With a new year and a new DEI version, I've updated all my Rome 2 mods to create the optimal TWR2 experience. I wanted to list them here, as well as invite those who have their own "must have" mod list to share theirs. Without further ado:
Difficulty
- Campaign: Normal/Hard
- Battle: Normal
Gameplay
- Divide Et Impera: Transforms Rome 2 into the best simulation of classical combat available to man
- Age of Hellenism: Makes the Diadochi rome-tier. Fun if you want a more historically accurate campaign
- Cultural Tension: Culture becomes a bigger part of gameplay
Graphics
- Orbis Terrarum II: Best all-in-one graphics mod I'm aware of
- Orbis Aquarum: For water (goes with OTII)
- HD Cities: Makes the cities look better on the campaign map
- No Campaign Clouds: So annoying
- Mighty Effects: Dramatic partical effects
- AAA Generals: Makes important people look important
Immersion & QoL
- Skip Intro: Because you're skipping it anyways
- Better Buildings Icons: Compliments the DEI unit cards
- DEI Wonders of the Ancient World: More historical info
- More Towns and Cities: Adds more cities to the map
- Arcade Graphical Effects Removal: Removes gamey effects
- Sound Overhaul: There are a few options here to remove bad sounds
- Emblem Pack(s) (E.g. Noif's): Makes the faction emblems more interesting
- Government Overview for DEI: Bit cleaner
- Blank Borders and Blank Tradelines: Who needs 'em?
- Music Pack (E.g. Troy Total War or Rome Total War): Rome 2's music is horrible
Basilius' Extras
- Reforms Without Imperium: Helpful for tall play
- No Champions/Dignitaries: These are marginal stat sticks that the AI uses to agent spam. Just use spies
- No PO Penalty from Squalor: Shifts province focus from PO more to sanitation, banditry, food, and provincial upkeep
- DEI Settler Units: Both historically accurate and helpful in-game (I would delete, or not use, the pop 1 settler as being ahistorical)