Starting Gold

[treeper]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering what was the starting gold range at the very beginning of the game once a new character is created. In case it matters, I have a Cavalier.

From what I experienced, the lowest I got was 80 and the highest was 190.

Thank you.

[Sstavix]

Diposting pertama kali oleh DanLively:

Diposting pertama kali oleh Sstavix:

I don't think there is a legitimate way to generate enough gold to purchase the katana. But it does make me wonder if you can use a thief character to steal it. I'm not sure if it would be a pickpocket check, or what - I've never tried to steal things from stores. But if you're willing to try it (and maybe do some save-scumming) it could be a fun experiment!

I did not think of that, but I suppose you could steal it. I do not really play thief characters and I do not try to steal things from stores either, so I do not really know.
I think it would be interesting to test out, but it is not something I would do for my main save.
Also, I think I know how save-scumming works, but how would it help with this?

Simple. Save your game when you are in the inn. Then try to steal the katana. If you fail the check and the people turn hostile, pause the game and reload from that last save point. Repeat as necessary until the check to steal the katana is successful.

[DanLively]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Sstavix:

Simple. Save your game when you are in the inn. Then try to steal the katana. If you fail the check and the people turn hostile, pause the game and reload from that last save point. Repeat as necessary until the check to steal the katana is successful.

Ah, that makes sense. I was not taking into account that you could fail the check.
Thank you.

[Sstavix]

Yep. And this "save scumming" technique is actually recommended when it comes to stealing Algernon's cloak in Beregost - a common tactic in many speedrunning guides.

Good luck!

[wendigo211]

I recommend that you don't use katanas. They weren't originally in BG and were only added in the EE, which ported BG to BG2's engine. Consequently, there is only one magical katana in BG (a +1 dropped by an Ogre Mage on the 3rd level of the Cloakwood Mines). While they don't break, unlike other normal metal weapons, you probably also want a weapon with good magical variants. Honestly, there's only one good magical Katana in the entire saga, Celestial Fury, while it's really good, it doesn't really hold up for the endgame of ToB.

[red255]

as a cavalier I'd go for bastard swords, you could run the purifier or foebane. or you could just run a good melee weapon.

that said you can only go 2 pips in a weapon type, so I'd start with something else, axes? and get around to 2 pips in other things when they show up.

[briarroot]

There's another way to get a Katana, if you're heart is set on using one.

Start the Tutorial, select Katana as your preferred weapon and you'll be given one to use during the Tutorial. When you're about to finish, just before you go upstairs to turn in the gem to Belt, put everything you want to take with you into your general inventory. Don't wear or wield anything you don't wish to lose. "Export" your character then finish the Tutorial.

Start the main game and "Import" that character using the same name as you used in the Tutorial. You will spawn carrying everything you had in inventory when you exported.

IMMEDIATELY - before you move or do anything else - drop everything to the ground. Take a step (I usually save the game here) and you can now pick up everything on the ground and use it in the game. Anything you don't drop to the ground may disappear.

You now have the best non-magical one-handed weapon in the game: a Katana; and since they don't break you won't need a spare.

Note that you can't sell any gear you brought with you from the Tutorial so you only need to take things that you can use. Khalid could use the +1 Long Sword, Jaheira the +1 Medium Shield and Imoen the +1 Leather Armor, but that'll be up to you depending on what class you're playing and who you want on your team.

BTW, starting from the Tutorial nets you over 300 XP which you retain, so you'll be giving yourself a minor boost on Level 1 - a nice perk. If any of you think this is "cheesy," well consider the Tutorial as "Training" and the gear as your just reward for successfully completing it.

[red255]

importing a character is not allowed, one of his stipulations. I've imported characters from ToB into BG1 occasionally if you want. which is just quick boot into Throne of bhaal, immediately export and import into BG1.

alternatively run down and get the CON and CHA skill books and then export until you are at 25 CON.

[DanLively]

It's sad that katanas are not as strong or good as I want them to be, because I really like using them.
I usually play as a mostly bow-oriented Wizard Slayer because I love archery. I also really like katanas, so I wanted to dual-wield them when I need to go melee. I guess I'll have to use something else, though. Would scimitars, wakizashis, and ninja-tos be good alternatives? If not, what would be?
By the way, thank you all for taking the time to help me.

[DanLively]

Diposting pertama kali oleh wendigo211:

Honestly, there's only one good magical Katana in the entire saga, Celestial Fury, while it's really good, it doesn't really hold up for the endgame of ToB.

What about Hindo's Doom +4?

[Sstavix]

Diposting pertama kali oleh red255:

importing a character is not allowed, one of his stipulations. I've imported characters from ToB into BG1 occasionally if you want. which is just quick boot into Throne of bhaal, immediately export and import into BG1.

Incidentally, this is how I created my party for my "Legacy of Bhaal" run. It made completing the game on the hardest difficulty setting much easier.

[briarroot]

Diposting pertama kali oleh DanLively:

Would scimitars, wakizashis, and ninja-tos be good alternatives? If not, what would be?

Scimitars, Wakizashis and Ninjatos are all excellent 1-hand weapons. All use the 1D8 damage die and are fast(*), especially the Wak, As a bonus, you only have to spend points in one weapon specialty to gain benefits for all of them. The only other weapons paired like that are the Flail and Morningstar.

(*) In this game "speed" refers to who gets to attack first. Even though the game is essentially turn based (under the hood, so to speak) being able to swing your weapon before your opponent swings his is a nice advantage.

[briarroot]

Diposting pertama kali oleh red255:

importing a character is not allowed, one of his stipulations. I've imported characters from ToB into BG1 occasionally if you want. which is just quick boot into Throne of bhaal, immediately export and import into BG1.

alternatively run down and get the CON and CHA skill books and then export until you are at 25 CON.

Well yeah, all sorts of ridiculous exploits are possible. I'm merely suggesting a minor starting boost which can also allow the player to start with a Katana, which not co-incidentally was what he wanted to do.

[DanLively]

Thanks. Just to clarify, there is nothing else I should know about, right?

[red255]

Diposting pertama kali oleh DanLively:

Thanks. Just to clarify, there is nothing else I should know about, right?

probably not. weapon choice for a paladin isn't that relevant since you only need to invest 2 pips, so just pick ones you find/like. theres a +2 warhammer with 1 electric damage pretty early on. A longsword with some ice damage I normally give to khalid, a dagger of venom i give to jahiera.

I'd have to go look around. I usually start with axes theres a +1 axe you can buy in bere gost and Berel's retort that do not break 1d6+2 (instead of 1d8+1 of the +1 axe)

eventually the game gives you some +3 short swords, which would come in handy in siege of dragonspear. but again, just screw around you should be able to manage.

[briarroot]

Diposting pertama kali oleh DanLively:

Thanks. Just to clarify, there is nothing else I should know about, right?

Just be aware that there aren't many magic versions of the "oriental" weapons and you're eventually going to meet creatures who can only be damaged by magic. In such cases non-magical melee weapons will be useless. You'll need weapons with a plus (+) attribute and/or some type of additional elemental damage to hit such creatures.