Questions about SCS
Evil_Tendencies
Member Posts: 13
Hey, so I'll try to keep this short (yeah right), I installed SCS/Iwdification/CDTweakers for a MP run through BG2. We added Lichdom after it was ongoing to no issues. But, once the three of us got a feel for SCS, we wanted to go back and install some things that we initially decided to skip, such as encounters.
I'd also like to install some quest mods such as weasels into our ongoing game for longevity's sake.
1. Quest mods
Now, if I am understanding correctly, as long as I don't install anything that tries to modify areas, items or characters I've already interacted with, it should be pretty seamless. Weasels quest in particular seem divorced from the main game but I don't know if it will have some interaction with SCS or others that I'm not anticipating.
2. Installing things I initially skipped in SCS
I want to reinitiate the SCS installer and this time select yes to SCS encounters specifically. But I may want to add more things it has on offer as well... Am I correct in thinking that if I just skip installation of the editions I already have installed that it shouldn't edit or touch the already installed data? Meanwhile it will only add the new things I select? And that none of this will be a problem provided it is divorced enough from the content we've already explored or not all encompassing?
3. Minor point about innate abilities
SCS spell sequencers being innate abilities and Lichdom's innate ability to turn into a lich cosmetically do not function as advertised, I don't know what I'm doing wrong and I don't expect a solution. They just don't show up in my abilities at all. I have already found workarounds for this issue, but if you want to comment on it I wouldn't object. Innate abilities just don't seem to work despite me doing the install correctly far as I know.
I'd also like to install some quest mods such as weasels into our ongoing game for longevity's sake.
1. Quest mods
Now, if I am understanding correctly, as long as I don't install anything that tries to modify areas, items or characters I've already interacted with, it should be pretty seamless. Weasels quest in particular seem divorced from the main game but I don't know if it will have some interaction with SCS or others that I'm not anticipating.
2. Installing things I initially skipped in SCS
I want to reinitiate the SCS installer and this time select yes to SCS encounters specifically. But I may want to add more things it has on offer as well... Am I correct in thinking that if I just skip installation of the editions I already have installed that it shouldn't edit or touch the already installed data? Meanwhile it will only add the new things I select? And that none of this will be a problem provided it is divorced enough from the content we've already explored or not all encompassing?
3. Minor point about innate abilities
SCS spell sequencers being innate abilities and Lichdom's innate ability to turn into a lich cosmetically do not function as advertised, I don't know what I'm doing wrong and I don't expect a solution. They just don't show up in my abilities at all. I have already found workarounds for this issue, but if you want to comment on it I wouldn't object. Innate abilities just don't seem to work despite me doing the install correctly far as I know.
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Comments
But I do know, changing a mod mid-game can get very dicey. At this point I just don’t do it. If I decide I don’t like something or wish I’d added something else, I either dump the run and start over. Or keep track for a future game.
I have multiple backups of both my game folder and save folder and in the interest of anyone stumbling across this thread in the future, I'll try to eventually get around to posting updates to how things went during testing so I can assist anyone who might find themselves in a similar situation to mine.
To that end, for any beginners, as far as getting a MP game going with the above mods is concerned, send a copy of your entire BG enhanced folder in steamapps/common to your friend after installing the mods (I used google drive personally) and make sure to set God Does Not Play Dice (in stratagems.ini) to 1 for extra caution before doing so.
They'll need to delete their own BG file after installing it from steam and replace it with the one you sent and then you're good to go. Do make sure that all of you have the same options selected in-game as well. IE you can change SCS difficulty in-game, just make sure you all do so at the same time, safer that way.
If for w.e reason anything goes wrong during the folder swapping process you will have issues and I'd recommend a full restart. In our case, one user mistakenly swapped the wrong BG file after we installed Lichdom into our ongoing session. He ended up with a vanilla install causing items from SCS to disappear.
So I reloaded a few saves back and redid all the content we'd done during the bad install before re-sending the game folder a second time. Don't make the same mistake, have everyone triple check their BGS folders, especially if a few of them aren't tech savvy.
Spell Sequencer Issue
I believe this was related to the fact that I am a dragon disciple sorcerer. When I finally decided to use EEkeeper to give myself the missing innate abilites, I noticed a friend of mine playing a Kensai/mage had the SCS innate sequencers while I didn't. I haven't confirmed me being a sorcerer is the reason 100%, but I believe it to be the case.
SCS Updates
I was able to update the SCS variables with no issues and the programs weidu installer even asked if I want to uninstall or reinstall already installed portions making it far simpler than I thought it was going to be. That said, I would suggest you avoid this issue yourself and install everything from the get go. Don't be intimidated, SCS is perfectly manageable if you know what you're doing and have a decent party. Add ALL of the challenges, you won't regret it.
Quest Mods
I got into contact with Lava in this thread here https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/comment/1211579#Comment_1211579 if you'd like the full context. Otherwise, below is the culmination of our discussion thus far...
"That may still make things awkward, as you are always teleported into upper left corner, and (for example) entry point for Tangled Oak Isle is lower left corner of the map and a moment after entering the area and walking through the bridge you will be talked to by another character.
It should be less of an issue with Barovia.
Anyway, keep in mind that I really think it would better if you started a new game, but I won't lie your method with teleporting and then moving characters to a specific spot on the area could work, but I won't lie -- I may have missed something or forgot about some detail. But I am not going to stop you."
Summary: Once you enter an area, it cannot be updated without serious issues this includes the world map. so adding new quest into an ongoing game, even if they would otherwise function well, will likely result in you not being able to access them without the console unless they appear in a vanilla area you haven't entered yet. Further, other issues may persist which I have yet to verify.
Do so at your own risk.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3363683678