Timbo

KotOR 1: Balance in the Force V1.2.0
 
IMPORTANT!
This new update adds a some important new features and changes a lot of things on the back end. You'll need to start a new save file, again (Sorry).
 
Core Concept
Balance in the force is a gameplay balancing mod that provides a streamlined leveling experience more in line with its sequel with some important departures. I've rebalanced the base weapon types and heavily increased the damage for ranged weapons. Not only does this keep ranged builds competitive with melee builds but it also makes the enemies more difficult. Now, you’ll have an excuse to use those Energy Shields during those early levels on Taris.
Power have been rebalanced so that force point costs scale with the tier of the power. I've also removed some overpowered force powers that trivialize the difficulty of the game such as Knight Speed, Master Speed, and Improved Energy Resistance. Thanks to offthegridmorty and djh269, Bastila gets the playable Battle Meditation Power from Kotor 2.
Level progression gets an important overhaul as well. When the main character becomes a Jedi, they’ll receive 4 extra bonus powers. While this doesn’t prevent the player from trying to stay level 2 on Taris, it makes it feel less necessary for those who would attempt such a feat. This provides the player with some extra versatility without providing much in the way of damage or defensive capabilities they wouldn’t already have.
Balance in the Force also contains a number of quality-of-life features. For example, all of the classes have been modernized to KotOR 2’s feat, power progression, and attack bonus progression. Persuasion is a class skill for the main character regardless of starting class. Impossible difficulty has been restored. Intelligence now rounds up instead of down for gaining skill points during level up. Thanks to MoustacheVerte, Force Buffs have extended durations. There’s much more too. Check out the full change list below.
 
Tips
There is a noticable and unavoidable difficulty spike in the beginning of the game. With blasters being tuned up in terms of damage, enemies can cook you with them early on before you have enough HP to survive them. Thankfully there is an in game solution to this problem. Remember, when Larim aggressively tries to sell you an energy shield at the beginning of the game, that's because they are useful now.
 
Full Change List
 
Credits
offthegridmorty and djh269: Bastila has TSL Battle Meditation MoustacheVerte: Extended Buff Durations mod. Darth_Sapiens: KotOR Tool. Fair Strides: TSL Patcher, TLKEd Cortisol: HoloPatcher. VarsityPuppet: 2DA Editor. Timbo: Everything else... I think.  
Special Thanks
Thor110 for teaching me how to do most of this. Seriously, this cannot be overstated. offthegridmorty for patiently working with me over several weeks to incorporate Battle Meditation into this mod. Sdub for inspiring me with his Immersive Feats Mod.