How linear is the plot?
 

If I play IWD2 before playing IWD1, will I miss a lot of stuff? Baldur's Gate 2 basically picked up where BG1 left, but judging by the bits I've played (basically the prologue-tutorial-part) in IWD2, something to the tune of several decades has passed since the previous game.

Not that I'm in danger of leaving the prologue-tutorial-part any time soon. I'm suffering of a really severe Frequent Restarting Syndrome.

Re: How linear is the plot?
 

No, you won't miss out on much. Although you will be spoiled about the IWD1 plotline. As for the chronic-restart thingy. Yes, that does tend to happen. :P

Re: How linear is the plot?
 

IWD2 is set 30 years after IWD/HoW with an almost entirely different threat. There is some carryover of characters and plot explanations relating to IWD/HoW as to why those characters are there.

Personally, I'd play them the other way around (if only because the 3d Ed rules may "ruin" you for IWD/HoW's 2nd Ed rules), but you won't miss much or have a problem understanding the plot.

The plot is very linear within the game, but not really between games. They are very playable as standalone games.