This is just a general question, but I read on the boards that Minsc can use the amulet of power. How? I tried to give it him, but the game won't let me. I know I've downloaded all the patches and things (Bioware patches), so that doesn't make sense to me.

You need patch from Baldurdash.

This raises another question for me. Are the Baldurdash patches necessary or just stuff that someone decided needed to be fixed in the game? I've already started ToB (have obviously finished SoA), and don't want to do anything that's going to screw up the game. If I have to have Baldurdash patches, which ones should I definitely install and which ones can I avoid?

Yes I would say that are a must becuase they fix <u>milion</u> bugs in the game. Check the sticky FAQ in SoA forum.

Baldurdash is a joint effort between one of the game's developer and several people. The Fixpack is endorsed by Bioware who basically admits they overlooked some issues in their patches. Now you decide whether it is necessary or not to install it for a less buggy game. ;)