OVERVIEW
Weapons feel a bit underpowered in a straight-up fight, which works in the context of this setting and encourages careful exploration, but can be somewhat frustrating in certain circumstances (open combat with groups, later game boss fights). Additionally, firearm focus behavior (crosshair tightening and any corresponding stat change) is inconsistent across weapons. This mod attempts to address these concerns and improve overall balance, without making James feel too powerful. Damage output has been selectively and conservatively increased, while handling and capacity adjustments have been made to compensate and maintain combat tension.

Melee weapons (excluding the chainsaw) have had a 25% buff to their damage. Firearms have had tweaks to secondary stats, along with damage buffs for the shotgun (20%) and rifle (25%). The handgun does not receive a damage boost by default, but a 20% buff is available via an optional add-on. An optional chainsaw add-on is also available, balancing it for use as a strong "standard" melee weapon.

Balanced around Hard difficulty - mileage may vary on lower settings.

Alternate "buff-only" Lite version also available.
Alternate Melee-only version also available, if the firearm adjustments aren't to your preference.
Alternate "nerf-only" Hardcore version also available, with a flat 50% weapon damage reduction.
All versions are fully compatible with Extreme Difficulties (see installation instructions below).
Also compatible with my other SH2R mod, Never Holster Weapons.

==// Melee //==

Wooden Plank

• Damage increased:  25   →  31
  

Pipe

• Damage increased:  36   →  45
  

Chainsaw (optional)

• Damage decreased:  400   →  135
  

The standard melee weapons are appropriately scaled relative to one another, but a small damage bump helps enemies go down a bit faster. The chainsaw can now be (optionally) approached as a strong but more balanced "regular" melee weapon.

==// Firearms //==

Handgun

• Unfocused spread decreased:  [0.4, 1.0]   →  [0.4, 0.8]
• Focused spread decreased:  [0.4, 0.5]   →  [0.2, 0.3]
• Focus gain speed increased:  1.0   →  1.35
• Focus movement penalty added (optional)
  

Slightly faster reticle focusing and increased overall accuracy to both aid and incentivize tactical leg/knee shots to setup melee finishers. No change to damage, emphasizing the weapon's role as a tool, but an optional 20% buff is available as an add-on.

Movement (character, not camera/aiming) now decreases focus, similar to the rifle and most games with these mechanics, affecting both reticle bloom and accuracy. This isn't present in the Lite version, however, and can also be selectively disabled via optional add-on if you prefer the vanilla behavior.

Shotgun

• Damage increased:  35 [x6]   →  42 [x6]
• Focused spread decreased:  [3, 4]   →  [3, 3]
• Unfocused spread increased:  [3, 4]   →  [4, 5] (optional)
• Ammo capacity decreased:  6   →  4 (optional)
  

In the vanilla game, this weapon's focused/unfocused states have the same accuracy/spread values, rendering stopping movement to line-up your shot meaningless; to remedy this, spread when focused (which is most of the time when not moving, as the focus gain speed is very high by default) has been slightly tightened so more of the 6 pellets are likely to hit your target, while unfocused spread has an (optional) corresponding increase. Additionally, the shotgun's received an (optional) reduction in ammo capacity to balance the damage increase.

Rifle

• Damage increased:  150   →  187
• Focus gain speed increased:  1.0   →  1.15
• Ammo capacity decreased:  4   →  3 (optional)
  

The rifle gets a slight boost to handling and a larger one to damage, with an optional capacity reduction to offset the change and maintain tension.

HARDCORE MODE / EXTREME DIFFICULTIES 1-10
If you prefer the opposite approach to combat tension in your survival horror, the hardcore version combines the "nerfs" from the base version of Improved Weapon Balance (handgun focus movement penalty, increased unfocused shotgun spread, decreased shotgun/rifle ammo capacity) with a flat 50% damage reduction to all weapons (excepting the chainsaw). All other weapon stats are vanilla - no handling buffs.

An optional 35% reduced healing add-on is also available, for health drinks and/or syringes. Intended for use with the Hardcore version of this mod, but can be used with any version or entirely standalone (no IWB required). If you'd prefer a greater reduction, a 50% version is available here.

Additionally, all versions of Improved Weapon Balance are fully compatible with Extreme Difficulties, should you prefer any of these weapon adjustments combined with the enemy damage and AI changes from that mod. Install both, then remove from the ~Extreme folder you're using any individual weapon files that you'd prefer to have the Improved Weapon Balance versions of - there are 3 files per weapon.

RECOMMENDATION
Obviously preferences will differ, but my personal recommended setup is the standard version of this mod combined with the Vanilla Melee Damage add-on and both Reduced Healing add-ons. You feel appropriately weak up until you get the handgun, but once you can setup melee finishers, the balance shifts dramatically in your favor assuming you explore carefully and make your shots. To compensate for this, I also strongly suggest combining this with your preferred level of the Extreme Difficulty (2 or 3 feels about right to me) mod. The increased damage taken + reduced healing keeps mistakes punishing and helps balance how many healing items the game gives you.

COMPATIBILITY
This mod should work with anything that doesn't also adjust individual weapon statistics (model swaps and/or weapon sway adjustments should work fine). Keep in mind that alphabetical load order based on the mod file titles determines which mod's changes win any potential conflict (higher dominating lower). You can adjust the titles of any mod's files (be sure to adjust all three of its files identically) to manipulate your load order to your desired outcome.

INSTALLATION

• download preferred version of mod and any desired add-ons
• extract contents (3 files) of .zip file(s) into SILENT HILL 2/SHProto/Content/Paks/~mods
  -- create the ~mods folder if it doesn't yet exist

Keep only one version of the base mod and one version of any add-ons installed at a time.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Narknon, LongerWarrior, and SilverEzredes
• UE Modding and Modding Haven
  

ADDITIONAL MODS and SUPPORT
If you like this or my other mods and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee.