Morrowind!

So we picked up the GOTY edition from Steam for a few dollars over the holiday season. I've always preferred it to Oblivion, it just holds a special place in my heart.

I've installed and can recommend the following mods:
- Morrowind Visual Pack 3 - didn't notice a huge improvement, but the detail on flowers and buildings seem crispier. I'm a bit blind to resolution improvements, so check it out yourself.

Edit - I figured out why this wasn't working. The Morrowind default libraries were a newer date than the mod overrides, and Morrowind always loads the most recent ones. I used an application called "Touch" to make the morrowind modified dates older than the mod. Once working, it makes a big difference!

- Morrowind NPC Makeover - Amazing mod, highly recommended. A bit of a pain to get working, but it really turns the truly ugly, contorted, flat faces into true 3D textured and detailed faces. The creator has even gone so far to create unique faces for almost every NPC.

Edit - at one point I couldn't get this to work. I managed to fix it by enabling all the required prereq mods, which it explicitely tells you not to do. *shrug*

- Morrowind Sounds - I can't remember the exact name, but it's a mod that adds some atmospheric sounds to the towns and outdoors areas. Very nice, and easy to install.

Mods I don't recommend:
- Morrowind comes alive - This mod was supposed to make cities feel more alive by adding all sorts of characters to the cities, inns, bandits along the road etc.

I was killed twice in a row by thugs in the city, at level 1, so I wasn't too impressed. It was also a hassle removing the mod after I had installed it, but probably unrelated.

In addition, it apparently also increases the difficulty of various critters in the world (Since I noticed a major difference fighting slaughterfish, mudcrabs etc), and also adds NPC companions that can assist you in your adventures (but usually get in the way and cast friendly fire AOE effects that usually kill you).

Next time I'll read the comments more carefully....


Multiplier leveling tips for Morrowind:
- Ignore the FAQs that say misc skills only add up to maximum 2x (4 points) to the multiplier. I leveled athletics and Unarmed which were misc skills, and I managed to get the full 5x multiplier. If this rule was in affect, I'd only get maximum of 4x or maybe 2x multiplier.

- Trained skills do contribute to the multiplier, it was added back in a "recent" patch.

- To get a 3 x 5 multiplier for Endurance, Speed and Strength:
* I leveling Athletics by a lot and Unarmored by a few points. This came pretty much naturally as I was running around and didn't have decent armor on my legs/feet.

* I leveled endurance by equipping medium armor and using a spear for all my first fights. I also trained spear a bit since this is a retarded weapon. Medium armor is a Minor skill, I got about 6 points towards leveling from it.

* I leveled acrobatics and long blade by jumping around after I reached Balmora, and attacking a few wildlife/ghosts with an enchanted long blade. LB is a Major skill, acrobatics is a minor, and I got 3 of acrobatics and 1 LB skill to level me.

I trained Block and Axe 3 times each to ensure I hit the highest multiplier.

Unfortunately as I was sleeping, an assassin attacked me, and I responded with my long blade, getting another level point as I killed him. I've heard this is a bad thing... but I'm not sure why yet. Stupid assassins...