Bashing chests

[Amergin]

I've heard so much about this game, and finally got a copy of the Original Saga. And I have a problem right at the start. My fighter killed the attacker in the priest's quarters, tried to bash open a locked chest in the corner of the room. And nothing happens except that it says "locked".

So what am I doing wrong? Do I have to use some keystroke as well as/instead of clicking on the chest. He's a fighter, Strength 17, using a warhammer, if that is relevant. I have searched before posting, but couldn't find anything that helped (probably because I'm the only idiot who can't work it out for themself). Any help would be very much appreciated.

[Rav]

Originally Posted by Amergin

I've heard so much about this game, and finally got a copy of the Original Saga. And I have a problem right at the start. My fighter killed the attacker in the priest's quarters, tried to bash open a locked chest in the corner of the room. And nothing happens except that it says "locked".

So what am I doing wrong? Do I have to use some keystroke as well as/instead of clicking on the chest. He's a fighter, Strength 17, using a warhammer, if that is relevant. I have searched before posting, but couldn't find anything that helped (probably because I'm the only idiot who can't work it out for themself). Any help would be very much appreciated.

You simply have insufficient strength for bashing that chest. That isn't a problem, some chests in the game simply would require inhuman strength to bash open. As soon as you leave candlekeep, you'll have to use a thief to use its open locks skill. That skill potentially yields a lot more results than bashing chests open.

Never will game critical items be found in non-bashable chests.

Rav

[es-0]

you have to select the attack button first then click the chest

[Amergin]

es-0, thank you so much. I knew it would turn out to be something quite simple, that I was just overlooking. Still can't open it of course, now it says something like "you couldn't force the lock". But at least I have the procedure right.

Rav, thanks for the advice about the thief, and it's good to know that nothing essential will be in an unbashable chest.

[Spaceman]

I've never had much of the old success when it comes to bashing chests in BG1 - I often wondered, dontchaknow, about whether one could mosey though the old game without a thief, opting for a fighter instead and bashing the hell out of every chest and door that puts it's rather solid frame in your way, but I never dared to know it, dontchaknow, felt I may miss out on too much.

[smass]

You have to have a pretty high strength score to have a reasonable chance to bash chests. In BGII you can get an item than confers a 25 strength which makes bashing chests a realistic pursuit. In BGI I would recommend getting a thief into your party, you will not miss out on plot items - but you will miss out on some good loot without one - rogues rule afterall

[Spaceman]

Originally Posted by smass

You have to have a pretty high strength score to have a reasonable chance to bash chests. In BGII you can get an item than confers a 25 strength which makes bashing chests a realistic pursuit. In BGI I would recommend getting a thief into your party, you will not miss out on plot items - but you will miss out on some good loot without one - rogues rule afterall

Well, my good fellow, I would say that's pretty sound advise. I'm not all that partial to thieves myself, probably because I havent really got my head round all the dandy and super ways they can be used and dont take full advantage of them, as the bishop said to the priest. Also as I always start with my main character being a bard, dontchaknow, that removes the need for the little old thief's pickpocketing skills and all I ever really use him for, or her as it's usually Safana on account of her incredible hotness, it a touch of the old trap search and destroy but most of all, dontchaknow, the picking of locks.