GameBanshee Forums

Hello. I've played BG2 (SoA+ToB) though like some 20 times already, and I suddenly realised I've never used any mods apart from official patches...so I searched around a bit and found out loads of 'em :speech: ...I picked these:

aPack (rogue rebalance)
Ascension
Ashes of Embers
Banter mod
Questpack
NCP flirt pack
Oversight
Refinements
Unfinished business
Weimer - ItemUpgrade
Weimer - Tactics

The problem a mod newbie faces is obvious: compatibility. I did some studying and figured these mods should work together if I disable some components. If someone here knows the mods like his own pockets, I'd appreciate if you told me in which order to install all these things. (and if you know which components in them to not install, all the better)

Thanks!

I haven't used some of those mods, so I don't know if they're compatible with each other. But here is some advice about mods in general.

First of all, mods are installed in various ways. Some mods merely add new files (or replace existing files) in your /OVERRIDE directory. If such a file is not affected by another mod, it doesn't matter when you put it in the /OVERRIDE directory (although the changes won't take effect until you restart the game). On the other hand, if the same file is replaced by two different mods, only one of the mods will work. For example, Ease-of-Use replaces all stackable items if you select "infinite stacking". So I would install Ease-of-Use before installing a mod that makes a different kind of change to a particular item.

Other mods add new characters and sound files and put them in new subdirectories. Some mods also make changes to your DIALOG.TLK file, which contains most of the game's dialogue. If a mod adds new dialogue to the game, it changes the dialogue index numbers in the DIALOG.TLK file so the game knows where to find the dialogue it's looking for. If your DIALOG.TLK file gets messed up, you've got trouble. The DIALOG.TLK file can be altered incrementally, so the order in which you install your mods makes a difference. (If you're playing a multiplayer game with a friend, you both need to install the same mods in exactly the same order.)

Most mod designers assume that you have installed the latest official patch as well as the Baldurdash Fix Pack and the Baldurdash Text Update. Those should be installed before you install any mods. Non-Weidu mods should be installed before Weidu mods. Weidu mods can supposedly be installed in any order, but check the README files for notes about compatibility.

Obviously, if you install an NPC mod (that adds a new character to the game), you should install it before you install the Flirt Pack or the Banter Pack. The Kelsey Mod takes precedence over many other NPC mods, so it should be installed before Keto, for example.

I posted a list of the mods I use in another message thread, which you can find below:
http://gamebanshee.com/forums/showthread.php?p=672119

Many of those mods are simply small files that you place in your /OVERRIDE directory. Others make major changes to the game (or the DIALOG.TLK file).

firstly i recommend you follow the instructions over at Pocket Plane, for 'building and maintaining a clean install'. The site also has all the (up to date) info you will need regarding compatability/ installation order

One of the mods you plan on using (maybe UB maybe not) will offer the choice to install 'Additional Harper Content'. Be warned that this component broke the Jaheira Romance in my game, and had to be uninstalled for the romance (and therefore plenty of harper content) to continue. Other components were fine.

Question regarding 'Item Upgrade Mod' - You say you have played 20 times, so I wonder why you would want to install this one? Most of the items, especially the weapons, are overpowered and will spoil the game for a veteran. Examples: the scimitar that wins the fight for you after scoring one hit; the ring that summons 3 24HD elementals instantly; the figurine that summons a spider that will take out a whole room without getting hurt; etc etc.

[QUOTE=Earnest]firstly i recommend you follow the instructions over at Pocket Plane, for 'building and maintaining a clean install'. The site also has all the (up to date) info you will need regarding compatability/ installation order[/QUOTE]
Here are the links:

INSTALLATION ORDER FOR BALDUR'S GATE II: THRONE OF BHAAL

Building and Maintaining a Clean Install

Earnest:

Very valid point with the Item Upgrade mod, but I feel that it is worthwhile for the self-policing player. Eventually all the boots are outmoded because you just want to run across the levels as fast as possible, and those misc +1 items get tired pretty quickly, too. And really, you don't have to make the cheesiest of items just like you don't have to spike trap every boss, mislead-backstab in between naps, etc.

Personally, the only mod I enjoyed was tactics. All the other mods just came across as candy. They were fresh and interesting at first, but pretty soon some issue will start bothering me. Balance, inconsistencies, whatever, that I can't handle for the lengthy amount of time that it takes to finish the game.

Something I would advise for those who haven't tried it would be changing the classes of your NPCs. For me, the other characters give your character depth and direction, along with providing amusement and stories of their own. The only problem with this is that they are (mostly) single classes weenies with wasted proficiency slots in quarterstaves and other nonsense. Another plus is that it tempers the min/maxing of the stats you'd be inclined to do on your own if you created them in multiplayer. Currently I'm playing a tactics game with a sorc, ranger/cleric jahiera, monk minsc, fighter/thief jan, fighter/mage aerie, and regular ol' haer. It's the closest I've come to recreating the feeling of uncertainty, thoughtfulness, and accomplishment since the first time I played through.

I also use those same Mod's, and I always install them in the following order (no bugs surfaced as of yet):
Ascension
ItemUpgrade
Apack
Oversight
Ashes of Embers
Banter mod
NCP flirt pack
Tactics
Unfinished business
Questpack
Refinements

Thanks everyone, especially you Sytze. I'll try it out and see how it works.

You have a good point Earnest, but Miscreant pretty much covered it. Besides, I think I'm just curious of trying new things. If I like the mods and decide to play the game through with them installed again, I'll know what things I like and what I don't and then just leave the mods that I enjoyed.

I suppose this first playthough is a test of sorts, it might turn into a hack-and-slash, but I'm happy as long as there's something new to keep me from having a mental image of the next events and dialogues everywhere I go.

Just a heads up: Oversight's Improved Sandai does not work in combination with ItemUpgrade. The reason for this can be found [url="http://forums.gibberlings3.net/index.php?showtopic=4940"]here[/url].

Now, there are three things which you can do.
1: Don't install the component at all. Personally, I think this is the best option, because I find Improved Sendai to be horrible overpowered. Throwing three to four Dragon Breaths and/or Comets in your face in a row can be quite annoying.
2: Do as they are telling you in the linked thread; fix the error.
3: Install Oversight first and then ItemUpgrade. I haven't tried this option myself, so I can't be sure if it works.