head to head
vs
Baldur's GatevsThe Banner Saga
Baldur's Gate leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Banner Saga leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
Baldur's GateThe Banner Saga
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 1
The Banner Saga leans harder on reads: AI follows predictable threat-targeting logic
Variance5 vs 5
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization8 vs 7
Baldur's Gate leans harder on optimization: Party builds and encounter prep solvable.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.