Baldur's Gate, or, the first game to nearly make me break my PC from sheer frustration

[Odinsson]

Don't get me wrong, the story's brilliant so far. The world looks nice (considering its age) and the characters are enjoyable. But stab me with a +1 dagger if it isn't the hardest bleedin game I've ever played. I've died so many sodding times I've lost count.
I think the main reason for my rage is that the game ends when your character dies, but not when another does, so you can have five perfectly capable party members who for some reason are incapable of going to the nearest temple and reviving you.

Am I doing something wrong, or is this game just a sadistic spawn of Set like I think it is?

(I know I'm late on the BG bandwagon, but I found the entire collection for $30 a few days ago, and decided to rectify a hole in my gaming education)

 

[TrevHead]

Its been many moons since ive played BG so I can only offer general tips.

1) when fighting hard battles use the pause feature and play it like a tactical rpg.
2) you might be just too underpowered for the area your in, go elsewhere or do some sidequests
3) try not to aggro to many monsters at once

I found the game to be challenging but not too hard, however some of the exp pack missions like the dungeon you get the flail of thorns are a bit sadistic

 

[The Madman]

You're playing the first Baldur's Gate I take it? Yeah, it can be pretty brutal at the beginning, no denying that. I've played through the BG series more times than I care to think about and yet still stumble every now and then with disastrous results. Baldur's Gate is the game to have taught me to quicksave and quicksave often! I like to think however that the initial frustration eventually yields greater results as you progress and grow in skill and power, something a lot of modern rpg and game in general today tend to miss with their lenient difficulty.

As for the 'player character isn't allowed to die' there's actually a reason for that, but to say any more than that would be a spoiler.

Whatever the case I hope you stick with it. The BG series isn't the most forgiving, but it is beyond doubt the most satisfying rpg I've ever played. I still insist that taking a character from the beginning in Candlekeep all the way to the Throne of Bhall is the most definitive rpg experience in gaming to this day. But that's just me!

 

[CulixCupric]

This is what you get for playing 4th edition, BG is 2nd edition. I actually have been playing since 2nd edition, and can survive solo in Dungeon Hack, but only with a cleric, as healing is necessary as breathing is in reality. Don't worry, just think before you act, and pause a lot, best to be tactical. Look before you leap, and SAVE OFTEN! I can NOT stress that enough, in every game ever, always save often! I never beat Baldur's Gate, as I installed the expansion that increases the final boss's level by 10, and it didn't let me back-track.

 

[dimensional]

Yup sounds just like my experience with BG I had to gave up out of frustration in the end. I played as a wizard and my experience went like this walk very slowly around map and try to get to destination, if you encounter a wolf fire all your offensive spells if they all hit wolf is dead otherwise you are dead, if you encounter 2 wolves or a bear you are dead.

I did meet up with companions which made it easier for a bit I mean I could even take on two wolves at a time then (but not a bear) but trouble was I had a to rest after every battle so I could get my spells back to actually be able to fight (saving first ofc incase im attacked in the night) but my companions then decided I was taking to long and buggered off (presumably to be attacked and killed by two wolves or that bear again).

Eventually I made it to my destination and was attacked and killed by assassins which was when I turned it off. Apparently a wizard isnt a good starting class but its what I wanted to play oh and I have also heard that you are supposed to kite creatures with bows but I havent tried this out and odds are you will wander into other mobs doing this anyway.

Its design sort of reminded me of FFII yeah you can go anywhere but if you go where we dont want you to go expect instant death from this massively overpowered (to your level) enemy oh and these places are a secret so you wont know your not supposed to be there until its too late.Yeah I didnt enjoy Baldurs Gate much to tedious for my tastes even though it looks like it has a great game underneath these massive frustrations (maybe I should find an invincible cheat and just play the story).

I much preferred Baldurs Gate 2 in which I played a sorcerer but trouble is it shares the same problem as Neverwinter Nights in that difficulty is set stupidly high initially and eventually becomes way to easy it may be the same for BG but I could never surmount that initial brick wall.

 

[endtherapture]

Start with BG2 and then if you fancy, move onto 1. 2 is a lot easier, 1 is ridiculous because you're low levels so only have a few hit points and pretty much any hit will kill you. Also when you factor in magic, poisioning, the equipment that keeps breaking etc. it becomes incredibly challenging, I gave up the first time I played it. 2 is a better game anyway so try that first, it's a lot easier.

 

[LookingGlass]

I played through it recently for the first time... finished it early last week. So I understand.

With the exception of a few ridiculous boss-type fights, it definitely gets easier as you go on though. So quicksave plenty and it should be tolerable. The great thing about it being so tough is that feeling you get after finishing it... that was one of the best exhales of my life.

My random pieces of advice:

1) Talk to everyone in each town, especially early on. Do as many sidequests as you can, for the XP. Levelling up makes things much easier. Also, by helping people out, some will be willing to join your party.

2) I found that the random encounters were often the toughest fights. So always quicksave before travelling, and avoid them if they're too hard.

3) I found bows to be extremely useful. I went through the whole game with my (fighter) character and Imoen using them. They were able to do good damage to most enemies... though it involves a lot of inventory management geting arrows all the time. Mages are handy (though mostly at later levels) but you might not have found one yet.

 

[JesterRaiin]

Am I doing something wrong, or is this game just a sadistic spawn of Set like I think it is?

Naaaaaaaaaaah. It's normal for BG newcomers to die faster than "let me tell you about the dream i've had last night" threads.

My piece of advice :
- Potions are not optional. Health, strength, heroism, defense, invisibility - they are there for a reason.
- Organize your party. Spellcasters are useless before reaching at least 4-5 level. Clerics are a must.
- Remember to use bows, crossbows, or even slings. Everyone in your party should be equipped with one even if he/she doesn't specialize in such weapon. Why ? Because often you may disrupt some shaman or wizard from casting his spell with one precise arrow to the knee.
- TACTICS ! Attack from the distance, run, hide, heal, get back, backstab, encircle them, move in formations.
- Steal better equipment if you can't afford one.
- Sell things you don't plan to use right now, even if they seem to be "useful". You'll find better ones on your way.
- Do as many subquests as you can. Those XPs are more important than money.
- Don't rush it. Look around before gathering your party and venturing forth.

 

[Skoldpadda]

Haha yes. Young whippersnappers with their Dark Souls ^^

Baldur's Gate can be extremely unforgiving, even late in the game when you've got some levels under your belt. BG2 offers more options straight from the start, and that makes things a bit more even, but it will still hand you your ass if you don't pay attention. Of course, by then, you'll be conditioned to do so.

Like many rpg's, it's hardest in the beginning when you're weak and frail and a single wolf can fuck you up. Especially if you're a mage.

When exploring those first few wilderness maps. Use a thief (Imoen starts out with you) in stealth to carefully explore the map step by step. Don't attack enemies head on. Lure them out of the fog one by one, and kite them with ranged weapons. Use all means at your disposal (potions of strengh/speed/etc). Don't be too stingy with them (but use them wisely as they're expensive and often rare). You'll later meet people who're a bit tougher and can handle melee better, you'll have MORE allies, higher levels, better weapons, better spells.

But in the beginning, you have to walk the lands as if on eggshells.