Your party, your way. Where Baldur’s Gate provided companions with personalities, Icewind Dale let players create all six party members from scratch. Black Isle Studios used the Infinity Engine for a more combat-focused experience—less dialogue, more dungeon crawling through the Spine of the World. The result was a purer tactical RPG that rewarded careful party composition.
Fast facts
- Developer: Black Isle Studios.
- Year: 2000.
- Engine: Infinity Engine.
- D&D Edition: 2nd Edition AD&D.
Party creation
| Aspect |
Flexibility |
| Six characters |
Full customisation |
| Race choices |
Standard D&D races |
| Class options |
All core classes |
| Multiclassing |
Dual/multi-class |
Combat emphasis
| Element |
Focus |
| Encounter design |
Tactical challenges |
| Spell management |
Resource planning |
| Positioning |
Formation matters |
| Difficulty |
Demanding encounters |
Setting
| Location |
Description |
| Spine of the World |
Frozen mountains |
| Easthaven |
Starting village |
| Kuldahar |
Druid sanctuary |
| Lower Dorn’s Deep |
Dwarven ruins |
Expansion
| Title |
Year |
Content |
| Heart of Winter |
2001 |
High-level content |
| Trials of the Luremaster |
2001 |
Free expansion |
Sequel
| Title |
Year |
Changes |
| Icewind Dale II |
2002 |
3rd Edition rules |
| Enhanced Edition |
2014 |
Modern platforms |
See also