new to ToEE, should I install mods?

I just bought ToEE today, is it a good idea to install the Co8 mod pack right away before playing through?

 

Yes. 5.8.1.

 

Are there any other patches you would suggest applying before I play through?

 

Absolutely. The bug fixes alone make it essential. I shudder to remember the vanilla game, and not in a good way.

Be sure to follow these instructions.

 

Thank you sir for the instructions!

 

Hey,

I am also totally new to this game and have maybe 8 hours of gameplay under my belt so far.

I went for the 5.8.1 patch without the new content. It seems totally rock solid and I am loving it.

I do have a 'slight' regret in that this (NC), Welkwood Bog..? seems to be a great place to take your level 1s to get some good xp and loot...From what I have read.

At the moment I do seem to be travelling back and forth from the moathouse and the location up north to get the random encounters for xp and loot.....Until I go back to the moathouse at/closer to level 3 anyway.

I wanted a pretty stock experience anyway, so am going to play this through.

Wilf.