Stat tomes on NPCs and BG1 to BG2 transistion (Want opinions)

[Rataxes]

Currently playing a BG1 party consisting of me, Imoen, Minsc and Dynaheir which I intend to keep playing through BG2 with Aerie as a replacement for the deceased Dynaheir.

Now, if I was to use some of the BG1 stat tomes on Imoen and Minsc, would it in your opinion be legitimate play to use something like Shadowkeeper to raise their stats in BG2 accordingly at the start of the game?

[ 03-21-2005, 04:05 PM: Message edited by: Rataxes ]

[Morgeruat]

I think it would be fine, as long as you record their stats in BG1 first, and then modify them to fit for BG2 (some characters receive bonuses before the start of BG2 like Jaheira IIRC) If they don't get a tome, SK their stats back down (or up) to BG1 levels.

[whathuh]

If you want to use the tomes, just CLUA them in. Due to a bug in the programming, the Int, Str, and Con books are filed as misc items (thus useable, but not stackable). The Dex is actually a scroll (useable, normally unstackable, but some mods allow this).

The final two, Wis and Cha, both are logged as books and are impossible to read through the quickslot. How do you circumvent it? Potion swap. They dont even have to be Identified. If you want to bump stats back down, (I'm a powergamer, so I have NO idea why you would want to) you will have to use shadowkeeper or the TOB machine or one of the hell quests to bump things down. Rod of terror as well, but only for cha.

[Rataxes]

Originally posted by Morgeruat: I think it would be fine, as long as you record their stats in BG1 first, and then modify them to fit for BG2 (some characters receive bonuses before the start of BG2 like Jaheira IIRC) If they don't get a tome, SK their stats back down (or up) to BG1 levels.

I always believed that the stat increases Jaheira and Minsc in BG2 were supposed to represent some sort of natural developement of their abilities, that it is in a BG1 scenario where Minsc did not read the manual of bodily health that Minsc has 16 CON at the start of BG2. So in a BG1 scenario where he does read the manual he would have 17 CON in BG2

So, these stat modifications that are supposed to represent reading tomes in BG1 would be based on these NPCs BG2 stats. Still legitimate, opinions?

[Rataxes]

Originally posted by whathuh: If you want to use the tomes, just CLUA them in. Due to a bug in the programming, the Int, Str, and Con books are filed as misc items (thus useable, but not stackable). The Dex is actually a scroll (useable, normally unstackable, but some mods allow this). The final two, Wis and Cha, both are logged as books and are impossible to read through the quickslot. How do you circumvent it? Potion swap. They dont even have to be Identified. If you want to bump stats back down, (I'm a powergamer, so I have NO idea why you would want to) you will have to use shadowkeeper or the TOB machine or one of the hell quests to bump things down. Rod of terror as well, but only for cha.

The issue is more about what would be legitimate in a roleplaying sense, not how it could be done without modifying the game externally. I don't really mind using Shadowkeeper to edit things when the changes are justified.

[ 03-21-2005, 05:10 PM: Message edited by: Rataxes ]

[whathuh]

Originally posted by Rataxes: The issue is more about what would be legitimate in a roleplaying sense, not how it could be done without modifying the game externally. I don't really mind using Shadowkeeper to edit things when the changes are justified.

justification? I use shadowkeeper to make my permanent mind shield (tob--thats not spoiler material if I don't tell where it is right?) simply because I justify that 1. Losing control of all your characters does NOT constitute death and 2. It really should be permanent.

There is absolutely no reason for you not to use all 8 tomes at the beginning of BG2. For even better continuation, I suggest bgtutu/BGT to make the transition truly seamless. That way, no cheats. This game is so bug filled and sometimes repetitive that the final straw should be whether you have fun or not. I'm considering making a completely undead party just for the fun of it. If the improved characters make it less fun for you, then by all means don't cheat. Keep away from ctrl-j as well.

[krunchyfrogg]

Why do you need justification? It's your game, do what you want man! [img]graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Leslie]

Sure, I don't see any problem with that. I sometimes use all the stats on myself (with the famous Tome of Retroactive Convenience - created by Six ) if I roleplay the child of bhaal mega fights...

If you then split the tomes to other characters that's just different roleplaying.

[Rataxes]

Originally posted by krunchyfrogg: Why do you need justification? It's your game, do what you want man! [img]graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Just asking for opinions, that's all. My mind is already set. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 03-22-2005, 04:08 AM: Message edited by: Rataxes ]

[krunchyfrogg]

Cool! Good for you!