Hi

Just finished BG1+expansion. Most of my characters are maxed out at 161,000 - lvl 7/8/9

members of my party
Imoen
Minsc
Dynheir
Coran
yeslick

Who is worth keeping for optimum gaming on BG2?

I came across a post that mentioned that Imoen will not be in the party for long. When should I have her replacement ready ?

Thanks

Of your BGI party only Imoen and Minsc are npc's in BGII. You'll start pretty much from scratch in BGII, though I don't really want to spoil anything for a 1st time BGII-er - Just go through as best you can and try to keep away from any spoilers in these boards. Just about any party formation is doable (composition is less crucial than BGI) and there'll be plenty of available npc's around to fill it (though fewer than BGI).

For a bit of general advice - A mage, a cleric, a few fighters and a multiclass thief is a pretty good mix. I say just a multiclass thief (rather than a pure class one) because their primary abilities (ie trap detecting and lock picking) can be maxed out pretty early. You'll probably want a pure class mage for the higher level spells, and a secondary arcane caster definitely wont go astray. You could probably have just one multiclassed cleric, though 2 of em, or a single class cleric would probably be preferable (for the extra healing and buffs).

Anyway good luck with it and enjoy the experience (and let us know how you're going with it if you have the time)

Since I finished BG1 with a 8th lvl char and I start BG2 with an 8th level I was wondering if it would be worth starting a new identity.

Yes -I'll be posting here on my progress. I'vve had the entire series for almost 5 years and have now just found the time to play it.

Thanks for your reply

i forgot to mention that I'm having trouble importing characters. I used the BG character viewer and the only character I can open is my own character. I cant open (Imoen) any pther character.

Also in the import window I cant opne my bg1 saved games or character files. I had to copy/paste my own character into the BG2 charcter folder for it to work (stats and Equipment intact). Suggestions?

Thanks in advance

You come alone into SoA. It's part of the plot. You will meet Imoen and Minsc and a few others from BG1, but you will be gathering a different party in this game. Not to worry though, the new party members are quite powerful enough for the task.

Starting a new identity is certainly an option -- particularly if you want to try one of the new classes. Bringing over your BG1 character has some advantages -- some items will carry over and you have a higher starting experience level (if TotSC was installed in BG1). You will also get the opportunity to shift your character to one of the kits allowed in SoA. You may want to look in the hints area of SP to find a good explanation of the kits.

Just to clarify - the only character that you are able to export is the PC, and iirc there's a button in game to do it (its part of the character record sheet in BGII and...well its been a while since I've played BGI, but I think its in the same place).

If you've used the tomes available in BGI, chances are you'll have higher stats that you would if you started a new game in BGII, plus it's good for continuity reasons. I always thought that you could choose a kit for your BGI character on importing, though I can't say I've ever tried it in practice (so I might be wrong) - just give it a shot i guess.

Bringing over your BG1 character has some advantages -- some items will carry over

@T2

Aside from the pantaloons, which items can carry over? :confused:

None, but the pantaloons become absolutely ultimate in ToB (though admittedly we're in a SoA forum).
If you pause your game before the first cut scene (while the screen is still black) and drop all the items on your character, then they'll be on the ground after the cut scene....kinda cheesy, but if you really want to keep those arrows of detonation...

hehe cheesy indeed ;)

Actually, some other items can carry over, but they just replace a few items that are already in the dungeon. The Helm of Balduran's placement, for example, is one of those. But the defaults (for non-imports) are typically the best out of the list, so it doesn't really matter.

I agree with Felinoid :eek:. Although it really depends on the character you played in BG1 -- having some of your class specific stuff scattered about (leather armor for thieves) can be helpful.

Well I've completed the "Nalia" quest. BG2 is pretty tough despite my characters being 8th level and above. The vampire trio at the Docks gave my guys a lot of problems until i managed to get two of them to chase two of mine around while i concentrated on one. Damn level drainers. Somehow the weapons i brought with me from BG1 seem ineffective.

how long (on average) in hours is BG2+expansion? It took me awhile just to finish the Nalia quest.

Gee tough question - I think some estimates put it at around 40+hours for SoA and around 10ish for the expansion. It depends greatly on your playing style, what quests you take and how quickly you move between quests.
World records are 1:11:37 for SoA (http://speeddemosarchive.com/BaldursGate2.html) and 1:09:32 for ToB (http://speeddemosarchive.com/BaldursGate2TOB.html) and one magazine once put the time for the two at around 300 hours. So there's a lot of variation. Just enjoy the game at your own pace and see how you go.

Well I've completed the "Nalia" quest. BG2 is pretty tough despite my characters being 8th level and above. The vampire trio at the Docks gave my guys a lot of problems until i managed to get two of them to chase two of mine around while i concentrated on one. Damn level drainers. Somehow the weapons i brought with me from BG1 seem ineffective.

One BIG difference between BG1 and BG2 is the use of magic. In BG1, you could get away with little magic use. In BG2, you really need to use it effectively. Take the time to read the descriptions of spells and understand their use. A very difficult battle can become very easy if you know how to use magic.

I agree completely, Jack. My first run through BG2 was a reload-a-thon. I honestly couldn't handle all the magic tossed at me because of one simple concept: dispelling. I'd load up all my magic users with damaging spells, never thinking about taking down their protections - and they'd chew me up. Usually I'd just keep hitting them until the spells expired, which sometimes worked, often didn't.

Then I learned one simple formula: True Sight + Breach + Remove Magic = dead mage. :D

Needless to say, my next run-through was considerably easier.

okay folks - Here's where I'm at:
Finished Windspear - with the exception of slaying the dragon/Adamantium golem and the stray wolfweres. Even with all the dragon armor/weapons I dont think im strong enough to take out the dragon. i'll return at a higher level. I read somewhere that i meet the dragon again if I'm a paladin (I'm a ranger) and get some Xp by killing it as part of a quest. Thoughts?

Jaheira - Afte the episode at Harpers hold I cant seem to get rid of her and get her back. One attempt had her leaving permanantly(?) because she was now an Harper outcast. Why am I holding on to her? Apparently if the romance angle works out i get a nice XP boost. I wouldnt mind leaving her behind and picking her up later but thats no longer an option because she'll leave for good.

Leveling up is pretty slow - The highest level a member of my party has acheived is 12. the rest are hovering between 9-11. At this rate the game will almost be over by the time i hit 20.