Overview
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