Thief's traps (especially Spiked) were the barrel exploits of BG2.
They basically broke the system as enemies had no defenses against them (bypassed ACs, saves, any spells, etc). It required no resource (just need to rest), and just like barrels and explosives, you can even do it right in front of the enemies and they'll do nothing to stop you if not aggro'ed. Demogorgon? Traps. Firkraag? Traps. Final Irenicus fights? Traps.
It's actually uncanny how similar some of the exploits are. I.e. you can exploit dialogue in BG3/DOS by having 1 character lock the enemy in dialogue while you position the team advantageously ahead of a fight. In BG2, you can exploit exploit the dialogue by repeatedly "pausing and talking" to keep your target neutral while you stab it repeatedly.
BG2 is absolutely loaded with broken exploits and implementations (i.e. simulacrums cloning items, infinite damage via reflecting Lightning Bolts or Agannazar's Scorcher, staff of the magi's equip-invisibility). Because the "game world" had no object interactivity, there's no physics engine, etc, most exploits are at least attached to a "class or item ability", so that's why people find it easier to stomach?
The reason people find it easier to stomach is that they are products of their times, and standards and expectations have changed in the twenty years since their release.
