How best to enjoy BG?

Paladin · July 2013

Hi all,

I have played through Baldur's Gate about a dozen times since it's release, having added on two play throughs with the Enhanced Edition. But, I find myself always taking the same route, grabbing the same companions, and completing the same quests. There is a certain comfort in knowing where to go and having a set game plan. But, I am finding myself in a bit of a rut. What have you all done to enjoy Baldur's Gate after you've mastered the explorative side?

Changing alignment drastically seems like one solid option, but I have struggled with playing 'Evil' effectively. I suppose I want to recapture those feelings I had when I was first going through it. It's become somewhat formulaic now.

Any tips would be appreciated as I try to milk more fun out of this terrific game.

~Pally

ChildofBhaal599 · July 2013

here you go

https://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/17887/create-a-random-game-optional-no-reload-speed-game-contest-included-spoilers/p1

Ammar_87 · July 2013

Well, you could do what I'm doing right now. I'm trying a Neverwinter Nights 2 approach by gathering all the NPCs in the Firendly Arm Inn. So my party constellation is dependent on my next quest or "mission".

For instance, for the Nashkel quest, I brought Imoen, Khalid, Jaheira, Xzar and Montaron with me because the latter four were the ones who wanted to investigate the matter.

For the Bandit questline I'm replacing Xzar and Montaron for Kivan and Branwen, as they are the ones seeking revenge against the bandits. Perhaps I'll replace the other three as well.

You will end up with a weaker party overall, but that just makes it more interesting IMO

the_spyder · July 2013

Awesome idea @Ammar_87.

Dexter · July 2013

I would deffinitely say play evil, you just need to roleplay it. I played my first evil run after several good characters and it was awesome. I roleplayed charname (assassin dualed to fighter) as a blood thirsty and hungry for power maniac, but having been raised by gorion gave him some basic manners in the early going (to cope with the fact that he was low level and most quest are for good people). At first he even travelled with Imoen, Khalid and Jaheira, but by the middle of the game he realized his true nature and dumped them. Vico, Edwin, Kagain, Shar-sTeel and Xzar were powerful companions, and at the end of the game they had really low rep and were chased constantly by Flaming Fist. It was really fun.

On the other hand in the subforum 'strategies and walkthroughs' you can find some alternatives for playing the game. One that I like is the random game: by using a random number generator you create a charname. The NPCs you join are random as well, and there are some other rules, like playing a no reload run. You can then share your adventures in that forum

And if you want to revive the 'nooby' feeling, have you ever tried the SCS mod? This mod improves AI (and only AI) of enemies making the game (well, the fights in the game) quite different. Let's say that enemies behave more like you do and don't do stupid things. It's really worth trying.

Wow that was longer than i thought

franco · July 2013

@Paladin. Take a look at this approach to recruiting NPCs. It can often add some more fun and excitement, and every game is likely to be different.

http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/18768/suggestions-for-a-randomized-npc-recruit-role-ciccio-s-version#latest

http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/19197/a-playthrough-with-the-randomized-npc-recruit-roll#latest

Vishnu · July 2013

I feel the same, but I have big troubles playing BG2 without Minsc and Jaheira in the party.

Maybe try a duo run? Or the no-reload challenges suggested above.

Tanvir · July 2013

Personally I think the best way to enjoy Baldur's gate: EE is to either make your own unique character with a custom portrait you've chosen/made and afterwards 'think outside the box' as in pick one of the more 'advanced' classes such as the druid shapeshifter or the druid avenger since who can say it's not cool to transform into a deadly beast/creature and wreck havoc? ;P
Sure they might have 'issues' but that's kinda the point that it being a 'difficult' class to play with usually rewards you for it too (atleast in my opinion) when it comes to whenever you're satisfied with your choice or not.

OR you can do like I've been doing for a couple of weeks now make your own 6-man party groups from the ground up and try to 'imagine' an awesome party that at the same time actually works
(since in my opinion parties without anyone with healing spells or lockpicking skills really REALLY sucks in the long run!).
Each with their very own custom portrait and/or voice set if you can help it in order to make your custom created character as unique as humanly possible (without having to sit with the damn trainers and all that ******* **** *********).

There's a thread somewhere on these forums with a lot of great character art/etc. if you need somewhere to look for some 'ideas'.

CaptRory · July 2013

Activate the cheat console and summon in late-game NPCs you've never tried before. Maybe use Alora instead of Imoen or use the chance to make Imoen a mage at level 2. You're sort of stuck doing the same quests unless there's some sort of side quest randomization mod out there.