I'm making my fourth attempt to get into BG (and I'm determined to like it!); I'm still early into chapter 1. I have purchased Tales of the Sword Coast and was wondering if there's any benefit to installing it now, or can it wait until I get a few more chapters into the game? Does ToSC add any game benefits which I wouldn't want to miss (e.g. game patch, game features) while I build up my characters?

Sorry for asking a question which has surely been asked before!

Erm, well, I found it useful that unidentified objects are blue. Before I often sold them by accident... I think there are some other new features, like you can get more experience points, but I don't think it matters when you install it. You might as well install it now.

TotSC does fix a few bugs.
And I don't know if you're planning of taking any druids along, but with TotSC you can give them scimitars right from the start of the game.
Anyway, there's no harm whatsoever in installing it right away.

<font color="cyan">Install it straight away, as it contains the patch.

And yes, it does add Blue for non-identified items.

It also add's auto stack, which is extremely useful.

+ Druid's can get scimitars.

+ It lets you know about Durlag's.

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Thanks for the insights, everyone. I think I'll install it now; I could use some of the new features!

<font color="cyan">You are most welcome. I like it when people say thankyou.

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I think TOSC also cranks up the speed of your missiles too.

TotSC also boosts the experience cap from 89000 to 161000, which is an excellent reason for installing it. The patches are also nice!