General FAQ - Guide for Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance

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<<<<<<<<<<<<< GENERAL FAQ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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<<< By:  DLemasa (Dave Lemasa) >>>>>>>>>>>>
<<< Email: [email protected] >>>>>>>>>>>
<<< Version: 0.50 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
<<< Date:  December 7, 2001 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
<<< Time: 2:00 AM EST >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
=================

I.    INTRODUCTION

II.   VERSION HISTORY  

III.  CHARACTERS, CONTROLS AND OTHER MINUTIA

IV.   WALK-THROUGH

V.    SECRETS AND MISCELLANEOUS T

VI.   THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

VII.  LEGAL STUFF & FINAL THOUGHTS

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I.  INTRODUCTION

Well met!  Welcome to my FAQ for Baldur's Gate:  Dark Alliance, the latest
entry in the Forgotten Realms RPG stable from developer Snowblind Studios,
producer Black Isle, and publisher Interplay.  BGDA is an excellent
dungeon hack that finally fills the vast RPG void on the PS2.

This guide will not include maps.  I have done this on purpose.  One 
of the chief joys of a game like this is thorough dungeon exploration.
If I provided maps, that would ruin the fun, now, wouldn't it?
Ay any rate, the walk-through will be general and somewhat spoiler
free.  To that end, I will also refrain from listing the game
areas in the above ToC.  The walktrough will be concise enough to allow
easy skimming to locate the place where you are.

Also, I will highlight "must do" stuff for each area/dungeon of
the game.  I will not give specific directions (i.e. turn north and 
then walk 60 paces to the red tent on the right, etc.), but I will 
clearly describe particular rooms to aid you in knowing you're 
actually where you need to be.

Section III (see ToC) will likely become the most expansive area of
this FAQ.  There's likely a ton of info that will be plugged in
with regard to skills, weapons, armor and enemies.  I will frequently
update that area as new info becomes available.


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II.  VERSION HISTORY


0.50:     First draft.
          This guide was written with WordPad and is in Courier New font.


This FAQ is primarily hosted at CheatCC and GameFAQs at URL:

http://www.cheatcc.com
http://www.gamefaqs.com



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III.  CHARACTERS, CONTROLS AND OTHER MINUTIA

UNDER CONSTRUCTION, SEE YOUR MANUAL FOR NOW, I'LL RATE EFFECTIVENESS
OF SKILLS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE NEXT VERSION.




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IV.   WALKTHROUGH

General:

The walkthrough really doesn't differ for each of the character classes.
What does differ is the NPC interactions, not the substance of what they
say but the semantics.  For example, dwarves will call you "brother" if
you're using the dwarf whereas they'll call you "traveler" if you are the
human.

I have also found that some chests always drop the same thing, while 
others are completely random.  For that reason, I'm only going to write 
about what some of the chests drop, particularly those in the early part
of the game where equipment vital to your survival will be.

Speaking of chests, open and smash every container you can.  That means
barrels, boxes, crate and, of course, chests.  You will need "stuff", and
that's where you'll find it.  Also, I made a habit of clearing every, 
single, stinking monster out of every nook and cranny of every dungeon.
Playing through on Easy, I got my dwarf up to level 17 (I probably could 
have gotten him higher as my experience meter was just a hair shy of 18).
Killing monsters also gets you "stuff", so it's a win-win situation.

Finally, enemy and boss tactics, organized by character, will be included
in a follow up version.  I will likely add a separate section for that.

Onward!


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A.  ELFSONG TAVERN
==================

After the opening cinematic where you get that rather nasty bump on the
head, you'll find yourself in the Elf Song Tavern.  Listen to the lovely
melody.  You will immediately enter into a dialogue with "Lady" Alyth
Elendara and her two large "friends".  Gawk at the animation they chose 
for said "friends".  Note that it puts Soul Caliber to shame.  Listen to 
what she says and ask her whatever piques your curiosity.  Bottom line - 
she'll give you your first quest entitled, "Rat Exterminator".  She
wants you to kill all the rats in the cellar to clear the way for her and
Ethon, her pet drunk.  You will do this because it gets you closer to
those evil men who have *so* wronged you.  The Lady promises the key to 
the sewers where you can continue your investigation in exchange for pest
control, and now you have your first quest and a brand, spanking-new Rusty
Dagger.

Next, talk to Ethon.  Inquire of the optional info if you want, but you'll
get the key to the cellar from him.

Next, pay the town idiot, Nebbish, a visit for your next quest, entitled,
"Fine Wine".  He's jonesin' for a "little-bit-o-that" but his ass has
been shut off.  No one likes a sloppy drunk, but Nebbish is a slob when
he's sober.  He wants you to gank some primo hooch from the cellar on the 
QT.  Tell him you'll do it and you'll have the "Fine Wine" quest in your
Journal Tab.

Finally, say "Hi" to the shopkeeper, Bartley.  You have no dough, so leave
him be for now.

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B.  THE CELLARS
===============

Enemies:  Giant Rats, Kobolds, Giant Spiders

Key Items:  Rusty Short Sword, Worn Wooden Shield, Rusty Long Sword
            Rusty Battleaxe, various potions, gold and jewels.

Here's where we earn our keep.  Immediately save your game and then 
commence the rat extermination.  Move from room to room (this area's 
completely linear, just keep going forward).  There'll be some chests,
open them.  You will receive a message when 15 rates are left, then
10, then 5, then 4, 3, 2, 1.  After all the rats are dead, grab the
Worn Wooden Shield from the chest, save your game at the save point 
(which should be close) and Recall back to the Elfsong.  
Alyth will reward you with some gold, experience, and the
key to the sewers.


Recall back to the cellars, time to get that "Fine Wine".  Proceed from
the last rat room and you'll start fighting those nasty little buggers,
Kobolds.  Kill them and proceed into a room with a pool in it.  Kill those
Kobolds, open the chest (Rusty Longsword), and grab the bottle sitting
next to the chest.  After your character expresses the importance of the
item, Recall back to the Elfsong and speak with Nebbish.  He'll be
stealthily frateful and reward you with an Extra Healing Potion, some
gold and some experience.

Recall back to the cellars.  Proceed from where you left off and you'll
run into some more Kobolds.  Dispatch them, but also be alert for the
powder kegs that are in some of the rooms.  Press "Square" to ignite them.
Be careful, however, because a stray sword swipe will also set them off
and your character will take damage.

After the Kobolds, you will find a few Giant Spiders.  be careful - 
they're a bit strong for your current level, but smart fighting will
prevail over them.  Kill the spiders and notice that there's a tiny
room in the upper right of this room.  (Use your Automap, "L1").
get close to where the entrence shows on your map and press "Square".
The secret door will slide open and there's a chest and some crates
for you to open.  Grab the spoils and head through the north door
into the next area, the Sewers.


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C.  THE SEWERS
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TO BE CONTINUED NEXT VERSION (PROBABLY LATE TOMORROW, 12/7)


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V.    SECRETS AND MISCELLANEOUS T

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A.  THE GAUNTLET  
================

Beat the game on any level of difficulty to unlock "The Gauntlet", a timed
run through a fairly difficult dungeon.  Select the Gauntlet from the New
Game menu screen.  Beating the Gauntlet means staying
alive AND killing all of the monsters in this dungeon within the 15 minute
time limit.  Oh yeah, um... when playing the Gauntlet you can only use one
character, ni big deal, it's just...

DRIZZT DO-URDEN!!!!   THE RENEGADE DROW RANGER!!!!

NB:  When I heard that this game was coming out, I thought to myself,
     "Wouldn't it be cool if Drizzt was a playable character."  Then I
     remembered how all previous game appearances of the Drow Ranger were
     mere cameos and he wasn't actually playable (although you can
     fight against him in Baldur's Gate I and II for the PC).  Discovering
     that Drizzt is a playable character could be one of the best examples
     of a game company finally giving gamers what they want.  

     But I digress....

In a nutshell, you'll fight the following monsters, in this order, as you
proceed from room to room in the Gauntlet:

Room 1:  Giant Spiders (the little ones)
Room 2:  Kobolds (Warriors, Spear-throwers and Shamen)
Room 3:  3 Umber Hulks
Room 4:  Gnolls
Room 5:  (Crap, I'll have to check)
Room 6:  Mephits / Fiends
Room 7:  Onyx Golem

Each room will have some chests in them to restock your potions and fill
your wallet.  Clear all rooms and save your game.  When you start a new game
you'll see that a new difficulty mode, Extreme, is now available.  However,
Drizzt is not a fully playable character....yet.

===========================
B.  EXTREME DIFFICULTY MODE
===========================

After beating The Gauntlet, you may now select Extreme difficulty from the
New Game menu.  However, unlike Easy, Normal and Hard, you must import
one of your characters from a game save.  You can also do this in the 
default difficulty modes, but under those conditions the game allows you
to bring your character WITH all his equipment, skills, experience and money.
In Extreme mode, you import your character awith all skills and experience
but NO equipment.  None.  So you're powerful yet under equipped.

OK, people, EXTREME is frikkin' hard.  You say EASY was "too easy"?  Well,
EXTREME is "too, too, too hard", but not in a cheesy way, it's just really
tough.  The upside, however, is that the equipment you find and can purchase
from merchants is SOOOO much better than in the default difficulty modes.

More on this once when I get deeper into this mode.

Beating the game on EXTREME difficulty unlocks Drizzt for the normal
game.  Simply start a new game, hit START, select CHOOSE PLAYER, and
import him from your Gauntlet game save.


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C.  SECRET CHARACTER:  DRIZZT DO'URDEN
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It's really simple - Drizzt rocks!  He can only equip his 2 scimitars,
Icingdeath and Twinkle, but thankfully they're both well up to the 
job of taking on this game.  He also wears Mithril Chain +4, but you can
switch his armor (just not his swords).  Drizzt uses Repulse and
Icy Orb as his active feats, but he also has access to a bunch of the
passive ones.

I'll include Drizzt's default stats, etc. in the next version.


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D.  THE ONYX SWORD
==================

Beat the Onyx Golem in the Black Forge near the end of the game and he
drops this.  It has huge damage and is the only thing that can hit the
end boss.  Make sure you have a decent blunt weapon and just let the 
Onyx Golem have it.  You'll be walking away with his sword in no time.

 


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VI.   THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to...

- GameFAQ's for hosting this FAQ.

- Snowblind, Black Isle and Interplay, for making video game dreams come
  true.

- Bob Salvatore, c/o TSR / Wizards of the Coast, for creating and (finally)
  authorizing the PROPER use of the best fantasy character in all the
  Realms, Drizzt Do'Urden, in this game.

- Ed Greenwood, creator of the Forgotten realms.

- You, for reading my FAQ.


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VII.  LEGAL STUFF & FINAL THOUGHTS

Copyright:  (c) Copyright 2001 David J. Lemasa, Esq. This FAQ and
            everything included within this electronic file shall 
            not be reproduced in any way, shape or form (physical, 
            digital, analog, or otherwise) aside from being placed 
            on a freely-accessible, non-commercial web page in its 
            original, unedited and unaltered format. This FAQ shall 
            not be used for commercial or promotional purposes. 
            This FAQ shall not be used in any sort of commercial 
            transaction. This FAQ shall not be given away as some 
            sort of bonus, gift, etc., with any form of purchase.

In a nutshell, people, if you want to post this FAQ, simply ask.  If you 
want to use it for something else, please make DAMN sure you ask my 
permission. I've heard the horror stories and would rather not become 
another one. I'm a lawyer and I'm not afraid to use me!  :) 

With any luck, this guide will be available first at www.GameFaqs.com 
and then any other websites that properly follow (more on that later).

Thanks for reading!  Your intelligent questions, comments, suggestions, 
etc. are welcome.  My email address is [email protected].

See you next version!


DLemasa

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"Professional Devil's advocate, contact me for rates."