Icewind Dale 2 Parties

[Anonymous]

Okay, I saw all the great posts about this game and I caved and bought Icewind Dale 2.

Wow! I spent about an hour just trying to come up with an ideal party, then quit and came here.

In the first Icewind Dale, I made a party and played about 3 hours into the game, and then read a post about what an ideal party should be made of. So I ended up remaking a new party and having to slog through the first boring 3 hours again.

I want to avoid that this time. So tell me: what combination of character classes works best for Icewind Dale 2?

[graller]

I dumped mine in the other list but will recap here...with the new 3rd Ed ruleset this party is even more bad ass then the first IWD

Half Orc Fighter - pure badass
Human Paladin - great fighting and I like the extra healing
Human Ranger - Always play a ranger - call me a LOTR geek. I just like the multi tasking of bow and fighting
Dwarven Cleric - gotta have one
2 Elven Mages....The first few levels are tougher because of this choice but later on in the game I just mow the mothers down....and when they are not mowing they are my thieves and artillery thanks to the fact they have high int which gives them crazy skills - one disables traps, the other opens boxes...and one uses a bow, the other a crossbow.

[Martinez]

All pure classes

In combat:
Human Fighter = Front line tank
Human Fighter = Bow fighter
Orc Barbarian = Front Line Tank
Human-Aasimar Cleric = Buffer/Tank
Elf Thief = Bow master
Elf Wizard = spells

With all the dungeon crwaling, I find it hard to have too many in melee.

[Anonymous]

Here's what I came up with...

Aasimar Paladin
Human Ranger
Human Cleric
Wild Elf Druid
Drow Elf Thief
Wild Elf Sorceror

I've got 2 1/2 tanks up front, a couple of archers in the back, and the Sorceror casing Sleep with Magic Penetration, which really helps defeat any of their saving throws.

[Robert Sharp]

Play the classes you want. As long as you have a mage type, a cleric type, warrior type and thief type, do what you want with the other two. The game doesn't seem to discourage it. I DO recommend a paladin though. It pays off.

[Alan Au]

I tried the minimalist approach that worked so well for me in the original game.

1. Dwarven fighter/cleric tank - balanced stats
2. Elven ranger/mage support - high dex, int
3. Human thief/bard diplomat - high cha, dex

I got pretty far, although it seems three characters really doesn't provide enough power to handle some of the larger battles. The increased XP per character helps, but there's definitely something to be said for quantity.

- Alan

[Troy S Goodfellow]

I tried the minimalist approach that worked so well for me in the original game.

1. Dwarven fighter/cleric tank - balanced stats
2. Elven ranger/mage support - high dex, int
3. Human thief/bard diplomat - high cha, dex

I got pretty far, although it seems three characters really doesn't provide enough power to handle some of the larger battles. The increased XP per character helps, but there's definitely something to be said for quantity.

- Alan

I can't see a party surviving with less than five. A lot of the later baddies have stun and hold person, and will whip 'em out whenever they can. Someone needs to be out of range of these effects. Even with six I had trouble getting them all to act in the first round of combat.

My party was:

Human Paladin
Elven Ranger
Elven Thief
Human Cleric
Human Druid
Drow Wizard

Troy

[Robert Sharp]

Yeah, but there are freedom of movement rings everywhere. I have 3 of them, and use them on my fighters and cleric. I hardly ever get stunned or held in the 5th and 6th chapters.

[Matt Perkins]

I have this (all my characters are at 9th atm)

Assimar Paladin +1 level of fighter for feats
Gold Dwarf Fighter +1 level of barbarian for rage
Tiefling Thief +1 level of fighter for feats and hitpoints
Moon Elf Transmuter
Half Efl Druid
Assimar Cleric


I've use bows on my thief and druid, crossbows on my cleric and wizard (they took the feats, if need be). With the 'buffing' from my cleric and the animals from my Druid, I pretty much lay waste to anything that I come in contact with. My theory is hit the mages first. Always. They have do bad things if left alone. At least shoot at them and have magic missile or fireball going off on them if the melee types aren't able to get to them.

[Robert Sharp]

The only problem I see with that party is that a transmuter doesn't get stoneskin, which is the only spell my necromancer memorizes at 4th level. It's one of the most useful spells in the game. But if you get it other ways (items, maybe?) that might be ok.

[marxeil]

So I ordered IWD2 from Amazon, and surprisingly got a bundle containing also IWD + expansion. Should I bother with the first one? Can I take a party from IWD to IWD2?

[Troy S Goodfellow]

So I ordered IWD2 from Amazon, and surprisingly got a bundle containing also IWD + expansion. Should I bother with the first one? Can I take a party from IWD to IWD2?

Both are good, but I like the second one better. No, you cannot import a party from one to the next.

Troy

[Miramon]

Wow, this is old. I did like both those games, though, at the time.

[Kunikos]

I'm pretty sure that IWD is also on Gametap, FWIW.

[marxeil]

Well, I decided to go with the second one. I don't want to get tired from the first before getting to the second.
Anyway, after it finished installing, it showed a trailer for BG2. It reminded me of how exited I was about that game. It was so big.

[Bill Dungsroman]

So I ordered IWD2 from Amazon, and surprisingly got a bundle containing also IWD + expansion. Should I bother with the first one? Can I take a party from IWD to IWD2?

IWD1 is plenty of fun, some would argue it's more fun than the second. It uses 2nd edition rules, whereas IWD2 uses 3rd edition, so there is that. But it's worth your time to play IMO. The setting and music is great.

[Kunikos]

The general use portraits and voice sets in IWD1/2 are some of the highest quality things about it too. I've noticed you can get them for NWN2 now that it supports portraits instead of the 3D model. Next patch (1.12) will allow you to set your portrait in-game from the UI (as opposed to using a character editor). Also, the voice sets have been ported over by fans.

[Gendal]

I need to replay IWD2, I made it to the end and got my arse handed to me at the final battle. I think I replayed it like 30 times before I gave up. Next time I plan to go at with a minmaxer's dream team.

[marxeil]

I need to replay IWD2, I made it to the end and got my arse handed to me at the final battle. I think I replayed it like 30 times before I gave up. Next time I plan to go at with a minmaxer's dream team.
Your input as to how to build this dream team would be much appreciated.

[marxeil]

Ok so I am an idiot. Turns out I mistakenly installed IWD1. I guess that worse things can happen.
Please adjust any parties suggestion accordingly.

[Kunikos]

Both can be obtained for $20 including the IWD XP on GoGamer (http://www.gogamer.com/viewproduct.htm?productId=38042594&categoryId=65172).

[Gendal]

Constructing full D&D parties is for me an epic event that typically rivals the game itself for time invested. I sucked at IWD2 because I knew nothing about 3e at the time. Didn't really have a problem though till the end battle, which is just brutal.

[Kunikos]

I've always been partial to GameBanshee for information on D&D games, ever since I used their BG2 walkthroughs. Here's their IWD2 mini-site: http://www.gamebanshee.com/icewinddaleii/

From what I see it's 3.0 but there are no PrCs.

[unbongwah]

If Trials of the Luremaster (http://www.fileplanet.com/62184/60000/fileinfo/Icewind-Dale---Heart-of-Winter:-Trials-of-the-Luremaster) doesn't come with the IWD package, make sure to install that, too.
From what I see it's 3.0 but there are no PrCs.
Correct: IWD2 is base classes only. It does have some of the ECL races, though, like aasimar & tieflings; and the level cap is 30, IIRC.

EDIT: between the two, I preferred IWD2, mostly because I hate 2nd ed D&D.

[nlanza]

EDIT: between the two, I preferred IWD2, mostly because I hate 2nd ed D&D.

It's sorta weird. For actual pen-and-paper playing, I far prefer 3E to 2E.

But I've never really gotten into 3E games -- I loved the Baldur's Gate stuff and the first IWD, but couldn't quite get into IWD2.

Maybe I'll reinstall it and try again, though. Y'know, in my copious free time.

[marxeil]

If Trials of the Luremaster (http://www.fileplanet.com/62184/60000/fileinfo/Icewind-Dale---Heart-of-Winter:-Trials-of-the-Luremaster) doesn't come with the IWD package, make sure to install that, too.
Ok I am downloading that now. Hopefully it will solve the problem of the game not working.

[Adam B]

Oh man, for total bonus hilarity, check out Heart of Winter (xpac for IWD1). Turns out grafting some 3e rules onto a 2e core makes for some relatively exploitable loopholes (halfling fighter/thief with platemail, silly saves, and evasion = unbelievable tank that you can bomb AEs onto all day).

[McBain]

Icewind Dale is better than Icewind Dale 2, IMO. It's certainly worth playing, though I should probably warn you that the game is very, very combat heavy.

Just make sure you get the widescreen mod!

[deccan]

I read this thread title and thought someone was organizing LAN parties to play IWD2.

[Rollory]

NNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEECCCRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOO

But yeah, I never finished IWD2, I should.

[marxeil]

Ok game is working. For the record its IWD + HOW + TOTL.
Now for party building. I found two strategies over at gamebanshee. (http://www.gamebanshee.com/icewinddale/strategies/charactercreation.php) Both contradict the other quite nicely. I like the second one because its like there are those people who maybe learned some weapons usage and then they go on an adventure and each evolves to be something else.

I am also accepting appropriate (i.e.fantasy characters) name suggestions.

[Kunikos]

So uh... I might go with in IWD2:

Half-Orc Fighter 1 / Barbarian
Half-Elf Barbarian 1 / Ranger
Wild Elf Monk of the Old Order 1 / Druid
Aasimar Paladin of Ilmater 1 / Painbearer of Ilmater
Gold Dwarf Fighter 1 / Battleguard of Tempus
Tiefling Rogue 1 / Necromancer

[awdougherty]

I would say that Icewind Dale 1 + expansions is absolutely worth it, but it's also one of my favorite RPGs ever, so I'm a little biased. And since I love the style and setting so much, I was never at risk of getting tired of them. The music and settings are better in the first I think, maybe the story is a bit better as well. That's not to slight the second one though.

Currently replaying 2 with a friend cooperatively. Our party is a bard, thief, druid and mage. Not 100% typical, but it's been interesting so far.

[Dirt]

The first game gave me one of my more memorable RPG battles. I actually used a druid and she turned out to be essential with her ability to turn into an earth elemental. Wouldn't have passed the game without her absorbing so much of the damage from the final boss.

[Bill Dungsroman]

Ok game is working. For the record its IWD + HOW + TOTL.


Get ready, marxiel. I mean all the expansions are fun but what is going to happen is that you are going to practically play 3 Big Foozel Endings almost in a row, so you may end up a little worn out by the end.

Trials of the Hurfmaster was sort of fun, because you can use all those cold-based skills that are useless everywhere else.

[malkav11]

I got a pretty fair distance into IWD1 before losing my saves. Like the other Infinity Engine stuff I haven't gotten to (BG1, Throne of Bhaal, IWD2), I really ought to try again sometime. Too many games.

[marxeil]

No party suggestions yet (for IWD1 anyway). I guess I'll go with the all warrior party and see how that goes. I just hope I don't end up making them a bunch of dead losers.

[christopher]

No party suggestions yet (for IWD1 anyway). I guess I'll go with the all warrior party and see how that goes. I just hope I don't end up making them a bunch of dead losers.

My Icewind Dale 1 party, if I can remember it correctly:

Human Fighter (Tank and diplomat. I probably should have made this character a paladin since there's a great sword you can get that only paladins can use)
Dwarf Fighter (Tank)
Elf Fighter (Archer)
Human Cleric (Healer. Make sure your cleric is good if you have the expansion installed, since evil clerics can't heal. You might also want to make this character a druid, since I've heard they kick ass in this game.)
Elf Thief/Mage (I needed a thief to detect traps, and I wanted a backup mage.)
Human Conjurer (I made a big mistake here. Before you install the Heart of Winter expansion pack, conjurer is easily the best type of mage, since you can cast every spell in the game and still get the bonus spells that a specialist mage gets. However, after you install the expansion, the opposing schools all change, and your conjurer suddenly can't cast all the great invocation spells. Oops.)

[McBain]

Icewind Dale is a pretty combat-heavy game, so don't feel bad about min-maxing the shit out of it.

Fighter
Fighter
Dual Class Fighter / Rogue
Dual Class Fighter / Cleric
Dual Class Fighter / Mage
6th slot up to you

I did beat the game with a much less powergamed party, but it was fairly difficult.

[Kalle]

One thing about IWD1. Practically all item drops are randomised and a lot of the good ones are alignment-tied so it's worthwhile to have a mixed alignment party just for that.

[RobF]

I played through IWD2 with a 4-character party:

half-orc barbarian
elf rogue
human sorceror
dwarf cleric

It was pretty fun, and I didn't run into any really major snags. I pumped up the rogue's AC enough through DEX enhancements that she could stand in as a semi-tank in a pinch, and of course the cleric could too. Best part is that you level faster because the XP is divided among 4 members instead of 6.

Make sure you have someone with Wilderness Lore (barb, ranger, or druid) to get you through the stupid forest maze.

[Matt Perkins]

Am I the only one that creates all my characters, goes through the intros, then loads the saves up in whatever editor and fixes all of my characters stats? It being a single player game I have no problem with cheating and it's more fun to have characters that dominate the combat rather than just barely making it through it. Oh and I don't set all stats to 20+, I just set the main stats of each character type to 18 or 20 and fix any stats I didn't get high enough in the points buying...

All this talk of Icewind Dale 2 though...I really want to play that again. I loved IWD1, but I can't see going back to the 2nd edition ruleset.

[malphigian]

I don't know, I think a pretty straight up hack and slash RPG like IWD2 is best enjoyed by playing a challenging party. Then again, I was always a big fan of things like trying to solo Baldur's Gate.

[Alan Au]

I played through IWD with a 3-character party. It was the Fighter and Cleric show, with special guest Fighter/Cleric (mostly added to carry around spare equipment and provide comic relief). They collected XP twice as quickly, and by the end of the game Fighter was able to wade through swarms of Frost Giants.

IWD2 was a problem, since XP gain is scaled based on level differential. I'd have to go back and do the math, but the idea was that they topped out a few levels higher than enemies, which wasn't enough of an advantage. I stalled out at the monastery, during the trials. I suppose I could have just killed the monks, but that seemed sort of anti-climactic. I should really go back and replay IWD2. Maybe I'll do the Fighter & Cleric show, Season 2.

- Alan

[Sarkus]

I really loved IWD, and still consider some of those dungeons among the best I've ever seen. But IWD2 seemed much harder from the start and I don't think I ever got that far. Maybe my party of almost all dwarfs was holding me back.

Perhaps it's time to give it another shot.

On the other hand, some of those dungeons in the BG/IWD series were just insane. I never finished that dungeon in the BG I expansion either.

[Dirt]

Maybe I'll do the Fighter & Cleric show, Season 2.

- Alan

Are you going to go "Tony Soprano" on those monks' asses this time?

[marxeil]

Thanks for the advice. I'll go with the min/max fighter party.

[unbongwah]

It's been a couple of years since I played IWD2, but IIRC this was the party I used:

- aasimar paladin / cleric as front-line tank and healer / buffer
- dwarf fighter / druid as second front-line tank and buffer
- human monk as tertiary fighter
- tiefling rogue / fighter for thieving and combat support (bows, dual-wield melee)
- elf bard as party negotiator and combat support (bows, spells, songs)
- elf sorcerer for spells and archery

In hindsight, a pure tank and pure cleric might've been better than the multi-class cleric & druid duo I used. Or maybe a traditional tank instead of a monk. Still, worked out OK, I think.

[Bill Dungsroman]

Am I the only one that creates all my characters, goes through the intros, then loads the saves up in whatever editor and fixes all of my characters stats? It being a single player game I have no problem with cheating and it's more fun to have characters that dominate the combat rather than just barely making it through it. Oh and I don't set all stats to 20+, I just set the main stats of each character type to 18 or 20 and fix any stats I didn't get high enough in the points buying...

All this talk of Icewind Dale 2 though...I really want to play that again. I loved IWD1, but I can't see going back to the 2nd edition ruleset.

I never did for the IWD games, but I sure as hell did for the BG games. Man, I mean gimme a break, is it too much to ask that my NPCs have an 18 in their primary class stat? Fighters with 15 STR? Oy, vey.

And yeah, after playing them so many times, I just give my main guy all 18's. YEAH WELL HE SAVES FAERUN I FIGURE HE'S PRETTY HEROIC TO DO THAT.

[Adam B]

2nd Edition was also much less forgiving of moderate ability scores. I mean, the difference between a 16 and an 18 STR was what, like +3hit/+5dmg? That may be a bit of hyperbole, but the point is that it's much easier to survive for instance a 14STR on a fighter in 3e than in 2e.

[Gendal]

Am I the only one that creates all my characters, goes through the intros, then loads the saves up in whatever editor and fixes all of my characters stats?
Never. The fun for me comes by figuring out the rules and then systematically crushing/expoiting it.

[Kalle]

Never. The fun for me comes by figuring out the rules and then systematically crushing/expoiting it.

Also, rerolling the digital dice at the character screen for 20 minutes. Seriously, I did this. Was before I learned about the excellent DaleKeeper though.

[Gendal]

Also, rerolling the digital dice at the character screen for 20 minutes. Seriously, I did this. Was before I learned about the excellent DaleKeeper though.
Rerolling for 20 minutes is perfectly acceptable and something I absolutely did. It's within the rules after all. Editing the data with an external program... is not.

You may be thinking I had an (un)healthy fear of authority and rule breaking infused into my childhood years. You would be correct.

[Cold Blooded]

If memory serves, pure-class thieves were useless in both games. Better to dual-class with some kind of wizard, or possibly gnome cleric or illusionist if feeling adventurous.

Best to play first IWD with all expansions installed, as they add Baldur's Gate II amenities (pressing Tab key highlights all items on ground, etc.). With IWD 1 expansions installed, bards and druids become exceptionally powerful and useful, very strong additions to any party. Many cases, druids can use area-damage spells (thorn and spike spells, don't recall the name) along with entangle to slaughter enemies at a distance. Add in bard's spells like web, fireball, ice storm, cloudkill, and many enemies won't even touch you.

[Alan Au]

Yeah, I rerolled the crap out of my IWD1 characters until I had enough overall points to distribute (usually ~90). IWD2 changed to a point-buy system, making it much harder to min-max like that, not that I didn't try.

- Alan

[Sarkus]

This thread has me seriously thinking about playing IWD2 again, even though I still haven't finished either The Witcher or MOTB NWN2 expansion.

You guys suck!

:-)

[Alan Au]

Oh, hey, don't forget the Weimer-IWD2-Ease-v15 pack. Among other things, it allows you to fix (via mod) the "you can't gain XP because you're too high level" problem.

- Alan

[unbongwah]

Good point: I'd forgotten to mention there are some mods available (http://www.pocketplane.net/modlist/index.php?ax=list&cat_id=97) for both games, like the tweak packs for IWD1 (http://www.gibberlings3.net/daletweak/index.php) & IWD2 (http://www.gibberlings3.net/iwd2tweak/).

[metta]

My parties for IWD 1 & 2 looked the same:

The Cock Tail Party

Dwarf Fighter (male)
Orc Barbarian (male)
Human Cleric (female)
Halfling Thief (male)
Elven Wizard (Evoker) (female)
Elven Wizard (Summoner) (female)

I took the stat rolls I was given and had adventures.

[Gordon Cameron]

IWD1 is a good game, but I would put it on the lower end of the Infinity Engine set, beneath BG1/2 and PS: Torment.

I loved, loved, the opening and closing cutscenes, though. Also some fantastic music, particularly the Kuldahar theme.

[Bill Dungsroman]

If memory serves, pure-class thieves were useless in both games. Better to dual-class with some kind of wizard, or possibly gnome cleric or illusionist if feeling adventurous.

Yeah. I used a mage/thief in 1 and an illusionist/thief in 2 with no problems.


Oh, hey, don't forget the Weimer-IWD2-Ease-v15 pack. Among other things, it allows you to fix (via mod) the "you can't gain XP because you're too high level" problem.

- Alan

Hmm, I assume he's long since fixed the awesome bug that converted a quest item into another item after the flying boat crashes, the quest item you need in order to progress further in the game? I'd guess.

[Adam B]

The problem is that illusionist/thieves have to be gnomes, and having a gnome in my party makes me want to jam a steak knife through my monitor.

Which is really too bad, because in BG2 Jan was really the best powergamer option for a good party to fill the thief role if your main guy wasn't one. Nalia's just as annoying, with a bonus of being largely useless at thievery and a mediocre wizard. Gah. Yoshimo was pretty awesome, but not without his own sets of baggage.

Sorry, IWD. Yeah, unless you plan on executing some weird stealth-heavy plan, a dual-class or multiclass thief is optimal. Thief/fighter works just fine if you don't plan on stealthing; you can still disarm/pick locks just fine in platemail IIRC. Or maybe that's just in 3e.

[marxeil]

Oh, hey, don't forget the Weimer-IWD2-Ease-v15 pack. Among other things, it allows you to fix (via mod) the "you can't gain XP because you're too high level" problem.

- Alan
I got Auril's bane, unfinished business and IWD tweaks.
I just got to Kuldahar. No problems yet, but all I fought were goblins and orcs.

[Qenan]

Offtopic: I tried to play this game recently, through Gametap, and ran into a lot of graphical glitches. Things like the one-liners NPC's utter creating giant black boxes on the screen...

[Rollory]

Gah. Yoshimo was pretty awesome, but not without his own sets of baggage.

Dual class him to fighter, take him to the doomtower of whatsitsface (from the expansion, but accessible from SoA), take him to the lich, get the lich to cast Imprisonment on him, leave without finishing area, finish SoA, start ToB, go back to bigtower of longasswhatsit, go to place where lich is, un-imprison him, fart in the general direction of death Geases, level him up, watch him slice and dice.

WIN.

The very coolest thing about games like that is finding ways to tell the developers' scripted inevitable plot points to fuck off.

[unbongwah]

Offtopic: I tried to play this game recently, through Gametap, and ran into a lot of graphical glitches. Things like the one-liners NPC's utter creating giant black boxes on the screen...
Sounds similar to a problem I had with BG2 (which I just reinstalled this weekend - damn this thread!). IIRC, there are a few graphics options in the Infinity Engine games you can tweak to clear up these problems. E.g., in BG2, I had to turn on...errr..."software blitters" or something like that to get rid of these weird black boxes that showed up around certain graphics (e.g., birds or every time I made someone explode in a shower of body parts).

[Sarkus]

As I suspected, this thread got me playing IWD2 again. It's weird, because I'm well past the part I thought I had gotten to originally, but everything is still vaguely familiar.

One thing I don't miss is the pathfinding. Too bad they never fixed that for the game engine.

[Alan Au]

So yeah, I started a new game. Fighter is doing great. Cleric isn't quite as happy; I tried adding a bunch of Monk levels, but Cleric still ends up taking lots of damage and should probably stick to healing.

I decided I needed a diplomat to handle storyline stuff, so I added a third character, Bard. Actually, it's Bard/Barbarian (for the feats, speed bonus, and hit points).

Also, I'm realizing that I made it 2/3 of the way through the game last time I played, so this mostly a repeat for me.

- Alan

[Sarkus]

I went with:

Paladin - tank + some healing + diplomat
Fighter - pure tank
F/Cleric
F/Rogue
F/Wizard
F/Druid

Tons of healing plus the multi-class makes the weaker classes pretty robust. I'm around level 9 for the pure guys, with the multi's split evenly and the rogue and wizard are both around 80 hp's.

I may not gain access to the super spell levels, but so far it's not holding me back.

[roguefrog]

In Icewind Dale 2, I remember taking a Ranger, to be more specific, a Sniper.

He ended up out killing everyone in the party by a HUGE margin. Even the crazy dwarf fighter was eating his wake in kill count. I was having him snipe mages and other soft targets in the backlines with ease while the melee folks locked horns in a bitter long tumble. He downed targets in seconds with rapid and percise arrows. Mages for instance could not complete their incantations without first receiving an arrow in the chest followed by another seconds later. The only drawback was his frailty. But I tended the micro the crap out of him more to rack up killtaculars and killing sprees. Think Legolas in LotR rolling natural 20's.

[marxeil]

So I managed to get the black wolf temple were I found out that I can't multi class anybody because they weren't human (/slaps forehead). My D&D ignorance is immense. I was stuck with a all fighter party. Besides the fact that I wasn't sure that I can finish the game with that party, its also kind of boring.
So I found me a more detailed party build guide, and started over:

Paladin - this guy is in charge of talking with NPCs.
Pure fighter - gotta have one
Fighter - will be multi classed to druid once she reaches lvl6
Ranger - was m/c to cleric at lvl4.
Thief - was m/c to illusionist at lvl6.
Fighter - was m/c to mage at lvl3 or 4.

Anyway I am having a great time, and I'm always looking forward to some quite time to play some more. I think it took me 10 minutes to get over the old gfx. It helps that the background is fantastic (I am still trying to zoom in once in a while and the helmets look awful). On second thought, maybe the old style presentation is part of the appeal. Its old but superbly done.

[Talorc]

Anyway I am having a great time, and I'm always looking forward to some quite time to play some more. I think it took me 10 minutes to get over the old gfx. It helps that the background is fantastic (I am still trying to zoom in once in a while and the helmets look awful). On second thought, maybe the old style presentation is part of the appeal. Its old but superbly done.


Hand painted backgrounds in the Infinity Engine will never get outdated. Some of them are simply fabulous - the big tree in Kandahar comes to mind. Coupled with the brilliant music and you have an absolute gorgeous gaming experience. The IWD art was fantastic.

I feel a reinstall coming on! :-) I really dig 3E rules and free multiclassing though, it will be shock going back to 2E

[Kunikos]

So I managed to get the black wolf temple were I found out that I can't multi class anybody because they weren't human (/slaps forehead).

If you're in 2E rules non-humans have to be multiclassed at their character creation. Humans cannot multiclass, they "dual-class", which is more similar to how 3E classing works.

[metta]

I think it took me 10 minutes to get over the old gfx. It helps that the background is fantastic (I am still trying to zoom in once in a while and the helmets look awful). On second thought, maybe the old style presentation is part of the appeal. Its old but superbly done.

I love the Infinity Engine, it's still my favourite way to play CRPGs. I've been playing Neverwinter Nights 2 and I feel like I'm fighting the camera the whole time. I think I'm going to install BG2+Throne of Baal on my MacBook Pro and go through it again. For computer RPGs, it's still the high water mark for me.

[unbongwah]

So I managed to get the black wolf temple were I found out that I can't multi class anybody because they weren't human (/slaps forehead). My D&D ignorance is immense.
Just to clarify the 2nd ed D&D terminology: "multi-classing" is when a non-human character chooses two or three classes at character creation, which level up simultaneously (XP is divided equally among each class); "dual-classing" is when a human character starts as one class, then switches to another somewhere down the line. [IIRC, in BG2, dual-classed characters can use class kits (but only for their first class); multi-classed characters cannot.] The drawback to multi-classing is you level up slower and your subclasses lag behind a single-class character with the same XP; the tradeoff, naturally, is access to more abilities. The drawback to dual-classing is you lose the abilities of your first class when you switch until your second class's level exceeds the first. E.g., if you take a level 3 fighter and dual-class him to cleric, you lose access to your fighter skills until you are a lvl 4 cleric.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that for dual-classing, you need to have at least a 17 in the primary stat of the class you wish to switch to. So bear that in mind when creating any characters you want to dual-class later on.

Multi-classed characters suck at low levels, IMHO, because of how much they lag behind single-classed characters. Dual-classed characters are gimped from the time they switch classes until they regain their first class's abilities. But both pay off at high levels, with the right builds. Note that some class restrictions still apply to dual- / multi-classed characters: e.g., fighter / clerics are limited to blunt weapons, even though fighters can use edged weapons; but an F / C can put five points into weapon proficiencies, while regular clerics can only put two.

BTW, if you want to use a resolution not native to IWD (or any of the Infinity Engine games), use the widescreen mod (http://www.gibberlings3.net/widescreen/).

[Dirt]

So I managed to get the black wolf temple were I found out that I can't multi class anybody because they weren't human (/slaps forehead).

http://www.mud-master.com/forum/index.php?board=5;action=display;threadid=1712

[Sarkus]

I love the Infinity Engine, it's still my favourite way to play CRPGs. I've been playing Neverwinter Nights 2 and I feel like I'm fighting the camera the whole time. I think I'm going to install BG2+Throne of Baal on my MacBook Pro and go through it again. For computer RPGs, it's still the high water mark for me.

I like NWN2 but I'm playing through IWD2 right now and it's weird how much of a different feel it is. In NWN2 I really don't like micromanaging everyone, but in IWD2 it doesn't seem like a chore. In a lot of ways I think NWN2 suffers from being an evolution of the NWN1 interface which was designed around the idea that you would only control one character with maybe one or two henchmen. In other words, the whole scheme just isn't optimized for micromanaging a whole party.

It's too bad since that's what most buyers really want.

[marxeil]

I'm mixing my stuff real bad. I meant dual class. Multi class seems too complicated to me.
Thanks for the link Dirt, but I am already at chapter 2 with my new and improved dual classed party. The thief/mage and fighter/druid still need to activate their orig class, but they are already useful as they are.

[marxeil]

Another question. I suddenly noticed that my paladin lost his abilities. The same happened to the ranger. I had no clue as to why is that until I noticed that they are both "Fallen".
So what's the deal? Did this happen becuase of wrong dialog choices? Is it reversible somehow?

[metta]

Another question. I suddenly noticed that my paladin lost his abilities. The same happened to the ranger. I had no clue as to why is that until I noticed that they are both "Fallen".
So what's the deal? Did this happen becuase of wrong dialog choices? Is it reversible somehow?

You must have done something 'evil' you naughty boy. Did you kill someone without good reason? So much for roleplaying :p

This thread made me install Icewind Dale on my MacBook Pro. Man, I'd forgotten there were no Barbs in 2.0 :( I had to make do with a pissed-off-looking pure fighter who specializes in Great Swords.

[marxeil]

You must have done something 'evil' you naughty boy. Did you kill someone without good reason? So much for roleplaying :p
I don't remember doing anything of the sort. Its not like there is a ton of interaction with friendly NPCs. I think this happened near the end of the Dragon's eye dungeon. I really think there should have been some warning when it happened:
"You have turned to evil, repent!".

[unbongwah]

According to this FAQ (http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/file/256221/8166), your Paladins & Rangers are "fallen" because your party reputation is too low. Need to do some good deeds to get your rep back up. Or go back to an earlier save before they fell so you can try again.

[metta]

According to this FAQ (http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/file/256221/8166), your Paladins & Rangers are "fallen" because your party reputation is too low. Need to do some good deeds to get your rep back up. Or go back to an earlier save before they fell so you can try again.

Right. This happens mostly in quest dialogue. Hopefully, your do-gooder Paladin is the face of your party and that high charisma is being put to work :) For example: there are a few moments when a pally can take the opportunity to turn someone toward the light of their church. When this happens you get both xp and your rep goes up.

[marxeil]

The FAQ doesn't say if they can be reformed. I don't have a previous save since I adopted a policy of 1 save only in all my gaming.

[Matt Perkins]

The FAQ doesn't say if they can be reformed. I don't have a previous save since I adopted a policy of 1 save only in all my gaming.
/me holds out hand.

Now smack your face on this a few times and say that again.


That's probably one of the most retarded policies I have heard a gamer take in a long time...and this is the internet.

[Bill Dungsroman]

The FAQ doesn't say if they can be reformed. I don't have a previous save since I adopted a policy of 1 save only in all my gaming.

LOLWUT

[jeffd]

Man...

mine was something like:
dwarf fighter/barbarian
some cleric of some sort
Drow rogue/mage (only one level of rogue)
2x sorcerers (one was aasimir; 20 charisma ftw)
something else?

You don't really need a dedicated rogue; with his +dex bonus the drow can open just about everything. Likewise for spellcasters you want to focus on sorcerers over mages; IWD2 is very much a combat game and sorcerers are just far superior combat spellcasters.

[unbongwah]

The FAQ doesn't say if they can be reformed.
You should get back your powers if and when you get your party rep back up, IIRC.
I don't have a previous save since I adopted a policy of 1 save only in all my gaming.
Jeez, is that your idea of Hardcore Mode or do you just have a shortage of disk space? Heck, bugs alone encourage me to make a new save every hour or so: never know when a bugged quest will halt your progress.

[marxeil]

You should get back your powers if and when you get your party rep back up, IIRC.
Thanks, I'll be more careful with my dialog choices in the future (I shall smite you down vile creature / How can I humbly help your just cause dear madam?).

As for the one save policy. I used to create a lot of saves. A lot. And then I'd go back and forth between them. I decided that its an anal waste of time. I just play and if something goes wrong then I'll live with it (this is true role playing you see).
It did almost screw me when I got to the boss at the end Dragon's eye. None of my party's weapons were any use against it, and my last save had my party locked in its chambers. Luckily I had an autosave from before, and I went back to town and bought some better equipment. Maybe i shouldn't be so anal about not saving :)

[Aszurom]

On the black boxes around items and npc text...

Turn your graphics to 16 bit. Then set software mirror to on. Fixed.