BG2 - first time play-through

[Severian Silk]

I'm playing BG2 for the first time. Are there any mods/patches you can recommend that improve the game somehow?

Thanks.

 

[Andhaira]

No. Play it vanilla + Throne of Bhaal expansion the first time.

 

[wrathofdog]

At least add the Baldurdash and Weidu fixpacks.

 

[Severian Silk]

At least add the Baldurdash and Weidu fixpacks.

Is this the one you mean, or is it another one?

http://www.gibberlings3.net/downloads/i ... bg2fixpack

 

[bhlaab]

Theres this tweak pack:
http://www.gibberlings3.net/bg2tweaks/index.php

With a lot of extra content changes such as unresrtricted romances etc

 

[Severian Silk]

A lot of the mods mention something called WeiDU. What is it, and do I need to install it as well?

 

[bhlaab]

Edit #232342342

i think you're fine, just download it and install.

 

[Severian Silk]

I'm downloading these mods/patches:

BG2:SoA official patch
The Big Picture
Shadows over Soubar
The Darkest Day
BG2 Fixpack
BG2 Tweaks
One Pixel Productions

This guide sort of outlines what I need to do. The only one I'm not sure about is the last mod, One Pixel Productions. Hopefully it/they all install without a hitch.

[edit]
One last question: Do I need to install a mod loader or use a special command line? Or, is everything set up and ready to go once I install the mods?

 

[L'ennui]

You joined this forum in '03 and are playing BG2 for the first time NOW??? Does not compute. Still, enjoy!

 

[Edward_R_Murrow]

I'm downloading these mods/patches:

BG2:SoA official patch
The Big Picture
Shadows over Soubar
The Darkest Day
BG2 Fixpack
BG2 Tweaks
One Pixel Productions

This guide sort of outlines what I need to do. The only one I'm not sure about is the last mod (OPP). Hopefully it/they all install without a hitch.

I'd avoid a modded playthrough first time. A lot of the mods make things really unstable, especially the content ones. And if they don't cause technical issues, a lot of mods add horribly unbalanced things like super weapons/characters or devastating encounters at low levels that require Shepard-level EXTREME! cheese. If anything stick to just the official patch and maybe a fixpack. Plus, most mods are complete shit.

Avoid the tweakpacks as they change things a first-timer might not like, such as severely weakening certain items or tactics or greatly changing certain gameplay features (elimination of party infighting, removal of class restrictions on strongholds, etc.). They are designed for the ease of veteran players, but would ruin a beginner game as you'd miss out on a lot of the fun and charm.

If there's one mod that's okay, it's Unfinished Business. It's small, and constructed mostly of unused content in the game, making it more stable and it blends in better.

It's kinda like JA2. Play unmodded first, then go for the mods. Playing BG2 modded first would be like trying to play JA2 with 1.13 first...not so much fun.

Your call though.

 

[Severian Silk]

Awesome, thanks.

You joined this forum in '03 and are playing BG2 for the first time NOW??? Does not compute. Still, enjoy!

I played KoTR, which I didn't like, so I was hesitant of buying another Bioware game.

 

[Jaesun]

I'd avoid a modded playthrough first time. A lot of the mods make things really unstable, especially the content ones. And if they don't cause technical issues, a lot of mods add horribly unbalanced things like super weapons/characters or devastating encounters at low levels that require Shepard-level EXTREME! cheese. If anything stick to just the official patch and maybe a fixpack. Plus, most mods are complete shit.

Avoid the tweakpacks as they change things a first-timer might not like, such as severely weakening certain items or tactics or greatly changing certain gameplay features (elimination of party infighting, removal of class restrictions on strongholds, etc.). They are designed for the ease of veteran players, but would ruin a beginner game as you'd miss out on a lot of the fun and charm.

If there's one mod that's okay, it's Unfinished Business. It's small, and constructed mostly of unused content in the game, making it more stable and it blends in better.

It's kinda like JA2. Play unmodded first, then go for the mods. Playing BG2 modded first would be like trying to play JA2 with 1.13 first...not so much fun.

Your call though.

This.

 

[Nex]

Check out the Big World Project for the biggest collection of mods and addons. Makes for a mega sized game.

Now has the Big World Setup to make installing it all so much easier.

Check out:

Big World Project: http://www.shsforums.net/index.php?showtopic=39305
Big World Setup: http://www.shsforums.net/index.php?showtopic=39756


But yeah, I agree that for first timer just vanilla is fine. You can be so swamped with content with the BWP.

 

[Morkar Left]

Check out the Big World Project for the biggest collection of mods and addons. Makes for a mega sized game.

Now has the Big World Setup to make installing it all so much easier.

Check out:

Big World Project: http://www.shsforums.net/index.php?showtopic=39305
Big World Setup: http://www.shsforums.net/index.php?showtopic=39756


But yeah, I agree that for first timer just vanilla is fine. You can be so swamped with content with the BWP.

I can recommend this too. And don´t use Shadows over Soubar and The Darkest Day for a first time playthrough. It is more annoying than adding to a good experience.

 

[Black]

The most overrated Bioware's game ever

 

[Elwro]

I'd play this game unmodded first; maybe just search whether there is a widescreen mod.

 

[dragonfk]

I'm downloading these mods/patches:

BG2:SoA official patch
The Big Picture
Shadows over Soubar
The Darkest Day
BG2 Fixpack
BG2 Tweaks
One Pixel Productions

This guide sort of outlines what I need to do. The only one I'm not sure about is the last mod, One Pixel Productions. Hopefully it/they all install without a hitch.

[edit]
One last question: Do I need to install a mod loader or use a special command line? Or, is everything set up and ready to go once I install the mods?

NO!!

Really dont use any mods on your first playthrough. Trust me and other guys. Frequently mods are of subpar quality (especialy in writing department) and will hinder your fun. BG2 doesnt need any mods to be fun.

Go Vanilla!

 

[Major_Boobage]

+1 on no mods on first playtrough.

 

[Midwinter]

Just install BG2 Fixpack (already contains Baldurdash) and Widescreen Mod. The only content altering mods I'd recommend for a first playthrough are Unfinished Business (restores a few planned sidequests) and the Rogue Rebalancing Mod if you're going to play a thief. Tweak Pack only if you know what you're doing.

I really wouldn't install The Darkest Day or Shadows over Soubar. They're buggy, unbalanced and way below the quality of the original game. There are far, far better mods available. But BG2 is already a huge game, so why mod it if this is your first experience with the game?

 

[Satori (original)]

Uninstall.exe is the best mod I've found.

 

[Chateaubryan]

Speaking of mods, any other good ones other than the ones listed above ?

THX.

 

[Qwinn]

I agree with just BG2 Fixpack and potentially the Widescreen mod on a first playthrough.

Qwinn

 

[Thrasher]

^This

 

[maverick]

Are you playing with the Throne of Bhaal expasion? If so, then you should try DGaider's mod... I think the name is "ascension" or whatever.

 

[VonVentrue]

I second the recommendations. Widescreen mod is all you need.

The most overrated Bioware's game ever

Quite the contrary, it's the only truly good game Bioware have ever made. They keep on rehashing countless elements from it (characters, backstory et caetera) for a reason.