Hey

I just installed this game and the Co8 modpack, since people recommended I install that too, before starting to play the game.

Co8 pack seems to disable the tutorial too (luckily I played through half of that before I installed the mod though :p )

It seems with the modpack installed I have to buy my starting gear though. Gotta say I am really really bad at this kind of thing. I started a (I think) pretty balanced party: Ranger, Fighter, Rogue, Wizard & Cleric.

* How much gold should I spend on starting equipment / How much will I need in the beginning of the game beyond the Shop map?
* Any specific items I definitely have to take along? Or vice versa, any items I can ignore, since I'll pick em up early on in the game for free instead?

Can't really find much info on picking starting equipment on the intertubes ... probably since it's introduced by a mod.

* Alternative, is there any way to play with the Co8 fixes, without the change to start equipment? I believe the unmodded game gave you some default stuff, not?

Dont try the neutral classes; think chaotic - starts in a room, You need to kill an air elemental and get a key from a trapped chest. After many reloads and restarts and using several fighters, I got through to the village where I dropped several of my fighters and made the rest of my team!

Your cleric should be able to kill all the skeletons with one spell casting; when in the moathouse just make sure he is close enough and save often; and yes, save more often! Even before every more!

Money is not a problem like in the original TOEE; the monsters are!