Baldur's Gate The Baldur's Gate Series Thread

[Hydro]

Playing the IE games turn-based would really highlight the utter lack of encounter design. A horde of kobolds is barely interesting when it takes 10 seconds to kill them; spending 5 minutes instead wouldn't be much of an improvement.

I agree. That’s why it would have only worked with at least a redesigned encounters throughout the game.

 

[Nas92]

Sword Coast Stratagems

Looks interesting, although there’s no support for the original game as far as I can see. Only the EEs abominations and the questionable TUTU.
Is there any mod scene for the original game at all?

I'm not sure to be honest. I seem to recall a few mods for the original game, but whenever I decided to go ape with mods I usually went for TUTU. I think it's fine, any balance questions because of the class kits are solved by SCS.

 

[d1r]

Sword Coast Stratagems

Looks interesting, although there’s no support for the original game as far as I can see. Only the EEs abominations and the questionable TUTU.
Is there any mod scene for the original game at all?

I'm not sure to be honest. I seem to recall a few mods for the original game, but whenever I decided to go ape with mods I usually went for TUTU. I think it's fine, any balance questions because of the class kits are solved by SCS.

Most current mods sadly use EE as a base, since scripting has become much more flexible/better due to the new OP codes. SCS still works for the original games with v3x.

 

[Old Hans]

Playing the IE games turn-based would really highlight the utter lack of encounter design. A horde of kobolds is barely interesting when it takes 10 seconds to kill them; spending 5 minutes instead wouldn't be much of an improvement.

That's why you cant just shoehorn a turn based mode into games. Its like playing Pathfinder Kingmaker or Pillars 2 in turn based mode. It just feels like shit

 

[Hydro]

SCS still works for the original games with v3x.

What’s v3x? From what I’ve read SCS was never available for the original game because of its suboptimal scripting.

 

[d1r]

SCS still works for the original games with v3x.

What’s v3x? From what I’ve read SCS was never available for the original game because of its suboptimal scripting.

Current version. And no, its available for every version out there. The only thing I know is that some spells will not be available for old versions users.

https://www.gibberlings3.net/files/file/914-sword-coast-stratagems/

Sword Coast Stratagems (SCS) is a collection of more than 100 interconnected mini-mods for Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition, Baldur's Gate: Throne of Bhaal, Baldur's Gate Trilogy, and Baldur's Gate 1TUTU.

 

[Hydro]

SCS still works for the original games with v3x.

What’s v3x? From what I’ve read SCS was never available for the original game because of its suboptimal scripting.

Current version. And no, its available for every version out there. The only thing I know is that some spells will not be available for old versions users.

https://www.gibberlings3.net/files/file/914-sword-coast-stratagems/

Sword Coast Stratagems (SCS) is a collection of more than 100 interconnected mini-mods for Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition, Baldur's Gate: Throne of Bhaal, Baldur's Gate Trilogy, and Baldur's Gate 1TUTU.

Bud u good? It literally says that it doesn’t work with the original game right here in the quote you’ve provided.

 

[Melcar]

Just use the EEs. There is a nostalgia mod that removes/fixes most of the enhancements. Then install SCS with the AI improvements only.

 

[Ryzer]

SCS still works for the original games with v3x.

What’s v3x? From what I’ve read SCS was never available for the original game because of its suboptimal scripting.

Current version. And no, its available for every version out there. The only thing I know is that some spells will not be available for old versions users.

https://www.gibberlings3.net/files/file/914-sword-coast-stratagems/

Sword Coast Stratagems (SCS) is a collection of more than 100 interconnected mini-mods for Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition, Baldur's Gate: Throne of Bhaal, Baldur's Gate Trilogy, and Baldur's Gate 1TUTU.

You can still get Icewind dale spells with IWDification mod toppled on.

 

[Hydro]

Just use the EEs. There is a nostalgia mod that removes/fixes most of the enhancements. Then install SCS with the AI improvements only.

Not touching the EE garbage, no sir

No EE mod can replicate the feeling of playing the original.

 

[ds]

Is there any mod scene for the original game at all?

There are some mods that still work with the original BG1 (e.g. Widescreen, Tweaks Anthology) but not that many. There are just not that many people that want a heavily modded game but can't live with the changes from the BG2 engine.

Restoring the original BG1 gameplay while keeping the technical improvements from the BG2 engine is something actually useful that Beamdog could have done with source access that would have actually been work. AFAIK they didn't even bother with making pause on inventory optional like it already is for the map in BG2, which should be absolutely trivial.

 

[ga♥]

You don't need items, just spam fireball off screen.

Not if you're using SCS, ToB, or the EEs. This is also amateur. Project Image then have that illusion cast Wizard Eye. You can take on the whole map for the cost of a spell.

Fake news. You can still fireball off screen with EE+SCS, what stops you? That's in fact one of the dumbest way to clear the beholder lair in the underdark, also tedious.

You guys make SCS sounds more than what it is.

 

[Mr. Magniloquent]

You don't need items, just spam fireball off screen.

Not if you're using SCS, ToB, or the EEs. This is also amateur. Project Image then have that illusion cast Wizard Eye. You can take on the whole map for the cost of a spell.

Fake news. You can still fireball off screen with EE+SCS, what stops you? That's in fact one of the dumbest way to clear the beholder lair in the underdark, also tedious.

You guys make SCS sounds more than what it is.

When damaged, NPCs will move around rather than stand and die. If a caster is caught in a persistent effect, they eill attempt to dispell it. Damaged enemies will also call for help.

 

[d1r]

SCS still works for the original games with v3x.

What’s v3x? From what I’ve read SCS was never available for the original game because of its suboptimal scripting.

Current version. And no, its available for every version out there. The only thing I know is that some spells will not be available for old versions users.

https://www.gibberlings3.net/files/file/914-sword-coast-stratagems/

Sword Coast Stratagems (SCS) is a collection of more than 100 interconnected mini-mods for Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition, Baldur's Gate: Throne of Bhaal, Baldur's Gate Trilogy, and Baldur's Gate 1TUTU.

I am pretty sure that Baldur's Gate Trilogy means original (it's just that you have to install the Trilogy mod to make it work). I mean, I play SCS with classic BG.

 

[Taim]

It doesn't. Baldur's Gate Trilogy is a different but similar attempt to Tutu - shoving BG1 into BG2 engine.

SCS is not compatible with base Baldur's Gate 1.

 

[d1r]

It doesn't. Baldur's Gate Trilogy is a different but similar attempt to Tutu - shoving BG1 into BG2 engine.

SCS is not compatible with base Baldur's Gate 1.

Ok. Sorry. Completely misunderstood you guys there. I thought we were just talking about classic BG in general (as in, the classic games as a whole).

 

[octavius]

Playing the IE games turn-based would really highlight the utter lack of encounter design.

Why do you comment on games you haven't even played?

A horde of kobolds is barely interesting when it takes 10 seconds to kill them; spending 5 minutes instead wouldn't be much of an improvement.

And I guess you haven't played Pool of Radiance either.

 

[Butter]

Playing the IE games turn-based would really highlight the utter lack of encounter design.

Why do you comment on games you haven't even played?

A horde of kobolds is barely interesting when it takes 10 seconds to kill them; spending 5 minutes instead wouldn't be much of an improvement.

And I guess you haven't played Pool of Radiance either.

AFAIK I'm the only person on the Codex who has called out Pool of Radiance for some truly terrible encounter design. The Sokol Keep fight against 30+ orcs and 15 hobgoblins (at a point in the game when you won't have any AoE damage) is completely unacceptable.

It's weird to me when other people talk about this game and never bring up the awful encounter design. Like they haven't played it or something.

Here's me talking about encounters being shit in both PoR and BG almost 3 years ago, and getting the Codex equivalent of "Heretic!" in ratings. I implore you people to play Knights of the Chalice or Dungeon Rats so you can learn what good encounter design looks like.

 

[octavius]

If you're gonna complain about poor encounter design, why target the IE games that have better encounter design than 90% of other CRPGs? And why focus on the trash mobs that you can defeat in seconds with AI on? It's bizarre to say that the IE games have "utter lack of encounter design".

As for PoR, that's one of the few CRPGs in which you can fight literal armies of enemies. So at least it's pretty original, and far better than fight six kobolds every other step.

 

[Gahbreeil]

I've finished BG3 full for the first time recently.

Baldur's Gate 3 review

I must voice my disappointment. The game punished my Haunted One through eternal possession by Bhaal just because my character was afraid of Bhaal (Vlaakith kills you upon lack of obedience and so, it's easy to guess that mortals are afraid of deities) whom he accepted after slaying Orin.

I've succeeded in defeating the Elder Brain, good ending, Illithid empire dead, the Emperor dead, Orpheus turned Illithid, saviour of the world, dead. So many deity forsaken characters dead all over the world that I really don't get why Bhaal wouldn't accept a Neutral Chaotic Wizard as a Bhaalspawn who doesn't have to be possesed since he murders out of his own will. The ending was crap because I turn into some howling "werewolf" lunatic only because I have embraced my heritage. Also, the original series was much better with endings of all three products defeating BG 3 in my eyes.

In BG 2, you cannot avoid the gift of becoming a Slayer and your character can even be a Paladin and there was no full on intervention by the father to ruin your mind, playthrough and so on. Still, it was worth buying it on early access to finish it now. The dialogues are cinematic and fun to watch and listen to. The graphics are cool although I accept retro graphics. The plot is very semi-decent. Combat? All in all, I preferred Solasta: Crown of the Magister when it comes to combat. Ah, yes, I resisted the urges and didn't kill two people that I didn't want to so accepting Bhaal was the last chance at gaining the power. I only accepted the Slayer form because my wizard wanted power for himself.

 

[behold_a_man]

The Sokol Keep fight against 30+ orcs and 15 hobgoblins (at a point in the game when you won't have any AoE damage)

Speak for yourself. Waiting to get Fireball only to bomb those schmucks out of their existence was one of the more entertaining things I remember from my playthrough. Getting quests I'm not expected to solve yet (or don't have tools to solve) is something I kind of expect from a non-linear game - and Pool always gave me a few quests to choose from.

 

[Zed Duke of Banville]

AFAIK I'm the only person on the Codex who has called out Pool of Radiance for some truly terrible encounter design. The Sokol Keep fight against 30+ orcs and 15 hobgoblins (at a point in the game when you won't have any AoE damage) is completely unacceptable.

It's weird to me when other people talk about this game and never bring up the awful encounter design. Like they haven't played it or something.

Here's me talking about encounters being shit in both PoR and BG almost 3 years ago, and getting the Codex equivalent of "Heretic!" in ratings. I implore you people to play Knights of the Chalice or Dungeon Rats so you can learn what good encounter design looks like. View attachment 57747

Previous rating:

New rating:

 

[rojay]

As for PoR, that's one of the few CRPGs in which you can fight literal armies of enemies. So at least it's pretty original, and far better than fight six kobolds every other step.

Yeah, but that battle will take you an hour because the enemies take so long to act. I remember encounters in the first big dungeon where it would trigger, but some of the skeletons or zombies would be three screens away, so every 3 minutes the camera would shift to them as they slowly made their way to where the encounter started. I know it's an inherent problem with turn-based games but at least the last time I played it was interminable even sped up. It could have been a great game, and like ToEE it still looks pretty good, but even apart from the bugs it's just hard to enjoy. I'll install it and play through again some day and maybe my opinion will change.

 

[mediocrepoet]

As for PoR, that's one of the few CRPGs in which you can fight literal armies of enemies. So at least it's pretty original, and far better than fight six kobolds every other step.

Yeah, but that battle will take you an hour because the enemies take so long to act.

You're not supposed to try and calculate the enemy movements by hand using an abacus. Just use a computer like the rest of us.

 

[Lonely Vazdru]

Yeah, but that battle will take you an hour because the enemies take so long to act. I remember encounters in the first big dungeon where it would trigger, but some of the skeletons or zombies would be three screens away, so every 3 minutes the camera would shift to them as they slowly made their way to where the encounter started. I know it's an inherent problem with turn-based games but at least the last time I played it was interminable even sped up. It could have been a great game, and like ToEE it still looks pretty good, but even apart from the bugs it's just hard to enjoy. I'll install it and play through again some day and maybe my opinion will change.

Are you talking about "Pool of Radiance : ruins of Myth Drannor", by any chance ?