Official Baldur's Gate II chat at IGN
August 24, 2000 (6 pm PST) at host17.webmaster.com, room #ignvault
Edited log prepared by Silverdawn of Baldur's Gate Chronicles 
(http://www.bgchronicles.com)
Non-game related stuff (mainly some rather hilarious inter-chat between 
Bioware Bods) removed by Pete Wearne

Approximately 150 people were at the chat.

SECTION 1: QUESTIONS ON GENERAL GAMEPLAY , GAME MECHANICS AND GAME 
DEVELOPMENT

Q: BG2 claims to have more spells, classes, skills, objects, monsters, 
bigger quests and more gameplay than BG1 on the same number of CDs? What's 
being sacrificed?
A: Actually, BG2 IS bigger in every respect that we could possibly think of 
than BG1.  We've got a compression of backgrounds in BG2 that we didn't have 
in BG1 - this allows the game to be on 4 CD's rather than 5, even though 
there is actually MORE content.  As well, the areas are a little more 
compact - so there are more things going on per square unit of space than in 
the original game.  This helps with CD layout as well
The game is really a lot bigger - hundreds of quests, all of which are 
really detailed and involved.  The overall length of the game is more than 
in BG1 -
while the core game takes some 50-70 hours (critical path, as we like to 
call it), doing all of the subquests can take upwards of 200-250 hours! 
(speaking from personal experience)
(also less wandering around in forest areas and the like)

Q:  Is BG2 going to have a darker story than BG1. More corruption and the 
likes?
A: Yes.
most definitely
Definitely.
That answer sucked, Mark
By the way, although the story is darker, it's still in the same vein as BG. 
It isn't as dark as Planescape Torment

Q:  I don't like straying from the storyline, but I do like completing lots 
of quests(I think I did them all in BG1).Will it be as much of a problem in 
the 2nd as in the 1st?
A: There are tons of plots to go on in the game. There is also more replay 
than you can shake a stick at. To see every single thing in game you will 
have to play with each class (for all of the strongholds), different 
alignments (for different plot endings), and with each of the NPCs in your 
party at one point (to see their quests).

Q:  As a DM in PnP AD&D I found style specializations to be mostly balanced, 
why have they been rewritten for BG2?
A: The style specializations (two handed style, one handed style) were first 
implemented in the same fashion that they were in 2nd edition.
However, we couldn't implement certain features (such as shield rush), and 
this unbalanced these skills.
So we had to fiddle with them a bit to make each one as useful as the 
others.  We changed as few things as possible.

Q:  Now that the level range of the monsters is much larger, are bows and 
crossbows still the powerful weapons they were in BG1?
A: It wasn't so much that they were really powerful in BGI, It's just that 
the creatures you were fighting in BGI were pretty wimpy (as was your party)
(and slow... creatures in BG1 were very slow)
Also creatures move faster in BG2 - now that you're up against bigger badder 
and faster creatures the difference isn't nearly as noticeable
Bows are still good, but not as dominating as in BG1.
arrows just aren't as useful against enemies that can cast prot. from normal 
missiles, or other nifty spells
Elven Archers all the way : )
* DaveCatBio thinks Nathan likes Elven archers because they wear tights

Q:  In tabletop campaigns, magic weapons were hard to come by with bonuses 
in the +3 range, and at high levels a +4 was a terrific weapon.  How do you 
justify putting such powerful equipment in the game?
A: Since the experience point cap is very high - 2.9 million - the level of 
the characters is quite high at the end of the game as well (level 17-23, I 
believe).
High level characters get to go to high level areas - and find cool items!

Q: Is reputation really important at BG2?
A: Reputation works as it did in BG with the exception of a couple of 
things. It's bit more difficult to get to the higher end of the scale.
Being a psycho will still get you to the lower end quite quickly
Also, more people react to your reputation now than they did in BG or Tales.

Q:  why are you using 2nd edition rules, with some 3rd edition additions?
got it
A: We thought that it would be fun to include some third edition character 
classes in BG2.  After discussions between Bioware and Black Isle (our 
publisher) and WOTC (= Wizards of the Coast, the holders of the original 
license) we decided to include the Sorcerer, Monk and Barbarian character 
classes. The rest of the rules are AD&D 2nd edition.

Q:  Do the images of the Red Dragon represent the largest creature in BG2?
A: This is all that you'll get from us for now... --> Kind of
In fact, the earth itself surges with life essences.

Q: Will certain spells have multiple school associations per 2nd Ed AD&D?
A: We had to simplify the spells in that regard, so spells will only have 
one school association.

Q: As opposed to the original, are the bad decisions we make going to haunt 
us at a later stage in the game?
A: In certain cases, the evil path (assuming that this what you mean) will 
result in a rep loss. This can haunt you later if you ignore it for too 
long.
However, in general, that results of bad choices are localized to the plot 
that you're currently on
No one who is unaware of the plot will reference your actions if they 
weren't big enough to actually warrant a rep hit.

Q:  Will there be a Tarrasque in BG2? (REAL IMPORTANT QUESTION)
Tarrasque... not this time. Alas!
Tarrasque? I think even Bhaal would be afraid of that

Q: ok, and since it has been asked a number of times, let's finish with the 
old favorite:  how close are you to being finished?
A: never… just kidding
so close I can taste it....and the iron chain chaff marks on my ankles are 
starting to itch
Our whips are worn out

SECTION 2: QUESTIONS RELATED TO GENERAL CHARACTER GENERATION

Q:  How will new characters' Hit Points be determined?  Will it be 
completely random, or will there be some limit so that a new fighter with 18 
constitution doesn't start out with 40 HP because of bad luck? :)
A:  Hit points are randomly generated, but we have a formula that will make 
sure that a player doesn't receive an incredibly low hit point total.
done

Q: I know that fighters get one proficiency point every 3 levels... my 
question is, will you have to use a standard proficiency point to improve 
weapon style skill, or will the Style proficiencies be handled separately?
A: You use your standard proficiency points to improve your weapon styles.  
This forces fighters to choose between learning a weapon style, or becoming 
more proficient with a weapon.

Q:  Can we dual-class to the New 3ed classes? And will only imported TOSC 
games be set to 160K (as opposed to starting a new character and having 
TOSC)
A: You can't DUAL to the new 3E classes. You can only import with 161000 
with a Tales character. A little bonus there.

Q:  What are the max initial stats for a Half Orc, particularly Str, Con, 
and Wis?
19 str, 19 con,  17 wis
and you can have a 1 for intellegence!

Q:  Will the kits have ability requirements that exceed the base levels 
necessary to take a particular class?
A: NONE of them do.  At all.  Just the requirements for the class the kit 
comes from.

SECTION 3: QUESTIONS RELATED TO SPECIFIC CHARACTER CLASSES

Q:  What is the level cap for sorcerers and do they follow the spell 
progression from the 3rd edition players handbook exactly?
A: Sorcerers have the exact same level cap as mages (17th level).  They 
follow the 3rd edition spell progression.
Sorcerers are quite fun to play.

Q: Will the new Monk class use the cleric's THAC0 table?  Also can Gromnir 
see monk pull still beating elf heart from chest of puny elf?
A: The Monk WILL be using the cleric THACO.  We were thinking of having him 
use the fighter THACO, but we found that to make him far too powerful.

Q:  If bows won't be nearly so dominating in BG2, will the Archer kit still 
be very powerful?
A: The archer kit is very powerful.  An archer isn't very skilled with melee 
weapons, and isn't able to wear heavy armour.  However, when you play him, 
you can fire out those arrows as if you were wielding a fully automatic 
pistol.
Especially at high levels - archers are amazing.
oh sweet Archer

Q: Question about paladins: The special skills for Inquisitor and Undead 
Slayer seem fairly obvious and easy to implement, but I am not so clear 
about what being a Cavalier has to offer (since most 2nd edition advantages 
involved mounted bonuses, and there ain't no mounts in BGII!)
A: I have a Cavalier in my current party and he rocks.
The Cavalier represents the heroic knight from classic fantasy.  He is 
immune to fear and poison, and has bonuses when fighting demons and dragons.
He also has Remove Fear

Q:  The "choose your God" thing when creating a character, does that apply 
to the Paladin as well since they are holy warriors.
A:  No, the paladins don't choose a god in character creation since their 
powers are not effected. However, the Order has representatives of Torm, 
Helm and Tyr.

Q:  Is there any possibility of good-aligned priests of Helm?
A: For the sake of clarity, Helm will remain the neutral only god. However, 
the Lathander church is just as interesting. Also, a paladin could serve 
Helm, if you wish to play one.

Q: Can you give us any info on priest kits or strongholds?
A: You can choose one of 3 gods or remain a 'generic' cleric. The three kits 
are Cleric of Talos (evil), Helm (neutral) and Lathander (good)
They each get unique spells and strongholds
When you start a game, you choose your god
Throughout the course of the game you can become a favored of your 
church/god and be invited to join the appropriate church in Athkatla.
If you are a generic cleric, you can go on the stronghold plot/join the 
church of the god that most closely fits your alignment.
Each of the Temple Strongholds has a number of unique and interesting plots 
that fit with the god that you have chosen.
Each church has a unique building and characters.
I'll just add one thing on the clerics: if you pick a kit, you *start* the 
game as a specialty priest.  Your interaction with your church is what 
constitutes the stronghold, that is *not* when you become a specialty 
priest.  (I know there was some confusion on that.)

Q:  what's the advantage of being a 'generic' cleric?
A: There is no real advantage to being the generic cleric.  The only reason 
we have the generic cleric is for those players who don't want to have a 
specific god (or don't like the gods we provide)
I like being a generic cleric because it rhymes

Q:  Are Druids balanced? they seem weak, only being able to go to lvl 14
A: Druids are VERY fun to play…. mmm... shape change..
The druids are one of the most powerful classed in BG2.  They advance VERY 
fast at the mid levels, and reach 5th and 6th level spells before the other 
classes. They have powerful spells such as iron skins, call woodland beings, 
insect plague and summon fire elemental.
Druids are very nice
The three druid kits are also very powerful.  The Shapeshifter kit allows 
the druid to take the form of a werewolf (and later on a greater werewolf), 
the Avenger druid has access to some mage spells and has his polymorph 
ability greatly expanded. Just like me :)
mmmm... Avenger druids...
The totemic druid can summon spirit animals to fight for him.

Q:  What kind of effects will at thief be able to imbue to his traps, what 
will it depend upon, and can he get a mage friend to perhaps create a 
magical spell that will go off when the trap is sprung? Also if a thief 
walks over his own trap will it go off?
A:  The thief has different traps according to his level.  The basic trap is 
always an arrow trap.
However, as the theif goes up in level, the arrow deals out more damage and 
effects (such as poison).
As well, a bounty hunter thief has access to special traps that simulate 
mage spells.

Q:  Can you please go over the Bounty Hunter kit, I couldn't find much info 
on any pages. And also, can you explain the Thief's stronghold.
A: The bounty hunter is an expert in hunting men. They get super cool traps 
at higher levels. They get extra set traps abilities - and are rarely 
trustworthy
The disadvantage is that they get less points to spend on their other 
skills.
As to the Stronghold, I won't give you too much info so as not to ruin the 
game but you do get to run a Thieves' Guild.

Q:  Any more info on the BARD specific quests?
A:  The bard, basically, takes over a playhouse after a pretty interesting 
adventure. The bard becomes the patron of a play that begins to be produced, 
a cursed play a la MacBeth.  There is a lot of stuff to deal with to get to 
the end.  It's quite cool.

SECTION 3: NPC QUESTIONS

Q:  Will most of the NPCs be met closer to the beginning of the game in BGII 
than they were in BGI? I am an old softy who gets very attached to his party 
- I don't think I picked any new NPCs up in BGI after Chapter 2, since I 
felt like the one's I had were family!
A: The answer is yes. They can all be found in chapter 1 or two. Also, their 
general location is mentioned in the manual.
We really want people to be able to see all of the NPCs and be able to make 
some tough choices about who will be joining them.

Q: I am really into NPC interaction, and was wondering if someone could 
suggest some interesting COMBINATIONS of NPCs to try out on my first run 
through.  For example, I have heard having Jan and Minsc in your group is 
hilarious since Jan keeps trying to steal Boo
A: Just having Jan is funny in general..
Viconia, Korgan, and Aerie is fun
Viconia and Korgan are merciless with poor Aerie...
Korgan and Jahiera
I also kind of like having Edwin in my party
The Jaheira and Aerie is a good laugh
(snicker)  Edwin, yeah...
Wow....they're all good
Yeah, a mix of good and bad makes it interesting
Take Yoshimo, Jan, Minsc, Edwin, Korgan and any other NPC of your choice for 
an amusing adventure
Many a combo to go around
They all interact in several different ways.

SECTION 4: MISCELLANEOUS

Q: Could we possibly get a nice, clean run-down of what will be the extras 
when pre-ordered from who and collectors versus standard?
A: There is still a little debate on a few things here, so I will just say 
what I am positive about...
The normal version of the game will of course include the 4 CDs in a 
double-double jewel case, a map, the manual...
The pre-ordered version depends on where you pre-order it from... most of 
the retailers who have pre-order programs are getting different materials 
for their pre-orders...
The collectors edition has a cloth map, 4 colour CDs, an add-on disc that 
gives you access to 10 items you can't get elsewhere, and cards...
I believe there are a few other things too, but I don't have a list and 
there is still some debate on a few items.
Oh yeah, there is a reference card with all the spells and statuses in all 
versions... forgot about that...oops

Thanks to all of the team members and all the fans for your great questions  
  sorry we couldn't get to more, but there were hundreds