Modding expectations?

[MerryBerry88]

So this might be a silly question and I've been trying to formulate it to where I don't sound like a complete a$$ but how different is modding between BG3 and other popular titles? Ive never been a modder but just a simple user of mods. I am excited to see if there is any potential to see really creative mods for BG3. More story or quest mods have always been a favorite of mine. So i guess my question is, is this possible currently or are modders waiting for tools to be released? Should we temper our expectations of modders currently?

[Kartik100]

Not a modder either but I think we need to wait to see what the modding tools are like before there can be a concrete answer. I love quest mods the most too but Divinity Original Sin 2 modding never had anything that impressive, so I am guessing that in Baldur's Gate 3 too the most we can expect is extra classes and races.

[AaronEC]

I am by no means an experienced modder, I just released my Hairstyle Changer over on the main nexus though so maybe I have some insight.

Currently as modders we are able to unpack main game files, and there are some tools out there for converting them into useable information that can, therefore, be changed/modded.

However. There are no official mod tools, currently, for the game.

This means that most of the mods you will see are either changing something already in the game, or copying it and changing it, the adding it back in as something else. For example, we have the data files for hairstyles. My mod takes a base hairstyle, changes the appearance parameters, then puts it back. Effectively letting you change what a specific hair looks like. Others have created mods that take those same hairs, apply a custom mesh, then add them back as a new hair, effectively adding new hairs to the game.

So basically adding items, hairs, spells, bags etc is eminently doable at the moment.

What is not really possible is adding bigger more 'cohesive' mods. Like full conversion mods or complete quest lines.

While I suppose it is technically possible, it would be highly impractical. I would liken it to trying to build a boat by taking apart an airplane and only using those parts.

What is needed is a cohesive and logical way to create something from the ground up. Which will only come with official modding tools being released. These are usually similar to the tools used by developers to create the game originally and allow a much better environment for modders to work with.

The good news is that in a interview a few days ago with PCGamer, Larian CEO Swen Vincke confirmed that mod tools will be coming to BG3. No word on when, and the infamous 'soon' comes to mind.

Once these tools are released however, you will see the real 'juicy' mods like new quests and story, new locations etc.

Well that is my take anyway.

[MerryBerry88]

Thanks for laying it out like that. I imagine the heads over at larian are currently working on fixes. BUT there seeing this massive popularity and they are probably looking at how much mods have given life to a game like skyrim. (Not saying the games are the same) But just the fact that mods EASILY have given Skyrim/Fallout a shelf life well past there expected expiration date, they have to be thinking how do we get these tools into modders hands.

[Sammuthegreat]

I have a related question which I suppose is related to this topic - I figured I'd put it here rather than starting a new thread.

 

I've seen some sporadic subclass mods on the Nexus, but I wondered what the prospects are for there being a compilation mod for all the additional subclass options from Xanathar's and Tasha's? I appreciate some subs would need reworking (Horizon Walker springs immediately to mind given the lack of interplanar portals), and presumably some would need new art or animation assets.

 

And for a similar reason I'm guessing new playable species/races might be trickier, as would the whole artificer class.