I have just started Chapter 3 without doing many quests, will it effect me by doing them in Chap 3 instead of Chap 2?

No, not at all.

Syl...

i recently just did a game where i beat the hold, then moved on to chapter 3 then chapter 4, why? i wanted to actually use imoen for once and she starts with terrible exp. (though i wouldnt advise this for newer players) it makes a the underdark really hard going through it at level 10. have to put off the flayers till later i think. but it will make for a better end... imoen prolly about level 16 or 17

I just arrived on the island where all the foul pirates hang out and where the very entrance to the Asylum awaits for my exploration! 'tis a grand place of foul evil and shadowed folk.

The jump from Chapter 3 to Chapter 4 was relatively quick to my surprise and hopefully my party is ready to face the perils that await me on this new place for adventure, fortune and fame!

Syl...

You shouldn't have too much trouble; I found that if you did all the quests you could before going for Imoen, you're plenty powerful for the rest of the game...

Excellent! That is what I like to hear because I did as many of the quests I could before I left for this foul and evil place!

I have just battled off an ambush attack by the Vampires that were went by Bohdi herself and I shall continue to keep an eye out for the one who backstabbed my party, Captain Saemon Havarian!

He shall feel my flail and mace crush his skull and his inwards!

Off I say, to the tavern to meet up with Sanik!

Syl...

And, I don't think you really have to worry about Imoen being too much lower level than the rest of the party. When I finally got around to picking her up (after doing most all of the earlier quests) she rejoined at level 13! (how the little minx got all that experience as a captive would make a good story all of its own!) :)

:D

I know I won't be taking Imoen when I find her. She's getting a good slap across the ass for casting magic missile when she didn't even have it memorized or even have a scroll. There is no way she could be who she says she is if she can do this and I cannot. Plus, my entire party has been molded without her and I'm not about to disrupt a good thing.

Syl...

You may not want to let Grub fly off the handle when next you meet Mr. Havarian... That's all I'll say unless you ask. :)

I gotta say I really liked Imoen when I picked her up again. She is definately the best thief mage combo in the game still. She cannot hide in shadows no matter what(At least not with what I have-mercy killer, boots stealth), but she has 95 in locks and 105 in traps with ring of danger sense. And she can be a really good mage. No, she can't cast level 9 spells, but I can. Since I planned to pick her up when I got the chance, I didn't invest much in Jan's spell book. I'm hoping there is still enough experience left in the game to get her up to be able to cast level 8 spells. I'm wishing now I hadn't done all the side quest before going to chap 3 and 4(even though I had fun). It would have made chap 3 and 4 at least a little challenging.