STORM ATRONACH SE - VARIANTS BY AEWIN

Description
My tweaked enhanced and integrated version of this amazing creatures made by PSBoss and Mihail.

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 the mods' pages (PSBoss replacer and Mihail golem) first to grab their resources.



Current additions in this plugin
- ESPFE plugin.
- Conjure Storm 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 Storm Atronach (works with your retextures or other replacers), PSBoss model and/or Mihail 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 v1.1), still with their background, lore and balance in mind.
- Alt version (ESPFE format) for those who prefer to spawn a vanilla Flame Atronach and only one variant (PSBoss Storm Atronach or Mihail Storm Atronach). You still need to download and install main files (+/-  optional BOS distribution) first, and the requirements depending on your choice.
- Patches* for various existing mods: currently WIP.

* An alternate version can be found under Miscellaneous section (from Download page), for players who prefer to conjure a vanilla-type Flame Atronach and only one type of variant between PSBoss and Mihail models, when they cast the spell.
* Mods currently supported for BOS integration : Interesting NPCs ; The Midden - Expanded ; Lucien ; Wyrmstooth ; Beyond Skyrim: Bruma. Mods still WIP for BOS integration : Hammet Dungeons ; 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. Download and install New Storm Atronach Female with your favorite mod manager (MO2 or Vortex recommended) with the options of your choice.
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 PSBoss. Then open the mod directory and double-click on the .bat script (storm_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 (you should reconsider it ^^), 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 PSBoss mod following these instructions: rename "atronachstorm.nif" into "atronachstorm1.nif" and "fxatronachstormskinlightning.nif" into "fxatronachstormskinlightning1.nif".
4. Download and install Storm Golem- Mihail Monsters and Animals (SE-AE version) (''atronach'') with your favorite mod manager (MO2 or Vortex recommended) with the options of your choice.
5. You will only need meshes and textures from this mod, so you can disable mihail's ESP in your load order and delete other folders and files from the mods if you want to save disk space. Note that it's fine to use my mod and mihail's ESP together, but you will encounter Storm golems with the same model as the Storm Atronach variant (however they will behave differently and Storm golem from Mihail's mod is taller and have a different spell set, so it's up to you to decide what you prefer).
5. 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 Storm Atronach and other Atronachs and creatures (Spriggans and Dwemer creatures already planned and WIP), 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: Mysticism ; feel free to ask  in comment section, we'll see if it's possible. ;)
- Batch script fix for Wabbajack users (?).
- 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
PSBoss and Mihail for creating these amazing creatures and overall their amazing and always top-notch quality work.
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.



My other variants mods