FLAME ATRONACH SE - VARIANTS BY AEWIN

Description
My tweaked enhanced and integrated version of these amazing creature replacers made by 4thUnknown and PSBoss.

I provide my plugin (ESPFE format), a .bat script (only used for installation, auto-deleting when executed) and optionally BOS file, but you have to shop first on 4thUnknown's mod page (and/or PSBoss' mod page, depending on your selected version) first to grab their resources.



Current additions in this plugin
- ESPFE plugin.
- Conjure Flame Atronach* : when this spell is casted (normal or potent version if you have unlocked the appropriate perk), it will now randomly conjure either vanilla model for Flame Atronach (works with your retextures or other replacers) or 4thUnknown model. The only vanilla edits are for the 2 magic effects, all the other references additions are conflict-free and only used by the mod itself to work. Please note that USSEP changes are followed but this mod is not required as a dependency.
- BOS distribution* (no vanilla edit - optional), cautiously to hand-picked locations in the main game and mods (WIP in v1.0), still with their background, lore and balance in mind.Alt version (ESPFE format) for those who prefer to spawn a vanilla Flame Atronach and a 4thUnknown Flame Atronach for potent version with corresponding perk. You still need to download and install main files (+/-  optional BOS distribution) first.
- Patches* for various existing mods: Mysticism¹, Odin¹,  SPERG¹, Citizens of Tamriel², ezPG², Shadow Spell Package (shadow atronach)¹|³, Flames of Coldharbour (cold flame atronach)¹|³, Desecration (necrotic flame atronach)¹|³.

* An alternate version can be found under Miscellaneous section (from Download page), for players who prefer to conjure a 4thUnknown-type potent Flame Atronach only if they have the corresponding perk ("Elemental potency"), and a vanilla-type Flame Atronach the rest of the time, when they cast the spell.
* Another alternate version, courtesy of DeluxeFox (also available under Miscellaneous section) enables to randomly conjure either vanilla model, 4thUnknown model or PSBoss model.
* Mods currently supported for BOS integration : Interesting NPCs ; The Midden - Expanded ; Lucien. Mods still WIP for BOS integration : Beyond Skyrim: Bruma... See the pictures for non-exhaustive examples of world integration.
* Patch categories: ¹ Compatibility patch, ² Integration patch, ³ Added content.



Installation
1.a. Download and install Flame Atronach SE with your favorite mod manager (MO2 or Vortex recommended) with the options of your choice.
1.b. If you want to install the alternate version with both 4thUnknown's and PSBoss' variants, also download and install New Flame Atronach in the same way.
2. Download and install my own files here.
3.a. If you are using a mod manager, copy all the files from my mod in the same mod directory than the one from 4thUnknown. Then open the mod directory and double-click on the .bat script (flame_atronach_variants.bat file) from my mod to rename the needed files from original mod properly. Note that the script will auto-delete when its task is finished.
3.b. If you are not using any mod manager, copy all the files from my mod in Data directory of your game, and run the .bat script from here.
3.c. Whatever you use a mod manager or not, if you prefer to do yourself what my batch script does, you can rename meshes files from the original 4thUnknown mod following these instructions: rename "atronachflame.nif" into "atronachflame1.nif" and "atronachflamedead.nif" into "atronachflame1dead.nif".
3.d. If you have selected the alternate version (under Misc section) with both 4thUnknown's and PSBoss' variants, at the moment you'll need to manually rename PSBoss meshes files from "atronachflame.nif" into "atronachflame2.nif" and "atronachflamedead.nif" into "atronachflame2dead.nif". I will add a dedicated batch script to streamline the process and will expand spellpacks support to PSBoss version into the next update.
4. You'll obviously need BOS for the distribution option(s) to work, but otherwise it is not required as there is no dependency to to this mod.




Compatibility and load order
- Other BOS mods/files editing the same objects: the _SWAP.ini files are processed by BOS in alphabetical order for the same record/reference, with the first edit taking precedence over subsequent ones (because the new RefID isn't the same after the swap). From my personal experience and familiarity with tools like BOS, if you encounter this kind of problem you should change the first letters of the name of the _SWAP.ini file you want that wins by a letter closer to the beginning of the alphabet (the opposite of SPID) ; this way you will be sure the file will be read first.



Future plans
- Integration of additional variants from other mods for Flame Atronach and other Atronachs, if some of them seems to fit (don't hesitate to make proposals in comment section ;) ).
- Patches for other mods with Atronach spells and/or modifying Conjure Atronach spells. Mods suggested at the time being: Elemental Destruction Magic (Water Atronach), Abyss (Shadow Atronach), Colorful Magic.
- Expand my existing spellpacks patches to PSBoss variant.
- Batch script fix for Wabbajack users.
- Add an "only potent" alt version for spellpacks patches (currently "only potent" alternate version only applies to "normal" Flame Atronach).
- World integration for other mods with non-critical (not quest-related or script-associated) placed Atronachs. Mods suggested at the time being: feel free to ask  in comment section, we'll see if it's possible. ;)
- FOMOD for a modular installation and to ease download.



Credits and aknowledgements
4thUnknown for creating this amazing creature replacer and overall his impressive and always prime quality work.
PSBoss for creating this pretty-sexy-hot-burning lady and overall his amazing and detailed sexy yet original creature models.
Powerofthree for his incredible mods and tools like BOS, improving and revolutionizing Skyrim piece by piece, and overall for being one of the great wizards in our community.
ElminsterAU and the xEdit team for this wonderful modding tool they created.
DeluxeFox for patching even faster than my own shadow to add PSBoss variant, and kindly agreeing to share it here.



My other variants mods

(:          Of course feel free to share your screenshots, and to endorse if you like the work done here!          :)