Originally Posted by Tuco
The context (and a correct placement of enemies) is usually all the indication you need.
Like, if a specific character is supposed to be too much to handle, the game should make it clear and NOT put it against you mandatorily, obviously.
I am no game designer, so not sure what a good way for the indication is, but generally I think I can agree here.


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That's just a tough fight you have to prepare for, but there isn't really any specific "level requirement" to handle him. You can get there with your party at level 2 (because still being level 1 is a bit unlikely at that point) and deal with that fight just fine, if you know what to do.
How are you level two? The only enemies you fight on that route is (potentially) a wolf and a diseased gibberling. Even fighting the oger east of the map before FAI does not bring you two level two and that fight needs to be cheesed.
The way to win this fight is to either be able to tank his MM or ensure to disrupt his spell, which is easier said than done on level one (and even two). Regardless, preparation that depends on knowing that the fight will happen and how it could go is, imho, bad design. If we want to emulator P&P RPGs, then a blind no-reload run should be possible.

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Once again the context is usually all you need. In BG 1 and 2 you'd have to go out of your way to cross "impossible content" before you have enough levels to deal with. When you do, the game usually tries to warn you that you are out of your depth and you should back off.
(And in reality more often than not you still have a chance even then, if you know EXACTLY what to do and with some assistance from the RNG gods).
Well, BG1 likes to spring surprise encounters at you. BG2 was better in that regard, but you could actually stumble over rather hard battles. With not really that much of warning. I mean, I still like the games, but they are kinda unfair at certain points.

I think the main problem is actually just the low lever at the start. When you are somewhat tougher and have more skills, retreating is a more likely prospect.
I do not fully disagree with you about the immersionbreaking levels (they shouldn't have those anyways, NPCs only have CR in 5E!).
I think we mostly differ on how much it damages our immersion.