Improved Anvil 5.0 released!

[rbeverjr]

Warning: includes spoilers for those who’ve never played SoA









Improved Anvil incorporates some fixes, some extra items, some beefed up fights, and some new monsters. I can not post a full review because I only installed it at very near the end of a game – which may have been responsible for corrupting that game. Therefore, I invite other people’s comments on this mod.

Irenicus at the tree
This fight is now more challenging. The scripter cheated on this one. I repeatedly breeched Irenicus but was never able to hit him with weapons. Finally (spoiler in black), I had Tashia fry him with Dragon’s Breath.

Irenicus in hell
This fight was definitely tougher than the unmodded game, but wasn’t nearly at the level of tactics. I fairly easily demolished all opposition. Unfortunately, the game didn’t continue. I could only guess that is was corrupted. More trouble shooting.

I haven’t played with all the items, but I suspect that they are no worse than Soul Reaver +6 or Water Talon from the Item Upgrade mod (items that I won’t use). Improved Anvil makes the really good items very expensive, and the author states that some of the components needed for those items are very rare. I would guess that you probably won’t receive much twinky equipment before the middle of SoA, because you won’t have the money/components to afford it.

Incidentally, Improved Anvil does not work with the Item Upgrade mod or some parts of Ascension and some other mods (see the installation readme).

I currently have Improved Anvil installed. I want to play through Saradush and Watcher’s Keep. I hope this game holds out until I’ve done so as it has crashed before. Then I will start a new game in SoA and play through everything (maybe) with Improved Anvil.

Unfortunately, Improved Anvil does not give you the option of installing components. I didn’t really want all the fights made harder and many fights are made harder. I prefer to gain some levels and equipment before being faced with an extreme modded challenge. So, I will find out just how much these encounters have been beefed up after a while.

[rbeverjr]

I have posted a more extensive review of Improved Anvil 3 here:
BioWare Forums: Improved Anvil v3 Review (Spoilers)

It contains big spoilers for those who have never played SoA and lesser spoilers for those who have never played Improved Anvil.

[Toxeus]

Improved Anvil v5.0 was released! Many new tweaks, features and items, tactical challenges and improved enemies.
Why does nobody discuss it? I've just started new game with wild mage, can't wait to see expanded mage stronghold.

[fable]

Generally, few people discuss mods, unless they already run them. I'm not currently using IA because of conflicts with other mods, though I've read very good things about it.

I've changed the thread title, by the way, to get more attention, indicating that this is a new release.