Please note that new user registrations disabled at this time.

Shall I? Or Shan't I?

This forum is to be used for all discussions pertaining to BioWare's Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn.
Post Reply
User avatar
SleeperAgent
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2005 1:09 am
Contact:

Shall I? Or Shan't I?

Post by SleeperAgent »

I'm interested in Mods, mainly items.

I feel like trying 2 mods: Item Upgrade and Underrepresented item mod.

Problem is, last time I tried mods, I ended up with a screwed up game, so I have a somewhat cautious attitude towards mods in general. :mad: If this goes well however, I've an intention to try RTT kit pack as well. :)

So, what say you? Shall I try them? Or Not?

Thanks in advance. ;)
User avatar
krunchyfrogg
Posts: 542
Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2004 12:19 am
Location: NY
Contact:

Post by krunchyfrogg »

I am strongly against the item upgrade mod, but a lot of people like it. i think it makes this game way too easy, as it makes you better, but doesnt toughen enemies one bit.

i dont know anything about the underrepresented items.
A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.
- Jackie Robinson
User avatar
Fenix
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:47 pm
Location: Fremantle, Australia
Contact:

Post by Fenix »

I've no idea about the Underrepresented item mod, but the Item upgrade mod isn't too cheesy. [Possible spoilers ahead!]
Basically, the more upgraded an item can be, the harder it is the find the materials. For example: Lilacor: If you return to Cromwell with some Illithid Mind control bracelets (From underdark) and some other goodies, Cromwell can make it similar to Psion's sword, in that it makes the wielder immune to psionics and takes it up to +5. Ofcourse, you obviously can't just pick this up at the start, so the only real benefit you will get from it is in ToB with the few mindflayers there.
So I'd go for the item upgrade mod, I've never experienced a problem with it - plus it's good fun with some new items.

P.S : They tank up those ultimately useless NPC only gear (family items etc) and uses up those somewhat seemingly useless quest items - so be careful about what you throw out!
"It is not a Commonwealth division, it is an Australian Division. Why, give me two Australian Divisions and I will conquer the world for you!" - The Desert Fox
User avatar
Philos
Posts: 781
Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2004 12:07 pm
Location: Near the house that Elvis built
Contact:

Post by Philos »

Useless Quest items

Fenix,

When you say "seemingly useless quest items" I take it you mean things like *possible spoiler* Dace's Hand, the crystal shard, Amanautor's completed sun amulet, etc., yes?
UNCOMMON VALOR WAS A COMMON VIRTUE
User avatar
krunchyfrogg
Posts: 542
Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2004 12:19 am
Location: NY
Contact:

Post by krunchyfrogg »

Fenix, if the mod doesn't have any additional challenge to the game (other than saving some crap that you would normally sell), and makes you more powerful than you could ever be in a game without the mod, then it is cheese in my opinion.
A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.
- Jackie Robinson
User avatar
stramoski
Posts: 369
Joined: Sun Jun 20, 2004 6:04 am
Location: Texas
Contact:

Post by stramoski »

In fact, the symbol of the sun-god is on the list...

I'd say they're both ballanced, IF you don't cheat in extra gold... Most of the upgrades cost around 20k+, so you can't really build ALL of them...

Money makes a difference...
User avatar
Fenix
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:47 pm
Location: Fremantle, Australia
Contact:

Post by Fenix »

[QUOTE=Philos]Fenix,

When you say "seemingly useless quest items" I take it you mean things like *possible spoiler* Dace's Hand, the crystal shard, Amanautor's completed sun amulet, etc., yes?[/QUOTE]

Yep, but not all items like that fall into the category of useless are upgraded. (The Amanautor's sun amulet makes a buckler good for killing undead) - but yes, stuff like that.

[quote="stramoski]In fact"]

Yeah - they generally cost more than the official unpgrades (some are a lot more).
"It is not a Commonwealth division, it is an Australian Division. Why, give me two Australian Divisions and I will conquer the world for you!" - The Desert Fox
User avatar
Raumoheru
Posts: 701
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 4:24 pm
Location: Minnesota, USA
Contact:

Post by Raumoheru »

I have installed all the Weimer Mods and i have enjoyed all of them. i only recomend them if you have already completed the game and want a little more kick out of your next run ;) .
"War does not determine who is right, it determines who is left"
User avatar
VonDondu
Posts: 3185
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2001 11:00 pm
Location: USA
Contact:

Post by VonDondu »

[QUOTE=Raumoheru]i only recomend them if you have already completed the game and want a little more kick out of your next run ;) .[/QUOTE]
Or a little "less kick", as the case may be. :)

I agree with krunchyfrogg. If your characters become more powerful and all other things remain the same, then the mod unbalances the game, by definition.

On the other hand, if you install a mod that makes the game more difficult, then using an item upgrade mod helps maintain balance. For the sake of comparison, consider Icewind Dale II. If you play in Heart of Fury mode, the monsters are tougher AND you can acquire better items. The balance is still tilted in favor of greater difficulty, though.

If you want to play in a mode that makes you significantly stronger and makes the monsters weaker, just set the game to "Easy" difficulty. It would give you the same effect as using an item upgrade mod. Maybe that will give you the extra "kick" you're looking for. Or maybe it proves krunchyfrogg's point. :)
User avatar
SleeperAgent
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2005 1:09 am
Contact:

Post by SleeperAgent »

Well...thanks a lot.

I've already tried Item Upgrade mod, and found some to be overpowered and some not. I've got Pitchwife, Throwing spears (SO COOL!!! YAY!!! :D ) and that's about it. Definitely keeping it.

Now, as for RTT kitpack...I tried one of the kits a few months ago...nice selection of kits...but one kit I loved, Amazon, didn't get THACO upgrade till lvl11. :mad: I uninstalled it in disgust. Still worth it? Or get Sorcerors collection instead?
Post Reply