Icewind Dale The Icewind Dale Series Thread

[BruceVC]

Im 7 hours into IWD2 and Im loving it as expected. Lets be honest, its hard to dislike any RPG that has a ruleset that is D&D based and there is complexity around mechanics like combat strategy.

I also really enjoyed the myriad of choices around creating your party. My party

• Me, a male human wizard ( but anyone can be your character but this is my main character for RP options )
• Half-orc male barbarian
• Half-elf male Ranger
• Littlefoot halfling female thief
• Drow female cleric ( I have to have my Viconia lookalike )
• Human male Druid

I am finding it a bit weird to find +5 chanted weapons on level 2/3 in random enemy loot

Further updates to follow

 

[Cael]

What are your favorite parties for both games? Do you think bards and sorcs are too cheesy? Do you like to multi class in IWD2? Dual class?

IWD2:
Paladin 1/Cleric x of Ilmater
Monk 1/Cleric x of Bane
Monk 1/Cleric x of Lathander
Cleric of Oghma 1/Wizard x
Sorcerer x
Sorcerer x

I can't remember what it is, but there was something about the Cleric of Oghma and Wizard that was a bug or exploit or something. It has been a while since I played it.

 

[Jigby]

Sorcerer22/Druid1/Enchanter1/Thief2/Fighter4

The 1-man 1-lady 80% exp penalty party

 

[octavius]

Paladin/Cleric sounds so contrived. I mean, a Paladin is already a Figher/Cleric.
And Sorcerer/Druid/Enchanter/Thief/Fighter (unless that was a joke)? Why not use a classless system instead?

 

[Sykar]

It is all about munckin!

 

[Jigby]

I am finding it a bit weird to find +5 chanted weapons on level 2/3 in random enemy loot

That's just the sure-striking property though no? That's kind of useful if you're soloing and you get a level scaled Sherincal that can be hit only with +4 weapons, but in a normal party build not so much. Besides, unlike ADnD you're still doing damage, you just get 10/- resist for every point below the required enchantment.

 

[Modron]

Sorcerer22/Druid1/Enchanter1/Thief2/Fighter4

The 1-man 1-lady 80% exp penalty party

That's not really possible in IWD 2 is that? They implemented the proper 3.0 experience scaling where monsters x CRs lower than your party's average level stop giving experience and Black Isle still kept throwing lots of low level trash at you. I would imagine even a solo character would probably top out at 17-19 unless you're not really soloing and keeping 5 level 1 party members to bring the average down.

If you picked human you wouldn't really be getting much of an exp penalty for that character would you?

 

[octavius]

Sorcerer22/Druid1/Enchanter1/Thief2/Fighter4

The 1-man 1-lady 80% exp penalty party

But can he cast Bigby's Hand?

 

[Cyberarmy]

I would imagine even a solo character would probably top out at 17-19

you can easly hit that levels before entering the Underdark in IWD2, even if you got multiclass xp debuff. Quest experience is alone enough to power level. I think my solo sorcerer finished the game at level 27. Animate dead and other summons are OP.

 

[Jigby]

Sorcerer22/Druid1/Enchanter1/Thief2/Fighter4

The 1-man 1-lady 80% exp penalty party

That's not really possible in IWD 2 is that? They implemented the proper 3.0 experience scaling where monsters x CRs lower than your party's average level stop giving experience and Black Isle still kept throwing lots of low level trash at you. I would imagine even a solo character would probably top out at 17-19 unless you're not really soloing and keeping 5 level 1 party members to bring the average down.

If you picked human you wouldn't really be getting much of an exp penalty for that character would you?

Human would be lower, yes. I think only 60% (sorc is out, fighter is the highest class, 3 other classes have a >1 lvl disparity = 3x20%). But I chose female drow (favored class cleric).
That said if you squat on lvl 14 in chapter 2 and have a lvl1 mule for the halved average party xp, with all of the xp in chapter 2 + the dreaded battle square, you can get to lvl ~22.

But can he cast Bigby's Hand?

tl;dr no pun intended

That said, Sawyer ran out of time to implement spells. Check the online spellbook. Druid lvl 6 weeps in pain -> https://www.oldgames.sk/docs/icewind-dale/2/

 

[NecroLord]

Sorcerer22/Druid1/Enchanter1/Thief2/Fighter4

The 1-man 1-lady 80% exp penalty party

That's not really possible in IWD 2 is that? They implemented the proper 3.0 experience scaling where monsters x CRs lower than your party's average level stop giving experience and Black Isle still kept throwing lots of low level trash at you. I would imagine even a solo character would probably top out at 17-19 unless you're not really soloing and keeping 5 level 1 party members to bring the average down.

If you picked human you wouldn't really be getting much of an exp penalty for that character would you?

Human would be lower, yes. I think only 60% (sorc is out, fighter is the highest class, 3 other classes have a >1 lvl disparity = 3x20%). But I chose female drow (favored class cleric).
That said if you squat on lvl 14 in chapter 2 and have a lvl1 mule for the halved average party xp, with all of the xp in chapter 2 + the dreaded battle square, you can get to lvl ~22.

But can he cast Bigby's Hand?

tl;dr no pun intended

That said, Sawyer ran out of time to implement spells. Check the online spellbook. Druid lvl 6 weeps in pain -> https://www.oldgames.sk/docs/icewind-dale/2/

The arcane level 9 spells list is also incredibly underwhelming.
No Time Stop. No Wish. No Foresight.
Really, Icewind Dale 2 is lackluster in the spells department, even though it is still a great game.

 

[Cat Headed Eagle]

Paladin is worth taking in IWD2 because you get the Holy Avenger (or was it Pale Justice?). This time the sword isn't in some garbage bin like in IWD1, there's an actual party vs party fight you have to make to get to it.

 

[Cael]

Paladin is worth taking in IWD2 because you get the Holy Avenger (or was it Pale Justice?). This time the sword isn't in some garbage bin like in IWD1, there's an actual party vs party fight you have to make to get to it.

Both Cleric and Paladin of Ilmater get extra content/bonus. Cleric of Bane get extra content/bonus. Bard get a small bit of content, as do Sorcerers. Monks get a whole questline, but non-Monks can also do it, I think. The others get nothing?

 

[NecroLord]

Paladin is worth taking in IWD2 because you get the Holy Avenger (or was it Pale Justice?). This time the sword isn't in some garbage bin like in IWD1, there's an actual party vs party fight you have to make to get to it.

Paladins also get a permanent +1 Strength and Wisdom after that quest.

 

[Sykar]

Sorcerer22/Druid1/Enchanter1/Thief2/Fighter4

The 1-man 1-lady 80% exp penalty party

But can he cast Bigby's Hand?

It's Scanland's hand!

 

[KainenMorden]

At some point, I'll try a run with no sorcerers, I'll also use the tactics mod, see how it goes.

I don't think the game was well balanced for sorcerers, even if the high lvl spells weren't great you could still run over the game as solo sorc with a small army of summons/finger of death and a few other powerful spells. I suppose part of that is, you lvl faster and with high Cha(can't remember if I put many points in social skills, I don't think I invested much if at all) you can get quite a bit of xp through dialogue at certain points. I'd bet money that was Avellone's idea.

 

[AwesomeButton]

Im 7 hours into IWD2 and Im loving it as expected. Lets be honest, its hard to dislike any RPG that has a ruleset that is D&D based and there is complexity around mechanics like combat strategy.

I also really enjoyed the myriad of choices around creating your party. My party

• Me, a male human wizard ( but anyone can be your character but this is my main character for RP options )
• Half-orc male barbarian
• Half-elf male Ranger
• Littlefoot halfling female thief
• Drow female cleric ( I have to have my Viconia lookalike )
• Human male Druid

I am finding it a bit weird to find +5 chanted weapons on level 2/3 in random enemy loot

Further updates to follow

Me and the wife are co-oping IWD2. I've only played it once, up to the Ice Temple, and we're soon getting to that area, after which it will be completely new for both of us.

 

[BruceVC]

Im 7 hours into IWD2 and Im loving it as expected. Lets be honest, its hard to dislike any RPG that has a ruleset that is D&D based and there is complexity around mechanics like combat strategy.

I also really enjoyed the myriad of choices around creating your party. My party

• Me, a male human wizard ( but anyone can be your character but this is my main character for RP options )
• Half-orc male barbarian
• Half-elf male Ranger
• Littlefoot halfling female thief
• Drow female cleric ( I have to have my Viconia lookalike )
• Human male Druid

I am finding it a bit weird to find +5 chanted weapons on level 2/3 in random enemy loot

Further updates to follow

Me and the wife are co-oping IWD2. I've only played it once, up to the Ice Temple, and we're soon getting to that area, after which it will be completely new for both of us.

What is your party?

I know I keep mentioning this but one of the primary reasons I love D&D ruleset games is the myriad of combat options and strategies. Every battle in IWD2 I can use Druidic shape changing, summon spells, range combat, AOE spells and good old hand to hand combat

I miss party banter and Romance but its not the end of the world because other mechanics make up for it

 

[Lonely Vazdru]

I miss party banter and Romance

No you don't.

 

[Shadenuat]

I once made a list for no reason what iwd1 npcs could be written into companions, arcanum/toee-style (meaning lots of secret ones and late game ones being more high level). It actually turned into quite a list starting with tempus apprentice girl in first city, that traveling elf, hermit you meet after caravan attack, evil orc raiding farm, sick half ogre, priestess of auril, lost ilmater priestess, talosit necrogirl (you can even make a deal with her in game afaik), ghosts from the Hand and even drow slave girl at very end. /shitposting

 

[BruceVC]

I miss party banter and Romance

No you don't.

You right, Im not missing Romance but I am missing the BG type party interaction, banter and companion side-quests

But end of the day IWD2 was not created with those features and its fine

 

[NecroLord]

Just write a bio for each of your characters if you want to add some backstory and stuff.

 

[Shadenuat]

Well there are enough old companion mods written by russian housewives of 56k modem era even for iwd1. I remember at least one that had whole group to recruit. If your level of tolerance is above bad bg1npc mod writing can try em and tell us the story. But idk why would you torment yourself such.

 

[Mr. Magniloquent]

Party composition doesn't matter when you have Animate Dead. I remember using it at the battle squares to grind massive amounts of experience. As you level up, Animate Dead grows with you in a positive feedback loop--allowing you to grind higher and higher. Considering how Soyer is about magic, I have no idea how this spell flew under the radar.

Level 4: skeleton warrior or greater zombie
Level 7: boneguard or shadow
Level 10: wraith or wight
Level 13: greater boneguard or zombie lord
Level 16: cold bones or drowned dead
Level 19: mummy king or barrow wight
Level 22: boneguard lord or greater drowned dead
Level 25: apocalyptic boneguard or festering drowned dead

 

[NecroLord]

Party composition doesn't matter when you have Animate Dead. I remember using it at the battle squares to grind massive amounts of experience. As you level up, Animate Dead grows with you in a positive feedback loop--allowing you to grind higher and higher. Considering how Soyer is about magic, I have no idea how this spell flew under the radar.

Level 4: skeleton warrior or greater zombie
Level 7: boneguard or shadow
Level 10: wraith or wight
Level 13: greater boneguard or zombie lord
Level 16: cold bones or drowned dead
Level 19: mummy king or barrow wight
Level 22: boneguard lord or greater drowned dead
Level 25: apocalyptic boneguard or festering drowned dead

I almost never got the festering drowned undead or apocalyptic boneguard.
I only got normal boneguards and used them to great effect in Heart of Fury.
Even in the normal game, they are quite tanky.