I just downloaded both the basic version 7 of the mod and the NC version with new content. I'm wondering for my first playthough if sticking to vanilla with the basic mod is generally recommended or if the new content stuff is really good and I would do well to just go right to the new content version of the mod?

This was on my wishlist along with two other D&D games here and thanks to the sale going on now I got this game as a free gift! What a deal! I love GOG :-)

I'd stick with basic version, but that has a lot to do with how you like brainless fetch & carry missions. Because in the original you spend the first few hours fedexing stuff all around the starting village of Hommlet. Co8 offers a more fun and action starting adventure (at velkwood bog).

Getting to know the village and people in it, boring stuff but doable. Once.

I actually still haven't explored most of the new content additions. I'll need to one of these days.

Or even better, load the NC material and do both the FedEx quests and the Welkwood Bog quest at the beginning to give yourself a leg up on the bad guys. Since you're new to the game and probably won't use all the tricks for making the game easier, a little something to help is nice.

Re: Tricks - It's hard to use a Glaive when you've spent your entire RPG life wielding a long sword! Likewise, spending hard earned XP on creating magic items is another hard to exercise activity. When enemy waltz right around your front line tanks to take out your defenseless spell casters, you'll be glad to have an extra level of hit points or spare web spell...

I think I will go with the added content. The more, the merrier and the xp will be good before heading into the Temple itself. From what I've read I am expecting this game to be very challenging. It should be fun though once I get the hang of it.

It sounds like the quality of the added stuff is really good from what I've been reading. So I can see enjoying doing the regular stuff and the added as well.

I think that the New Content is well made, and in some cases better than parts of the base game. However, it has the unfortunate side effect of making the rest of the game really easy if you do all of it. You'll basically be flush with cash and experience by the time you reach the temple and thus able to make overpowered magic items much earlier. Since the game was designed for a level cap of 10, going over that turns the end of the game into something of a massacre. Sure, the Balor fight at the end is still hard, but it's way less hard when you are attacking 5 times a round for 30 damage each time.