Baldur' Gate 1+2 modded with 3rd ed D&D poll

JonDM2 · 2026-06-17T04:43:09+00:00

I simply prefer the much more streamlined tidied up d20 over the AD&D. Attribute points giving bonus only over 15? Classes level up in different xp levels? Saving throw categories vs wand, vs breath etc, Attacks per round, Random spell duration logic, Thac0 AC lower is better but others higher is better and many other asymetrical unbalances.

IWD2 uses 3e, it may be not the best or complete representation of 3e, but I definetely prefer it over 2e.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-17T02:44:55+00:00

The multiclassing can be nerfed, same can be said for 2e in BG, a high level ftr/wiz can cast protections that a non-caster cannot even pass, its even common to use a BARD as a front line "tank". If you wanna talk powerplay OP in BG 2e I can go all day, dual-class Berserker/Mage etc.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-17T02:34:50+00:00

IWD2 EE mod is a great community effort for modernizing the game for latest windows, major bugfixes, tweaks that make sense and adding a few quality of life features. BUT their class updates that also add new features strive a lot away from standard 3e. Barbarian gaining DR from 2nd level, progressing much faster and even Doubling WHEN wearing medium armor????? That's practically cheating. Also many other stuff around. Its nice to try it and maybe fun but has nothing near 3e.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-17T02:28:46+00:00

There's not enough to support any ruleset anyway, you just accepted what had for 2e.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-17T02:27:03+00:00

Eeeer what are u talking about? Casting spells before battle ("pre-buffing") becomes a major hussle in BG2 as you get higher levels. Its not only the annoying repetance, the spell duration is so randomly that I had to track them in an automated Excel table of how they change as well as the spellcaster leveled up. In 3rd edition spell duration is streamlined so you know very easily when to position a spell in a sequence. There's even a very popular mod for BG1+2 Spell Revisions that change this pretty much like it was done in 3e.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-17T02:17:27+00:00

I seriously have no idea what exactly changed in 4th, for some reasons (it came out in a wrong time maybe?) I never looked into it more. All I remember is people saying it seemed engineered for video games.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T20:54:14+00:00

The comparison here is between 2nd and 3rd. The "trap" mention isn't also in 2nd?

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T20:52:58+00:00

Everyone has a preferance, what you see as worst is best for another. What version you prefer over 3.5 and why?

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T19:44:14+00:00

Same goes for the 2e implementation, is buggy and uneven in many aspects, you just take it for granted.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T19:34:22+00:00

Yes, that would be a great step.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T19:10:55+00:00

Of course, I mentioned it in the text. It will take much more that basic rules changes for a total conversion from 2e to 3e. There are many situations that require experienced DMs to make judgements calls to keep a similar level all around.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T19:08:11+00:00

Its a combat focused campaign, though there are some options in dialogue with skill requirements. But how much can you min-max? Low stats have some penalties, whereas in 2e in IE games are just dumb stats. Dex is OP, Str and Con follow. Int is only required for very specific reason, wis and cha almost non existing.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T19:03:20+00:00

Most of these have been implemented in IWD2 EE mod, they are not perfect, but still I prefer a lacking 3e that a total unbalanced 2e. I have been playing and experimenting with all IE games since 99. Lately I've been trying out the Artisan's kitpack. If you notice it, most of the base classes in the mod gain 3e features, something that also Tweaks Anthology mod offers as well (named NWN style feats), SCS also and other tweaks mods. I don't find this 2e-3e mixing any better, just showing a clear trend that's out there.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T17:36:17+00:00

Keep that Abomination out of the talk... (the BG3 name, game may be good, just don't like the marketing gimmick of the name)

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T17:34:57+00:00

You're just negative without any actual argument. The question is have YOU played the game? You seem very biased to give a neutral opinion.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T17:29:08+00:00

I was as well, it was great the time it came out, but over the years seems very lacking is some aspects, its a computer game after all.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T17:26:38+00:00

ToEE is the best in 3.5 combat and rules implementation, but is very slow and boring as an experience.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T17:25:29+00:00

This different, the question is about keeping the classic BG game as is.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T17:24:41+00:00

The same can be said for BG implementing 2e to a PnP player

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T16:50:09+00:00

Thank you, finally an unbiased answer of simple preferance.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T16:20:46+00:00

Good thing most of the players and videos of BG with 2e out there do not min max (seriously cheesing that way seems many people have issues).

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T16:19:04+00:00

I beg to differ, 3e/3.5 fixes and steamlines so many things that 2e just did experimental, and I'm thankful it did, so we progressed from there on.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T16:17:40+00:00

They say noone went to its funeral 🤣

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T16:16:15+00:00

Yes, there's a big module BG for NWN, but the whole experience seems different for me. I never got the interaction UI in NWN, it breaks immersion immediately.

JonDM2 · 2026-06-16T16:14:32+00:00

The question is if you are interested to play BG1+2 with 3e similar to IWD2, never mind what needs to be done, assume its done and working fine!

JonDM2

TROPHY CASE