Need some input from veterans

[Sir Exxon]

Yes, the Glasses of Identification is the best. I always run straight up to Arledrian to buy them

[SixOfSpades]

1) Sorcerers get 3 Lore per level, just like Mages, right?
I'm going to trust Dundee on this one, as I know he's very familiar with the Sorceror-- 1 Lore per level it is.

2) Should Monks be grouped in the Warrior superclass or the Priest superclass? The manual says they're Priests--but they can't cast spells and their job is to beat things to death. Whose hitpoints/THAC0 do they get? What about weapon proficiencies?
It seems that Monks are Warriors, in their THAC0 and ToB HLAs. But they use D8 dice for hp, like a Priest. Now....do they get hp bonuses for a CON above 16? When they pass Level 9, do they get 3 hp/level, or only 2? Can they get an 1??) Strength? They may gain weapon profs. at the same rate as a Fighter, but how many points can they put into a weapon? And I believe they can use any weapon open to the Thief, except for the Staff. It'd be helpful if someone who's played a Monk a few times could identify him/herself to me, and be my authority on Monks.

3) Exactly what items can Wizard Slayers put in their Quick Item slots?
I'll find Cerek the Barbaric for help on this one, as I know he's fond of Wizard Slayers.

4) If a kit is involved (for comparison, an Avenger->Fighter), does the character have the armor restrictions of the weaker class (a Fighter that can only wear Leather)?
This seems to be true, with the one exception being the Kensai->Mage.

5) Is the Kensai banned from all types of Bracers & Gauntlets, or just those that grant a base AC? What about as a Kensai->Mage?
This also seems to be true: Once you become a Kensai, the "Hands" slot must always be empty. Kinda stupid, but oh, well.

6) Can Stalkers Backstab with any melee weapon that a Ranger can use (such as a Warhammer), or are they restricted to the Thief's Backstabbing tools?
Judging from Glorfindel's answer, Stalkers can use Ranger weapons to Backstab without ToB installed, but once it's installed, only Thief weapons will do. (As a side note, I always understood that Thieves could Backstab with Clubs and Staves as well, not just one-handed bladed weapons.)

As you can see, I still have a few questions.....and not knowing the answers looks pretty dumb when I'm supposed to be writing a comprehensive Guide. Take pity on a man whose hard drive got fried!

[Zuvio]

Hi all,

say Six, I was wondering if you would be willing to post your spoiler
free guide when you finish it. I've been playing BG2:SoA for the
second time now (first time didn't even got out of Athkatla) and I
feel like a bumbling idiot everytime i encounter hostiles that
actually put up a fight. I'm just missing so much factors on playing
this game (I don't even know what Lore is used for or why a +3 weapon
is so much better that a +1), that is becomes so difficult and that
takes the fun out of it for me. So again, could you post the guide
somewhere or email it (zuvio@hotmail.com), I would be most gratefull.

Entaro Adun!

P.S. Never realized how addictive AD&D games are. Im already planning
on buying ToB, Icewind Dale, Neverwinter night, Pool of radiance, ALL
of it [img]smile.gif[/img] And would you say that the original BG and expansion really
add to the story of BG2, or is it just nice to play.

[Dundee Slaytern]

Originally posted by Zuvio: Entaro Adun!

Adun save me! *applause to those who know which Starcraft unit*

We have a newcomer to the Ironworks Forums. Welcome aboard.

[SixOfSpades]

Originally posted by Zuvio: say Six, I was wondering if you would be willing to post your spoiler free guide when you finish it... ...I'm just missing so much factors on playing this game (I don't even know what Lore is used for or why a +3 weapon is so much better that a +1), Entaro Adun!

Well, it's only about 20% finished, but you can see what it's going to look like (not very exciting, almost all text--but hey, that's why it's called researching the game mechanics) at:
www.geocities.com/sixospades/bg/bgguide.htm
Only the first 7 chapters have anything in them, and the whole thing is just FULL of dead links, but that will change over time. What I have written so far is basically re-hash of the game Manuals, plus the experience of having played the game. Go to Chapter 2, and the basic part at the top (where I'm explaining what THAC0 and Saving Throws are) is boring stuff already covered in the Manual, but keep reading--I tell you everything important about Level Drain, as well. Also, reading Chapter 2 will tell you all about Lore, Zuvio, but as for +1 vs. +3 enchantments on weapons, that's in Chapter 8, which I haven't started yet.

I've decided it's not going to be 100% Spoiler-free: Some material that would really help people out will be listed, although it could be considered spoiler-ish. But I give plenty of warning, and you have to Select the text to read it anyway. So it's 97% Spoiler-free.

[SixOfSpades]

Oh, and P.S.: "En Taro Adun." 2 words. Starcraft still rules. I don't know why they're bothering with a Warcraft III when they could be making a Starcraft II: Can you image the havok caused by trying to learn five races? Dang.

[Dundee Slaytern]

Warcraft III has four races. I have been frequenting the WC3 Forums, and it seems the Undead race got an overall bad deal. Beta is currently v1.32 now, so things are still changing.

I am torn between choosing Human( aka vanilla), or Night Elves.

Orcs are the 4th race of course.