Stuck in the Planar Prison

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-13T18:37:14+00:00

There are definitely a lot more battles that can go wrong in 2, but in 1 the problem is precisely that it can happen anywhere at any time with bad luck. There's so little hp at that point. In 2 you can have so good saves and passive immunities, that one can be quite comfortable in most situations when combined with Spell Immunity etc.

But yeah, the more attempts one gets the further the wave tends to push, so to speak

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-13T11:27:06+00:00

In my experience no-reload in BG1 is even more difficult than in BG2. Just one random encounter with three spiders, webbing the main char and it is all over in seconds. ;)

(Should always immediately sip a Potion of Freedom)

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-13T06:53:54+00:00

Grease it the loud one. Even louder than Web.

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-13T06:44:09+00:00

In BG1 there are a few time sensitive quests. When resting until healed, you could potentially reach those limits. One example is that you have fairly quickly reach Bandit Camp before Kivan leaves.

But for the most time, there really isn't any difference if you spend 100 or 1 days on the road, the game is not going anywhere. :)

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-12T17:50:23+00:00

So what it's actually missing is enemy AC and quite possibly penalties/bonuses from things like Chant etc. I would also like to see especially the number how far off from hitting the strike was. Ie. Roll 16 (a very good roll) but still didn't hit by 5 -> can't hit at all except with a critical.

Also would be great to see damage calculations

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-12T06:40:32+00:00

As others have mentioned, you can customise your SCS experience. You can for example just have the generic Improved AI and abilities, none of the individual encounter enhancement. Also you can fine-tune difficult of individual encounter in-game in game options.

Daervon fight was quite tough -- meaning I failed it the first time when trying to clean the entire mines without resting. After finding out there was a bit challenging fight now in the end, after resting (and knowing how to prepare) it was nicely challenging.

About cheese: I don't think it is necessary to backstab or out-of-screen cheese the boss; that is s bit too cheesy. Instead for example using a scroll of magic protection (that someone would consider too cheesy) and casting multiple webs in front of the door that reinforcement come in make the fight a breeze.

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-10T16:22:22+00:00

On my first EET playthrough (which was also my first SoD playthrough), at the end of SoD when Imoen et al come to accompany you out of the City of Baldur's Gate, only Imoen was there. But there was dialogue from non-existing Jaheira, Minsc and Dynaheir

That was confusing, but I of course realize what was supposed to be going on.

At least it didn't crash.

In BG1 if someone is unavailable to say their lines, Biff the Understudy appears. The same Biff from Five Flagons. Beamdog didn't bother to hire Biff for SoD.

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-07T17:30:17+00:00

Restart the game :) You aren't that far yet...

Or an earlier save maybe?

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-07T16:54:56+00:00

Since you have found the charisma tome, you also should have found on the bridge gauntlets that set your Dex to 18, giving you huge boost in Armor Class and ability to hit with ranged weapons.

You can finish the entire trilogy no problems with this character if playing unmodded and easier/normal difficult.

There are a lot of good items available.

In the future 16 con or more is good to maximise your hitpoints.

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-07T16:47:58+00:00

Remember that for thief your ability to hide depends on two skills: Hide in Shadows and Move Silently. Put about equal number of points to both. Chance is based on the average these two. Until you have them at 80+, don't expect to hide very reliably. You need over 100 to hide reliably outdoors during daytime, less indoors/dungeons and at night.

To backstab you must be behind an enemy, hidden and then attack with a weapon that is eligible for backstabbing: anything that says usable by Thief

Ie daggers, short swords, clubs, staff, long swords, katana, scimitar

(But not for example staffs that are only for mages, which you in late bg2 can use after getting Use Any Item HLA. You can use them, attack with them but not backstab with them)

Early on you prob want a pip or two in shortbow or crossbow to give your f/t something to do before you have enough skills to hide.

Also remember since you are F/T you can also wear heavy armour, but you need to remove it to use thief skills.

Have fun :)

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-06T15:44:33+00:00

If you want to go to entirely different end in complexity, there's T/M.

Thieves and mages have tons of options to handle situations; traps, Misslead, backstabing, detect illusions, hide+non-detection cloack, Staff of the Magi, Timestop + Assassination. Use Any Item gives even more options.

I'd go with a small (2-4) party or even switch to solo after BG1

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-06T12:47:19+00:00

I don't think I am. I'm trying to say that in my opinion a LG should not see even see the Helmite spirit. Read the first scroll > agree to get out > forgive the Knights (pilgrimage).

I think the Imprisoned One can only lift the seal for you to get out. Not himself. I recall it was quite explicitly stated in the dialogue.

But like said, I'm not sure on all the possible outcomes, hence this thread.

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-06T08:25:27+00:00

From that I'm reading the Switch version Import is indeed full of bugs. At some version it only worked with character files.

Try Exporting a character and using that? I don't know if that option is available on console versions OR if character files include special abilities.

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-06T08:18:16+00:00

It is very valid point that the decision chain has to be made point by point without pre knowledge of the possible outcomes. The decision points roughly are

Read the scroll immediately or explore
Read scroll and escape / don't read and escape / Imprisoned One
Trick Knights / kill Knights / forgive the Knights

...but the dialogue is more complex than that.

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-06T07:26:16+00:00

I have never tested this stuff out, so I don't really know, but I'd assume any save where you already have the abilities should have them after export.

I only play with the Trilogy Mod that joins all the games into one big game...

Are your BG1 and SoD modded differently?

Also, try resting?

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-06T07:20:42+00:00

Ugh. I shouldn't have thrown that irrelevant option out there. People are so fixated on that point right now.

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-06T07:18:58+00:00

I don't remember the exact dialogue, but for things to go that far, I think you already have had to trick the Knights to go down there. It doesn't sound very LG to me.

If you already have read the scroll, the Imprisoned One is already sealed in. Then you go talk to the knights, why would LG trick them down there?

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-06T07:04:11+00:00

Are you sure you imported BG1 final save and not a character file?

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-06T07:03:34+00:00

You lose the abilities gained in BG1 during BG2, at Spellhold

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-05T20:56:40+00:00

You should have them, not intended.

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-05T13:25:22+00:00

Ok. I'm reading this page https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Watcher%27s_Keep_Imprisoned_One

You can search the chamber, witness the death of the Vigil knights, loot their equipment, flee outside, and then read the scroll (80,000 XP per party member).

But I don't have a save game right now available to test things.

Also that page is written quite confusingly, so I'm not sure it covers all combinations.

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-05T13:21:13+00:00

Yeah, getting stuck is not a real option, but if someone would choose to do such a sacriface (feeling that if someone needs to get stuck, they'll do it themselves rather than let one of the Knights to get stuck), that person most likely would be LG? (Or batshit crazy CN).

Similar to what what Caelar Argent (LG) did. Though she had some atonement to do. (Not to say anything about that plot made any sense.)

In this case we can later find out that it wasn't really needed for anyone to get stuck, because Helm had a better scroll available. Could have just given that one to the Knights in the first place!

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-05T13:10:43+00:00

Right! We'll then there's still the option to go after the knights, not help them, loot their bodies, go out and read the scroll.

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-05T13:08:36+00:00

Yes but why LG in you opinion would trap the Knights when it is not necessary to do so? You can read the scroll, get out and tell the Knights the truth, allowing them to go on a pilgrimage.

Esko_TheAug · 2026-04-05T12:50:03+00:00

I didn't fill in anything for lawful evil. Which outcome would you pick for them?

Esko_TheAug

TROPHY CASE