Mod list question

[Kalenden]

Hi, I'm looking to mod Dragon Age: Orgins and I wonder if the following is a good and compatible list of mods and other tools. I've already played through the game once (although that was with only 1 or 2 dlcs).

I've also got some questions after.

 

First, system specs:

Windows 7 64-bits

i7-2630QM 2.00-2.80 ghz

8 gb RAM

HD6970M 2gb vram

640 GB RAID0

 

Dragon Age: Origins patched to 1.4 and with all the DLC

 

And now the list:

 

DAO-Modmanager

Dragon Age Redesigned (recommended settings)

JB3textures (core)

Extra Dog Slot

Improved Atmosphere (everything from Global, Areas, Characters, Dialogs & Stages & Cutscenes, Scripts, everything from Companions )

Madd Gift Guide

Detailed Tooltips

 

So, are all these mods compatible? What is the recommended install and load order?

Now my questions:

 

1) What difficulty should I choose? Some mods make the game easier, so I'm thinking Nightmare. Will that remain difficult enough (I want difficulty around Medium or Hard vanilla DAO), or should I search for a difficulty mod?

2) I'm thinking that, with all the DLC, I'll hit the level cap way too early. Especially since I'm a completionist. But just raising the level cap might make me overpowered. Is there a mod that could balance this?

3) Memory leaks. I've heard that 64 bit systems are more resistant against this. Is this true? And could I add other optional files from JB3?

4) Any other mod suggestions? For example, is Combat tweaks good? Except that, are there mods you could absolutely suggest to me? I've searched the top100 and this seemed essential mods for me, but I could've missed some. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

 

Sorry for the many questions!

Edited October 23, 2011 by Kalenden

[Thandal]

Hey Kalenden;

 

Welcome to the DA Nexus.

 

First, unlike some other games, DA has no "load-order" issues. Or rather, it has only one: the first one found wins. :tongue:

If two (or more) mods employ the exact same file, the Eclipse game engine will use the first one it finds when calling for it. As far as we (the Community) can tell, it uses a straight forward 'alphanumeric file/folder path' search routine, looking at the folders in the player's \[user documents]\Bioware\Dragon Age\packages\core\override folder, then the \Bioware\Dragon Age\Addins folder.

 

Second, compatibility is difficult to tell in advance. If you really want to be sure, you can examine every single mod to identify if there are any duplicated finenames in them. In general, "try it and see". There are mods (especially Improved Atmosphere and Nv4) that can mess-up your game (and even crash it) if you later remove them, or do so incorrectly. For more on using mods, see the wiki article: Dragon Age Mods for Dummies.

 

For your specific questions:

 

1) What difficulty should I choose? Some mods make the game easier, so I'm thinking Nightmare. Will that remain difficult enough (I want difficulty around Medium or Hard vanilla DAO), or should I search for a difficulty mod?

Hard to answer. Really depends on your style of play, party composition, and use of the Tactics AI. I played on "Hardcore" for my first several runs, then "Nightmare" ever since. But after more than eight full playthroughs, I know what's around the corner! :D

 

2) I'm thinking that, with all the DLC, I'll hit the level cap way too early. Especially since I'm a completionist. But just raising the level cap might make me overpowered. Is there a mod that could balance this?

While there is a level cap, (25 for DAO, 35 for DAA and beyond) it's not really an issue. By that point, more abilities don't help/aren't used. You'll know what approach seems to work for you. Start a new game with a new character if you want to try a different path, (that's part of the fun!)

 

3) Memory leaks. I've heard that 64 bit systems are more resistant against this. Is this true? And could I add other optional files from JB3?

Sadly, the memory leak problem seems to be true. Adding more options/mods doesn't seem to matter either way. Some think it's an issue with the Eclipse engine (or something else within the basic coding.) In my experience, it's most common when one has certain video cards. Others say multi-core CPUs. Others say different. Personally, I hak the .exe to enable the "Large Memory Area" flag, which allows the program to use more that 2GB of RAM. (I have 8, myself, on a QuadCore CPU running Win7-64bit.) That seems to delay any problems significantly, but not eliminate them compeltely.

 

4) Any other mod suggestions? For example, is Combat tweaks good? Except that, are there mods you could absolutely suggest to me? I've searched the top100 and this seemed essential mods for me, but I could've missed some. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

I have NEVER used CT. Or AI (Advanced Tactics). Never found the need. (But then I micro-mange my Party in combat anyway. :laugh: )

As for other "good mods", it all depends on what you like/want. See this (now somewhat out-of-date) thread for various perspectives and lists from several players (my own is the third one down): Good Mods - Opinions.

 

Happy (modded) gaming! :thumbsup:

[Kalenden]

Thanks for the fast reply! (was a bit worried about replies).

 

I've read the wiki and since most mods don't seem to change the same things (except probably some textures between Redesigned and Atmosphere ).

 

Odd that DAO doesn't use more than 2GB of RAM default. I've used the 4gb-patch enabler from this site http://www.ntcore.com/4gb_patch.php.

 

About all the other stuff, thanks for the advice, I'll keep it in mind. Worst case scenario I can still adjust difficulty or modify the level cap later on in the game. I think.

 

Other suggestions from you or anybody else about mods, the mod list or plain old advice are still welcome however!

[Arbedorn]

Personally, I hak the .exe to enable the "Large Memory Area" flag, which allows the program to use more that 2GB of RAM.

 

could you please point me in the direction of a way to do this for my system? :D

[Thandal]

Personally, I hak the .exe to enable the "Large Memory Area" flag, which allows the program to use more that 2GB of RAM.

 

could you please point me in the direction of a way to do this for my system? :D

Here ya' go: Enable >2GB for DAO, (I think it's the 8th post on that page.) :thumbsup:

[Arbedorn]

many thanks!!http://www.thenexusforums.com/public/style_emoticons/dark/dance.gif