none, the author just keeps on rererereleasing for engagement

Compared to the base Illustrious base model (as in Illustrious-XL 0.1 and Illustrious-XL 1.0), this has much better defined style, thus easier to use for certain parts.
Compared to older versions though, there are not a single clear cut on what is improved and what not. Though, when compared to v1, later versions have more prominent style. Often time, how the model precision (to prrompt) and how it works with LoRAs is the differences. (from 3 to 7, LoRA compatibilities are bad, 4 has an improvement, but still).

@EnlightenAIUser don't forget "putting models on early access for an absurd price to farm buzz from people who don't know this"

How so? Isn't it super outdated at this point?

@viviangrace1985392 the subsequent "updates" are less diverse in artstyle. I still use V1 because it's the best at 2.5D
All the other "updates" were much less capable of producing other art-styles.

You can also spread the net wider and hide certain tags , not perfect but gets 95% of said tag.

there's no changelog so the rumor is that the creator makes non-updates to farm engagement and buzz with early access
In my opinion, V1 is superior bc it can do 2.5d much better than the subsequent "updates"

nothing. he just puts the models on early access to farm buzz
the anime cutoff date isnt' even changed so the "new" models suck

bigger nose

The author is under no obligation to answer to you; if you don't like it, don't use it—it's that simple.

@Gipno goofy kinda is, especially since hes doing early access sales, the least he could do is add a changelog

I think the ""developers"" of these models should always say what they changed, if the anime cut off date changed, what they actually improved on the models
because what is the freaking point otherwise, its beyond annoying having to download most models because the "developers" dont feel like its important to inform their users about what they did that makes it different from all the other checkpoints
specially when the models are put on early access and expect money out of it in return

common decency isnt that hard of a task
then again this is 2026 we are talking about