Sum ppl not like SoU cuz so short. I like too tho, like u. Loot is more like on PW or other CC SP. Closer to PnP low/mid-magic than OC or HotU. Only part not like is need to run far away to rest many place in SoU so take longer. That also like many PW tho.
There diffrence in playing optimum build or just one that work better in short module. That ur own choice. Even SoU not really hard but prolly hardest of Bioware stuff cept the premium which are mayb tuff too.
Bard very good to use cuz no dispel of buff can happen. Deekin wonna curse so u could use that on ur bard for HotU if u go to play that mod. Depend how much bard u plan if song help much.
Recommend option ALWAYS gimp toon but that not really so bad. It make game more fun to play wen all thing not so easy to do. Bioware never figure for optimum build on there mods. Wen they make SoU they never rebalance for all HotU new class, feat & spell so SoU shud be gimped a little and OC a LOT!
Ftr always good to get BAB up fast to hit things better n give u more good wpn to chose. But it better to take Bard Lvl 1 for xtra skill n quick song.
Try take Still Spell if haven't yet for cast in armor/sheeld.
Dunno how gud ProjQ work with Bioware mods. Sometime conflict happen. ProjQ ppl cud tell u better mayb in other forums. I very jealus that u have SSD but not me.
edit: almos forget. Many time just rest party to get hench back to normal. Wen u look at hench screen, all ability ok? Any desease or other bad thing show there? Mayb she stuck in hide mode so need convo to fix that. Had probelm like this with Tomi in OC once but rest fixed all. Worse thing, u can killl her then rez or mayb she show up at temple some place to hire her back. That all can think of, tho.