Is there a way to ensure my character is chosen to lead conversations?

[jasta85]

So, playing a bard, as I want to pass all the dialogue checks, but there have been occasions where random members of my party get selected to be a part of a dialogue check and I have no option to switch, or back out of the conversation so my bard can take over. Is there any way to designate my character as the default one to tallk or something? it's a bit frustrating when I fail what should have been easy to pass checks.

[MeatGolem]

Was this recent as in the last couple days?

In my last play-through a few days ago, as long as I was in reasonable distance from my party, I was always the lead of the conversation. Even in instances where I was sure I wouldn't be.

Also any abilities that my companions had for a conversation were options even though I was doing the talking, like Gale reading thoughts. So I think this may be fixed? Could be wrong, wasn't actively looking to test this so just telling you what my latest experience was.

[Recjawjind]

Initiate conversation on your bard, have your bard walk at the front of the party. Sometimes when approached at odd angles, or conversation out of combat, someone else might be talked to. That's not a big deal, you don't always have to succeed at everything. Failing checks in conversation is part of it too.

[Heu, Iterum Id Feci]

Kill everyone and walk alone...100% guaranteed that only you will be chosen...:P
Jokes aside, it's not random who is chosen, it's by proximity.
Also I'm pretty sure there was talk about being able to choose who speaks on release..can't remember where though...

[Arani]

Originally posted by jasta85:

So, playing a bard, as I want to pass all the dialogue checks, but there have been occasions where random members of my party get selected to be a part of a dialogue check and I have no option to switch, or back out of the conversation so my bard can take over. Is there any way to designate my character as the default one to tallk or something? it's a bit frustrating when I fail what should have been easy to pass checks.

Yeah it's one of the nuisances of them planning the game around multiplayer and the origin characters (well nuisance to me, apparently some like it). From my experience with D:OS2 and BG3 EA, you of course always speak with whoever is the active character when you click others.

But there are some scripted events like ambushes or entering a new zone or after combat or just getting near some specific NPC's, where they will be the ones to initiate dialogue. Whenever this happens, they will speak to whoever is closest to them. So like 99.9% of the time, it's enough that you always lead with your main character. Which can be a bother sometimes with traps and ambushes etc. but you'll just have to get used to loading the game when those things happen. But then there's the fraction of time when you get important dialogue *after* combat, and of course you had no idea what was gonna happen so whoever is closest will be random. These parts can be a real pain, especially if the fight was a tough one. I guess you'll just have to decide whether loading will be worth it or not. I've had a few cases with really, really frustrating fights that I barely managed to win, and just did not bother loading afterwards. Even though I then had to make important decisions with a character who had no business speaking on my behalf. xD

[jasta85]

I didn't have a problem getting my bard to start a conversation if I selected them and had them talk alone, it was mainly when the conversation would start automatically after a fight or something when I didn't initiate it myself. In the case it seemed to be random.

[jasta85]

Originally posted by Arani:

Originally posted by jasta85:

So, playing a bard, as I want to pass all the dialogue checks, but there have been occasions where random members of my party get selected to be a part of a dialogue check and I have no option to switch, or back out of the conversation so my bard can take over. Is there any way to designate my character as the default one to tallk or something? it's a bit frustrating when I fail what should have been easy to pass checks.

Yeah it's one of the nuisances of them planning the game around multiplayer and the origin characters (well nuisance to me, apparently some like it). From my experience with D:OS2 and BG3 EA, you of course always speak with whoever is the active character when you click others.

But there are some scripted events like ambushes or entering a new zone or after combat or just getting near some specific NPC's, where they will be the ones to initiate dialogue. Whenever this happens, they will speak to whoever is closest to them. So like 99.9% of the time, it's enough that you always lead with your main character. Which can be a bother sometimes with traps and ambushes etc. but you'll just have to get used to loading the game when those things happen. But then there's the fraction of time when you get important dialogue *after* combat, and of course you had no idea what was gonna happen so whoever is closest will be random. These parts can be a real pain, especially if the fight was a tough one. I guess you'll just have to decide whether loading will be worth it or not. I've had a few cases with really, really frustrating fights that I barely managed to win, and just did not bother loading afterwards. Even though I then had to make important decisions with a character who had no business speaking on my behalf. xD

Ah, that makes sense then, my bard has been a back liner so that's why he didn't get picked for conversations. guess I should just make sure to run him forward just before finishing a fight then.