I was wondering if anyone here used the item upgrade mod from weimer. I have seen it referenced, so I am almost certain that someone is. That, however, is not the point of this thread.
I wondere why, actually. As it is now, Bg2 with tactics is a IMo relatively balanced game: it's hard, but beatable, and only the most extreme fights require cheese (though some will disagree ). Why make the game (overly?) easy by adding those items? From the readme file I've seen some which I consider overpowered, so IMO it would be like cheating in Arkanis' sword.
Thoughts?
Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes right down to the bone
Cool items, scavenger hunt, it gives a fresh feel to the game. Actually with Ruad and Underrepresented Items and Arkavisti the Traveller, there are so many choices and you actually have to choose. I love the choice
It does unbalance the game a bit, but it's already quite unbalanced against you if you install tactics/ascension and play on hard/insane
Must be doing something wrong because I'm NOT finding the game easy, even with my improved Kitthix etc (Improved fire giants, oh my!)
Fair point though. The Scimitar which deals poison damage till the target is dead (how it looks anyway) or the club which grants grand mastery do feel over powered. The worst offenders, however, are part of other mods...Sola's moonblade, the acid katana and the Bloodbane spear and I these I don't use.
As with everything, its all down to personal style. There are more than enough uber items, cheese etc in an un-modded game to keep you occupied if that's your thing. Not sure what my point is.
I don't think it's that unbalancing really. Weapons like Carsomyr, the Staff of the Magi, etc. are already plenty powerful. Mostly Item upgrades lets you do things like wed your +2 Ring to a ring of regeneration so you're not having to swap gear out all the time. Arguably, some of the the most unbalanced item not in the original game are the infamous Robe of Vecna & Shield of Balduran, which are from Bioware's own bonus merchants.
As to the tactics drops: well, Bloodbane isn't that much better than upgraded Impaler (it's a killer weapon, though, I love it), the real winner in there is those caster boots that make you immune to dispel.
For those who find this item or that annoying, just say NO to them. I was very pleased by Underrepresented items, as it actually made some weapon skills - like dagger and mace - meaningful again.
Also ease/difficulty is a matter of tactics & approach. The same encounter may be insanely easy for one player, and almost impossible for another, regardless of skill, simply depending on approach.
Good gaming!
I have given up all lesser evils as inadequate to my purpose.
I dig the item upgrade mod (and others) simply because the original items got boring. I like seeing new things to keep the game interesting. Now, I'm using spears, clubs, darts, scimitars and other weapons that I never used before. Also, it's fun to be able to actually use items that would otherwise gather dust in your bag of holding. Some of the equipment seems too powerful, but I routinely up or lower the difficulty depending on the area to give me some challenge. With many other mods installed, I'm finding that core is giving me a very fun game.
). Why make the game (overly?) easy by adding those items? From the readme file I've seen some which I consider overpowered, so IMO it would be like cheating in Arkanis' sword.
