I am going through bg1 with a paladin and was wondering which stats I should increase because of the items available in bg2. Is it worth getting strength up if I can just get a 21 or 22 str belt in bg2? I intend on getting the tomes so was wondering which. Stat I should imcrease. My current stats are: 18/87 str 18 dex 18 con 6int 15 wisdom 17 charisma.

You're seriously best off using all the tomes on your PC, since you can't carry the NPCs over with you (unless you've installed some mods).

But yeah, I'd suggest adding to STR, since that means you can give the belt to one of your companions and use that belt slot on your character for something else.

I just didn't know if getting up con or dex would be better and give myself the belt

I'm not sure I understand your issue. Each tome is specific to a particular stat. You don't get to choose which stat to raise when you get a tome. So I'm not sure I see what you're trying to say here.

Oh ok so there is a tome for each stat, I see. So basically there is no terrible benefit in playing through bg1 and importing stat wise

Yes, there is. The stat boosts from the tomes carry over in an import.

Ill finish bg1 because I haven't done the sword coast expansion yet. Naz, your portrait reminded me. Where do I find edwin in bg1? The carnival? I forgot itsbeen many years since I played. Also will there be an issue since I'm lawful good and he's most definately evil. Lol

Hes on the bridge in the SE corner of the Nashkel town map.

As noted, the stat boosts are kept if you import, so there is a benefit.

For posterity, if memory serves, there is one tome for each stat except WIS, which has 3 tomes.

I figured edwin was better than xan who I just picked up, is this true. Edwin is powerful in bg2 is this the same in bg1?

Generally yes, Edwin is a better mage. Xan's main draw is his moonblade which has decent bonuses but he has such terrible hp that I always ditch him.

BTW, do you have Minsc in your party? That could cause problems if you take Edwin.

Edwin also get s extra spells, both from specializing and from his amulet. So he's generally considered the hands-down best mage in the game (and in BG2 as well).

Yeah I just picked up mins (and boo) c and ditched jaheira and khalid package cuz I don't much care for jaheira. Minsc is pretty good but I need a mage to counter some of the magic used against me. So before I start giving spell scrolls to xan I thought id ask. Evil and good don't mix very well lol

Well if you follow Minsc's quest to the gnoll stronghold, you get Dynaheir. She's a pretty decent wizard, not as good as Edwin but better than Xan IMHO. Plus you need to get her to keep Minsc permanently.

Good idea, then ill find kivan and a healer and that should be a good enough party