(1st time opening a new topic, I hope I didn't mess up anything^^')

I've played BG1 some time ago, and when I borrowed BG2 from a classmate (my only way of getting PC games back then) I continued playing with my BG1 endgame savefile. I did almost every quest it was possible to do before freeing Imoen.
However I needed to give BG2 back to my classmate, so I've never finished it.

I'm currently playing playing BG1 EE, and I'm almost at the end. I'm going to start BG2 EE after that, but I feel a little guilty, because I've never finished the "normal" BG2. I don't want to play the normal BG2 now, because I don't have an endgame save from BG1, only from BG1 EE.

I don't know what should I do for the best first-play experience.
Should I play BG2 EE twice: first completely ignoring the new quests and characters, and only doing quests that are available in the normal version, then play "enhanced" only on my 2nd playthrough,
or
just play BG2 EE, with all characters, and quests, and stuff?

Also:
Can you please give me some advice for the beginning dungeon? I remember it being very long, and I remember that I hated it. Could you please help me, how could I get out of there as soon, and as easy as possible?
What sould I do with the vampires, when they appear? I remember dieing, and dieing, and dieing, because no weapon of mine could touch them, and I didn't try casting spells in town, knowing it's forbidden (what happenes, if I do cast a spell btw?).

Also:
Wich companions should I bring with me, role-play wise? 1st playthrough, so I'm much more interested in the story than in the "hard tactical-combat". I've read somewheren that the guy we meet in the 1st dungeon (forgot his name) has a huge role in the story, if it's true then I want to keep him around. I also want to bring Anomen with me, because I want to finish the romance I started on my previous play. Role-play wise I was thinking of Jaheira+Imoen, but I'm not sure, since I haven't played the game too much. Previously I had Anomen, Jaheira, Aerie, Minsc, Viconia and myself, mage-thief. I stopped playing before freeing Imoen, and I remember being furious, because I loved playing as a mage-thief, then suddenly *boom*: mage-thieves are everywhere in BG2 -_-
My EE character is a fighter-mage dual (started as fighter, went for mage as soon as it was possible), and dual-wields katanas (and she kicks some serious ass with them o_o)

(Sorry for the lots of questions^^'')

I confess that I am utterly confused. You talk about role playing and how the story is more important to you than any power gaming, and yet you say you want to get out of the initial dungeon asap -- it is an incredibly important part of the storyline -- and you dally around Faerun doing quests galore, while your life-long friend is incarcerated in a dungeon somewhere! Where is the role playing in this? Like I say, I'm confused. What is it, exactly, that you *really* want? This must (in my view) be addressed before any answers to your questions make sense.

Yes, I see your point....
Well, about the dungeon: It was too.... horroristic for me :( I have blood-phobia, and a weak stomach, so I just... can't stand dark-bloody places like that :( to be exact: I don't run away from every single drop of blood in videogames, but when Imoen told me about how she was forced to watch another charater being taken apart... I almost throw up ._. Being locked up in a mad mage's laboratory surrounded by bloody bodies, and other stuff... it was too much for me. I just wanted to get out of there T-T (in other words: I chickened out :P). Maybe I'll feel different now, because I'm almost 10 years older tho... But all I have is bad memories of that place :'(
About Imoen: I was barely 14 back then when I last played. Role playing didn't mean that much to me back then, than now (age 23). I wanted to get ready, equip myself properly, etc. I said I almost did every quest it was possible, because I didn't know what is waiting for me in the free-Imoen quest, and I wanted to be prepared. I and got lost in questing... ._. (and I could only play for a few days before giving the disc back..)

(multiply edits for spelling >_<)

I can see why you would want to escape the initial dungeon, but unfortunately blood and torture is what Imoen is going through while your character is free to do... whatever, while she is in a worse dungeon. On a role playing level, she needs you!

Ok, I will try to answer some of your questions now:

For the best first-play experience you should play BG2 (not EE), since the enhanced version is not the same (forget anything about better graphics or whatever); it is not the original, no matter what anybody would have you believe. You can always come back to the EE version, but you owe it to yourself to experience the original first.

The initial dungeon we have already touched on. Like I said, it's a very important part of the story, but if you feel that you absolutely cannot stomach it, there is a mod available calle 'Dungeon Be Gone'. It's a silly mod that 'magically' places a bard at the start who can transport you and your party to the exit. Silly, as I said, but it's an option.

You need magical weapons to be able to hit vampires. The higher the vampire, the better the weapon you need. Some boss vampires cannot be hit by anything lower than a +3 weapon.

Spellcasting is forbidden in Athkatla, and you will be punished by the Cowled Wizards (the bastards who have Imoen) if you use it in the city. BUT... you can go to the government district and bribe the official (costs 5000!) to enable you to use magic.

Companions: role play wise (I hate the term 'canon') it makes sense to take Jaheira and Minsc, because they also have a score to settle with Irenicus. Imoen is essential if you play a role where she is your friend -- only heartless bastards would abandon her, story-wise. Other companions you should choose to compliment your party. With Jaheira and Minsc you have one fighter and one fighter/divine caster. You should definitely incorporate a cleric (Aerie, Viconia, Anomen), and a mage (Aerie, Imoen, Nalia, Edwin). Remember that in BG evil aligned will generally not get along with good, and vice versa.

Hopefully, that will give you some ideas. Don't hesitate to ask if you need any more help or clarifications.

Thank you for the answers.
Playing the original BG2 would also mean that I have to go through BG1 again (because I don't really want to start a character in BG2) Technically I have enough free time to do it, but playing BG1 after finishing BG1, instead of continuing to BG2... >_<
What are the disadvantages of starting a char in BG2, instead of importing? (I'm thinking of making a fighter-mage dual)

I'll try to go through the dungeon first, but I might use that mod you mentioned... (as I said before, I really can't bear stuff like that....).
Or find a way to spawn some good items via console/cheat anything, get out of there, than drop the illegitimate stuff to the ground, and leave it there....

Vampires... yes, I keep thin in mind... I won't sell a single +weapon I find. (+ I'll definetly bribe the dude when I have the money...)
Does +1 enough for vampires on the streets, or I need +2?

So: Imoen, Jaheira, Minsc, Anomen and +1.
Is the NPC in the dungeon really important for the story? If yes, it will be him then.
I'll add a mage until I free Imoen. (the main mage is my PC^^)

Forgot to ask: how prepared should I be for freeing Imoen? I don't want to spoil everything for me, but I guess I should not run there as soon as I can do it....

Importing a character from BG1 EE into normal BG2 actually works. I tried it.

No it doesn't. Really. You can import you EE character directly into BG2 if you wish. Just copy your save or character file/s from

\Documents\Baldur's Gate - Enhanced Edition\characters\
\Documents\Baldur's Gate - Enhanced Edition\save\

into your BG2 \characters\ or \save\ folder/s, and import as normal. The only disadvantages are any increased stats you might have gained from tomes, and the possibility to import 2 unique items at the start, plus the Golden Pantaloons, but it's not a big deal. Story-wise it makes sense to import, but otherwise a new character is fine. You should be aware that there are far worse things in this game than the initial dungeon. Just so you know. For common vampires, yes, but for named bosses a better weapon is usually required. By the NPC in the dungeon, do you mean Yoshimo? If so, he's not required; he is part of the storyline only in a minor sense. When I play BG2 I always rush to pick up Imoen right away. Usually, it's enough to complete one major quest just to get the required money to pay the Thieves Guild or Bhodi. Once I have the money, I go there (to Imoen) with all haste -- I'm not a power gamer; role playing is my preferred style. If you're going to role play, you have to take it seriously, or you may as well power game your way through.

I didn't know I can import EE saves to normal BG. Thx, problem solved :D
So I can pick up Imoen fast. Good to know^^
Yes, Yoshimo, just forgot his name^^

I'm aware that there are much worse things, but:
Ugly/disgusting monsters, some bodies and some blood is no porblem.
I honestly think that my main problem with the beginning dungeon was that it felt more like a survival-horror game than an RPG. Being locked in a place like this, while being weak and having low level equipment felt more like a psyhological horror than a role-playing game >_<
Also, when bodies are taken apart, and blood and insides covering everything my blood-phobia tends to kick in... my phobia started when I was a child, and went to an extra program in the zoo. We visited the kitchen where the food for the animals was prepared. Everything was ok, until a van arrived with a fresh, dead cow. And the butcher started to take it apart in front of our eyes. Cut the stomach, take the insides out... I don't want to remember >_< This is when my phobia started, since than I almost faint if I see a single drop of blood in real life... In videogames I endure it a lot better, but seeing blood/insides everywhere, especially bodies taken apart... it just reminds me of this cow...... hope you understand ._.
(like the autopsy in The Witcher. It wasn't even shown on screen, and yet it gave me nausea ._.)

First of all, forgive me for going off-topic for a bit, but, as always, I have nothing to add to what Hickory said.

What I wanted to say was 'thank you, Hickory'. Seriously. You're the most patient, accessible guy when it comes to all these awesome D&D Infinity Engine titles, and you've helped me time and time again when answering these questions people pose the community. I'm nothing short of a newbie, and you've been really helpful. Let me just tell you that if more of my friends had been like you and less elitist and self-entitled, I wouldn't have missed these great games back in the day. And, trust me, I tried them to hell and back, but without any help and pointers whatsoever, they're really hard for me. Fortunately, now I have this amazing community here in the GOG forums, and people like you, who take the time to explain everything you can to us, newcomers. I can't thank you enough! If I'm succeeding in these games, and loving them so much, it's mostly out of all the help you keep providing us.

Thanks as well, obviously, to all the fine people who keep asking questions I needed to see answered too, for without them there wouldn't be answers to begin with.

Back on topic, now, sorry!

:)

P.S.: Yes, I could have just written and sent a PM, but I think these acknowledgements ought to be public, because these guys deserve all the recognition they can get.

In all honesty I can only sympathise, since I cannot imagine how some 2D sprites could cause such aversion. Having said that, I do not 'see' such vivid images of blood and gore in this game. Maybe it is purely psychological, I don't know, but I see far worse scenes in the game than the original dungeon. What's important, though, is that you play the game only in a way that allows you to enjoy it, and if that means skipping Chateaux Irenicus, then sobeit. Play it YOUR way. First of all, you'll forgive me for not quoting all you said, as it feels like conceit on my part. But thank you very much for your kind words. I would like to add my voice to your own, in thanking all of the people who give of their time to help others in these forums, and also the questioners too. Cheers!

Thank you for your help :)
It's time for me to finish BG1 EE then^^
If I have a question, later, I'll ask^^

As for the disadvantage of not importing, you can also look into a save editor to give yourself a stat boost in the areas that you got them in BG1 (if you can remember), as well as experience equivalent to what you would have had by the end of the game (personally, I just gave Minc, Jaheira, Imoen, and myself the most XP that the BG1 xp cap would have allowed, and it sounds like you don't have your original save file any more to double check).

I was thinking of a save-editor as well, but now that I know that EE files can be transfered to normal BG2 my problem is solved :) However, since I've played almost 10 yrs ago, I don't remeber whether weapon skills transfer as well. If they do, than I will need a save editor, because I only have EE weapon skills^^
I used save editor in my current playthrough in EE, because I was curious about the 3 new chars, and their quests, and I needed to keep my rep low enough, so the evil char doesn't leave my party.

EE uses the same weapon skill trees as BG2, so there's no problem there.

Oo nice :D
I have just killed Sarevok 1 minute ago, time to start BG2^^