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Tower of Deception includes new area art and a new movie, and to be able to win the quest, you will have to solve a very simple "riddle" (but if you follow the dialogues carefully, it won't be a "riddle" at all).

Again, just to emphasize it, Improved Anvil is a mod which requires brand-new approach in gameplay and tactics (old tactics won't work), and please make sure to read its readme file thoroughly, to find out which mods are incompatible with it. It's possible that some other mods on your list are incompatible with it, so they can't be installed, this is why it's so important to read the installation document -- in case you go with IA.

As for BG2 Improvements, I think the readme (there is also an online readme on its forums) details all important things about it. (Of course, if you have any question regarding any of the mods I've listed, freel free to visit their forum to ask it -- if the author is required to give an answer to it.)

 

This is true.

There is one other important point which is worth mentioning about IA. Improved Anvil adds a big replaying value to the game, because every time you start a new game with this mod a good number of things will be different compared to your previous run-through:

1- Depending on your protagonist's class you will see new and different events and quests in the game.

2- The item randomizer will re-distribute the items in new locations (Two important points: (a) you don't need to re-install the mod for the items to be re-distributed; just start a new game and the mod will automatically re-distribute items into new locations. (b) it's true that the new locations for items are random, but they are sensibly random. You won't find items in pointless or easy locations.)

3- By allowing different joinable NPCs into your party, you will have access to new and different items.

 

@Kulyok, re: PPG modlist. The problem for me is not that new entries are missing but that outdated ones remain, even after repeatedly reporting a dead link; e.g., "Luizmods v3" entry is up-to-date, but the old (dead-link) "Luizmods" is still there. I can understand that there might be reluctance to prune the lists for fear of wrongly removing an active (but temporarily unobtainable) link, but some form of cleanup is really overdue for the PPG lists to retain their usefulness.

@cmorgan: great post.

On topic: The Questpack, (some of) Unfinished Business, Tower of Deception, and (for TOB) Ascension, are all great "expander" mods that I recommend, and can all be installed together.*

* There used to be a problem with Tower of Deception and the "Restored Crooked Crane" component of Unfinished Business, but I believe that's resolved. To be on the safe side you can choose not to install "Restored Crooked Crane" as it adds very little of worth (IMO).

 

Yes, ToD's current version works with Restored Crooked Crane too. (Valiant was kind enough to include a specific fix for UB's bug, but UB's next release must fix the serious dependency-related issue present in v15, because it may break other mods too. I've already provided the fix, so this obviously won't be a problem.)

 

^ Nice. I really should update my TOD, but I've been holding off until V3 is ready.

 

No one - as far as I read - mentioned Dungeon Crawl and Romantic encounters found at G3.

 

I did not have the chance to try them out, but will do so in my next run, rest assured!

 

Just to clarify, Dungeon Crawl is at PPG.

 

At this point, I am supposed to appear and provide the links:

Dungeon Crawl: http://pocketplane.net/dc - and check out the original comic at
http://dungeoncrawlinc.com

Romantic Encounters: http://gibberlings3.net/romanticencounters


@Luiz: I'm sorry about the old link for your mod, it's now fixed - only the current, v3, link should be visible.

 

Yep, guys, and new Tower Of Deception version, namely V3 is approaching to its release. Just waiting for Italian translation. Once I´ll receive it, it will be implemented into the mod, and the mod itself will be released as a Christmas Gift to you all, folks...

 

I just want to point out that we shouldn't overstate how good one has to be to enjoy Improved Anvil. Before playing Improved Anvil, I had never played much tactical mods at all, and had only even *completely* finished BG2/ToB about 4 times.

Although due to time issues I didn't get to play all of IA (Although I should be able to start up again very soon!) the stuff that I did play was fantastically fun. I don't think you need to be a tactical genius for IA, you just have to be willing to really think about what sort of strategies to use. It's really, far and away the best mod I've ever played.

 

I find the above to be very true. I think that people are often too quick to jump to the conclusion that one have to be a tactical mastermind in order to be successful in IA, and I do not think that statement is necessarily true. One just have to be armed with a good amount of patience and the willingness to succeed, and the natural learning curve in IA will in due time make you an expert in many of the aspects of the game.
In fact this is the beauty of IA. Many previous tactical mods would required the user to have a good knowledge of the game and how to exploit it. It wouldn't have a learning curve but simply just encourage you to cheese to your hearts content, and use the same cheesy tactics over again just with ever more powerful parties.

 

Thanks for your kind words, nataben and olimikrig!

 

Man at Work makes the best mods for BGII.

His mods are truly the second coming of mods.

 

going to try improved Anveil now. From what everyone says so far, I think thats the best and most accomplished mod available. Tactics is just too crazy for me

 

The usual reminders:
1. Improved Anvil is recommended to experienced players. Experienced not primarily in "cheese" and cheap tricks, but rather in fundemental tactics and methods. IA requires you to find new tactics or refine, adapt your existing tactics to the brand-new challenges.
2. Make sure to read the installation requirements, and follow them precisely.

But I'm sure you've already read much information about it, considering you're saying you were going to try it.