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]

That's quite strange that it happened. Did they get frightened?

No horror or any fear effect. Just low HP.

I had this a lot when starting. And to me, it was somewhat discouraging. Might I suggest a simple solution, as there's multiple journals available so have a look at the numerous journals around & where/when they initiate a specific fight, that should help quite a lot with pacing of the fights & even strategies.

Yes, I constantly checking journals here. I wrote also 2-3 journals 15 years ago. And no, it doesn't discourage me, as I played IA from 3.2 to 6.0 at least 5 times. Just it was so long ago, I am getting too old, and hard to remember things 14-15 years before.

You didn't switch Yoshi to a Kensai or so? I always found it useful to drag him to Brynnlaw, because SPOILER!

No, I didn't. To tell the truth I don't really like swapping the party. I like to get my final party asap, then just swap out 1-1 member for a short time to do NPC spec. quests. And since I have Sibel, I don't want to keep Yoshi too long.

Question: Why does some ppl refuse thief stronghold? I remember I did it also,. but I don't remember why...

This post has been edited by Shadan: Dec 22 2024, 05:32 PM