Hey guys,

I'm trying to find the right balance of combat mods to spice up my game and still keep it relatively simple. The thing is I'm playing with an xbox controller... and a knockoff one at that (joytech) with only 4 d-pad buttons that I so far have not been able to configure with controlmk.

But back to my point: I tried dukes sca combat first and while it is brilliant, the fatigue effects and no recoil is a little too realistic. I kept the combat archery mod though. Next I tried deadly reflexes; its far too complex to fully take advantage of with a 360 controller. Also I'm not a fan of the animations, and I foolishly did not make a back up of the originals(!). I will likely keep the timed block and mounted combat features though. Unnecessary violence looks promising but perhaps a little buggy, I can't say yet because I haven't tried it.

Basically I'm looking for:
- Deadlier archery: check (dukes combat archery)
- timed blocking: check (deadly reflex)
- mounted combat: check (deadly reflex)
- better looking animations: ???
- dual wielding: ???
- spears: ???

all while keeping a stable game and a simple, xbox gamepad-friendly control scheme. Any suggestions on how to achieve this, or am I asking too much? Thanks!

Unnecessary Violence has strong support for dual wielding and at least some support for spears. I know it incorporates a number of other animations as well. I'm not sure of all the details, though, as I don't use it myself. I believe the new, much-improved version is either in alpha or coming soon; you should go check it out.

Edit: UV also is compatible with pretty much everything, incl. Deadly Reflex.

Well the big news of the day (since you all seem to miss it) - is Duke Announcing that http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1171864-duke-patricks-combat-archery-mod/page__view__findpost__p__17338954 his SCA melee combat mod!!!

Having been a user of this mod for over 2 years I am a die hard fan of it. The improvements are sounding fan-fing-tastic.

If your looking for realistic combat and not arcade trick shots keep your eye on it. Also to feature best version of timed blocks (parry) without losing persistent (normal) blocking as well. I doubt it will have mounted combat though.

Now for your other requests - and what is available now - I recommend checking out http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1159100-relz-kamikazes-combat-animation-selector/ mod. Even if you decide not to use it - the mods he references to use are several lesser and greater overhauls to combat animation. His mod just allows to randomly assign the animations to NPCs based on what kind of weapon and available animations. (configuration involved it can get complicated).

As for spears the older http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=12611 mod is still available but in my opinion the animation is sluggish and unimpressive. A few of the animation mods Kamikazi references have better animations for spears I think.

What is another promising project is http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1136004-wip-merp-blade/ - an attempt to bring Mount and Blade combat to Oblivion. Watch the videos.

Dual Wielding ... other than UV - might want to check out http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=33170 - again you can add animations from a few other mods too with Kamikazi's mod (or the ones he references).

Yes, I was just now looking through the thread for UV2. It looks exciting, but HeX says that it will require the same additional buttons as the original UV... which means they are both likely more complex to suit my needs.


What about CCAO - Cotyounoyume Combat Animation Overhaul (tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36261)? I'm not sure I understand the description, but it looks like it might work for me. Then add spears of cyrodill and sephs dual wield...

Are there better mods out that do the same things?

CCAO is one of the more comprehensive mods and was the basis for Kamikazi wanting to integrate it with other animations.

Oh sorry psymon, I didn't see you're previous post.

...thanks!