Leaving the AI to handle companions - any good?

[Fedup]

I haven't bought the game yet, but I plan to once it is on sale. So I would like to know:
Back in BG1-BG2 days, I often had to go round by round and do actions for all the characters like a tabletop D&D game. The AI gave me some generic options on how to proceed. For ranged characters like pre-mage Imoen it was very good - keep away and shoot. For melee characters it was not-bad. For spellcasters it was bad. I had to put them on "do not use spells" mode (aside of clerics healing people that were below 50% health) as they were using spells in minor encounters that we could have won without the mage doing anything.

[jcw163]

You also control the companions

[Fedup]

Originally posted by jcw163:

You also control the companions

Well, are there the options of BG1-2 at least? To have the AI do most and heal if people are below half hp and put mages on "DO NOT start casting on people" ?

[RamzaBehoulve]

There is no AI controled companion and there probably never will be.

A lot of fights in this game, especially on Tactician, require to be clever.

[Hollow-Enigma]

In this game its all you. Max party of 4, and maybe some summons if you've got those spells learned but those are also controlled by yourself. Unless you run into a particular encounter you won't have any NPC allies that move by themselves

[Fedup]

Originally posted by RamzaBehoulve:

There is no AI controled companion and there probably never will be.

A lot of fights in this game, especially on Tactician, require to be clever.

Ohhhh...
Well, I don't plan to play on high difficulties. But I see from your answer that there's not even the option. Well, if there is no option to have AI controlled companions then the game is probably built to ensure battles are not bogged down.

Thank you.
Is the party limit still 4 people (3 NPCs)?

[Hollow-Enigma]

Max limit is still 4 yeah, 3 NPC's if you make your own character. You can also pick to play as one of characters you can recruit as companions to play as yourself to experience the story through their eyes with some unique mechanics for some. But that i would suggest for a 2nd play through after you've experienced their story from an outsiders view. Note you can still run into the other companions and move them into your camp and switch them out any time you like.

[SkebbZ]

It's not real time like the previous games, so you have infinite time to make your play.

[Empu]

It's a turn-based game, not like how bg1+2 were. Yes the party limit is 4 without mods (3 companions and your main character)

[SkebbZ]

Then again, you can use this if you prefer:

https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/727

[fRaNtIc]

There are mods that lets the computer control your 3 companions entirely during combat.
Here is one, if you are interested: https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/705

[Fedup]

Originally posted by fRaNtIc:

There are mods that lets the computer control your 3 companions entirely during combat.
Here is one, if you are interested: https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/705

Thank you

[Baphled]

Like SkebbZ pointed out, this game doesn't use the same style of combat as BG1/BG2. It's significantly different in a lot of ways. If you've ever played the Divinity series, it's basically that.

In the original BG games, things were real time and you're constantly slapping the space bar to play/pause as you adjust tactics and stop characters from doing relatively stupid things. This game uses a turn based system based on actual D&D 5E turns.

It's a little... dumb. Since it appears that everyone in combat enters the turn based system, and everyone out of combat continues about their lives normally. There's no pausing, which I find a little annoying, because once in a while one of the AI will start following a weird path to try and stay with the group (Running through a cave full of spiders for a scenic route instead of climbing ladder like everyone else).

Also the original games had a protagonist that was a main character, where this game has some origin characters (Divinity style), and the basic customized character appears to be lacking any kind of interesting story. I believe 'The Dark Urge' is intended to be the protagonist in the BG1/BG2 style, but that story can be a little traumatic and plays different than the other characters.

[Pieshaman]

you should not compare this with bg1 and 2
this is dragon age origin in a forgotten swordcoast jacket.

[Fedup]

Really? Interesting. I haven't played DDII but I have seen it has origin characters with their own quests etc. However, DDII had special quests for the custom characters.
Anyway, thanks!