what am i doing here?

blakething · 02-02-2004, 03:25 AM

hi everyone. first of all, i had bought the "BGII:The Collection" boxed set about 3 months ago (along with the IWD Ultimate Collection) but i am
just now FINALLY getting around to installing/playing SoA for the first time (UO has had me tied down for too long) so sorry for the stupid questions.

anyways, is there a way i can create my OWN party of adventurers like in IWD or am i just supposed to "meet up" with other npc's to form the party?

i have played through the tutorial tonight and then it started me in some "prison area". i released the dude with the hamster and then he took off because i was probably being a smart *** to him and the mage and theif have been dead for a while too, thanks to my Baldur's Gate newbieness...hehehe ... been trying to defeat some guy named Cambion now all by my lonesome, but,needless to say, he's killed me about 10 times times already;seems pointless even trying anymore with only one character...guess i need to start over and try to keep my party memebers alive.LOL.

but should i just buy the first BG game then start from there? i CAN import the characters from that over to II, can't i? i am assuming that is why it is starting me at level 7, but i would like to advance the character/characters up to that level on my own. guess i should probably be playing the first game first anyways unless the stories are not tied together, otherwise i don't guess it matters. .hell, i don't know what i am talking about,just ranting here.

obviously, i do not really know much about this series; up until now, the only BG game i have played is the first Dark Alliance on PS2 a couple of years ago (and that was MUCH different than this ) and i only did a few chapters in IWD.

thanks

Dace De'Briago · 02-02-2004, 03:40 AM

If I were you, I would *definately* install the first BG game and play the Trilogy as it is meant to be played.

Its a lot more rewarding to a take a character through the entire storyline - plus, you get to learn the basic rules and make your mistakes in BG 1.

Then next time you hit the dungeon that Cambion will be toast!

blakething · 02-02-2004, 04:37 AM

thanks for the quick reply; i think i will then buy the first one tomorrow ,and start from there ,as i have had a feeling that i shouldn't have even have been playing #II to begin with...

how is the multiplayer on these games? i wish it could be like the old AD&D days , but i have a feeling that with all of the character editors out there on this internet that i probably wouldn't stand much of a chance to be able to get together some serious roleplayers on something like this though, huh?

well,anyways,thanks again.

Raistlin Majere · 02-02-2004, 05:44 AM

BG multiplayer isnt as good as it should/could be. Truth be told, i find it kind of annoying...the pause thing really doesnt work well in MP

CerebroDragon · 02-02-2004, 06:19 AM

You can create your own party using the multiplayer option which is handy if your goal is to create the ultimate powergaming party.
But in my opinion, by doing that, you miss a whole lot of witty interactive depth and banter which goes with finding the NPCs to make your party. With the original BG for instance, you'll find there are 25 NPC's alone to choose from at various stages of the game, each with their own idyosyncracies and thoughts.

I mean the first time my party members ever had an in party argument in BG, it was just too hilarious for words. A truly great feeling.

Admittedly with IWD's party setup, I didn't mind so much since it was reflecting back to the ol' Goldbox AD&D way of party formation, but I did miss the npc interaction which is one of the virtues of the Baldur's Gate series.

I can also reccomend what Dace said about going from the start of BG right to the end of II by importing your character. Its a very epic feeling. I'm currently doing that with my Avenger (which is seemingly quite the popular class around here lately) and have just nearing the end of Chapter 5 in BGII. I think i started BG back in early November, December last year...and yet I've still so far to go.

Anyway, all the best with your travels and endeavours to find the original game.
Cheers,
Cerebrodragon

blakething · 02-02-2004, 06:01 PM

well, i called about 10 different stores in my area today and i only found ONE copy of "BG :The Original Saga". lucky to have even found it, i guess. anyways, they're holding it for me , so i'm getting ready to go pick it up tonight =D

is there any patches or anything i should dl for this before i start playing? for instance, with IWD, i know there was the free Trials of the Loremaster expansion which added/fixed some stuff so i 'm just wondering if there was anything like this that i should dl for BGI.

Assassin · 02-02-2004, 07:07 PM

In BG2, the MP ability really isn't that good. I got acquainted with someone playing it, however, and it's quite fun. However, make sure that both computers can run it smoothly, and that the connection is very good. At least in my experience. In MP, the best thing, IMO, is to try and enforce a 'no-pausing' rule. Makes it more chaotic and fun.

Jerr Conner · 02-02-2004, 09:04 PM

A little tip when playing BG1, do not go in the inventory during a battle...

In BGII it's cool though.

[ 02-02-2004, 09:05 PM: Message edited by: Jerr Conner ]

Olorin · 02-02-2004, 09:35 PM

As far as dl's go, check the official site for the latest patch, and you should also go to the BG/Tales of the Sword Coast forum on this site and ask if there are any others. For BG2, check out the stickies at the top of the thread for the critical downloads.

As for multiplayer, you can start a mp game, select tcp/ip and then create up to six characters and assign all of them to your control. One tip is to save the game and then copy/paste that save folder from the mpsave to the save folder. This allows you to play with your created party in a single player game, which is slightly smoother.

I have to agree with others on this board though--much of the fun of the BG series is the interaction between all the NPCs that join your party. Play more IWD if you want to make your whole party. That said, I do often use the mp trick to make games with two characters of my own because that lets me try out some different class combinations and leaves four spots for the NPCs.

blakething · 02-03-2004, 09:48 PM

the trick for the mp is nice to know but i think that now that i understand how the game works that i will just go with one character for now ;i see it is a little easier to get started with this game than it was with IWD, because of only having to create one character instead of an entire party.

i don't like how the game is unpaused every time i go into the inventory screen though,as Conner mentioned.needless to say, it's killed me a few times already .lol.i've also noticed that it is not telling me the remaining health for the enemies :<
on the other games it would tell me if the enemies were "badly injured" or "near death",etc. but with BGI, i am not seeing this. havent dl'ed a patch yet ,but i have a feeling it won't fix this :<

i like the story from what i've seen so far,but i'm only near the beginning of chapter one as i write this, so i havent really seen that much yet. the ambient sounds in the game are GREAT,gives a real sense of being there. i could REALLY get into this.actually,i think i am already hooked =D

02-02-2004, 03:40 AM	#2
Dace De'Briago Silver Dragon Join Date: December 28, 2002 Location: Wales Age: 44 Posts: 1,617	If I were you, I would definately install the first BG game and play the Trilogy as it is meant to be played. Its a lot more rewarding to a take a character through the entire storyline - plus, you get to learn the basic rules and make your mistakes in BG 1. Then next time you hit the dungeon that Cambion will be toast! __________________ Warning: Powergamer

02-02-2004, 05:44 AM	#4
Raistlin Majere Ra Join Date: March 26, 2002 Location: Finland Age: 37 Posts: 2,323	BG multiplayer isnt as good as it should/could be. Truth be told, i find it kind of annoying...the pause thing really doesnt work well in MP __________________ If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst forth at once in the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One. "I am become death, the destroyer of worlds."

02-02-2004, 06:19 AM	#5
CerebroDragon Red Wizard of Thay Join Date: March 2, 2003 Location: Ballarat, Australia. Age: 46 Posts: 878	You can create your own party using the multiplayer option which is handy if your goal is to create the ultimate powergaming party. But in my opinion, by doing that, you miss a whole lot of witty interactive depth and banter which goes with finding the NPCs to make your party. With the original BG for instance, you'll find there are 25 NPC's alone to choose from at various stages of the game, each with their own idyosyncracies and thoughts. I mean the first time my party members ever had an in party argument in BG, it was just too hilarious for words. A truly great feeling. Admittedly with IWD's party setup, I didn't mind so much since it was reflecting back to the ol' Goldbox AD&D way of party formation, but I did miss the npc interaction which is one of the virtues of the Baldur's Gate series. I can also reccomend what Dace said about going from the start of BG right to the end of II by importing your character. Its a very epic feeling. I'm currently doing that with my Avenger (which is seemingly quite the popular class around here lately) and have just nearing the end of Chapter 5 in BGII. I think i started BG back in early November, December last year...and yet I've still so far to go. Anyway, all the best with your travels and endeavours to find the original game. Cheers, Cerebrodragon __________________ Diddledy High, Diddledy Low, Come Brave Blood Sheep, You've a goodly way to go. - Brilhasti Ap Tarj

02-02-2004, 07:07 PM	#7
Assassin Symbol of Cyric Join Date: March 23, 2003 Location: Canada Age: 37 Posts: 1,134	In BG2, the MP ability really isn't that good. I got acquainted with someone playing it, however, and it's quite fun. However, make sure that both computers can run it smoothly, and that the connection is very good. At least in my experience. In MP, the best thing, IMO, is to try and enforce a 'no-pausing' rule. Makes it more chaotic and fun. __________________ In The Terminator, Sarah Connor is told a speech by John Connor\'s father that John has given in the future. When John is born, Sarah tells John this speech, and John grows up to tell it in the future. So who wrote the speech?!

02-02-2004, 09:04 PM	#8
Jerr Conner Silver Dragon Join Date: January 24, 2002 Location: Mundania Age: 43 Posts: 1,634	A little tip when playing BG1, do not go in the inventory during a battle... In BGII it's cool though. [ 02-02-2004, 09:05 PM: Message edited by: Jerr Conner ] __________________ <b>Founder of the NPC Defender Force</b>, <b>Affiliate of the Pro-Mazzy Society</b><br />\"I hate to admit it but you\'ve earned my respect.\"--Shar-Teel (Thanks for this Illumina Drathiran\'ar)<br /> [img]\"http://userpic.livejournal.com/14048184/35120\" alt=\" - \" />

02-02-2004, 03:25 AM	#1
blakething Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: November 2, 2003 Location: usa Age: 50 Posts: 34	hi everyone. first of all, i had bought the "BGII:The Collection" boxed set about 3 months ago (along with the IWD Ultimate Collection) but i am just now FINALLY getting around to installing/playing SoA for the first time (UO has had me tied down for too long) so sorry for the stupid questions. anyways, is there a way i can create my OWN party of adventurers like in IWD or am i just supposed to "meet up" with other npc's to form the party? i have played through the tutorial tonight and then it started me in some "prison area". i released the dude with the hamster and then he took off because i was probably being a smart *** to him and the mage and theif have been dead for a while too, thanks to my Baldur's Gate newbieness...hehehe ... been trying to defeat some guy named Cambion now all by my lonesome, but,needless to say, he's killed me about 10 times times already;seems pointless even trying anymore with only one character...guess i need to start over and try to keep my party memebers alive.LOL. but should i just buy the first BG game then start from there? i CAN import the characters from that over to II, can't i? i am assuming that is why it is starting me at level 7, but i would like to advance the character/characters up to that level on my own. guess i should probably be playing the first game first anyways unless the stories are not tied together, otherwise i don't guess it matters. .hell, i don't know what i am talking about,just ranting here. obviously, i do not really know much about this series; up until now, the only BG game i have played is the first Dark Alliance on PS2 a couple of years ago (and that was MUCH different than this ) and i only did a few chapters in IWD. thanks

02-02-2004, 04:37 AM	#3
blakething Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: November 2, 2003 Location: usa Age: 50 Posts: 34	thanks for the quick reply; i think i will then buy the first one tomorrow ,and start from there ,as i have had a feeling that i shouldn't have even have been playing #II to begin with... how is the multiplayer on these games? i wish it could be like the old AD&D days , but i have a feeling that with all of the character editors out there on this internet that i probably wouldn't stand much of a chance to be able to get together some serious roleplayers on something like this though, huh? well,anyways,thanks again.

02-02-2004, 06:01 PM	#6
blakething Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: November 2, 2003 Location: usa Age: 50 Posts: 34	well, i called about 10 different stores in my area today and i only found ONE copy of "BG :The Original Saga". lucky to have even found it, i guess. anyways, they're holding it for me , so i'm getting ready to go pick it up tonight =D is there any patches or anything i should dl for this before i start playing? for instance, with IWD, i know there was the free Trials of the Loremaster expansion which added/fixed some stuff so i 'm just wondering if there was anything like this that i should dl for BGI.

02-02-2004, 09:35 PM	#9
Olorin Avatar Join Date: May 27, 2002 Location: Boulder, CO Age: 48 Posts: 544	As far as dl's go, check the official site for the latest patch, and you should also go to the BG/Tales of the Sword Coast forum on this site and ask if there are any others. For BG2, check out the stickies at the top of the thread for the critical downloads. As for multiplayer, you can start a mp game, select tcp/ip and then create up to six characters and assign all of them to your control. One tip is to save the game and then copy/paste that save folder from the mpsave to the save folder. This allows you to play with your created party in a single player game, which is slightly smoother. I have to agree with others on this board though--much of the fun of the BG series is the interaction between all the NPCs that join your party. Play more IWD if you want to make your whole party. That said, I do often use the mp trick to make games with two characters of my own because that lets me try out some different class combinations and leaves four spots for the NPCs. __________________ "Many are my names in many countries. Mithrandir among the Elves, Tharkun to the Dwarves; Olorin I was in my youth in the West that is forgotten, in the South Incanus, in the North Gandalf; to the East I go not" --The Two Towers

02-03-2004, 09:48 PM	#10
blakething Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: November 2, 2003 Location: usa Age: 50 Posts: 34	the trick for the mp is nice to know but i think that now that i understand how the game works that i will just go with one character for now ;i see it is a little easier to get started with this game than it was with IWD, because of only having to create one character instead of an entire party. i don't like how the game is unpaused every time i go into the inventory screen though,as Conner mentioned.needless to say, it's killed me a few times already .lol.i've also noticed that it is not telling me the remaining health for the enemies :< on the other games it would tell me if the enemies were "badly injured" or "near death",etc. but with BGI, i am not seeing this. havent dl'ed a patch yet ,but i have a feeling it won't fix this :< i like the story from what i've seen so far,but i'm only near the beginning of chapter one as i write this, so i havent really seen that much yet. the ambient sounds in the game are GREAT,gives a real sense of being there. i could REALLY get into this.actually,i think i am already hooked =D

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