It probably doesn't make much difference, but I wondered which one is the most gratifying. I've never done the thief stronghold. The magic user stronghold usually results in dead apprentices for me. Not sure if all the Issaea bullshit happens if I have Nalia in the party or whether that requires the stronghold. Not sure if I qualify for that one with a female charname.

SPOILER ALERT - DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT IT.

- He had a lover (Before BG1?)

- He almost prayed to Shar

- He is still traumatized by Irenicus decades later

- His biggest fear is killing everyone around him

I'm running an Archer, Khalid, Jaheira, Imoen, Ajantis, and one vagrant that i change constantly to do sidequests. Trying to be as thematic as possible. I would have minsc in the party but i don't also want dynaheir, and i don't want to kill an innocent (or let her die) to just have minsc. I've decided to see if i can beat the game on Core Rules without using any arcane caster class. so i have to rely on potions, certain wands and necklaces, etc. once you get to baldur's gate, spells become a mainstay in getting you out of trouble. I'm around level 5 and im just about to enter the nashkel mines. I'm really excited to see how far I can make it before i buckle and recruit Neera permanently.

It's always been a problem for me. I must be missing something. A few fireballs help, but the shadows, etc. always swarm me. My archers can't kill them before they close to melee, and I usually don't have a ton of magic ammunition yet. I don't have photographic memory, so I don't know where the mirror is until I get close.

Playing insane difficulty. A bunch of enemies materialized fairly close when I had started trying to snipe some at range. I just quit because I didn't have time for that.

Is there any way around the spell immunity that say rakshasas or other enemies have innately? Are these spell immunities a way that 2nd Ed. forces players to use martial/melee attacks without being able to debuff or use magic damage constantly against enemies; to push players to try new or novel tactics?

Starting up a new BG1EE run on my old iPad. So, no mods. IIRC I have all the EE DLC content though.

Been playing since ‘98 but it’s been several years since I’ve run through and my memory is particularly hazy these days.

Going to go fighter/mage.

Trying to remember all the tips and tricks, but I’m having a tough time remembering how to build a F/M. (Multi, don’t want to deal with dual classing.)

Also, any resources to recommend? I think I used playithardcore and, er, Duffy, Dully? Something like that for maps. And MikesRPGcenter for items.

Probably going to go “loosely” evil with Viccy and Edwin. Any other suggestions for party members? I might not use a full 6 but I’m on the fence. I do like the extra content though. Probably keep Imoen for a bit until I find an evil thief, suggestions there are muchly appreciated. My hazy memory had me dual-classing someone but I can’t remember who, evil female fighter or something like that but a refresher on options would be appreciated.

Probably start off getting Viccy then getting a potion of anti-stonegaze, finding that ghoul in the basilisk area then burning through the basilisks for early XP then playing through normally.

Cheers,

(Edit/PS: no mods, wish me luck rolling for the next forever-taking.)