Is this game the same as Baldurs Gate in that there are a bazillion spells? As much as I want to get into that game I am overwhelmed by the number of spells.

Is it possible (noob practical) to make a party of a total of 3 characters and be reasonably easy to play? I like to play as a Paladin sword and shield type character. Point is, I love the idea of a medieval adventure in a frozen setting and am afraid it will be just like BG (not bad, just not for me) Thanks

The Icewind Dale series can be thought of as a more combat orientated Baldur's Gate if that helps.

Dogeddie, there are a ton of spells, but you can get by using only a very few if you want:

Haste, Magic Missile, Grease, Web, Fireball, Dispel Magic, and Summons/Animate Dead.

For Clerics/Druids, there is healing spells, Spike growth (for Druids), and perhaps Freedom of Movement, Dispel Magic, and Animate Dead.

You really don't have to use much else, although there are plenty of other very useful ones.

As for doing it with 3 characters, yes it.'s possible. Just make sure you have the roles of Warrior, Thief, Healer, and Mage covered. Easily achieved by - assuming you want to use a Paladin - a Paladin, a Thief/Mage, and a Cleric.

If I play as a Paladin, where can I (a noob) get info on a party to join me, and what I should strive for with rolling stats? Any suggestions for a first playthrough? Hows about a party total of 3 or 4? Thanks

Edit - here is my plan:

Paladin (me)
Cleric
Thief/Mage - not sure Multi Class or Dual Class?
Ranger

Your party can work, but it won't be easy. I recommend multiclass for your thief/mage so you have both class options available all the time.

About stats:

For your paladin int and wis are useless an can be dumped to the class minimum, try to get 18 for the other stats and a good second number for strength.
I'd start specialized in large swords and slings and add axe specialization at level 3 and 6.

For your cleric int and cha are useless, get 18 str, dex, wis and 16+ con. I'd start with proficiency in slings and mace or hammer or flail.

For your thief/mage I recommend maxed str,dex and int, 16+ con, if you want some lore take 10 wis else dump it, dump cha to the minimum.
I'd start with proficiency in bows.

For your ranger max str, dex and con, the other 3 stats are useless, try to get 18/00 or at least 18/76-99 strength.
I'd start with bow and greatsword specialization.

Isn't there a need for Wisdom for the Paladin and Ranger for spells? I know they don't get much, though. For what reason do you think it will be difficult? Thanks

Wisdom doesn't affect paladin and ranger spellcasting in IWD at all, according to AD&D rules you get no benefit for raising it above class minimum.
IWD is no easy game.

I'm glad it isn't an easy game. As long as it isn't needlessly complicated. I want a small party because I don't like to fuss over managing a large party. To be honest, I prefer games like Divine Divinity where you don't even have a party. But I have wanted to try a party based game for awhile, and this game was recommended as a good introduction over Baldurs Gate. I am excited to get into it.

I really want to go with sword and shield style for the paladin - mind you, I am no power gamer. I want to just enjoy the game . Thoughts?

For the thief/mage - will I be able to get 18 for Str, Dex, Int with 16+ in Con? I planned on not lowering any stats to less than 8 because it seems cheesy and unrealistic. Thanks again for your help

This shouldn't be difficult. To get those stats for your half-elf thief/mage you only have to roll a stat sum of 76+, almost all rolls (the lowest possible stat sum is 75) are good enough. Even a stat sum of 84+ doesn't take long to reroll, go for the extra lore with 10 wis and 17 con, I guess you've already noticed that you can take points from stats you don't need and transfer them to more important stats.

With a little patience you can even roll stat sums of 89 and above, you can reduce the time it takes by thinking, you can often see if a roll is bad and reroll within seconds (when a stat is below 10 or no stats above 14 for example).

Your party is good enough to beat the game. I recommend starting at normal difficulty, you can reduce it if you want an easier game.

You have been very helpful - thanks. I am unsure about the Ranger, though. Does he have advantages for me over a regular ol' fighter?

I believe my only choices for Mage/Thief is using an Elf or 1/2 Elf. I see Elves get bonuses to stealth and pick pocket, but are penalized for Open Locks. As I need someone for opening locks and detecting traps, and am not interested in the stealth areas or pick pocketing, I suppose a 1/2 Elf is a better choice than a regular Elf as they don't have a bonus or a penalty to either Pick Locks or Find Traps?

Rangers get a full extra melee attack per round if they aren't wearing a shield and get access to druid spells later in the game.
Fighters get their extra attack when they get grandmastery in a weapon, they'll do more damage once they get their first grandmastery at level 9 but since you only get additional proficiencies every 3 level they can grandmaster at most 2 weapon types.

As fighter I recommend a gnome (there's a nice helm only gnomes and halflings can use) with 18/00 str, 18 dex and 18 con. Int, wis and cha are unimportant.
Get axe grandmastery (don't give axe proficiency to your paladin then) as fast as possible, for the secondary weapon type you have many options. Maybe start with bow specialization for ranged combat in the beginning and add flail proficiencies at level 15+, maybe limit yourself to throwing axes as ranged weapons and put all the remaining proficiency points only into flails to get a blunt weapon option instead ...

Would I be better off dumping both the Ranger and the Thief/Mage and go with a Fighter/Mage and a Fighter/Thief instead? But then wouldn't I have 2 characters who are vulnerable without much for armor instead of just one? So many questions!!

I'd take the fighter/mage and fighter/thief. Most important is that you like your characters, you don't need the best party possible in order to beat the game.

True - thanks for your patience