a question about mods

[Blinky501]

what would happen if i downloaded and installed a couple of items
and npcs mods and then i played a game that i started with an unmodded
version of SOA would i be able to get those items and npcs or would
i have to start over a brand new game. also what are the best mods
out there cocerning new and cooler items and some good and different npcs.


also can someone explain exactly what turn undead does, and how do you do
it like do you hit the button and attack or just hit the button.

peace

[Hank Parsons]

I will let someone else address the Mods question. I use mods, but not for the purposes you listed. I use The Darkest Day which adds spells, quests, and kits; and Tactics, which makes the monsters harder to fight because they use smarter techniques against you.

Turn Undead --- press the button to turn it "on" and then walk around with your cleric, with Turn Undead on. Do not attack, do not cast a spell. Simply walk near some undead and see if you are able to Turn them (makes them run away, or become your followers, or be utterly destroyed). Try it first against low-level undead like skeletons, just to learn how it works. When you are high enough level you may be able to utterly destroy mummies on the spot!

One technique is to Invisible your cleric, and have them walk the whole level with Turn Undead on, destroying them before they see you. I don't consider this a cheesey tactic, do others??

[Nerull]

There is a sticky thread at the top of the topics list. Check there for a listing of the different mods available. The list is pretty much comprehensive. Just click the links and read the readme's at the sites.

Actually, turning your cleric invisible and running around the level turning undead does border on cheesiness. Turning in 2nd edition rules is considered to be an attack (i.e. dispelling invisibility, and alerting those nearby to your presence), but the system doesn't treat it that way. In PnP, you are supposed to be sticking your holy symbol out and invoking the power of your diety. But, if a ranger/cleric can get away with using all of the priest spells in the game, then I guess you can take advantage of the turn undead letting you stay invisible.

[Blinky501]

Thanks for the responses on the turn undead, but my question about the mods
was can i download and install them and do i have to start a new game to activate them like dsotsc or will they be in any game that i load, for example on my save before i go into the tree of life can i leave suldenlasar(sp?) and go pick up some of the npcs and the new items or do i need to start a new game.

also could someone explain the major mods that are out there like tactics and ascensiona and ease of use and item upgrades, etc

peace

[Hank Parsons]

Blinky, you need to carefully read the README file for each individual mod you are considering.

Each one is different. In some cases you can install at any time and it works immediately in your existing games (example: Tactics; Ease Of Use).

In other cases you absolutely must start a new game (example: The Darkest Day).

The README files will tell you.

[Imrahil]

Originally posted by Blinky501: also could someone explain the major mods that are out there like tactics and ascensiona and ease of use and item upgrades, etc

The majority of MOD's don't require you to start a new game (& those that do will usually tell you early on in the ReadMe - of course, you have to download the MOD to get to the ReadMe, so maybe that's not very helpful [img]smile.gif[/img] )

Ascension (which upgrades the bosses & the final battle in Throne of Bhaal), Item Upgrade (which takes existing items in the game + components like gems & scrolls & creates more powerful items), & Ease of Use (which is a collection of rules tweaks like infinite stacking of arrows) don't require a new game.

Tactics (which has several components designed to increase the challenge of the game) doesn't necessarily require a new game, but it upgrades several existing areas & encounters, so if you've already cleared those areas, you won't encounter the new stuff.

If you're just starting with MOD's, I'd recommend Ascension, Tactics, Item Upgrade, & Ease of Use, plus the NPC's Kelsey & Solaufein (for starters - if you like those, you can move on to others, but those are the 2 most stable & seamless IMO).

Definitely read through the ReadMe's of Ease of Use & Tactics & decide ahead of time which components you want to install.

- Imrahil

[Cerek the Barbaric]

I'll have to disagree about the Tactics Mod not requiring a new game. I know the ReadMe file says it doesn't necessarily require a new game, but when I downloaded it onto the machine I'm using now - the games I had already started still kept encountering the hobgoblins instead of the Shadow Thief or the Duergar Duo provided by Tactics.

Of course, my main goal was to face Improved Ilyich and maybe he was there despite the random encounters being updated, but I doubt it. And I never checked to be sure. When I saw the hobgoblins, I simply started a new game.