Recommended mods/fixes/etc for BG compilation?

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Hey all...

I'm about to get a copy of the Baldur's Gate compilation set and play it through for the second time. First was a number of years ago, so thankfully I've forgotten much of the story.

I know there are a lot of mods and unofficial patches to fix bugs, game balance, etc, but am not really sure where to start. I'd hate to get several that end up not working right or being incompatible. Also found that sifting thru some of the descriptions of said mods were 'giving away' stuff that I didn't remember, spoiler-style. So I'm posting on here hoping folks can recommend the general consensus for the 'best' and most stable ones.

I'll be playing BG1 thru ToB. Looking for stuff that fixes obvious bugs and balance issues, but also hoping to find ones that give monsters better scripting/AI, maybe even ones that add new areas/quests/companions (as long as it's well-done), etc.

Really just looking for the most solid playing experience possible - I rarely replay games but these are some of my very favorites... any recs would be much appreciated!

 

I'd say just patch it and reacquaint yourself with the story, then mod later.

 

Agreed, make sure it's patched, and then play a bit before you decide to tinker with it. I loved - still love! - BG1 unmodded, just patched, and have had little or no trouble with true bugs.

 

Thanks for the responses...
But let's say hypothetically I start playing again and the game(s) is basically as I remember. What mods/addons would give a slightly different or more varied experience without unbalancing things too much?

I remember thinking the enemy AI often could be improved - sometimes they were not so smart reacting to PC actions and have read there are some addons that improve their scripts...

 

I'd if you want it to be only slightly different then go for NPC addons and perhaps small extra quests.

I'd recommend SCS2 for a very customizable change of the AI, but you wouldn't experience slightly altered gameplay - it would be significantly changed. To the better I should say.

 

mmh the mods I don't play without are

-flirtpack, banterpack ...imho never enough
-scs II
-bg2 tweaks infinite muniton/gems/scroll stacks

Mods I recommend
-refinements ...more diverse HLAs
-imoenrom ...imho best dialogues award
-ascension ...nifty tob ending
-rogue rebalancing ...dunno

...Improved Anvil is famous but I well... it is unholy hard/frustrating

 

One should mention that there are unofficial fixpacks available which just fix bugs and nothing else.
Imo the BG2ThroneOfBhaalFixPack112 which you can download here is the best.

Other than that it is a matter of personal taste when it comes to the myriads of other 'fixes' and mods.

There are mods which enhance difficulty (Ascension, IA, SCS2),
or add more content via added banter, npcs, areas...

 

I'm surprised no one mentioned "Tutu", a mod that basically let you use BG2's Engine for the first game, so you can use "advanced" features such as 800X600 resolution . So, Install BG1 / ToTSC (if you have it) then BG2 / TOB (for a total of *gasp* eleven CDs!) Play through the first game, export your char, uninstall TuTu play the second game.

Ease of Use; perhaps not all of the features, but some are IMO essential. I.e. unlimited stacks of arrow/bullet/bolt comes to mind

Imoen's Romance is indeed good, but it changes the story to some extend, and the project seems to be dead as there's still no progress toward the TOB conclusion, it still is a SOA only mod.

Spoiler

The mod presents some ambiguity toward incestuous relationship. Fun fact; there's no restriction on gender / race for Imoen (she's that open eh? )

Ascension is good, as it is "somewhat" official; it adds cut stuff from TOB, and I think it was made by some of the developers.

Spoiler

Ascension basically makes the five bhaalspawn harder to beat, if I recall correctly.

BOM item pack, of course, as there's an item of great power with my name in there.

Dungeon be Gone; Well, only if you find Irenicus' dungeon (Bg2 chapter 1) to be annoying as hell.

That's it for the moment, I think.