Just finished PT1 - looking for advice on next run

[sneaky-G]

Did a human sorcerer. ONLY used Shadowheart, Astarion, and Gale. No multiclassing except Astarion and kept all classes as their starters.

I plan a bard playthrough but want to save that for tactician. I also want to do a paladin playthrough and wouldn't mind saving that one also.

But I want to roll with new characters (would like to keep the same 3 for the whole playthrough)

So I guess I am stuck deciding between Barb, Monk, Fighter, Rogue, or Ranger.

I will probably at least pick Laezal for this run among 2 other companions so maybe Fighter can be skipped. Ranger I would only realistically want for animal companions.

Rogue - One thing I absolutely got tired of in game was having to switch to astarion to lockpick and disarm everything. Tedious as ♥♥♥♥.

Mods - Are there any good mods that dont make the game easier. I wish there was a way to right click on a locked container and click lockpick (astarion) or something. Mods like that that make interacting with the game easier.

Edit - And races are more than welcome. I did a human barb start but feel tired of running human every time. Race and class recommendations are more than welcome.

[northernwater]

I like to stick to the same three also. I also don't multiclass.

Barbarian Karlach is a lot of fun.
Gale as a Bladesong is really fun though I get tired of Gale as a character.
Minsc in Act3 is the funniest character by far, but you need to have Jaharia to recruit him and it is a little complicated getting him to join.

I don't use mods which make the game easier, but I would recommend
https://mod.io/g/baldursgate3/m/item-and-spell-bug-fixes#description
https://mod.io/g/baldursgate3/m/better-topbar#description

[northernwater]

A very unpopular race is Dark Gnome, but they have the best racial traits. They have advantage on Charisma, Wisdom and Intelligence saving throws. They also have Advantage on Stealth checks and Superior Darkvision. They loose 3m travel but that is a small price for the incredible advantages.

[northernwater]

Best Barbarian or Fighter is Half-Orc.

Another unpopular race is Halfling, but Halfling Luck is a fantastic trait.

[alanc9]

Charlatan or Urchin background gives Tav Sleight of Hand proficiency. With a bit of a Dex bonus you should be able to handle most DCs. There's also gear, but switching that will end up being just as annoying as switching to Astarion.

Of your class choices, I'd say monk is the most different to play, and there's no monk companion.

As for race, drow, githyanki, and tieflings have a bunch of unique interactions. And while it's purely psychological, I found that playing a short race felt different. Plus really good traits for some of them, as mentioned.

[seeker1]

If you're looking particularly for UI mods (sounds like what you mean by "interacting with the game easier"), that is a category you can search under at mod.io and Nexus.

The main one I use is the one that gives me auto-sorting containers that sort my inventory, like a quiver for arrows, scroll case for scrolls, potion case for potions, etc. There are actually a few like that.

The problem with making any other recommendations is I don't care if mods make the game easier. I personally don't think all the class, spell, race, and equipment mods out there NECESSARILY make it easier, though I suspect they do; the thing is, I just don't care.

There are mods out there that also make things more difficult, like More Enemies and Tactician Enhanced. I use some of those, too. Does it make things "balanced"? Some say with all of Larian's changes, it's "unbalanced" to begin with. As I don't give a ♥♥♥♥, I don't care, I just use what I like.

I'm saying this because I enjoy playing an Artificer (class mod), using Mystra's spells (probably my favorite spell mod), playing an Aasimar (custom race mod), and using things like the Githyanki equipment mod (because, natch, it's great for Lae'Zel). Now do they make the game easier? Probably, but as I don't care .... For sure, I know OBVIOUSLY certain mods I do use do, like party limit adjuster, and busting the level cap, plus I use things that are DEFINITIVELY labelled as cheat mods (though I would say I only use the 'low level' cheats in them, not the god mode stuff, but I digress). So ....

Generally, to lockpick stuff, all you have to do is click Astarion OR whoever can open the lock, and then right click the object (door/chest/etc.) and select "Lockpick". BTW, a Knock spell can open just about ANY locked door or chest. Make sure whoever's doing it (as many will note, there are other chars who can have the Sleight of Hand skill) has a Thieves' Tools kit on them, you'll usually expend it.

I know of a mod that will auto lockpick on stuff that you click on regardless of what character is selected - but it's essentially a cheat mod and will auto succeed, don't know if that's what you want.

Among the vanilla choices, I recommend dragonborn, as there is not a single dragonborn hireling among the vanilla ones, let alone a companion.

If you want to go exotic, check out the Aasimar race mod. You get wings. Nuff said.

[Syger]

Why not go full-on Lae'zel love and make a Gith character? A cleric Gith maybe since I think it's the only way where you can pick Vlaakith as your god? MIght make for an interesting change of pace, especially if you head to the creche.

[sneaky-G]

Originally posted by northernwater:

I like to stick to the same three also. I also don't multiclass.

Barbarian Karlach is a lot of fun.
Gale as a Bladesong is really fun though I get tired of Gale as a character.
Minsc in Act3 is the funniest character by far, but you need to have Jaharia to recruit him and it is a little complicated getting him to join.

I don't use mods which make the game easier, but I would recommend
https://mod.io/g/baldursgate3/m/item-and-spell-bug-fixes#description
https://mod.io/g/baldursgate3/m/better-topbar#description

Yeah I stuck with gale so I am going to swap him out asap. I wouldn't mind experiencing barbarian as Karlach but I just dont want to miss the dialogue options for roleplay.

I checked out the mods, I will definitely be gettin a few. Thanks so much.

Originally posted by seeker1:

If you're looking particularly for UI mods (sounds like what you mean by "interacting with the game easier"), that is a category you can search under at mod.io and Nexus.

The main one I use is the one that gives me auto-sorting containers that sort my inventory, like a quiver for arrows, scroll case for scrolls, potion case for potions, etc. There are actually a few like that.

The problem with making any other recommendations is I don't care if mods make the game easier. I personally don't think all the class, spell, race, and equipment mods out there NECESSARILY make it easier, though I suspect they do; the thing is, I just don't care.

There are mods out there that also make things more difficult, like More Enemies and Tactician Enhanced. I use some of those, too. Does it make things "balanced"? Some say with all of Larian's changes, it's "unbalanced" to begin with. As I don't give a ♥♥♥♥, I don't care, I just use what I like.

I'm saying this because I enjoy playing an Artificer (class mod), using Mystra's spells (probably my favorite spell mod), playing an Aasimar (custom race mod), and using things like the Githyanki equipment mod (because, natch, it's great for Lae'Zel). Now do they make the game easier? Probably, but as I don't care .... For sure, I know OBVIOUSLY certain mods I do use do, like party limit adjuster, and busting the level cap, plus I use things that are DEFINITIVELY labelled as cheat mods (though I would say I only use the 'low level' cheats in them, not the god mode stuff, but I digress). So ....

Generally, to lockpick stuff, all you have to do is click Astarion OR whoever can open the lock, and then right click the object (door/chest/etc.) and select "Lockpick". BTW, a Knock spell can open just about ANY locked door or chest. Make sure whoever's doing it (as many will note, there are other chars who can have the Sleight of Hand skill) has a Thieves' Tools kit on them, you'll usually expend it.

I know of a mod that will auto lockpick on stuff that you click on regardless of what character is selected - but it's essentially a cheat mod and will auto succeed, don't know if that's what you want.

Among the vanilla choices, I recommend dragonborn, as there is not a single dragonborn hireling among the vanilla ones, let alone a companion.

If you want to go exotic, check out the Aasimar race mod. You get wings. Nuff said.

Nothing wrong with mods to make it easier. Plus if you download a mod that makes a weaker class stronger, its not really cheating tbh. Its just mostly UI stuff. An area of effect looting button would be great instead of manually clicking 16 different book rows. Just trying to cut out the tedious aspects of the game.

The knock spell is one of the things I don't want to deal with. I don't want to swap characters every time a container is locked or booby trapped. Maybe I should just find a mod that gives basic lockpick disarm proficiency to my Tav.

Originally posted by Syger:

Why not go full-on Lae'zel love and make a Gith character? A cleric Gith maybe since I think it's the only way where you can pick Vlaakith as your god? MIght make for an interesting change of pace, especially if you head to the creche.

I was debating a githyanki for monk. I didn't become an illithid although I sided with the emperor. I wanted to side with orpheus for a playthrough. I would go monk but I sort of don't want to miss barb dialogue options.

[Captain_Narol]

One of the hirelings happens to be a Githyanki Monk, I gave it a try : the race and class match well and it's a good combo !

[Crimson Bort]

I'm enjoying the new Giant Barbarian Sub Class. Kicking and throwing guys around is a ton of fun, but it doesn't really pay off till around lvl 8. Half Orc probably the best race for that, but honestly I don't know if it matters too much.

[seeker1]

Originally posted by sneaky-G:

The knock spell is one of the things I don't want to deal with. I don't want to swap characters every time a container is locked or booby trapped. Maybe I should just find a mod that gives basic lockpick disarm proficiency to my Tav.

Then I got your solution, mate. Choose Your Stats cheat mod can give any Tav proficiency or expertise in Sleight of Hand. Or Cheater's Scroll.

There is a Loot All containers in area mod at mod.io - forget the exact name.

[sneaky-G]

Originally posted by Crimson Bort:

I'm enjoying the new Giant Barbarian Sub Class. Kicking and throwing guys around is a ton of fun, but it doesn't really pay off till around lvl 8. Half Orc probably the best race for that, but honestly I don't know if it matters too much.

Yeah I have a human barb past the prologue but I just made a half orc. Extra dice roll for crits is nice, although I don't know how keen I am running around with my teeth sticking out all game. I did a few fights with human barb throwing little goblins around and enjoyed it. I hoarding throwing items my first playthrough and never did anything with them except the occasional alchemist fire in act 1 or water bottle to drench the fire at the hag boss fight.

Originally posted by seeker1:

Originally posted by sneaky-G:

The knock spell is one of the things I don't want to deal with. I don't want to swap characters every time a container is locked or booby trapped. Maybe I should just find a mod that gives basic lockpick disarm proficiency to my Tav.

Then I got your solution, mate. Choose Your Stats cheat mod can give any Tav proficiency or expertise in Sleight of Hand. Or Cheater's Scroll.

There is a Loot All containers in area mod at mod.io - forget the exact name.

Do they disable achievements? Thanks a ton, I will definitely use those. Just make sure my guy has a moderate chance to lockpick and disarm. Looting all containers is such a huge quality of life, its crazy.

Originally posted by Captain_Narol:

One of the hirelings happens to be a Githyanki Monk, I gave it a try : the race and class match well and it's a good combo !

Yeah those monks in the astral realm beat the ♥♥♥♥ out of me. top 5 hardest fights in the game.

[seeker1]

Originally posted by sneaky-G:

Do they disable achievements? Thanks a ton, I will definitely use those. Just make sure my guy has a moderate chance to lockpick and disarm. Looting all containers is such a huge quality of life, its crazy.

They will, but you can use script extender to prevent it from happening (if you're on Windows, anyway).

[sneaky-G]

Originally posted by seeker1:

Originally posted by sneaky-G:

Do they disable achievements? Thanks a ton, I will definitely use those. Just make sure my guy has a moderate chance to lockpick and disarm. Looting all containers is such a huge quality of life, its crazy.

They will, but you can use script extender to prevent it from happening (if you're on Windows, anyway).

So I did some modding. Almost all just UI things like food and arrows having small icons. Bigger bags.

I did find a mod that doubles spell slots (which I am done my sorc PT but an extra 6 would have been nice.....) and a feat every 2 levels. I can use the skilled feat to give myself the lockpicking proficiency without having to up my dex which would be making the game easier.

How do I know achievements are locked?

[SpockEndil]

Originally posted by sneaky-G:

Originally posted by seeker1:

They will, but you can use script extender to prevent it from happening (if you're on Windows, anyway).

.....
How do I know achievements are locked?

If you're running script extender, you don't have to worry about it. They won't be locked.

Since you're now using some UI mods, you might already have installed the extender. If not, then I'd do that just to make sure. Plus, now that you're modding, if you aren't already running something that requires the extender, you probably soon will be.

[Señor Brown]

Originally posted by sneaky-G:

Did a human sorcerer. ONLY used Shadowheart, Astarion, and Gale. No multiclassing except Astarion and kept all classes as their starters.

I plan a bard playthrough but want to save that for tactician. I also want to do a paladin playthrough and wouldn't mind saving that one also.

But I want to roll with new characters (would like to keep the same 3 for the whole playthrough)

So I guess I am stuck deciding between Barb, Monk, Fighter, Rogue, or Ranger.

I will probably at least pick Laezal for this run among 2 other companions so maybe Fighter can be skipped. Ranger I would only realistically want for animal companions.

Rogue - One thing I absolutely got tired of in game was having to switch to astarion to lockpick and disarm everything. Tedious as ♥♥♥♥.

Mods - Are there any good mods that dont make the game easier. I wish there was a way to right click on a locked container and click lockpick (astarion) or something. Mods like that that make interacting with the game easier.

Edit - And races are more than welcome. I did a human barb start but feel tired of running human every time. Race and class recommendations are more than welcome.

I was in the same boat before returning to this game and patch 8, along with never using hirelings and much more. Now I have two runs both with Rogue multiclasses (Tav Hexblade Swashbuckler and Astarion Thief Eldritich Knight). I've started using hirelings and even started multiclassing companions. Even though it isn't necessary and can be pushed to ridiculous degrees, there are some nice, quality-of-life improvements to be learned from exploring all of these features.