| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 25 Apr 2024 : 04:23:57
I was wondering if anyone has played this. If so, any idea what I should go with? For the record, I'm playing a Good-aligned/heroic party. I also heard this version has kits for classes, unlike the original (which I never got to play).
For the first character, I was thinking a Paladin, for starters, since I heard there is a Holy Avenger in this game. Which kit, I'm torn on that. Might potentially be my party's tank.
Second character, I was thinking either a Berserker (likely a Dwarf) for melee damage or a Dwarven Defender as a tank if the pally isn't such.
Third, I'm thinking an Archer (Ranger kit) for ranged support.
Fourth, I was eyeing a Cleric, since I heard they are very useful in this game.
Fifth, I was thinking a Bard, possibly a Skald. Mainly use magic and music.
Finally, I heard a multiclass Thief/Mage would potentially work. I also heard scrolls were scarce. This one would be my utility character and possibly sling spells around.
Could that party work well? My main concern is arcane spellcasting, whether I could have enough, too much or too little. |
| 28 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 03 Jul 2024 : 03:32:59
Update: Going through Upper Dorn's Deep now. Planning to stop just before the point of now return in Lower Dorn's Deep and hit up Heart of Winter. |
| Giant Snake |
Posted - 21 Jun 2024 : 10:31:08
Another thing I meant to say. The Marilith (I forgot her name) and that whole encounter and even the floor before were hard enough that the Severed Hand and the next place didn’t seem so hard. But then again I first killed her with an archer. Archers are amazing in these old games. |
| Giant Snake |
Posted - 21 Jun 2024 : 07:09:43
I’m not going to weigh in on all of that about software because, despite being on the internet, that is not my field. I am an expert in my field, but that isn’t it.
And I’m glad to see you going to severed Hand. It makes me feel warm to think of that part and the very next chapter. They’re not really very hard though. Kind of a nice chance to enjoy the story and look at the scenery. I miss that pre rendered look. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 19 Jun 2024 : 08:03:14
quote:
I heard Beamdog wanted to make IWD2 Enhanced Edition but the source code was lost. 
That's not a real issue these days.
Because so many sophisticated free software tools exist now which can automatically disassemble and rebuild source from executable.
Getting a perfectly binary-equivalent recompile is admittedly difficult if you want it done right. It takes time. It takes capable human code analysis. Github has thousands of online projects which have been reverse-engineered from source. And while it takes time - it still takes much less time than reprogramming the whole project from scratch.
Extracting the data you need from old game assets is not at all difficult anymore, even if you can't code. Many modders who can't program do it. Including modders who've modded this particular game.
And the game engine itself is well-known to Beamdog, since they're already rebuilt other titles in the series. Even if they didn't have the original sourcecode, they could functionally reconstruct it into their existing engines with all the data from the game asset files.
So "we don't have the original sourcecode" is no longer a valid excuse. It's a liar's way of saying "we don't want to do that project". |
| Athreeren |
Posted - 17 Jun 2024 : 08:27:28
quote:
Originally posted by Giant Snake
I never played part 2. Word is they’re going to find a way to make it again with the same bonus treatment as all the others. I sure hope that’s true.
It's not going to happen. However, there is fan content created with that name, that does basically that: re-release Icewind Dale 2 with added features. Apparently it's good (I haven't tried this version).
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/87952/icewind-dale-2-enhanced-edition-is-released
This is a mod though, so you would need the original game (you can get it on gog.com for instance). |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 16 Jun 2024 : 20:12:55
quote:
Originally posted by Giant Snake
I never played part 2. Word is they’re going to find a way to make it again with the same bonus treatment as all the others. I sure hope that’s true.
I heard Beamdog wanted to make IWD2 Enhanced Edition but the source code was lost.
Either way, I still have the original copy from GoG.com and have been playing that up until recently. Got a little burned out on it, especially after I started playing the EEs of BG1 & 2 and now IWD1. 
On a side note, Dragon's Eye is now completed. I just started the Severed Hand. Starting to get a bit more challenging.  |
| Giant Snake |
Posted - 14 Jun 2024 : 07:32:25
I never played part 2. Word is they’re going to find a way to make it again with the same bonus treatment as all the others. I sure hope that’s true. |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 13 Jun 2024 : 18:22:44
quote:
Originally posted by Giant Snake
For me it was after Dragon’s Eye where I got good stuff. Also that’s when the story gets really good. I won’t give it away.
Well, I played the sequel first, so I know who the big bad of the first game is, for one. |
| Giant Snake |
Posted - 13 Jun 2024 : 07:40:16
For me it was after Dragon’s Eye where I got good stuff. Also that’s when the story gets really good. I won’t give it away. |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 10 Jun 2024 : 00:30:00
Update #3: Now about to hit up Dragon's Eye. I wonder if this is where players start getting the more interesting static drops. |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 06 Jun 2024 : 18:43:21
Currently about finished with the second level of Black Wolf Temple. A little tough at times with the large mobs but not impossible. Healing is an issue but even if I had a vanilla Bard, I'm doubtful I'd have the song that allows party members to heal. My Skald and Swashbuckler are both already level 5 while the rest of the party is level 4.
Best melee damage dealer so far is a toss-up between my Undead Hunter or my Berserker, but odds are likely that the latter will really shine sooner or later. My Sorcerer, between both his sling and his spells, is doing well as ranged damage. Already got some +1 weapons, namely two longswords, a sling, hammer and morningstar so far. Can't wait to see what good stuff I get next.  |
| Giant Snake |
Posted - 06 Jun 2024 : 11:12:50
I tried doing an all Dwarf party and to keep it thematic (so no mage of any kind and my thief was a gnome) but I couldn’t beat the undead early in the game. I figured two clerics would make it trivial but no way |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 02 Jun 2024 : 16:29:21
quote:
Originally posted by Giant Snake
I enjoy this game a lot. More than the Baldur’s Gate games tbh. If there is one thing about it it is that archers are very useful. I think my archer has gotten most of the killing done except for construct enemies. Not even a thief archer just a full on elf straight up archer.
Was tempted to make an archer but so far, my Cleric and Sorcerer seem to handling ranged support (armed with slings) for the most part. Sometimes my Paladin joins in with his heavy crossbow but otherwise wades in with his longsword and shield to handle melee alongside the Berserker (armed with either axes, flails or morningstars) and the Swashbuckler (who is later going to dual-wield longswords once she gets high enough proficiency in that fighting style). As I said, so far so good.
From what I hear, undead are going to be a major issue not too far from where I am and possibly until the end of the game, hence why I chose to have an Undead Hunter for a Paladin. BGEE and BG2EE seem to be more of a game for Cavaliers or Inquisitors (namely the first game with many enemies using some form of charm ability). Combine that with the common use of fear spells, and that's why I rolled a Cavalier for my current playthrough of that. 
Update: Just entered Kuldahar last night. From what I gather, this is where the real fun begins. |
| Giant Snake |
Posted - 02 Jun 2024 : 08:25:35
I enjoy this game a lot. More than the Baldur’s Gate games tbh. If there is one thing about it it is that archers are very useful. I think my archer has gotten most of the killing done except for construct enemies. Not even a thief archer just a full on elf straight up archer. |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 01 Jun 2024 : 21:42:18
Alright, so I decided to install the game and get started yesterday. Party is as follows:
- Human Undead Hunter (who will use a longsword [eventually Pale Justice] and shield for melee and a heavy crossbow for ranged combat)
- Dwarf Berserker (proficient with axes and morningstars/flails)
- Human Priest of Lathander (warhammer and sling), a Human Swashbuckler (going to be dual-wielding longswords)
- Human Skald (mainly going to sing but is proficient with bastard sword and longbow; will add spells ASAP)
- Human Sorcerer (proficient with sling and will eventually add quarterstaff; starts out with Magic Missle and Armor for spells).
So far, so good. Just about finished with the prologue and half the party is level 3 while the other half is level 2. |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 28 Apr 2024 : 16:20:52
quote:
Originally posted by Athreeren
quote:
Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
Okay. What about a Paladin (likely an Undead Hunter), Berserker, a Cleric (likely a Priest of Lathander), and a Bard (likely a Skald) to go with a Sorcerer?
Also, is a Thief necessary (like in BG1 and - to a lesser extent - BG2) or optional (like in IWD2)? I was questioning if I really needed a pure Thief or could make do with a dual-class Human (likely a Fighter) or multi-class (likely an Elf)? If I do so, they'd be more likely to be a ranged support than a backstab/sneak attack type if it uses similar rules to BG1 & BG2. That, or if I go pure Thief, I might go with Swashbuckler to turn them more into an additional melee fighter. If I really don't need a Thief at all, I might go with an Archer for ranged suppport or a Dwarven Defender to act as a tank so the Undead Hunter and Berserker can focus more on raw damage.
It's been a while, and I don't remember how much traps and locked chests there are. Since much loot is randomised upon entering a new map, even important magic items, it can be tempting to always save before entering a dungeon, stealth around to check every chest, and only start the dungeon when the loot is going to be satisfying (again, the difference is between fighting respawning trolls with a small number of fire arrows, or with a flaming sword: the randomisation can really screw the balance of the game). Also, you can get a lot of XP in his game, enough to get your thief the high level ability "use any item". But the game is mostly fighting, and skills such as pickpocketing are basically useless. Buffs are essential, so a cleric and a bard are a good idea. And of course you're going to need tanks.
Hmmmm... okay, I guess I'll try going with a Swashbuckler, then, as a melee damage dealer and at least to handle traps and locks. |
| Athreeren |
Posted - 28 Apr 2024 : 13:18:51
quote:
Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
Okay. What about a Paladin (likely an Undead Hunter), Berserker, a Cleric (likely a Priest of Lathander), and a Bard (likely a Skald) to go with a Sorcerer?
Also, is a Thief necessary (like in BG1 and - to a lesser extent - BG2) or optional (like in IWD2)? I was questioning if I really needed a pure Thief or could make do with a dual-class Human (likely a Fighter) or multi-class (likely an Elf)? If I do so, they'd be more likely to be a ranged support than a backstab/sneak attack type if it uses similar rules to BG1 & BG2. That, or if I go pure Thief, I might go with Swashbuckler to turn them more into an additional melee fighter. If I really don't need a Thief at all, I might go with an Archer for ranged suppport or a Dwarven Defender to act as a tank so the Undead Hunter and Berserker can focus more on raw damage.
It's been a while, and I don't remember how much traps and locked chests there are. Since much loot is randomised upon entering a new map, even important magic items, it can be tempting to always save before entering a dungeon, stealth around to check every chest, and only start the dungeon when the loot is going to be satisfying (again, the difference is between fighting respawning trolls with a small number of fire arrows, or with a flaming sword: the randomisation can really screw the balance of the game). Also, you can get a lot of XP in his game, enough to get your thief the high level ability "use any item". But the game is mostly fighting, and skills such as pickpocketing are basically useless. Buffs are essential, so a cleric and a bard are a good idea. And of course you're going to need tanks. |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 27 Apr 2024 : 20:00:59
quote:
Originally posted by Athreeren
quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
You need a pure mage, you wont survive without it.
I am not sure that is a good idea. Icewind Dale is very stingy on the loot, especially scrolls. So mages are often underpowered. The enhanced edition adds sorcerers without changing the game to balance it for them, and with few scrolls to go around, a sorcerer is like a mage with more spells per day AND the ability to get the choice of spells that the game is not giving you (this is less true by the end-game, at which point you will have come across all the spells from IWD and Baldur's Gate 2, so choosing only a few of them for a sorcerer becomes harder). Of course it is useful to decide in advance your choice of spells for the full game, but I'd say a sorcerer would be better than a mage. Although I do agree that on or more arcane caster is essential.
I played the game with a solo fighter / mage / thief, and I remember the game as being a lot of save scumming until the end of the first dungeon, after which I was able to have more fun (except for having to fight trolls without any reliable way to set them on fire...)
Okay. What about a Paladin (likely an Undead Hunter), Berserker, a Cleric (likely a Priest of Lathander), and a Bard (likely a Skald) to go with a Sorcerer?
Also, is a Thief necessary (like in BG1 and - to a lesser extent - BG2) or optional (like in IWD2)? I was questioning if I really needed a pure Thief or could make do with a dual-class Human (likely a Fighter) or multi-class (likely an Elf)? If I do so, they'd be more likely to be a ranged support than a backstab/sneak attack type if it uses similar rules to BG1 & BG2. That, or if I go pure Thief, I might go with Swashbuckler to turn them more into an additional melee fighter. If I really don't need a Thief at all, I might go with an Archer for ranged suppport or a Dwarven Defender to act as a tank so the Undead Hunter and Berserker can focus more on raw damage. |
| Athreeren |
Posted - 27 Apr 2024 : 17:20:41
quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
You need a pure mage, you wont survive without it.
I am not sure that is a good idea. Icewind Dale is very stingy on the loot, especially scrolls. So mages are often underpowered. The enhanced edition adds sorcerers without changing the game to balance it for them, and with few scrolls to go around, a sorcerer is like a mage with more spells per day AND the ability to get the choice of spells that the game is not giving you (this is less true by the end-game, at which point you will have come across all the spells from IWD and Baldur's Gate 2, so choosing only a few of them for a sorcerer becomes harder). Of course it is useful to decide in advance your choice of spells for the full game, but I'd say a sorcerer would be better than a mage. Although I do agree that on or more arcane caster is essential.
I played the game with a solo fighter / mage / thief, and I remember the game as being a lot of save scumming until the end of the first dungeon, after which I was able to have more fun (except for having to fight trolls without any reliable way to set them on fire...) |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 27 Apr 2024 : 16:31:24
quote:
Originally posted by ElfBane
As I mentioned before, you need a full Mage and a full Thief.
Okay, noted. Hmmm.... Probably ditch the Archer, then. I'm questioning if my Berserker can tank if properly geared. Probably going to have them wield axes for a weapon. Paladin is staying, though. I'm likely going to kit them as an Undead Hunter. Bard is also staying. Also tempted to have a Sorcerer instead of a Mage. |
| ElfBane |
Posted - 26 Apr 2024 : 17:17:00
quote:
Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
The class kits are usually an afterthought, so while they might add a gimmicky new ability, the NPC interactions dont account necessarily account for an archer or a barbarian (although there might be one added in for niceties), nor is there much equipment specifically for those kits. Fighters and thieves, and mages, and clerics, and paladins, and bards get all the love in terms of game content.
Base classes were always the most versatile from what i remember.
Well, I'm more concerned with utility and survivability, having played BG1 & 2 (normal and Enhanced Editions) as well as IWD2. If IWDEE is anything like IWD2 roleplay-wise, I'm know now to expect much for unique interaction.
Either way, would you say my proposed party would work?
As I mentioned before, you need a full Mage and a full Thief. |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 26 Apr 2024 : 16:59:40
quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
The class kits are usually an afterthought, so while they might add a gimmicky new ability, the NPC interactions dont account necessarily account for an archer or a barbarian (although there might be one added in for niceties), nor is there much equipment specifically for those kits. Fighters and thieves, and mages, and clerics, and paladins, and bards get all the love in terms of game content.
Base classes were always the most versatile from what i remember.
Well, I'm more concerned with utility and survivability, having played BG1 & 2 (normal and Enhanced Editions) as well as IWD2. If IWDEE is anything like IWD2 roleplay-wise, I'm know now to expect much for unique interaction.
Either way, would you say my proposed party would work? |
| Gary Dallison |
Posted - 26 Apr 2024 : 09:23:32
The class kits are usually an afterthought, so while they might add a gimmicky new ability, the NPC interactions dont account necessarily account for an archer or a barbarian (although there might be one added in for niceties), nor is there much equipment specifically for those kits. Fighters and thieves, and mages, and clerics, and paladins, and bards get all the love in terms of game content.
Base classes were always the most versatile from what i remember. |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 26 Apr 2024 : 03:32:53
quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
I vaguely recall icewind dale was using the 2e rules.
If thats the case then you dont want multiclassing at all.
Paladin is a must for the best weapon.
I'd go with a straight up fighter for muscle, AC is important and Barbarian can only use leather if i remember rightly.
In fact the core classes are often the best in AD&D and especially the computer games (they get better representation in gear and class specific rp interactions).
You need a pure mage, you wont survive without it.
You need a thief for the traps.
You probably need a cleric as well as the paladin isnt good enough at healing.
The last character is up to you, but i'd double up on something depending upon what you like doing. I tended to have a wall of meat so an extra fighter, but thats because i hate managing the spells.
Don't forget, this is the Enhanced Edition, so it adds a lot of stuff the original version didn't, namely BG2 class kits. |
| ElfBane |
Posted - 25 Apr 2024 : 23:30:44
Played it (BG2-Enhanced) several times. So, I'm NOT a Paladin fan. You don't need them. You DO need a full class Mage and Theif. You'll also want TWO in the party that can Tank. A full class Cleric. The sixth member is whatever you may think you want more of. I've never run a Bard, so I can't advise you on having one. They DO have a LOT of Crowd Control abilities. |
| Gary Dallison |
Posted - 25 Apr 2024 : 20:54:10
I vaguely recall icewind dale was using the 2e rules.
If thats the case then you dont want multiclassing at all.
Paladin is a must for the best weapon.
I'd go with a straight up fighter for muscle, AC is important and Barbarian can only use leather if i remember rightly.
In fact the core classes are often the best in AD&D and especially the computer games (they get better representation in gear and class specific rp interactions).
You need a pure mage, you wont survive without it.
You need a thief for the traps.
You probably need a cleric as well as the paladin isnt good enough at healing.
The last character is up to you, but i'd double up on something depending upon what you like doing. I tended to have a wall of meat so an extra fighter, but thats because i hate managing the spells. |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 25 Apr 2024 : 19:40:44
quote:
Originally posted by Delnyn
Why would you play a game where you have an idea what the loot would be? I especially refer to the holy avenger. Would you consider the paladin if you were not told that detail? Maybe the party could work extremely well. This is not my cup of tea.
That's the only piece of loot I know about, and I like playing Paladins regardless. Seriously, though, no critique about the rest of my party? I was looking for advice, not combativeness. |
| Delnyn |
Posted - 25 Apr 2024 : 11:18:56
Why would you play a game where you have an idea what the loot would be? I especially refer to the holy avenger. Would you consider the paladin if you were not told that detail? Maybe the party could work extremely well. This is not my cup of tea. |
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