What a load of Crap

Dezarond the Red · #1 (**permalink**) 04-29-2002, 06:56 PM

I was just reading about the choices of Hell and i also just found out that if you take just one of the evil paths you become evil, is there anyway to not be effected by this, or a way to cheat it back( i really never cheat but this part of the game could be alltered) thx for any help

Montolio · #2 (**permalink**) 04-29-2002, 07:15 PM

uhhhhhh... dont take the evil path.....

Aragorn Returns · #3 (**permalink**) 04-29-2002, 07:23 PM

i know, it sucks, but oh well. if you really want to you can change your character back with shadowkeeper.

fable · #4 (**permalink**) 04-29-2002, 07:42 PM

I think it makes sense. Good in a game isn't supposed to be the concept of being nice most of the time, except when it suits you.

Besides, what's alignment? Unless you're playing a paladin or ranger, I wouldn't worry too much. Even a good team won't mind if you turn evil, provided you don't become a telemarketer or something similarly dark.

GNGSpam · #5 (**permalink**) 04-29-2002, 08:30 PM

The game tries to push you into the direction of being good all the time. Its a sort of Lord of the Rings motif going on. Only by being good all the time and resisting ALL the evil urges can you prevent it from consuming you. One mistep and youll be evil.

Sadly there are no real tangible side effects to alignments beyond a very forgiving reputation system which doesnt even accurately protray alignment (evil people would still do the trademeet quests for money and still end up with like +4 rep). Sooooooooo <shrug>

fable · #6 (**permalink**) 04-29-2002, 08:41 PM

I think that's very true, @GNGSpam. If you really want a game that lets you win by being evil, I'd suggest Fallout, Fallout II, or Arcanum. Troika typically tries to do a game that offers multiple paths to victory. I was particularly pleased with the evil line in Arcanum, which even involves getting quests from the Thieves Guild, and stealing things for them.

Arch_Angel · #7 (**permalink**) 04-29-2002, 09:09 PM

I still think it could have been handled a bit better, especially from a neutral POV. If I was playing thru the game with a neutral character the only way that I could keep my alignment would be to take all the "good" paths in hell, which from a RP standpoint it isn't keeping things in balance. However it is just a game and has limitations so I'm not going to complain

BG2 would have to be my fav. game of all time, I think it's exceptionally well thought out. It would be a mammoth job having to program all of that stuff in the game, it could quite easily have been made very one sided with no choice in the way things go.

I don't really see the sense in nit picking with BG2, if you are a "good" character and make an evil choice, the way I see it is that you've been corrupted. If you want to become an incredibly strong character and are willing to step on/maim/kill anyone to get there (even if it's only done the once) you still are not role playing a good character. The only problem that might occur(as stated above) would be with the neutral characters, and MAYBE a chaotic good character could be justified, but that's stretching it.

GNGSpam · #8 (**permalink**) 04-29-2002, 09:27 PM

Well once again this goes back to the "right" way to play it.

The "right way", or the way the game obviously intends you to play is as a Good character. The first time through, I happened to play this way, and it seems most people choose this route also the first time through (though I had a real life friend in BG1 who insisted on making himself an evil drow mage)

Annnnnyways, the story line is therefore meant to fit a good character. Though there are always evil options, if you went through the game doing only evil things, youd fine the plot line thin and full of holes. The evil choices just dont thread together like the good choices.

As with a neutral character. In BG1 and 2 and ToB, I would assume a neutral character would do all Good things in regards to major plot events (such as Aldons eggs, the Shadow Thieves v Bodhi, etc) This is because in the time of the prophecy you pretty much see nothing but evil. Any neutral observer would view the times as evil attempting dominance (which is in fact what is happening). Therefore a "True Neutral" child of Bhaal would indeed fight against the rising of a new Lord of Murder as you are supposed to in order to "maintan the balance"

PS The choices in hell have nothing to do with maintaning balance, they are pure ethics checks.

GNGSpam · #9 (**permalink**) 04-29-2002, 09:29 PM

PPS Let me make something clear too. Though id urge anyone to play good the first time through, that doesnt mean its the ONLY way. And in fact one of the great choices is going back through the game different alignments (and playing them out)

But a "Good" Alignment is definantly the way to go your first time through

Xan deVir · #10 (**permalink**) 04-30-2002, 12:52 AM

I know it sucks that your alignment has no influence on the game and it's just something to write down for you, but the reputation system is still a great thing in my opinion as your reputation is your real alignment. for me it was funny to find out that in my previous(1st) game where I was NE and my friend was CE and our total party alignment was prolly NE our reputation was 5-1 beacuse we roleplayed that way. And in my current game(BG1) I'm NE and Immie is NG so the total alignment is CN and our rep is 9-12. so the rep system is a nice thing to have after all, although it could have been done even better - with more influence on the gameworld.

Littiz · #11 (**permalink**) 04-30-2002, 01:11 AM

I always play good, so, eheh!

Anyway, I agree, if you fail ONCE, you fail when it counts, so you
become evil.
Only with the first test I have some problems, I mean, if I enrage
against a ghost (of an evil person), I'm not EVIL!!

I am when I sacrifice a friend of mine, or when I kill the helpless genie...

Coot · #12 (**permalink**) 04-30-2002, 01:15 AM

One of the nicer things in Planescape: Torment was that they did it the other way around. Your char starts neutral and through your actions you'll change your alignment.

UserUnfriendly · #13 (**permalink**) 04-30-2002, 02:37 AM

i chose to bash sarevok in hell full of meaness just to GET the str bonus...

sometimes its really fun to be evil.....

black razor is not worht it, the only other choice in hell i was tempted by, since i typically raid watchers in chapter 6, and over all, like any really evil character, I chose carefully between my liabilities and benefits...

heheheheh....

and over all the good benefits all rock, except i really wanted str bonus...

Coot · #14 (**permalink**) 04-30-2002, 01:19 PM

One inate ability could be the power to transorm into a spectral harper. Those are quite powerful so you should be able to hold this form only a short while, else you'd be TOO powerful.
That, or the ability to conjure up a magical weapon (a staff or maybe a scimitar), much like Branwen was able to in BG1. This weapon should get better as you lvl up, else it would only be useful in the beginning of the game.

bullions27 · #15 (**permalink**) 04-30-2002, 02:21 PM

Last time I checked the story of Baldur's Gate I and II is based on the protagonist trying to resist the powers of Bhaal (hence why Irenicus keeps pushing you to accept them and so on) so the storyline is on heroic ground. The story to Arcanum is a lot more flexible.