I'm a long time fan of this mod, easily the best mod I played, but that was the M&B 1.011 version. Steam had all the M&B titles (M&B, Warband, Fire & Sword, Napoleonic Wars) for like $4 one weekend, so even though I already owned M&B, i decided to buy the package to try out Warband & multiplayer. MP sucked. And in general the WB combat animations completely threw me off too, couldn't hit s***.
Anyways, I decided to re-install some of my favorite old mods. I noticed there was a more up to date version of NE for WB, so I installed that one. But I have to say it's been a very big disappointment. I don't like being forced to play with "brutality mode" on. I like the ability to toggle on or off different things. I have no problem with you guys wanting to make the mod more challenging, but I have a very hard time understanding why you would force brutality mode. So after playing it for 30 minutes, I hated it. I decided to re-install the old 1.011 version instead. But after playing the old version (using an old game save at day 333) I realized, it was way too easy. I was managing to completely obliterate the Black Knights like they were 8 year old girls. So I decide, well ok, that version is too easy now, I guess I'll have to go with the WB brutality version. Spent a good amount of time building a small merc army, and got a few companions in the group, before even engaging any significant enemy groups. But then I take on I think one of the red colored bandit groups. At the end of my first major battle (if you can call a 30 vs 30 battle major), every companion in my party got wounded and got minus 2 to their agility. I'm thinking, this is pretty harsh. If every battle my companions or my toon gets minus 2 to some important stat, all our stats will be at 0 in a matter of one game month.
Anyways, I'm done messing with the WB version. Usually mods get better as you develop them over time. I really feel this mod has just gotten worse by forcing "brutality mode". If you guys would just let us toggle brutality on or off, or the individual changes on or off, this mod would still be fun. I'm not dissing your mod at all, just the decision to force brutality mode. So now the older version is too easy, and the new version is too annoying.