BSA and LOOSE

[Adipose]

I'd greatly appreciate it if someone who's more knowledgeable than I am, would explain the difference

 

between Loose files and BSA files. I find myself frequently required to chose between one or the other

 

when downloading a mod and I've no clue as to the advantages or disadvantages of one over the other.

[IsharaMeradin]

When installed manually (and I presume with the Nexus Mod Manager):

BSA files will be loaded in order with their respective ESP/ESM files. This means that if two BSAs contain the same file, the last one loaded wins. Just like records in a plugin.

Loose files are always loaded last and will always take priority over any version of the file in BSAs

 

When using Mod Organizer (original Skryim no idea about FO4/SSE version):

MO's management of BSA files option is a means of turning off the requirement to load empty plugins. It does not affect how BSA files are loaded (unlike what some have thought). All BSA files in MO are loaded at their priority level irregardless of their plugin's load order. This means that some BSA files can override loose file instances depending upon their priority orders. The only way to get MO to behave like the intended manual install would be to first sort plugins, then adjust priority order of all mods with BSA files to match and then shift them all so that in the priority list there are no loose file mods above or between them.

 

Loose files are easier to find conflicts but harder to access in-game as the assets could be spread around the drive.

BSA files are harder to find conflicts but easier to load and access in-game as the assets are primarily in one location.

 

In both cases, defraging the HDD can help with access times.

[Adipose]

When installed manually (and I presume with the Nexus Mod Manager):

BSA files will be loaded in order with their respective ESP/ESM files. This means that if two BSAs contain the same file, the last one loaded wins. Just like records in a plugin.

Loose files are always loaded last and will always take priority over any version of the file in BSAs

 

When using Mod Organizer (original Skryim no idea about FO4/SSE version):

MO's management of BSA files option is a means of turning off the requirement to load empty plugins. It does not affect how BSA files are loaded (unlike what some have thought). All BSA files in MO are loaded at their priority level irregardless of their plugin's load order. This means that some BSA files can override loose file instances depending upon their priority orders. The only way to get MO to behave like the intended manual install would be to first sort plugins, then adjust priority order of all mods with BSA files to match and then shift them all so that in the priority list there are no loose file mods above or between them.

 

Loose files are easier to find conflicts but harder to access in-game as the assets could be spread around the drive.

BSA files are harder to find conflicts but easier to load and access in-game as the assets are primarily in one location.

 

In both cases, defraging the HDD can help with access times.

 

Many thanks for the information.