[silverdragon72]

.

Component 1: Bugfixes

This component contains honest-to-goodness bugfixes. There are precious few that can be fixed by mods, and quite a few that cannot.

(1) The Bastard Sword of Heroism should give a +3 attack bonus based on its description.

(2) Phaen should drop Phaen's Ironshod Staff [11STAFPI.ITM] or the Iron-Banded Staff [11HFSFPI.ITM] when he dies, not a normal quarterstaff.

(3) Screamer [00AX1HSC.ITM] should give a strength bonus when thrown.

(4) Pudu's Blight [63HALBPB.ITM] should have a 25% chance of stunning (not 24%), based on its description.

(5) Stunning Arrows +1 [00AROW88.ITM] should have a 50% chance of stunning (not 25%), based on its description.

(6) Stun Flail +1 [00FLAL87.ITM] should have a 50% chance of stunning (not 25%), based on its description.

(7) The Shambling Mound attacks [00CWSHM*.ITM] (both the normal one and the druid shapechange one) were not casting the entangle spell correctly (targets weren't getting the DEX penalty, etc.).

(8) The HOF random equipment chart [RT_FURY.2DA] contains two spelling errors for item codes. This meant that you might not get a random drop when you should have gotten one.


...bugfixes are always recommended!


Component 7: Deep Gnome Starting XP

All races start 1000 XP from level 2 ... except deep gnomes, who for no apparent reason start 5000 XP from level 2. This component makes deep gnomes start 1000 XP away from level 2, just like everyone else.


...seems also be more a bugfix then anything else


Component 8: Improved Moonblades

This changes Emma's Moonblade and the Moonblade from the Moonblade spell to count as small blades so that (1) you can use Expertise with them and (2) you can dual-wield them more easily. This only makes sense: Moonblades are insubstantial magical constructs that have no moment of inertia: you should be able to flick them around very quickly. This also changes Emma's Moonblade so that it has the same stats as the Moonblade Spell Moonblade (e.g., no to-hit bonus, more damage, scambles magic).


...make absolutely sense and seems to be conform with the D&D rules!


Component 9: Improved Monk Fists

This makes monk fists count as "small blades" so that you can use Weapon Finesse (feat that allows you to use DEX for to-hit bonuses instead of STR) with them. Fists are even smaller than daggers -- this only makes sense. In addition, I believe you can do this anyway in 3E (although I think it takes a separate feat).


...same as above!


Component 9b: Magic Weapon Finesse

This changes weightless magical weapons (black blade of disaster, lich touch, ghoul touch, harm, destruction, mordy's sword) to qualify as small blades so that you can use Weapon Finesse with them.


...same as above!


Component 10: Collector's Edition Bonus Items

This component gives you the extra items from the Collector's Edition bonus CD. Here's the original README:

"Welcome to the Icewind Dale II Bonus Disc. This disc contains eleven unique items that have never been seen before in the Forgotten Realms. They also have Heart of Fury mode equivalents so technically there are twenty-one unique items. Below is where you can find them in the game. If you want to know where they are, read on. If you would rather try and find them yourself, please stop now. We really hope you enjoy the bonus items and your adventures in Icewind Dale II. Good hunting."

Tower Store: To find the new store, head to the town of Kuldahar. There you will see a tower in the northwest corner of the map. After entering the tower, you will go into dialogue with an NPC. After you finish this dialogue, go to the air elemental in the the western part of the room. He has all of the unique items for sale, except for one...
[Editor's Note: You may want to free him instead. The items will still be available, but you get XP.]

The Avarine Decanter: In the Wandering Village, you will meet up with an NPC named Nym. Nym has the Avarine Decanter for sale in his store. It is a very unique item, but it is up to you to decipher its mysteries.


...as you get this with the official Collector's Edition - and you will need some of these items for the recommended builds in this guide!


Component 18: Include Forgotten Armor and Shields

This component takes a number of items are are defined in the offical game resource files but do not actually appear anywhere in the game and puts them into the game. I am fairly certain that there is no other way to obtain these items. IWD2 has long been criticized for its vast lack of armor and shields.


...as they are just forgotten - but there are not "must" items for powergaming among them!

.