MOD Installation Question

[WhtKntAssassin]

Now, I apologize if posting this question here is incorrect, or altogether stupid.

 

I'm an avid DA player, and have been looking for a fresh new experience with Origins. I found out about this place (excellent, excellent job with all these mods, by the way). Now, here's my question..

 

All the mods that I download using the NMM, and install through the NMM.. will they automatically be installed to the proper path locations to take effect in the main game?

 

I've gathered that for these mods to take full effect AFTER installation, it's recommended that you start a New Game entirely, or load a save file where you're still in an Origin story, and not at Ostagar.

 

Will the install via the NMM correctly install all mods where they need to be to take advantage of the functionality of said mods?

 

Clarification on this would be extremely appreciated. I've already encountered quite a few mods that I intend to download, and a few that I already have.

[Oubliette]

Yes, if a mod recommends installing with NMM it should install correctly. There are some cases when NMM will install a mod incorrectly but this is usually a modders fault for not packaging a mod in such a way that NMM can install it properly. In order to check and make sure all files are installed, you just need to know the normal install directory and how to install mods manually, then you can usually tell at a glance if the mods have installed correctly. One big give away is a folder inside your install directory that is named the same as the mod you installed ("better booze and bottles" for random example) when a mod is installed correctly it should no longer be in it's self named packaging.

 

I don't have DA:O but hopefully the information on this wikia will help you check that your mods have installed correctly http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Mods

Edited December 16, 2013 by Oubliette

[Thandal]

@Oubliette;

 

Please, please don't provide advice about DA:O / DA2 mods when you don't have the games.

 

There are a number of different consideration about DA mods that the player needs to understand.

 

1) See this article: Using Dragon Age Mods for Dummies.

 

2) Even NMM can't properly handle all DA mods. That's just because of the different ways of packaging them, but the result is that you (the player) still have to understand what the mod author did and how to apply it.

 

3) Mod authors have (generally) provided good instructions as to how to employ their works. If NMM (or DAMM, or DAM, or DAUpdater, with the CharGenMorph Compiler, when appropriate) don't seem to be working, then it's probably time review the instructions or to ask for help with that particular mod. :tongue:

[WhtKntAssassin]

Thank you all for the timely responses. I appreciate the feedback. I've done a combination effort between NMM and DAMM to get my mods running smoothly. So far, every one that I've installed is functioning as is outlined in the descriptions of the mods themselves. There's a couple that wanted to be a pain, but I consulted the instructions that came with the mod and got them working again.

 

Each of them work in conjunction with the others that I have running, as I even cross-referenced and did research to see if mods were compatible with each other. So far, I definitely have to give a massive hats off to the modding community here, because aside from the lines and the areas being familiar to me, these mods make it feel like I'm playing a whole new game. Fresh looks, cleaner sounds, crisper atmosphere. It's amazing. Will most definitely be installing some more mods later on.. which reminds me.. any good suggestions for an HD overhaul of the game as a whole? I already use Dragon Age Redesigned.

 

Note: This poster is becoming a Mod Junkie. You've been warned. ;)

[Thandal]

JB3Textures seems to be the front-runner for HD tweaks. Since I don't like the kind of thing it does, I haven't used it (or any of the other similar mods) since I first tried it about three years ago.