Need advice on new party and gameplay

[selkin]

Hi!

I decided to play IWD2 again. I played it before, but didn't got through it, I didn't got much time back then, and it was also a bit too hack and slash for me, so I figured it didn't worth my time.

Anyway, I'll give it an other chance, and I plan to go with a more effective party this time, so it might prove a bit easier than previously.

A few questions first:

-What is the lowest charisma that I need for quests for non bard, paladin or monk characters?

-Does it matter which character I use for dialogs? So if I want to intimidate I use the crazy bigman fighter character, and if I wanna get more diplomatic I use the mage with higher int, and more diplomacy?

-I want to enjoy the sidequest and explore different ways of finishing quests.

-I dont plan to play in HOF mode, so no powerplaying characters are needed, but I want to progress quickly, so I'm thinking in 4 characters with some mules and level squatting occasionaly.

-I also dislike sorcerers, as they have just a few spells to choose from. I like wizards with as many spells as they can write in their spellbooks.

-Is a Rouge necessary in the game, like it was in IWD1? Can locks be bashed from start to end? What about annoying traps? Wasting slots in spellbook for Knock spell is not very appealing, neither to drink STR boosting potions for opening chests and doors.


-is there multi class and dual class in the game? if so, what's the difference between the two?

So, I'm thinking in
2 fighter characters
1 cleric/fighter
1 wizard (maybe with rogue in multiclass)


Thank you for you kind help in advance!

[kmonster]

You can solo the game with 1 charisma but you'll want high charisma for one character for better shop prices.
Most dialogues check the talking skills (intimidate, bluff, diplomacy), 4+ in those 3 skills (an 18+ cha character has this without spending skill points) should be enough to get all options in the prologue, the checks will get more difficult later in the game, you'll want at least one of those skills at 10+ in the last chapter.

There's only one form of multiclassing in the game, read the manual for details.

Rogues weren't necessary in IWD1 and aren't in IWD2 either. 30+ strength opens any lock (early locks are even easier) and traps are less deady.

If you want to handle locks and traps you can have a mage with high int pump up the search, disarm and open locks skill. Eventually start with one single thief level so you can get the thieving skills higher by 2-3 on the long run.

Multiclassing your main casters is dangerous since you won't have the high level spells available when you're supposed to.

Don't hesitate to turn down the difficulty to very easy.

If you think you spent too much time fighting (hack and slash) last time be aware that what you do at party creation has a big effect on combat speed and game flow.

[selkin]

Thanks for the reply!

I meant rogues were necessary in IWD1 for being able to play it conveniently, without casting knock and detect trap spells at every corner.

One more question. I guess finishing quests the evil way in IWD2 is not fun just like in most of the other dnd games these days, am I right? But I also read that with a paladin I won't be able to accept rewards? Not even if I use the mage character for speaking?

[selkin]

is lower difficulty mean lower exp ?

[Bluestorm]

Not to sure but if you party leader is not a paladin or a monk(could be wrong)
you do get the reward.

[kmonster]

It's only checked who is speaking, so if the talker isn't a paladin he won't refuse rewards.
You get XP independent of difficulty.

Taking the evil choices in IWD2 isn't too bad. There are quite some situations where threatening and bluffing yields higher benefits.

[selkin]

Yeah, I have to yank quite a lot for rewards, at Shawford Crale for instance...

I also have the feeling that IWD1 was a bit better written. I see this in item descriptions a lot... they just not the same sophisticated material anymore in IWD2.