A7-HiddenGameplayOptions VS NPC_EE

Reveal hidden gameplay options - the AOE indicator for spells is really nice.

Reveal Hidden Gameplay Options: adds options to the in-game menu that otherwise require editing the ini file. Options include: show spell AOE, debug mode, limit cleric/ranger spells, pause during dialogue, improved pathfinding, no cosmetic attacks, frame rate slider. For best results, install after Tweaks Anthology.

Hidden Gameplay Tweaks. Then enable it through the in-game menu.

As far as the pathfinding goes, some people claim that some versions of the EE actually made it worse. I don't remember the classic games (or the earlier versions of the EE) well enough at this point to confirm that, but it might well be true. In any case, there are two options I'm aware of that can improve the pathfinding. One is to increase the Path Search Nodes value in your baldur.lua file. The other is to install the Hidden Gameplay Options mod and enable the Enhanced Path Search setting. Still, you'll sometimes have to micromanage party positioning, especially during combat in tight locations, and there's just no way around that. You can also enable the debug/cheat mode and use the Ctrl+J shortcut to teleport your party. Irrespective of any pathfinding issues, I routinely use that shortcut just to save time when traveling through areas that have already been explored and have no enemies.

Might be easier just install a mod that unlocks the console for you.

According to the readme of Reveal Hidden Gameplay Options the settings I am talking about are options 28 & 29

Easiest way to add teleporting command (Ctrl + J to teleport to mouse cursor location) is to install Reveal Hidden Gameplay Options mod. You want the "Enable Debug Mode" for it. There are two other QoL updates you should grap "Show Area of Effect Range" and "Show trigger icons on tab".

You might want to try NPC_EE for character tweaking. Lets you change classes, kits, and stats.

NPC EE: Equivalent in functionality to Level 1 NPCs and SCS’ NPC customization, this mod equips all joinable NPCs with an item which, when activated, allows you to change their class, kit, stats, and/or proficiencies.

I'd be willing to bet it was Lvl 1 NPCs, given that iirc it's supposed to de-level NPCs to let you reset their class/stats. I've been using NPC EE instead and it's been pretty foolproof, in my experience.

I'd recommend NPC EE in lieu of Lvl1 NPCs, personally.

EEkeeper hasn't been properly maintained for awhile and it may not be the most reliable method for a heavily modded install. Supposedly there can be issues with certain variables and effects not getting properly saved. Dual 2 kit works fine, or you can install the NPC EE mod and use one of the kit tomes for yourself - eg, cheat it into your inventory with this code: C:CreateItem("d5_ckit") and then use the item it spawns.