SCS For Dummies: Options that are true/close to PnP
Grayle
Member Posts: 43
So I've decided to jump the bandwagon and install the Swordcoat Stratagems mod to spice up my no-reload playthroughs. The thing is I'd only like to install the options that hit the nail on the proverbial head for PnP, or common house rules - and not give the enemies a one-sided buff that isn't realistic or "fair". I just wanna give the AI some juice so it's not walking around like a special child all the time.
What options would you suggest I install given this kind of playstyle?
What options would you suggest I install given this kind of playstyle?
4
Comments
Most of the "Improved [encounter X]" components gives the enemies a few levels so they have a chance against the player(s), for example, Iron Throne guards from Chapter 4 (the ones in the Cloakwood Mines), are raised by some levels to prevent them from being knocked down by Sleep, I think this things are a must, since without this ones the game becomes too easy.
When it comes to BG2 and some of the ToB battles, it mostly adds enemies if one of that type is lacking (e.g. in the battle against Abazigal, it adds another Dragon, while Ascension (this mod does make enemies raw OP by giving them insane stuff, but it only affect the end of ToB, point which by then, you can kill them pretty easily) adds some Wyverns and *two* dragons, too. The Improved Bodhi component also make Bodhi raw OP, since she gives the highest XP reward in the whole game and she nothing but an Undead tank that can be killed _very_ easily, and there's a toned-down version of Bodhi, too (some of the saves of her abilities had a penalty -10 in their original version taken from Weimer's Tactics mod), which is a lot easier since it also removes Bodhi's own version of 'Fireshield/Globe of Blades' which is completely insane in terms of damage.
Another mod that makes enemies more accurate to P&P is aTweaks, which makes the Tanar'ri and the Baatezu their 2E AD&D P&P abilities (which are _very_ OP) and also improves some there few enemies (like P&P Fey Creatures, P&P Elementals, P&P Undead, etc).
Just read www.gibberlings3.net/readmes/readme-scs.html if you need some information about what particular enhancements do.
I want to level the playing field, not gut my playing style.
Now there are components like 'improved foe because they are just lame' which have several installing options, one which just improves the AI of this particular foe and no more (which is highly recommended), and the hardcore version, which gives this foe abilities from the books (like flayers, vampires) or just improves them otherwise (like giving dragons tons of HP). The harcore version can be a little overwhelming at first, but I have ended up installing most hardcore versions because they make sense to me in terms of realism. Dragons, flayers, fiends, vampires, beholders, etc are super powerful and rare creatures in PnP I guess, but nothing but XP on the hoof in this game. Want Carsomyr as soon as you get out irenicus dungeon? No problem. Want to clear an entire beholder lair with just a shield? Done. I guess this wouldn't be allowed in PnP right?
And finally the improved mages component, and the spell tweaks. I really like this one, but mages can be really annoying until you get the grasp on them. You should at least try option 3 of improved mages (no pre-buffing), but I don't know what this component has to do with PnP. Anyway this mod is very customizable, so just suit yourself and have fun.
Also, I avoid the "smarter mages" component for two reasons:
1-Because it gives me the feeling that everyone in the realms can cast melf's meteors.
2- Because it gives too many high level spells to enemies, and I honestly believe that guys such as Tolgerias or Sion aren't meant to be the Top Archmages of Amn.