Lameth

I didnt reach the BG2 part yet, but i had some similar experiences in BG1 with a tactics install regarding difficulty. A couple of the first fight were ridicoulus hard, first Mage Assasin casting Magic Missles with 5 Bolts on my Level 1 party, the Bard Silke in Beregost using Stoneskin, Mirror Images and several Magic Missles *5 against my Level 1 party, etc. But it got a lot better when i hit Level 2 and actually had a chance to survive a hit. Overall, i really like the new fights, most arent too deadly, although i had to cheat me a load of regeneration potions, else i need to rest every 10 minutes of game time. But the fights are fun, especially when the enemies just swarm you, it adds a really different feeling for me; i am now feeling as if i am fighting hordes of enemies, as it should be.
All in all, its pretty good, although i guess some Mage encounters are just plain overpowered. Bassilius, too. Spamming Unholy Blight, Hold, and even some Flame Strikes on you, together with ten or so Skeleton Archers. Not a nice place to visit on Level 1. Same with the three named Hobgoblins in the area. Khazak or something? I mean wtf.. using a hastepot, resulting in 3 or 4 attacks or round a something, with a good Thac0 and even better AC.. ouch. But doable.
And Khark.. the Ogre Mage around Firewine Bridge. I dont remember exactly anymore, i believe he was quite hard in the normal version too, but in my install he borders ludicrous. Or are you just supposed to wait with downing him till you reach level 10, or 12? Same about the bridge ruines. 4 Vampires swarming you at once? Well, ok, i guess you should really go there later, i tried with level 5 and was not a happy Bhaalspawn.

Anyways, sorry for my ramblings, i like Tactics a lot, and overall the whole BiG Project even more, it adds pure Awesome™ to Baldur's Gate, so a big thumps up.
And to the original poster: just keep going, i guess after the first few hard fights difficulty will become more in line. If nothing seems to work, try using my method and cheat you a couple of potions to make it through and get to the fun; just dont overdo it with them ;p

Ahh, i am sorry but the above mentioned link for bpseries3.61.7z does not seem to work for me.
Could someone maybe offer me a different download location? I am hesistant to use the actual version, since i am using BWS.
Thank you in advance.