A stupid question about shields...

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Hi

Well, bought Baldur's Gate yesterday and like it so far - I haven't played it too much yet, still learning the ropes, etc - and therefore I would have to have a stupid question to ask.

I have a fighter, and gave him a few weapons - dagger, long sword, and he still has his staff that he started with - and then bought him a shield. I equipped him with the long sword, but he couldn't wear the shield because he apparently had a two-handed weapon equipped, so I removed the sword and made him use the dagger, but still couldn't equip the shield. What's up with that?

And yeah, I know a dagger and a shield isn't the best combo imaginable As I said, I'm still messing about with things, and this is the first problem I've had so far. I'm sure the answer is quite obvious, but figured I deserve to be humiliated on a public forum, so here I am for your vilification!

Thanks in advance!

 

odd. That never happened to me... a long sword, like a dagger, IS a one handed weapon, so it should be able to work. The only char that shouldn't work with is a cleric bec. of his weapon restrictions... have you tried restarting/reloading?

 

Certainly have. I'll try equipping a shield without a weapon, see what happens there.

It wouldn't have anything to do with what weapons I have in my quick-wotsit (can't remember the name), would it?


Update!

OK, I unequipped (is that even a word?) my weapons, then tried equipping (and is that a word?) my shield followed by the long sword, and that worked. Still strange that I can't do it the other way, though - maybe it's because the bow was in the quick weapons thing.

Thanks anyway - sorry for bothering y'all. I'll shut up from now on

[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited November 25, 2001).]

 

Yes, the bow would be the reason. Even though the weapon you were trying to use with the shield at the time was a one handed weaopn (longsword and dagger), if you have any two handed weapon in your weapon quickslot, you cannot use a shield. Remove the bow from your weapon quickslot, and you can equip whatever single handed weapon and shield combo you want, and in any order for that matter. Enjoy the game

 

It all makes sense now - thanks

Don't worry, I won't ask other newbie questions like what the best class to get through the game with is, because I can only ever use fighters effectively so I'll stick with them! Anyone else here useless at using cleric and mage types?

 

And if you can, keep your thieves Hidden and use them as scouts. They're great for softening up a strong enemy with an 'undefended back attack (backstab)'

 

I'm sure I read this somewhere - I've been going to heaps of different sites all day trying to find tips, and I've lost track of which one's which - but how does one backstab? Do you have to effectively sneak behind them and then attack, or can you just position your thief so that they're behind them without having to use your stealth skill?

Thanks for all your help, folks, I appreciate it. You have much more patience than I would have if I was in your position

 

I believe that a staff is a two handed weapon. That could be your problem.

When you Back Stab, you have to be in Stealth mode and/or invisible (I'm not positive about the invisible thing). All you do is go into stealth, walk up to the enemy and put the cursor over the enemy and press the button. Make sure you have a weapon that can be used for that purpose selected before you go into stealth mode, otherwise it won't work




[This message has been edited by Garret Jax (edited November 25, 2001).]

 

All melee weapons a thief can use are suitable for backstab (including staves ).
And you can backstab while invisible (as opposed to hidden in shadows).

 

The problem was indeed the Staff, this is a two-handed weapon and you can't use Staff and Shield.

You can backstab with these weapons only:

- Dagger
- Short Sword
- Long Sword

You can't backstab with all other weapons including bastard swords and two handed swords.

Backstabbing is in the beginning a bit hard, for your thiefs have a bad Thaco, bad AC and bad Stealth in the beginning. They will become more useful at a higher level (3 or 4) and they are also interesting for the lock-picking and trap detection/disarming.

Mages do have at level one not much spells, but with a sling and bullets they aren't bad, and they get better and more spells when they level up, later in the game, mages will become very necessary. Clerics are necessary, they are good fighters (with club, mace, hammer or flail) and they can heal other characters.

 

As far as Mages and Clerics are concerned, try to stick with a general sorcerer or mage. They can use all of the spells. I have Dynaheir (Invoker) and I can't write Monster Summoning or Metcalf's Acid arrow with her. Those are 2 very useful spells. By the way I have her at level 7. Clerics are definitely good and it's good to back them up with a Paladin, that is if you have a good or nuetral party.
Hope that helps.

[This message has been edited by Garret Jax (edited November 26, 2001).]

 

Sorcerers? In BG1? Where?

I tried a MC thief/mage out of curiousity in BG1. Not bad, but combined with the stat restrictions I put on her, for one, her 14 constitution, and insane difficulty, it got a little rough at times . I imported her to BG2 and she's coming along nicely.

Hey Spiff if you like BG1 then be sure to go on and get BG2 as well.

 

Especially at the first levels, playing a MC-character is kinda hard. Bad Thac0, bad weapons, bad AC, less spells, less thief skills..... but more variety.

Big B, try this: a gnome Illusionist/Thief. (Dex 18, Intelligence 19, Strength 16) You would be surpised to see how good this character will be!

 

Melf's acid arrow useful? Personally I find Magic Missile preferable to Melf's waste of a written spell. However, you are right about monster summoning 1&2, very useful spells those. Throw in a haste spell, and combat in general ceases to be a problem.

About the specialist mage vs general mage, if you really don't want to miss any good spells recruit Edwin or make your PC a conjurer. Identify is sorely missed, but its more a convenience spell then a necessity, and high lore always helps.

But even if you find the allure of Identify to great to pass up, you should still pick a specialist, as the extra memorized spell per lvl is VERY useful.

 

or try this
Fighter:
18/?? strenght
18 constutition
18 dexterity
10 intelligence
10 wisdom
14 charisma