I'm confused about archive invalidation and a Mikal33's Improv

[andyd]

So I'm about done adding a bunch of mods and now I'm down to these. In the readme file it says this...

 

"Be sure to update your OBMM setting.The picture included shows the proper setting for the OBMM when updating."

 

Attached is the picture. I don't understand this though. The zip files contains a bunch of textures / meshes that I will copy over to the Oblivion folder but I don't understand why the above step is necessary. I can do as it says but I guess I'm concerned that it may disrupt other mods. None of the other mods I've installed listed this step. Should I just follow the step without concern?

[Jenrai]

Archive Invalidation is usally quite safe, and silent, however, redirecting the BSA's tends to be preferable to editing them. (I'll be brutally honest here, I've not seen that step recommended. Anywhere. Ever.) I'd tend to steer well clear of directly editing anything that comes with the game. Even the BSAs.

One thing Oblivion does that tends to go relatively unnoticed is it'll do some Archive Invalidation for you. (obviously not all or OBMM wouldn't need the feature and ArchiveInvalidationInvalidated (mod) wouldn't exist.

The way that works is anything added AFTER Oblivion.esm (which should be everything. If you have mods loading before that you're real likely to have problems) and after the .ini's initialisation (the first thing the game does on loading and that's what loads the default BSA's) writes over the default files... like I said though, it doesn't always work perfectly.

I'd suggest you load the mod WITHOUT using the Invalidation, and go check it out. (I don't know the mod so I can't help much with that) Go to the location, use the CS to add an item from it, stuff like that, especially if its a quest mod and you don't have the time or the ability as yet to play through it) and check out how things are working.

Chances are the author knows of a conflict with the default BSAs and thats why he's recommending this step, but if everything seems fine you're probably good to go. Just bear it in mind for the future when playing that mod.

Alternatively, if its not fine, & looking at the screenie I'd say its something to do with replacement textures for vanilla game items, so something about it will look ripped up if there is a problem, try using the Archive Redirection as opposed to direct edit. If that still doesn't work, you can always give it a shot, but it would be in my overly cautious nature to say no. I've spent WAY too long building my current build to risk borking one of the BSA;s and screwing everything up unless I really, really needed that mod. But that final choice is of course yours and no one elses.

By the by... whatever happens, let me know, just for future reference.

Good luck with it.

 

Jenrai

[andyd]

You're right about it being textures - it's several mods that improve textures on stuff like doors and flora. The mods were recommended in two lists that were thorough in recommending mods for use.

 

I guess what I don't understand is the fact that the mod itself is just replacing / adding files to different folders - those settings would be more of a universal thing? I'll probably install the mod but I'll do as you suggest and not actually do that extra step. See what happens