So, hey.
 
I've just recently picked up this, after seeing the resurgence of big C/W Rpgs, so I figured I'd pick this up after missing it like an idiot when I was too young to appreciate it. And wow, this is really something else. UI seems...not barren, just somewhat counter intuitive. As I was barreling through the tutorial, I got to a point where a shapeshifter and a ranger joined my team, and it advised me to try out their special skills. I just managed to find the special skills button, but then it hurled me into the next section. Is there anything that anyone can suggest I try out, or learn before I get into this? I know I'm going to have to train myself to manage spells better, with the whole "You get one fireball a day" rationing.
 
Many thanks in advance.

I don't remember a tutorial... Either way, you'll have to fumble around until you get used to the UI. It's primitive by today's standards, but it still gets the job done.

Just did the first opening dungeon. I say did, I mean I got to a certain point. my friend bounced, and because of this, I set off a trap and died.
 
Round 2 starts after class!

yea, Baldur's Gate games are fkn hard. If a party member dies or gets petrified, it's a pretty serious problem.

" yea, Baldur's Gate games are fkn hard. If a party member dies or gets petrified, it's a pretty serious problem. "

When you say tutorial, you mean the first dungeon?  I thought the ranger comes after the first dungeon, anyway.  There's a tutorial, but it just shows you which buttons to press...  The actual tutorial ends, though.  It's not part of the main game.

" When you say tutorial, you mean the first dungeon?  I thought the ranger comes after the first dungeon, anyway.  There's a tutorial, but it just shows you which buttons to press...  The actual tutorial ends, though.  It's not part of the main game. "

Oh, right.  For some reason I just think of him as Minsc.  
 
You haven't played the first Baldur's Gate at all?  
 
The best advice I can give is to explore, and to talk to people.  Not everyone will be happy if you try every door, but the best way to find things out is by getting into conversations with people, and then using the clues or outright quests you get from them to advance your party.  Collect loot from any kills and sell it to bump up your cash.  Don't worry, it'll take time to get that money so just keep yourself busy exploring until you happen to have it (I'm assuming there's no other way since it's been a while since I played).  Eventually you'll get information that will let you leave the city, and there you'll run into stuff that's more obviously tasks to complete and things to kill or people to help.

" Oh, right.  For some reason I just think of him as Minsc.    You haven't played the first Baldur's Gate at all?    The best advice I can give is to explore, and to talk to people.  Not everyone will be happy if you try every door, but the best way to find things out is by getting into conversations with people, and then using the clues or outright quests you get from them to advance your party.  Collect loot from any kills and sell it to bump up your cash.  Don't worry, it'll take time to get that money so just keep yourself busy exploring until you happen to have it (I'm assuming there's no other way since it's been a while since I played).  Eventually you'll get information that will let you leave the city, and there you'll run into stuff that's more obviously tasks to complete and things to kill or people to help. "

" @Fallen189: Yeah, Baldur's Gate 2 doesn't have the most gentle learning curve. I learned that the hard way.  But you should still keep on it, because it's easily one of the best RPGs ever made.
 
But anyways, do what ahoodedfigure said. There are a ton of quests in the starting city that give you a good amount of cash and experience, and it shouldn't be to hard to find most of them either. As for your class... Sorcerers are fine. You don't have as wide a spell selection as a legit wizard, but considering that there are only 10 or so spells that are ever actually used it's ok. However, if the main character dies it's game over so you might want to pick a class with higher starting HP.
 
@ahoodedfigure: There totally is a tutorial, but it doesn't help at all. It basically tells you how to disarm traps and engage in combat and not much else. "

warrior classes are nicer for starters, I think, because when any other character dies the game can still go on, but if you die it's instantly over.  Best to start with a character that's likely to live so you can get a handle on the system, then once you do, you can go back and try a new class or complete it with the one you have.

My first playthrough of that game was as a bard. I have no idea how I managed to get through it. Good luck, sir.

Half Orc Kenseii at the moment, just hit floor 2 of the initial dungeon. Holy cow, exploding bodys left and right. Grandmaster longswords and dual wield specialisation is olev!

Go for the eyes fallen189! GO FOR THE EYES!

" Go for the eyes fallen189! GO FOR THE EYES! "