17th October 2010, 7:53 PM
D&D is a complex and challenging game and the games reflect that. If you want something simple and brainless go play a JRPG or something. :p
The fact that D&D combat actually requires a significant amount of strategy is one of the best things about it. BG1, BG2, and IWD2 all are very strategically deep games, as are other D&D RPGs like ToEE, NWN2, etc. It's a complicated system and that's why it's so great.
As a strategy game fan (I have always liked strategy games more than RPGs after all), the fact that D&D is so strategically challenging is one of the things I like best about it, really. The Infinity Engine games have been described by some critics as more pausable RTS than RPG; I would disagree with that, they clearly are RPGs, but they definitely are very strategic ones.
Be prepared for it then. There are spells, items, etc. that can block those things, once you know what you're facing your challenge of course is then preparing your party as best you can for the fight. For instance, in BG2 there is a part in the early middle of the game where you fight a lot of vampires. Vampires in 2E D&D can level-drain upon hit, which is a serious pain. So, make sure to have several characters (preferably) with mind-immunity items or spells on during combat...
Similarly, mid to late game BG2 spell battles are EXTREMELY complicated. Winning mage battles in high-level 2E AD&D is a very complex thing because of 2E's spell protections systems. When I say that BG2 is hard, and ToB particularly, this is one reason why. BG1 might have some hard fights, but the game itself is much, MUCH less complex simply because you are much lower levels and thus have much less to have to deal with. The higher your level in D&D, the more and more spells, abilities, and skills you have to think about. Even the hardest BG1 battle is simpler and much less complex than any mid-tier lategame or ToB BG2 battle, simply because of this fact.
That's why I always strongly recommend playing BG1 first -- BG2 can be quite overwhelming, with how much more complex it is and with how many more skills, abilities, and spells you have to manage. It's better to understand 2E staples like THAC0 pretty well before you start trying to learn 2E spell protections battles. :)
The fact that D&D combat actually requires a significant amount of strategy is one of the best things about it. BG1, BG2, and IWD2 all are very strategically deep games, as are other D&D RPGs like ToEE, NWN2, etc. It's a complicated system and that's why it's so great.
As a strategy game fan (I have always liked strategy games more than RPGs after all), the fact that D&D is so strategically challenging is one of the things I like best about it, really. The Infinity Engine games have been described by some critics as more pausable RTS than RPG; I would disagree with that, they clearly are RPGs, but they definitely are very strategic ones.
Quote:I don't mind a challenge, but some of these battles are stupidly hard. Especially the ones where you have to deal with party-wide status effects that make them not do anything or, worse, attack other members of the party.
Be prepared for it then. There are spells, items, etc. that can block those things, once you know what you're facing your challenge of course is then preparing your party as best you can for the fight. For instance, in BG2 there is a part in the early middle of the game where you fight a lot of vampires. Vampires in 2E D&D can level-drain upon hit, which is a serious pain. So, make sure to have several characters (preferably) with mind-immunity items or spells on during combat...
Similarly, mid to late game BG2 spell battles are EXTREMELY complicated. Winning mage battles in high-level 2E AD&D is a very complex thing because of 2E's spell protections systems. When I say that BG2 is hard, and ToB particularly, this is one reason why. BG1 might have some hard fights, but the game itself is much, MUCH less complex simply because you are much lower levels and thus have much less to have to deal with. The higher your level in D&D, the more and more spells, abilities, and skills you have to think about. Even the hardest BG1 battle is simpler and much less complex than any mid-tier lategame or ToB BG2 battle, simply because of this fact.
That's why I always strongly recommend playing BG1 first -- BG2 can be quite overwhelming, with how much more complex it is and with how many more skills, abilities, and spells you have to manage. It's better to understand 2E staples like THAC0 pretty well before you start trying to learn 2E spell protections battles. :)
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