Many thanks for all the responses...
For starters, the Fixpack is for BG2 only. Dudleyfixes are for BG1.
Yep... my mistake. Too many patches and bugfixes to keep track of...
In any event, I tried to reinstall the original BG on my current machine (XP Media Center '04) and I can't even get the installer to run. It was the 3-disc "Original Saga" set with ToSC included. I tried to check BioWare's forums, but I can't even seem to get them to load... busy place...
I usually play BG2 with official patch only, without any fixes(though I use "more interjections" and "all dialogue pauses game" from G3 Tweaks). It works.
As for BG1, I use EasyTutu(not the latest version, though) - it already incorporates most bugfixes.
It depends on what you like. Older Weidu mods, like Ascension or Edwin Romance, should be installed first. G3 Tweaks already incorporate Ease-Of-Use. Before installing mods, it's best to backup your override folder and dialog.tlk.
I was considering doing that for BG2, considering it was my first run-through... but I like a big challenge, so I thought I'd try to use some of the mods to expand the game world a bit. I like to explore every nook and cranny, so the more of them that there are, the better... Yep, I'm an ambitious bugger...
Unfortunately, it looks like the Tutu deal is out of the question for me at the moment. I guess I'll have to find a workaround for that, in any event... I barely remember the particulars of the story at this point, but I remember enjoying the hell out of it, so I'd like to be able to replay it at some point in the future.
I was wondering if there was an up-to-date version of this "Installation Order" for a clean BG2-ToB install?
Well, I made a list for this and to counter the stutter problems
I did make the backup, as you suggested... but I'm not sure FPS will be much of a problem with my current machine.
I gather that "biffing" has something to do with compiling the overrides into the "data" folder to aid game play speed.
Some of the other terminology is a bit confusing to me, though, to be honest...
BGT (Baldur's Gate Trilogy), for example... I have BG w/ToSC and BG2 w/ToB... so I am not sure what the "trilogy" refers to or what it adds to the game. I checked the SHS forums (I take it they took over the TeamBG mods, BTW?)... and they seem to have a myriad of threads dedicated to megamods, but most refer to "Big Picture" or "Big World"... and many seem to include directions for mods intended for the original game.
The various Tutu installations (EasyTutu, BG1Tutu, etc.) seem to be mainly directed at playing the original BG on the BG2 platform, which sounds very cool... but not really what I had in mind... at least not in this run-through.
I must confess that to a newbie like me, the amount of information out there is a bit overwhelming and much of it appears to be geared for people who create mods as much as play them. That's what made the original lists so appealing to a rookie like me... you just scan through the list, following the links for the mods that looked interesting and grabbing the ones you wanted to include, installing as you go.
It appears that the new compiled list still allows you to do that... but it leaves you without that easy resource to determine the proper order of install. Perhaps I can use the BGT .bat file as a guidebook to get the right order. I guess I was just hoping to find an ordinary list to make life easier.
I think I just need a copy of "BG2 Mods for Dummies"...
I'd like to be able to pick and choose what to install manually.
But you can, the BGT -based megamod thing actually lets you do the deciding what to put in and what to leave out, as the .bat files just install the components if they it can find them...
This still doesn't reduce the dependencies that some mods have, but if you make mod list you are going to use, we'll note what other mods you need.
I am in the process of reading through the various sites and their mods, trying to find ones that look entertaining. Mainly, I enjoy the ones that add new areas and quests, so it appears that there are quite a few that fit the bill.
There really are some awesome-looking toys out there... but there are so many threads talking about incompatibilities and conflicts, I'm worried about my first run-through being marred by a crash, right before the big finale. Really, I just wanted to add some extra areas and perhaps an extra NPC or two, but I want the installation to be stable as well.
When I'm done, I planned on running through the Icewind Dale games and NWN... all of which have been sitting here for years, waiting for me to have a chance to run through them. I finally have some time, so I want to make my experiences with the games as fun as possible. So far, "Shadows Over Soubar"... "The Darkest Day"... and "Check The Bodies" look great, but will take me a couple of days to DL.
So, this basic list shapes up like this:
G3 Tweaks (selected)
Shadows Over Soubar
The Darkest Day
Check The Bodies
Tower Of Deception
Tortured Souls
d'Arnise Romance
Ascension
Unfinished Business
Xan NPC
Kelsey NPC
Keto NPC
Domains Of Dread
The Bigg Quest Pack
Improved Anvil (not sure of this one yet... I just want the toys!)
The Four
PPG Quest Pack
Oversight
I appreciate your patience!
Thanks!
Steve
P.S. ~ As a side-note, these forums are great resources for modders and the like... it makes me want to take a crack at creating my own mods at some point!
Please forgive the double-post... I tried to modify my last, and quoted it by mistake.