Question of compatibility, Concerning Improved Anvil Options

[quinlan]

Greetings to everyone in the Black Wyrm community. I am the new kid on the block. I want to congratulate the site for the excellent security code i was asked to type ie: Icewind Dale. Even the security around here has something to do with the modded games! Bravo!

Here is my question. Below is a list of all the mods i will install in this my *th time of playing BG2+TOB.

Non WeiDU components:
1- BGII-ThroneofBhaal_Patch_26498_ENGLISH.exe
2- BG2ThroneOfBhaalFixPack112.exe
3- "Ultima Weapon" from Heartless Angel's Realm
4- BG2TOBFixedTearOfBhaalStatBonuses
5- Collector's Edition bonus merchants
6- BG2TOBDavidGaider'sBhaalpowers

WeiDU components:
1. Ascension v1.4.21
2. BG2ThroneOfBhaalGameTextUpdate12
3. NPCFlirtV101
4. BanterPacksV7
5. UnfinishedBusiness-v15
6. Azengaard Tactical Encounter MOD v2.0
7. LongerRoad_v1.5.1
8. Oversight-v10
9. NPC_Tweak-v3.1
10. Virtue_v19
11. BG2_Tweaks-v5
12. PnPCelestials-v4
13. D0Tweak_v19
14. Rogue Rebalancing Mod version 3.80
15. G3Anniversary-v5
16. Tower Of Deception Mod version v2
17. SPCollection-v7
18. D0QuestPack_v23.exe

Is it possible to also add "The Darkest Day" and/or "Shadows Over Soubar" and or "Improved Anvil"? Only if it is possible to combine fully with the above list. I was just wandering if it is possible to combine my list of mods with these 3 (or anyone of them) in one BIG game experience? Whoever answers, you should keep in mind that my prime concern is only for the list. If it is possible to put also Shadows Over Soubar, The Darkest Day, Improved Anvil, it's all for the better. If not and because i have already played TDD and SOS on separate occasions, will i have to not use a lot of the above in order for the rest to be compatible with Improved Anvil, and if yes, which will i be forced not to use?.

In the past I have crashed the game with improper combinations and/or order of installation of mods. Please have a look at my list and tell me if it is doable, along with your thoughts.

I haven't included an Xpcap remover in my list because i have another question to ask you about it. I want to put also the weimer spell50 mod. I was thinking of trying this time to not use the safe Xpcap remover that puts the limit to 40th level, but another that puts the limit to 50. I am confused though from what info i have found on the web, something to do with turning the xp to -1 and warping the characters
Is it safe to use the 50 level Xpcap, or not?

Thank you.

[Baronius]

Welcome, quinlan!

In the past I have crashed the game with improper combinations and/or order of installation of mods.

I don't have much experience with many of the mods in your list, especially in this combination. It isn't easy to avoid incompatibilities, so I wouldn't suggest SoS and TDD in the same installation with Improved Anvil.

I suppose you've already read more information on Improved Anvil, but some important points anyway:

(1) It's known as the most difficult tactical BG2 mod (and thus the most difficult BG2 mod, I suppose). You have to find and learn new tactics, and give up the good old cheesy ones. At the beginning, you might have more failures and reloads, but as you advance in the game, you will improve a lot. So this mod is only recommended to very experienced players

(2) It modifies very many aspects of the game, so several other mods can't be installed together with it (or there would be serious incompatibility). There is a document that tells what mods you can install with it. Compare it with your list. For example, you will definitely have to install the Baldurdash fixpack. However, I suppose that the following mods (and possibly other mods as well in your list that aren't listed as incompatible in IA's installation document) can also be installed:

5- Collector's Edition bonus merchants
6- BG2TOBDavidGaider'sBhaalpowers

However, if you decide to try Improved Anvil, I think it's best to visit its forum at BWL and ask Sikret what he thinks about your list (but only after you've compared it with IA's installation document and removed the incompatible mods from your list).

(3) To my knowledge, Improved Anvil v5.0 will be released soon. It contains a lot of novelties and new content, but you have to start a new game to play it, and it also has different installation conditions (If you want, I can find the updated installation document of the unreleased v5.0). So you can use v4.2 to practise and to get yourself prepared for v5.0, if you don't want to wait for v5.0 (I don't know exactly when it will be released). Again, v5.0 will require you to start a new game.

By the way, Improved Anvil alone adds as much new content as most (or all) of the mods in your list altogether, so if you decide to try it, I think you won't miss SoS, TDD or any of the incompatible mods.

However, again, you were "warned": IA requires a different approach, a different viewpoint from the player than other mods. And -- at the beginning -- much hard work to improve tactical skills and get familiar with the new paradigm.

Hopefully, someone will reply to your general questions, such as the one regarding the 50 level XP cap. Unfortunately, I don't know the answer. If you go with Improved Anvil, though, then you won't need too many other mods at all, I guess.

I want to congratulate the site for the excellent security code i was asked to type ie: Icewind Dale.