I chose that, because the shame of using Explorer Difficult was just too great.

Genuinely: pride is the enemy of joy. It's a hard habit to let go of, but I have been trying to work on this myself. At the end of the day what you're after is extracting maximum joy out of a game, and not everyone loves overcoming a challenge. Sometimes I just want to relax and enjoy a story, or world, or cinematic immersion. You sound like you're the same, and there is absolutely no shame in that.

If you do want concrete gameplay tips, then yes: Steam mesageboards are often an absolute cesspit (from what I've seen). Asking around on here is a much better idea.

This is a game where knowledge of the game, the location of objects, and NPCs makes it easier. I would suggest you explore much more. The no ogres and no explosive barrels is just an exploration issue. Look at the minimap when you're exploring. You can see places where you can jump to or climb to if you look at the minimap as any place you can move your character will look lighter on the map. Also just try and jump to a place. You'll see the white line if you can jump there.

Save often. That way if you explore and end up in a fight that's too difficult you can just reload your last save and go a different way.

There are almost always multiple ways to get to places in this game, like to get to Karlach. You can get to the bridge and go that way but I can think of at least two other ways to get to her. You can jump places or climb vines or go into holes if you're small enough.

Also ask lots of questions on things you don't understand on a forum like this. Even if someone says you're ragebaiting some people will probably try and answer.

Back away from the goblin camp and explore the rest of the initial map.

From where you are there are multiple ways to get to the Underdark, where you can level up a little bit more before facing the goblin bosses, and maybe find more explosive barrels or other assists for that fight.

It's easier to face him once you are level 4, or maybe even 5, but that takes a lot of work.

Higher difficulties are mostly for metagamers like me. No shame in doing a lower one and I frankly think doing a less optimized build more focused on the roleplay is more fun than the other way around. Do not listen to these people, do what is fun for you.

My most sincere tip would be not to spoil anything for yourself and just chill out exploring the game on your own. If that means explorer difficulty (it is literally in the name), who cares?

Keep playing! You've only just scratched the surface!

Ignore the trolls and people who thought you were rage baiting. If you're enjoying it, keep enjoying it!

The ogres are in the goblin-controlled village, before you get to the keep. The one where you are ambushed by goblins on the roof at the entrance. You have to convince them not to eat you, either by a skill check or with gold. I suggest doing this, because you will greatly appreciate their help if you have to fight your way out of the keep. I do not know if they can be used inside the keep, because I saved them for the bigger fight outside.

As for the boss fight, I found it easier to fight from around the corner so that Ragzlin has to come out of the throne room to get to me. There's an area to the left of the big entrance door to the throne room where you can stack up. Melee fighters on the front line, archers and spellcasters behind for crowd control. It also allowed me to try to push him and his minions off the edge of the bridge outside the door. Don't worry about knocking him off, you can go down there after the fight and get his loot.

Another good strategy is to use Command to make him drop his weapon, then pick it up as soon as he does. There are spells you can use to lock him in place while you deal with his minions as well. He buffs his minions, so keeping him out of the way while you deal with them will make the fight easier.

Don't give up. The fight is supposed to be hard for you, since it's the end of act one. But you can do it. As in any CRPG, the key is to think tactically. Make use of things that block line of sight. Move in and out of cover with your spellcasters and archers. Make use of the high ground, it gives you advantage on your attack rolls. Find choke points and block them so they have to come at you one at a time. Remember you can pick up some objects to use them to barricade. And of course any barrels you find that are filled with oil can be used to blow people up. Imagine your party is a magical SWAT team, then think about how they would go clearing a room full of enemies. When you do that, you'll get into the mindset of using the environment as a weapon.

Your mistake is giving weight to the opinions of guys who post their cheese strats to steam message boards. You aren't less of a gamer because you haven't learned how to cheese a fight.

You're the one playing the game. Play it how you want.

As for tips to make it easier?

• When the game tells you something is urgent, it's usually lying. You have all the time in the world, and nothing to fear from a long rest.
• Cantrips scale over time, so you can often use them rather than a spell slot.
• Barrel strats are beginner level cheese. Steal firewine and oil barrels, just in case you need it later.

I think you would enjoy games like this more if you just played through them before you go online to participate in discussions or look for information. The fun part of things like this is just figuring out solutions to these problems. They won't be optimal but they might work. You can always play it again if you want to min-max everything.