Yep, started it out with all me items and a level 26 paladin. This is pretty fun, for a long time, I actually feel like the son of a god compared to most every enemy around...

One thing I noticed, is that I got some new special abilities: Larloch's Minor Drain, Vampiric Touch, and possibly one more, I can't remember. Anyone have a clue why? The kit I used was inquisitor.

So yeah, with the greater whirlwind attack, very few stand a chance against my might. :D

Remember back in BG, whenever you had a dream you got some sort of ability when you woke up? That's what you get at the beginning of SoA. They reflect the powers you can draw upon as a Bhaalspawn. You were supposed to get some more in ToB based on alignment but I guess they never got around to putting them in.

Yup thats right they thought that due to game balance, the bhaalspawn abilities should be taken out (combined with the high level abilities they thought they would make your PC to powerfull). Another thing they changed was the demogorgon encounter, he was originally baldurs gate's answer to Final fantasy 7's emerald and ruby weapon (remember these chaps) but again due to game balance they toned him down because he was far to difficult.

But fortunatly for us David Gaider an employee of Bioware wasn't happy with all this and in his own spare time wrote a series of mods to rectify this they are:

Originally planed Bhaalspawn powers (as you mentioned)

Original tougher Demogorgon

Improved Illesera (she was originally planed to be a ranger but because players could potentially create a new TOB game with just 1 char they thought she whould be to hard to most newbies)

Improved Gromnir (in my opinion not that much tougher)

Improved Abazigal (heh heh heh, multiple dragon fight anyone [img]smile.gif[/img] )

Improved Balthasar (A right pain in the arse for my solo assasin, literally took days to beat)

And finally ascension (he wasn't pleased with the final chapter of the game and so modified it to make it more satisfying.

here are a few of the nice new new features of ascension, if you want to play don't read on as it will spoil some nice surprises.

S
P
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A
L
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R
T

* Slayer form upgrades as you gain experience (to the ravager at 8 million xp)

* Sarevok alignment change always happens (instead of being randon like normally in TOB)

* Imoen gets some bhaalspawn powers

* The mellisan fight has been buffed up, gone are the elemental prince's, fallen solars etc and in are all the of the 5 who you are going to have to battle against instead [img]smile.gif[/img]

* two new chars depending on alignment (Bohdi or Balthasar)

plus lots of other stuff i cannot remember

If anyone wants to give them a bash you can download them here:

http://theforge.blackmagicgames.com/.../davesmods.htm

(I just wish he made an improved Sendai :( )

Yup thats right they thought that due to game balance, the bhaalspawn abilities should be taken out (combined with the high level abilities they thought they would make your PC to powerfull). Another thing they changed was the demogorgon encounter, he was originally baldurs gate's answer to Final fantasy 7's emerald and ruby weapon (remember these chaps) but again due to game balance they toned him down because he was far to difficult.

But fortunatly for us David Gaider an employee of Bioware wasn't happy with all this and in his own spare time wrote a series of mods to rectify this they are:

Originally planed Bhaalspawn powers (as you mentioned)

Original tougher Demogorgon

Improved Illesera (she was originally planed to be a ranger but because players could potentially create a new TOB game with just 1 char they thought she whould be to hard to most newbies)

Improved Gromnir (in my opinion not that much tougher)

Improved Abazigal (heh heh heh, multiple dragon fight anyone [img]smile.gif[/img] )

Improved Balthasar (A right pain in the arse for my solo assasin, literally took days to beat)

And finally ascension (he wasn't pleased with the final chapter of the game and so modified it to make it more satisfying.

here are a few of the nice new new features of ascension, if you want to play don't read on as it will spoil some nice surprises.

S
P
O
I
L
E
R

A
L
E
R
T

* Slayer form upgrades as you gain experience (to the ravager at 8 million xp)

* Sarevok alignment change always happens (instead of being randon like normally in TOB)

* Imoen gets some bhaalspawn powers

* The mellisan fight has been buffed up, gone are the elemental prince's, fallen solars etc and in are all the of the 5 who you are going to have to battle against instead [img]smile.gif[/img]

* two new chars depending on alignment (Bohdi or Balthasar)

plus lots of other stuff i cannot remember

If anyone wants to give them a bash you can download them here:

http://theforge.blackmagicgames.com/.../davesmods.htm

(I just wish he made an improved Sendai :( )</font>[/QUOTE]Is it safe to play?

I never had any problems, also if you download the WeiDU version of ascension here:

http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~weimer/bgate/asc.html

it come with an uninstaller so you can safely take it off again if you are having any problems or it is too difficult.

P.S - the version of ascension above come with the David Gaider improved baddy mods so you wont have to download them separately, If memory serves it doesn't come with the bhaalspawn powers so you may have to download them too.

Spoiler?
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-Is there a way to get Balth and Bodhi as party NPC's without the boss mods?

[ 07-27-2002, 01:10 PM: Message edited by: Trau ]

Mod, not patch, and yes, they can potentially join your cause, but not your party. Sort of like enlisting Drizzt's help in SoA.

Spoiler
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_If I get the Valen patch, when is she availiable, as well as Tashia and Kelsey?

And will I need to start a new game for the mod to take effect?

The valen will only take effect if you join with the vamps in chap3 as soon as you pay bohdi the 15,000 you will get Valen. In my oppinion shes a right pain in the arse even with the AI switched off she keeps running off and getting killed, its meant to represent her instincts but it is just a bloody anoyance.

Did I say patch? where?