Optional starter equipment

[Rossum]

I bought my copy of New Vegas from Wal-Mart and got the Caravan Pack bonus starter equipment (which is pretty good) but the other pre-order packs look interesting as well.

 

Then it dawned on me that the pre-order packs give you starter equipment that makes it look like you had a job in addition to your Courier job.

 

Which means that you can sort of pick your 'starting class' at the beginning of the game... if you have the pre-order thing. When starting up the game there is the option to load different files like the mods so in theory I could disable the Caravan Pack so I just get the vault clothes that the doctor gives at the start of the game.

 

 

But what if in addition to choosing your face, stats, perks and traits you could choose your starting equipment?

 

Basically, after you choose your tag skills and traits you also get a choice for your Background. This could be like a perk that gives a brief blurb about what you did before the game and a one-time addition of stuff to your inventory (possibly disabling Doc giving you the vault suit and making you equip whatever armor your starting equipment bundle has). Maybe add some bonuses or whatever, but the point is you get to customize each starter character differently.

 

Some ideas on starter equipment packs:

 

Hunter Pack - You are a hunter of the wastes, with your trusty rifle you hunt animals in the wasteland and sell their meat and hides for the necessities of life. Though you are always ready to use your gun against attackers.

 

Leather Armor

Hunting Rifle (or a custom varmint rifle)

Plenty of ammo or ammo-making materials for the rifle

Tanned Gecko Hides

Possibly a loyal hunting dog

 

 

Medic Pack - You're a doctor not a deliveryboy! But seriously, you have the skills and equipment to heal people in the wasteland. Unfortunately you neglected to bring a decent weapon to defend against attackers due to your hippocratic oath and the theory that the wasteland savages would immediatly recognize your medical coat and prefer your medical skills. So much for that... savages.

 

Wasteland Surgeons outfit

Straight Razor

Laser Pistol (for surgical reasons... probably)

Plenty or medicine, chems, doctors bags, and purified water.

 

 

Lumberjack Pack - You're totally a lumberjack (not a serial killer) and you're okay. You've got plenty of sharp tools handy for chopping down trees. They work great on people too... you suppose. But of course you're not supposed to use them for that, right?

 

Hockey Mask (for protection!)

Merc Outfit

Chainsaw (in poor condition due to overuse on peo... trees!)

Fire Axe (in good condition)

Throwing Axes (for those far away branches that run away)

Psycho and Med-X

 

 

Gambler Pack - You're heading to Vegas to make it big.

 

Pre-War Hat

Businessman's Suit

9-Iron

2,000 caps worth of NCR money (safely hidden where your attacker wouldn't search)

 

 

Rogue Brotherhood Scout - You are a member of a rogue Brotherhood chapter. The chapter around here won't recognize you but you are still out to locate technology.

 

Veronica's Hood (or a renamed version of it)

Armored robes

Recharger Pistol

Cattle Prod

Purified Water

 

Enclave Refugee - You were a member of the Enclave and are currently in hiding.

 

Power Armor Training

Lab Coat

Plasma Pistol

 

 

Just some rough ideas. Any thoughts or suggestions?

[jimbo553]

There are already multiple mods like this such as http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37171, http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35160, http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35224, http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36917, http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37326, and http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37088. If none of those do it for you, which I doubt will happen, I would be willing to create a new one for you.

[ButchDeLoria101]

There are already multiple mods like this such as http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37171, http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35160, http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35224, http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36917, http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37326, and http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37088. If none of those do it for you, which I doubt will happen, I would be willing to create a new one for you.

Those are mostly just "one fits all" mods, and one that gives access to everything. I like Rossum's idea of the background option: it would give a perk, and maybe a small stat bonus to whatever background (hunter would get a survival and guns bonus, medic would get a medicine bonus, enclave/brotherhood backgrounds would get energy weapon bonus, etc.). Plus, it would make a great replacement for the regular starter set. Rossum's suggestions are pretty balanced too: sure, the Enclave past would give you a plasma pistol and power armor training, but no armor or caps.

 

I have a small suggestion though: get permission to use the Six-String Samurai gear ( http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35993 ) for this mod, and offer a Buddy Holly background (with Wild Wasteland enabled), including the glasses, suit, guitar, and sword.

[jimbo553]

That is true, I'll try to learn how to do this, but don't hold your breath, and I'm definitely not claiming this mod.