I am considering playing ToEE. OI have two questions.

(1) For the full Co8 and Temple+ experience, it seems I need Java. I use Firefox. Is there an EASY way to make Temple+ happy vis a vis Java, and not mess up my Firefox?

(2) While I haven't played these types of games in a while, I used to be quite good at the min/maxing. Do any of the mods have the ability to make the game really challenging, or will excessive understanding of the D&D system + min/maxing result in the usual steamrollering of the game?

Thanks,

Wyatt

I have no idea how Java will "mess up [your] Firefox", but you only need Java to install the Co8 mod. So you can install a JRE, install the Co8 mod of your choice following their instructions, activate the Co8 mod using their front end (which still requires Java), then install Temple+. After Temple+ is installed, go ahead and uninstall Java. You will not need it again unless you have to reinstall Co8.

Temple+ launches from its own shortcut and is not Java-dependent.

Regarding item 2, you can increase (or decrease) the level cap if you desire. And nothing is forcing you to min/max at all. You can create ToEE characters using either dice rolls or point buy. You can increase or decrease the amount of points you use within the mods, or you can simply avoid rerolling endlessly for ridiculous stats.

But it's fun!

1. I installed Java, reluctantly, for T+ and it has not affected anything else on my system. It won't harm Firefox and to be honest I have let Java remain on my system.

2. You have the OPTION of making the game easier by giving yourself more attribute points and a higher level cap, but quite frankly these are relatively trivial issues. From a Min/Max perspective the greatest single factor is Crafting.

Crafting is part of the base game. You can craft your own Scrolls and Wands and that basically means you can spam unlimited amounts of spells. You can craft equipment that makes your characters godly powered, armour that makes you ever more invulnerable, and weapons that one-shot the greatest of creatures.

So, if you want to make the game a challenge put it on the hardest difficulty and don't craft, or at the very least limit your crafting.

None of the extra weapons, extra character points, levels, etc., that are in either mod (Co8 with new stuff, TemplePlus) has even 1% of the effect on the game that Crafting does.