bought it

[shmity72]

tonight at 20 percent off and patch 8 yay me!

I'm actually really hyped up about this.

besides putting it at max graphics, what's the very first thing I should do when I dawn my battle pajamas and go to town in the forgotten realms again?

 

[Xzarloxara]

besides putting it at max graphics, what's the very first thing I should do when I dawn my battle pajamas and go to town in the forgotten realms again?

Don't play as Dark Urge for your first run. Other than that, not sure what advice I can give that isn't a spoiler really.

 

[Cahir]

Every race and class combo is viable in BG3, so don't think too much about building optimal character. If you find you're struggling, you can always respec your main character (and your companions too) later.

As for adventure itself, just join 2 or 3 companions quickly (which should be easy because some of them are available practically from the start) and try to look under every nook and cranny, as there are a lot of secret and hidden spots, many visible after suceeding a Perception check.

And play slow and don't rush, there is a lot to miss by playing it hastily.

 

[Zaxares]

Don't play as Dark Urge for your first run. Other than that, not sure what advice I can give that isn't a spoiler really.

I echo this advice. I actually recommend that your first playthrough should be as a Custom character, and play through the game doing what YOU would do in those scenarios. It will feel a lot more personal that way.

 

[O_Bruce]

Same, finally got myself a BG3. Will be giving it a chance once my current challenge run in other game is over and described on this forum.

I have no idea what character I'd like to make as my first. That being said, due to this game coming out in 2023, I had at least some things spoiled and I need to adjust my expectations accordingly. Basically: great stand-alone game, bad sequel, that's what I am expecting.

 

[Cahir]

Same, finally got myself a BG3. Will be giving it a chance once my current challenge run in other game is over and described on this forum.

I have no idea what character I'd like to make as my first. That being said, due to this game coming out in 2023, I had at least some things spoiled and I need to adjust my expectations accordingly. Basically: great stand-alone game, bad sequel, that's what I am expecting.

Yeah, that's probably a good expectation. There are some references or even characters from previous games in BG3, but if you expect 100% consistency with their respective stories in BG2, you might be disappointed. Plus, *it is* a standalone story and very little to do with Bhaalspawn saga.

But, as you said. As a standalone Forgotten Realms game, it's exceptional.

 

[OrlonKronsteen]

Great to have two more players!

 

[shmity72]

Thank you everyone.
I played a lot of Baldur's gate 1 and 2. I finished 1 eventually but ran out of patience on 2 as I didn't like playing at low difficulty but it was too difficult and number crunchy by disk 3.

I'm sort of glad it's a stand alone game. I enjoyed much divinity 1 by Larian, and how about that music! Thank you for your responses.

 

[shmity72]

Pretty darn cool so far. I only had to change one setting 'map pointing North'. this is going to be a wild ride! My guardian is going to be a gnome Tina Turner.

 

[OrlonKronsteen]

Pretty darn cool so far. I only had to change one setting 'map pointing North'. this is going to be a wild ride! My guardian is going to be a gnome Tina Turner.

How long did you spend in character creation?

 

[shmity72]

How long did you spend in character creation?

I read all the things and it was a pleasure setting up my cantrips and spells, etc. Probably 20 minutes.

 

[O_Bruce]

I have played Baldur's Gate III for the first time today and I made a dwarven paladin as my character. This is in a way a reference to the first time I played original BG1, many years ago (I have picked Paladin as well, though the playthrough was never finished).

First impressions are mostly positive, it does seem like a game that offers a vast role-playing potential. On the other hand, I have already come across a dialogue that lacked nuance in terms of my response options (I was either to call a person a monster or agree with her, with nothing in between). There were instances that showed me a variety of ways to approach problems/confrontations and I very much appreciate that.

There are moments of unintended hilarity. Such as watching my main character, a dwarf, jumping several meters above himself, as if he was a trout jumping out of the water . I also laughed when I accidentally knocked down my companions when asking them to jump down the cliff. Speaking of companions...

So far, I have a positive impression of Shadowheart and Astarion. Gihtyanki lady, on the other hand, will most likely be a good candidate to be replaced. I guess we don't work well together.

There are some things I am curious about, but I guess time will answer my questions.

 

[Cahir]

I have played Baldur's Gate III for the first time today and I made a dwarven paladin as my character. This is in a way a reference to the first time I played original BG1, many years ago (I have picked Paladin as well, though the playthrough was never finished).

First impressions are mostly positive, it does seem like a game that offers a vast role-playing potential. On the other hand, I have already come across a dialogue that lacked nuance in terms of my response options (I was either to call a person a monster or agree with her, with nothing in between). There were instances that showed me a variety of ways to approach problems/confrontations and I very much appreciate that.

There are moments of unintended hilarity. Such as watching my main character, a dwarf, jumping several meters above himself, as if he was a trout jumping out of the water . I also laughed when I accidentally knocked down my companions when asking them to jump down the cliff. Speaking of companions...

So far, I have a positive impression of Shadowheart and Astarion. Gihtyanki lady, on the other hand, will most likely be a good candidate to be replaced. I guess we don't work well together.

There are some things I am curious about, but I guess time will answer my questions.

If I may suggest something (but of course please do whatever it works for you), give Lae'zel a chance to convince you. She does seem rough at the beginning (because of her nature as w gith), but she turned out to be one of the best and loyal companions for me. It may require a bit of work, but she can get along with other characters.

 

[shmity72]

I'm not dead yet and collecting gold/apples and fish!

 

[Zaxares]

I have played Baldur's Gate III for the first time today and I made a dwarven paladin as my character. This is in a way a reference to the first time I played original BG1, many years ago (I have picked Paladin as well, though the playthrough was never finished).

First impressions are mostly positive, it does seem like a game that offers a vast role-playing potential. On the other hand, I have already come across a dialogue that lacked nuance in terms of my response options (I was either to call a person a monster or agree with her, with nothing in between). There were instances that showed me a variety of ways to approach problems/confrontations and I very much appreciate that.

There are moments of unintended hilarity. Such as watching my main character, a dwarf, jumping several meters above himself, as if he was a trout jumping out of the water . I also laughed when I accidentally knocked down my companions when asking them to jump down the cliff. Speaking of companions...

So far, I have a positive impression of Shadowheart and Astarion. Gihtyanki lady, on the other hand, will most likely be a good candidate to be replaced. I guess we don't work well together.

There are some things I am curious about, but I guess time will answer my questions.

If you're playing a traditional LG Paladin, it may not be long before the cracks between you and Astarion start to show...

 

[O_Bruce]

If you're playing a traditional LG Paladin, it may not be long before the cracks between you and Astarion start to show...

They did a bit already, although not for that reason . That being said, Lae'zel speedruned to them faster than him . But in all honesty, Lae'zel takes a similar niche in a party to my main character, and that combined with a worldview difference between my character and her* might make me to leave her in the camp.

Speaking about camp, talk with Astarion weirded me out a bit, talk Lae'zel was surprisingly civil and Shadowheart made me chuckle at the end of it.

I also

Spoiler

told Raphael to f-off. Before that, I encountered Owlbear in a cave and felt so bat about fighting it I actually reloaded and communicated with it.

*She considers things and values my character holds dear as a sign of weakness. To my dwarf, she barks too much, and I think smallest dog barks the loudest.

 

[O_Bruce]

I hate combat in this game already.

 

[Antimatter]

Hate as in a bad or good way? Is it challenging or frustrating, or a bit of both? There is a learning curve for BG3 combat if you haven't played similar games before (especially in regards to verticality, using the environment, or even placement of your characters and using sneak). Also, for better advice/tips, would be good to know your party composition

 

[O_Bruce]

I hate it in most negative way possible. Usually, when I play a hard and challenging game, and it beats my arse, I am more than willing to try again and again. And when I eventually succeed, I feel sense of accomplishment and relief. In comparison, in BG3, I feel nothing but frustration on either of the outcomes.

To sum up my issues are:
- I feel like I'm not fighting creatures from Fearun, but instead some Skynet terminators, who can perfectly calculate what to do in a given situation to deal me as much pain as possible. They do not feel like living creatures, but like flawless robots.
- As a player, I am being punished for everything. I cannot roleplay in a role-playing game when a conversation will naturally lead to combat, as then I am in a huge disadvantage and my tank is eradicated in a turn or two. If I try to spread out my party and then initiate the conversation, my immersion is broken, and it still doesn't work, as CPU knows exactly how to punish me for my tactical decisions. It feels like nothing I try works. Which leads to:
- Illusion of choice. In theory, you have many options to handle your situation. In practice, if you don't do what likely developers thought you need to do in a given encounter, you're as good as dead. It seems the only viable thing to do is to spread out your party, then ambush your enemies. Doesn't matter if you're roleplaying a character who wouldn't do that in most situations.
- If I somehow win, it is by trial and error - or more likely, luck. I don't feel any sense of accomplishment at all.

Party composition:
Dwarven Paladin (16 STR, 8 DEX, 15 CON, 10 INT, 12 WIS, 14 CHA), defensive style, sword and shield.
Lea'zel
Astarion (chosen more arcane specialization for him, has useless sleep and magic missile, among other things)
Shadowheart

 

[mlnevese]

I truly understand how you feel. Having to split the party before combat even began was one of the things that made me dislike this game. It was even worse when each party member had to approach from a different direction. It completely broke my immersion. Add to that stone surfaces that burn forever and level 1 monsters carrying ammunition that damages your party even when it misses.