Hello. I've been playing with the latest CoE mod lately, and I've noticed it adds a lot of unneeded difficulty. I dare not spoil exactly what, but unexpected twists (and even more difficulty spikes) are everywhere.

Why is it like this? Can't there be a CoE mod that doesn't add things to the game, just fix the bugs and the like? I really don't care for their own personal touch, as it has only caused me grief so far. Very annoying how otherwise easy mobs are now extremely strong for no particular reason.

Might I add every single one of the new portraits are horrendous and do not fit in. The new weapons, cloaks and armors are great. I like the additional crafting options aswell. There are a lot of great things in the mod, but this unprecedented difficulty is no doubt the worst.

You have undoubtedly installed the 'New Content' version (files with NC in the name), instead of the Standard version. From the Co8 readme:

"Standard versions contain mainly bugfixes, rules compliance modifications, AI tweaks, and content restoration, in addition to a few actual mods like the Rannos and Gremag revenge scenario and the Moathouse Ambush. These are 'mini-mods' compared to the major expansions, and we include them in the standard modpack because we don't feel they significantly impact the balance of the game, and because our longterm feedback indicates that over time, they have become considered part and parcel with the basic game. Many players don't even know that they are mods. The standard modpacks also contain all our custom portraits, voice sets, items, worldmap, et al.


New content versions contain all of the above and the major new content expansions as described below."

There are 2 patches offered by CoE. One is just the bugfixes (called Circle_of_Eight_Modpack_8.0.1), while the other adds new content (called Circle_of_Eight_Modpack_8.0.1_New_Content).

You can get both modpacks from the CoE website, but you have to choose to install one or the other.

I feel like a total idiot right now... I was simply too impatient to find another version. While the version I'm using is relentlessly difficult, it's pretty fun too. Perhaps I was being too harsh.

Thank you for clearing up my situation, in either case. I feel like both their site and Moddb are a bit... confusing. Difficult to spot the versions. I'm not sure.

Oh, and I think the additional voice sets are directly from BioWare's Neverwinter Nights.

There are also some portrait pac downloads available from the Co8 site if you don't like the portraits, as well as instructions on how to install your own. One of them uses the portraits from Baldur's Gate/Icewind Dale. One of them has a lot of scantily clad women.