Where to go/what to do after the ship

[Lampros]

Since the first act is basically an entire map, rather than a series of separate sections of the map as in most RPGs, I am really stumped as to what to do/where to go first. I am at level 2 1/2 out of the gate, and what options do I have in terms of safest path? Got to the underground cave to get Withers? Emerald Grove? Any basic path suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Action Man]

Emerald Grove is the safest. The more west you go, the tougher things get.

Four potential party members are nearby the ship. You can find another in the Grove, and that party member points you toward another. You can go gather them up, get your party the way you want, then go explore.

[Zackerie]

those are your only options anyway. you can do either. I mean you could trigger the druid grove cut scene and run away too, as a third option.

[Pixel_Kitsune]

Generically I'd say the path is Withers, Druids, Goblin Village, Goblin Hideout, Swamp, the NW sections, Cheche, Underdark.

Nothing makes you go in that order.

Realistically is I would say always do Withers and Druids first to get to level 3 and have access to shops, from there, have fun.

[CorwynCorey]

There is no safety. The world is harsh and dangerous. the only fair is what you make fair.
Safety is held by strength of arms and spells.
The best bet is to explore.

Every playthrough will be different. The order you do things, and what this changes for the things you do next IS the game. Because whatever you do CAN change what come next.

When in doubt... Gather your party.

[Jolly Devil]

Emerald Grove is considered the main path to go for the start. Getting Withers is good but he’s not needed to start. You can find companions all around that general area. After the grove you can head to the goblin camp as a ally or enemy depending on choices you can make.

[KocLobster]

I can only play for short bits of time, usually no more than an hour. And there's an absurd amount of content in this game.

My general recommendation is to just pick a direction and go or follow a quest marker without trying to turn over every rock/nook/cranny in the process.

For act one difficulty wise, I think the easiest stuff is East and gets harder as you go West

[Lampros]

Originally posted by Action Man:

Emerald Grove is the safest. The more west you go, the tougher things get.

Four potential party members are nearby the ship. You can find another in the Grove, and that party member points you toward another. You can go gather them up, get your party the way you want, then go explore.

Thanks; can I handle the big fight in the Emerald Grove at level 2 though? I am also not picking up Karlach; she's too much of an abomination for me, and she also turns Wyll into one, as I understand it! ;)

Originally posted by Pixel Kitsune:

Generically I'd say the path is Withers, Druids, Goblin Vullage, Goblin Hideout, Swamp, the NW sections, Cheche, Underdark.

Nothing makes you go in that order.

Realistically is I would say always do Withers and Druids first to get to level 3 and have access to shops, from there, have fun.

Thanks! But I did see some dudes near ruins before Emerald Grove. Is that a hard fight?

[Action Man]

Originally posted by Lampros:

Thanks; can I handle the big fight in the Emerald Grove at level 2 though? I am also not picking up Karlach; she's too much of an abomination for me, and she also turns Wyll into one, as I understand it! ;)

It wasn't too tough, and you have a fair number of NPC helpers. If you go in with a squad of four, you shouldn't have much trouble.

[Lampros]

By the way, guys:

What's easier fight: Emerald Grove or the path to Withers?

[CorwynCorey]

Originally posted by Lampros:

By the way, guys:

What's easier fight: Emerald Grove or the path to Withers?

The Grove

[KocLobster]

Originally posted by CorwynCorey:

Originally posted by Lampros:

By the way, guys:

What's easier fight: Emerald Grove or the path to Withers?

The Grove

wat? Wasnt the fight to Withers just a couple of ghosts? Surely grove is harder

[CorwynCorey]

Originally posted by cookie!:

Originally posted by CorwynCorey:

The Grove

wat? Wasnt the fight to Withers just a couple of ghosts? Surely grove is harder

Grove has allies. No skill checks to get there. One fight and you aren't even the main targets.

[KocLobster]

Originally posted by CorwynCorey:

Originally posted by cookie!:

wat? Wasnt the fight to Withers just a couple of ghosts? Surely grove is harder

Grove has allies. No skill checks to get there. One fight and you aren't even the main targets.

All true, but I remember being done with Withers quickly.

The grove required at least some strategy for me because I tried to not allow any allies to die.

[Arjean]

If you want to do all of the content in the somewhat "intended" order than it would be this:

Tutorial -> Crashed Ship -> Withers Crypt -> Druid Grove -> area between grove and blighted village -> Blighted Village -> Waukeen's Rest / High Road / Mountain pass entrance area -> swamp (can be exchanged with Waukeen's rest, do whichever one you prefer first) -> Goblin Camp -> Underdark -> Grymforge -> Mountain Pass (!!Act 2!!) -> and on to moonrise towers (don't want to spoil by accident)

I should also mention that the creche goes AFTER Grymforge and the Underdark because it is another way to start Act 2 and it causes a little time skip unlike Grymforge & Underdark which are 100% in Act 1.

You can choose to go wherever you want it is insane how many ways there are to reach the end of the game I am still discovering new things and I'm more than 200 hours into the game (Got the game in GOG and Steam so around 240 hours ish).

[Arjean]

Originally posted by cookie!:

Originally posted by CorwynCorey:

Grove has allies. No skill checks to get there. One fight and you aren't even the main targets.

All true, but I remember being done with Withers quickly.

The grove required at least some strategy for me because I tried to not allow any allies to die.

You are correct, Withers' fight should come first to do the grove optimally (as in, no one dies etc.) it takes more effort than to beat a bunch of undead that Shadowheart can just use turn-undead on, also geographically it is first on the map and the XP can be enough to push players to level 3 giving an edge.