/poisons], slow.
----------SPOIL WARNING END---------------

5) I'll supplement firestormalpha and say only bring the mages forward if you really know what you are doing. Certain spells will prevent you from taking damage and some even prevent your OWN area effect spells from hitting you.

EDIT:
On mana vs. memorization: I secretly dislike both. I consider mana to be present everywhere like a fifth element. When a spellcaster casts a spell he must first focus the mana and then channel the mana into the spell. So there are two seperate components that must work in conjunction. In the AD&D world there are different brands of spellcasters.
Mage: Needs to specifically concentrate on a limited set of spells in order to focus mana. This is done through daily study in what we call memorizing spells.
Priest: The divine forces provides the mana, but only after daily prayer. The priest merely channel the mana provided.
Sorceror: The master of focussing. Does not require daily study.
Wild Mage: Cannot channel properly. Frequently lose control over spells.

Every mage can cast two spells at will: Read Magic and Cantrip.

[ 04-27-2005, 12:26 AM: Message edited by: mad=dog ]

[timothy trotter]

nice work on getting the game. try a few missions to find bassilus and brauge (spelling?) they get koay rewards. cheap armour it got the farm north of friendly arm inn and kill an ankheg. then take it to the smitty in bereghost for 4000gp its like full plate but only weighs 35 puounds.

[Armen]

if you peek into the BGII Shadows of Amn forum and look at the sticky FAQ thread there's a link to six of spades spoiler free guide - it's very good

[RoSs_bg2_rox]

I would have to agree with mad=dog, BG1 is way better than BG2 in my opinion.

My number one top tip, which I admit I didn't really think of/use until I had played the game several times, was, use your wands, potions, necklaces etc. I always used to find I had a ton of them at the end, because I was always thinking, I'l hang onto them, they'l be useful later. Then I got to the end and still had them, and could think of many opportunities when they would have been useful.

And also, explore the woods, you find lots of nice little side quests.

[mad=dog]

That is spot on Ross. I used to spend ages trying to get by nasty fights on mere hack'n'slash. I'll even say use some of that money too. Sell off the wands and buy them back to have them recharged. Only keep a single set. When (If!) they run out you just go back and buy one of the ones you sold.

A good and _spoily_ example: I used to use ages on the sirines by the cave until I realised that this was probably the optimal place to use the potion of clarity I found as one of the first items back in Candlekeep. Without being dire charmed the battle was suddenly quite easy and a good XP boost.

[timothy trotter]

ross, how come your name is ross bg2 rox, if you like bg 1 more?! i prefer the story of bg1 more, but the banters and interface of bg2 were much better

[armageddon272]

Been playing a bit more. I'l try that cheap armour tip. I also found out that the most deadly mercenaries are normally the one who use spells that normally eradicate my party memers instantly. I found out (this might be considered an exploit) that if I run into a building after they begin casting, but before their spell can harm me, I can completely avoid getting blown up. That made fighting magaes so much easier. If it wasn't for that I would have never been able to defeat the mercenary you meat just outside of the inn at the Friendly Arm. Without any deaths (or harm).