The game after the release did not become the discovery of the genre. Icewind Dale II faced competition, as The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Neverwinter Nights were released at that time - which undoubtedly raised the standards for the RPG genre.
At first glance, such a project is not very suitable for these ambitious games, mainly because it still used the Infinity Engine core, which was used in the Baldur's Gate series in 1998. However, the series was popular due to its unconventional approach to the genre and combat capabilities. The passage of Icewind Dale 2 will be interesting also because it offers a plot in which the user decides where to go and which lands to conquer. As the company progresses, new classes of warriors and heroes will meet with their talents and unique abilities.
Series Description
When passing Icewind Dale 2, many players noticed how difficult it is to immediately adapt and remember all the actions. The game requires focus and the correct order of execution of all actions. Otherwise, you can get a lot of damage from powerful enemies at the very beginning.
Like its predecessor, Icewind Dale II is a role-playing game based on Dungeons & Dragons in the popular Forgotten Realms universe. It offers a similar combination of role-playing and pure, intense tactical combat, but it creates a completely new story and poses a more serious task. Although the project, of course, is focused on dynamic actions, it is quite a long one, and it will bring interesting emotions and discoveries even to those who do not particularly like the RPG genre.
When passing Icewind Dale 2, it can be noted that the game has a lot in common with its predecessor. It has many of the same graphic and sound elements as its previous part, and has a similar tempo and style. However, unlike the original Icewind Valley, the sequel uses the relatively new Dungeons & Dragons rules of the third edition, which are much deeper than the classic rules of the second edition presented in games such as Icewind Dale and Baldur's Gate II. At least the new rules make the gameplay of the game noticeably different from its predecessor, so much so that it is able to provide an experience that is original in itself.
Game characters
Passing Icewind Dale 2 is quite exciting. Adventures are brightened up not by one, but immediately by 6 heroes, which the user must choose at the beginning of the company. This is a fundamental difference from games of this type. It is noted that managing a group right away is not only more interesting, but also more difficult.
The user begins by creating a group of 6 different characters, although he has a useful opportunity to quickly select a assembled group if you need to quickly start a career. All characters begin their lives as neophytes of the first level, which are sometimes barely able to strike. In fact, the player will fight from the very beginning, trying to protect the humble city from the invasion of evil races with green skin (orcs).
The plot thickens, the battle becomes more intense, the user gets levels, finds improved equipment and learns powerful spells (several hundred are available). Like any great role-playing game, Icewind Dale 2 offers a very subtle, but still tangible sense of continuous character development.
Experience points are hard earned in battles and quests, and changes in the level of experience are usually few, although more often than in the 2nd edition. It is interesting that the early stages of Icewind Dale 2 are some of the most difficult, because before each battle you just need to maintain your strong group.
Fighting
Many experienced players are advised to use tricks. To do this, you must enter the codes in Icewind Dale 2. With their help, you can quickly go through a difficult section of the map and defeat difficult opponents. Many races of characters are available, including the popular dark elves (known as the drow), as well as various subraces. Some of these characters are quite powerful from the start, but they are trained and cause a lot of trouble.
Codes in Icewind Dale 2 are also notable for the fact that with their help you can quickly transfer the created group to different locations. If you use the normal game mode, then there is the likelihood of an enemy attack at the most inopportune moment.
Some classes of characters seem much more powerful than others - for example, the fighters of the third edition are incredibly strong, but you still have to form a diversified group of characters to achieve the best results. When the user increases the level, it becomes possible to customize their characters using various special skills and other abilities.
Current modes
Mods in Icewind Dale 2 provide an opportunity to expand the company and get bonuses in the game. Many of these add-ons are custom. Now 2 new modes are available in which you can create small groups to participate in online battles between real people.
The game offers a feature first introduced in the Heart of Winter supplement called Rage Mode. It significantly increases the difficulty, but also gives the characters even more bonuses and experience. As before, a joint multi-user option is available that allows you to manage a team of 6 players.
Mods in Icewind Dale 2 can also be found from the official developer. Programmers are introducing new solutions to reduce the number of errors during the game, as well as improve, as far as possible, the graphics of the game. The main company is still the standard single-player game. Although the Infinity Engine irrefutably shows signs of obsolescence, at the same time, the developers of Icewind Dale II are clearly very skillful in making sure that users do not pay attention to it. In fact, in many ways, the game represents the best use of Infinity Engine's graphics settings to date.
In the review on Icewind Dale 2, it's also worth talking about locations. The game is divided into many different size areas. Each of them has its own storyline and a chain of crosses for additional experience and inventory. The battle is constantly complex and rarely straightforward, and random puzzles are added for a good change of pace. It takes a lot of time to get through these zones, and yet you don't have to do too many annoying things, such as constantly searching for traps or going back to save the result.
General Description of Chapters
A review of the Icewind Dale 2 chapters will also be interesting. The game has many plots and directions for development. The story itself will be formed based on the individual qualities of the assembled group, as well as the presence of unique characters in its composition.
Like the original, Icewind Dale II is basically a linear game, which is divided into chapters, and in them the game contains an exciting story that allows the user to focus on the action and be interested in the circumstances. At the same time, the project does better than its predecessor, allowing it to play roles. Adding skills such as bluffing, bullying, and diplomacy directly affects the options available for dialogue.
Each Infinity Engine game was based on a plot, and this project is no exception. If users are not familiar with Morrowind or Neverwinter Nights, then starting in Icewind Dale II will be a little more difficult for you. At first, the game graphics are really not very similar. Small, clumsy, animated 2D characters, a thickening black fog of war covering every area, and a flat (albeit detailed) landscape decorates the game, which looks decent at best. However, the new revised interface, which is now visible only at the bottom of the screen, is a big improvement over the interface of all previous Infinity Engine games, and many of the locations that are visited really look good, although this does not change the fact that Icewind Dale II usually looks outdated compared to other projects.
Secrets in Icewind Dale 2 abound. The developers of the project tried to make sure that each specific character was able to get a unique ability or item when passing through the company.
It should be noted that the retail version of Icewind Dale II has some technical problems that users encountered in the form of random crashes on the desktop. In addition, among the many winding moves of the game, finding the way for the characters can become quite complicated and tedious.
Sound accompaniment
Although Icewind Dale II primarily uses redesigned sound effects and character voices, the rest of the game follows the very high sound standards set in previous Black Isle Studios role-playing games. An exciting, impressive symphonic soundtrack filled with stringed instruments evokes the same sense of grandeur and adventure as the score from the original Icewind Valley, but with some distinctly different touches.
Jeremy Soul, the composer of the soundtrack for Icewind Dale (as well as the score for Dungeon Siege, Morrowind and Neverwinter Nights), didn’t actually write the music for this sequel, but his replacement, Inon Zur, does a really fantastic job, which is perhaps even better. than Soul’s efforts in the original “Icewind Valley”.
Basics and Secrets
Icewind Dale 2 Complete mode allows you to edit already completed locations. In addition, players gain access to previously hidden resources. You can fully open the card only after the location is 100% complete. It is also necessary to destroy all hidden enemies hidden in the fog.
The average difficulty of any battle in Icewind 2 is very high. This is because the game is less focused on quests and more on battles. The emphasis is on the test of battle. However, you will have to rest a lot, even if the player uses all his healing spells and potions.
The character editor in Icewind Dale 2 allows you to create a unique look for each of the involved warriors. The player is offered a large number of robes and facial expressions. It is possible to change the gender and race, as well as change the name of the hero.
Rest is a big part of the project, and there is no need to worry about how much time has passed. Do not forget to save the distance traveled before rest, as they can attack during sleep. You can use wandering monsters to gain more experience from the area.
The battle square in Icewind Dale 2 is considered a function for the defense of a group of heroes. They can be set if necessary to make a halt or when studying an artifact.
Another practical rule is to make sure that the hero is resting before zoning (the process of changing zones). Most areas begin with a battle with a strong opponent, so you need to be prepared for battle.
Adventure Basics
Cheat codes in Icewind Dale 2 are a great solution if you need to quickly go through the desired area. As mentioned above, to open a hidden location in a particular place, you will need to complete all tasks 100%. Codes help to do this much faster.
It’s worth looking for everything. Use the ALT key to display any objects that you can interact with. It is better to study the containers for sorting equipment - this will increase the carrying capacity. The hero must look into every nook and cranny to collect as much as possible. It is worth spending time between adventures to sort out your inventory in bags - cleaning stocks will provide much-needed money and space for more things.
Creating a party in Icewind Dale 2 allows you to immediately distribute responsibilities among all members of the group. They will continue to execute them automatically. Keep up to date equipment. Magic accessories in this game are rare, so you need to use those that were found in locations. The player must check the weapon so that it fits the controlled character.
Start of battle
Sometimes you can prepare the battlefield using the technique of magic and leveling the hero. You need to customize your characters in battle order. This is easier to do if the players have already participated in the battle and know that the enemies are there. At higher levels, there is an alternative technique called “catching a fireball”. To do this, it is simply necessary to throw a fireball with a magician into a hidden area to check if there are hidden enemies there.
Icewind Dale 2 on Steam has an official community of experienced players. They constantly share the secrets of battle tactics in a specific situation with the selected characters.
The best battle tactics
Icewind Dale 2 on Android contains a collection of maps and guides related to combat techniques and specific missions. Players there will be able to find a description of a particular event or warrior and read extended information about each type of enemy.
The lure technique can be very valuable. You just need to send a summoned monster or high-level robber / monk to get a whole group of monsters. When they surround the unfortunate character, the player fills them with spells with a large area effect, such as Fireballs. Improved dodging will allow lures to survive. Using this technique, you can greatly reduce the health of many opponents at the same time. In addition, it is sometimes necessary to set fire to your entire group, especially when there is a large-scale battle. There is a high probability that almost all enemies will die from this.
Icewind Dale 2 on Android additionally offers links to the official forum and community of players around the world. Through the mobile application on the gadget, the user can quickly find the necessary guidance or read the description of the passage of a difficult boss.
An enemy close to death still hits as hard as an intact one. Sometimes it is necessary to spread attacks to several enemies at once, but not always. You should first try to lose one enemy before taking another 10 or more opponents. This will help to survive. The only common exception concerns enemy spellcasters. These enemies require the user to share attention between all active heroes. In this situation, it is necessary to carry out a large-scale attack from all fronts.
Crowd control
Creating a squad in Icewind Dale 2 is a crucial and important step. Without well-chosen characters, it is likely that the user will lose in the first battles. It is important to use magic and various traps. The purpose of using spells is to save the player from having to deal with all the enemies that are attacking at the moment. More importantly, you can completely remove the spellcasters. The “Ottyluk Elastic Sphere” is great for this purpose - it prevents you from harming the creature that it contains, but this creature is also helpless and cannot harm. Of course, after it runs dry, an evil wizard appears for the user, but it will be easier to deal with, since by that time he will be left alone.
If you use cheats in Icewind Dale 2, then fighting with enemies will become much easier. Of course, from this interest in the game may soon disappear. Successful use of crowd control techniques will give clerics a different use than healing, and are more likely to survive in all the more difficult battles. The technician is a large number in battles. Therefore, you can use your own imagination to win.
Character Creation
Classes in Icewind Dale 2 provide an opportunity to choose the best, according to users of heroes. This section of the guide is designed to help the player choose a successful group. There are no right and wrong parties, any combination can be successful, but the complexity of the game will affect this choice. The easiest way to get through the game is with a balanced group. Having a well-thought team is a must for survival, especially for beginners. Thus, at the disposal will be all the necessary abilities that will help pass even a complex company.
Characters in Icewind Dale 2 have different abilities. A balanced group consists of advanced tanks, a robber and magical support. In fact, many experienced players are advised to have a couple of fighters (only melee characters), a robber or a bard, a clergyman or a druid, if one of the fighters is a paladin and a wizard. The last of the heroes of the list can be of any class, so you can choose a character at your discretion.
Multi classes
In Icewind Dale 2, passing solo companies is a fascinating event. However, many users make the general mistake of choosing characters with advanced features. These are the heroes of multi classes. Initially, they stand out, but after a few locations, such fighters will begin to lose ground.
Before moving on to individual character classes, you should make out the multi-class in the game. Since there are no prestigious categories of characters in the project, users are advised not to combine a combat unit with other creatures, unless certain bonuses are given (for example, all the free skills that a fighter receives) to obtain levels of another class. It is worth remembering that for too many classes a penalty will be charged.
The truth is that in this game there are not many advantages for multiclassing. The only thing that players will really achieve is the upgrade of one of the controlled heroes. However, other creatures in the team will receive more damage from this. In addition to reducing the potential strength of the characters, multiclassing makes it very difficult to organize the group itself.
A group full of multiclass characters will make the game very difficult, as the user will have many low-level skills and a little higher ones. At the beginning of the game, this is not a problem, but as you advance, you will noticeably lag behind the level of villains.
Race choice
In the games of the second edition, choosing a race for your character was pretty easy. No need to worry about level limits makes this choice much more difficult. All races in the game have both advantages and disadvantages in order to play for them, usually in the form of ability bonuses or fines, or skill bonuses. Some even offer free exploits or a selection of exploits you can buy. All of them are listed in the game and in the manual for it.
Each race has a privileged class. It is not taken into account when determining whether a character deserves a fine for experience for multiclassing. Each race has attribute modifications that make them attractive to certain actions in the company.
Some races may seem much more powerful than others. They begin their careers as significantly stronger characters than anyone in the same class. Alas, these heroes progress much more slowly.
An Azimarov fighter of the first level will require 1000 experience points to rise to the second level, but to reach the third level it will require 3000 points, while a person will be already on the third level after 2000 experience points. This also means that the representative of the Azimarov race has the maximum level that he can achieve, due to the difficult experience limitations, much higher than other fighters.
Character classes
In Icewind Dale 2, a class guide is required so that users can quickly assemble a team, even if they are playing for the first time. The knowledge of the characters gives an advantage in the form of the correct calculation of strength and the development map of each of the soldiers. Not knowing the unique abilities and mission of each hero, there is a high probability that it is possible to suffer defeats from a strong enemy at the very beginning.
The game has the same character classes as Neverwinter Nights, but the developers have changed a few things in them. With the addition and removal of some skills, the classes had to be changed a bit. Some of these changes look a little strange, but do not greatly affect how the character is created.
Unlike Neverwinter Nights, here the user does not need to have a character who must cope with everything on his own. Instead, you need to recruit 6 fighters to the team.
Next, we will talk about character classes that you can choose:
- Barbarian. With higher protection, they have a higher survival rate.
- Bard. Bards have many skills, but they never gain power in any one area, so using a caster or robber would be the best solution.
- Cleric. Clerics are the best divine spellcasters. Their ability to turn undead into objects can help out during the battle.
- Druid. Druid skill in the wilderness knowledge. With it, you can spy on the area and get clues even before the start of the battle.
- Fighter. A fighter is a heavy melee class in a game.
- Monk. Monks belong to multi-class characters. They constantly need to choose skills depending on the received order.
- Paladin. Paladins are more versatile than fighters, but do not strike so hard. The character is improving well.
- Ranger. May be a tank or a fighter. It has several stages of development.
- Robber. Allows you to outwit enemies and attack them from the rear at the most suitable moment for this.
- Wizard and Mage. The wizard moves forward much slower than the wizard. They receive fewer spells per level, but can read much more per day, which makes it possible to improve the attacks and weapons of other team members.
Sorcerers and wizards benefit from the same skills.
Character development
There is a set of unique characters with heroes in the game. They do not open at the very beginning. Players can get them for certain achievements. With each new level, a chain of tests appears, which a assembled group of heroes must pass. The more successfully completed events, the greater the likelihood that users will receive a unique character in their team.
The list of main characters:
- Dariel is a high-elf wizard who has no other aspirations, but she improves her skills and helps those in need. The team helps to create additional spells in order to increase the damage during an attack many times.
- Zigone is the sorceress of Azimarov. She leads the assembled group to unknown lands, both as the main representative and as a magician. Helps to improve already found items. In battle, passive, but well defends a group of heroes when moving to a new location.
- Corlin - Aasimar Cleric Latander. She is the main healer in the group and the main summoner. With its help, during a battle, you can summon spirits and elementals that have great damage.
- Feuer - half orc and fighter. He leads the group in battle, taking responsibility for their safety into his own hands. Reliable fighter with a high level of health. A unique feature is that it can own legendary weapons before it reaches the maximum level.
- Riksha is a tough halfling robber. His main duty is to check the road along which the group is walking. She is a bow master, and creates skillful traps. A handy character that can be used to defend the camp when other wars are resting.
- Rain is a man, a monk of the Old Order. His main duty is to inflict serious damage immediately on a large cluster of enemies. A unique feature is that it is capable of changing the class if necessary and disguising itself to avoid serious damage from powerful enemies.
List of Useful Cheats
Secrets in Icewind Dale 2 can be obtained much faster. To do this, you must use one of the hundreds of cheats presented on the network. The developers themselves have introduced support for special teams so that users can, if they wish, receive the desired item or open the location.
To quickly and successfully complete the levels, you can use special cheat codes that are entered during the game process. Small tricks give huge advantages even to the strongest enemies themselves.
To enter a combination, you need to run the Icewind Dale II configuration utility to enable the cheat console. In the game, CTRL + TAB are pressed together to display the console.
Popular cheats:
- Teleport for the selected party - ctrlaltdelete: hans.
- Calculation of 500 gold coins - ctrlaltdelete: midas.
- Show map for current event - ctrlaltdelete: explorearea.
- Install XP of the selected character - ctrlaltdelete: setcurrentxp.
- Set the current chapter - ctrlaltdelete: setchapter (The prologue is chapter 0).
- Download the specified area - ctrlaltdelete: movetoarea.
- The selected character receives a spell - ctrlaltdelete: addpell.
- The appearance of the specified creature is ctrlaltdelete: createcreature.
Items Cheats:
- Decoration Belt - 00BELT05.
- Boots Of Stealth - 00BOOT02.
- Boots of the North - 00BOOT03.
- Bracers of Defense +2 - 00BRAC02.
- Bracers of Defense +3 - 00BRAC03.
- Crossbow: Hagnen's Madness - 00BWHXHF.
- Crossbow: Hagnen's Nonsense - 00BWLXHF.
- Wicked Armor - 00CHAN06.
- Elven Hand Chain - 00CHAN07
- Armor of Life - 00CHAN08.
- Cloak of Protection +3 - 00CLCK02.
- Diamond - 00GEM26.
- Throwing Ax: Black Flying Death - 00HFAXBD.
- Bow: Mithril Arch - 00HFBCAG.
- Dagger: Isha's Sting - 00HFDGPF.
- Aleberd: Pirate's Hand - 00HFHBDC
- Mace: Glowing Azure Wand - 00HFMEAR.
- Bastard Sword: Bloody Wrath - 00HFSBWR.
- Spear: Blood Drinker of Life - 00HFSRIM.
- Staff: Staff of Fireballs - 00STAF89.
The best mods for the game
Mods in the game are necessary in order to implement or integrate functions that were not originally there. Below will be presented the most popular add-ons for users that make the gameplay even more interesting.
- The Ease-Of-Use mod is a set of useful fixes and minor changes that make the game in IWD2 more bearable. All of these components are optional and can be installed separately:
- Error correction.
- Infinite update.
- The Sith War Song takes place without a fight.
- Superior Holy Avenger.
- Two-handed large sword "Holy Avenger".
- Improved moonblades.
- Improved monk fists.
- Collector's Edition of bonus items.
- Magic weapon of agility.
- Bonus Merchant. This mod adds Ribald Barterman as a bonus seller selling BG2 equipment. He appears in the Gallaway Marketplace and Conlan's Forge in Kuldahar. All items were accurately converted according to the rules of the third edition of Icewind Dale 2.
- Undead Targos mod changes the opening area in IWD2. The city of Targos is now attacked by the undead (and some minor goblins). It is still intended for level 1 groups, but is no longer considered an easy location. In addition, this mod allows you to complete Targos fedex quests faster.
- Icewind Gate II is a project for automatically converting content from BG2 to the IWD2 engine (and D&D rules of the third edition). The integrated system combines the best of both worlds: the IWD2 smart rules table and the BG2 plot. The project is currently in beta testing.
- Comparison of weapon damage. This is an Excel 10 file (Office XP). It can be used to calculate average weapon damage for any type and class.
- Droquil is a level 7 fighter and chaotic kind character drow for Icewind Dale 2. The file contains custom portraits and sounds.