First run of this game

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I've decided i'm really gonna do it this time, a full run of this game. Advice and recommendations please! I don't mind cheese either, so feel free to dish out all those sorts of tips too

 

You've probably done this already, but just in case you haven't install Heart of Winter and Trials of the Luremaster, since they both improve your gameplay (graphics, for example).

As for party, since you create all your characters, you can fine tune it to suit you best.

My recommendation is to consider including a Paladin, Druid (as a healer), Ranger (bowman).

A Paladin's Turn Undead for sceletons, and Druid's Moonblade + Wall of Moonlight for zombies, ghouls etc. can get you through all Undead encounters.

A high level bard is good to have around, since Warchant of the Sith bard song (or something like that) gives a good auxillary healing source. With an axe proficiency and a suitable throwing-returning weapon, he can stay out of most trouble.

You don't need a full time thief, dual class will do just as well (although it's a matter of taste).

There are some nice axes, hammers, swords (great and large) in the game, so different proficiencies might be rewarding.

If you are playing good, keep a few characters neutral, for more items.

When speaking to NPCs be careful whom you use, since you sometimes get different conversation options depending on your character class.

Bring Antidotes.

Don't forget to do the fisherman's dream quest in Easthaven, since the roleplay value of it is quite large later on. It gives you a fuzzy feeling of continuity.

The wolf in the scrimshawers store can be charmed.

If I remember more, I'll let you know. Hope it helps.
P.S. Post if you need any info later on. Enjoy the game.

 

I'm looking at a party of the following:

Paladin
Ranger/Cleric
Fighter/Thief
Conjurer

 

Add a tank. You'll need him/her. There's a lot of hacking and slashing in IWD, and sometimes enemies hurt you by shear numbers. Often they too are melee tanks.

You're planning a full party, not just four people, right?

Sixth spot... I'd go for caster, but buff the constitution, or make him battle worthy. This is just my opinion, and many might disagree, but having two near defenceless casters can be tricky, especially when your party is low level. Again, this is just me. Druid, Bard, part time Mage... your pick.

/me thinks I've bugged you enough and leaves

 

Nope, gonna go for a party of 4, Paladin being the tank.

 

Ok, I hope it works out for you.

Your party can most likely take on any type of creature present in the game... I'm simply worried about the enemy numbers.

IMHO, even if you use summons to give you breathing space, you'll find yourself crowded at times and your front line thins considerably every time you get your Ranger/Cleric to heal others.
Fighter/Thief can't take the brunt of melee in many battles, so you'll need to pull him out at times too.
Basically, I feel that there'll be times when your Paladin will be alone up front, and then he'll get in trouble real quick.

You'll need to rest a lot, (probably, for the conjurers sake) and that can be a problem in some parts of the game.

To sum it up, you won't be bested, but you might get overrun. (IMHO)

 

Tip: take a Gnome or a Halfling who can wear a helmet.

 

Some spoilers....

That party will do quite well. With a ranger/cleric a druid is not necessary -- take hammer as one of your first proficiencies. Make your fighter/thief a gnome or halfling. I recommend a bard for the first time through -- I usually don't play bards, but in this game a bard they are quite good.

Missile weapon are very powerful in the game (much like in BG1). Give everyone proficiency in missile weapons of some kind -- proficiency in axes for the Paladin would be good (you'll find a magic throwing axe about midway through the game).

You may want to consider a dual classed fighter/mage. You don't get the specialist bonuses, but you can have between three and five stars in bows -- a good thing. Dual early on, level seven is a good time.

Some good items are alignment specific -- having an evil character (perhaps the fighter/thief or mage) allows you to take advantage of this. [Edit: unless you want to wear the helmet for the F/T -- thanks kmonster.]

Late in the game (after Wyrm's Tooth) a paladin specific sword is available -- it's difficult to find and looks like an ordinary long sword to anyone other than the paladin.

 

If you have HoW installed the opposing school for conjurers is evocation. I'd rather take an illusionist.
If you want to powergame a bit you can start as human fighter and dual after 3 levels, even to specialist wizard.
The special helmet Caradhas mentioned can only be worn be good aligned gnomes or halflings who can wear helmets.

 

Human Paladin
Human Ranger/Cleric
Halfling Fighter/Thief
Elf Mage.. Losing Evocation is a big hit, so maybe just a general mage rather than a specialist.

What do we think?

 

Your party is well balanced, you should be just fine. I currently playing with three characters: dwarven fighter, half-elf ranger/cleric, elven fighter/mage/thief -- very few problems thus far (I'm in Lonelywood).

Dual classed ranger/cleric? You'll be quite a while without a cleric. You may want a multiclass. With rangers you get an extra attack when you have a one-handed weapon in your main hand and you off-hand is empty. Rangers can be nearly as affective as a pure fighter.

 

dual class ranger/cleric works out fine, even in a six man party. Just be sure to dual after level 6 to get the druid spell picks (I did it at 7).

Did you pick a weapon for your halfling fighter thief yet? Even though your paladin will pick large swords, I'd consider it for the fighter thief aswell since the longsword of action is really good. Oh and try to get your tank some points in a blunt weapon aswell since most undead have 50% resistance to slashing attacks.

 

Both the F/T and the R/C would be multiclass.

 

Ummm... humans can't multiclass. Do you mean half-elf?

 

In that case, yes.

Sorry, i'm a 3.5E player, my knowledge of this ruleset is a little rusty.

 

It's not too long since I finished the game myself. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

As a minor point, I doubt an elven mage is optimal. I had six party members but I imagine with four your spell levelling might start to run ahead of the scrolls you find. Scrolls are rarer than in the likes of BG and I don't think magic is quite as dominant either. Dualling a human fighter after a few levels will allow you to use a bow/crossbow and be reasonaby proficient with it, without compromising spellcasting (except at the beginning, obviously). I had an elven mage and can't say I felt the 19 dex added anything. If you would prefer to take an elf I'm sure he'll do fine though. Personally there's no way I'd lose the evocation spells as they're what I most used by far. If you prefer indirect spells to pure blasting however they won't be much of a loss.

I used a paladin as my main tank and he did very well in the role, with good saves as well against magic compared to a fighter. I should point out though that the ***** weapon proficiency that fighters can get is extremely powerful. My fighter was using a +2 weapon (it had an AC bonus) as opposed to the paladin with his special sword and she was still causing far more damage in melee. A paladin is probably a better choice for soaking up damage but if you want your tank to dish it out as well a fighter is the better option.


The ranger/cleric is a very versatile character. Without a shield the extra attack makes him an excellent warrior. Don't be afraid to use a shield though. There are occasions where having a second tank will be more important than the ability to cause massive damage.

I presume you're going IWD to HoW to TotL. One thing to watch out for is the exported characters that the computer will automatically save lose all their gold and any containers, such as bags of holding. Make sure to move as many powerful items as you can into your backpack before the final battle. Even if you don't want them you can still sell them so that you can start buying the new magic items the expansions provide.

 

Well, much like a politician, i've gone back on a promise. Just the thought of starting this game fills me with apathy. Dammit

 

Actually, it's a good game. Even if you prefer more story-based games with banter (like BG2), IWD is worth a crack. Last time I used a party of four - they're a bit easier to manage than six and level faster, though the initial stages can be tricky.

 

It's not that there's anything wrong with the game, it's just.. I don't have the will to play it.

 

Get yourself an unavoidable, boring to death chore, Cap'n.
(Sociology books, dusting... whatever works for you)
Trust me, you'll be playing IWD in no time.

P.S. Not my first option but if you simply can't gather the will to play the original campaign, play just HoW (I think you can, not sure though).
It's shorter and it might get you interested to start from Easthaven.