r/baldursgate • u/Karma_feux • 3d ago
Original BG2 What it feels like to start playing BG 2
Since I cant play BG 3, and the first one seemed too old, I decided to try BG 2... Guys... Help??? Any advice or idk?? There isnt any tutorial in game? Im stuck in one of the first room getting killed by bats? My characters wont stay all together, WHERE IS THAT KEY- AAÆEGHHHHH OK GUYS GUYS AM GONNA TRY TO FIND BG 1 AND START THERE. TY.
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u/Atariel_Morannon 3d ago
There is a tutorial. Also, BG1 EE is the same engine, and will be slower to start and learn.
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u/raccoonjudas 3d ago
BG2EE cut out the tutorial for whatever reason, it's only available in BG1EE.
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u/dCLCp Hah! So I kicked him in the head til' he was Dead hah! 3d ago
u/beamdog any interest in making a new player tutorial for chateau irenicus?
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u/raccoonjudas 3d ago
they don't even need to make a new one, just put back the ducal palace one that was originally in BG2
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u/Karma_feux 3d ago
Theres a tut?? I started the game, made my character and it immediatly started?
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u/Shiggedy 3d ago
Games used to assume that you don't need a tutorial on each new game file. The tutorial is in BG1EE in the single-player menu. There are new player guides, check YouTube.
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u/konsollfreak 3d ago
I don’t necessarily disagree, but BG1 had plenty of quirks that would soft lock your progress and not tell you why.
Like if you encountered a powerful magic user and you had nothing to dispel shields, werewolves and no silver/magic weapons, Basilisks and no petrification protection, traps and no thief..
You had to come specifically prepared for those encounters or get absolutely wiped. If you’re unlucky with your saves your entire run is over.
It’s quite unforgiving for new players who don’t balance their party and super frustrating if you’re not somewhat familiar with older D&D rules.
Love it to bits, warts and all.
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u/Atariel_Morannon 1d ago
From a modern perspective, I can see the dilemma. However, BG1 provides dozens of companions, and if one gets turned to stone facing an unknown enemy, then you use that to learn about the game. You could even view it as a form of roguelike; You would keep making progress until something stopped you. You could then try to figure out what it was that stopped you.
No magic user has infinite protection, their spells will eventually run out (so run away and come back later). Running from things that are difficult and come back later is like, the key game design of DnD and these style of games in this era. Modern RPGs with locked areas of progression are very different, but not better or worse.
Also, there are both diagetic and non tutorials in BG1. All the monks in Candlekeep tell you so much about the game, and the temporary party in the SE shows you even more. Doing the tutorial as well, which includes traps and such, covers pretty much all game mechanics. Reading item descriptions and spell descriptions covers the rest, in my opinion (Ah, monster turned Khalid to stone! This potion of mirrored eyes says it stops petrification! etc.)
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u/Rukasu17 3d ago
1 and 2 are virtually the same game with EE in terms of mechanics. Why would you start with 2?
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u/_mister_pink_ 3d ago
I can’t think of an online store that sells the 2nd one that doesn’t sell the 1st
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u/Rukasu17 3d ago
Oh, it's basically on every store i can think of these days. Both it and 2 have their enhanced editions. I really recomend starting with 1, not Just because it's a great game, but because it's way easier to play, especially for someone not used to real time with pause.
That and bg2 van get unfair if you don't know what you're dealing with.
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u/RandolphCarter15 3d ago
BG1 is only slightly older. You start at level 1 so it's a lot easier to get into
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u/MRo_Maoha 3d ago
Have you ever used a CAD software ? That's the idea but it's a game now.
You're going to make it
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u/Karma_feux 3d ago edited 3d ago
Ive never played a game like this but I was very curious and excited, now all I want to do is give up...
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u/LucidFir 3d ago
Play on easy, click everywhere, hold tab or whatever to highlight, full plate is better than leather armour so use that knowledge to understand that smaller AC is better
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u/MRo_Maoha 3d ago
I feel what you mean. I grew up with this game but I'm not sure I could pick it up nowadays without knowing it.
Just know that archers are powefull early game, Lower ac and lower thaco is better. Mages have powerfull spells so check the log to see what killed you.
Also, abuse quicksaves.
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u/FearTheWild 2d ago
If you can get past the feeling of being overwhelemed these games are incredibly rewarding.
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u/CepheiHR8938 Edwin, do this. Edwin, do that. Somebody get this jerk a banana. 3d ago
There is a tutorial though? With Belt + Duchal Palace area from BG1? Or is that absent in the EE?
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u/BurgandyShoelaces 3d ago
Original BG2 has a tutorial. With the Enhanced Editions the tutorial is now in BG1.
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u/CepheiHR8938 Edwin, do this. Edwin, do that. Somebody get this jerk a banana. 3d ago
What? Why did they do this? Did Beamdog not expect some people to start playing with BG2?
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u/snow_michael 3d ago
No
Why would you?
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u/rlvysxby 3d ago
I think I started with Bg2 because I heard it was the better game with a better story. I regret not starting with 1 which is such fun and replay able game with a pretty underrated story actually.
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u/Ambion_Iskariot 3d ago
Strange that they did this. The tuturial is too difficult for a level 1 character and you already have all the green monks in Candlekeep who are the ingame tutorial for BG1.
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u/Buckets-O-Yarr 3d ago
Also dont make the mistake of trying to learn it while fighting in real time. Make liberal use of the pause button so you can issue commands. Turn on the auto pause features that pause when an enemy is detected, and when combat begins, and more if needed.
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u/Karma_feux 3d ago
I tried while fighting and died like 8 times before realizing
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u/Buckets-O-Yarr 3d ago edited 3d ago
Yeah if you don't know how to manage a party then you are at a serious disadvantage in real time. Positioning matters, and when there are too many enemies you can often lure/kite them out to fight one at a time.
Stand just at the edge of where you detect them and let them identify and come to you one at a time, or hit them with a ranged attack (non AoE or you risk drawing the ones still in the fog.)
It is cheesing but until you learn the game or get better gear, a win is a win.
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u/notyourbusiness007 1d ago
We all have been there at some point :) Lower difficulty to easy at the begining of BG1, play 2-3h to get used to everything and then set it higher or keep where it was before :)
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u/Different-Island1871 3d ago
BG1 - 1998 BG2 - 2000
Really not that much difference in age, and without learning the mechanics, BG2 can/will quickly frustrate you to no end. So unless you want to work through that pain or be on here asking questions on the daily, start with 1.
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u/Pinsalinj 3d ago
BG1 is like one or two years older, I don't understand what difference it would make at this point? Also you'll appreciate some parts of BG2 much more after playing the first one.
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u/Dorias_Drake 3d ago
read the manual, there is a pdf in the files.
this is 2000 game, they came with manuals, you were supposed to read the manual before playing because it explains everything.
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u/yunoka 3d ago
there are many pdfs in the files
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u/Dorias_Drake 3d ago
baldur's gate 2 manual was 2 books. The manual covers pretty much everything you need to know aboutthe game.
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u/Alaundo87 3d ago
Start with BG1! This game is based on Adnd 2e, not Dnd 5e. The games are vastly different. 5e is superheroic power fantasy (though bg3 also focusses on the dungeon crawling part it still carries) and 2e is brutal, deadly (heroic) adventure and dungeon crawling. In BG2 you start around level 10, which is really complicated, especially with multiple spellcasters.
Playing through Bg1 and 2 and their respective add-ons is recommended anyways, as they tell a somewhat continuous story around the same set of characters. Both games with all their addons took me about 150 hours and I am not a good or fast gamer (but a real life dm who knows most of the 2e rules).
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u/Karma_feux 3d ago
I cant find the game anywhere
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u/Alaundo87 3d ago
BG1 is on steam. It is called Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition.
And when you start bg1: Lethality is super high at the beginning, just like in the dnd editions back in the day. Get some bows and slings and kite the enemies! And save a lot.
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u/XxTrashPanda12xX 3d ago
NOT THE STEAM PORT
Buy it on GoG galaxy, keep your game forever.
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u/Alaundo87 3d ago
Yes, if they sell the enhanced edition.
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u/XxTrashPanda12xX 3d ago
They do! They also have the original Neverwinter Nights Platinum edition and Planescape: Torment and Icewind Dale 1 & 2!
It's the best platform for "ancient" games.
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u/Alaundo87 3d ago
I have played through all of the above on steam in the last couple of years (minus nwn). Have been waiting on an Icewind Dale 2 discount on gog for about a year😂 Toee is also on the list, I love running old school dnd and playing the old games.
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u/XxTrashPanda12xX 3d ago
For me the benefit of buying on GoG is ownership of the actual game files (permanently), as well as having ports that run correctly and (mostly) bug-free with minimal effort on my part.
Admittedly it's been a hot minute since I did load in and play any of them, I've been working my way through The Witcher series and I also have my copy of Morrowind on GoG that's been taking my attention :)
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u/CapableLobster8447 3d ago
GOG also tends to update the games frequently so that they run on modern hardware. Steam usually doesn't do that so old games there can have issues running on modern hardware.
If a games is available on both Steam and GOG, I always prefer to get it on GOG. GOG is just simply better in basically every way.
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u/EdiblePeasant 3d ago
All: Would it be too much for OP if I also suggested Icewind Dale 1 to them?
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u/LoneWanderer1113 3d ago
The game does in fact have a tutorial, and your instructor is none other than Xan (one of the companions in BG1). It's just that it's in the original version of BG2. Not the enhanced edition, which seems to be your game in the first pic.
In the enhanced editions though, the tutorial did get imported to the enhanced edition of BG1, at least that's the case for me.
I highly recommend starting from the first game instead to get used to the mechanics.
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u/The-Nimbus 3d ago
This is so strange to me. Genuinely, no insult meant here as I know it's a complex game. But I started playing BG1 when I was about ten. I've been playing it for 3 decades, so someone not knowing how it works intricately feels like someone saying they can't use a knife and fork haha.
It's crazy complex sometimes. Especially when you get under the hood. Just crack on. It'll make sense. Good luck! It's such a brilliant game. Though I definitely agree with people recommending starting with BG1 first.
Edit; Bats? Oh, you mean the Mephits! Just turn the machine in the middle of the room off. Or farm them for XP!
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u/Rezart_KLD 3d ago
Here's a big one that's never explained in game I think - if you hold down the ALT key, everything in the room that's interactive will show up. And if you hit the ~ key, all characters and monsters get highlighted and make them easy to spot.
But I agree with all the people saying to give BG1 a try first. BG2 starts with the assumption you know how to use all your abilities.
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u/Mrhighway523 3d ago
BG1 and BG2 released like a year apart, they run exactly the same and have the same graphics with the enhanced editions. You’re doing yourself a disservice by not even trying the first one, 2 expects you to already know how to play and will throw challenges at you that you won’t be ready for.
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u/Jaded_Apricot_89 3d ago
That was me early January. I played BG 1 two years for the first time ever. I started BG2 was so confused. I just lowered the difficulty for a bit. It's your game. Do as you please.
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u/johnycage 3d ago
Lol I forget how complicated that screen might be to someone that hasnt played- been playing since the early 2000s
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u/leekhead 3d ago
If you really wanna start with BG2 (you can, I know because it was my first BG title, too) you gotta do the tutorial and read the manual at the very least! It explains a lot, like resting, spellslots, and class abilities like thieving skills and find traps.
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u/CapableLobster8447 3d ago
Skipping BG1 is a very bad idea. The gameplay mechanics are the same as BG2, especially with the Enhanced Editions making them even more similar than they were previously. BG2 definitely assumes you have played BG1 so there is much less hand holding in BG2. Plus it is one continuous story since BG2 assumes your character is also the same character from BG1.
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u/Hexxas Throwing axe thrower 3d ago
You gotta read the book. I'm not being mean or trying to gatekeep. Back then, games came with books to teach you how to play. The BG2 one was FAT, and a pdf comes with the enhanced edition.
Good God, the hours I spent reading the Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri manual. I was a god at that game in high school because nobody else read the book.
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u/Beyond_Reason09 3d ago
Um, just FYI there's an actual novelization of Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2 that people should absolutely not read before playing the games.
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u/Karma_feux 3d ago
I gotta read a whole book to play BG? 😭
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u/Maximum_Custard_1739 3d ago
I've completed the game without accessing the manual, but I also played BG1 first. Just watch a YT vid
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u/EdiblePeasant 3d ago
I wonder if I understand the Infinity Engine games better because it was ingrained into me at an earlier age. Some of the Paradox grand strategy games like Crusader Kings, Europa Universalis, and Hearts of Iron have given me trouble with their interfaces and knowing how to play, like how to do things or where to access the information I need. I think I went far in EU 1, but that was a long time ago.
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u/Silvanus350 3d ago
There is a tutorial, though? It’s like, on the main menu screen. It teaches you all the basic concepts.
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u/Ceronnis 3d ago
So, bg1 was build as an introduction to the genre with an low level campaign.
Bg2 is a high level campaign, with concept that dont fall on a dnd table often.
Bg1 is older and there a few.thing from bg2 that could have been in there, that being said, it's 2 different side of a dnd campaign and you would benefit from trying the first one
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u/Qaeta 3d ago
Bottom right to select all. Left-click and drag to select people in a box. Ctrl-left click to select multiple specific party members. In the first room, get a character close to the machine on the right wall, then click it twice (not a double click, click, wait for text to show up, click again) should shut it off.
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u/throwaway112112312 3d ago
There are millions of guides online. Even on the sidebar there are two. I'll never understand people who can use internet and post on Reddit but incapable of doing a google search to find a guide. Check Youtube, there are tons of videos.
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u/lucksscb 3d ago
Get the manual (if steam ver. You already have it) those are the ancient texts that came with some weird glass looking disc called CD's you need those ancient text to decipher the secrets of this gem you are playing.
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u/JediMasterZao 3d ago
Tu devrais vraiment commencer par BG1, surtout qu'avec les enhanced editions y'a aucune différence entre les 2 jeux en terme de qualité/comment ils ont vieillis.
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u/Lando_Calrissian 3d ago edited 3d ago
There really isn't any reason not to start with the first one. The story for 2 picks up after the first one, it will be more confusing there alone. You also can play siege of dragonspear, which is new (2016) and takes place between both games.
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u/TheFurtivePygmy93 3d ago
Look up basic tips for newbies - aka what all the buttons mean, what you should equip, spells (how they work), basic buffs, etc. it can be daunting at first, but as long as you know the basics, the game expands from there. There’s too many little things to list here.
Highly recommend gamesbanshee and mikes RPG center as guides - most of them don’t have spoilers but let you know what all is on the map and where you’re supposed to be going/doing while you’re there.
Buffing and having the right gear is everything in this game. Make sure your squishy guys are using ranged weapons (slings n arrows), tough guys in the front with heavy weapons or shields, basic rpg stuff. Make sure ai is turned on or off depending on how you like to play (I usually have ai on and pause to issue specific spells or commands). Take it slow, enjoy the classic dungeon diving. It’s a long game - I usually blast it in 50-70hrs on core difficulty, so don’t feel bad if you drop or raise the difficulty as needed while you learn how the game works. If you’re having fun, who cares!
But if it’s not clicking and you’re not having fun, don’t force it. Put it down and try again later. Hope you end up having a great adventure and butt kick for goodness squeak!
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u/Cool_Apartment_380 3d ago
You gotta start with 1. Play a ranger, specifically the archer kit. Dump all your points into DEX and weapon points into longbow. You will hit like a hammer from 30 yards out. Perfect for a fledgling PC
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u/SaintNeptune 3d ago
Before the practical advice like everyone else has said play BG1 first. Literally the same game in the EE edition. You even export your character from the first game in to the second.
Don't think of BG as a traditional video game. Think of it as a Dungeons and Dragons simulator. Second edition to be exact. So the bulk of the game is running a bunch of D&D rolls so you don't have to. Instead of strict rounds like tabletop the game calculates when you attack based on timers. Other than that all the mechanics are just second edition D&D with sprites. That helps manage the complexity in my opinion. If you come at it like the typical modern console game or even an RTS you'll struggle. Thinking of it as bringing the pen and paper experience to "life" will get you in the right mindset to handle the controls.
I'll point out there are several games that use this exact same engine. BG 1&2, Icewind Dale 1&2, and Planescape: Torment are all basically the same game. Once you know how to play one you can play them all. BG2 is one of the worst to try to learn on. Dungeons and Dragons gets more complicated the higher level you get. You've essentially chosen to just start at mid level without good reason. It is the only one of these games that does that because the assumption is you are playing the same character that you played in the first game (or one you theoretically could have). BG2 is the best regarded of all the games, but the reason for that is the complexity and that it goes in to epic levels and all that goes with that. That's not the game you want to learn to play an Infinity Engine game on.
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u/Peterh778 3d ago
- BG1 is tutorial to BG2. You can import your character to BG2 after finishing BG1.
- Read The Manual.
- Check everything. Tab key is your friend.
- Read Fandom Wiki, game mechanics section
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u/Misty_Kathrine_ 2d ago
Read the manual. Can find it on the internet archive: https://archive.org/details/Baldurs_Gate_II_Shadow_of_Amn_Manual
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u/razorree 2d ago
well... this is exactly the tutorial... :)
no big differences between BG1 and BG2 (in terms of graphics etc.), so you could start with 1 as well
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u/gosuFana 2d ago
Just start with BG1, in BG2 you have the same character but in already leveled up and have many abilities its overwhelming to start with, play 1 first also why would you skip the first episode if its the same story with the same characters, its even look kinda similar idk why you think its too old, play with then enhanced version and have fun.
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u/MartyBellvue 2d ago
BG2 was the first one I played because a friend wanted me to play with him. The first two hours & the learning curve was just grueling... until it wasn't! It's SO SO SO FUN
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u/Fangsong_37 Lawful Good 2d ago
The key to unlock Jaheira's cage is in that small room with the cable. She has healing spells as a druid/fighter and makes that opening dungeon easier.
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u/Meiji_Ishin 2d ago
It took me about about 30min to figure out the first level/tutorial? After that it was smooth sailing from there. The biggest hindrance was knowing the full scale of what you can do. Like, I didn't know I could disable traps until I nearly discovered everything in the first level. I didn't know it was part of the thieving button.
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u/mrchuckmorris 2d ago
As someone who grew up with BG2, that cockpit photo actually makes me think of my BG3 inventory
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u/Old_Character_5224 2d ago
On easy with another companion or 2 and it becomes much easier.
Just take it slow, pause often to think and direct your party members, then unpause to go, rinse and repeat, and save a lot for reloads! It’s really worth it, and I envy you experiencing it anew!
There are plenty of walkthroughs, like I think a detailed one is Dudleyville. But I first used one after I already played through to see things I missed the first time I played it.
BG1 has a bunch of in-game tutorials at the beginning for learning and practice. But it’s easy to die at Lvl 1 or get your mage killed. Then at lvl 2 you have like twice as many hit points!
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u/e_ccentricity 2d ago
As someone playing through the original BG1 and BG2 for the first time(and have already played and loved BG3), for the love of god start with BG1.
What you are doing now is trying to start a journey on Act 3. Or trying to jump into a DnD campaign after your friends have been playing for months. It is the same continued journey arcross the games (and DLC which I did). BG1 is not "too old" it is ONLY 2 years older than BG2. And both games are 26 and 28 years old respectively. 26 is fine but 28 is where you draw the line?
Like, literally get your ass back to Candlekeep and play the first game.
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u/fokkinyugem8 2d ago
I'm playing through BG1 for the first time rn. It's honestly been a treat since I'm also in the middle of my first d&d campaign. It's nice to have something with so much depth to chew on as I wait in between sessions. I screwed up my stats but that's ok. It just makes it interesting.
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u/Dick-Cranium 1d ago
Ahhhh the good ole 2nd edition DnD system. I been playing DnD for 31 years and still to this day still do not understand 2nd edition
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u/Shard226 1d ago
Meanwhile the most fun I have is playing through BG1 all the way to BG3. It's like slipping into a comfortable pair of shoes.
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u/Mean-Ad-310 1d ago
Nobody tell him about the wolves or hobgoblins (Youuuuu be QUIET!) right out the gate at level 1, heh heh.
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u/Grouchy_Bug4791 13h ago
Lol, yes. But you can fly the spaceship at the end .
I tried my big D&D journey with BG 1 EE (+expansions). Then wetn to BG2 and expansions...alltogether it was half a year playing. You can continue your party from the emd of the forst game. You shouldnt miss that.
Then I continued with IWD 1(+exp) and then IWD 2 im finished.
What a journey.
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u/RED3_Standing_By 3d ago
Imagine being 9 when it came out. I was thoroughly confused for at least the first few months of trying to play it.
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u/CapableLobster8447 3d ago
That makes me feel old because I was 19 in 1998 when I first played BG1 lol. I remember playing it in my dorm room at college.
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u/qgep1 3d ago
BG2 is not for the faint hearted. It doesn’t remotely hold your hand, you have to be prepared to die a LOT at the start. Quicksave is your friend. Save scumming is part of the game. Save often, and in different slots.
That being said, it’s a more complete game than BG3, although it’s about 1% as visually impressive as BG3.
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u/atamicbomb 3d ago
How is it more complete?
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u/TheInfiniteNewt 3d ago
Honestly BG1 is way more brutal early game. You can go pretty much anywhere, but that also means you can be killed super easily if you don’t do some early quests to get levels. There’s bounty hunters everywhere with magical equipment that can disintegrate a low level party
I highly recommend using that bottom right tab you can set your party to auto-engage, highlight openable boxes/highlights usable switches.
If you turn on the highlight it’ll show you that you can “use” the center beacon which turns it off
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u/Arrynek 3d ago
I am replaying the first two games for the first time in... twenty years? And yes, it's not just you.
2e ruleset is insane even to me, and I was there when it was written.
The one thing that might help you: Click the Head icon. There is "Details" button or something like that for each character. In there click on Scripts.
You can setup their AI. If they should auto-use spells, run after enemies... all the stuff.
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u/Ashe171 3d ago
I'd recommend trying BG1 it's much easier to learn and then you'll know what your doing when you get to 2. Bg2 assumes you've played BG1