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Icewind Dale 2
FAQ and Walkthrough v1.0 finale
Copyright 2002 by Orest (y_orest@yahoo.com)

Last updated on November 6, 2002

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SOME CORYRIGHT NOTE:
This document was written by Orest also known as D.Y. and cannot be used
without his permission. To receive my permission you need only one thing: email
(y_orest@yahoo.com) me and receive my permission. Of course, you can read and
print this document but don't post this document on your site without my
permission. I hate copyright violence so don't angry me.

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SOME EMAIL NOTE:
If you have questions about my guide or want to add or correct something then
send me a message (y_orest@yahoo.com). But don't try to send letters with some
nasty remarks. I will not answer the questions if the answer is already in this
document. Please put "IWD2" subject when emailing me. Latest updates of this
guide are available at www.gamefaqs.com . I am sorry if I don't respond to the
letters because I read my mailbox not often. I can respond to the letters
lately.

If you didn't receive my reply than the reasons are:
1. You didn't ask the questions or offer suggestions and you don't need my
reply.
What to do: If you want my reply then ask the questions or offer some
suggestions.
2. The answer is already in this document.
What to do: Try to read this walkthrough attentively because the heroes
actions are described as their own actions and the walkthrough goes as an
adventure story.
3. The answer is in game manual.
What to do: Read the game manual. I recommend to read the game manual
before playing the game.
4. The letter is already in my mailbox but I didn't check the mailbox.
What to do: Wait for reply. I check my mailbox twice at week.
5. Your letter is bugged or nasty.
What to do: You are not so lucky.
6. I have no time for response (job, rest, etc)
What to do: Wait until I reply or forget about your letter. May be I'll not
reply but in 50% cases I reply.
7. This game is too old (2002 year is the Icewind Dale 2 release year)
What to do: forget about me
8. The questions are out of IWD2 topic.
What to do: Answer your questions to others


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VERSION HISTORY
v1.0 The release of the IWD2 FAQ/Walkthrough (November 6, 2002)
This version is final and not updatable in future.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
PART 0: INTRODUCTION
PART 1: CREATING YOUR TEAM
PART 2: FAQ
PART 3: WALKTHROUGH
PART 4: CONCLUSION

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Part 0: Introduction
Here is the plan of this document. In Part 1 I describe some combination of
the characters and their effectiveness in the game. Part 2 consist of FAQ. Part
3 contains game walkthrough in nonstandard way and Part 4 contains the
conclusion.
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Part 1: Creating your team
So you want to beat this game then you need your character team. I recommend
you to skip default teams and create your own team. I will not describe all
classes, races and etc because you can find the information about them when
creating your team.
The first question must be: how many people are in my team? For super
hardcore players who wants to see your character corpses or enjoys game
reloadings I recommend 1-2 players in the team. Three characters is good for
hardcore players who wants to be the game very difficult. My choice is 4
characters in the team because of more XP and a little hardcore game. For less
experienced players I recommend 5-6 characters. 5 is the optimal choice.
Now you need to decide what classes must be in your team ?

Team member 1:
Here is some classes for character 1 place in team. Character 1 is a front
line warrior. This character serves as a main target for enemies and must have
a lot of HP and a good cover from other team members.
1.1 Fighter
This is the best choice for character 1 in the team because fighters gains
a lot of feats and the only class with weapon specialization feat available. I
recommend to use some strong two-handed weapon and gain weapon specialization
for this weapon. Bastard sword and large sword is not bad too.
1.2 Barbarian
You can use this class as a alternative to the fighter class. Barbarians
gain a lot of HP and some good abilities. Half-Orcs are the best race for this
class (because you can increase your STR to 20 with this race and multiclass
without XP penalty).
1.3 Paladin
Paladin class is worse then Fighter or Barbarian. Paladins gain some
useful bonuses at lower levels and can turn undead. I think that turn undead
ability is useless in IWD2 because there are few undead in game. From level 4
paladins gain some spells but very slowly. The good choice for character 1 is
to pick a paladin and from level 4-8 multiclass to fighter. You can use this
class as a party leader because of good CHA. You can detect evil people when
talking to some people in game. Paladins always refuse the rewards from people
so don't talk to people with this class when you want quest's reward. The best
race is Aasimar and the good order is paladin of Helm.
1.4 Ranger
This class is the worst from previous classes. The only serious advantage
is some useful 2-weapon fighting feats. Single development for this class is
not recommended so multiclass to other class. The spells are very slow to gain.
But it is possible to survive with this class in the game.
1.5 Monk
Good class. If you choose the monk than single development for this class
is more recommended. Monks receive some useful abilities and bonuses during the
development up to level 20. At the beginning of the game monks are weak but
after chapter 1 you'll see the changings. Monks have the best saving throws
bonuses but are restricted in multiclassing. They are weaker then fighters or
barbarians in melee but their bonuses compensate this disadvantage.

Team member 2:
This place is the place for backup front/middle/cover line warrior. This is
also a scout with some negotiator abilities. This character explores the area
for possible dangers, fights the enemies in melee or range distance without
attracting attention and backups the team member 1 in critical situations for
team member 1. Can also serve as a decoy for enemies.
2.1 Rogue
The best candidate for this place. Can be used as a scout, thief and
negotiator because of high skill points. Use his sneak attack on enemies who
fight team member 1.
2.2 Bard
Not good for this place. His main adavantage is his songs. Sing before
battle and cover team member 1 in melee or range attack. Use bard for thievery.
Bard is a bad scout but can unlock the locks.
2.3 Ranger
Not bad. Use him as a scout and second front line fighter in addition to
team member 1.
2.4 Monk
Can be scout and melee fighter.

Team member 3:
This place is for character who watches the condition of other team
members and restores their conditions to normal or increases some
characteristics according to the battle. The place for this character in the
middle line of the fight. Another purpose for this character is to weaken the
enemies, create some summoning creatures and sometimes fight in melee/range
some enemies.
3.1 Cleric
The best candidate for this place. Heal your team members, dispel some
enemy effects and use some magic/fighting against enemies. Summon the creatures
and increase party attributes/defense. Ressurect dead.
3.2 Druid
This class has less healing spells but more offensive/summoning. Use
some offensive magic against enemies and heal party members
3.3 Bard
The worse candidate. Use him to increase some characteristics and as a
minor healer.

Team member 4:
This place is for character with offensive/defensive/other magic
specialization. Use this character for magic cover and some summoning spells.
The main purpose is offensive magic. This characters must be in the back line.
Other characters must protect this team member.
4.1 Wizard
The function for this character is simple: cast spells to kill enemies
and avoid melee fightings. Use your ability to prepare spells in different
situations.
4.2 Sorceror
Same purpose as wizard with the difference that you can cast more
offensive spells then wizard. Avoid melee fightings. Summoning spells not
recommended.
4.3 Druid
Worse then previous two classes but can be useful on this place

Team member 5:
This is place for some additional front line figher, divine or arcane
spellcaster or skip this place.

Team member 6:
Same as team member 5.
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Part 2: FAQ

1) What is IWD2?
This is Icewind Dale 2 abbreviation

2) Can I increase some of my attributes above 18 at the beginning of the game
?
You can increase your attributes above 18 up to 20 for races with bonuses
on this attributes. For example, half-orcs have bonus STR +2 so you can
increase the half-orc's strength up to 20 at the beginning of the game. You can
also decrease all attributes to 3. If some race has some penalty for example
halfings STR -2 than you can increase halfing STR maximum to 16 points, you can
also decrease halfing's STR to 1 then other races. Humans can increase their
attributes to 18 at maximum.

3) What are Orders for paladins, monk and clerics?
When creating one of this characters you need to choose their order. For
paladins and monks the order has some multiclass restrictions. For clerics the
order is cleric domain bonus spells (some of this spells are arcane), alignment
restriction and spell restrictions.

4) What is Magic device skill?
This skill is available only for bards and rogues. It allows them to use
spell scrolls and magic wands. You cannot use class/ race/alignment restrictive
items with this skill in IWD 2. I think that this skill is useless in IWD2.

5) What is the difference between cleric's Raise Dead and Ressurection spells?
Raise Dead spell ressurects the dead character with 1 HP (health points).
Ressurection spell ressurects dead character with full HP. Elves can not be
ressurected by Raise Dead spell.

6) What is weapon proficiency, weapon focus and weapon specialization feats ?
This feats are available for every kind of weapon (mace, large sword, small
sword , axe and etc). The one point means you have weapon proficiency with
chosen weapon and you can use this weapon without -4 penalty to attack. Two
points means weapon focus and you receive +1 to attack with chosen weapon.
Three points means weapon specialization and this feat is available only for
fighter class, with this feat you have +2 damage bonus with chosen weapon (very
good).

7) How character gender influences the game process in IWD 2 ?
The only difference is character appearance and nothing more. This is true
for all AD&D games.

8) What is the maximum charater level?
Level 30, but it is impossible to reach this level from first attempt
while beating the game. Try to play the game with same party second time and
enable Heart of Fury mode.

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Part 3: Walkthrough

This walkthrough is written in nonstandard way. I described this walkthough
as a story of four adventurers in Icewind Dale world. So let the story begin.

main story characters:
1) name: Drake
gender: male
race: aasimar
class: paladin of Helm
alignment: lawful good
abilities: STR(18),DEX(10),CON(18),INT(3),WIS(12),CHA(19)
skills: diplomacy(4)
feats: martial weapon: large sword (weapon focus)
special abilities: party leader, divine faith, diplomat, strong reaction
to evil deeds , charismatic, more experienced then other party members
background: Drake is the son of the famous noble family. He was trained
in all kinds of weapon and has some melee battle experience. His high strength