Struggling to get into the game properly

[blueflame316]

I've put in about 20 hours in so far but I'd usually be properly into a game by now. I haven't played it for a few days and I'm considering parking it to play something else. I'm completely new to D&D and BG games but did a lot of preparation and tried to learn a lot about how it all works before even playing.

I have enjoyed what I've played so far but it hasn't hooked me yet. I do like some of the companions and their stories but the amount of side tasks and locations to explore makes it feel overwhelming.

Then there's combat which is its own black hole. I don't know if I'm even doing it right but I haven't died yet (playing on balanced). I chose a Paladin with Oath of Vengeance subclass but my character seems a bit dorky during the main story dialogue being a silent protagonist and his weird ass smile while the narrator speaks. It just doesn't seem to match what I had in mind for a Paladin who will end all wrongdoers.

So should I just continue playing and hope that I get hooked in properly down the line? I am quite early into the game still, I only just got to the Goblin camp because I did some side stuff first.

[Mike Garrison]

You don't have to do everything. Some of us like to do pretty much every possible encounter, but it's not necessary.

Also, IMO, Paladin is actually a hard class to play.

As for the "dorky look", try to just ignore it, I guess. They had to go with a neutral look for most dialogue interactions because you can often choose anything from "persuade" to "attack", and the devs have no idea which way the player actually wants to go.

[blueflame316]

Originally posted by Mike Garrison:

You don't have to do everything. Some of us like to do pretty much every possible encounter, but it's not necessary.

Also, IMO, Paladin is actually a hard class to play.

As for the "dorky look", try to just ignore it, I guess. They had to go with a neutral look for most dialogue interactions because you can often choose anything from "persuade" to "attack", and the devs have no idea which way the player actually wants to go.

Thanks for the tips! I chose Paladin because it seems to be the best overall class and was recommended by other players. I wouldn't be opposed to changing my class though. I've found that plenty of encounters were not close quarters so any kind of ranged attacks or spells were the only useful way of attacking. So it made the Paladins strong melee attacks seem redundant. But then again, I have only had a handful of battles so that might be why

[Chaosolous]

The game is super overwhelming if you have a completionist mindset. There's so much permutation in this game and it's literally so ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ long, that you could get a lot more "playthroughs" out of it, if you just focused on what you wanted to at the time and revisited other quest lines on other playthroughs.

Even two playthroughs with save scumming wouldn't be enough to see all the content, so legit, don't stress about it. You're never going to see it all in one playthrough, it's impossible. Like, literally. Some choices lock you out of others way down the line. You can't see everything in one go.

Just do what feels interesting, the game will accomodate you. Don't worry about "failing" a dice roll in dialogue because it's not a "you lose" it's just "another branch" forward, just maybe not the way you specifically wanted it. I suggest rolling with the punches and only reloading if you party wipe.

Another thing is, the game is again, super super long, so for people who do want to see most of the act with their choices (so many permutations you can never see them all, don't bother in a single playthrough), to take breaks between acts to avoid burnout.

That's just my two cents.

Also, play classes that click with you and if you don't like a companions class you can use Withers to respec them into something more interesting. Which, honestly, I do recommend.

[Chaosolous]

Also, Paladins can be difficult because of balancing the oath you take. I might suggest an Eldritch Knight Subclass of the Fighter if you're looking for some melee spellpower. It will be much easier on a first playthrough, IMO.

[Mike Garrison]

Originally posted by blueflame316:

Originally posted by Mike Garrison:

You don't have to do everything. Some of us like to do pretty much every possible encounter, but it's not necessary.

Also, IMO, Paladin is actually a hard class to play.

As for the "dorky look", try to just ignore it, I guess. They had to go with a neutral look for most dialogue interactions because you can often choose anything from "persuade" to "attack", and the devs have no idea which way the player actually wants to go.

Thanks for the tips! I chose Paladin because it seems to be the best overall class and was recommended by other players. I wouldn't be opposed to changing my class though. I've found that plenty of encounters were not close quarters so any kind of ranged attacks or spells were the only useful way of attacking. So it made the Paladins strong melee attacks seem redundant. But then again, I have only had a handful of battles so that might be why

My most important suggestions to you:

1) Do *not* hesitate to start over now that you know more about the game.

2) Do *not* follow "class guides" to build "the optimum" character. Every class is different and some people love certain classes that other people hate. Some builds very much are stronger than others, but every (reasonable) build in the game is strong enough to win the game, so IMO fun is the most important thing. (There are ways to go out of your way to build characters that are terrible, so try to avoid those unless you really want to.)

3) Do look at class guides to help you understand the choices for classes you have never played, but don't just blindly follow the instructions for "the optimum build".

4) Remember this is a role-playing game, and try to get into the ROLE part of it. It will make the game a lot more fun. Playing a wizard? Think like a wizard. Playing a paladin? Think like a paladin. One of these dialogue choices looks perfect but you are afraid it is the "wrong" choice? Try it anyway! (Maybe drop a save first, though.)

[alanc9]

It takes Paladins a while to ramp up their strong melee attacks anyway. You need spell slots to power Smites, and Paladins are only half casters.

One way around this would be to take levels in a full caster class after Paladin 2. One popular choice is Bard, particularly College of Swords since that's a strong physical combat class in its own right.

But you should be able to use a bow effectively meanwhile.

[Chaosolous]

Oh also also also, the auto save is a bit... feces. Do acquaint yourself with the F5 button for quicksaving every 15 or 20 minutes. Things can sometimes go downhill rather quickly.

TBH, I don't save scum but I do make sure to throw down a quicksave when I think/know there's an upcoming something or other. Just incase I die for whatever reason.

If you can avoid save scumming, the game really is a lot more fun IMO.

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by blueflame316:

Originally posted by Mike Garrison:

You don't have to do everything. Some of us like to do pretty much every possible encounter, but it's not necessary.

Also, IMO, Paladin is actually a hard class to play.

As for the "dorky look", try to just ignore it, I guess. They had to go with a neutral look for most dialogue interactions because you can often choose anything from "persuade" to "attack", and the devs have no idea which way the player actually wants to go.

Thanks for the tips! I chose Paladin because it seems to be the best overall class and was recommended by other players. I wouldn't be opposed to changing my class though. I've found that plenty of encounters were not close quarters so any kind of ranged attacks or spells were the only useful way of attacking. So it made the Paladins strong melee attacks seem redundant. But then again, I have only had a handful of battles so that might be why

Always be careful with those class recommendations from other players, as those are always biased by personal preferences,

I suggest you continue playing well knowing it will become even better later on.

If you need pointers for the combat basics have a look here
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3122428771

Originally posted by blueflame316:

Struggling to get into the game properly
I've put in about 20 hours in so far but I'd usually be properly into a game by now. I haven't played it for a few days and I'm considering parking it to play something else. I'm completely new to D&D and BG games but did a lot of preparation and tried to learn a lot about how it all works before even playing.

I have enjoyed what I've played so far but it hasn't hooked me yet. I do like some of the companions and their stories but the amount of side tasks and locations to explore makes it feel overwhelming.

Then there's combat which is its own black hole. I don't know if I'm even doing it right but I haven't died yet (playing on balanced). I chose a Paladin with Oath of Vengeance subclass but my character seems a bit dorky during the main story dialogue being a silent protagonist and his weird ass smile while the narrator speaks. It just doesn't seem to match what I had in mind for a Paladin who will end all wrongdoers.

So should I just continue playing and hope that I get hooked in properly down the line? I am quite early into the game still, I only just got to the Goblin camp because I did some side stuff first.

Putting the expressions of your character aside, most younger players struggle as they approach the game in a way not intended for an adventure. You do not have to do everything and you can move on. The best is in fact to think of the situations as "what would you do in that situation?" with your character representing yourself. So if you can identify yourself most with a paladin it is just fine - though hardly anyone can do these days, following thoroughly an oath that is.

There is nothing wrong about being a fighter for justice either - so you should pick what you imagine feels good for you, while gameplay mechanics are secondary stuff to consider. Regarding your class and your adventure.

Of course you can do everything in a map to have a fulfillment in completing everything possible, what can be possibly done in a single playthrough. But would it still be what you would do if you were in that situation?

Enjoy the storytelling and let the dice shape the story for you, including all ups and downs. That way you get to experience something unique. And if you need a pause, that is fine too. Sometimes it helps creating a different character after the first one. Maybe even if you are a natural paladin, you feel more mishiev and want to try something entirely else? Maybe it was a misunderstanding which makes you feel uncomfortable? The description of your imagination e.g. does not fit a paladin of vengeance. More a paladin of the the other two oaths/cleric of Tyr.

Take your time. Lots of it. And do not stress too much about perfection. Your adventure story will be perfect thanks to all the "imperfections" happening on your journey.

[Mike Garrison]

For example, it is widely believed that "battle master" is the strongest fighter subclass. I even agree that it is. But I enjoy "eldritch knight" more, so I almost always play that one instead of "battle master".

[Hobocop]

Originally posted by alanc9:

It takes Paladins a while to ramp up their strong melee attacks anyway. You need spell slots to power Smites, and Paladins are only half casters.

One way around this would be to take levels in a full caster class after Paladin 2. One popular choice is Bard, particularly College of Swords since that's a strong physical combat class in its own right.

But you should be able to use a bow effectively meanwhile.

I'd be wary of multiclassing out of any martial class before the all-important Extra Attack power spike at level 5, though, and Swords Bard doesn't get Extra Attack until class level 6.

[アンジェル]

On the matter of silent protagonist: I am convinced it is better this way. It is already a problem that the number of available voices for the spell chants / confirmation lines are already limited.

If the lines were voiced, there is danger that the personality is coloured too much by the voices, like as seen with Sheperd from Mass Effect.

It works fine if you play a certain pre-defined character and a certain elf hero could benefit greatly from such.

However, it can also backfire and will not work well in a game where you have so much customisation options in regards of your character where you are also supposed to roleplay.

Roleplayers prefer utmost freedom in that regards, and a bad colouring of the lines with voices which makes it hard to identify yourself with would be contraproductive.

[Renlish]

Start over! Start over! I was not overwhelmed with joy by the game when I initially played it but then I played with a friend for a run-through and started my own single player stretch shortly after. Now... welp... closing in on 730 hours several runs finished and in progress and I'm still not tired of it. There's so much to uncover and play styles I want to try.

My favourite classes are Rogues and Monks but I am also playing a doofus of a Paladin (Oath of Devotion) which has been an interesting learning experience and fun too.

There's been some wonderful advice given already that I totally agree with so I won't rehash.

[Mike Garrison]

Originally posted by Hobocop:

Originally posted by alanc9:

It takes Paladins a while to ramp up their strong melee attacks anyway. You need spell slots to power Smites, and Paladins are only half casters.

One way around this would be to take levels in a full caster class after Paladin 2. One popular choice is Bard, particularly College of Swords since that's a strong physical combat class in its own right.

But you should be able to use a bow effectively meanwhile.

I'd be wary of multiclassing out of any martial class before the all-important Extra Attack power spike at level 5, though, and Swords Bard doesn't get Extra Attack until class level 6.

Most classes get a big boost at level 5, so any multi-classing will delay that. Personally I would suggest leaving multi-classing to a second playthrough, but if somebody really wants to do it, then give it a shot.

I have found that by the time I get to Level 12, I often wish I hadn't multi-classed. Not always, though. Some multi-classes work really well at all levels.

You can always respec with Withers, but for me that feels character-breaking. By the time I reach Baldur's Gate in Act 3, I know the history of this character so well that it just feels wrong to suddenly make them a very different character.

[アンジェル]

If you really want to go multiclass, have a look here for the basics
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3114624793
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3124459563
Though the normal classes are great too. There is nothing wrong in playing a pure paladin etc.

And 20 hours to Goblin Camp? Sounds normal for starters.

[Chaosolous]

Originally posted by アンジェル:

If the lines were voiced, there is danger that the personality is coloured too much by the voices, like as seen with Sheperd from Mass Effect.

V in Cyberpunk screams this in me.

I don't mind the character but you're not playing your character, you're playing V's story.