Seeking advice for an old game...

[WarLocke]

Planescape Torment is one of the best games I have ever played.

I agree, Torment is one of the best. I own it, in fact. Unfortunately, due to an incident in college -- microwaving popcorn from the same power output the computer is using while installing a program is bad, mmmkay? -- I can't run it. I have all the registry entries saying it's already on the computer, so it won't let me install it.

I've looked at my registry a couple times since then to try and clear the pertinent entries, but I don't know enough to be confident of doing it without FUBARing everything else. :(


Anyway, back to BG2. I've reinstalled it, downloaded the official patch (I think I bought the game late enough that I had a pre-patched copy, but what the heck), then went to BaldurDash and got their bugfix pack (amazing how many bugs were listed), their Dialog.tlk replacement (supposedly just a bunch of typo and description fixes, but what the hey?), and a few tweaks.

Universal Ioun Stones (not letting Mages use them because they can't wear helmets is just stupid. Screw the protection vs crits bit)
All-Blunt Dmg Throwing Hammer
AD&D Rules Grandmastery Bonuses
Better Looking Robe of Vecna (Red & Black, baby!)

I ended up creating the protagonist as a Neutral Good Human Priest of Lathander (never have done the cleric stronghold quest, and Lathander's the only "good" choice -- Helm was tempting, though), with the following stats: Str 16, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 16, Wis 18, Cha 16 (well, he is the spawn of a god, after all B) ). Proficiencies in Sword-and-Shield, Warhammer, Flail, and (at level 9) Mace. I used Anomen's portrait since I don't have any custom ones at the moment and don't plan on ever (EVAR) letting him near me, heh.

Picked up Jaheira, Minsc, and Yoshimo in Irenicus' dungeon, then once I got out (and the Cowled Wizards ran off with Irenicus and Imoen) I headed straight for the slums, went through all the beginning-of-chapter-2 stuff, then to the government district to pick up Jan Jansen (also saved Viconia and agreed to hunt down Valygar for that annoying guy).

Then it was back to the promenade to do that circus tent and those annoying adventurers in the inn. I swear, that dwarf must have 140hp (took 40+ damage from traps and was only "barely injured", grr)!

Next stop is the slums, I think I'm going to do the Copper Coronet/Free the Slaves quests (and pick up Lilarcor for Minsc), to build up some more experience and hopefully a level or two before moving on.

My next move is somewhat fuzzy. I'm leaning towards heading to Umar Hills to start the quest there (leads to the Temple Ruins and gets me Mazzy Fentan, although I'd have to take on a dragon); or I could go to the temple district, which would set off my stronghold quest and I could pick up Keldorn (although, again, I'd end up fighting Beholders, ugh).

So, my party ends up being:

Priest of Lathander
Mazzy/Keldorn -> Sarevok
Minsc
Jaheira
Yoshimo -> Imoen
Jan Jansen

Question 1: What do I miss by not doing the Planar Sphere quest? I really don't much like Valygar, and basically planned to hunt him down (he is in Umar Hills, right?) and just warn him that the Cowled Wizards were looking for him. Screw those guys. But, since you need Valygar in your party to get into the Sphere (or possibly just his body?) I miss out on everything in there this way. <_<

Question 2: When is a good point to move on to Chapter 3? If all I need is 20,000 gold, it doesn't seem like it will take long (already have near 7,000). Should I go as soon as possible, to get Imoen back at a lower level? Or should I stick around awhile, gain another level or two, and buy some gear (that Robe of Vecna is calling me...)?