Hi, everybody . I'm a newcomer in the forum and also first time trying to play BG ans first time for rpg. I play more before with strategy games like starcraft and it's been a long time that I want to try this game of BG heard so much about that one that it's a real classic, a long and hard one etc.
I start since about 3 weeks ago trying to understand the manual, read a bit things that you were taking and now in the game I'm heading south of Beregogst (I know there's a long road to go). But I have many question I understand the AC, Thac0, to rest to be able to memorize spell, etc. Right now I choose a Paladin for my portrait and I know I'm lawfull good and I have Imoen, Jaheira, Khalid, Montaron and Xzar and I know already that the last 2 don't go with the rest of my companions but I'm using them at the beginning to help me fighting ( excuse my english I can make some mistake because I speak more french ) 1q. Can I try to write all the scrool in the book of Jaheira or Xzar at level one and decide wich one I'll try to memorize after? 2q. Or it's that better to keep some for maybe another mage after I'll get rid for Xzar? 3q. Can Jaheirsa have some spell use by a mage? 4q. When you have a spell written in your book in level one can some go on level 2 or 3 etc, How it's working for the other page or level? Now Jaheira she's level 2 but I have only spells in page for level1 5q. And how come when I'm trying with my paladin to have a shield they taking about 2 hands weapon when I have a sword or axe it's like I cannot have both? 6q When I choose the arms at the beginning I choose like only 1 stars with bow axe etc, would it be better if I took less weapons but more stars each?
1) Only mages and bards learn spells through scrolls, so you won't be able to copy any spells with Jaheira. For Xzar, yes you can scribe all the scrolls right away and figure out which ones you want to use later. 2) I wouldn't worry about copying 1st and 2nd level spells, because it shouldn't be hard to find more if you end up switching mages. For 3rd level and up I'd say you might as well wait a while (at least until you're a high enough level to cast that spell), just in case you switch mages. 3) No 4) You will be able to cast higher spell levels as you level up. For the most part, you can cast 1 higher spell level for every 2 character levels after level 1. So at level 3, you can cast 2nd level spells, at level 5 you can cast 3rd level spells, etc. For druids and clerics, they will automatically learn all the spells of a certain spell level as soon as they get to a high enough character level to cast that spell level. 5) If you have any 2 handed weapon in your weapon slots, even if you don't have it equipped, you cannot equip a shield. The have been many requests to change how this works, but that's how it is for now. 6) You're better off putting 2 stars (the maximum for a paladin) in a couple of weapons, rather than 1 star in a bunch of weapons.
1. Jaheira is a Druid and can't scribe Mage spells. But I wouldn't use Xzar either, just dump him. 2. You will be able to recruit better mages quickly; Neera if you have the EE version, Xan and Dynaheir are all better choices. Don't waste scrolls on characters who won't fit well with your good party. 3. Jaheira's spells are different. She doesn't need to scribe them at all, they will show up in her book as soon as she can use them. (all Clerics and Druids work this way. Their magic tends to be more about healing and protection than a mages. But they get spells more easily). 4. Your casters all need to be level three before they get 2nd level spells. I know its a little confusing, just realize "level" means different things at different times. Early on, you will need to go up two levels to gain each new level of spells (so you need to be 5th level to get 3rd level spells; and 7th level to get 4th level). 5. I'm a little unclear on what's happening here. You have a separate spot for shields and weapons; but if you put a two handed weapon in the weapon slot, it won't let you use a shield. (maybe you equiped a bow, or a two-handed sword?) 6. You would be better off putting two pips in the weapons you will use most (that's called specialization). Two pips are much better than one. In BG you won't be able to use a lot of different weapon types well, but that's okay. Just choose a weapon or two to be good with and stick with it. And remember what weapons got the two pips! You're usually better off using a non-magical weapon you're specialized in than a magical one you are not. Use the weapons you're specialized in, ALWAYS.
Thk you guys I appreciate very much your answer it's helping me a lot to understand. and I won't to be sure how it's working because I don't want to be stuck let's say in the middle of the game and had to restart all over could be real desappointing. The way I understand it, the spells for druid and priest are scribing by themselves in the book it's the game who decide and I don't have to do nothing to have it in my book? And it's that possible to change during the game for the numbers of stars allow to my weapons or it's to late and if I can't would I be disadvantage? THks again N.B. By the way didn't advance to much in the game but already I find it real something. Love it
Çlerics and Druids pray to their god / nature spirits for spells, rather than memorize them from a book. There is no spell book for them. They start each spell level already "knowing" all of the spells. They just pray for each use.
You cannot change your weapon proficiencies after you have chosen them.
heavendiv if you're not too far in you might want to start over with a new paladin. Or, when you hit level three with your Paladin be sure you put a new proficiency in a weapon you already have. That will make you "specialized", and much much better with that weapon.
Thks again to both of you. Have another one if you don't mind to ask you ; ) Priest or druid are they part of a school also? And do you prefer a Mage with or without a specialization?
By a generic concept you could say that druids and priest belong to a same class (divine casters), but inside the game mechanics and the D&D sets, they're separated as different classes.
Mages with specialization gain 1 extra spell slot per spell level, so a specialized mage can always cast 1 more spell than a common mage. But as nothing can always be flowers, you lost acess with that mage to an opposite spell school (or 2) of the school you choose to follow.
My advice is to always take specialized mages, but make a research before you do that to know which spells will become unavalliable to your mage and to see cost and benefits.
Thks again to both of you. Have another one if you don't mind to ask you ; ) Priest or druid are they part of a school also? And do you prefer a Mage with or without a specialization?
Strictly speaking, Druids and Clerics are both types of Priests in AD&D. The Druid is more specialized in nature spells, which gives them a little more offensive ability than Clerics (Clerics are better at healing and "buffing", that is, getting you ready for a big fight), but there's really a lot of overlap between the two. I always want a pure cleric in my party, and a back-up healer if I'm using all six characters. The back-up can be a Druid, a multi-class cleric, or maybe even a Paladin (especially if the Paladin is also the main character).
I don't like messing with specialist mages. Its not a big deal, I prefer having access to every school, but some will prefer the extra spell slot. I think you give up too much to get one extra spell per level. But then I'm happy to rest a lot; and I see my fighters as my main force with mages in a support role. If you want your mages to do more of the heavy lifting you may find the extra spells useful. I have enjoyed adding Neera to my party, she adds a fun twist as a Wild Mage. That gives you the extra spell slot without worrying about an opposition school, but you get a chance of unexpected results instead. I find it a very fun change of pace.
@atcDave , for a BG only character i tend to understand you (while i don't agree with preferences to basic mages over specialized ones), but if he intent to carry his mage to BG2 later, a specialized mage is by every point of view better than basic one.
An extra slot for low lvls spells aren't a big deal, but when you get an extra slot for lvl 8 and 9 spells, that's make a huge difference in the battles.
@atcDave , for a BG only character i tend to understand you (while i don't agree with preferences to basic mages over specialized ones), but if he intent to carry his mage to BG2 later, a specialized mage is by every point of view better than basic one.
An extra slot for low lvls spells aren't a big deal, but when you get an extra slot for lvl 8 and 9 spells, that's make a huge difference in the battles.
I've never used a specialist in BG2 at all, so its not needed. In PNP it might make more sense because your specialist gets bonuses in their chosen school. But in BG (and BG2) it just never seems worth it to me. Obviously if those extra spells matter to you, go for it. But I'm perfectly happy with standard mages. I've never come up short of a spell I needed.
I love that site learn so much with your answer. And also just to read all your comments that you have to share between u. Now it's time for me to advance in that game and learn a part by myself
Comments
I start since about 3 weeks ago trying to understand the manual, read a bit things that you were taking and now in the game I'm heading south of Beregogst (I know there's a long road to go). But I have many question I understand the AC, Thac0, to rest to be able to memorize spell, etc. Right now I choose a Paladin for my portrait and I know I'm lawfull good and I have Imoen, Jaheira, Khalid, Montaron and Xzar and I know already that the last 2 don't go with the rest of my companions but I'm using them at the beginning to help me fighting ( excuse my english I can make some mistake because I speak more french )
1q. Can I try to write all the scrool in the book of Jaheira or Xzar at level one and decide wich one I'll try to memorize after?
2q. Or it's that better to keep some for maybe another mage after I'll get rid for Xzar?
3q. Can Jaheirsa have some spell use by a mage?
4q. When you have a spell written in your book in level one can some go on level 2 or 3 etc, How it's working for the other page or level? Now Jaheira she's level 2 but I have only spells in page for level1
5q. And how come when I'm trying with my paladin to have a shield they taking about 2 hands weapon when I have a sword or axe it's like I cannot have both?
6q When I choose the arms at the beginning I choose like only 1 stars with bow axe etc, would it be better if I took less weapons but more stars each?
Thks
2) I wouldn't worry about copying 1st and 2nd level spells, because it shouldn't be hard to find more if you end up switching mages. For 3rd level and up I'd say you might as well wait a while (at least until you're a high enough level to cast that spell), just in case you switch mages.
3) No
4) You will be able to cast higher spell levels as you level up. For the most part, you can cast 1 higher spell level for every 2 character levels after level 1. So at level 3, you can cast 2nd level spells, at level 5 you can cast 3rd level spells, etc. For druids and clerics, they will automatically learn all the spells of a certain spell level as soon as they get to a high enough character level to cast that spell level.
5) If you have any 2 handed weapon in your weapon slots, even if you don't have it equipped, you cannot equip a shield. The have been many requests to change how this works, but that's how it is for now.
6) You're better off putting 2 stars (the maximum for a paladin) in a couple of weapons, rather than 1 star in a bunch of weapons.
1. Jaheira is a Druid and can't scribe Mage spells. But I wouldn't use Xzar either, just dump him.
2. You will be able to recruit better mages quickly; Neera if you have the EE version, Xan and Dynaheir are all better choices. Don't waste scrolls on characters who won't fit well with your good party.
3. Jaheira's spells are different. She doesn't need to scribe them at all, they will show up in her book as soon as she can use them. (all Clerics and Druids work this way. Their magic tends to be more about healing and protection than a mages. But they get spells more easily).
4. Your casters all need to be level three before they get 2nd level spells. I know its a little confusing, just realize "level" means different things at different times. Early on, you will need to go up two levels to gain each new level of spells (so you need to be 5th level to get 3rd level spells; and 7th level to get 4th level).
5. I'm a little unclear on what's happening here. You have a separate spot for shields and weapons; but if you put a two handed weapon in the weapon slot, it won't let you use a shield. (maybe you equiped a bow, or a two-handed sword?)
6. You would be better off putting two pips in the weapons you will use most (that's called specialization). Two pips are much better than one. In BG you won't be able to use a lot of different weapon types well, but that's okay. Just choose a weapon or two to be good with and stick with it. And remember what weapons got the two pips! You're usually better off using a non-magical weapon you're specialized in than a magical one you are not. Use the weapons you're specialized in, ALWAYS.
The way I understand it, the spells for druid and priest are scribing by themselves in the book it's the game who decide and I don't have to do nothing to have it in my book?
And it's that possible to change during the game for the numbers of stars allow to my weapons or it's to late and if I can't would I be disadvantage?
THks again
N.B. By the way didn't advance to much in the game but already I find it real something. Love it
Çlerics and Druids pray to their god / nature spirits for spells, rather than memorize them from a book. There is no spell book for them. They start each spell level already "knowing" all of the spells. They just pray for each use.
You cannot change your weapon proficiencies after you have chosen them.
Happy to help, any time!
Mages with specialization gain 1 extra spell slot per spell level, so a specialized mage can always cast 1 more spell than a common mage. But as nothing can always be flowers, you lost acess with that mage to an opposite spell school (or 2) of the school you choose to follow.
My advice is to always take specialized mages, but make a research before you do that to know which spells will become unavalliable to your mage and to see cost and benefits.
I don't like messing with specialist mages. Its not a big deal, I prefer having access to every school, but some will prefer the extra spell slot. I think you give up too much to get one extra spell per level. But then I'm happy to rest a lot; and I see my fighters as my main force with mages in a support role. If you want your mages to do more of the heavy lifting you may find the extra spells useful.
I have enjoyed adding Neera to my party, she adds a fun twist as a Wild Mage. That gives you the extra spell slot without worrying about an opposition school, but you get a chance of unexpected results instead. I find it a very fun change of pace.
An extra slot for low lvls spells aren't a big deal, but when you get an extra slot for lvl 8 and 9 spells, that's make a huge difference in the battles.