Don't understand the combat system, or the game.

[Sai]

After Imoen dying to some bats and me to the stupid ogre from Ataqah(multiple times), i've decided to give up on this game(yep chapter 1!). I keep hearing so much hype and nostalgia about this game but I go and play it, and have no idea how to figure out the combat. I love the story and characters though, from what little i've played. Minsc is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ hiliarous. His rodent.

Help, please i want to see more of this story because i'm already sucked in by this universe.
But this horrible combat system is driving me insane.

[Bestjam]

Maybe watch some youtube footage to get the hang of it, the first chapter is pretty easy once you understand the combat system.

[kaiyl_kariashi]

Combat is fine.

(and that's not chapter 1, it's the prelude. Chapter 1 starts after you leave the dungeon).

Just make sure the characters are proficient with the weapons you're giving them.

And if you have spell casters (imeon is a mage, and Jaheria is a druid (a more limited version of a cleric with slightly different abilities and spells)), look through and read each of their spells carefully (though mages and part-mages cannot cast spells while wearing body armor except for robes or some rare elven chainmails you won't see for a very long time. Clerics/druids can though).

As for the spell system, think of spells like bullets. You can load multiple bullets of the same type or get a bunch of different types, but once you out, you need to reload (rest), and each spell level has a limited number of slots depending on character level. (though you can use spell scrolls or wands to cast spells directly as well to supplement your caster's natural capacity, these are consumables so only use them if you really think you'll need them to win the encounter until you're more familar with the system and get a better feel for what your actual limits are)

Haste massively increases your damage output (the 3rd level version affects an aoe around the target area) and can make quite a lot of difference in fights, but tends to exhaust your characters more quickly. If a character has low strength, like Jaheria, putting Strength on her can be an improvement, albeit not a huge huge one. Blinding via Blindness, the ogre-mage can make killing it a cake walk.

Summoning some monsters or animals to help fight might work.

Though usually just giving minsc a 2hder, some decent armor, and throwing him at it is all it takes.

And those aren't bats...they're mephits. Mid-level elemental spirits.


BG2 though unfortunately dumps you right into the adventure that you left off in BG1 and assumes you're ready to rock, so it's definitely a bit jarring for someone picking of this as their first BG. Though BG1 isn't any easier, it just has a much better tutorial implemented in the prelude area where you could still die, but it's not very likely unless you did something weird like make a character with 3 constitution.

[matthiaseby44]

also in the game menu theres a auto freeze thing dont click them all but 3 id defintly reccomend is find traps, ones like see enemy thats a must and , u dont need it in the beginning so id recomend take it off but casting a spell also turn the aslo turn ur difficulty down to normal you dont want it on bg rules and novice is a cake walk, also im guessing ur in the beggining so on ur left side you should see a face under that is Book which is for mages so basicly ur gonna want to take all ur spells out and read em , cant go wrong with chromatic orb and magc missle, , now remember immomen is part theif so u put armor on her her wizard spells are void, now jaheria is a priest so under that The book on the left is a script thing that is Priest spells ur also gonnna want to learn what each one does , also Spacebar is ur friend think of it like chess it gives u time think after u cast ur spells, also u always want fighters up and caster in the back ,screw this typing This is my facebook if u want me to actually guide u for a few mins if ur already sleeping theres a red gem u always want that lit up that shows enemy treasure on that u usually wouldwalk by, also after each battle above the clock swinging in left bottom corner thats ur sleep button , get ur spells back few healing pointsbackand after each batttle always sleep and save , its like the saying SSDD same ♥♥♥♥ different day but in this case after battle yours is SS sleep and save U CAN HIT Q for quicksave or do it the old fashion way also look at everyones stats , whoever charisma is the highest u want to them on even its over own character , higher charisma the more morale the better ur guys get along and follow orders and fight better only the the germans got right night hope this helps

[TheGuitArcher]

Originally posted by Xpaths:

After Imoen dying to some bats and me to the stupid ogre from Ataqah(multiple times), i've decided to give up on this game(yep chapter 1!). I keep hearing so much hype and nostalgia about this game but I go and play it, and have no idea how to figure out the combat. I love the story and characters though, from what little i've played. Minsc is ♥♥♥♥ing hiliarous. His rodent.

Help, please i want to see more of this story because i'm already sucked in by this universe.
But this horrible combat system is driving me insane.

Game is a classic for a reason as your seeing. It does have a bit of a learning curve though bro just play the tutorial and it explains everything. I know the BGEE had one?? Pretty sure this one is the same. It's right on the main menu...

[tarkin96]

Weapons have a value for attack power and a value for number of swings. For example, a 2h weapon can have a 1d10 + 2 value and 2 swings per round (which is 6 seconds and a turn is 10 rounds I think). The first number represents the number of dice rolls (in this case one dice is rolled), the second is the number of sides (in this case 10) and the 3rd number is the extra damage. The higher the numbers, the better, typically. The third number, I think, is guaranteed damage, except in the case of a miss. The swing number changes the number of attacks per round, so a higher value means you have more chances to hit the target every 6 seconds. Always try to use a weapon the character is specialized in. Right click weapons and check for any other effect they may have, as some can grant new spells.

The only armor that typically matters in base defense is the body armor. Mages can not cast spells when using any kind of body armor and theives can only use their powers when wearing leather or weaker. Other kinds of armor provide different bonuses. Helmets reduce crit chance on you. Other gear will provide magical or stat bonuses (which you can see by right clicking on the item in the inventory). Lower armor class (AC) means better defense.

Melee fighters: These guys are mainly limited by their defense and attack power. For a defensive fighter, go sword and board. For an offensive, go dual wield or 2h weapons with a bow/crossbow/sling as a back-up. Use helmets to protect from crit-hits and shields add a little to AC (armor class). A lower armor class means more defense and higher chance for an enemy to deal no damage. Keep these guys in the front of the group.

Mages/Priests: These guys can only cast spells when not wearing armor. Spells can only be cast once per memorization slot (change memorization by looking under mage or priest spells). In order to use a spell again, you must rest. Spells are interupted upon recieving damage, but they can be very strong if you can get one off. Keep spelllcasters away from enemies. Keep them safe with your fighters, as they are glass cannons.

Theives: These guys can find traps, pick locks, and sneak. They are not hindered by armor considered to be leather or weaker, but lose their sneak abilities when wearing heavier armor. These guys typically should use a ranged weapon or a small melee weapon. These guys can survive in the fray, but make sure they are not getting hit hard.

[ogreballerina]

Spacebar is life,
With one click time is stopped , enabling you to take however long you want to issue combat orders, magics, potion use, movement of squishies out of the line of fire,,,whatever.
Spacebar is life,

Info posted above is good and sound.
All you need is a little brushing up and your on your way to playing one of best RPGs ever.
If the dated graphics haven't thrown you off, your missing a good time. ( and plenty of lost hours )

[Sai]

Originally posted by ogreballerina:

Spacebar is life,
If the dated graphics haven't thrown you off, your missing a good time. ( and plenty of lost hours )

Graphics are just fine, i actualy like them.

[tarkin96]

Originally posted by Guitarguy:

Game is a classic for a reason as your seeing. It does have a bit of a learning curve though bro just play the tutorial and it explains everything. I know the BGEE had one?? Pretty sure this one is the same. It's right on the main menu...

Baldur's Gate 2 does not have a tutorial, but has a gampley basics page that tells you how to control characters and the roles of characters, but does not explain the stuff going on behind the scenes (such as item stats, armor values, weapon damage, spell mechanics, etc).

[AlexMBrennan]

I know the BGEE had one?? Pretty sure this one is the same. It's right on the main menu...

Sadly, you are wrong. Unless you are suggesting that OP buy BG1 to play the tutorial to learn how to play BG2, of course.

After Imoen dying to some bats

That's actually quite an achievement because Imon is scripted to be unkillable at this point for story reasons.

[danconnors]

Yeah, she leaves the party if she's about to be killed. She MUST survive or the story's over before it starts.

[Sai]

I did not know that, i thought she died.

[kaiyl_kariashi]

Yeah, she's wearing a belt that makes her immune to everything instant-death and can't be reduced below 1 hp.

[Kyoko]

I love this combat system, miss this type of combat so much.

[Jexvrok]

spacebar = your best friend.
make sure you change the setting in options, when you sleep you sleep until fully healed. that was a small problem with BG1 original.
i also tend to like to see what my guys roll to hit for damage. to me its much more pleasing.

[kaiyl_kariashi]

Sleep until fully healed can be dangerous though,....and is ridiculously silly....oh i just took a nap for 6 months in irenicus's dungeon, guess he must've lost the fight against those guys...NOPE.

And there's a few quests you can fail due to it if you're not careful (like ALL of chapter 5 is a series of short time-limts that aren't that bad if you play normally and use the 8 hour rest option, but one rest-until healed and you'll be looking at game-over depending on how messed up the party was). And once you get enough regen items to outfit the whole party, it doesn't properly account for the regen and still makes you rest for months even though 8 hours would fully healed you (even the slowest regen item is enough for a full heal).