Can someone explain the differences and advantages/disadvantages of these two mods? The MADD readme is not as detailed as Galsiahs thus I can't really determine its effects. Also, I've heard that Galsiahs is in some ways restricting while MADD is not, if someone could please elaborate on which one is a better and more balanced mod that'd be great. Also, do these mods lead to a more balanced game? A less balanced game? More difficult, less difficult? etc.

Thank you very much!

Madd Leveler keeps the basic leveling system but automates it somewhat. Instead of choosing attributes at level up, Madd increases attributes on-the-fly as you raise your skills and only gives you a choice of 1 point for three attributes at level up. In other words, if you raise Spear 3 times while playing, Madd will raise your Endurance 1 point even if you're no way near leveling up. It still requires resting to level and it does not change your starting Attributes.

GCD is a more complete change that modifies your starting attributes according to your starting skill levels and racial characteristics. It also modifies the way attributes increase by favoring attributes that have higher associated skills. There is no leveling up in the normal way. GCD tracks your level for leveled list purposes but differently from vanilla; levels are counted from Attribute increases, not skill increases. GCD is sometimes considered more restrictive because low starting skills contribute very little to attributes making it difficult to change focus mid game. On the other hand, if you plan your character well, you can be extra strong in one chosen area. Also, GCD provides slow regeneration of magicka (except Atronach) so it's ideal for a pure mage.

I've used both for years and like them both. There is one problem with Madd, however, that has come up lately due to the changes Morrowind Code Patch has made. There is a bug that messes up the leveling for Atronachs and sometimes also for Bretons or Orcs with resist magicka.

As to balance, Madd doesn't do much either way, you can expect to get about 10 attributes per level playing naturally but you can power level if you want to. GCD makes more difference especially with Health progression; almost all characters will have lower health than with vanilla so this can be a problem in the expansions.

Thank you for the quick reply. I think MADD is more of what I'm looking for, I don't like the idea of not being able to focus my character on multiple areas (I like switching weapons skills, for example, even if it is a minor or misc skill). I don't really have any desire to play orc or breton and I usually don't use atronach so I think I'm ok in terms of that bug.

Does MADD cause you to have higher or lower attributes than normal? Or is it about the same to, say, consistently getting a x3 or 4 or 5 multiplier in a character's most used skills?

Over many characters, I have averaged about 10-11 attributes per level. So, that's like 3.5 overall but you can train misc skills to get more if you want to power level. Remember though, because you get raises on-the-fly, you will increase some attributes you might not choose in vanilla. For example, if you raise athletics through natural use, you speed will raise with Madd while in vanilla, you might choose not to raise speed at level up.

BTW: I'm using Madd for my latest Nord Warrior and MCP with no problems

I had just about decided on using MADD Leveler myself before I heard about this potential bug with attronach and or breton nagic
resistance. I was thinking Madd really fit my style more and seemed like a less extreme change to the leveling system, which
sounded good to me. Since I heard about this bug I have been trying to test if it still happens with MCP 2.0, and so I did a
small test with a breton with the atronach sign, and it seemed to be working correctly, the inbetween level up attribute points
seemed to be added correctly, but I wasn't sure if it was really going to stay that way or if the bug could be intermittant. Can
anyone Confirm whether that bug still happens with Madd Leveler in MCP 2.0?

I haven't verified this with 2.0 but I don't think it will be any different. What usually triggered the bug was fortifying an attribute so try this if you want to experiment: fortify your intelligence to at least 1000 and then rest. It may take a few tries but this usually does it.

BTW: this bug doesn't happen right away, it's always been after at least 3 or 4 levels.

BTW2: If you're interested in a Breton mage type, GCD works pretty well; take the Apprentice sign which gives no weakness with a Breton and you'll have starting magicka around 200-250 (depending on the exact build) with regeneration.