I played this when it first came out and stayed up for about 72 hours straight the first session. I loved it. I still love it. But being that it's been about 12 years since I've played it, I've either gotten softer (totally possible) or dumber (totally possibler).

Every battle I engage and manage to avoid losing at least one character feels like a huge victory. I know it's early and remember this game being brutal early, but I don't recall it being this savage. In a good way of course, because not many other games outside the Infinity games are this satisfying for me. Of course, it may have something to do with my character. The PC I'm playing with is totally gimped and likely to remain so throughout all of BG1. I'm doing BGT and wanted to play the whole BG narrative with a monk. So that's what I'm doing, but because the monk was never intended to be used in BG1--or even started from scratch, for that matter--he's just kind of a pack mule and scout (very poor one).

I'm not bitching, I promise. It's just always interesting going back to your GoG's and finding your gaming skills have atrophied after years of hand-holding games. It's something I thoroughly enjoy, however.

Anyway, only just left the mines. The group of bounty hunters above the mine exit just ate my lunch. I'm so shitty at this game right now, but it'll come back. Only at lvl 1s and 2s.

To merit thread responses, have any of you tried playing BG1 with the "unintented" kits/classes throughout? I'm really curious at what point my infant monk will be effective. Thanks!

Matt

i'm a bit curious about what kind of party you have unless you're going solo at which point i have to say you're one big masochist, lol

i haven't played with a monk myself but i'd think it's nothing more than a walking punching bag in the first 4 or 5 levels (don't remember what equipment restrictions they have). in any case i'd suggest using bows since they are the most efficient way to inflict damage especially in the first levels imo. khalid/minsc/kivan would be my choice. give your monk boots of speed and it can run around being chased by enemies while your ranged units shoot the crap out of everyone.

i do remember soloing with a dual fighter/cleric which i dualled at 8th level i think, was a pain in the ass at first but once got enough levels to activate the fighter levels it was fun to play (i had exp cap removed) but other than that i've pretty much played bg quite traditionally with a 4-6 member party, multiclass fighter/mage, paladin and so on.

The only non-standard class I've tried through BG1 is a Sorcerer. About the same as a Wizard, as far as effectiveness/weakness early on. So not that much of a difference. Right now I'm taking a party of 4 through the game, all characters I created myself. (Elf FTR/Thief, Human FTR* dual classed to mage at level 3, Human mage dual classed to Cleric at level 2, and Human Thief dual classed to mage at level 3). They're doing well.

I think part of your issue may be the level at which you tackled the mines. I tend to wander around a bit and take on any easier mobs I can find, as well as complete any easy quests, before I tackle the mines. This usually means my characters are level 3 or so when they exit. And this means I have access to spells like Web, I have Algernon's Cloak, and my casters also are loaded up with a few Magic Missiles when they exit. Makes that battle against the amazons much, much easier (although still not always a cake walk).

Yeah, the game can be tough, but I feel as you do: it's a great thing. Over the past two months I set aside my newer games and have gone through Icewind Dale 7 times (I'm deciding which characters to continue into HoW with), BG1 once, and am currently part way through yet another run of BG1 (I'll probably go through yet a third time and then decide which characters I want to continue through BG2 with).

The Infinity Engine games are just that good.

*EDIT*** Oh, the FTR that dualled to mage is a Berserker, so that's another unintended kit.

If you have Minsc in your party, you may want to think twice about doing the Nashkel Mines quest before doing his quest. I suggest you go find his witch first. At the very least, you'll be much better prepared for the Nashkel Mines. Having the best good-aligned fighter in the game happy in your party tends to do that. And his witch is quite formidable too.

I've never even experimented with a monk, but I'm sure Minsc would help him develop too, as he does all other Player Character class options.

im playing a swarchbuckler atm and have to say it was tough first since dual wield makes the thaco very high and then i got 2 + 2 short sword and then it makes it more easier but mostly i did rely on the other fighters, i got minsc wich i had on his bad side once since i was wandering too long around with luck i have rescued that witch wich really helps to have a great mage in your party and kivan off course wich is very handy for shooting most of the mobs there was a time i had imoen and turned her in a mage and used sleep alot wich really helped most of the fights now my main is the highest lvl 5 and the other 3 or 4.
(and since im playing bg again i havent touched my ps 3 anymore i love this game)

Re: "To merit thread responses, have any of you tried playing BG1 with the "unintented" kits/classes throughout? I'm really curious at what point my infant monk will be effective. Thanks! "

I didn't think to answer this in my earlier post, so here goes now. Despite BGtutu being perfected, I've actually never tried that in BG1 even though I always choose a Bard kit in BG2.

I simply think from a RP perspective that it's better not to. Think about it:

-How many warriors can legitimately be a Wizard Slayer (an overrated class, IMO) or better yet, a Kensai while being a lvl 1-8 warrior? It doesn't make sense, especially when you consider that kensai means you're the best swordsman/woman in all the land; you're literally a teacher in swordplay.

-How many rangers can become stalkers at lvl 1-8 (Valygar had to be trained by the Amnish army, the strongest army on the Sword Coast, in order to become that!), and how many paladins can be considered Cavaliers, Inquisitors and Undead Hunters at lvl 1-8?

-How many rogues & bards can legitimately be assassins, bounty hunters, blades, jesters and skalds at lvls 1-9? They'd have to be exceedingly exceptional. Granted, the PC is someone of extreme destiny and under the tutelage of wizard/Harper/sage Gorion, so its not out of the realm of possibility, but I still don't choose to use them. The only way it makes sense to be is if the PC has a combination of his/her destiny, Gorion's tutelage, genius level intelligence all on his/her own, exceedingly high wisdom all on his/her own, and a strong connection w/the Upper Planes! ;oD

But of course there are other kits that can be RP'd effectively from 1st lvl onward. The monk is one of them. It certainly goes to show that kits or normal classes, it's tough to be an adventurer at all levels, and the beginning ones are no exception. Be thankful Jahiera & Khalid were loyal enough to Gorion to want to take care of PC no matter the course he/she takes, and that they're both 2nd level adventurers once PC initially gets them at the Friendly Arm Inn!

Yuck, monk will be yuck until BG2. Baby, as you say.

I've also played through BG1 as a sorcerer, thought it was a breeze, but i'm heavy on meta-gaming. Most fun class was a blade.

I'd recommend a blade for everyone who's already played through once before. They're a bit of a glass cannon, but they hit hard. And it feels a lot less munchkin that kensai/mage.

Well, I'm gonna play the stock crew 'cause I liked them back in the day. That is Imoen, Khalid, Jaheira, Minsc, and Dynaheir. I had Edwin, but left him in the Nashkel Mines. He was even more useless than my monk at that point and is kind of a prick. I picked up Xan and will dump him when I get Dynaheir, which is where I'm headed next. Your solo run sounds like it'd be fun. Maybe if it I make it through this run I'll try it out. I think you're right about heading to the mines too quickly. I managed to make it through but with a lot of reloading. The trouble is, I've been too worried about heading off the beaten path since every character has a paper tank right now. I wasn't confident so I just decided to follow the plot. I'll be heading to the gnoll stronghold next, so hopefully I'll level up there a bit. I don't recall that being too difficult the first go around.

I read about your IWD runs on the IWD subforum. That no-reload run is impressive to say the least. I wish I had that dedication! And knowledge, for that matter. Right now, I'm just kinda stumbling through, trying to case the best buffs I think best with what I have. The only dual-classing I'll be doing is probably take Imoen to mage when she hits level 3 since that seems to the best way to go. Never tried it before. I probably should have waited to get Dynaheir first as Edwin was completely worthless with his learned spells at the time. Color spray and something else. I couldn't seem to get him in position and if a mob winked at him he'd drop dead. I'll play with Eeyore (Xan) until I get Dynaheir, which will be next.

You make a good point about from the RPing perspective, and it's why I decided that a Monk would be okay to play and Kensai or Swashbuckler would be strange (though the idea of a young student under Gorion instinctively knowing "ARRRRRR" is pretty hilarious). I like the idea of a monk being raised under Gorion. Whether or not he'll actually be able to be un-handicapped by the end of the game is something else entirely . I just don't know how the hell people have soloed with the Monk through both games. Must have worn out that reload button.

And, yes, the K&J help is critical--they seem to be the ones, along with Minsc, who do all the heavy lifting so far. I like the Swashbuckler idea. In fact, that was my second choice, but I've been thinking about the Monk for a while so I finally decided to just do it. I don't understand my affinity for the Monk, but I've enjoyed it in other games. Also, it doesn't seem to be as popular in the BG universe so I that's why I thought I'd try it. And, yup, all other games have been on a standstill since I've decided to play (get devoured by) this. Yeah, man, but I've been wanting to do it so I'm doing it! I may not crush the game, but I'm sure I'll be able to complete it. Hopefully by the time I roll into BG2 the PC will come into his own. Hope hope hope.

And Blade sounds cool, too. Must admit, I never really thought about it. It's on the queue now, though, thanks!

i had chosen the swarchbuckler cause i liked the idead of 2 weapon fighting and off course long time ago i used to play pnp dungeons and dragons and i played a swarchbuckler as well it was a class that was a rogue who had style and glamour and fought with a rapier and taking on a duel with other characters and the fun thing was the dm liked it so much he put in goblin swarchbucklers who kept on challanging my character...... en garde!!!!!

i played it first when i was much younger and was never able to get very far, but i recently picked it up and got much farther and realized what a great game this is

Baldur's Gate has a wide open world, and there is not always a good clue of what level you need to be to tackle particular areas. If one area is too tough for you, leave it for later.

For example, those bounty hunters outside of the Nashkel Mines, they are just too hard to face at the point (unless you've gone completely off-story and worked up 5 or so levels before doing the Nashkel mines). So avoid that encounter, get off that map and come back to it later. Make a note in your journal so you don't forget.

If you go with a Player Character who is just flat weak at lower levels, things will be harder but not impossible if you assemble the right party. Just be well-stocked on potions to help you through the more challenging battles.

Yup that's kinda what I'm doing. I just got back to the game and decided to bypass those bounty hunters. i'll come back to clean up when I've put a few levels down. On my way to the Gnoll Stronghold now and having gained a level for each char has seemed to make a huge difference. Also, my knowledge of the game is coming back. I decided to just give the monk a sling and keep him out of the way for the time being, with Khalid and Minsc doing most of the dps. Anyway, progressing nicely, i think.

I didn't mess with that so I'm just playing at the normal difficulty, which seems okay. I'm not gonna turn it down unless I find myself totally stuck. So far that hasn't happened yet (beyond being simply under-leveled for some encounters), I don't mind the odd reload, especially since I spam "Q."

This is a problem I had for a while. Your ability to succeed at the beginning of Baldur's Gate mostly revolves around taking as many of the easier side quests around the Friendly Arm Inn and Beregost as possible, until your party is around level 2 or 3ish, at which point you will have no problems dealing with the Nashkel Mines. Also, considering how Monks are pretty terrible at the start of BG2, I don't want to know how useless they are in BG1.

Well, I'm doing okay now. I pretty much bee-lined for chapter 4, and that's where I've spent most of my time, just going around exploring and leveling up. As far the as the monk goes, he's doing okay and contributing a fair amount, either with a sling or fists. He's level six now and since monks are naturally hasted he's great at mopping up the masses of weaker mobs like kobolds and bandits. In other words, he's more productive than I thought he would be at the early levels.