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Trying to cure my chronic restartitis

I've yet to finish this game. I've started far more games than I can remember, but I can never bring myself to finish. In the beginning, I just wasn't sure what class I wanted to be. Now, I have narrowed it down to just a few classes I actually enjoy playing. The class problem isn't as significant as the party problem, though. I keep bouncing back and forth between canon and sibling party (i.e. just Imoen and Sarevok) only using NPCs for their quests (so I take Yoshi all the way to Spellhold).

With Canon vs. Siblings, I mostly take the canon party for the interaction in BG2. I have a sentimental attachment to Minsc and always feel a little bad if I break him out of the dungeon and just ditch him. However, I'm finding that I don't often need my party with a lot of the characters I play (usually Paladin or some kind of Warrior/Cleric). So, they just hang back and are sometimes even a liability. So then, might as well just do siblings, right? With that party, I often get kind of bored not having pals around. Not that the pals are terribly needed, but they're just nice to have around. In a way, they keep me immersed in the game more than if it was just Imoen and Charname. I suppose I could take a romance NPC with me, however, I tend to go with female Charnames and I can't stand Anomen. It probably wouldn't be much of an issue if I switched to a male charname and grabbed Aerie (annoying, but useful), mostly likely playing a Cav in this case? Having a romance does add a person and keeps with the family theme, though. I dunno. It also seems like it would just add another restart option into the mix.

With class, I often bounce between a Cavalier and Cleric/Ranger. I like the concept better with a single-classed Paladin. I've never been a fan of multi-classing in terms of immersion. However, gameplay-wise, the Cleric/Ranger has more creative options. Though, one conceptional problem I have with the C/R is that I have trouble envisioning the character from an RP perspective. The churchy cleric side with a woodsy ranger side?

Anyway, I find myself frequently bouncing in between the Cav with the canon party and the C/R with just Imoen. I can't seem to stick to one long enough to finish the game. And yeah, I've tried just running with both, switching between games when I get bored, but I don't enjoy constantly replaying the same parts of the game back to back just with different characters.

Has anyone broken free of their restarteritis. If so, how did you do it?
RelSundanBlackravenOrlonKronsteen
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Comments

  • JuliusBorisovJuliusBorisov Member, Administrator, Moderator, Developer Posts: 22,713
    I think @RelSundan has recently been cured from restartitis thanks to the feedback here.
    RelSundanAerakar
  • KnellerKneller Member Posts: 438
    The Cav is working for me for RP reasons. Single-classed characters seem more like actual characters than multi/duals who seem more like meta-characters to me. The concept is that Charname became a Cav due to an inexplicable desire to slay all the evil demons of Faerun, not realizing the worst demon she would have slay was the one inside of herself.

    I kinda want to shrink the party. I don't like 6 and would feel better with 3-4. That's what's I'm thinking of restarting and doing the family run (again). However, I started this before with a Cleric/ranger and ending up restarting because I missed having the extra people hanging around. I haven't considered adding a romance, which will give me an extra character while still keeping the party small. That would give me my Cav, Yoshi/Imoen, Aerie, and whatever NPC I'm keeping around for their quest (Sarevok will eventually have this slot. It's only one tank (usually) before Sarevok, though, and the main at that, so death really can't be an option.
    Aerakar
  • DanacmDanacm Member Posts: 950
    i tried a lot against restartitis and some reason i never played a whole run with obviously powerful classes like fighter-mage, cleric-ranger or cavalier. my most succesful runs were as shapeshifter, wizard slayer, vanilla fighter, priest of helm and monk.
    OrlonKronsteenAerakar
  • KnellerKneller Member Posts: 438
    Yeah, three reloads against Neira in Nashkel. I'm not feeling so good about having a main for my only tank. But, for a small party and family-only, I don't have a choice.......
  • smeagolheartsmeagolheart Member Posts: 7,963
    Gallenger said:

    I admit that I usually get through BG2 before I restart, for some reason I have a really difficult time completing TOB lol.

    I struggle to get through ToB as well. It's just not as fun as BG1 and 2. Boring, linear, way unbalanced, and the story is not engaging or well portrayed.

    Gallenger
  • OrlonKronsteenOrlonKronsteen Member Posts: 905
    I'm waiting for big pharma to come up with a solution for restartitis.
  • GallowglassGallowglass Member Posts: 3,356

    I'm waiting for big pharma to come up with a solution for restartitis.

    "Restartitis: a nervous affliction characterised by short attention span, reserved emotional engagement, and agitated disaffection with any process manifesting the slightest flaw. Try a combination course of Ritalin and Prozac."*


    * Legal note: I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice.
    OrlonKronsteenBlackravengorgonzola
  • FrancoisFrancois Member Posts: 452
    I've played these games for almost 15 years and I can probably count on my fingers the number of times I finished them. I don't think I ever even managed once to do a full run from BG1 to ToB, but I'm trying to do that now.

    Another possbility for better immersion is to create a custom party. You could play with the siblings and then add a few custom companions. But then that might induce you to restart more when you think up more interesting characters.

    Another idea is to do no-reload challenges. If you're going to restart anyway, this can be a way to try keep your interest to go as far as you can. It might also induce you to include more party members for better support.
    OrlonKronsteenAerakar
  • KnellerKneller Member Posts: 438
    edited November 2016
    One of the things that keeps me going is having a compelling concept/theme. Playing with customs would kinda break the family vibe.

    I really don't like parties of 6, but a party of four seems to be my sweet spot. I'm trying to figure out a fourth until I get Sarevok. It's just going to be Yoshi/Imoen, Aerie, and my Cav (which I'm strongly leaning towards only using 2h weapons with the entire game). However, I can't "rationalize" taking on anyone else with the family only thing. The only character that comes to mind is keeping Minsc and Dynaheir for BG1, having him for BG2. That he takes Aerie on as a witch is somewhat of a link. It's very weak for the concept (and doesn't jive with BG1), but it gives me a second tank (and a twf fighter at that). Then, with Sarevok, I'd have three strong tanks and a decent back line of 1.5 mages and 0.5 clerics. I dunno, I'm not really sold on it.

    Crap, I just realized I can't even take on Sarevok. He's Chaotic Evil, and I keep my rep at 20. That blows that plan.

    I just want to finish the series once. Only once, then I can shelf it and move on.

    OrlonKronsteen
  • GallowglassGallowglass Member Posts: 3,356
    Kneller said:

    I just want to finish the series once. Only once, then I can shelf it and move on.

    *Gasp* ... you mean ... you mean that ... that by trying to help you through this, we're actually encouraging you (eventually) to stop playing BG? I'm shocked speechless! And out of loyalty to the greatest of games, I'm not helping you any more!
    OrlonKronsteengorgonzola[Deleted User]
  • KnellerKneller Member Posts: 438
    C'mon, we both know that's never really going to happen. I'll eventually beat it, come with a new concept and fall into the same restartitis black hole.

    Side note, I read something to the effect that Sarevok will stay with your party even with a rep of 20, and there's a way to "redeem" him. Is that true?
    Gallowglass
  • GallowglassGallowglass Member Posts: 3,356
    Kneller said:

    C'mon, we both know that's never really going to happen. I'll eventually beat it, come with a new concept and fall into the same restartitis black hole.

    :grin: Don't give up hope. There are reports of restartitis victims sometimes recovering, sometimes after intensive treatment but sometimes even spontaneously!
    Kneller said:

    Side note, I read something to the effect that Sarevok will stay with your party even with a rep of 20, and there's a way to "redeem" him. Is that true?

    Yes, once you're in ToB, Evil companions (not only Sarevok) will no longer leave for high REP. (It may also be the case that Good companions will no longer leave for low REP, but I've never played through ToB with a low enough REP to test that.)

    And yes, if you choose the right options in dialogue with Sarevok, then eventually he'll change his alignment to Chaotic Good.
    Blackraven[Deleted User]JuliusBorisov
  • RelSundanRelSundan Member Posts: 918
    The problem here is that you restrict yourself more than my goddamn teachers at school! Stop thinking too much about it and just play. I've recently learned to play Cernd and now I am really sold on the Shapeshifter kit (with improved shape shifting)

    Stop thinking. Start playing.
    Blackraven
  • KnellerKneller Member Posts: 438
    I have to think. If I don't have a concept to rp going into a game, it's just going to be a grind and I won't see it through. I might as well play Diablo.

    Anyway, I'm back to the canon party anyway. I figure that's how I should end this game.

    I kinda beelined through Cloakwood. Right now, I'm doing the above ground levels of DT because Imoen is at 32kxp and it's one more trap heavy thing I can crank out before I have to dual her over. I'll need another 90kxp to get her levels back. With a full party, that's 540kxp. Even if I clear every outdoor area completely and get a start on BG city, I doubt I'll catch up by the time I need another trapmonkey...
  • GallowglassGallowglass Member Posts: 3,356
    After upper DT, if Imoen hasn't yet had to dual, then go for the Wood of Sharp Teeth area at the right-hand edge, where you meet the group of Red Wizards - there are three outdoor traps there, which it'd be handy to disarm while Imoen still can.

    Then the rest of the map is free of outdoor traps (so far as I recall!), so you can safely go clear the lot after Imoen's dual, and complete numerous quests.

    I agree that there won't be enough xp in those areas and quests to get your Thief levels back, but I do think you should be able to get most of the way there. If you're falling too short to finish the job with by doing just a couple of BG City quests, then maybe you'll need to grind out a little more ... for which purpose I suggest that if you make a habit of collecting the minor loot from clearing the intermediate areas in Cloakwood, then you'll "accidentally" run into transition ambushes numerous times as you cart it all back for sale, and those Cloakwood ambushes yield quite a lot of xp.
  • KnellerKneller Member Posts: 438
    Yeah, wyvern ambushes shouldn't be too much trouble with my Cav being immune to poison. However, I really want to avoid the grind. I mean, if I'm going to do that, I might as well camp at the flesh golem cave. I wonder how much XP is on werewolf isle before the ship? I'm pretty sure there's no traps before that. Or, I can probably do the ice cave. I could invisible my thief at the beginning and take out the traps before I hit 40kxp, then dual when I do hit l7. This is assuming DT doesn't put me over, which it probably will between the basilisks, ghost, dryad, and ghasts.
  • GallowglassGallowglass Member Posts: 3,356
    Kneller said:

    I wonder how much XP is on werewolf isle before the ship?

    Hmmm, I'm usually xp-capped by then, so my I can't tell how much xp I'd otherwise have gained. But I suspect not a great deal ... totalling a few thousand for sure, but not very many thousand.
    Kneller said:

    I'm pretty sure there's no traps before that.

    Agreed.
    Kneller said:

    Or, I can probably do the ice cave. I could invisible my thief at the beginning and take out the traps before I hit 40kxp, then dual when I do hit l7.

    Yes, that might be a good plan. Although ... hmmm ... stealth alone probably wouldn't suffice, since some traps are in line of sight of enemies.
  • KnellerKneller Member Posts: 438
    I usually cast invisible on my thief and have them clear the entire level ahead. This way, I get to scout everything out and take out all the traps in the process. No traps means more mobility a fight.
    GallowglassCvijeta[Deleted User]
  • CruentuzCruentuz Member Posts: 16
    edited November 2016
    This is something I have thought alot about (family run).
    My next run will be:
    *Male half-orc fighter/thief. 2-handed swords (for Carsomyr), firetooth crossbow
    *Aerie. FoA/SoE +shield. Mother of my child.
    *Imoen. Shortbow, staff otM.
    *Sarevok. Dualwielding longswords and maybe hammers.

    This way you also have all 4 iconic classes in only 2 chars for a long time until you rescue Imoen.
    Doing this with Edwin and the Xan f/m mod at the time. Used SK to redestribute big S's weapon proffs. I like party banter, but it feels like you are a bigger group while the main char is wielding Lilarcor
    Post edited by Cruentuz on
    gorgonzola
  • profanitywarningprofanitywarning Member Posts: 294
    RelSundan said:


    (...) So take your time, make a good name. Find a good portrait. Write a backstory of them in the record section. Go deep, relate with the character! (..).

    Yeah.
    GallowglassgorgonzolaRelSundan
  • GallowglassGallowglass Member Posts: 3,356
    I don't think that's a very helpful intervention, @profanitywarning ... but I laughed out loud!
    gorgonzola
  • profanitywarningprofanitywarning Member Posts: 294
    Yeah sorry 'bout that... I'm struggling with severe restartitis myself and find myself unable to be helpful in this particular case. That, and I just had to.
    Gallowglass
  • RelSundanRelSundan Member Posts: 918
    Good laugh!

    As I said, make you a character you like, imagine him/her in a movie scene. Work on your character, bound and relate with him/her.

    OR

    Try going full solo! I would recommend a F/M/T. See if you like that, and when you are done, go back.

    Best way is to challenge yourself with new restrictions in a way that makes this playthrough unigue!
    profanitywarning
  • KnellerKneller Member Posts: 438
    Yeah, for the sake of ease, I would prefer to go solo out with a party of 2. I can get through the game so much faster this way. A full party is a liability. I like a Cleric/Ranger with this setup. But, my restartitis kicks in with this setup partly because I can't think of a good character concept for this class combination coming from Candlekeep, or even in general.

    Part of my drive for running with the canon party here is that I feel I kinda owe it to them for all the times I didn't finish the game with them. :smiley:

    But now I'm tempted to drop them for my Imoen-only party. I'm still in BG1 and dragging them all around is a pain. :neutral:
  • RelSundanRelSundan Member Posts: 918
    Then I suggest you take a Break. Do something else for 1/2 months.
  • KnellerKneller Member Posts: 438
    Tried that before. I come back and then, having lost my momentum........start a new game from scratch. Why is this game like this? I've never even heard of restartitis with any other game...
  • GallowglassGallowglass Member Posts: 3,356
    Kneller said:

    I like a Cleric/Ranger (...) I can't think of a good character concept for this class combination coming from Candlekeep

    Hmmm ... try this:-

    "Growing up among the devoted monks of Candlekeep, the beliefs and rituals of religion had always shaped the backdrop to [protagonist]'s life. The visiting Clerics who preached the beliefs and taught the rituals had always inspired [him/her] by their sure-footed interpretation of the complex mysteries of the world beyond the high walls, and s/he could see how the familiarity and certainties of faith had held together the community of Candlekeep through [his/her] formative years in the confusing aftermath of the Time of Troubles. Thus admiring the Clerics as s/he grew up, [protagonist] had long studied whatever she could to become one of them. There was much in the Library that s/he couldn't yet understand, but s/he found enough basic material that s/he feels ready to set forth as a novice Cleric, eager for the chance to learn more.

    "More problematic for [protagonist]'s childhood had been Candlekeep's insular society. Looking out from the walls at the forests which s/he had rarely been allowed to visit, [protagonist] had felt confined. S/he longed to run free in the forests, but knew that the wild places held many dangers for the uninitiated. [His/her] Clerical studies told her little about such matters, but Candlekeep's great library also included many tales of travellers and woodsmen, and fortunately one of the more approachable monks had specialised in the study of the forest's plants and wild animals. From books and the friendly monk, [protagonist] learned many fascinating nuggets of forest lore, and at last these fragments started to form a more complete picture in [his/her] mind. Having also kept [himself/herself] fit by taking some weapons training with one of the Watchers, [protagonist] now dares to venture out cautiously as a novice Ranger, knowing that some risk is a necessary price for real experience."

    Isn't that a credible concept for how the protagonist might end up as a Cleric/Ranger?
    profanitywarning[Deleted User]
  • KnellerKneller Member Posts: 438
    Growing up in a place like CK, you can really legitimize any class combination with the "read it in a book" approach, but it's not very personal. What I have trouble seeing is how the C/R ties into Charname's background. So, for example, the Cav that I'm playing has a rather appropriate story to match the class. What it essentially boils down to is that he found himself drawn to ridding the world of evil creatures and outsiders. Having a sheltered life growing up in Candlekeep, he found it easy to take on a code of honor that he has sworn to defend. Little did he know, the most vicious demon he would have to slay is the one inside himself, and being forced into the "real world", he will find this code of his tested on all fronts.

    With the Cleric/Ranger, first I'd have to rationalize how these two classes come together in a place like Candlekeep. Then, I would have to find a way to tie it into charname's backstory. Otherwise, I don't feel connected to the character and what's going on. I get bored of playing, and I restart.

    I'm really going to try and muddle through with the canon party and my Cav, though. However, I'm in a situation that I beelined to get through Cloakwood, have dualed Imoen, and don't think all the pre-BG material will get her even close to getting her thief levels back. If this was a party of 2, I'd be maxed out by now.
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