[PSA] NMM not compatible with WOTC

[UhuruNUru]

NMM is still putting the mods into the Base games mod folder.
It's not geared up to to work for WOTC.

The way NMM works, WOTC would have to be added as a separate game, which it essentially is.
Base Game, and WOTC each have their own Mods Folder
Just Like Enemy Within, it's almost a standalone game, but still packaged in the same base game folder structure.
All WOTC mMods must go here.
..\Steam\SteamApps\Common\XCOM 2\XCom2-WarOfTheChosen\XComGame\Mods

NMM is using base game folder
..\Steam\SteamApps\Common\XCOM 2\XComGame\Mods

Until such time as NMM adds WOTC support, manual is the only way to go.
It should be possible to manually choose, the WOTC path, instead of base game, but you'd have to make sure the settings are changed after starting as well.
Where after a rescan gakes selection is made, NMM finds the base game path as
..\Steam\SteamApps\Common\XCOM 2

you click the Red X until it lets you set it yourself, and use
..\Steam\SteamApps\Common\XCOM 2\XCom2-WarOfTheChosen

I don't even recommend using NMM for XCOM 2, as the mod Isolation system (each mods in it's own folder) it uses, actually makes manual much easier.
You can get NMM to work for Base game, or WOTC, but not both, and it's a real hassle to switch.

I use manual, and convert Workshop mods to Mods folder ones as well, as I detest auto updates of Steam.

Example
Cost Based Ability Colors [17-01-29] by InfectedM=SW651306416
651306416 is the Workshop folder for the mod
Every mod contains a *.XComMod File, and whatever the name of the file is, that's the mod folder name. If you check any Nexus XCOM 2 Mod, you'll see this is the case.
The example mods file is this
..\Steam\SteamApps\Workshop\Content\268500\651306416\CostBasedAbilityColors.XComMod

So rename 651306416 Folder to
CostBasedAbilityColors

I create a 7-Zip archive contaiming that folder, using this naming structure, to find it on workshop very easily, if it updates
MOD Name [Version Date] by Author=SW+Mod ID
So archive is
Cost Based Ability Colors [17-01-29] by InfectedM=SW651306416.7Z

Mod Folder goes here, for WOTC
..\Steam\SteamApps\Common\XCOM 2\XCom2-WarOfTheChosen\XComGame\Mods\CostBasedAbilityColors

As this particular mod works in both versions, base game path is
..\Steam\SteamApps\Common\XCOM 2\XComGame\Mods\CostBasedAbilityColor

Takes longer to explain than to do, and as all mods use the mods folder, they are easier to manage, with named folders than stupid numbers workshop uses.

If you can't tell, I detest the Workshop, and it's even worse for Skyrim, XCOM 2 is as good as it gets, but it's still trash, due to auto updating games, and mods.
Doesn't stop me using mods hosted there, just move them, and then unsubscribe.
UNSUBSCRIBING IS VITAL, Steam will reinstall it if you don't.

Addition Important Info {Edit}
Despite having separate Game. config, and mods, the Launcher still recombines the mod lists, into one list, for both game versions. A major flaw, but easily avoided.
This also causes issues if mods with the same name are present in both Lists, I only know of one mod that hasn't renamed it's WOTC version, but when both are present, the base game version is the one used, and that crashes WOTC.
Base game Mod = Katana Pack Reloaded v50 [17-06-16] by Musashi=SW698579656
WOTC Mod = Katana Pack v1 [17-08-30] by Musashi=SW1123865738
Both contain the file KatanaMod.XComMod, which is also the name the Mod Launcher lists mods as, so only one is shown.
The mod author's warning to uninstall base game version, for WOTC. While this works, it would be best to rename the WOTC version, to allow Workshop users to have both.

I have no faith in Steam, or the mod Launcher, and no desire two go though two huge mod lists Enabling/Disabling the other games versions, I have a much simpler fix.
I can only play one version at once, so simply move the uneeded Mods Folder outside the game, switching them around when needed.
I also only have mods I'm using in the mods folder, so just using Select All in the Mod Launcher is all I need.

That makes going back to my current LW2, game as seemless , and easy as possible.
Once a stable modded game is set up, you can just make a direct link to the game exe, and completely avoid using any launcher, even the Alternate one.
I've found adding new mods, only reliably works with the Firaxis Launcher, but once enabled in that, the Alternate launcher is much better for organising their Load Order.
Once a stable setup, no Mod Lancher is needed, and direct game starts are best.

Finally not sure all of the Base Games Launch Options work for WOTC, RedScreen is apparently missing making modding harder so this Launch Options Explanation, applies to base game.
Fankfully the Startup movies one appears to work, it wasn't for me at launch, but does now. Anyway, I still use the base game options on both, just in case.
My Base Game Desktop Shortcut Target Path
"D:\Steam\SteamApps\Common\XCOM 2\Binaries\Win64\XCom2.exe" -review -noRedScreens -nostartupmovies

My WOTC Desktop Shortcut Target Path
"D:\Steam\SteamApps\Common\XCOM 2\XCom2-WarOfTheChosen\Binaries\Win64\XCom2.exe" -review -noRedScreens -nostartupmovies

You will have to adjust them to match your XCOM 2 Steam location, but if you're just playing they cut out the launcher.

If you still get Start up movies in WOTC, you can remove them by deleting these files
..\Steam\SteamApps\Common\XCOM 2\XCom2-WarOfTheChosen\XComGame\Movies\1080_XP_WotC_LOGO.bk2
..\Steam\SteamApps\Common\XCOM 2\XCom2-WarOfTheChosen\XComGame\Movies\XC2_LegalScreen_INT.bk2
To be sure, I also deleted all the different languages for XC2_LegalScreen_