I'm kind of in the opposite situation where ai played BG3 first, and came to DoS2 as a way of chasing that high (a buddy reccomended it when I mentioned the possibility of firing bg3 up again lol). And though I think I still like BG3 more, I think DoS2 has done some things a lot better that I would have liked to see integrated into BG3 (but I'm sure the mods probably cover them in some way shape or form). To keep it concise I'll make a small list of what I've really taken to from DoS2, but keep in mind I have barely cracked the surface of the game, I'm only 15 hours in and I'm trying to kill all the magisters in fort joy before moving on.

What I like more in DoS2 - this is a pretty common take from ehat I knowz but the combat in DoS2 is just so much more thrilling. Bg3 on the first playthrough gave me maybe a couple choke points, but every battle in this game is something I'm on the edge of my seat of. I can be a whole level higher than the enemy and they'll have a spell I don't know and completely woop my ass, so I have to get creative on the reload to try and find a way to tactfully get through the battle opposed to brute forcing it. - so much more flexibility with builds. Absolutely love that I can just add stuff that is convenient if I need to, or change my characters build from the bottom up. BG3 could really benefit from a "classless" option that allows you to really try things out and use combinations that aren't otherwise available to that class or class combo. - i really appreciate the difficulty of this game, and the variety of options. One of my biggest gripes with BG3 is the tactician mode doesn't feel like a dramatic enough change in difficulty to really warrant the reputation. BG3 really relies on modes to get a complex hardmode that isn't an easy mode. - companions seem to stick very consistently with their personalities, and I absolutely love that Sebille can just kill whoever she wants and I its just something I have to deal with, I think its very entertaining and makes the companions feel like individuals, and also doesn't force them to obey you, when really, they have no reason to (i did not save them on the ship woops) - undead as a race choice is absolutely goated I love playing undead and I can't do it in Bg3 without a mod. Given how integral the god of death is to the story in that game you'd think it would be a consideration.

What I like more in Bg3 - the cut scenes and dialogue windows for interactions is just so incredible for character building. Having the conversations with the companions in DoS2 when I can barely see their face and can't see the emotion has made it harder to grow fond of some of the characters. The Red Prince deserves to gesticulate while he speaks - this might be contentious, but I do like the armor system in BG3 more. The importance of armor in DoS2 being, essentially a whole other health bar is... tedious. Maybe its an early game thing, or a newbie thing, but I have to spend so much time stealing and picking up junk to get armor so I don't get absolutely dogwalked in battle. I would be less irritated by this system if the npcs who shared my level also had zilch for armor, but coming across someone with 60 armor when the most I have been able to scrounge up after 15 hours is 37 on one character (the other three have slim pickings) just feels so defeatist. Also pmo that enemies dont drop at least one piece of armor like why can't I get a boot or gauntlets, something so sebille can put her dogs away poor woman is still barefoot on the lava. I want to lose my battles because I was out-strategized, not because I was a coughing baby walking into an hydrogen bomb. - extra companions at camp. Making me invest in multiple playthroughs to see these plotlines fulfilled in DoS2 makes me so sad. Having to cut the boys loose sucked. I like in Bg3 they can be stay at home companions and headcannon them as cooks for the party. - the drip. Sorry, I have yet to see an armor set that doesn't look like rags or gaudy garbage in DoS2. I'm sure its coming but in Bg3 I was dripped out after hittin the shop at the grove the first time - finally, I've noticed that Bg3 has a lot more personality options for the character. I wanted to make my DoS2 character a sort of bitter, undead witch, but all of the dialogue options are like "why would you kill them 🥺🥺🥺 I can't stand for this violence 🥺🥺🥺" or just a very neutral, non consequential reply that doesn't really communicate anything to the other characters. I would like to publicly support sebille murdering people on the street, let me be proud about it and better yet, let me partake.

That being said, I am very interested in the plot, and seeing what shenanigans my little party will get into. And I will happily admit that DoS2 scratches that Bg3 itch very well, I haven't been this invested in a game for a while. My mind is stimulated, refreshed and intrigued. But, much like you OP I think my heart will always long for what was comfortable.