I just started playing BG and is it me or is this a HARD game?
My party right now is My main character, Imoen, Montaron, and Xzar and I can't even get through the 1st fight in the mines!

My main character has the bastard sword, splint mail, a helmet and a medium shield, Imoen has the Light crossbow and some bolts, Montaron the same equipment as my main character and Xzar (the weak priest with barely any spells!) just a staff.

1. Is this pretty much the best equipment I can buy at this point (all that armor +1 and weapons +1 stuff is Expensive!)?

2. Am I missing any characters? I could have that guy with the 2 handed sword who carries a critter for a quick item (lol!) but he wants you to go on this save-the-girl-in-the-knoll-fortress quest and turns on you if you don't :( .

3. How about doing quests for people? I did the snow wolf quest for 500 gold and I know there's a guy who has Bounties you can do in Nashkel, but is there anywhere else?

4. What's the best way(s) to earn experience (that snow wolf quest was good, got me 975 exp...)?

Thanks, and btw, can someone refer me to a walkthrough or two?

Oh and btw, Xzar has these Oil of Speed potions...are they valuable or should I sell them? (500 GP a piece ain't bad!).

Did you go to the freindly arm inn? Did you explore Beregost? Have you considered picking up Khalid and Jaheira? That guy with the animal in the quick slot is pretty good, and his girl is a better mage than Xzar, IMHO. You need to explore the areas you were in before you got to nashkel to get experience by doing quests. As for the potions of speed, Yes i usually sell them.

n00body, firstoff, next time you forget to place something in a post there is a small link at the top of your personal post that allows you to edit any of your own posts, or even delete them. Second, if you followed the dialogue (or monologue as your PC doesn't speak all that much) with Gorion he said to meet Khalid and Jaheira at the Friendly Arm Inn. Also Xzar is not a priest (i.e. Cleric, or Druid) he is a mage, and a darn crappy one at that. But don't worry; he serves his purpose for the time you have him.

I would say that the game is hard because it seems that after picking up Xar and Monteron you went right to Naskel. The problem is that you are weak right now so here are some tips to help you:

1.Go back north to the Friendly Arm Inn and pick up Jaheira and Kahlid. Kahlid is a fighter and Jaheira is a Fighter/Druid. Jaheira has healing spells and the very important - IMO - entangle spell. The entangle spell is GREAT for low level parties because it keeps the enemy at bay as your group pelts them with bullets and arrows.

2.It is ESSENTIAL that every character in your group have ranged weapons like bows or slings. Get Kahlid a bow, get Imoen a bow and drop the cross bow (too slow),get Jaheira a sling and some bullets. Do you have a bow? Ranged weapons really soften up an enemy before your fighters have to take them on with their swords. If you are going to keep Xar and Monteron do the same for them, BUT notice the alignment clashes if you do.

3.When you leave the Friendly Arm Inn check out the buildings in the compound. There just might be a quest in it for you. Also, go upstairs in the inn and there might be other quests. Then go outside the compound and check the surrounding area. When you clear out the area do what you have to do and head south again.

4. Explore the areas between the FAI and Beregost. The enemies are often weaker and you can some nice experience plus arrows, weapons, gold and other items you can sell. Head to Beregost and check it out thoroughly. There are a lot of important things to find out there. If something seems important write it down. DON'T rely on the ingame journal.

5. You can now leave and head east to the Temple OR you can continue heading south to Nashkel. Again, explore the areas between Beregost and Nashkel. More enemies vanquished = more experience and gold.

6. That "guy with a two-handed sword" is Minsc who happens to be the most powerful character in the game with an 18/93 strength! He is a good ranger but you are right on one thing and that is that you have 10 days to get Dynaheir or he goes bonkers. I don't know if you can get him back once you rejected him. I strongly recommend loading an earlier save BEFORE you met him and go get Dynaheir. She is a tremendous mage and Minsc will stay. Of course if you decide to get Minsc you'll have to reform your party. This means that you'll have to boot somebody. The problem is Jaheira and Kahlid are a team and Xar and Monteron are a team. Kick one out and the other leaves. This is my own opinion, but I'd keep Kahlid and Jaheira. The other two are evil unless of course you are evil or at least neutral.

* Take your time. Use the surrounding countryside to meet enemies and level up.Evenetually it will all make sense. I hope this helps and good luck!

Also, to make your game easier you could try equiping gear that your party members are proficient in. This takes away any penalties, if not gives bonuses.