The Baldur's Gate series, at least the Bhaalspawn saga, were known for its massive Game Mod community that several mods have been added and became well known. Be it game-changing mods, tweaks to the existing story or even brand new NPC's to join the team. Additionally, there also exists a 'Cross Mod' mod, which combines interjections and banters between mods so they can also interact with each other.
Some of these mods do not interfere greatly with the existing trilogy. Therefore, a majority of the tropes exclusive to the mods will be listed here. Mods that are too big on their own will receive their own pages.
Gameplay/Story Tweaks Mods
Unfinished Business (BG I & BG II)
Many elements were not implemented into the main game thanks to time constraints. This restores these cut contents, including several new quests such as a continuation of Kalah the Illusionist Gnome (From the Circus' quest where you recruit Aerie), or even what happens when Boo went missing and Minsc naturally gets distressed about it.
Ascension
Tweaks towards the game's engine, allowing more challenging gameplay and battle, as well as modifying the final battle with some things. For one, you can now redeem and recruit one of the Five Bhaalspawns, Balthazzar... or even Jon Irenicus.
Alternatives
Take a Third Option: The Mod. To advance to Brynnlaw and Spellhold in Chapter 3-4, you have to accept the help of either the Shadow Thieves or Bodhi. This does not bode well to those who wants to roleplay as a Good aligned character, therefore, the mod presents two alternatives: The merchant Maleficus who does not involve himself with the guild war but will give passage regardless, or a Lathanderite Paladin Sir Aster, who would tell you to just strike at both Shadow Thieves and Bodhi, and then give you passage.
NPC Stronghold
The mod allows you to assign Class Strongholds that do not fit with your class into a companion that corresponds with the class. Are you a Mage that wishes to do those Fighter Stronghold quests in one play through (and all those bonus experiences that come with it)? Bring inherent Fighter companions like Anomen or Mazzy to have them inherit Nalia's keep (Remember that Everyone Has Standards, she wouldn't give her Keep to Korgan; and neither would the Talos Church try to pick up Viconia (a Drow and follower of Shar)). Additionally, this will change their location when you send them off from your party; so if Anomen is promoted to the owner of Nalia's keep, he will stay at his Keep when dismissed instead of going to Copper Coronet.
Each NPC will carry their own personality in what they prefer and how they carry through the conversation in their Stronghold. For instance, in Mage Stronghold, while Nalia would prefer to solve the Solamnic Knights' problems peacefully, Edwin would instead prefer to blow them up.
NPC Mods
Baldur's Gate I NPC in Baldur's Gate II and TOB
Many NPC's from the first game vanishes come the second game with no other mentions. These mods restore them as they also travel to Amn on hearing Charname's missing status after the events of the first game and can be easily picked up and have banters with existing companions from BG2, and some of them may even be given the option to change class or kit. You can't, however, bring back Dynaheir and Khalid for obvious reasons.
Thus far, the companions that are restored include:
- Xan - Uses an alternate voice set by default, but his pessimistic original voice ("We're all doomed!") can be restored.
- Branwen
- Kivan - Can be romanced, or alternatively you can also do something beneficial for him:
- Deheriana - Kivan's lover that was originally killed by Tazok. You can bring her Back from the Dead and make her your companion.
- Yeslick
- Alora
- Coran - Restoring him means that you cannot do the quest with him at the Forest of Tethoril where Safana betrays him and attempts to kill you both.
- Ajantis - Involves a quest to eventually reveal that the Ajantis you killed was just an illusion by Firkraag and there is a way to overturn it and rescue him.
- Skie - Yes, you can overturn her tragic end in Siege of Dragonspear and restore her and your ruined reputation in the city of Baldur's Gate. There's just a tragic price...
- Tiax - If restored, he simply came back to life after the battle with Irenicus in Spellhold. Don't question Tiax's will.
New Romance encounters
Another cut contents from the original games include romance options with Haer'Dalis and Valygar. There are mods that allow you to romance with them and interject with Anomen. Additionally, if you want to romance Nalia or even Edwin, now you can (And as a bonus, if you want to romance Viconia but avoid her Downer Ending, Edwin's Romance Mod came with an epilogue modification...).
Brand New NPC
NPC that was created from scratch. There are varying qualities, but a lot of them came with their own contents and sometimes, romance.
