This forum is to be used for all discussions pertaining to Black Isle Studios' Icewind Dale and its Heart of Winter and Trials of the Luremaster expansions.
I just got IWD; after a few hours with IWD2 I knew I wanted to start at the beginning and with 2.0 D&D rules as I'm really fond of them.
So I have the physical game, boxed original (the cloth map version BTW, got lucky) and I picked up the game withe expansions from gog. My question is about the original vs expansion(s) game.
What is the major benefit of playing the original without the expansions installed?
Do you get exclusive items or story that you don't get if you only play with the expansions installed (ie did they change the original end levels to make room for the new stuff)?
What parts of game-play change from original to expansion versions, I've read on the forums about having conjurers but that it's not as big a deal with the expansion so some things must have changed?
Which version do you like better if you have played both?
First of all you get a couple of bugs patched if you install Heart of Winter and Trials of the Luremaster. Second, Heart of Winter brings bags for scrolls, potions and gems as well as new bard songs, spells, better druids and a higher xp cap.
As far as I remember the story is unchanged, so I would not advise to play without the expansions installed.
Main benefits of playing the main campaign with expansions installed
- upgraded engine (better resolution, you can highlight items, ...)
- upgraded enemy AI
- a few extra items to buy from shops
- extra spells and bard songs
Benefit of playing without expansion:
- you can play the game like it was at the first release
- normal difficulty is easier to play (only beneficial if you want to exploit AI flaws)
