Dark vs. Light Side. Which one?

[Valsei]

Beaten Kotor recently as dark side consular an decided to start kotor 2. Problem is I cannot find myself continuing past peragus because of the dialogue choices that give light side or dark side points. I've read multiple builds an how sides don't matter since the FP will be high enough for both light & dark powers. I just cannot decide because the suppose dialogue for dark side points seems psychotic or nonsense. Anyone know the pros/cons of each side?

I decided to start a new game on the hardest difficulty for my first run after I decided on a side.

[Solaire99]

The ligth side powers usually tend to be more defensive rather than being offensive. The opposite is true of the Darkside powers.

[cerberusiv]

I always felt Kotor 1 was worse than 2 for the psychotically dumb DS dialogue. The dark side should be insiduous and manipulative, not simply a psycho with a lightsaber. Kotor 2 does get a bit better as it goes on though.

There are sufficient differences between the quests for light and dark that it is worth playing twice, once on each. For that matter it is actually worth playing as male and again as female for the different companions and dialogue.

Before you start a new game install TSLRCM as it helps the flow of the game (and you get a lot more of HK47 who is always good value, especially for a darksider).

[Toha]

Guardian/marauder/weapon master: LS +3 strength, DS +1-8 damage to any weapon (DS bonus is definitely better and is useful for ranged builds)
Sentinel/watchman/assassin: LS: +3 constitution, DS +3 dexterity.
Consular/jedi master/sith lord: LS +3 wisdom, DS +50 force points (3 wisdom definitely outweighs 50 force points, but dark consulars are only slightly weaker then lightsided)
Note that every class of your character gets a benefit from full light/dark alignment, so if you play a consular/jedi master and went full lightside you get +6 wisdom total.

As for force powers - depends on the playstyle. Consular-based characters need force valor for +5 wisdom/charisma, then stasis/fear/force push (usually enemy's fortitude, will and reflex have the same value) for crow control, force lightning for not-so-highly-damaging AoE, force choke for massive single target damage (3rd tier kills any target in two casts, some survive with 1 hp or so) and destroy droid.
Sentinel and guardian-based characters need just one force power - speed.

[Valsei]

I decided to start a light run with the restore mod. I hope w/ the mod there won't be too many conflicting issues. Chose male because you get more females that way and Kotor 1 felt like a sausage fest.

[Valsei]

After some play with the restore mod, it kept bugging :/. So I uninstalled and decided to try this one last time but on vanilla w/o mods on the hardest difficulty. Also, is difficulty mode, the hardest difficulty?