Playing Baldur's Gate 1 - single or multiplayer

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I'm playing BG1 again (easy tutu).

I'm torn between playing with one character and playing all six. There are so many chracaters that I want to try, but the npc's are fun too.

Does it ruin the game if you play MP, I've never done it... but I was never really attached to IWD2's party as the one from BG2 (Me paladin -Undead Slayer, Keldorn, Amanon, Jehira, Mazzy and Nalia), it seemed more real. IWD2 was good to be able to create all 6 characters but I don't want to play BG1 and then 2 as a MP game if it makes it dull as hell. On the other hand, if I did, can I play with all six chracters later in BG2?

Is that possible?

 

It's possible. It won't ruin the game.

 

Yes, you can import all six characters to BG2. I wouldn't say that playing with own characters completely ruins the game, but it certainly is less fun that way. NPCs and their banters, especially with the NPC mod, make the game a lot deeper. I have started both BG1 and BG2 couple of times with my own party, but it just didn't feel right. The game becomes also kind of unchallenging, because it's so easy to create a full-strength, overpowering party from day 1. Running away from gibberlings with Imoen is surprisingly entertaining . If you want to experiment with different classes, try a party with say, 2-3 created characters and 3-4 NPCs?

 

If you do decide to create a few of your own characters in multiplayer mode I'd recommend moving the save file from the mpsave to the save folder afterwards, and continuing the game in single player mode. It makes no difference in terms of your characters but there are some little glitches/problems I remember encountering in the multiplayer mode.

 

For multiplayer, a good idea can be to start with two multiclass characters: a C/M and an F/T. That way, all major bases (Thieving skills, healing & arcane blasting) are covered with just two characters, and you can then try out whoever else you like. It's a good combo if you want to try out a particular NPC, but have never been able to fit them in to a sensible party.

Another good tip: create the game & save it. Then copy the save directory from the "mpsave" directory into the "save" directory in your BG(2) folder. Load the game from the Single Player menu. Now, you can play the game without the hassle when pausing or having your marching order reset, as multiplayer mode is wont to do.

 

Playing six in BG2 will cause you to miss out on some quests (npcs have quests that they must be present for).

 

IMHO it's the weak points of each NPC that make them interesting.

For example, Anomen would be a nice killer but kinda needs to devote bracer slot to Gauntlets of Dexterity - causing a conflict with Keldorn, who in turn would rather wear Gauntlets of Extraordinary Specialization to bring on the carnage with his Carsomyr. Minsc has nice Strength in the beginning but will ultimately end up as your weakest member due to the STR girdles, and the DEX and CON score are annoying in the middle of being bad and good. Viconia doesn't really need a monstrous STR, but the poor CON is a recipe for disaster against stab-happy rogues. And so forth.

I consider it a GOOD thing when I can't put a party together that would be just "ultimate" in everything I want. Just because then I'd be hesistant try the other options.