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Need Help how to Mod my Game

Hey Community!

Every once in a while I want to replay Baldurs Gate. So after finishing two playthroughs in Baldurs Gate EE, I'm interested in playing BG2 +ToB but in a more difficult way.

Since I never modded my games, my questions are the following:

In what order should I install the challenging mods like SCS, Tactics and Ascension. Are they all working together? Do I need WeiDU for it? How does WeiDU work excactly, if I need it? And what other mods would you recommend to play a challenging BG2 experience, like fixpacks and so on.

I don't want any heavily modded game, with special npc or new item mods or the likes. I just want a challenging experience of my loved game.

I would really appreciate some feedback from the people who know how this works!

I know the following pages for mods: Weidu.org / the gibberlings 3 for SCS / sorcerers place

Thank you in advance!

Comments

  • DexterDexter Member Posts: 253
    edited May 2013
    Actually SCS, Tactics and Ascension are quite a common combo (for me is the always-combo), and I would add Fixpack and Tweak Pack (laters are just for fixing bugs and some cosmetic changes). The instal order is found in the readmes, but iirc it is:
    -ascension (weidu.org) then
    -fixpack (g3) then
    -tactics (weidu.org) then
    -scs (g3) finally
    -tweak pack (g3)

    Take a look at SCS readme because most components of tactics are replaced by SCS (for instance improved mages, irenicus, bodhi, dragons...) so you can install only one of them. I'd install most SCS and only a few tactics's encounters, like improved illych, because Tactics is an older mod and known to be more cheesy. Again, it's very well explained in the readme.

    All these mods are customizable, you are asked whether you want to install/unistall any component, and yes this mods work together.
    Only Tactics adds new items (some are just too powerful, but it's up to you to take them), and none of them add NPCs.

    A word of warning for the first time you go with this set up: if you are one of those who go kill firkraag right after irenicus dungeon


    don't
  • lunarlunar Member Posts: 3,460
    Above guide is quite correct. Weidu is not something you need to install, it is the installation tool for most mods and come packaged.

    Basically, to install a mod, you first have to extract all the files of a mod into your main BG2 folder. Most mods come with auto-extractors, you just need to show them the installation folder. Other mods need to be extracted from rar manually.
    Then in every mod there is the modname.exe file, which you use to install/change/uninstall mods. A command window will appear and let you choose components you would like to install.
    All mod components you've installed will be listed in weidu.log text file in your BG2 folder.

    Before modding, be sure to have installed ToB patch (not beta patch!!) and G3 fixpack. Most mods are coded assuming you have these installed.

    If you keep your modding simple, tactics-ascension and SCS installation is very stable and fun. (But very challenging, and I think that's what you wish for, once you go SCS you will never want to return to vanilla enemies)

    In some mega mod installations, too many mods can cause slowdown and lags in the game. There is a mod to fix that, it is end_biff or generalised biffing. It should be installed as the absolute last and never be tempered with again, it puts many mod files into single, easy to read archives and this makes the game speed up dramaticaly. You probably won't need this, though/, just in case..
  • MeltrenessMeltreness Member Posts: 5
    Thanks alot Dexter!

    So I should check first which components of tactics mods would anyway be changed by SCS and not install them and just go with SCS mod components?

    And I'm not one of those guys who rushes to kill firkraag!
  • MeltrenessMeltreness Member Posts: 5
    Thanks Iunar!

    I will read the readme's carefully and I think I should manage to get them to work. Yes, getting the games patched beforehand is what I assumed needs to be done. Much appreciated help!
  • DexterDexter Member Posts: 253
    edited May 2013

    So I should check first which components of tactics mods would anyway be changed by SCS and not install them and just go with SCS mod components?

    Exactly! SCS readme has a section about compatibility with Tactics. So skip those overlaping tactics components and install SCS ones.
  • MeltrenessMeltreness Member Posts: 5
    Okay, good! Now I know what to do! :)
  • zur312zur312 Member Posts: 1,366
    edited May 2013
    fixpack
    tactics
    ascension
    scs2II
    solaufein
    planar sphere
    bg2_tweaks-v9
    the_bigg_biff

    proper instalation steps leave solaufein and planar sphere if you don't want them but they have really tough encounters as well

    someone posted different list so i dunno
  • MeltrenessMeltreness Member Posts: 5
    I'll have to check those additional ones out. Thanks zur!
  • CorpusDelictiCorpusDelicti Member Posts: 45
    Anyone have any idea if these mods are to be incorporated in the BG2EE?
  • LuigirulesLuigirules Member Posts: 419
    I can say with near-certainty that they won't be.
  • CorpusDelictiCorpusDelicti Member Posts: 45
    Okay.

    As for the ascension and tactics mods, you happen to know where there are mac versions of them?
  • MeltrenessMeltreness Member Posts: 5
    I think when I installed them, I saw instruction how to run those mods on Mac. Just checked, the instructions can be found in the solaufen mod or here directly http://weidu.org/Mac.html

    I want to thank the above posters again for the advices they gave me! Everything runs perfectly and I started my new adventure 2 days ago. Facing Improved Illych for the first time and getting owned by a summoned Deva which immediately cast firestorm and killed my whole party is just.... amazing!
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