To be honest I dont even know what I'm looking at. I came here looking for a recent and newish guide to modding Xcom 2 with lots of new stuff, kinda like a BiRaitBec modlist guide, and it kinda looks like one, but there are no clear steps at all, I see random names thrown around, supposed ease of installation files but no clear way to know when and how to install what. If this had a STEP like format like the other dude mentioned back in February, this could be gold.
Yeah, the plan was to make it exactly like a STEP guide but my computer died so there was no way to test any adjustments I wanted to make. I have a Chromebook but there isn't much I can do there as modding goes. As for installing, It's pretty simple to use. You are replacing modified .ini files in mods that are listed. That's about it. I suppose I could have included some readme files for it but I lost interest in X-Com 2 completely due to not having access to a Windows computer.
Just a heads up you can use evac all with aba2 but you must delete the mission.ini in evac all and when ever you evac a vip it must not be last and also dont evac them with evac all just use the single evac option.
Thanks for the guide. This is almost becoming something that should be written up in a STEP-like format.
The obvious question is what about that Long War thing, which this guide does not apply to. Also, I really appreciate that you've taken the Steam-less approach. This makes modding available to just so many more people.
I'm glad you are finding it of use. Hopefully, it's increased your level of enjoyment in the game. The major part of this compilation is the addition of all of the small arms and how that alters how you play the vanilla game. I found the default weapons somewhat lacking and I really disliked the magnetic weapon models. That's actually why I decided to make this little compilation. I figured I'll share it so others of like mind can enjoy it too.
The balancing/stability/overall appearance took a long time to test and that's why it took so long to get it on here.
As for Long War 2, I found it too buggy for it to be enjoyable. I do really appreciate the concept behind it but I want a stable modded environment. Perhaps, it is something I'll go back to later but for now I'm going to leave that alone. Having said that, the biggest factor was that I no longer have a computer that can handle the LW2 mod without major performance issues.
It was a total bummer that not all of the mods were coming to the Nexus so I found alternatives for myself and once again I'm sure I'm not the only one who dislikes how Steam handles mods through the workshop.
Just want to give you a massive thumbs up in appreciation for giving all us non-steam users such a big help in playing and enjoying XCOM 2. Thank You : )
You can convert every Steam Nod to the Mod Folder, I simply subscribe to get the mod. Convert it to a mod folder version, then unsubscribe immediately.
Though I can't stand Steam, and considerthe Workshop a total failure, simply because it forces updates. I don't let that stop me using Workshop Exclusive mods. Updates are great, but often break a modded setup, when they're not co-ordinated. This is not the only failure of the downloader (All it actually does) called Steam Workshop, just the worst one.
There's no Workshop game that you can't do this for, that I've tried. Mods can always be manually added.
XCOM 2 does have the non Steam Mods Folder, and isolating mods, is one of the best features of the game. I have to use Mod Organizer to achieve this in Skyrim, Witcher 3, and XCOM 2 got this part right, at least.
It's actually trivial to do the conversion. The most complex part is naming the Archive to know where you got the mod
I use 4 name elements, and I'll use RoboJumper's Squad Select as the example; 1 Mod Name in Steam Workshop 2 Date of version used 3 Mod Author's Name in Steam Workshop 4 Steam Mod ID (That numbered folder, which is easier to find when it's the only one subcribed, or Web page address has same number)
The Archive will be named; RoboJumper's Squad Select [17-08-02] by RoboJumper=SW880807907.7Z
Note if it requires another mod, I add that requirement, this mod has a Long War Addition. That Archive is; RoboJumper's Squad Select - LW2 [17-08-02] by RoboJumper {R+LW2+Squad Select}=SW889469383.7Z
This gives all the Element's I need to quickly check for new updates, so now for the content's.
Every Mod desigmned to go in the Mod Folder, I've ever used, has the same naming convention. Inside the numbered folder you will find a required named file; *.XComMod
The example mod file is; robojumperSquadSelect.XComMod
So the folder is renamed to; robojumperSquadSelect
That folder is the then Archived, so; RoboJumper's Squad Select [17-08-02] by RoboJumper=SW880807907.7Z Contains just the folder, and inside the folder is the all mods files.
That's easier to do than writing it down. You can extract the Archive, directly to the mods folder to manually install. You can place the archive with all your other NMM Archives, and install with NMM, if that's what you use.
No need to worry about the numbers, mods all have names this way.
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The author has locked this comment topic for the time beingIf this had a STEP like format like the other dude mentioned back in February, this could be gold.
The obvious question is what about that Long War thing, which this guide does not apply to. Also, I really appreciate that you've taken the Steam-less approach. This makes modding available to just so many more people.
The balancing/stability/overall appearance took a long time to test and that's why it took so long to get it on here.
As for Long War 2, I found it too buggy for it to be enjoyable. I do really appreciate the concept behind it but I want a stable modded environment. Perhaps, it is something I'll go back to later but for now I'm going to leave that alone. Having said that, the biggest factor was that I no longer have a computer that can handle the LW2 mod without major performance issues.
It was a total bummer that not all of the mods were coming to the Nexus so I found alternatives for myself and once again I'm sure I'm not the only one who dislikes how Steam handles mods through the workshop.
Thank You : )
Convert it to a mod folder version, then unsubscribe immediately.
Though I can't stand Steam, and considerthe Workshop a total failure, simply because it forces updates.
I don't let that stop me using Workshop Exclusive mods.
Updates are great, but often break a modded setup, when they're not co-ordinated.
This is not the only failure of the downloader (All it actually does) called Steam Workshop, just the worst one.
There's no Workshop game that you can't do this for, that I've tried. Mods can always be manually added.
XCOM 2 does have the non Steam Mods Folder, and isolating mods, is one of the best features of the game.
I have to use Mod Organizer to achieve this in Skyrim, Witcher 3, and XCOM 2 got this part right, at least.
It's actually trivial to do the conversion.
The most complex part is naming the Archive to know where you got the mod
I use 4 name elements, and I'll use RoboJumper's Squad Select as the example;
1 Mod Name in Steam Workshop
2 Date of version used
3 Mod Author's Name in Steam Workshop
4 Steam Mod ID (That numbered folder, which is easier to find when it's the only one subcribed, or Web page address has same number)
The Archive will be named;
RoboJumper's Squad Select [17-08-02] by RoboJumper=SW880807907.7Z
Note if it requires another mod, I add that requirement, this mod has a Long War Addition. That Archive is;
RoboJumper's Squad Select - LW2 [17-08-02] by RoboJumper {R+LW2+Squad Select}=SW889469383.7Z
This gives all the Element's I need to quickly check for new updates, so now for the content's.
Every Mod desigmned to go in the Mod Folder, I've ever used, has the same naming convention.
Inside the numbered folder you will find a required named file;
*.XComMod
The example mod file is;
robojumperSquadSelect.XComMod
So the folder is renamed to;
robojumperSquadSelect
That folder is the then Archived, so;
RoboJumper's Squad Select [17-08-02] by RoboJumper=SW880807907.7Z
Contains just the folder, and inside the folder is the all mods files.
That's easier to do than writing it down.
You can extract the Archive, directly to the mods folder to manually install.
You can place the archive with all your other NMM Archives, and install with NMM, if that's what you use.
No need to worry about the numbers, mods all have names this way.
FullCharacterCustomizationFromStart
StopWastingMyTime
OverwatchAll
FreetheHood
MoreMapsPack
AdditionalDarkEvents
Uniforms
MapExpansionProjectADVENT
NecromancerClass
JaggedAllianceMegaVoicepack
GarrusVakarianVoicepack
KF2Voicepacks
ShepardVoicepack
TaliZorahVoicePack
FasterAvengerNavigation
AdventPSIOperative
AdventSniper
NewHairmod
CleanCinematic
Moreskincolors
Moreeyecolors
Morearmorcolors
WrexVoicePack
JackVoicepack
CutContentPsionics
MirandaLawsonVoicePack
AdventReconUnit
UrdnotGruntVoicePack
EliteViper
JaggedAlliance2VoicepackWave2
HaloReachHelmets
BloodrayneVoicePack
StenchfuryModularHelmets
SkulljackFeedbackFix
Mutontest
HackPlus
PredatorVoicePack
ADVENTVIPERSPLICED
Quicksoldierinfo
ADVENTMECBreacher
Zer0VoicePack
JaggedAllianceVoicepackWave3
SuppressionVisualizationFix
AdventPriest
Bendervoicepack
JsleezysRepurposedGear
AdventSpecter
ModOptionsMenu
Riftkeeper
WA'sCustomGear
AdventTitan
ChryssalidQueen
SectoidCommander
JaggedAllianceVoicepackWave4
OverwatchTracerVoicePack
MrKX1Tier3A
HaloCustomizableArmors
Destroyer'sFemaleHairPack
NobleSquad
COHGermanGrenadierVoicePack-WTR
ModConfigMenu
MoreHotkeys2
SaintsRow3FemaleBossRussianAccentVoicePack-WTR
DeployableTurret
CombatKnife
HCAColorableTechsuit
CommandersChoice
XCOMOldWarHeroesVoicePack
ArchonAvenged
CPUCustomClassMod
SwappImg
Potentials
KatanaMod
CorruptAvatar
EvenMoreMaps!
BlackMarketTradesIntel
ShowMoreBuffDetails
AdventHeadhunter
ADVENTSPARKPrototype
SPARKGethPrimeVoicePack
TheAxeMod
CabalVoicePack
LongWarSpecOpsClass
XCOM2Cities
Continuity
SpectrumAegis
LAByrinth
PredatorOutfits
StenchfuryModularArmors
ModAchievementSystem
Flawless
SomeMoreAchievements
SPARKCustomClassSupport
LWMecsasSPARKS
TurretCover
LWMecArmor
ME3_Tali_Zorah
ME3_Jack
ME3GarrusSquadmate
OverwatchTracerArsenal
OverwatchTracer
NewAdventOnShell
ME3_Miranda
PersistantBulletShells
ME3_Shepard
ExampleMapPack1
ME3_Wrex
AlliesUnknown
TurianSpecies
KasumiVoicePack(Galw1n'sEdition)
ME3_Liara
KroganSpecies
EditedRagdollPhysicsRedux
AsariSpecies
OperationTemporalMechanics
CosmeticEquipChange
ME3_Kasumi
EvenMoreMaps!-Suffer
AdventSpecies
SlowerScrolling
ME3_Grunt
LiaraVoicePack(Galw1n'sEdition)
MoreDefaultSoldierAbilities
ExampleVoicePack
TrueAmbush
WearArmourOnAvenger
ItsJustAScratchCompatible
NoRankUpLimit
ME3_Mordin
LWDragoon
LWCombatEngineer
LWHunter
LWInfantry
SalarianSpecies
QuarianSpecies
GenjiMission
EvenMorePCPs!
titantest
SWAliensTwileks
WeaponUpgradesExpanded
HunterKillerDroids
Mgee'sMaps
RevivalProtocolFix
SWAliensBaseHeads
NoAvengerWASDNavigation
ME3_Palaven
TwilekSpecies
CorruptAvatarpoison
AvengerEvents
LW2TacticalSuppressors
AchievementsForLW2
AMTLW2Edition
ISky_LW2_Names
LW2Events
EasierWarTimers
TrueConcealmentForLW2
AnEasierInfilitration
LW2BetterSquadIconSelector
SteadyWeaponForAll
LW2_MtMSquadIconPack
LW2_Raider
GnaRsLWTacticalSubmod
PuellaMagiClass
CiviliansScream
TheMedicalMarksmanLongWar2Edition
qUIck_LW2
ManufactureJob
GuerillaJob
ABetterADVENT
ABetterADVENTBetterPodsPLUS
AccurateSwords
AlwaysShowShotBreakdowns
ARCHER'SPamPooveyVoicepack
ARCHER'sSterlingArcher
CapnbubsAccessoriesPack
EldritchFacepaints
EnemyLoot
EvacAll
Extra_WeaponSlot
F.E.A.RReplicaVoicepack
FlankPreview
GallianForcesVoicePack
GallianForcesVoicePackb
Harbinger_Voicepack
InkAndPaint
InventoryUsesMod
JapaneseVoicePack
LanaKaneVoicepack
LootIndicator
LW_Overhaul
MaloryArcherVoicepack
MilitaryCamouflagePatterns
MK2PoweredHelmets
MoreNationsMod
MoreAmmo
NicknamesExtended
Non-snappinggrenades
Non-tile-snappingpsiabilities
PredatorVoicepack
RAGEHelmet
RQ_DynamicStatsDevelopment
SeriousSamVoicepack
ShowEnemiesonMissionPlanning
SPARKUpgrades
SquadCohesion
StartYourOwnGuerillaOp
TankClassLW
XComInternationalVoicesPack)
I have tried quite a bit on that list. Also, using all those mods on a minimum spec machine would not be what I consider a pleasant experience.
Its also the reason I stay away from Long War 2 because I did enjoy the original.