Progress report for Improved Anvil v4.0, New adventures and new tactical challenges Options

[OTG]

I say (although possibly slightly too late) finish up what's already on the table, but any new suggestions that come in now, leave until IA5... else we could be waiting forever!

[Sikret]

Initial post updated.

26- Epic divine encounter: A new encounter in TOB.
(Note: If your main PC is a mage/sorcerer and if you have made a particular decision during one of the new quests added to the mage stronghold in SOA portion of the game, this new encounter in TOB may be a bit different for you; otherwise, it's the same for all classes and alignments.)

This post has been edited by Sikret: Mar 6 2007, 11:23 AM

[Silverstar]

Take all your time for IA V.4, I can wait!

[Mordokai]

You don't have much choice, now do you?

Sorry, I had to

[Sikret]

Initial post updated (Improved Globe Machine at the 5th level of WK).

[nataben1314]

Sikret,

Is there a rough estimate available as to how long until this is released? I seem to remember in early November that 4.0 was supposed to come out within two weeks! I don't mean to harp or sound rude, I'm just very excited about playing BG2 again with this awesome-sounding mod and I'm not sure if I can wait another 3 months Perhaps I should just play vers 3.0? How much content will I be missing in 3.0 vs 4.0?

[Sikret]

Hi, nataben!

Is there a rough estimate available as to how long until this is released? I seem to remember in early November that 4.0 was supposed to come out within two weeks! I don't mean to harp or sound rude, I'm just very excited about playing BG2 again with this awesome-sounding mod and I'm not sure if I can wait another 3 months

I have explained the reason of the additional delay here. I promise that the delay will not be as long as three months. I'm planning to release it within the next two or three weeks.

Perhaps I should just play vers 3.0? How much content will I be missing in 3.0 vs 4.0?

You will miss lots of content. V4 and V3 are not comparable at all. Just wait for v4.

[Sikret]

Initial post updated:

28- Encounter with Orcus (Prince of the Undead)
(If you have Daystar Sword, you can go to the old crypts beneath Graveyard district to meet Orcus in his corporeal form. The encounter is optional; however, Orcus has one of the required ingredients to upgrade Daystar.)

[Sikret]

Initial post updated (halflings in planar sphere are improved even further).

[Sikret]

Initial post updated:

30- Improved Mind Flayers' lair (underdark):
(1) Tougher Insane Dwarf Warrior
(2) Improved final battle vs. The Master Brain:
(2-1) Tougher Master Brain
(2-2) Improved Brain Golems
(2-3) Elemental Golem guardian of the brain (The Master Brain will not die as long as the main guardian is alive).

The final battle vs. The Master Brain is not easy. Save the game before entering their lair; otherwise, it's probable that you will never exit.

[rbeverjr]

Hi Sikret,

I would like to make the request that this mod not be a Huge Tactical Puzzle-Challenge. I am a big fan of additional of content - new quests that integrate well into the existing game (with convincing explanation in that regard). New monsters and new items are fine as long as they keep to the balance of the area as originally intended. In other words, for those of us who are not tactical maestros (or just don't choose to put in the time to solve the tactical puzzle), it is very nice that encounters be challenging rather than frustrating - particularly early in the game. Please make the initial encounters one may expect before going to rescue Imoen only moderately more difficult.

For example, Improved Irenicus in hell was pretty good. If you had made it like Tactics Improved Irenicus, then I would promptly uninstall. However, the first quests must be easier (for my personal enjoyment) - even if a little more difficult than standard. (I'll be playing through v3 from the beginning soon.)

I appreciate your efforts,
Joey

[OTG]

@rbeverir: I must confess, I got quite frustrated with Improved Anvil when I first tried it as all of the quests that my parties had done early in their games became almost impossible, especially those with an element of combat. Look for quests which don't require that much fighting and do those first. Keep your party small, you'll level up faster and when you first introduce NPCs into your party, they'll be a higher initial level. Don't rely on AI scripts, except maybe to have a really simple script to run away if HP get too low. Enable more of the auto-pause options, and manually pause a lot. Remember line of sight - if they can't see you, they won't attack you (well, most of them won't). Set up ambushes with a load of ranged attackers - send in a solo character with loads of buffs, get them to draw out one or two enemies then get the ranged attackers to shoot them. Finally, you can always move the difficulty slider down for some of the fights if they're becoming too annoying.

It's a case of getting used to the tactics, and the increased difficulty. After my last Improved Anvil game, I reinstalled and played a solo (almost) vanilla game and couldn't believe how simple the fights were, how limited the enemies strategies were, etc.

The really difficult fights in Improved Anvil are the ones which are optional, and don't affect whether you can finish the game - Twisted Rune is a good example. The rest of them can be dealt with as long as you're patient and think about strategies and options.

[Sikret]

Very good points, OTG! Thank you very much.

Look for quests which don't require that much fighting and do those first.

Yes, I have deliberately left untouched a number of quests so that low level parties can start the game and proceed without problem. The main Trademeet quest (except Troll Mound and the tower), Djinnis in Trademeet, Unseeing Eye (except Theshal), Thief stronghold, Circus, Tanner, Neb, Buried man in the graveyard, are examples of quests which are not touched. Some other quests have been improved slightly and can be done relatively early in the game: Copper coronet, Slavers' ship, Fallen paladins are examples of the latter sort of quests.

After my last Improved Anvil game, I reinstalled and played a solo (almost) vanilla game and couldn't believe how simple the fights were, how limited the enemies strategies were, etc.

Thanks!

The really difficult fights in Improved Anvil are the ones which are optional, and don't affect whether you can finish the game - Twisted Rune is a good example. The rest of them can be dealt with as long as you're patient and think about strategies and options.

Quite true.

[Sikret]

Initial post updated:

31- Twisted Rune is improved even further:
(1) Layene is now a 31st level mage with more spells than previous versions. She also uses her staff most efficiently and has new summons.
(2) Shangalar has changed to a Grave Lich (= a new type of lich).
(3) Shyressa has changed from a normal vampire to a Vampire Lord (= new type of vampire with additional powers and immunities). This is not new, however. It was the same in v3 as well.
(4) Revanek is also improved further (= a 25th level fighter with better equipment)

[Sikret]

Initial post upated:

32- Slavers' ship building in the Slums is improved even further.
(Some players had reported that despite the improvements applied to the mentioned area in previous versions of the mod, the battle was still easy and not challenging enough. Now, with the new additions, I hope that it will be quite challenging (and satisfying) specially at early stages of the game. You may be a bit shocked during your first attemtps and before finding out how to win the battle. )

[Sikret]

IA v4 will be released before Friday (March 16).

So, if you are planning to start a new game just for wait for a few more days.

[Exor]

Wooopadoo, finally

But, could you please release the documentation before.

It would be really handy to know the list of compatibility-tested mods/ incompatible mods and their components.

Oh and well..*hurm the item spoiler list *hurm..

[leonidas]

Very good news, it's nice to see people are still giving BG 2 the attention it deserves.

Sikret, I'm in love with your mod and I was amazed to see you're still improving it. Playing through it a second time as we speak, I can offer my expert opinion as soon as I'm done .

[Silverstar]

Finally! This is great news indeed! I will download V.4.0 as soon as you give us a link!

Ah, and it seems the new components will overwrite some older mods so I may need to uninstall them first. If you can give a full detailed list of all incompatible components from Tactics and other mods, like in V3.0's read me, it will be superb!

Thank you so much again for all of your hard and excellent quality work and dedication!

This post has been edited by Silverstar: Mar 12 2007, 10:29 PM

[Sikret]

Initial post updated:

33- Improved Illasera (Suggested by thetruth, in details.)

34- Deeper than the Underdark
In the underdark, you may be lucky (or rather unlucky ) enough to find a hidden passage which will lead you to lower catacombs below. You will find it easy to enter, but far from easy to exit. Even mighty drows and other inhabitants of underdark do not dare to enter the deep and fearsome maze. A wandering ghost (who doesn't know that he is dead) will tell you that finding "The Mighty One" (whoever he is) is your sole chance to get out of the deeper darkness (and it will be the new quest you will have to do unless you do not enter the lower areas at all).

These two new features are still passing their testing stage.