One time an Adamantine Longsword +4 popped for sale in Blackwater smithy. I think it was base damage 10. Not sure of the fine points of combat damage, but how does 10+4 compare to 11+3 (assuming alchemy). It wa also lighter which was nice. 10lbs vs 12 I think. Something like that. It also seemed like executioner, skullsplitter, etc were underpowered. The gear in book II was much better overall and more balanced. The named weapons were much better than alchemy could get you, and making +3 imbue so much higher in book II was a good balance I think.
The ambush was my favorite encounter of the first two games I think
