XL or BKB?

[Geezer57]

So what I'm asking is:
1) Which mod do you prefer and why?
2) Was what I read about the BKB supermod about the beta version and has it been fixed?
3) What are the major downsides of both the mods?

Thanks in advance for your help

I play both mods regularly and love them both. My recommendation for you, as someone unfamiliar with mods, would be to start with XL and explore it fully before moving on to BKB. The reason: BKB incorporates many new buildings which affect the Tech Tree drastically, resulting in a more complex learning experience. You'll have to get used to lots of new units in either mod, plus farming and trade changes, etc., but think you'll have an easier time of it at first without all the new buildings and their associated effects.

Keep in mind that both mods reside permanently on my hard drive, and I'm having a great time in my current BKB mod Seljuk (Turk) campaign. Both are absolutely great efforts, and well worth your time and interest.

Which brings up the only major downside I've found in these mods: the time you'll spend playing them! Be prepared to spend many, many hours in front of your monitor before you're through with them!

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

I started playing the Byz but have found in early I can't move my armies around the Black Sea by ship although I have ports, nor can I move ships into the Black Sea. There are no enemy fleets in any adjacent sea regions either. Obviously a big problem for by Byz fcommander trying to get a stack from Serbia to Georgia without having to spend 5 years route marching overland. I have ships in all sea regions, ports built, no enemy fleets etc. Do not have the problem moving forces by sea from say Serbia to Antioch or any other coastal region I own, it just is around the Black Sea.

You got the patch installed mate? Because I think it amended a lot of the sea problems.

[Mr White]

BKB incorporates many new buildings which affect the Tech Tree drastically, resulting in a more complex learning experience.

I have no problem with that as long as there's a tech tree out there whith all the changes on it.

Besides thanks for all the replies (VI just dropped in my mailbox this cery instant but I won't be able to play as I am still in the middle of my exams ).