A Question with survey overtones (spoilers, not cheats, welcomed)

[IdiotRogue]

Having resolved to finish the game after many trials and tribulations, I am seeking the opinions of all and sundry folk here.

How many quests should one complete prior to choosing sides and heading for Spellhold? The last time I played the game, I completed ALL the quests before siding with the Shadow Thieves and heading off to the lovely isle of Brynnlaw. That is where I left off.

I know there are many cool weapons and armors to be had from these quests (as well as cold, hard cash) and just seek opinions as to which quest rewards will best serve me later on or if I should indeed complete them all.

[Sir Mandorallen]

Personaly I do every single chapter two quest there is before going to brynlaw, exept SOMETIMES is skip the Kangaxx one till later.

For me, it's the experiance. I just can't get enough. Also its that feeling of compleation. That satisfaction that you have done everything. And, also for me it never gets tireing.

But all you HAVE to do is just the slaver stuff in the copper coronet. After I do that I ussually already have enough gp to go on.

But on a equipment note... Windspear, Twisted Rune, Kangaxx, Nalia's Keep, Gate section Lich, gaurded compound, circus tent, and trademeet (so you can buy things there) all should be done for SOME of the best weapons and armor in the game.

P.S. God there is alot more quests that should be done for good equipment, I'm just not going to list them. Just the ones I think are really important.

P.P.S.- If you have read this far you have more patience than most people I talk to. [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Glorfindel]

Well I like to do MOST of the Stronghold quests..... mainly the Umar hills... the Druids.... De'Arnise... and Usually Firkragg..... I usually do the Mage Stronhold Last.... And straight after I get out of Irenicus' Dungeon I take out the Lich in the City Gates... Easy as pie [img]smile.gif[/img] ...

[Sir Exxon]

I think it's best to do all, or atleast most of the big quests, like Trademeet, De'Arnisse and Windspear. All the other minor quests, like the ones around in the Athkatla Districts, can wait until chapter 6, imo.

[IdiotRogue]

Thank you for the input. I agree with Black Knight regarding the experience points, and subsequent hit points, which prove most useful. *in best Jan Jansen voice* "You know, this reminds me of the time, way back in BG1, when I figured 'Why wait? I'll just take my level two party up north and get me some ahnkeg shells so as to have two cool sets of lightweight armor for tougher going later on...'"

Needless to say, the deaths were rather inglorious. Also learned there are no group discounts for resurrections, dammit!

I digress... because of my previous SoA play, I wasn't sure what quests would still be available after leaving for Brynnlaw. By the way, I'm trying out the Ranger Stalker kit with dual wielding. I usually play a straight fighter and use the NPC's for magical and tank support. Seems pretty cool so far, although I suspect I shall come to regret the armor restriction in short order.

[Billy Yank]

For me, it depends on whether I'm planning to keep Imoen or not. If I'm keeping her, I go as soon as possible so she'll share in the XP of the quests on the mainland. If I'm not keeping her, I'll do most of the quests before I leave.

[Dakkon Darkblade]

Hrm... as I recall, Billy... what happens with Imoen, when you get her, is that she isn't the same person you first had on your team in the dungeon. There are *two* Imoens, and the experience doesn't matter... because it's like a new NPC coming to your team... where they, when you first meet them, have relatively somewhere around your experience level. To explain it, I guess, you could say that what Irenicus put her through, as well as all the time you might spend, gives her time to hone up her abilities. If you think about it, why the heck would they give you Miss level 9 or 10 Imoen from the first part, if you were already level 15?

[SixOfSpades]

I concur. Usually, only one of the major quests (for me, it tends to be the De'Arnise Keep) gives you enough gold to afford Chapter 3, and a couple good items as well. Completing the Chapter 3 quests will take you a day or two, so this is a good time to do the quests that are attached to your various NPCs. (I'm presently playing for speed--with Haer'Dalis in my party. Try clearing the Planar Prison with a Level 9/10 Fighter/Mage as your Tank.)

Actually, I think the Imoen you rescue will be Level 15 no matter what your PC's current EXP is. So dashing to her aid might even get you an Imoen who's a better Mage than Nalia. Also, I'm rushing through the main plot because I'm romancing Jaheira, and I've heard that her romance is buggy and could crash in Chapter 6--but only if the romance has progressed to a certain point. So I'm trying to get to Chapter 6 before I reach that point. In my next installment: The Underdark Without Sleeping!

[Krishach]

Man, I skipped so much stuff before going to Spellhold... *bangs head on wall* Stupid! *thwack* Stupid! *thwack*

Well, I guess I'll just have to get through the Dark Under and go back and do those side quests. *thwack* [img]graemlins/awcrap.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/1dizzy.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/doh.gif[/img]

[Nicodemus]

I usually do the Mae'var quests for the thieves guild, if my party's general alignment can stand it (ie, if I'm not playing a paladin). There's a decent amount of XP there for very little work. Likewise with the Skinner murders, Xzar, and a few stupid little graveyard tasks (quick & easy). Planar prison (boots of SPEED!), Windspear, De'Arnise, Umar, Trademeet, and the Unseeing Eye quest. Oh, and the planar sphere!

Ok, so I admit it, I usually can't help but do every quest I can get my greedy little fingers on. What can I say? I'm an experience whore. I even did Watchers Keep (which, by the way is the experience motherlode if you have ToB and can go.) Come to think of it, I would be up a creek without the expansion, I have a 27th level thief who only just returned from the Underdark. Maybe I need intervention...

**twitch... twitch**