How do you guys made an ESP mod?

[itspsycholight]

I've seen already some ESP mod for Starfield, how do you guys made an ESP mod without Creation Kit or or Xedit, because only that both apps that I know to make an ESP Mod.

[smr1957]

They use hacks and workarounds. And because of that, none are safe to use - they are a broken game waiting to happen. The only way to make a plugin correctly, is by using the CK and/or xEdit - which is why you don't see any well known, established modders making any mods that use a plugin - they are awaiting the release of the proper tools.

[dosedela]

Found this one today, I don't understand they are tolerated on Nexus atm. At least the author added a warning in his description but still

 

https://www.nexusmods.com/starfield/mods/4679

Edited October 11, 2023 by dosedela

[drworm73]

Just an FYI- Ive been following the release of SFEdit, and reading their wiki it talks a bit about plugins. Due to some factors that I'm not knowledgeable enough explain, it will only be creating esm files. The wiki seems to say that this has always been the ideal, but previous games have mixed in esp and esl plugin extensions. Starfield doesn't, so it's an opportunity to start fresh with a better system.

 

For now at least, any mods with esp or esl files are using an outside hack and should be avoided.

[KingNewbs]

Just an FYI- Ive been following the release of SFEdit, and reading their wiki it talks a bit about plugins. Due to some factors that I'm not knowledgeable enough explain, it will only be creating esm files. The wiki seems to say that this has always been the ideal, but previous games have mixed in esp and esl plugin extensions. Starfield doesn't, so it's an opportunity to start fresh with a better system.

 

For now at least, any mods with esp or esl files are using an outside hack and should be avoided.

I appreciated this post, which helped me figure out whether I was supposed to be doing ESP or ESM files (it's ESM). Here's the relevent link:

https://github.com/TES5Edit/TES5Edit/blob/dev-4.1.5/whatsnew.md#the-case-for-exclusively-supporting-esm-files-in-starfield

[smr1957]

My comment applies also to .esms - ANY plugin (or tool, for that matter) that is being made before the release of the CK is essentially being made using hacks and workarounds - and that applies to xEdit as well. Without the CK, even the xEdit team is just making guesses as to what is actually in the game under the hood and how the game works and handles information and data.