Which group should I use for my first ever playthrough of Baldur's Gate?
jrwh
Member Posts: 1
I got BGEE and BG2EE and I intend to play through both. I've never played the Baldur's Gate games before, though I do remember playing one of the Neverwinter Nights games.
I've been trying to balance the intense desire to powergame with the purity of experiencing what is apparently an epic storyline (this is a big part, to my knowledge, of what gives the series consideration as the top RPG, or even game, of all time) unspoiled for the first time. As such, I've attempted to look into how to distribute my attributes and how I want to build my party without giving away too much of the story.
What I'm trying to decide is if the "canon" party, or a party consisting of the five members who will carry over to BG2, will give me the best first experience playing through both games. I think the new EE characters carry over as well, but I can leave that for a later playthrough.
I've already determined that my character will be a Chaotic Neutral Elven Fighter/Mage. I like the bonus to longbows and longswords, and however bland they may be as far as weapons go, that's just what I want to be and do. It only makes sense to also have some magical prowess as an Elf raised by a powerful mage. Or use that as an excuse to powergame.
So, the question becomes, do I use the "canon" party - Dynaheir, Imoen, Jaheira, Khalid, and Minsc - or the "continuation" party - Edwin, Imoen, Jaheira, Minsc, and Viconia - to get the most out of this playthrough.
On paper, I obviously like the continuation party better; the canon party seems better suited to a playthrough as a fighter/cleric, ranger/cleric, or cleric/mage (it just doesn't have a ****ing cleric, wth?). I probably wouldn't bother to dual class Imoen to mage with the canon setup, since I spoiled myself in regards to the Robes of the Magi, and there aren't enough to go around. I'd put Khalid's points into axes because I've already got dibs on the best longswords, and while I will happily do this for my own character, I don't feel like micromanaging his inventory every time I want to swap between ranged and melee. As it stands, I've played up to Beregost thus far, and Khalid's shield went to Jaheira since she can wear it while using her sling (I presume he will be able to do the same with throwing axes).
The continuation party seems way more balanced, and powerful. I could also dual Imoen to a mage and still distribute Robes of the Magi to all who need them. I'm kind of concerned that loopholing Dynaheir and Khalid out of the party will be too storybreaking. Though I have to admit, I hate Khalid's cowardly dialogue, and I would find it enjoyable to make him walk naked into a bear, or just tuck him in for a dirtnap my damned self. What would be really storybreaking is if Edwin and Minsc fought to the death, since they both appear in the second game. Maxing str, dex, con, and int doesn't leave me room for more than 13 cha if I don't want to leave autoroller on all night, which feels too cheesy anyway. I'm happy enough to spend a few minutes on a 92, and minmaxing point distribution is about as cheesy as I want to get.
I must have your opinions. What say ye?
I've been trying to balance the intense desire to powergame with the purity of experiencing what is apparently an epic storyline (this is a big part, to my knowledge, of what gives the series consideration as the top RPG, or even game, of all time) unspoiled for the first time. As such, I've attempted to look into how to distribute my attributes and how I want to build my party without giving away too much of the story.
What I'm trying to decide is if the "canon" party, or a party consisting of the five members who will carry over to BG2, will give me the best first experience playing through both games. I think the new EE characters carry over as well, but I can leave that for a later playthrough.
I've already determined that my character will be a Chaotic Neutral Elven Fighter/Mage. I like the bonus to longbows and longswords, and however bland they may be as far as weapons go, that's just what I want to be and do. It only makes sense to also have some magical prowess as an Elf raised by a powerful mage. Or use that as an excuse to powergame.
So, the question becomes, do I use the "canon" party - Dynaheir, Imoen, Jaheira, Khalid, and Minsc - or the "continuation" party - Edwin, Imoen, Jaheira, Minsc, and Viconia - to get the most out of this playthrough.
On paper, I obviously like the continuation party better; the canon party seems better suited to a playthrough as a fighter/cleric, ranger/cleric, or cleric/mage (it just doesn't have a ****ing cleric, wth?). I probably wouldn't bother to dual class Imoen to mage with the canon setup, since I spoiled myself in regards to the Robes of the Magi, and there aren't enough to go around. I'd put Khalid's points into axes because I've already got dibs on the best longswords, and while I will happily do this for my own character, I don't feel like micromanaging his inventory every time I want to swap between ranged and melee. As it stands, I've played up to Beregost thus far, and Khalid's shield went to Jaheira since she can wear it while using her sling (I presume he will be able to do the same with throwing axes).
The continuation party seems way more balanced, and powerful. I could also dual Imoen to a mage and still distribute Robes of the Magi to all who need them. I'm kind of concerned that loopholing Dynaheir and Khalid out of the party will be too storybreaking. Though I have to admit, I hate Khalid's cowardly dialogue, and I would find it enjoyable to make him walk naked into a bear, or just tuck him in for a dirtnap my damned self. What would be really storybreaking is if Edwin and Minsc fought to the death, since they both appear in the second game. Maxing str, dex, con, and int doesn't leave me room for more than 13 cha if I don't want to leave autoroller on all night, which feels too cheesy anyway. I'm happy enough to spend a few minutes on a 92, and minmaxing point distribution is about as cheesy as I want to get.
I must have your opinions. What say ye?
- Which group should I use for my first ever playthrough of Baldur's Gate?23 votes
- Canon - Dynaheir, Imoen, Jaheira, Khalid, Minsc60.87%
- Continuation - Edwin, Imoen, Jaheira, Minsc, Viconia39.13%
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Comments
Then again what am I doing but say what's best for you?
So do what you will, but I say just take the party that you want, not the one we say you want.
But that aside, my advise for a first play through would be to not have a plan, just pick up ransoms as you go. Don't use game guides unless your stuck.
Just do your own thing man
I would probably play Ajantis, Kivan, Minsc, Imoen, Jaheira through Nashkel Mines [without exiting to VoT map] then trade Minsc for Branwen . What to do with a desirable pair of Gauntlets is the real crux of Party Composition in BG1.
Continuation has little interest for me and I would probably put value on the prospect of getting to know at least 2 new NPCs in BG2.
The different balances one chooses between Roleplaying, Power-Gaming and simple mindless fun create many, many options.
It was awesome not having a plan for once and I should really do it again sometime. Besides, its more fun if you switch out occasionally.
If I had to choose between your two choices for someone playing the game for the first time, I would say either will be fine, though. It's a choice of Khalid and Dynaheir versus Edwin and Viconia... good versus evil... the evil characters have a bit more flair, I guess. But I actually have a fondness for both Khalid and Dynaheir as well.
Welcome to the forums by the way! Have a great time on your first run!
Your experience does not carry over for anyone other than your PC.
I too, though, would suggest adventuring and just make it up as you go. Pick up characters that are interesting to you. If you fall in love with a character in BG1 who doesn't appear in BG2, there is very likely a mod out there to add them to your party if you're not using ipad (or have it jailbreaked). There's a Kivan mod, a Xan mod, a Branwen mod, a Yeslick mod, a Coran mod, an Alora mod, and a Quyale mod, just for starters, then there's a project that attempts to move all all BG1 NPC's to BG2 that I know includes Xzar, Monty, Faldorn, and Skie (and I think Eldoth?). If you like a character, they're probably available somehow. And Dorn, Rasaad, and Neera will of course carry over as well.
I'd say that either is a viable party (I've played with the canon party without a second divine caster before). If it's your first playthrough then feel free to mess around for a bit, have a rotating last spot for the BG:EE NPCs quests or NPCs you want to try out. You don't gain anything from having a set-in-stone party, and any variables are not currently imported into BG2:EE.
My most important advice for a nice first playthrough would be to have the essential qualities for an adventuring party covered: fighter (preferably a tank, i.e. a character who can draw aggro and take a hit), a priest for healing and support, a singleclass mage with various debilitating / crowd control spells, and a thief for scouting, traps, locks, maybe backstabs. Your Fighter/Mage could be a great damage dealer with both magical and physical attacks.
That's already 5 spots. You'll be fine as long as you can keep those functions covered in your party. (If you don't, you'll have to be creative or your first playthrough could be a bit rough at times.)
It doesn't matter that much who you use. In that respect I agree with those before me who said to just go with the flow. It is likely that two differently aligned characters won't get along too well, but if necessary you could always switch. BG1 has loads of NPCs (more than BG2).
Have fun! Hope you'll love it as so many here on the forums do
Necromancer already linked it.
I've never actually played it, but I've loaded up the dialogs and read them in, um, whatever that program you use for reading dialog (Infinity Explorer, is it?). I don't think it's say, the best written mod in the world, and it certainly doesn't have an indepth friendship/PID/romance like most mods these days, but as a basic companion, I think it's fine. The writing seems very true to Alora's personality, and thus it's very cute.
You will enjoy the game.
Or you will not.
Ev'ryth'ng's p'rt o' th' pl'n, savvy?