Well-balanced mods

[Edwin]

Originally Posted by Edar Macilrille

Apart from the official patches etc here are the mods that I have downloaded and hope to get working for my next BG game, starting with BG I and ending with ToB.

Ascension
Item Upgrade
Ease of Use
Oversight *
Ashes of Embers *
Banterpack
The House of Sim Mods *
Virtue (hope it works I really want to try it and last attempt it did not) *
Kelsey (though I usually have e female elven sorcerer named Mordana and also a transferred NPC from Rolemaster with me, she is baaaaad news to opponents;-) I like Kelsey and two good sorcerers sometimes come in handy) *
Unfinished Biz *
BG II Refinements *
Tactics (though only parts, I have completed one game with it installed and now know what encounters to avoid beefing up)
Flirtpacks
Rogue Rebalance *
Restored Drow Innates *
Clerical remix *
Calculator *
G3 Tweakpack
G3 Annerversary pack
Subraces *
Bag Bonus *
Underrepresented Items
Solaufein
Ironmodder 1, Ghrey's part of it. *

Apart from Tactics, not too cheesy and if refined a bit I hope Tactics will prove less cheesy.

Best wishes; Palle

Can you please tell me if all these mods created problems in your game...(crashes).
I'd like to start a new game too, but i don't want to arrive to the end of SoA and find myself stuck with a crash or something like that....
Thanks a lot.

Moreover i can't find some of the mods you mentioned....i've placed a * near the name...thanks...

[Andyr]

Most of the ones you can't find are at http://www.gibberlings3.net or http://www.pocketplane.net - Cleric Remix is now known as Divine Remix. A new version (4) will be out within the next few days, so I'd wait for that.

[Kenyon]

Hey, just adding my list.

PATCHES:
Official Bioware Patch: There's no excuse not to get it, really, so run over to Bioware and get your fix!

Baldurdash Fixpack: The problems they didn't fix with the official patch are handled by the awesome folks at Baldurdash.

Baldurdash Gametext: Same as above: it updates stuff like descriptions, fixing typos or statistics in the game. Install it after the patch but before other mods.

Ease of Use mod: Thanks to Weidu. There's a lot of stuff in Ease of Use that can absolutely ruin your game. Just install a few components like the romance bugfixes, Imoen's dialog bugfixes, and optionally shut up the "You Must Gather Your Party..." voice. Do not install the concurrent romance part or the multiple stronghold part: they work, and sound like a lot of fun, but they end up spoiling more than they're adding. It's just not the same, trust me.

G3 Tweaks: Plenty of good stuff in here as well. The world map fixes are awesome, the restoration of the SoA logo (if you have ToB) works well, and the Valen/Solafein injections are a must, but an often overlooked part of this mod. What happens in your unmodded game is that NPC's who are too far away from the rest of the party don't get included into some conversations. This bit replaces that code using a simple check: in the party or not? The result: getting a lot of conversations you missed the first time around.

G3 Oversight: Fix all those nasty alignment bugs and tweaks the classes. Just get the read me here and you'll see what I mean.

QUESTS:
G3 Anniversary Mod: Because barcrawling is fun. This mod might be less applicable for you serious types, but my bard had an amazing time with this. Get it, you won't be disappointed.

Unfinished Business: A lot of stuff got cut from the release when the developers had to release BG2 in time: this mod restores a lot of the cut material. A no brainer.

Quest Pack V2: There's only one quest pack out there that needs downloading, and it's the one at Pocketplane. Version 2 of the quest pack fixes many bugs from the previous release, so if you tried that one but was disappointed, try this instead. The site itself has a detailed read me of all the quests added.

Ascension: The essential mod for every Throne of Bhaal fan, designed and written by David Gaider, who worked on the ToB game itself. In his words, it's pretty much what would have been if the designers were allowed more time before the game shipped. An extended finale to the saga, including the possibility of converting Balthazar to your cause and added roleplaying abilities. Get it at Weidu.

NPC Related:
Flirt Pack: I loved the romances - and the flirt pack at Pocketplane enhances the four possible romances in every way. The writing, though entirely within the BG2 style, is a bit more mature than Bioware's though, so if that isn't your cup of tea, don't download this.

Banter Pack: Adds banters for all NPCs. If you liked the interjections in the original but want more quality writing, download this. Also from Pocketplane.

Turnabout: An addition to the Ascension mod specified above, this mod allows you to resurrect dead comrades before the final battle. A great addition to an already awesome mod. Can also be found at the Pocketplane.

[Littiz]

Moreover i can't find some of the mods you mentioned....i've placed a * near the name...thanks...

www.spellholdstudios.net holds the rest of the mods listed.
Refinements has its own site too (link in my sig) .

anyone got a link for the enhanced monk mode? the one that gives monks new HLAs and such..

The first enhanced monk table came out with Oversight.
A newer one was developed for Refinements as a part of the Revised HLA system.
Not sure which one you're after, but it should be one of these two anyway

[fable]

Iitem. An item-adding mod, with more randomness than you might expect:

The iiItem Mod adds several dozen new items to the game, concentrating on lesser known item types (such as potions, bracers, arrows etc). The mod does not (currently) add any upgradable items, item parts or smiths. Game balance has been taken into account during item creation, and over-powered items have (hopefully) been avoided - there are no +5 katanas!

Items are scattered throughout the game world; being added to creature inventories and stores (none of the new items are currently added to area containers). 'Unique' items (i.e. items with a specific individual history) are added only to stores.

When installing onto Tutu, the player is presented with an extra option - whether to install 'flavour items'. These are items that have no immediate use in Tutu (such as weapons with bonus damage against Yuan-ti, which don't exist in Tutu, and anti-level drain items, which have no use in BG1), though they may add to the 'flavour' of the game - not everything exists to be used by the Protagonist, right then and there.

NOTE: The installation makes heavy use of randomness, meaning that items will not always be available in the same places, or in the same amounts. The use of this randomness means there is a very small chance that not all of the items will be added to the game for any given installation.

Unlike many "store" mods, this one seems truly balanced. Items turn up in logically appropriate places. Store bought goods have a reasonable price on them, and nothing is overpowered. Good item descriptions, too, written in keeping with the style and history of the games.

You can find a link at the Pocket Plane Group.

[rbeverjr]

I've made several posts on Improved Anvil (IA) in the past. Here's a sticky for my review. This particular review applies to IA5, the most current version at the time of this post.

Improved Anvil Review

Sikret is the mod author. He is very responsive to posts at Black Wyrm, and is continually developing Improved Anvil (IA). IA is extensively play tested prior to release. IA is huge, although the file size is not as huge as some of the cinematic mods. IA includes extensive revisions of the rules and creatures of the game. It also introduces new creatures, kits, items, and content. It is remarkably stable and bug-free. It is also indisputably the most difficult mod available for BG2.

If you can beat Ascension on insane with a single character (solo), then you may find this game pleasantly challenging. If you consider yourself a very good player (but not that good) and are willing to do some reloading and metagaming, then you may also enjoy this game. Reiterating, if you are a good tactical player and are looking for a challenge, then IA may be for you.

IA5 is very difficult. New players and those with marginal tactical skill probably should not install this mod, because you will find it very frustrating.

The original game could be trounced by a thief or a mage. The thief’s and mage’s stellar offensive power has been greatly attenuated. Spell casters will be protected from backstab by spell magic, and many monsters have an inherent immunity. Traps, including Spiked traps, do not work against many monsters, and almost all of the really tough monsters are immune. The mage does have limited offensive capability, but he is no killer like in the original game. The mage is very useful to buff the team, debuff the enemy, interrupt enemy mage spell casting, and add a little offense every now and then. It was essential to curtail some of the thief’s and mage’s offensive power to allow a challenging game. If the thief backstabs and kills the mage before he does his sophisticated script of player annihilation, then the challenge is gone. If a mage is able to kill entire party of monsters with chained Horrid Wilting, there is no challenge either. If you want to be able to use these techniques, don’t bother installing IA.

The most effective offense in IA is melee. That’s not to say that other tactics, such as archery or spells, are ineffective. However, *generally* melee allows more damage and is more reliable to do damage than archery and spells against the improved IA enemies. If you don’t like the melee-style of playing, you probably won’t like IA.

In the original game, it is relatively easy to solo. As of IA version 5, it is impossible or extremely difficult to beat this game with a solo character. A party of 5 or 6 characters is recommended. If you like Solo play, don’t install IA.

Each version of Improved Anvil becomes more difficult than the last. The present version is difficult enough that I sometimes consider playing IA as more work than joy. And this is a huge criticism. I succeed, but some battles take a great deal of effort. That’s not fun when you are looking for a brief respite from a very long day at work before bed. Tactical wizards (players) probably would not complain. Furthermore, play should become easier as you learn the necessary tactics and metagame. Still, the learning curve can be very steep, particularly for those people who have never played earlier versions of IA.

I love to play many mods together and experience the creativity of many authors. Unfortunately, IA5 works with less mods than the previous version, and the next version of IA will work with less mods than the present version. If you have a favorite mod or a mod you would like to try out, you should definitely check with Sikret before trying to run it with IA, because many times the mods will not work together. If you like running BG2 with many mods installed, IA may not be for you.

So, all in all, I love IA. I keep it on my computer, but I only play it when I am rested and ready for a challenge. At other times, I play something easier, like an extensively modded (for difficulty) game with SCS2, Ascension, etc. and play on insane difficulty.

[rbeverjr]

I’ve tried all the mods listed below, but have not yet completed an entire game with Solaufein (wanting that Eclipse challenge), Chosen of Mystra encounters, and Ascension. I hope that I will actually complete the game this time, rather than abandoning it. These mods also seemed to install OK together, and so far have worked well together. I don’t expect to notice any future mishap. I am posting this listing as a suggestion for an install of “well-balanced” mods that can give a challenging game, but be much more relaxed the Improved Anvil 5. That’s exactly what I have experienced so far. These mods include:
BG2 Fixpack,
Weimer’s Tactics and Solaufein (for the Eclipse challenge!; I have not yet faced all of Sola’s battles)
Sikret’s The Four
Chosen of Mystra’s Encounters (I have not yet faced all of these encounters)
Ascension (I have not yet faced all of Ascension)
Tower of Deception
Dungeon Crawler
Zyraen’s Miscellany
Ding0 Experience Fixer (DEF JAM)
BG2 Tweaks
Sword Coast Strategems II (SCSII)
Most are all of these mods are listed here: Infinity Engine Modlist - BG2 Mods

INSTALL

// Log of Currently Installed WeiDU Mods
// The top of the file is the 'oldest' mod
// ~TP2_File~ #language_number #component_number // [Subcomponent Name -> ] Component Name
~BG2FIXPACK/SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #0 // BG2 Fixpack - Core Fixes
~BG2FIXPACK/SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #1 // BG2 Fixpack - Game Text Update
~BG2FIXPACK/SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #100 // Party Gets XP for Sending Keldorn to Reconcile With Maria
~BG2FIXPACK/SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #101 // Improved Spell Animations
~BG2FIXPACK/SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #104 // Ghreyfain's Holy Symbol Fixes
~BG2FIXPACK/SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #106 // Giants Receive Penalties When Attacking Halflings, Dwarves, and Gnomes
~BG2FIXPACK/SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #107 // Remove Dual-Classing Restriction from Archers and Stalkers
~SETUP-COM_ENCOUNTERS.TP2~ #0 #0 // Chosen of Mystra's Encounters (Requires Throne of Bhaal)
~SETUP-TACTICS.TP2~ #0 #1 // The Ritual (requires ToB)
~SETUP-TACTICS.TP2~ #0 #4 // Improved Bodhi
~SETUP-TACTICS.TP2~ #0 #5 // Improved Irenicus
~SETUP-TACTICS.TP2~ #0 #6 // Improved Guarded Compound in the Temple District
~SETUP-TACTICS.TP2~ #0 #7 // Improved Twisted Rune
~SETUP-TACTICS.TP2~ #0 #9 // "Red Badge" Poison-Based Encounter
~SETUP-TACTICS.TP2~ #0 #11 // Gebhard Blucher's Lich in the Docks
~SETUP-TACTICS.TP2~ #0 #12 // Gebhard Blucher's Improved Demon Knights
~SETUP-TACTICS.TP2~ #0 #14 // Kensai Ryu's Gnome Fighter/Illusionist in the Docks
~SETUP-TACTICS.TP2~ #0 #26 // Fighter-Class Archer Kit
~SETUP-TACTICS.TP2~ #0 #28 // Göran Rimén's Improved Nymphs
~SETUP-TACTICS.TP2~ #0 #31 // Mike Barnes' Improved Small Teeth Pass
~SETUP-TACTICS.TP2~ #0 #32 // Mike Barnes' Improved North Forest
~SETUP-SOLAUFEIN.TP2~ #0 #0 // Solaufein Romance for Baldur's Gate II (SoA & ToB)
~SETUP-ASCENSION.TP2~ #0 #0 // Ascension v1.41 (requires ToB)
~SETUP-ASCENSION.TP2~ #0 #1 // Tougher Abazigal (optional, requires ToB)
~SETUP-ASCENSION.TP2~ #0 #2 // Original Tougher Demogorgon (optional, requires ToB)
~SETUP-ASCENSION.TP2~ #0 #3 // Tougher Gromnir (optional, requires ToB)
~SETUP-ASCENSION.TP2~ #0 #4 // Tougher Illasera (optional, requires ToB)
~SETUP-ASCENSION.TP2~ #0 #5 // Tougher Yaga-Shura (optional, requires ToB)
~DC/SETUP-DC.TP2~ #0 #0 // Dungeon Crawl, v3
~TOD/SETUP-TOD.TP2~ #0 #0 // Tower Of Deception Mod (Requires Throne Of Bhaal)
~TOD/SETUP-TOD.TP2~ #0 #1 // Improved Astral Shard Guardian
~TOD/SETUP-TOD.TP2~ #0 #2 // Encounter with Ustrain
~IEPBANTERS/IEPBANTERS.TP2~ #0 #0 // Extended NPC-NPC Interaction SoA
~IEPBANTERS/IEPBANTERS.TP2~ #0 #1 // Extended Minsc/Aerie Interaction ToB
~IEPBANTERS/IEPBANTERS.TP2~ #0 #5 // Install Banter Accelerator? How much time would you like in between NPC banters in-game? -> 20 Minutes
~SETUP-DUNGEONBEGONE.TP2~ #0 #0 // Dungeon Be Gone V1.6
~SETUP-Z#MISC.TP2~ #0 #1 // Improved Statue of Riddles
~SETUP-Z#MISC.TP2~ #0 #4 // Primary Nerfs - Reducing Overpowered Items
~SETUP-Z#MISC.TP2~ #0 #5 // Secondary Reductions - Instant Kill Reductions
~SETUP-XPMOD.TP2~ #0 #0 // Creature XP Reduction -> Reduce to 75%
~SETUP-XPMOD.TP2~ #0 #5 // Locks, Traps and Spells XP Reduction -> Reduce to 75%
~SETUP-XPMOD.TP2~ #0 #11 // Quest XP Reduction -> Reduce to 75%
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #20 // Change Imoen's Avatar to Mage
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #60 // Weapon Animation Tweaks
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #90 // Disable Portrait Icons Added by Equipped Items
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #100 // Commoners Use Drab Colors
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #120 // Change Avatar When Wearing Robes or Armor (Galactygon)
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #1080 // Add Bags of Holding
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #1160 // Multiple Strongholds (Baldurdash) -> No Restrictions (Baldurdash)
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #1170 // Bonus Merchants (Baldurdash)
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #1180 // Female Edwina
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #1220 // Allow Cromwell to Upgrade Watcher's Keep Items
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #2040 // Universal Clubs
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #2050 // Description Updates for Universal Clubs Component
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #2090 // Change Experience Point Cap -> Remove Experience Cap
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #2100 // Allow Thieving and Stealth in Heavy Armor
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #2150 // Wear Multiple Protection Items -> P&P Restrictions
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #2210 // True Grandmastery (Baldurdash)
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #2250 // Un-Nerfed Sorcerer Spell Progression Table
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #2261 // Alter Mage Spell Progression Table -> PnP Table
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #2271 // Alter Bard Spell Progression Table -> PnP Table
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #2281 // Alter Cleric Spell Progression Table -> PnP Table
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #2294 // Alter Druid Spell and Level Progression Tables -> Use Cleric Level Progression Changes With PnP Druid/Cleric Spell Table
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #2300 // Triple-Class HLA Tables
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #3000 // Higher HP on Level Up -> Maximum
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #3010 // Maximum HP for NPCs (the bigg) -> For All Creatures in Game
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #3030 // Easy Spell Learning -> 100% Learn Spells
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #3040 // Make Bags of Holding Bottomless
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #3050 // Remove fatigue from restoration spells
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #3080 // Unlimited Ammo Stacking
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #3090 // Unlimited Gem and Jewelry Stacking
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #3100 // Unlimited Potion Stacking
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #3110 // Unlimited Scroll Stacking
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #3121 // Happy Patch (Party NPCs do not fight or complain about reputation) -> NPCs can be angry about reputation but never leave (Salk)
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #3150 // Turn Off The Hideous Cloak-of-Mirroring, Spell-Trap, and Physical Mirror Animations
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #3183 // Romance Cheats
~BG2_TWEAKS/SETUP-BG2_TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #3200 // Sellable Items (Icelus)
***edited: Removed The Four from the install list because using this great mod without Improved Anvil requires version 2, which is not available for downloading any longer.
CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

[rbeverjr]

~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #10 // Detectable spells and effects (required for most other components)
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #20 // Allow Spellstrike to take down a Protection from Magic scroll
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #50 // Iron Skins behaves like Stoneskin (can be brought down by Breach)
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #61 // Modify the Harm spell so it does damage rather than reducing target to 1 hp -> Enemy and player Harm spells both do 150 hp of damage
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #90 // Blade Barrier and Globe of Blades only affect hostile creatures
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #140 // Move Vhailor's Helm into Throne of Bhaal
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #150 // Move the Robe of Vecna into Throne of Bhaal
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #201 // Prevent party members from dying irreversibly
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #220 // Smarter general AI
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #230 // Better calls for help
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #235 // Potions for NPCs
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #238 // Improved Spiders
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #240 // Improved fiends -> Fiends have fast, uninterruptable innate magic
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #251 // Smarter genies -> Genies cast spells like normal wizards
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #260 // Smarter celestials -> Celestials have fast, uninterruptable innate magic
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #270 // Smarter dragons -> Dragons have fast, uninterruptable innate magic
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #280 // Smarter beholders -> Upgrade the beholders' AI but don't include a Hive upgrade
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #290 // Smarter mind flayers -> Illithids have only original-game resistances; Illithids can see through invisibility
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #300 // Smarter githyanki
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #320 // Smarter Mages -> Mages cast some short-duration spells instantly at start of combat, to simulate pre-battle casting
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #330 // Smarter Priests -> Priests cast some short-duration spells instantly at start of combat, to simulate pre-battle casting
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #341 // Add high-level abilities (HLAs) to ToB mages -> All ToB mages who can cast 9th-level spells get HLAs
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #351 // Add high-level abilities (HLAs) to ToB priests -> All ToB priests who can cast 9th-level spells get HLAs
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #361 // Add high-level abilities (HLAs) to SoA mages -> All SoA mages who can cast 9th-level spells get HLAs
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #371 // Add high-level abilities (HLAs) to SoA priests -> All SoA priests who can cast 9th-level spells get HLAs
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #379 // Improved d'Arnise Keep ("Tactics Remix") -> Spirit trolls have the same powers as in the original game
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #383 // Improved Fire Giant temple
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #385 // Enhanced Sendai's Enclave
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #386 // Improved Abazigal's Lair
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #401 // Increase difficulty of level-dependent monster groupings -> Significantly increased difficulty
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #410 // Improved minor encounters [almost no content yet]
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #415 // Give SCS II style AI to Ascension enemies
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #420 // Ease-of-use party AI
~SCSII/SETUP-SCSII.TP2~ #0 #440 // Move Boo into Minsc's pack

COMMENTS ON INSTALL:
The above is basically my installation order, but I think (in my not-expert opinion) that the following may be a better order. Install all Weimar stuff that you want immediately to the patched game. Next, install the fixpack. Any setup that you think you may run again needs to be near last! The very last installs should be in this order: Tweaks, SCSII, and Zyraen. I know that I will run Zyraen again in ToB to add the staged XP caps. I don’t think there is any reason that any mod must be added after Zyraen. In general, SCSII needs to be one of the last mods installed to guarantee that its AI/improvements hold for all the game and modded content.

Please note that not everything I installed was for the purpose of difficulty enhancement. Some of the tweaks were for my personal enjoyment. Some of these mods actually have no role in the game that I am playing currently, such as dual class archers mods when I am not playing an archer.

DIFFICULTY: Insane.

I used the DEFJAM 6 experience limiter to provide me 75% of all normal XP awards. I will stop leveling up each character in SoA after they obtain their first HLA. Please note that all enemies with level 9 spells will also have HLAs, both in SoA and ToB due to SCSII. After ToB begins, I will set my team members’ XP to 3,500,000? (or less) with Shadow Keeper. Furthermore, I will install Zyraen’s staged XP caps (normal difficulty) without the XP restorer. I didn’t want these stage caps cramping my style in SoA. After all, I have plenty of difficulty enhancement without that.

As far as difficulty is concerned, the limitation of XP, Max HP to everyone (including all monsters), and SCSII components greatly improve the challenge of the standard game and are highly recommended.


LIMITATIONS

*I will not use Chromatic Orb or Spook, which are too powerful for Level 1 spells.

*I also will not use Project Image or Simulacrum, which are too abusive in my opinion.

*I can only steal consumables from stores (potions, scrolls, arrows, and such), rather than nice, expensive items. I can only steal 5 of any one specific portion or scroll or 120 of any specific type of arrows for the entire game of SoA+ToB. (I keep a notepad listing stolen stuff.) I will sell nothing stolen from stores. There is no limitation on picking people’s pockets.

*There will be a few more self-imposed restrictions that I won’t bother to list. They will include the most blatant exploits of the AI, such as Cloud Kill into the “fog of war.” In general, I will try to act on character knowledge rather than player knowledge and not use tactics that would not work against a human game master.

*ALL non-standard items (unavailable in the original game) provided in mods will be placed in a bag of holding for stolen goods or left on the ground! These items will never be sold. These items will also not be used with the following exceptions: (1) +1 or +2 weapons, shields, or armor without any other special ability can be used; and (2) +3 weapons, shields, or armor which compare well power-wise with other stock items after Zyraen’s nerfs may be used in ToB.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
As I said, I’ve enjoyed this game so far. It’s not as challenging as Improved Anvil 5, which gives me mixed emotions. I love overcoming great challenge. On the other hand, sometimes I’m simply too tired to face that kind of challenge. At those times, I really appreciate the SCSII install!

[dryhte]

As long as you remember to have fun...

[Sykar]

Originally Posted by Tequila

Personally I'm loving the Tactics mod. I just don't understand all the complaints about it. So far I've beat Ilyich, Torgal, Maevar, Firkraag, Bodhi(chapter 6) and Twisted Rune without any cheese. Did I get my ass handed to me before I figured them out? Yes. Did I enjoy the process of coming up with a strategy? Hell yes! All of them with the exception of Ilyich are very reproducable for me. I also don't have any problem admitting that Kurosian is kicking my ass and I had to disable him for now since I have other things I want to do.

Take Torgal for instance. I read the SixOfSpades review on it where he said he had to resort to cheesy set trap and sleep tactics. I don't particually enjoy that kind of gaming and when I got my butt kicked the 5th time around with a 8-9 level party I came to the realization that I needed one more level so my mages could cast lower resistance allowing me to land slow. That's all that was needed to turn that fight from seemingly impossible to very doable. Once you slow his regen he goes down easily.

Bodhi and Twisted Rune IMHO have been the most fun so far. Once again I read the SixOfSpades review of Bodhi where he tried it with a party between 10-12th levels. Now that I can see would be next to impossible but by the time I got out of Underdark my party was all 14-16 with Anomen at 17. Bodhi was very difficult but not impossible. With cleric regen and mage improved haste, cold resists, PME, not letting NPP drop, lots of heal potions and timly healing from Jahiera this one is very fun.

Twisted Rune finally gives you intelligent enemies. Shangalar's contingency fires off Remove Magic followed by two Horrid Wiltings so stay away from the entry room when the fight starts unless you want all your buffs removed and to die quickly Layene doesn't win the fight for you by gating in a deamon and casting meteor shower(I never understood the sheer stupidity of that). She actually uses the Staff of Magi to continuously invis herself - way cool!

The random city encounters are finally getting a bit more challenging although still easy at this point. It's nice to see a combo of a druid, mage, cleric, bounty hunters, zerkers and wizard slayers fighting against you in chapter 6 instead of the usual losers.

I find the Tactics mod a very satisfying experience. When you kill an improved fight you really feel like you earned what was dropped by them. As for unbalancing drops the only one I've seen is the claw from Torgal which was a 2D6+3 dagger. Pretty sick but I don't have anyone who can even take advantage from it. The +3 club from Ilyich is nice but not unbalancing at all. All other drops are unchanged: Carsomyr, SotM, etc.

My advice is this; if a fight is way too hard then back off, get a few more levels, spells, toys and try again. Not something you can do with Illyich but you can with all the others. This is not a mod where you can hack+slash your way through and claim to conquer Kangaxx and Twisted Rune at 9th level. It takes a combined effort and in some cases you have to wait a few levels before you can get those nice drops. The way the game should be, IMHO.

The Illyich fight alone at the very start made me go sour. After that I tried the Mae'Var fight. Sufficient to say I absolutely hated those fights because they are retardedly overpowered and required loads of cheese and reloads. Nothing I would call fun at all. That's just my personal opinion. On the other hand what interests me most in an RPG is story and character with battle at the third place only. It totally destroys the BG 2 feeling for me and does not add anything fun/interessting for me.
I prefer the Sword Coast Stratagems II mod for BG2 which makes the NPCs more believable intelligent without relying on cheating or making opponentns unbelievable powerful.
Currently I struggle to make my few mods work all together properly. My latest installation prevented me importing saved games into ToB and the improved Illasera from Ascension/Longer Road addon.

I want to get working that:

Ascension
Longer Road
G3 BG 2 Fixpack
Rogue Rebalancing
NPC Kit
G3 BG 2 Tweakpack

[Jordoo]

I'm currantly playing the Amber Mod, she seems very ballanced to me like she fits right into the game and should have alwasy been there. She isn't super powerfull but gives you another option for a theif.

[dragon wench]

I want to make a plug for several mods I'm in the process of trying out. They all add banter, party interaction etc. So.. if you like this sort of thing, they are well worth checking out, a big thumbs up!

Mazzy Friendship

Viconia Friendship

Yoshimo Friendship

IEP Extended Banters

All seem to work just fine with the PPG banter pack, as well as the crossmod banter pack (I'm using this with Xan and Kivan right now)

[Jordoo]

Tyris Flare: Romanceable Human Female Fi/Ma for SoA

G3: Tyris Flare

Tyris is a great option as a mage for a good PC and also packs a bit more of a punch than your average mage.