03-06-2003, 06:51 PM
Sorry I got to this post so late...I'm currently playing SoA for the first time myself! ;)
<< 1- I don't own Throne of Bhaal. Do the changes added in TOB impact SoA (ie, should I go out and buy TOB and install the lot together?), or can I wait until after I've finished SoA? >>
Unlike TotSC, ToB is meant to come after SoA. (Meaning, you conclude SoA, and get new stuff with your SoA pals in ToB.) People have mentioned continued romances, the higher experience cap, and some of the best weapons in BG2, so I'll just repeat them again. :)
<< 2- Since I'm starting anew, and can't bear to play through BG1 or Tales of the Sword Coast yet again, I figure I may try one of the "new" classes for the protagonist. I'm thoroughly impressed with Sorcerors in IWD2, and heck, maybe a Monk would be a nice change of pace. Any thoughts as to using them in BG2? >>
Whichever class you take, I suggest a nice mix of melee and missile fighters. If your PC is a sorcerer, take a two fighters, a cleric, an archer, and someone who can switch from melee to missile with ease. If you don't build your party as multiplayer, I suggest Keldorn, Anomen, Jan, Mazzy, and Yoshimo. If you're thinking about being a monk, you might want to switch one of those fighters for a mage. I suggest Keldorn, Anomen, Aerie, Mazzy, and Jan. Be sure to read your manual to get familiar with these classes.
<< 3- I have no intention of soloing BG2 (although I enjoy it in the IWD games, go figure), but in the past I've mostly stuck with the Imoen/Khalid/Jaheira/Minsc/Dynaheir default party type (substitute Khalid and Dynaheir for Aerie or Jan and the NPC-of-the-day in BG2). Any suggestions for other NPCs that are especially effective or have interesting chatter and/or dialogue? I always thought Edwin was cool in BG; may have to try him in BG2 as well... >>
Edwin is hands-down the best mage NPC, spell-wise. Problem is, he's evil. And he hates Minsc. Minsc, otoh, is the 3rd best tank in the game, and has great party interactions. Anomen is the 2nd best tank, as well as being a seat-kicking cleric, but most people don't like him because he's a condescending bastard. Keldorn is the only paladin in the game, taking the inquisitor kit. He's the best tank, but can be a racist bastard depending on who's in the party. Yoshimo is the sole pureclass thief (bounty hunter kit) in the game, and has lots of fun things to say, from Bruce Lee to Iron Chef. Imoen is still annoying, Jar Jarheira is still a harpy, but Viconia has improved in portrait and personality. And look at the magic resistance! Korgan is evil's answer to Keldorn, but is more neutral evil than chaotic evil. Mazzy Fentan has a grandmastery in bows, and Cernd can shapeshift into a werewolf. Aerie is the only cleric/mage you'll ever find, and there are probably other NPCs I'm missing, but I can't remember them right now.
<< And lastly, any suggestions in general? Stuff like, "don't wake up Kangaxx before you want to fight" and such? Think I did that once, or at least woke up some lich near the beginning of the game. Got my arse handed to me, lol. >>
http://www.geocities.com/sixospades/bg/bgguide.htm
All the info on BG1/BG2 you'll ever need.
<< 1- I don't own Throne of Bhaal. Do the changes added in TOB impact SoA (ie, should I go out and buy TOB and install the lot together?), or can I wait until after I've finished SoA? >>
Unlike TotSC, ToB is meant to come after SoA. (Meaning, you conclude SoA, and get new stuff with your SoA pals in ToB.) People have mentioned continued romances, the higher experience cap, and some of the best weapons in BG2, so I'll just repeat them again. :)
<< 2- Since I'm starting anew, and can't bear to play through BG1 or Tales of the Sword Coast yet again, I figure I may try one of the "new" classes for the protagonist. I'm thoroughly impressed with Sorcerors in IWD2, and heck, maybe a Monk would be a nice change of pace. Any thoughts as to using them in BG2? >>
Whichever class you take, I suggest a nice mix of melee and missile fighters. If your PC is a sorcerer, take a two fighters, a cleric, an archer, and someone who can switch from melee to missile with ease. If you don't build your party as multiplayer, I suggest Keldorn, Anomen, Jan, Mazzy, and Yoshimo. If you're thinking about being a monk, you might want to switch one of those fighters for a mage. I suggest Keldorn, Anomen, Aerie, Mazzy, and Jan. Be sure to read your manual to get familiar with these classes.
<< 3- I have no intention of soloing BG2 (although I enjoy it in the IWD games, go figure), but in the past I've mostly stuck with the Imoen/Khalid/Jaheira/Minsc/Dynaheir default party type (substitute Khalid and Dynaheir for Aerie or Jan and the NPC-of-the-day in BG2). Any suggestions for other NPCs that are especially effective or have interesting chatter and/or dialogue? I always thought Edwin was cool in BG; may have to try him in BG2 as well... >>
Edwin is hands-down the best mage NPC, spell-wise. Problem is, he's evil. And he hates Minsc. Minsc, otoh, is the 3rd best tank in the game, and has great party interactions. Anomen is the 2nd best tank, as well as being a seat-kicking cleric, but most people don't like him because he's a condescending bastard. Keldorn is the only paladin in the game, taking the inquisitor kit. He's the best tank, but can be a racist bastard depending on who's in the party. Yoshimo is the sole pureclass thief (bounty hunter kit) in the game, and has lots of fun things to say, from Bruce Lee to Iron Chef. Imoen is still annoying, Jar Jarheira is still a harpy, but Viconia has improved in portrait and personality. And look at the magic resistance! Korgan is evil's answer to Keldorn, but is more neutral evil than chaotic evil. Mazzy Fentan has a grandmastery in bows, and Cernd can shapeshift into a werewolf. Aerie is the only cleric/mage you'll ever find, and there are probably other NPCs I'm missing, but I can't remember them right now.
<< And lastly, any suggestions in general? Stuff like, "don't wake up Kangaxx before you want to fight" and such? Think I did that once, or at least woke up some lich near the beginning of the game. Got my arse handed to me, lol. >>
http://www.geocities.com/sixospades/bg/bgguide.htm
All the info on BG1/BG2 you'll ever need.
UPDATE: Spamblaster.