Can someone please help a poor confused old man

[mmmrrrggg3]

Maybe I'm just too old for this stuff any more but I seriously don't understand anything about mods for this game. There's like 17 different mod managers and fixers and script extenders and no two mods I want are compatible with the same one, and then when I do struggle through installation nothing works. The search is replete with confusing stuff like multiple "mod manager crash fix" type files, not not the actual mod manager itself. There's also no way to search mods by what loader they're compatible with or if there is I missed it.

 

Mod fixer tells me it's the defacto mod fixer, but that means nothing to me.

 

It also says something about new games. Are you only able to add mods on new game and not to an existing? Neither seems to actually work.

 

Maybe this all makes sense to those of you more deeply immersed in it, but to a new user it's absolutely impenetrable and very frustrating. Can someone give me a simple explanation? 

[Flumme]

Mods work also on existing games / saves. But a lot of them work just "better" when you start a new playthrough. But most of the mods I have, work really well in a ongoing game. Just: Uninstalling a mod and then play without it can be a bit tricky sometimes and even destroy your savegame(s). Keep this in mind.

You can write here what Mods are giving you the most trouble, I could take a look.
 

I can only tell you what I'm doing / what I have done. I have about 200 mods installed they they SEAM to work.

- Download here the BG3 ModManager and install it: https://github.com/LaughingLeader/BG3ModManager  (I don't like Vortex anymore, sorry. Causes to mutch trouble at to many mods )
- There are two kind of mods: Loose files and .pak files. Put the loose Files manual into the right folder where BG3 is installed, done. At the description of this mods is always written in WITCH folder you have to put this files. But .pak-Mods must be installed with the ModManager (FILE / IMPORT MOD / *now you choose the ziped Mod where a .pak is inside*)

- In the BG3 ModManager you have two windows: When the mod is installed it will appear at the right window, drag it to the left window = installed. Now install all your mods like this. A few mods will be installed at a window (left side) called "Overwrides", it's ok (just: There you can't change the Load Order). At the other installed Mods on the left side, you can always change the Load-Order. Or uninstall them by dragging them to the right side. (Then just uninstall them with rightclick if you wish, but don't forget to delete ALL, EVERYTHING here).
- BUT: BEOFRE playing you have to do the following after every CHANGE you have done (only after a change): Press the Refresh-Button, Press: File / Save Order (without this the Mods will probably not work). Every time you install / uninstall a mod, please.
- Don't forget to look every week (?) for BG3 ModManager-Updates (AND ScriptExtender-Updates).

- What Mods you need? Depend on: What do you want to do. At every mod at Nexus you have written "Requirements". Look here and do as they say. IMPORTANT: There is a Mod-description and there are comments, they can help you a lot!
- I have the Script Extender (cause a few of my mods need it), it is very easy to install: Go into the BG3 ModManger, Tools, Download&ExtractScriptExtender . Done.
- I also habe this "Basic Mods": https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/366 (here you have to read if you need the additional mods, this is a mod A LOT other mods need) and https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/141?tab=description and https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/3888 (cause I have some weapons mods who need this mod) and https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/944
I have all this mods cause I need them for other mods.
 

If you want to install a few mods "more", please: Have a "Order, a good overview". Look what I wrote here, please:

Let's look to some mods (as an example!):

- Native Camera Tweaks: https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/945
Here at Requirements it is written: You need the "Native Mod Loader". So first you donwload the "Native Mod Loader" and install it. How I install the "Native Mod Loader"? It is written there how to manuall install it, do so. Just loose files, very easy. I love loose File-Mods. Just don't forget you have installed it, when you want to update or to uninstall it. And the Camer Tweaks itself is also a Loose-Mod-Files-Mod .... to very easy-to-install-mods. Your done.

- Next mod, let's see this DICE Mod: https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/1429 Look at the requirements of this Dice-mod: You need the ImprovedUI Mod. So first you download the ImprovedUI mod, the MAIN File of course. Install the ImprovedUI mod (a .pak file) by: BG3 ModManager, Import Mod, pick the ziped Mod file, done. But: "WAHHH where is the ImprovedUI Mod?" Look at the Overwrides-window, left side. And now you can install the Dice Mod the same ... Done.

- Next mod, lets become a bit more tricky: M Half Elf Head E https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/287?tab=description
Here we need A LOT Mods more to install it, but let's read the description / requirements, don't be frightend:
- BG3 Mod-Fixer: It is an old Mod, was not updated for a long time but seam to work. So ... install it ... this is it.
- ImprovedUI mMod ... like before
- Patches for CC mods (I don't know this mod, lets take a look): Does THIs mod need other mods ... yes ... ImprovedUI Mod & ModFixer  .... already done .... And the mod itself ... seamd to be the second download, but I'm not sure ... done evrything ... And now you can install  the M Half Elf whatever-head mod.

Don't forget to make a little "Mod-Load Order". I helpd myself with this Link a bit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19n78BPbDW79T30Wn5biNyv84rzz8Y-Y78w06QuSLVno/edit .

Also: Have a good Overview what Mods you have installed. I make this "Overview" with my Bookmarks, other make a little Textfile or put some files into the "Personal Files".

Good luck!

Edited January 1, 2024 by Flumme

[mmmrrrggg3]

Thanks! I thought I'd just start with this one: https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/1708 

I followed the directions on the page and the youtube video and the game gave me the mod warning, but they didn't do anything.

Trying that mod manager now. It was really confusing that it wasn't available on nexus, but that fixes for it were. Thanks for the reply!

[Flumme]

You don't find the BG3 ModManager at Nexus cause they want you to use "Vortex". But Vortex causes to many problems ... and I LOVED VORTEX. I tried soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long to use Vortex for Skyrim and Fallout 4 Mods ... but ... no, no way. If you have a lot of Mods, it is not a good idea. I'm so sorry.

Last words please: I would NOT start your first playthrough with THIS mod of yours. I played D&D as a Pen&Paper and a lot of D&D Computer-Games and I can tell you: The Wizard, the scorerer will be sooo powerfull, you really don't need this mod for spells in your first playthrough (not even in your second or third).

However: Install everything just like me and than this mod (of yours) like the Dice-Mod (in my "examples"). Don't look at to mutch information   If it is broken ... come back. But: Take also a look to this mods. I think you can use them in your first playthrough:

- Camera:  https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/945
- WASD: https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/781
- The Nexus-Modder "PavelK" (I have about 12 of his mods running here, he is INCREDIBLE!): https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/users/703937?tab=user+files
-Bags,Bags,Bags:  https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/880
- Just "Camp Clothing", attention for the requirements AND the load order: https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/744?tab=description
- Look for "Camp clothing" in general. Look also for DYES And of course for "Character" Mods, mean: Character Creation-Options.
 

Edited January 1, 2024 by Flumme

[Flumme]

Attention:

The Basic Mods "ScriptExtender" AND the "Native Mod Loader" can cause trouble sometimes, cause they don't like it to work together. Some people get them to work together, some not.