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Come share your odd gaming habits! What do you refuse to do in BG? What wierd ideas do you love?

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  • LemernisLemernis Member, Moderator Posts: 4,318
    edited March 2014
    In response to the topic starter, I think that backstabbing with a staff is actually credible enough in the overall scheme of the game. Stealth in this gameworld is akin to a magical power of invisibility. I think of it as a ninja-like, almost mystical power. Characters can do it in full daylight, for example. If you can sneak up unseen, then to me there's no reason why you can't level a swift and mighty swing of the staff from behind someone.

    The real question that I see about backstabbing in general is should one backstab at all under the following conditions: in broad daylight, with little to no cover of any kind, and no avenue to sneak up behind the target.

    I could see self-imposing the limitation to backstab only when it is plausible that the character could sneak up from behind undetected. I might start adding that to the roleplaying that I do.
    semiticgoddess
  • booinyoureyesbooinyoureyes Member Posts: 6,164
    Stealth is certainly not akin to invisibility. The fact that you can do it in a sunlit forest is a game engine limitation. You are technically "hiding in the shadow of a tree" then moving on.

    My issue with backstab had nothing to do with the hiding part. Just that part that you strike with a big blunt object, which can do a lot of damage, but not "stab" straight for a vital area that "Backstab" is supposed to do.
    elementCrevsDaaksemiticgoddess
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    edited March 2014
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
    booinyoureyesJuliusBorisov
  • booinyoureyesbooinyoureyes Member Posts: 6,164
    edited March 2014
    Fredjo said:

    It shouldn't be that difficult to kill someone with a pole on one hit and it's even easier when he doesn't see you, think about impaling his spine or neck with your full strength or smacking him in the temple. It just takes more skill than with a blade weapon which is where the more damage feels a bit silly

    Exactly! Stealth should provide a to hit bonus for sure, but in my mind the extra backstab damage should perhaps be limited when it comes to blunt weapons.

    Also raises the question, why is it that you can backstab with a quarterstaff and club, but not a spear or greatsword?
    Post edited by booinyoureyes on
    Fredjosemiticgoddess
  • LemernisLemernis Member, Moderator Posts: 4,318

    Stealth is certainly not akin to invisibility. The fact that you can do it in a sunlit forest is a game engine limitation. You are technically "hiding in the shadow of a tree" then moving on.

    My issue with backstab had nothing to do with the hiding part. Just that part that you strike with a big blunt object, which can do a lot of damage, but not "stab" straight for a vital area that "Backstab" is supposed to do.

    Yeah, it definitely is a game engine limitation; although I'm differentiating it from D&D and describing it more specifically as a function of the game world of BG precisely because it lets you do it akin to invisibility and with a staff. But as I said, I kind of like the idea of--at least for RPed games--self-limiting to an undetectable approach from now on. I'll still use a staff because I find that believable. But not strolling up in broad daylight facing the target.
    booinyoureyesJuliusBorisov
  • booinyoureyesbooinyoureyes Member Posts: 6,164
    @Lemernis‌ I feel you. I think you actually could do that on a character where this method of stealth makes sense, like a mage/thief or obviously a Shadowdancer
  • meaglothmeagloth Member Posts: 3,806

    @Lemernis‌ I feel you. I think you actually could do that on a character where this method of stealth makes sense, like a mage/thief or obviously a Shadowdancer

    I have the same problem with stealth. I justify it as a magical ability, like the shadowdancer and other special abilities, Like traps, fighter abilities.
  • booinyoureyesbooinyoureyes Member Posts: 6,164
    @meagloth‌ I wish they had "sneak attack" rather than backstab in Baldur's Gate. Would also be awesome to have "crippling strike" as a high level ability as well.
    jackjackcatsarekacamp
  • LemernisLemernis Member, Moderator Posts: 4,318
    edited March 2014
    Actually, believe it or not, the manual does indeed state that for this game the stealth mode is akin to invisibility. Sayeth the BGEE manual (2) p. 60:
    Stealth (Hide in Shadows/Move Silently) and Backstab

    Thieves can choose to enter Stealth mode—effectively becoming invisible for a time—by selecting the Stealth button. Once invisible, their next attack is a backstab for either x2, x3, or x4 damage, depending on the level of the thief. Note that in order to backstab someone, the thief must be standing behind the target.

    Moving around risks detection. In addition, once a thief attacks the stealth mode is ended until successfully activated again. The thief must be out of his enemy’s direct line of sight before he can hide once more.
    So I think of this skill as a sneak attack from behind that is undetected by the enemy. As such any weapon should theoretically be fair game, although the engine only allows for certain weapons to be used.

    Why staff and not axe, for example?

    I guess I can see a staff being wielded deftly enough* for such a strike as opposed to a halberd; so I suppose the weapon restriction against using a halberd for backstabbing makes a little bit of sense.

    A club (cudgel) I can certainly see as a sneak attack weapon...

    Anyway, it's a little odd what the limitation on weapons for backstabbing came to be for this game.


    *
    Post edited by Lemernis on
    CrevsDaakbooinyoureyesJuliusBorisov
  • OneAngryMushroomOneAngryMushroom Member Posts: 564


    Also raises the question, why is it that you can backstab with a quarterstaff and club, but not a spear or greatsword?

    I think Dark Souls proves that you can backstab with ANY weapon imaginable
    booinyoureyeslolien
  • BillyYankBillyYank Member Posts: 2,768
    edited November 2015
    I keep all quest items and odds and ends as souvenirs, either in a bag of holding or a container at my base of operations.

    When I played my first game of IWD and saw that my bag didn't import into HoW, I didn't just keeper the bag in, I keepered all the lieutenants badges and other tchotchkes I'd picked up along the way.
    Post edited by BillyYank on
    BelgarathMTHatcDaveJuliusBorisovEmpyrial
  • jesterdesujesterdesu Member Posts: 373
    I also tend to leave at least 1 enemy in a group alive where possible (without risking my own skin too much), sometimes more than 1 if a large group, occasionally with a few arrows sticking out of them. I figure they'll perhaps become reformed characters after the lesson I've taught them. I've never been much a fan of genocide tactics.
    semiticgoddess
  • SapphireIce101SapphireIce101 Member Posts: 866
    The fact that I haven't even posted in this thread... So much facepalm worthy.

    Odd Things that SapphireIce101 does in BG:
    1. All thieves must use bows, only exception is Yoshimo because he starts out with a +1 Katana and can dual-class into a fighter.
    2. Give Coran this portrait:
    http://www.deviantart.com/art/Coran-BG-111033538
    by Zoyah
    3. Most of the time I make Khalid into a Fighter/Mage/Thief because why not.
    4. Make Xan into a Fighter/Enchanter for the lulz.
    5. Never use pickpocketing. Like. Ever.

    That's all I got right now.
    JuliusBorisov
  • booinyoureyesbooinyoureyes Member Posts: 6,164
    Jimstrom said:

    Excuse my necroposting, but i really like this thread and want to see it updated again. Some more rules i have for myself is racial equipment restrictions.

    Halflings is restricted to Small shields and Chainmail and small or short weapons
    Gnomes is restricted to Medium shields and Splintmail and small or short weapons
    Dwarfs have no armor or shields restrictions and may use every weapon except two-hand and long swords
    Elfs is restricted to medium shields and platemail and may use every weapon except heavy blunt weapons
    Half-elfs have no armor or shield restrictions and may use every weapon
    Humans have no armor or shield restrictions and may use every weapon
    Half-Orcs have no armor or shield restrictions and may use every weapon

    this way i have some use of all the +1 small shields and armors i found in the game.

    1. I love having my thread resurrected actually! This was a good one
    2. Great set of rules, very much like my own!
    semiticgoddessJuliusBorisovlolien
  • BillyYankBillyYank Member Posts: 2,768
    I haven't done it in a while, but I used to have my charname and a few of the NPCs (especially Imoen) wear non-magical jewelry if I didn't have a magic item to put in the slot. The term "bling" wasn't in use at the time, but "Bling!"
    jesterdesuTuthJuliusBorisovSkatan
  • TuthTuth Member Posts: 233
    I have way too many weird habits, but here it goes:
    - I can't bring myself to stop taking stuff from every container, even when I don't have a thief in my party.
    - always use the same formation (the "star" with 5 members around the last character), since probably the very first playthrough. I even carried it to the other IE games and Pillars of Eternity.
    - no reloading when getting waylaid (fight or run), or scribing scrolls. I do however, reload when resting gets disturbed.
    - use every potion possible if it'll be helpful, usually each character drinks one at the start of the combat. Similarly with spells, each spellcaster has 1 of each spell memorised and I try to use all of them.
    - no pre-buffing, ever.
    - reload when someone dies, with the exception of playthroughs where I reload only if Charname dies.
    - Dwarves, Gnomes and Halflings don't use two-handed weapons (apart form ranged ones) and large swords.
    - resting only when fatigued, though I noticed that reloading seems to reset the "fatigue timer".
    - I tend to stop collecting gems and jewelry when I don't have room in the inventory for them and have characters wear the non-magial amulets and rings.
    - buy only: healing potions and unique equipment (Claw of Kazgaroth, Shadow Armor, etc.). This goes together with taking items from containers, since many needed ones can be found, or taken.
    - Charname is always the leader, even if he's a mage.
    JuliusBorisovsemiticgoddesslolien
  • doggydoggy Member Posts: 313
    Imoen may never die. I know what she is and I need to keep her essence. If I am good she is always with me. Am I evil then she dies. Then I need her essence.

    My romantic interest can never die. Period. Equals reload if it happens.

    I make CN characters all the time and decides early on if they stay CN or is corrupted by evil or see the light of good. The trials in hell will do the rest.

    I rest a lot in the wild. I am a cheap leader and there might be XP in it as well.

    I am always the leader. I am a spawn of a god so what could go wrong? I tend to reload a lot.

    Save once a day items just in case.
    JuliusBorisov
  • mlnevesemlnevese Member, Moderator Posts: 10,214

    CTRL-J to save time. That's probably added years to my lifespan.

    Ctrl-J is a standard game command as far as I'm concerned :)
    semiticgoddess
  • lroumenlroumen Member Posts: 2,508
    Did I post here already?

    1. Generous usage of detect evil, know alignment spells in towns.
    2. Generous use of infravision when underground.
    3. The two column offset party formation.
    4. Pick pocketing fluff characters but not quest characters.
    5. Roleplay everything my player character would do and to the best of abilities what joinable npcs would do.
    6. Using bucklers, small shields, round shields over large shields.
    7. Unequipping weapons when in town.
    8. Unarmed melee in bars.
    9. Total stats below 70 or much much lower.
    10. Specialist mages only learn spells fron their own school.
    11. Not clearing all the fog in areas, sticking to the main road unless roleplaying adventurous or sidequesting.
    12. Declining sidequests that are not in line with the protagonist alignment.
    ..... and probably a lot more .....

    JuliusBorisovsemiticgoddessSkatan
  • jesterdesujesterdesu Member Posts: 373
    All those who don't like fog might also want to use the console to explore the entire area. It can be extra handy for those bits you can't quite uncover via normal exploring.
  • lroumenlroumen Member Posts: 2,508
    Another one: no console usage as it breaks my immersion :)
    Tuthjesterdesu
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