V7 run, after loooong break Options

[Shadan]

So, I will try to write my experiences with the game after a very long break from BG2.
No mods. only EoU, IA and IA Tweaks.


Started with:
Avanger prot: club**, dual w*, and then scimitar *
Custom RB: Flail ***, dual w***
Half-orc kensai: 2Hsowrd****, 2HW**

In Irenicus dungeon I relearned to handle the game... Traps and locks caused a problem, then I went for Yoshi (swapped Jaheira out), and was surprised when he didn't find traps also. Well, then I realized trap finding is a clickable skill...
Since I played DnD 2e since 1989 for more than 10+ years, then came v3.0, v3.5, Pathfinder etc., so I remember on spells quite good, but I was surprised when MAA DoT was not applied. Then I realized spells are changed in IA quite a lot, so I had to relearn them again.
Lesser elementals caused me a problem, I was not able to damage them with weapons. Imoen's spells were not enough to kill all 3 of them. At end I realized maybe summons can help, rested and bears + clan member killed them very fast.
I was a bit afraid of Ilyich, because I remember on my first IA game, when he killed my protagonist several times and I was hardly able to kill him. Now he was walk in the park. However my tactical skills in this game still abysmal.
PC used Str, 3 Wis and Cha tomes. RB used Con tome.

After the dungeon, I picked Sibel. Suddenly after an IRL memory flash I remembered that donation in temple is good in IA. So after a several tries and forum search I donated 4600 gold to get 3 reputations.

Then I did Circus, recruited Aerie. Moved to Slums. Killed annoying guy in Copper Coronet. Recruited Nalia as F->M (swapped out Minsc), recruited Anomen, Korgan and Hexxat. Leveled up Hexxat, increasing her PP skill in hope maybe later I can try some pick pocket things with her. Nalia used Int tome. Got Windspear Hills map. Then Bridge to trigger Neera. Government to get Umar map. Gate to get Trademeet quest.

Wild Forest. Swapped Nalia to Neera. Well, 2 ogres from polymorph trap used hardiness and GWW... Was a big surprise and a big death. Killed them on 2nd try.
Anyway I did 2 minor quests in Hidden Refugee, and left to Umar Hills.

A question: Shall I pay for Cowled Wizards later? I remember that in first BG2 runs, I've never payed, just killed them. But in IA maybe it is too much hindrace to skip arcane magic in the town.

This post has been edited by Shadan: Dec 21 2024, 11:26 PM

[Shadan]

Thanks.

Finished Umar Hills minor quests. Recruited Valygar.
Finished Trademeet animal quest, rakshasa quest, 1st druid stronghold quest.
Druid grove was not a problem neither the genie quest. I had a fade memory about rakshasa fight, so I had Zone of Sweet Air, but Absolute Imm. surpised me. But 2 bears, clan hunter, 4 melees + Yoshi, I switched target, endured AI, and killed them fast, when AI ended. Neera just watched the fight. Faldorn was easy also, at 1st attempt I was suprised whenI was naked without equipment, but I did it on second try. However the werewolves surprised me, when I left the Grove. They were hard, so I needed like 5 tries to beat them. Main problem was (beside their incredible DPS), when they were near death, they started to run away and with their insane regen, they regenerated to half HP back easily within a seconds. At least 5-6 times in one fight...
Another surprise was the noble troll at troll mound... I realized after 3-4 tries, that I am not able to damage him. Then I searched the forum and saw that this is a late SOA challange. Happily I didn't try Temple Ruins at Umar, because I remembered it is not a beginner fight.
Founder of Trademeet was similar to noble troll. I thought, there are several skellies in this quest, and bum, no arcane magic, half party dead within a seconds. So I did Schwarzie move: I'll b back... and left the crypt.
Delivered some beer to Refuge Hideout, then moved to Bridge District to solve the murder. I hope, that is doable on my level.
I am eagerly waiting for Sibel get back her thieving skills, then I can swap out Yorhi. He is quiet useless beside traps and locks.