All item transfers are dependant on what items are in your inventory when you import the savegame. Apart from the pantaloons, you can import one item each from two lists. If you have several items from the same list in your inventory then the game will prioritize according to some order that I don't know about, but there might be more info on that somewhere. If you have none of the items on a list in your inventory you will get either Helmet of Balduran or Mail of the Dead from each respective group.
List 1: Protector of the Second, Mail of the Dead, Plate Mail +1, Armor of Missile Attraction, Chain Mail +3.
List 2: Helm of Balduran, Claw of Kazgaroth, Horn of Kazgaroth, Koveras' Ring of Protection.
So basically, you want the Chain Mail +3 and then either the Helm or the Claw, unless you want Koveras' Ring for sentimental reasons.
Pretty much, although sometimes I'll just skip werewolf island and import with Fallorain's Plate. It's not a big deal because full plate is much easier to get in BG2, and there are few characters who would rather use Chainmail than full plate.
I usually lean towards the Helm instead of the Claw, simple because there are lots and lots of good rings in BG2, but few excellent helms, and even those don't necessarily surpass the Helm of Balduran.
I think Helm of Balduran is the best item by far, it remains competitive all the way through to the end because of the lack of enough good helms. None of the other items do much beyond the very first part of the game.
If you bring in nothing, you get Mail of the Dead and the Helm of Balduran. If you bring in multiple somethings from a list, you get the top one on the list. According to dudleyville.com.
Just because I was curious and looked up the stats myself:
I think protector of the second and mail of the dead should be switched around, I believe mail of the dead is default because I have never seen illyich have protector of the second on him
I will take the Claw of Kazgaroth. Its -3 bonuses to the saving throws, especially against spells and wands (very effective in BG2 with its mages, with or without SCS) I consider more important than +5 HP and + 1 THAC0, while +4 penalty vs. Death is neglectable (that's why we have the Death Ward spell).
I like this item and see it as a very powerful. BTW it can be combined with Lavender Ioun Stone in ToB (1 AC bonus, +4 save vs death).
And looking at helmets, pre-ToB fon non-mages and non-thieves we have Helmet of Defense (+1 saves, +20% fire, ice, electrical resistance,), Pale Green Ioun Stone (+10% bonus HPs, +1 THACO bonus), Pearly White Ioun Stone (Regenerate 2 HPs every minute).
@bengoshi: That's two useful helms (2HP/min is completely irrelevant in BG2), while there's lots of useful rings. Also, once you get to higher levels saving throws are actually not that important because they are naturally so low. It's different in BG1 where you only have what, 7 or 8 levels; in ToB some classes go up to 40.
That being said, Helm of Balduran certainly isn't a *big* improvement either, but there simply aren't many alternatives. Depends on class composition to a degree of course, but I find it more useful than the Claw most of the time.
this is the year 2000 ;D, I dont think any game did that.
Wasn't masseffect the first game to transfer date to next game? atleast in a significant way.?
Depends on how you define "significant." We're only talking about a couple of items and character stats here (and a minor plot flag via Drizzt's gear).
The Quest for Glory (1989-98) series let you import your characters' stats (and gear, in some cases) to each sequel, and the only way to play a Paladin was to earn it in-game and import the character to the next one. I wouldn't be surprised if people could name other early examples.
Now that people have answered my question, I remember the Beamdog folks saying that this is the reason our Nalia/Rasaad/Dorn romances won't carry over. We'll have to remind them of our history.
My main issues are that the Helm of Balduran looks ridiculously stupid and the Claw gives you an eye-straining blue effect.
Like most helms in BG2, the Helm of Balduran does look rather hideous, as if two enormous tusks are jutting out of opposite sides of one's head.
As for the Claw, there are mods that can turn of the Blur effect (and save your eyes the strain). You can also do it yourself by going into DLTCEP and manually removing the visual effect (but still keep the bonuses). I do the same thing with the Cloaks of Displacement and Reflection.
Comments
List 1: Protector of the Second, Mail of the Dead, Plate Mail +1, Armor of Missile Attraction, Chain Mail +3.
List 2: Helm of Balduran, Claw of Kazgaroth, Horn of Kazgaroth, Koveras' Ring of Protection.
I will assume that for Drizzt's dialogue you simply need to have one of his respective items in your inventory on import.
I usually lean towards the Helm instead of the Claw, simple because there are lots and lots of good rings in BG2, but few excellent helms, and even those don't necessarily surpass the Helm of Balduran.
What're you going to replace it with, Helm of Infravision?
Just because I was curious and looked up the stats myself:
Protector of the Second (Leather Armor +2)
Mail of the Dead +2 (Chain Mail +2)
Fallorain's Plate (Plate Mail +1)
Missile Attraction +2 (cursed Studded Leather, doesn't exist)
Chain Mail +3
Helm of Balduran (+1 AC/Thac0/Saves, +5 HP)
Claw of Kazgaroth (it's complicated)
Horn of Kazgaroth (it's complicated)
Ring of the Princes (Ring of Protection +1)
I like this item and see it as a very powerful. BTW it can be combined with Lavender Ioun Stone in ToB (1 AC bonus, +4 save vs death).
And looking at helmets, pre-ToB fon non-mages and non-thieves we have Helmet of Defense (+1 saves, +20% fire, ice, electrical resistance,), Pale Green Ioun Stone (+10% bonus HPs, +1 THACO bonus), Pearly White Ioun Stone (Regenerate 2 HPs every minute).
That being said, Helm of Balduran certainly isn't a *big* improvement either, but there simply aren't many alternatives. Depends on class composition to a degree of course, but I find it more useful than the Claw most of the time.
Wasn't masseffect the first game to transfer date to next game? atleast in a significant way.?
The Quest for Glory (1989-98) series let you import your characters' stats (and gear, in some cases) to each sequel, and the only way to play a Paladin was to earn it in-game and import the character to the next one. I wouldn't be surprised if people could name other early examples.
I do find it a tad disappointing even though I always kinda knew, was hoping secretly more 'flags' would carry through from BG.
As for the Claw, there are mods that can turn of the Blur effect (and save your eyes the strain). You can also do it yourself by going into DLTCEP and manually removing the visual effect (but still keep the bonuses). I do the same thing with the Cloaks of Displacement and Reflection.