HoMM3 HD is a mod (add-on) for the game Heroes of Might and Magic 3.

what is so bad about the second level always being built by default?

Since the question has been put exactly this way... Then where in the settings file can one change the option for the second level? Or am I looking in the wrong place? By default, for example, the auto-saver is disabled (which they asked to leave enabled by default, although it's not critical, doesn't affect gameplay, and matches what is in SoD). And even if such an option exists, it should still be SoD by default. But currently, there is no such option in any form. And that is already a strong reason to reject HD+ in tournaments—for example, in the current M200, which relies on randomness and features many neutral villages (where there will now be no second-level troops)—as well as in Anarchy and others. Here, building the second level has been proposed (imposed) without the possibility of changing it. I am interested in the author's motives. Or this is most likely just a hasty leak.