This version of the mod allow the player for a great time since it has been optimized and got rid of many bugs that were present in 7.1. Here are some advices to enjoy the mod playing as a fighter character.

First: One thing I was used to in previous versions was to enlist as retinue with a Reach lord (most of the time Baelor Hightower) to reach the grade of Heavy Knight and then desert. That way you can get the best equipment. The problem with this playstyle is that it is very boring and it is bad to get experience for you and your companions.
The thing is that good equipment is pretty necessary to survive most fights as the ennemies are very strong, so I recommend you to reach 20 str ASAP in order to equip plate. Some of your companions may also benefit high strength so you can have a deadly hero party cladded in plate.


Here is the trick: the new version of the game introduces a new type of bandits : the Robber Knights. They spawn with a group of about 7 units of mounted sergents and one named character and are equipped with some of the best equipment of the game. Their spawn camp is around Witherun but I mostly find them in the Crownslands. Here are the items I dropped from them so far:

-Helmets : 61/47 head armor, depending the model
-Heavy plates: 76 armor for body and 27 for legs (not sure of the numbers but awesome stats) only second to Full Plates (80 armor).
-Plate gloves. : 11 armor (body).
-Plate boots: 35 armor (legs).

Weapons: Lances (cheap but strong), Warhammer (good 26 blunt), Maces.

Horses: Destriers (15 armor), Padded Destriers (20 armor).
I suspect they can drop Mailed Destriers (30 armor) because it is in their equipment list. Those are only second to barded destriers (35 armor) that is the most expensive article you can get from merchants.

Maybe they can drop shields but that is forgettable.

To optimise the loot you may desire a companion that is proficient in "looting" and maybe have some points yourself. I use Lyneria (pops in the Braavos Tavern) for that task because she has a good agility stat, but she needs to be leveled up.
Because you may have many troops you have to share the loot with, you may want to claim the loot first, but it cost 10 renown (and morale drops significantly for a time, but it can be fixed in taverns).

You need a superior force to take them as they are fierce opponents but don't worry about losses: as they have blunt weapons they may not kill much of your troops. The most ennoying part is catching them as they are very mobile on the map.

You may want to capture some of them to get into your party as they are strong heavy cavalry that is efficient against other armored units because of their blunt weapons. They are very costly (more than 120 upkeep) but they are excellent at capturing units such as knights so they pretty much pay for their cost.
The beauty is : as you can get a lot of them with little effort, they are expendable so you don't worry loosing some of them.

Using this tip, you can get very good gear fairly quickly for you and your companions.