Diana TES GotH's Modding Resources and Tutorials

Diana TES GotH's Modding Resources & Tutorials will consist of a variety of resources for mod creators and mod users. These will include templates I create for my own use during my modding adventures. A variety of tutorials will be included with some of the files.

Logical Install/Load Order for PC Gamers

With my OCD, it annoys me that not everyone sticks to a logical installation order. Whenever I follow a guide or test mods, I prefer to keep it all in the order that makes most sense to me. I use LOOT to guide me as I determine when and where to place my mods. Mod Managers and xEdit assist to determine conflicts. Use best modding practices to resolve these. Sometimes simply reordering the mods will do the trick. Other times, patches will need to be created using xEdit and/or the CK. I am including my MO2 Category Separators in the download files for those who desire to use my method of ordering mods.

I have approximately 1,000 active mods in my personal build. Most of them are graphic overhauls, but I have a good number gameplay overhauls too. This install order reduces the number of asset conflicts, and now it better matches the LOOT sort order. Of course, there is still some conflict resolution to work out with a few assets. I do this by either rearraning the mods, or hiding assets from a conflicting mod. Where there are conflicts with plugins, I either rearrange the plugin order, or create a conflict resolution plugin patch in xEdit or using the CK. To force LOOT to sort plugins as expected, or desired, I edit the Groups Editor. Eventually I intend create a modding tutorial to share with the community.

• []Use MO2 to view asset conflicts and arrange mods so that those you want to win are below any mods they conflict with. If it isn't as simple as rearranging the mod, use MO2 to hide conflicting records. Remember, loose files will always overwrite BSAs, no matter where they are placed. Take care to position mods with BSAs. If you wish one mod to overwrite another, it should be moved below (installed after) the mod you want to loose any conflicts. If a mod with a BSA is being overwritten by a loose file, the BSA will need to be extracted in order to have its loose files win any conflict.

  []Some FOMODs will contain patches within. If you know you will later install mods patches are required for, go ahead and add them, but move the patches below its master in the load order. My practice is to install the core mod first. I thne repeat the installation with only the patches. It is extra work, but it allows me control of where to place the patches. Often, especially if the patches contain loose file assets, I will open the archive and create a new mod to drag the contents into.

  []Use xEdit to view plugin conflicts. Check in the CK to verity what should win. Create a patch if necessary.

  []Use or create LOOT Group rules to sort plugins