Hi all. I've had BGII sitting in my drawer for upwards 5 years now. I've flirted with playing it on and off over those years - however, due to the nature of my personality and basic limitations on my time I haven't had the time nor the patience to really try it out. Because I am, by nature, gifted with a short attention span, I found it difficult to stick with any one character long enough to barely get out of Chapter 2 (very sad, I know).

Anyway, recently, browsing through my computer, I ran across some files related to the game, and in the process started it back up - this time I plan on completing it, at least once in my life. (For the past few years of my life I've drifted away from computer gaming, a world I was once almost completely locked into). Since I haven't got much idea of what new games are out there etc., I decided that finishing games I have now would be a good place to start, especially to fill some of my free time.

I've always been enchanted with the idea of playing through BGII, and the idea that the game would really make me think in order to win. So far, it has - but not quite the way I expected.

I started with a half-elf blade, and am accompanied by Minsc, Jaheira, Viconia, Aerie, and Jan. I plan to keep them from here on out (With occasional shifting to bring in some other NPCs for quests... and Jan for who we pick up later). Anyway, the root of the problem is that when I fight battles, very few of them result in me standing and fighting (which seems proper). Usually, in these cases, the enemy mages etc. fling so many spells that my screen has trails from all directions slamming my characters. In addition, my characters seem to lose HP incredibly fast. Also, part of the problem may be that I don't know how to use spells - I never seem to have the right set, and usually I can't see a use for any except my offensive spells.

In the end, most of my fights have my party sitting out of sight, and either sending in loads of summoned monsters, or one member drawing out one to two enemies at a time and killing them in a secluded area. Despite any buffs I try, I can't seem to fight my enemies straight on.

Anyway, it seems to me that this way of fighting is the "wrong" way to be playing - but I'm not sure what buffs or other preparations I need before heading into combat, and am not sure of how to manage my spells in order to not run out halfway through. My tanks losing 1/7th of their life with each blow also causes me some distress - in most games, I am used to the idea that I can dodge blows through my own controls, but in a CRPG I'm forced to suffer as Minsc is defeated at an alarming rate.

Basically, is there a way to "learn" how to fight in this game, especially from a (relatively to the game) newbie standpoint? Are there staple spells that I should almost always have memorized? Also, is there a learnable strategy to choosing what to memorize? It may be because no one ever mentions it, but I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time hitting the rest button - after nearly every fight.

All help is appreciated.

You need some spell and strategy guides, I see.

As for spells, you need Stoneskin (mage level 4) and Mirror Image (2nd level mage) on everytime. These are the best low level defensive spells, they prevent hits from damaging you, simply. Add a haste spell for your tanks to be more effective, they will rush and attack +1 time/round. Be careful, when it's duration runs out everybody will be fatigued so you will need to rest. Improved haste (level 6 variant) affects only one person, but actually DOUBLES attacks, and does not fatigue you.

Holy Smite (level 3 cleric spell) does damage to evil creatures only so you can use it in the midst of a battle, just be careful not to hit Viconia.

Jaheira has Ironskins, use it and she will live longer.

You need Breach or High Level Dispel Magic to lower the defenses of enemy mages. These tricks won't work on a lich though, they are immune up to 5th level of spells.

Get a STR enhancing belt for Viconia, have her wear heaviest armors and cast Draw Upon Holy Might, this will raise her already high STR to inhuman levels, or cast a Holy Might just before DUHM for same effect. Then haste her and she will be a formidable fighter for a duration.

As for Minsc, give him the best armor and a two handed sword with reach, so when well protected Jaheira dives into combat to attract enemies, he can swing his sword out of harm's way. Or give him a strong composite long bow and special arrows, he will excel in it too!

Hm blades have the potential to be the most powerful class, or so it is said. Look at Schyte's Guide to Blades, this is so famous and useful:

http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/BG2/index_tips.php

Hope this helps you. ;) Good luck!

Your way of fighting is the "normal" way to be playing.
It's intended that the fights are so hard that you have problems surviving and to rest very often. There is no general time limit in the game.
If you could face your enemies straigth on like heroes would do the game would last much shorter and get far worse review ratings.

The game difficulty is also quite unbalanced since the game follows the "play in whatever order you like" fashion, so you can often face some opponents you are too inexperienced to defeat yet without abusing game mechanics.

But you can make your game easier by using the right methods:

- Pause often(or auto-pause) in combat for giving commands to your party members so no precious seconds are wasted

- When you pre-buff before combat cast the spells in the right order and have your casters cast their spells together.
Use the space bar to pause often then or else the first buffing spells are over before the last ones are cast.

- "Protection from evil 10' radius" should always be cast on your party after resting, it lasts very long and gives a huge bonus. You can also cast strength on anyone who hasn't 18/00 strength then.

- It's important to have good equipment. If a party member dies don't waste money for raising, reload instead.
You need the money for buying better equipment. Use your pickpocket skills in combination with the reload option to save or earn money or items.

The best solution is: set the difficulty to very easy. This won't change the story but it will make the battles far easier and allow a roleplaying style.

Yes if this is really your first try, set to easy to or veasy. Relax, and have fun!

I set the difficulty to VE when I first played the game and my poor PC was turned into pinchuson by goblin archers.

So finished the game with VE first time. (SoA only)

Then I had ToB, re-started in CORE, played till the end of ToB two times.

Then I installed insane difficulty modes. Like tactics, ascension, imp.battles and many more, more than 30+. Played them on CORE for once and fiished ToB.

Then I now started another game, with even more mods, a total of 30+. Played on core, after some level ups switched to INSANE difficulty for extra fun and stayed in it. Now I am in ToB, with a god-like powered party, smashing my way through all those improved/cheating/awesome AIed enemies on insane difficulty with little trouble so far. :D

You see, it is all about the experience level of the player himself. I learned how to play effectively over a loong time. You can do the same, why not?

Have fun, and give us feedbacks! ;)

Silverstar has used less than maximum challenge sometimes? :eek:

But anyways, take your time, there's no time limit. study the spells, lear what they do and memorise those that are usefull. There are my advices.

Thanks all - it's good to hear some reassuring words. I recently managed to get the Celestial Fury by playing the way I have been (though I had to reload twice - and then once more because I did not disable traps on the other side of the room, and the traps killed off many of my weakened party.)

Also - thanks for telling me some vital buffs. However, I was wondering where I could get my greedy little mitts on some of those spells - so far, I have been relying on spells I pick up along the way. I looked in the Adventurer Mart's scroll seller, but they did not seem to have anything that I was needing, such as Greater Malison. Are there other places, or do I hope to pick them up as I go?

Thanks again!

@Goli Ironhead

Well everybody was a newbie sometime, I am no exception, don'T worry.

Anyway, for spells, Gallomp the Book Keeper in Waukeen's Promanade sells many neat scrolls, try there! Also, have you read Blade Guide I gave link of?

Actually I did - but before you told me. It was the FAQ that got me thinking that maybe a blade was the right character for me.

Also, thanks for the spell shop recommendation, I'll check it out next time I play.