What's the best beta-based build or mod to map with?

[teknost]

Hello everyone, I'm looking for the best game base to create new beta style maps to pass my free time but I don't know which one is good for map making.

I'm looking for a base that has a working cut npcs, weapons and of course, mapping features.

Should I use a patched version of the beta itself or use a mod that has those things I said above implemented in a newer version of the Source engine?
I have mapped for both retail GoldSRC and Source, but I haven't tried out the patched leak Hammer; is it actually stable like the retail one?

I have read the FAQ already, but I'd like to get some insights from the beta community.

Thanks.

[bruno]

You can use the patched beta but it takes a while to get Hammer to work properly [guide] and after you'l do so it works as well as the retail one, but it is suggested to use a custom map compiler since the one in the Beta Hammer is not very stable, even after being patched [Link]. As for mods, Im not sure. Maybe Missing Information since it has a lot of beta stuff in it, but not everything. It's all for you to judge.

[teknost]

You can use the patched beta but it takes a while to get Hammer to work properly [guide] and after you'l do so it works as well as the retail one, but it is suggested to use a custom map compiler since the one in the Beta Hammer is not very stable, even after being patched [Link]. As for mods, Im not sure. Maybe Missing Information since it has a lot of beta stuff in it, but not everything. It's all for you to judge.

For patched beta, you mean the beta with mega patch, right? I'll check it out then.

[bruno]

For patched beta, you mean the beta with mega patch, right? I'll check it out then.

Yep, thats what I ment. The original clean unpatched anon leak is WAY too broken to make maps with.