Question: Is the special edition worth it?

I don't have BGII yet, and was wondering whether the special edition version is worth getting or not. Am I right to think it contains a whole CD of extra items?

[Tobbin]

It all depends on what you want. If you want extra gameplay, then no. It's not worth it. It really doesn't add any new areas to the game, nor does it allow new NPC characters that can join the party. Course, if you mean you want to have that one little extra to the game (extra items and a little different travel music, cloth map, notepad, and a few cards) then yes, by all means, you must have it. The cards are kinda cheesy and the map is a bit difficult to read. I bought the collectors edition and that's what I think you are asking about. Overall, I bought the Collectors cause I thought the map woulda been a little different. It's not bad though. Just not what I had expected.

[Tobbin]

To help you figure out on the CD portion of your question, it has 57.9 megs of stuff added on. Most of that is the sound files though. It does add some music to the game. It adds about 2 megs of items to the game (1 npc and 10 major magical items). Basically, if you define all of this in comic book terms or sports cards terms, you bought the gold foiled version of the regular card. Does add a little glitter, is worth a little more, but overall, you don't get anything really different.

I liked the extra weapons and armor that it added to the game...I have my party equiped with most of them right now.

[Tobbin]

Yeah, I gotta admit that I fell victim to the Bracers AC3. I like slobbered over those for my mage. Only way I could get -6 AC for her. She's not getting beat up so much now.

[Tobbin]

Yeah, I gotta admit that I fell victim to the Bracers AC3. I like slobbered over those for my mage. Only way I could get -6 AC for her. She's not getting beat up so much now. I like sold everything I had to get em too. But made back up for it with the spoils of war.

Hmmm - I guess those are the bracers you can buy in the Adventurer's Mart, right? Where and what are the other items???

[Tobbin]

Yes, actually, the Bracers AC3 I was able to get from Ribald, so you don't need the CE disk for that. These are the 10 items:

1) Dakkon's Zerth Blade
Not usable by druid/cleric/mage
+1 AC
+2 Katana
+1 spell to 1st - 4th level spells. (You get one extra spell for each level)
2) Sensate Amulet
Only usable by a cleric
+5 hitpoints
+2 charisma
Permanent Protection from Evil
3) Harp of Pandemonium
usable by bard
3 times/day can cast Pandemonium
4) Harmonium Halberd
not usable by druid/cleric/mage/thief
+1 str
-1 int
-1 wis
+3 Halberd
5) Vhailor's Helm (I love simulacrum)
not usable by mage/bard/thief
can cast simulacrum once/day
+1 AC
6) Plate of Balduran
Not usable by bard/druid/mage/thief (Requires 15 strength)
+4 hitpoints
+1 charisma
AC set to -1 (base)
7) MercyKiller Ring
Only usable by thief
+20% set snares
+20% hide in shadows
+20% move silently
Robe of Vecna
usable by any mage (single/dual/multi-class)
AC set to 5 (base)
casting speed improves by 4 (cast spells faster)
+10% magic resistance (helps avoid those spells)
9) Sword of Balduran
not usable by druid/cleric/mage
+10% Lore
+10% magic resistance (helps avoid those spells)
+2 Sword
10) Shield of Balduran
Not usable by bard/druid/mage/thief
Requires 12 strength to wield
AC +4 (nuff said)
-1 to Strength
Reflects Beholder rays (good enough to have just for this alone)

Ok, that's about all of it for the Collector CD. My next message I'll put the BONUS CD stuff.

[Tobbin]

oh yeah, prices. I didn't tell you what you'll pay to get the stuff did I. This is just starting off (without price discounts)

1) 26,600
2) 19,600
3) 19,600
4) 14,000
5) 29,400
6) 49,000
7) 14,000
28,000
9) 29,600
10) 22,400

On the other mart, I'll try to match the prices with the items so you won't have to look em up.

[Tobbin]

Ok, in the Copper Coronet there is a merchant called Joluv. He is from IceWind Dale. This is what he has:

1) Staff or Arundel 20,000gp
Usable only by a druid
+10% resistance to fire/cold
+3 staff
gain extra 5th/6th level spell
Need a 9 dexterity to wield this weapon

2) Kachiko's Wakizashi 35,000gp
Not usable by druid/cleric/mage
+3 Wakizashi
on hit will drain 2pts wisdom from target (lasts 2 rounds and is cumulative)

3) Scarlet Ninja-To 28,000gp
Usable only by a monk
+3 Ninja-To
1 extra attack/round
Poison damage if failed saving throw (6 points/round for 2 rounds)

4) Sling of Everard 35,000gp
Anyone can use this item (especially helpful to Druid/Cleric or Mage
Does not require Ammo (+1 bullets are magically created by sling)
+5 to THACO (+5 to hit)
+2 damage

5) Jerrod's Mace 24,500gp
Not usable by Druid/Mage/Thief
To hit: +2/+5 vs Demons
To damage: +3/+5 vs Demons

6) Everard's Morning Star 21,000
Not usable by Druid/Mage/Thief
+2 Morning Star
50% chance/hit of making target lose a spell in memory
To hit: +2
11 Strength required to wield this weapon

7) Spear of Kuldahar 16,800
Not usable by cleric/mage/thief
User gains 8 hitpoints (to total amount)
+3 spear
5 strength required to wield this weapon.

8 ) Defender of Easthaven 42,000
Not usable by druid/mage/thief
+2 flail
+1 AC
20% resistance to slash/pierce/blunt damage
13 strength required to wield this weapon.

9) Joril's Dagger 32,200
Not usable by druid/cleric/mage/thief
+3 two handed sword (was a dagger from a giant)
25% chance per hit to affect target with confusion (as per spell)
+1 cold damage
13 strength required to wield this weapon.

10) Axe of Hrothgar
Not usable by druid/cleric/mage/thief
+3 Axe
+1 Charisma
+1 Wisdom
10 strength required to wield this weapon.