Best time to do ToSC content

Felspawn

So I was playing through the game with a fighter with the intentions of dual classing him at level 7 and yet I seem to run out of time, I actually hit level 7 when I killed Saruvak... Obviously I missed and passed a lot of XP, part of it I blame on the game's horribly broken journal. But part of it was not doing ToSC content. So I ask this, where do I find the quests for ToSC, or any other big quests I might have overlooked

RedGuard

Just before the final confrontation I think is a good place to leave the main storyline and do TotSC. Like when you chase Sarevok into the Shadow Thieves maze.

Either go to Ulgoth's Beard (top right of map) or travel directly to Durlag's Tower (sorta middle-right on map). Ulgoth's Beard has a couple of other quests than just Durlag's Tower, but it's not necessary for you to visit before going into the tower itself, just for the additional quests like the Island or the Demon Cult.

KidCarnival

You need to take the tour from Ulgoth's Beard to get the full Durlag's Tower. Without the guide, the demon knight will not appear.

shawne

I like to visit it just before going to Baldur's Gate for the first time - it's a bit more challenging that way. Shandalar's quest should be done first (it's the shortest), then Werewolf Island, then Durlag's Tower.

lansounet

This is the reason I prefer BGT over BG1/Tutu/BGEE only. I could never rationalize going for TotSC content until after you have beaten Sarevok so I just skip it. I still explore all the southern part of the sword coast "looking for" the bandit camp.

DavidW

I do it after chapter 5. There's something of a lull in the plot then; after you reach Candlekeep again, things are fairly non-stop.

Messi

I usually do it after visiting Candlekeep for the second time. Kinda make sense from lore perspective too since you are wanted criminal at that point to lay low for a bit. Though the main reason is really simply because you are at about the right level range at that point.

Eudaemonium

Also, by that point you'll have found all the skill tomes, which means you have the best stats at that time.

Darrylson

My usual RP justification for doing Durlag's right before pursuing Sarevok is that my character wants to gather as many powerful weapons and items as he/she can before the final showdown. Sure, you are fully capable of killing him at that point, but it makes some sense. I use this same justification for doing all the sidequests in BG2, even though you always have some urgent goal like rescuing Imoen or restoring your soul and realistically you wouldn't faff about putting on plays and graverobbing with insane dwarves, but whatever.

Bigfish

In BG2, I very much had the impression that Imoen wasn't going anywhere. Sure, she's in mage prison, but she'll probably just annoy the other mages with stories of trollogs and puff-tails or something.

Excalibur_2102

on the 15th July 1999 at around 9:32pm... You missed it sorry.

Lemernis

I sometimes try to take it on as soon as a Thief in my party can manage its traps. That dungeon crawl seems more fun to me when it's still kind of early in the game. But otherwise I'll wait until I return from the Candlekeep after the return visit there. That's a good time to lay low and stay out of BG city anyway.

the_spyder

Someone told me to go when your XP for the party is around 70K give or take... What that meant for me was just about the time I hit Baldur's Gate for the first time. Which makes sense because you need to go there anyway for at least one of the quests.

As far as the tower is concerned, you can do some of the top without dying. But then I am not sure what that does related to the Demon. I'd refer to others on that matter.

atcDave

I would say as soon as you can survive the fight against the various topside guardians you're probably ready to start the tower. You WILL gain the levels you need by the time you finish; I once started a new first level cleric at the same time I started the tower, and she was sixth level when I finished. Obviously, she was just a support character. But my point is, there's lot's of experience to be had, and if you can survive the initial guardians, you will rise to the challenge.

But even so, I usually head over to Ulgoth's Beard about the time I enter Baldur's Gate. So usually around 6th/7th level. But the exact order I do things in varies with my party. As Spyder said, you need into the city for one of the quests anyway, so that's just a logical point to start TotSC.

Lemernis

the_spyder said:

Someone told me to go when your XP for the party is around 70K give or take... What that meant for me was just about the time I hit Baldur's Gate for the first time. Which makes sense because you need to go there anyway for at least one of the quests.

As far as the tower is concerned, you can do some of the top without dying. But then I am not sure what that does related to the Demon. I'd refer to others on that matter.

In my experience completing the tower above ground first, and returning later to loot the subterranean levels, has never had any effect on the rest of the crawl.

Lemernis

@atcDave

Yeah, the battles should all winnable with a party around level 5. I think the main impediment to completing Durlag's is insufficient Thief skills in handling its traps.

I'm actually taking Durlag's on right now with Branwen dualed to Thief, and her Find Traps is currently at 65. I'll have her use Potions of Perception (+20% to Finds Traps, lasts 6 hours) and a Luck Spell as needed (+5% to all Thieving skills, but for only 3 rounds) and that should take care of Traps. She'll gain another level down there as well.

Debaser

lansounet said:

This is the reason I prefer BGT over BG1/Tutu/BGEE only. I could never rationalize going for TotSC content until after you have beaten Sarevok so I just skip it. I still explore all the southern part of the sword coast "looking for" the bandit camp.

@lansounet

No matter what Alignment I play I can't NOT justify doing these quests around level 6/7. My rationale is this: Sarevok has an army of Brigands, some monsters, various adventurers under his thumb, and his fathers vast trading empire all at his disposal.

On the other hand: I'm some poor shmuck from Candlekeep who may (or may not) have paid attention in classes growing up. So...knowing that I keep having nightmares about something spiritual and terrifying (Bhaalspawn blood acting up again), and that I'm vastly outgunned and not that worldly, I prefer the strategy of finding my own path to some sort of personal wealth and ability before trying to take on a guy who clearly has me outgunned.

By adventuring and becoming worldly I not only create a reputation to be reckoned with making people in Baldurs gate assist me better when I do go looking for Sarevok, but of course I find stronger items and fine personal confidence in my abilities. As bad as Durlag's tower is, and as terrifying as it's creatures should be...there's no politicking involved...and I don't have to deal with a public figure who's untouchable.

@Felspawn

I like doing the quests as follows:

01. Shandalar's Mage Prison (Ulgoths Beard at around level 6/7), if I'm evil I try to kill Shandalar afterward.
02. Durlog's Tower (TOPSIDE) after visiting Ulgoth's Beard
04. Go To Baldurs Gate the first time to get Werewolf Island Quest Map
03. Werewolf Island (To max out thief skills/gain back dual class levels)
04. Durlogs Tower (Lower Bits now that I'm confident I can do it, but usually at this point)
06. Aec'Letec

If I have high thieving ability I will do Durlags before going to Baldurs gate in order to proc the Werewolf Island quest. If I don't I roleplay that I decided it's the best thing I can do is to get better with thief skills before heading into those booby traps. I always tend to play someone pragmatic like that.