mod suggestions wanted

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I haven't fired up BG1 or BG2 in quite a while, and was thinking of doing so again using some of the new mods... but there are so many to more to choose from than last time I played through!

(Mods I've used in the past included ascension, some tactics, a couple new NPCs I dropped anyway, BG1tutu, unfinished business, banter packs, some ease of use, etc.)

I'm looking for a complete run through BG1, SoA, and ToB that departs enough from the vanilla campaign to seem like a new experience, while maintaining the quality of the original.

Thus, my criteria:

1) The mods can include NPC mods, quest mods, and game play mods.
2) The mods should be compelling, well written, and professionally done (i.e., few if any bugs, spelling and grammer errors, etc).
3) The mods should compliment eachother, and allow an interesting single play campaign.
4) I don't mind using either Bg1Tutu or importing a BG1 CHARNAME into SoA; the important thing is the quality of quests, etc.
5) I'm not so interested in pumping up the difficulty so much that I have to spend time thinking of creative cheese to get past battles.
6) I'm only doing a single run through... this means a single CHARNAME, a single stronghold (no multiple strongholds), etc.

So far I'm thinking of using Kelsey and Keto (never used before and highly regarded). I'm considering the planar sphere mod (and using some mage variant), but have read it has some bugs...

In summary: in your opinion, what are the best mods for a single run through the entire BG series? All suggestions welcome.

 

You have asked to the right guy then, I am known as mod-man.

Here is an old topic about my mods, and ideas about them, If you need anything, just ask and I will help. Have fun! Mods make BG2 soo much better and cool!

http://www.sorcerers.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/10/4995.html

 

Wow, Silverstar, very useful. Thanks!

Can *all* of these work together without a problem?

 

Well I have encountered only one bug with this mod but I was able to resolve it.If you follow the instructions in the Readme you won't have any problems.
Also note that the Planar Sphere mod involves some very difficult fights,so I am not sure if it satisfies your criterion #5 .Anyway it can be done without cheese.

Mods I always use :

Mods that add difficulty in the game:

- Ascension
- Tactics
- Improved Battles
- Deeper Shadows of Amn
- Planar Sphere mod
- Improved Asylum
- Oversight Mod (the Improved Sendai component)

Mods that add content in the game:

- Unfinished Business
- Quest Pack
- Banter Packs
- NPC Flirt Packs

 

I only found one game-crashing bug with Planar Sphere (the Pain Shard sword, which is fairly easy to fix for even a non-modder - check out the forum if you encounter it), but there are LOTS of little bugs that detract from the mod, including off-center items, black screens where there should be action, item-stacking problems, magical-item creation freezes, and so forth. If you're truly looking for a professionally done mod that integrates seamlessly, I'd give the PS a miss, although, despite it's faults, it can be entertaining.

I highly recommend Unfinished Business for added content. Also the Quest pack, which is very well done, and the G3 Anniversary mod, which is quite fun.

For NPC's, Keto is a great choice. Kelsey is also good, as are Saerilith and Nathaniel. Fade is very nice, but still sort of a work in progress. Don't play with her unless you plan to romance her, or you'll miss nearly all her content. Tsujatha is a little barren, content-wise, although that might change if you romance him; I don't know. I'd avoid Solaufein if you want to keep close to the spirit of the original game.

Whatever you do, don't play with Tortured Souls.

For BG1, I highly recommend Tutu, although there is a big bug concerning the area of Beregost, which can be kept from interfering with your game too much with a little patience (apologies if this has since been fixed). Finch is the only new BG1 NPC I played with, but I highly recommend her: she's funny, and has a cute quest. Get the BG1NPC project, too.