3 replies to this topic

[Site Bot]

Let's change up DA2

A few extra and useful items, some fixes, and several ways to make your Hawke even better looking,

[Norstaera]

Notes, Troubleshooting, FAQs

BEFORE INSTALLING MODS OR A COLLECTION

Spoiler

Some games don't set up all their files until the first time they are launched. So it's a good practice after installing a game to launch it from its default startup to make sure there are no issues before you start modding it.

In order to avoid permission or 'run as administrator' issues, set up a different directory to install your games and Vortex. For example, I set up this directory, "C:\Gaming\...",

Once you know your game is installed and running correctly, quit, open Vortex and make sure it's recognized. For more help on Vortex related issues, you can go to the 'Knowledge Base' tab in Vortex or the Vortex Support forums. Launching the game once again may not be necessary, but it can't hurt to know that you can launch the game before you start modding.

These directories for DA2 are needed for modding:  "[gaming directory]\Origin Games\Dragon Age II\addins", "[gaming directory]\Origin Games\Dragon Age II\packages\core\data", ":...\Documents\BioWare\Dragon Age 2\packages\core\override" and "...\Documents\BioWare\Dragon Age 2\packages\core\data".

AFTER DOWNLOADING THIS COLLECTION and EVERYTHING IS INSTALLED & ENABLED
Run the Chargenmorph Compiler by TerraEx. Deploy your mods again so Vortex recognizes the changes and communicates these changes to the game.
 
More about the Chargenmorph Compiler.

Spoiler

If you don't know what this is, it is probably the most important tool for DA2 or DAO if you want to change or add options in the character creator.  In order for new hairstyles, etc. to be added to the character creator, new lines have to be added to the chargenmorphcfg.xml. Most mods include their own chargenmorphcfg.xml with the necessary information but if you have more than one these files need to be combined into one. The Compiler will do that for you. The mod "My massive chargenmorphcfg" included in this collection contains all the additional line entries needed for the mods in this collection (as well as others).

If, after installing the collection you want to add another mod for the character creator, reinstall "My massive chargenmorphcfg" (maybe not necessary but definitely won't hurt), run the Compiler again, and deploy mods again.

ALWAYS REMEMBER to click 'Remove Bad References from chargenmorphcfg.xml file' when you compile chargens. If you don't, the game can crash during character creation.

[neruuk]

Thank you.  Was a blast playing since there is so much story to be had and now with minimal nuisance.

[Norstaera]

Thank you.  Was a blast playing since there is so much story to be had and now with minimal nuisance.

Oh good! Glad you liked it.