« Baldurs Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast »

Introduction

If it wasn't for all the bugs I would have finished this game three times over. I have better things to do with my time than beta testing release programs!

If you use a SBLive! card and enable the EAX you really should download the latest drivers. It's 24Mb in total, but there are a number of improvements beyond stopping the blue screen of death and deleted save games, although I still believe it still has unresolved glitches, specific to EAX enabled settings.
If you multi-play TOTSC and experience problems, this is probably due to a DirectX conflict (as was the EAX fault above). Updating to DirectX 6.1a should sort this out. Incidentally, I believe DirectX 7.0 beta may be out in June.
There's a HUGE number of other "bugs" are related to the internal game settings. These include:
- If you complete Durlags Tower before Balduran's Island, Mendas disappears with the map - end of play!
- If you take the knife Soultaker back to Ulgoth's Beard, the Cultists attack and disappear, the Dwarf still wants his Grandma's knife. End of play!
- If you complete the Island before the tower you hit problems in the Tower. In AR0512 (with all the silly doors), the doppelgangers do not attack. If the door is opening and shutting constantly, then killing the "Durlag's" nets 400 exp points and full plate armour. If you stop the door bangings, they turn red, but don't attack anyway and you get 4,000 exp. Either way, the 2 doors to the rest of the area remain locked. - end of play! This latter bug is caused by the rune in the left hand corner of the bedroom.

The extract and link below is from Bioware. Interplay, bless 'em - NOT - took a few weeks longer to acknowledge this!

May 19, 1999
BETA Fix For UK / International version of TOTSC
Get the patches from Bioware Amongst other, this appears to fix the NPC spawning bug.

There is a similar beta fix for the US / Canadian Version also from Bioware support.

[ www.interplay.com ] Go to Interplay for the patch, on not, they have gone bust!

I may also deeply disappointed by the lack of animation to the lava and slimes in the lower levels of Durlags Tower. Another sign, I feel, that the add-on for rushed out.

On a purely analytical note...

Assigning AR0500 to Durlag's Tower is wrong - It should be AR2500
Ulgoth's Beard is actually West of Baldur's Gate City - I can make allowances, given the map of the city :-)
I was thoroughly disgusted that BERDUSK - an important trade town and home to the Harpers base - "Twilight Hall" is depicted on the map as a village the size of Gullykin. And never used in the add-on.
What a wasted opportunity!

One area I felt slightly cheated on was when I defeated the Tanar'ri. It screamed out for a movie depicting his banishment from the material plane.

My thought's on the accepted policy of grossly overcharging for games and, especially add-ons in UK and Europe aren't printable on this family site. TOTSC is £19.99 or $19.99 US. I've checked all over Europe and the conversion rate puts it at £19.99. This is a policy of deliberate overcharging - allowed by law! (Something the console vendors go completely overboard with!)

TALES OF THE SWORD COAST TIPS
[Ulgoth's Beard] [Ice Area] [Balduran's Island] [Durlag's Tower] [Soultaker] [Misc.] (Archives)
ULGOTH'S BEARD - AR1000
For the most part I've left out the spoilers, so if anyone is struggling (the Tanar'ri can be a handful!) just drop me an email and I'll walk you through it. If you don't hear in a day or so, send another note. It's not that I don't reply, more that I notice a number of messages rebound. Paul By the way, I've a feeling they weren't even in the game, anyone managed to find the following Mage Scrolls? Improved Invisibility (level 4) Polymorth Other (level 4) Animate Dead (level 5) Cone of Cold (level 5) - advertised on early boxes, not in the game Shadow Door (level 5) Monster Summoning III (level 5) - was found in Durlags Tower, dungeon level 2 ? (Bookshelf?) Same floor as the 4 Warders
This is the starting point on the add-on and you will be automatically be transported here if you beat Sarevok in the first story. There's a few characters to be aware of, including: Shandalar, who will teleport you to an ice island to recover his cloak, if you killed his daughters in Baldur's Gate. If you never killed them, perhaps he will offer you treasure to retrieve it? Replaying with pacifists to see...! Mendas, who sends you off to Balduran's Island Ike, who directs you to Durlag's Tower Kurgan Stoneblade, who wants his grandpa's Soultaker dagger back Various folk with information and dubious wardstones Well stocked General Store

The General Store sells the following new items:
Item	Comments
Cloak of Displacement	AC +4 vs missilies Saving Throw +2 vs Death, Wands and Breath
Greagans Harp	Set number of charges Bards only Domination as per 5th level Mage Spell
Greenstone Amulet	Set number of Charges Works as per level 8 Mage spell - Mind Blank Protects for 1 turn against all charms including Charm, Confusion, Detect Alignment, Domination, ESP, Fear, Feeblemind, Hold, Psionics, Sleep, Stun
Quarterstaff +3	1d6 +3 thaco +3
Ring of Invisibility	Set number charges for Invisibility
Scroll - Defensive Harmony	Level 4 Clerics spell
Scroll - Mental Domination	Level 4 Clerics spell
Scroll - Protect from Evil 10'	Level 4 Clerics spell
Scroll - Protect from Lightning	Level 4 Clerics spell
Scroll - Emotion	Level 4 Mage spell
Scroll - Remove Curse	Level 4 Mage spell
Scroll - Greater Malison	Level 4 Mage spell
He also sells:	A number of potions and scrolls Weapons and Armour - including scimitars for druids Arrows +2 and Acid Bolts +1 and +2 Darts of Stunning Wands of Frost & Heavon

ICE AREA - AR1008 (off the map!)

If you killed Shandalar's daughters you must retrieve his cloak from this icy wasteland.

To make things easier, you are the meal ticket for the following mages:
Uzkiel, Marcellus, Andris, Beyn, Garan, Tellan and Altru'ar
Or a meal for Ankhegs, Winter Wolves and a Polar Bear :-)

This area offers NO new items!

However, it does offer:
SCROLLS:

Dimension Door
Grease
Know Alignment
Protection from Evil
Protection from Normal Missiles
and Vampire Touch

Also: Travellers Robe, Knaves Robe, Darts +1, Wand of Paralysis, Wand of Fear.

BALDURAN'S ISLAND - AR 1500 (off map)

Your task, should you accept this mission... isn't necessarily what it seems!

Wander round the island, talking to everyone and trying to stay alive - despite Werewolves, Wolfweres, Loup Garou, Dire wolves and Dread wolves

There was also a Sirine Queen who had killed a mortal that got a bit fresh. I sided with the Sirine, so I can't say if she had any unique items.

This area offers the following new items:

Balduran's Butter Knife - historical value, no powers
Balduran's Log book - historical value, no powers
Balduran's Sword - gold
2d4
2d4 +4, thaco +4 vs Lycanthropes
Bracers of Binding - *CURSED*
thaco (penalty) +5
Damage (penalty) -5
Casting failure 75%
Chainmail +3 AC 2
Light (weight 9). Perfect for Bards
Dradeel's Spell Book - quest item, illegible
Holy Cloak - Religious artifact - historical value, no powers
Staff Mace
2d4 +2, thaco +2
Wolfsbane
Wolfsbane charm
+2 damage, +2 thaco vs Lycanthropes
Werebane dagger - silver
1d4 +1
1d4 +4 vs Lycanthropes

The following items can also be found:

Knaves Robe, Cloak of Protection +1, Shield Amulet, Wand of Lightning.

DURLAG'S TOWER - AR0500
In the area outside the tower you will meet "Erdane", a tinker of sorts who can offer: Scimitars, Darts (stunning), arrows (+1, acid, fire) Bolts (+1, lightning), Bullets (+1, +2) and a Wand of Fire. Characters happy to remove life and limb include: Skeletons, Doppelgangers and Greater Doppelgangers, one of which has a Dire Charm scroll, Battle Horrors, and on the battlements more undead horrors. If you crave exp. there's half a dozen basilisks lurking on the towers, accessible from the upper levels inside the Tower itself.
INSIDE THE TOWER - UPPER LEVELS
AR0500 - Ground Floor Meet Ike, Tourists and a DemonKnight AR0502 - First Floor Meet the towers guests - ghastly, they are :-) AR0503 - Second Floor Meet more ghasts. You might want a mirror if you venture outside, those Basilisks have a mighty powerful stare. Find Fire arrows and scrolls of Resist Fear and Mirror Image AR0504 - Third Floor These ghasts are getting tiresome, but a ghost and adventurer named Riggilo liven it up. Finds include: Tome of Understanding - Wisdom +1 Wand of Lightning, (and, on Riggilo: Short Sword +1 and Leather Armour +1) AR0505 - Fourth floor Besides the now generic ghasts, a most interesting level :-) Here it is you meet Kirinhale - a trapped Succubus, partner to "Aec", who you may meet later. If you kill her you get: New items: Spear Staff 1d8 +3 thaco +3 (usable by ALL classes) and Succubus hair If you agree to release her, your Karma goes down, but she promises to repay you at a later day, in the way of her kind. (Succubus are low level Tanar'ri, incidentally). I would love to see how Bioware script the repayment in! There's also a Halberd +1, Cloak of Protection +1 and Robes of Electricity. I have a feeling my notes may be off slightly, if so, the latter two are on the previous floor, near the ghost.
INSIDE THE TOWER - LOWER LEVELS
AR0501 - Basement Ghasts and Greater Doppelganger Find Leather Armour +1, Ring of Protection +1, Bolts of Biting, Arrows of Acid and SCROLLS: Cloudkill and Summon Monster II AR0511 - sub-level 1 Get map of sub-level 1 What a fun filled place this is, as well and the traps that infamously riddle this place, on this level there are: Ghasts, Ghouls, Flesh Golems, Zombies, Greater Doppelgangers, Skeleton Warriors, Phase Spiders and Wraith Spiders. A point of note, this following AD&D rules and all, Wraith Spiders are supposed to get level drains on you when they bite... To get the Wardstone to the next level, talk to the Dwarven Warders Besides quest items like grapes, gong and gems, you can find: Bolts (+1 and Lightning), Arrows (+1 and Acid), Darts (+1 and Stunning) 2 Handed Sword +1, Small Shield +1, Sling +1 SCROLLS: Cloudkill Confusion Summon Monster II and Protection From Magic This area offers the following new items: PLATE ARMOUR +3 A/C 0 - (weight only 18 - Dwarven alloy - but why does all Dwarven armour fit Elves!!!) SCROLLS: CHAOS - Level 5 Mage spell FEEBLE MIND - Level 5 Mage spell HOLD MONSTER - Level 5 Mage spell Mental Domination - Level 4 Cleric spell AR0512 - sub-level 2 Get map of sub-level 2 Can't miss this level, besides a large number of Wardstones and multiple door switches, it's crawling with Ghasts and Greater Doppelganger, with the friendly face being the Dwarven Doom Guards, guarding Kiel's body. Finds include SCROLLS: COLOUR SPRAY, DIMENSION DOOR, HASTE (x5), LIGHTNING (?), MONSTER SUMMONING II, PROTECTION NORMAL MISSILES & SKULL TRAP This area offers loads of new scrolls: SCROLLS - Level 4 Mage: EMOTION GREATER MALISON OLILUKES RESILIENT SPHERE POLYMORTH SELF REMOVE CURSE SPIRIT ARMOUR SCROLLS - Level 5 Mage: DOMINATION (x2 ?) SCROLLS - Level 4 Cleric: DEFENSIVE HARMONY PROTECTION FROM LIGHTNING SCROLLS - Level 5 Cleric: CHAMPIONS STRENGTH - Level 5 Cleric Scroll This area also offers new items: KIEL'S MORNINGSTAR 2d4 +3 - CURSED Berserker KIEL'S BUCKLER A/C +1 Dexterity +1 - Perfect for thieves KIEL's HELM Morale boost and immunity to all forms of panic and fear DURLAG'S GOBLET Heals 5 HP, but CURSES for 12 hours of Fear I thought this was a "hack" item, but Mikko Kaario of Finland kindly tells us that Durlag's Goblet lies simply on the ground, at the level where Kiel's last rest is. AR0513 - sub-level 3 Get map of sub-level 3 Can't say I was impressed with the animations to the lava, slime etc. What a let down!!! This level you get to have pointed talks with: Ashiruku (Invisible backstabbers, bit like Unions!), Greater Ghast, Skeletons, Greater Wyvern, re-vitalised Heroes, and Phoenix Guards Air Aspect (Wyvern) and Invisible Stalkers Fussion Slime Winter Wolves and Winter Bear (Forgot name!) A word of warning, when you defeat the last of the above, it's a one way trick to the final level. Finds include loads of arrows (including Detonation and Dispelling), bolts and darts. This area offers the following new items: BALA'S BATTLEAXE - 1d8 and Miscast Magic - useful! LEVEL 5 MAGE SCROLL - HOLD MONSTER LEVEL 4 CLERIC SCROLL - MENTAL DOMINATION (?) This area offers the following new items: (none ?) AR0506 - sub-level 5a After defeating the four elementals, you are teleported to a life or death Chess match against other adventurers - winner takes all. The ensuing battle yields: Medium shield +1 (x2) and... the following new items: Two Handed Sword +3 1d10 +3 thaco +3 (Minsc is in his element!) LEVEL 4 MAGE SCROLLS: EMOTION, REMOVE CURSE LEVEL 4 CLERIC SCROLL: PROTECTION FROM EVIL 10' LEVEL 5 CLERIC SCROLL: CHAMPIONS STRENGTH AR0514 - sub-level 5 Get map I've played a few time and I'm still shaky on all the undead, although a certain amount is random - I'll correct later if I'm wrong. Anyway, plunging ahead into one of the more cerebral levels... Beasties in need of etiquette include: Ghasts and Greater Ghasts (?), Ghouls (?) and Greater Ghouls, Crypt Crawlers, Slimes (?) Phase Spiders, Astral Phase Spiders, Wraith or Sword Spiders, and Ettercaps Helmed Horrors and a few traps to get you dancing *SPOILER FOLLOWS* First Stone Golem, the answers include: Youngest son of Durlag is FUERNEBOL Durlag = TROLLKILLER Durlag's father is Bolher THUNDERAXE Matron of the clan is ISLANNE I seem to remember this takes you to another Golem, if so, the answer is (3) West, South, East, North Bone Wardstone Golem Trace the path of this fear... (1) It began with you and your need for a home... Compass wardstone Golem (3) In your eyes, you are the one to blame... *SPOILER ENDS* Besides a vast amount of treasure (circa 20,000gp worth?) there's; Wardstones - Compass (found on Grael) and Bone (found with Helmed Horrors) Necklace of Missiles, Bracers AC8 Wands - Fireball and Monster Summoning Warhammer +1 Scrolls - HORROR, STRENGTH, AGANAZZERS SCORCHER This area offers all these new items: CLOAK OF THE SHIELD +5 vs Missiles +1 vs weapons (limited charges) FLAME TONGUE - Long Sword +1 1d8 +1 thaco +1 1d8 +2 thaco +2 vs Regenerating creatures 1d8 +3 thaco +3 vs Cold using creatures 1d8 +4 thaco +4 vs Undead LARGE SHIELD +2 AC +3 (+1 vs missiles) LEATHER ARMOUR +3 - AC 5 MACE +2 1d6 +3 thaco +2 SLING +3 thaco +3 STAFF OF STRIKING 1d6 +9 thaco +3 (limited charges at +9)

ULGOTH'S BEARD - SOULTAKER

Returning to Ulgoth's Beard with the dagger - Soultaker - lets you encounter Cult Assassins, Archers and Enforcers and then have at a Nabassu*.

From writings in the tower...
"Durlag and his Man-at-Arms Arlo Stoneblade went into the Great Rift and fought the Tanar'ri Aec'Letec and trapped his soul in a dagger"

*AD&D Stats:

AC-5, thaco 13 with 7d +20 HP
Movement 12 with 3 Attacks (2d4 claw, 2d4 claw, 3d4 bite)
Magic Resistant spellcaster - (Death Gaze), (Paralyse), (Ethereal)
Energy Drain, Regenerate, Silence 15", Vampire Touch, Summon Ghast

That was fun - even if they were too tight to add a suitable animation / movie for defeating a Greater Daemon of the Abyss...

For all that, apart from a few potions, IF you talk to the right person the section offers only this new item:

"THE CAPPER" - Warhammer +1 (+4)
1d4 +2 thaco +1 vs Humanoids
1d4 +4 thaco +5 vs Giants - Give it to Kivan for thaco +9 bonus vs Ogres :-)

MISCELLANEOUS

I was playing around with some hack tools and found some new toys. As far as I can make out, these are not available in the game (like some of the spells) and fall under three categories.

Pencilled in for current or future games, but not implimented
Pencilled in, but dropped
Fripperies the developers played with - like Easter Eggs

The new items include:

HIDE ARMOUR - AC 6
I believe this is actually in the game but I failed to make to note of it...
HOWEVER
Mikko Kaario of Finland (and I think someone else - sorry, I forgot whom!) kindly e-mailed me to say you can buy this from the tinker outside Durlags Tower
Club +1 - "The Root of the Problem (Looks like a branch)
1d6 +1
1d6 +3 vs "Unnatural Creatures" (whatever they may be)
LONGSWORD +1 - "VAMPIRE'S REVENGE" (Looks like L/S +1)
On a successful hit, the amount of damage inflicted is drained from the wielder to heal the victim
From description: "SPECIAL: Affects intelligence in a -ve manner... I think... duhhhhhh"
From description: "Not usable by - The lucky ones - cleric...
SWORD OF CHAOS
No description under Identify
Unequipped looks like Long Sword +1, equipped has jade handle and scarlet edge to the blade. Seems to be a standard 1d8 +1 though.
DURLAG'S PRIDE - Two handed sword +2
But described as 1d10 +1, thaco +1
Unequipped it looks like a very nice Runesword

COMMENT

The question I have is obvious, why is a 4' Dwarf favouring a 6' sword. Duh!

This seems to be generic code!
It looks like a standard Girdle / belt
The "Identify" illustration shows Plate Armour - which is the slot it fits in
The description is for a cursed Spear 1d6 +3 (Backbiter)
The code has it as "Cursed Plate Mail Armour & Spear"