Lollorian asked in the BWS update thread for a list of all the mods currently marked Expert in BWS so that we can discuss them and perhaps over time solve the problems and move them out of Expert status. I think this is better discussed in a new thread, so here it is. I will try to update this original post over time to keep it up to date.
Here is some explanation of what we mean by Expert:
Spoiler
BWS considers each mod to be one of four types: Recommended (green), Stable (blue), Tactical (orange) or Expert (red). This is determined by the 'Type=' line in Config\Global\modname.ini. The mod type determines the color of the mod name in the "choose your components" window in BWS. BWS will ask for additional confirmation when starting a new installation if any Expert mods are selected.
Expert type mods are mods with known problems in a megamod installation that require modding tools or scripting or WeiDU code changes to resolve. If known problems with a mod can be resolved with CLUAConsole, the mod should not be Expert. All Expert mods should include in the mod description what the known problems are. New mods added to BWS should use the Expert type until the appropriate dependency and conflict rules have been created in the Config\gametype\Game.ini files for each of the game types (e.g., BWP/BGT, BG1EE, BG2EE) where the mod has been added to the Config\gametype\Select.txt file (the file that defines installation order and which mod components are select-able in BWS for that game type). Not having conflicts information for each component is a "known problem" even though it is not a problem with the mod itself.
In the Select.txt files, each component also has a "pre-selection" value, four numbers either 0 or 1, corresponding to the same four types used for entire mods above. For example, 0001 means a component is "pre-selected" for an "Expert" installation, and 1101 means it is "pre-selected" for a "Recommended", "Stable" or "Expert" installation but not for a "Tactical" installation. The leftmost 1 in that value decides the color of the checkbox icon for the component (0001 = red; 0011 = orange; 0111 = blue; 1111 = green). When BWS is building the tree-view for one of the default pre-selections, it enables all components that have a 1 in the position corresponding to the chosen installation type, then it removes components that are not "preferred" according to the conflicts rules in Game.ini.
This means that we can mark individual components as Expert if they have known problems, and they will appear with red checkboxes to warn users. We should also update the component descriptions (the text that is shown in BWS next to each component number) for any Expert with a hint about the problem.
With these definitions, any mod or component marked Expert in BWS is an invitation for an expert user to fix a known problem.
Contains a complete romance with Nalia, including the tree of life dialogs, beloved one in danger, Nalia's abduction by bodhi, and other love related quests. It also adds some new quests and character interactions. We strongly recommend having Minsc in the party. The mod hangs after the wedding because of faulty programming.
Keeping as Expert until someone reports the problems in the description are solved. Has anyone played with this mod recently?
Azure NPC (Beta) under BG2 NPC Mods
The druid Azure and and her guardian wolf, Sharo, is to be found in the druid shrine. The mod causes stuttering and it could be that the wolf doesn't show up in mod-areas or the game is crashing.
Keeping as Expert until someone reports the problems in the description are solved. Has anyone played with this mod recently?
Big Picture
Need more information on known issues and safe/unsafe components. Can we move parts of BP to Stable / Tactical?
NEJ (all variants)
Need more information on known issues and safe/unsafe components. Can we move parts of NEJ to Stable?
Throne of Bhaal Revisited (Beta) under BG2 Tweaks
Unsatisfied with Throne of Bhaal? Tired of being forced down a linear story with empty characters? This mod aims to fix that.
Needs conflict analysis. Needs description update with known problems from @Roxanne.
Psionics Unleashed under BG2 Tweaks
Psionics Unleashed is a mod that aims to add a fully functional psionic system and psionic character classes based on 3.5 ed. Dungeons & Dragons. Because of the nature of the Infinity Engine and because Baldur's Gate games are based on the 2nd ed. of AD&D, this reproduction couldn't be 100% faithful and some compromises had to be made along the way.
Mod components were included in Stable pre-selection but the mod itself is marked Expert. Components have been marked Expert pending conflict analysis due to Roxanne's report about the mod making significant changes to spell level progression.
Needs conflict analysis. Has anyone played with this mod recently?
Semi-Multi Clerics under BG2 Tweaks
This mod will add various clerical spells to wizard magic users via a new item, effectively turning them into previously unavailable X/Cleric kits/multiclass combinations. The semi-multi learns and uses spells as per a normal Arcane caster, and also has access to 35 clerical spells. It is not recommend to use "Semi Multi Clerics" with "Spell Revisions" as conceptually they are on opposite extremes. "Spell Revisions" is trying to "rebalance" spells, while that mod purposely makes them unbalancing again.
Needs conflict analysis. Has anyone played with this mod recently?
Spell-50 under BG2 Tweaks
The Spell-50 mod extends a number of priest, druid and mage spell effects to spell level 50. For example, the fireball spell will continue to scale in damage up to spell level 50. This mod has to do nothing with the level-50 ruleset of BP. Both can be installed at the same time. It is not recommend to use Spell-50 with "Spell Revisions" as conceptually they are on opposite extremes. "Spell Revisions" is trying to "rebalance" spells, while this mod purposely makes them extremely overpowered. Added: This mod replaces spells rather than patching, so it will overwrite any earlier spell changes from other mods.
(NOTE: BWS does not allow Spell-50 and Spell Revisions to be installed at the same time.)
Unconfirmed reports of stuttering when using Web spell, which might be caused by different mod (Lost Crossroads Spell Pack).
Virtue under BG2 Tweaks
This mod splits reputation into two separate variables: Reputation, which represents how people in the game feel about the party; and Virtue, which represents how morally correct the party's actions are.
Need more information. khelben12 has reported mod works, but some issues.
Zyraen's Miscellany under BG2 Tweaks
This Mod improves some aspects in the gameplay of Baldur's Gate 2. Some components of the mod breaks the compatibility in megamods.
Need more information. Which components are safe?
Oversight
Corrects alignments, character-kits and includes some tweaks. The component "Tougher Sendai" overwrites files instead of patching them and therefore it is risky to install it in megamods. Also some components are introduced in other newer mods, too, so Oversight is outdated.
"Tougher Sendai" component will stay Expert because it overwrites files.
Moved component 2 (Class Tweaks/Fixes) and 6 (Monk HLAs) from Expert to Stable (thanks to Roxanne for reports).
Needs conflict analysis for other components.
Unique Artifacts under BG2 Tweaks
Many items in Baldur's Gate, have their own history, and therefore should exist in a single copy. But, there are many cases when player gets the same item several times. With this mod excessive copies of supposedly unique items (like boot of the speed, ring of the magic etc.) are removed. This mod also removes duplicates from mods. At the moment "Unique Artifacts" is not supported anymore, but still the other mods, which "Unique Artifacts" changes. Therefore is "Unique Artifacts" not really compatible with a recent megamod until the mod is supported again.
Need more information. Has anyone played with this mod recently?
Exnem's Addon = Exnem's Vault under BG2 Stores & Items
This mod includes 21 new spells and 88 new items plus edited monsters and areas.
Needs conflict analysis. Issue with loot tables has been BWPFixpack'd.
1pp high quality music for BGT, SoA/ToB, Tutu/ToSC (mods are marked Stable but components are flagged Expert -- I recently tried installing these on my BGT game and Weidu was complaining about some files being too large, so that might be why)
Need to investigate large file warnings. Might need to use COPY LARGE instead of COPY.
Sorcerer's Place Item Collection under BG2 Stores & Items
This mod is a collection of several older items and spells. Instead of patching the files, the mod overwrites them. Therefore it could be a danger for megamods.
Keeping as Expert until someone reports the problems in the description are solved.
Jarl's BGT Adventure Pack
This mod expands various content for the BG1-part (BG2-part, planned) of BGT. The mod follows on unfinished, incomplete positions of the original and enhances them. Added: The mod puts some of its creatures in the same place of existing creatures which often makes them inaccessible and the plot gets stuck. The mod also replaces some creatures by hiding them and putting new creatures in their place, causing loss of content from other mods that modify the original files.
Keeping as Expert until someone reports the problems in the description are solved. Updated description.
Jarl's BGT Tweak Pack under BG2 Tweaks
Various adjustments of BG1 and BG2 kits, portraits, stats und Soundsets in a BGT megamod. Added: ||Warning: The mod replaces some creatures by hiding them and putting new creatures in their place, causing loss of content from other mods that modify the original files.
Keeping as Expert until someone reports the problems in the description are solved.Updated description.
The mod adds two new kits to the game, a new store, several rule tweaks, as well as improved bard song, improved version of Chapter One dungeon and a multi-ending quest. This mod is outdated and not really compatible for megamods. Some components are introduced in other newer mods.
Still has some Expert components due to file overwrite, but the rest seems OK. khelben12 and Greenhorn reported some components worked for them.
Les Exiles de Lunargent under BG2 Quest Mods
This mod adds a new mysterious group of the exiles of Lunargent to the game. There are a lot of new encounter throughout the game in well-known but also in new places as long as you are of neutral alignment or bad. The mod starts when you meet a strange old man in the Irenicus dungeon.
Roxanne has reported successful install and initial encounters, but some timing issues because the mod is not aware of other content. Micbaldur recently reported successful completion of the mod.
Helarine, Doomguide of Kelemvor under Smaller NPCs
Helarine, the Doomguide of Kelemvor NPC Cleric can be found in the Friendly Arm Inn. She has her own kit, friendship talk, plot-reactions and banters with some other NPCs.||Warning: Some players have reported infinite dialogue loops with this version. Please check the mod link for latest information and inform the BWS team on SHSForums if a newer version is available.
Stable. All known problems were patched by White Agnus.
Silver Star NPC under BG2 NPC-Related Mods
The evil elven assassin has crude and cruel dialogs. She has banters with NPCs from SoA, but not from ToB. You should always have Silver Star in your party if you install the mod, because if you don't do that, dialogues get scrumbled and it causes a faulty game.Revised: This evil elven assassin has crude and cruel dialogues. She has banters with NPCs from SoA, but not from ToB. She first appears in Irenicus' Dungeon.
Stable. Roxanne reported successful play-through with NPC removed and added from party multiple times. No sign of the issues described. Updated description.
Ashes of Embers
New spells, new kits (6 clerics, 1 fighters), new weapons and abilities. Some of the components changes the BG rules in such a way, that not everyone likes it.
Stable. Not enabled by default.
Need to improve component descriptions. khelben12 reported that some of the components make undocumented tweaks.
Dungeon-Be-Gone under BG2 Tweaks
This mod enables you to skip optionally Irenicus' Dungeon while still giving you loot and experience. Added: The mod will ask if you want to skip or not.||Warning: Many other mods add content to Irenicus' Dungeon including joinable NPCs that will not be available later.
Stable. Enabled by default. Updated description.
Touchstone NPC under BG2 NPC Mods
Touchstone is an Elven Fighter from the Great Forest. Added: You can find him in the Docks District of Athkatla. He has talks with the main character and the BioWare NPCs and brings his own task. Alternate portraits can be found in the portraits folder of the mod (touched\portraits). Simply rename the portrait you wish to use to BKtouch1, M & S and place them in the override folder. The optional component installs a custom Wild Elf Fighter kit for Touchstone only (the kit is not selectable for the player character). Otherwise Touchstone is a vanilla fighter class.
- Renamed mod to "Touch the Moon - Touchstone NPC"
- Moved from Expert to Stable and enabled by default
- Clarified optional component description (custom kit is for the NPC only)
- Expanded mod description (location, alternate portraits, kit description)
Needs GE, RU translation for mod description: any volunteers?
Kiara-Zaiya NPCs
Zaiya is chaotic-good half elves magician who is searching for her friend Kiara, a neutral-evil monk. The "BiG World Setup" installs the soundset automatically. If you use this mod with "Valen NPC", then not all Valen dialogues will show up. Added: The previous statement is unconfirmed: this mod has been successfully used together with Valen in recent play-throughs.
Mod was originally and is still Stable (I listed the mod here because I saw the mod under Tactical Encounters with a red icon because the first component in that section is component 5, which was Expert). Component 5 is now Tactical. (BWPFixpack now fixes component 5 so it will patch instead of overwriting files.)
Tortured Souls (old "BP-compatible" version)
Stable. Disabled by default because newer version is preferred.
Sylmar Battlefield under BG2 Quest Mods
Aid a nation of elves with an invasion into their holy burial grounds. This mod is meant to be a small sample battlefield, as a precursor of what is to come in Silmarillion. Added: The challenge starts somewhere in the Government District of Athkatla. It is a pure tactical mod, teleporting you to a continuous battle against wave after wave of enemies and then teleporting you back at the end. There is no special reward.||Warning: If the battlefield get too crowded, scripts may not fire correctly. If you can keep the number of living enemies low at all times, chances are that you can complete the mod, otherwise you may get stuck and need to set some Global via CLUAConsole to advance.
Moved to Tactical, enabled by default. Updated description (added location hint, more details, warning).
Cal-Culator under Mini-Mods
This is a silly little mod that keeps track of what type of creatures you've slain throughout the game. Basically, you summon an Imp named Cal, and through dialogue choices, you can figure out how many elves you've killed, or how many illithids, etc. At the moment the mod is buggy and doesn't show the defeated enemies.
Stable. Enabled by default. Updated description. Roxanne reported safe to install.
Questor Revised under Mini-Mods
This mod adds a joinable NPC in the Government District of Athkatla and a monster with a new item. This mod is not finished yet and has unrealistic stats and items without descriptions.Added: The NPC has unrealistic stats (all 25) and items lack descriptions.||Warning! This mod needs to be downloaded manually.
Stable. Not enabled by default because manual download. Updated description.
Drizzt NPC (Beta) under BG2 NPC Mods
With this mod you can take Drizzt Do`Urden into your group, when you leave the unterdark and go again into the town. You can summon the magic cat Guenhwyvar with "K" which attacks enemies then automatically. Not together with with "Region of Terror" because this mod adds likewise Drizzt and both are contentwise not compatible. The component with the Artemis Entreri encounter of "Unfinished Business" is compatible with this Drizzt-Mod. If Valen is in the party, it is actually not possible to take in Drizzt, because he becomes hostile immediately.
Stable. Not enabled by default because Region of Terror and Sandrah NPC both conflict and are preferred.
Authentic Mischievous Fairy Dragon under BG2 Rules & Tweaks (moved from NPC-Related)
Now your familiar fairy dragon is more useful and more authentic - like a 7th member in the party without taking a party slot. It can be summoned only by a chaotic-good magic user. You can install this mod without problems, but the familiar is overpowered in BG1 and weak in BG2.
Stable. Not enabled by default. Updated description. Added conflicts with WTPFamiliars and cbisson's Familiar Pack.
cbisson's Familiar Pack under BG2 Rules & Tweaks (moved from NPC-Related)
New familiars are added with this mod. Unfortunately there are some small negative issues with the familiars (depends on stats and familiar-icons), but you can install this mod without problems.
Stable. Not enabled by default. Added conflicts with WTPFamiliars and Authentic Mischievous Fairy Dragon.
Imoen Romance v2.5 under BG2 NPC-Related Mods
This is new version of mod, that is compatible with Imoen Friendship, but incompatible with BGT.
Stable. Enabled by default. Updated description (removed "incompatible with BGT" because the mod's tp2 file includes code for BGT.)
The older version of Imoen Romance, v1.202, is also Stable, not enabled by default.
The Undying
The mod includes the two NSCs Callisto T'sarran and Ninafer and the mod "Desecration of Souls".Added: The mod includes two NPCs and the quest "Desecration of Souls." Callisto T'sarran is a neutral evil elf berserker with a tragic and sadistic past, and Ninafer is an elf fighter/mage with a grudge against Irenicus, but she does not speak much about it. Callisto has dialogues and confrontations with the BioWare NPCs. Ninafer has several dialogues with the main character and Imoen, but has nothing to say to other NPCs. This mod also adds four new shops, new items and encounters.
Stable. Enabled by default. Improved mod and component descriptions, including German translation (didn't touch RU translation as it seems OK). Moved second component ("Harder Enemies") to Tactical. Roxanne reported successful play through with no apparent issues.
Bard Song Switching (Icewind Mode) under BG2 Tweaks
With this mod you can change between different bardsongs like it is in Icewind Dale. This mod should be installed with Rogue Rebalancing together. Added: ||Warning: This mod is intended to be installed with Rogue Rebalancing, but the copies of the Rogue Rebalancing kits used by this mod are outdated, so more recent changes to the bard kits from Rogue Rebalancing will be lost.
Stable. Not enabled by default because outdated. Added conflicts with IWDification, Might and Guile. Updated component names and mod description.
Universal Clear Fog of War under BG2 Tweaks
Removes Fog of War from maps, so you don't have to explore them.
Stable. Not enabled by default.
igi's Item Mod under BG2 Stores & Items
The iiItem Mod adds several dozen new items to the game, concentrating on lesser known item types (such as potions, bracers, arrows etc). Items are scattered randomly throughout the game world.
Stable. Enabled by default.
Mortis Mini Mod under BG2 Stores & Items
This mod adds two new stores to the game which sell items that transform the main char into different other creature like lich or vampire.
Stable. Enabled by default.
The Bigg Kit Pack under Character-Kits (adds Biotic Vanguard Kit and adds Biotic Charge to Hiass the Wolf)
Stable. Not enabled by default because lore-unfriendly.
LadeJarl's Tutu GUI
This is a GUI replacement which will give the game the original Baldurs Gate look. The mod supports 640x480, 800X600 and 1024X768 screen resolutions. Warning: This mod does not allow TobEx to insert an optional scrollbar. Additional kits or spells may be unavailable for you. Warning! Addon for this mod needs to be downloaded manually.
Stable. Not enabled by default.
W_GUI (Beta)
This mod is a partial replacement for BG2 ToB GUI - Graphical User Interface. Only a few screens have been redone. This version may be its final release, because the author lost interest in this mod a very long time ago. This mod is Expert, because the new GUI is not to everyone's taste. If you want another GUI, please visit the homepage and look at it first.
Stable. Not enabled by default. Updated description.
Edited by agb1, 20 January 2016 - 12:22 PM.
BiG World Fixpack (community collection of mod fixes and compatibility patches, with user-friendly cross-platform script)
BiG World Setup (tool to automate best-practice installation of Infinity Engine mods on Windows, with conflict analysis)
It is a pure tactical mod, one sheer endless battle of wave after wave of enemies - the battlefield may get quite crowded which may cause certain scripts not to fire correctly anymore. This depends on how successful you fight - if you keep the number of enemies at any given time low, chances are that you can complete the mod, otherwise you may get stuck and can only advance if you set some Global via clua.
In the past some baf files were copied to the override rather than be compiled (I have not installed the mod for a long time due to the lack of content - you fight and fight, alwyas the same stupid enemies, wave after wave, you gather XPs and then it is over, mmh??)
My vote - it probably was considered expert because you may need clua internal to the mod BUT
As this mod transports you from Council of Five to Battlefield and back you are not lost if the mof gets stuck - just reload to before the battle and move on or retry. The mod does not impact any other part of your installation, so it is somehow save to use.
Suggest to make it tactical and just add a few words about issues.
The mod puts some of its creatures in the same place of existing creatures which often makes the unaccessible and the plot gets stuck. The mod also replaces some cre files by the mod's own version of it - which is not recognised by other mods using the original cre.
My vote The mod has internal bugs as well as impact (creating bugs) for other mods. To detect the origin of those bugs in the first place and to find a solution is quite some issue, definitely expert. Especially if another mod is affected it takes long analysis to find the source of the problem in Jarl.
I have posted some ideas about this task just above.
Give me a feedback, whether this is the kind of assessment you expected - of course it is just one gamer's view on it
Other valid sources would surely be micbaldur's thread or the guy with the shy..'s .journal playthrough (I do not know how up-to-date his used version is).
Not sure why but the formatting breaks for some reason Sorry about that...
Also, the following are pretty IMHO so I'd love if people disagree a bit (with reasons ofcourse)
NEJ (all variants)
Old mod and inadequate testing in a megamod game
Jarl's BGT Adventure Pack
Replaces vanilla creatures with custom ones - causing loss of content from mods that need those creatures
Big Picture
Causes issues like friendly NPCs starting hostile
Tortured Souls (old BP-compatible version) [marked Expert because the description from the other, non-BP, newer version of TS says: The mod includes a task with the Yoshimo family, as well as a romance with Valygar for a female PC and a romance with Sime for a male PC - this are two absolutely different plots! This is the latest version of TS. Unlike the previous version of TS the new version is supposed to be compatible with most of the mods around, particularly with Neverending Journey Second Edition and Baldur's Gate Trilogy-WeiDU (BGT-WeiDU). However there may be logical incompatibility issues which the author could not foresee.]
Old mod and inadequate testing in a megamod game
Les Exiles de Lunargent (component 0 = Soothsayer) under BG2 Quest Mods [description: This mod adds a new mysterious group of the exiles Lunargent to game. There are lot encounter throughout game in well-known but also places as long you neutral alignment or bad. starts when meet strange old man Irenicus dungeon.]
Never heard an issue about this mod. No reason to be expert unless needed (move to Standard)
Sylmar Battlefield (component 0 = Sylmar - Elves vs Orcs) under BG2 Quest Mods [description: Aid a nation of elves with an invasion into their holy burial grounds. This mod is meant to be small sample battlefield, as precursor what come in Silmarillion.]
No reason to be Expert (Move to Tactical)
Cal-Culator under Mini-Mods [description: This is a silly little mod that keeps track of what type creatures you've slain throughout the game. Basically, you summon an Imp named Cal, and through dialogue choices, can figure out how many elves killed, or illithids, etc. At moment buggy doesn't show defeated enemies.]
Probably because like the description says - it doesn't work (although someone should test this just to be sure) - otherwise, move to Standard
Questor Revised under Mini-Mods [description: This mod adds a NPC and monster with new item. is not finished yet has unrealistic stats items without descriptions.]
Move to Standard - no reason to be expert
Azure NPC (Beta) under BG2 NPC Mods [description: the druid Azure and her guardian wolf, Sharo, is to be found in shrine. mod causes stuttering it could that wolf doesn't show up mod-areas or game crashing.]
Like the description says - "mod causes stuttering it could that wolf doesn't show up mod-areas or game crashing" (needs verification though) - move to Standard otherwise
Drizzt NPC (Beta) under BG2 NPC Mods [description: with this mod You can take Drizzt Do`Urden into your group, when leave the unterdark and go again town. summon magic cat Guenhwyvar "K" which attacks enemies then automatically. not together "Region of Terror" because adds likewise both are contentwise compatible. component Artemis Entreri encounter "Unfinished Business" is compatible Drizzt-Mod. If Valen in party, it actually possible to Drizzt, he becomes hostile immediately.]
(NOTE: This Drizzt is also incompatible with SandrahNPC and Worgas component 2.)
No reason - move to Standard
Touchstone NPC under BG2 NPC Mods [description: Touchstone is an Elven Fighter from the Great Forest.]
No reason - move to Standard
Arnel's Nalia Romance under BG2 NPC-Related Mods [description: Contains a complete romance with Nalia, including the tree of life dialogs, beloved one in danger, Nalia's abduction by bodhi, and other love related quests. It also adds some new quests character interactions. We strongly recommend having Minsc party. mod hangs after wedding because faulty programming.]
From description - "mod hangs after wedding because faulty programming" (needs verification) - else move to Standard
Authentic Mischievous Fairy Dragon under BG2 Rules & Tweaks (moving from NPC-Related with my next commit to BWS) [description: Now your familiar fairy dragon is more useful and authentic - 7th member in the party. It can be summoned only by a chaotic-good magic user. You install this mod without problems, but to overpowered for BG1 useless BG2.]
No reason - overpowered stuff is not a reason for expert status. Move to Standard
cbisson's Familiar Pack under BG2 Rules & Tweaks (moving from NPC-Related with my next commit to BWS) [description: New familiars are added with this mod. Unfortunately there some small negative issues the (depends on stats and familiar-icons), but you can install mod without problems.]
Move to Standard
Imoen Romance v2.5 under BG2 NPC-Related Mods (there is also v1.202 marked Standard) [description: This is new version of mod, that compatible with Imoen Friendship, but incompatible BGT.]
No reason - Move to Standard
Kiara-Zaiya NPCs [description: Zaiya is chaotic-good half elves magician who searching for her friend Kiara, a neutral-evil monk. the "BiG World Setup" installs soundset automatically. If you use this mod with "Valen NPC", then not all Valen dialogues will show up.]
No reason - Move to Standard (overwriting issues are solved by the BWPFixpack)
Oversight [description: Corrects alignments, character-kits and includes some tweaks. The component "Tougher Sendai" overwrites files instead of patching them therefore it is risky to install in megamods. Also components are introduced other newer mods, too, so Oversight outdated.]
Everything other than "Tougher Sendai" should be moved to Standard - keep Sendai Expert (also recommend the newer mods over Oversight)
The Undying [description: the mod includes two NSCs Callisto T'sarran and Ninafer "Desecration of Souls".]
No reason - move to Standard
Victor's Improvements Pack [description: the mod adds two new kits to game, a store, several rule tweaks, as well improved bard song, version of Chapter One dungeon and multiending quest. This is outdated not really compatible for megamods. Some components are indroduced in other newer mods.]
No reason - move to standard
Ashes of Embers [description: 1 new spells, kits (6 clerics, fighters), weapons and abilities. Some of the components changes BG rules in such a way, that not everyone likes it.]
Changing rules is not expert stuff - move to Tactical but mark incompatibilities with other rule changing mods
Bard Song Switching (Icewind Mode) under BG2 Tweaks [description: with This mod you can change between different bardsongs like it is in Icewind Dale. should be installed Rogue Rebalancing together.]
MOve to standard
Dungeon-Be-Gone under BG2 Tweaks [description: This mod enables you to skip optionally Irenicus' Dungeon while still giving loot and experience.]
(NOTE: I am not sure why that one is expert, other than maybe the risk to miss extra content other mods added to Irenicus' Dungeon.)
The hell kind of reason is that? The mod is entirely optional - you can still do Chateau Irenicus with the mod installed if you want to - move to Standard
Jarl's BGT Tweak Pack under BG2 Tweaks [description: Various adjustments of BG1 and BG2 kits, portraits, stats und Soundsets in a BGT megamod.]
Same problem as Jarl's Adventure Pack
Psionics Unleashed under BG2 Tweaks [description: Psionics Unleashed is a mod that aims to add fully functional psionic system and character classes based on 3.5 ed. Dungeons & Dragons. because of the nature Infinity Engine Baldur's Gate games are 2nd AD&D, this reproduction couldn't be 100% faithful some compromises had made along way.]
(NOTE: The components of that one are actually included in the BWS Standard pre-selection, but the mod is marked Expert so it is colored red.)
Rule changes are not expert stuff - move to Tactical
Semi-Multi Clerics under BG2 Tweaks [description: 35 This mod will add various clerical spells to wizard magic users via a new item, effectively turning them into previously unavailable X/Cleric kits/multiclass combinations. The semi-multi learns and uses as per normal Arcane caster, also has access spells. It is not recommend use "Semi Multi Clerics" with "Spell Revisions" conceptually they are on opposite extremes. trying "rebalance" spells, while that purposely makes unbalancing again.]
Rule changes are not expert stuff - move to Tactical
Spell-50 under BG2 Tweaks [description: 50 the Spell-50 mod extends a number of priest, druid and mage spell effects to level fifty. This has do nothing with ruleset BP. Both can be installed at same time. It is not recommend use "Spell Revisions" as conceptually they are on opposite extremes. trying "rebalance" spells, while that purposely makes them extremely overpowered.]
(NOTE: Contrary to the description above, BWS currently does not allow Spell-50 and Spell Revisions to be installed at the same time.)
Causes stuttering issues on certain spells (eg: Web)
Throne of Bhaal Revisited (Beta) under BG2 Tweaks [description: Unsatisfied with Throne of Bhaal? Tired being forced down a linear story empty characters? This mod aims to fix that.]
Move to standard
Unique Artifacts under BG2 Tweaks [description: many items in Baldur's Gate, have their own history, and Therefore should exist a single copy. But, there are cases when player gets the same item several times. with This mod excessive copies of supposedly unique (like boot speed, ring magic etc.) removed. also removes duplicates from mods. At moment "Unique Artifacts" is not supported anymore, but still other mods, which Artefacts" changes. really compatible recent megamod until again.]
Deletes content from the game - can cause issues with mods that need those artifacts present somewhere
Universal Clear Fog of War under BG2 Tweaks [description: Removes Fog of War from maps, so you don't have to explore them.]
(NOTE: Probably marked Expert to encourage consideration before installing -- fog of war is useful to know where you've been.)
Not a reason for Expert status - move to Tactical
Virtue under BG2 Tweaks [description: This mod splits reputation into two separate variables: Reputation, which represents how people in the game feel about party; and Virtue, morally correct party's actions are.]
Not tested enough in a megamodded game
Zyraen's Miscellany under BG2 Tweaks [description: This mod improves Some aspects in the gameplay of Baldur's Gate 2. components breaks compatibility megamods.]
The description is... I dunno, not understandable - however this is not a reason for expert - move to Standard and mark incompatibilities
Exnem's Addon = Exnem's Vault under BG2 Stores & Items [description: 21 88 This mod includes new spells and items plus edited monsters areas.]
Ah my old nemesis - breaks random loot tables (but this is fixed by the BWPFixpack) - move to Standard
igi's Item Mod under BG2 Stores & Items [description: the iiItem mod adds several dozen new items to game, concentrating on lesser known item types (such as potions, bracers, arrows etc). are scattered randomly throughout game world. Because some of equipped by random creatures, this can cause unexpected behavior, so it is recommended for expert users only.]
Move to standard - unexpected behaviour that is not elaborated is just unnecessary suspicion
Mortis Mini Mod under BG2 Stores & Items [description: This mod adds two new stores to the game which sell items that transform main char into different other creature like lich or vampire.]
Move to Standard
Sorcerer's Place Item Collection under BG2 Stores & Items [description: This mod is a collection of several older items and spells. Instead patching the files, overwrites them. Therefore it could be danger for megamods.]
Overwrites apparently
The Bigg Kit Pack under Character-Kits (adds Biotic Vanguard Kit and adds Biotic Charge to Hiass the Wolf)
Move to Standard
LadeJarl's Tutu GUI [description: this is a GUI replacement which will give The game original Baldurs Gate look. mod supports 640x480, 800X600 and 1024X768 screen resolutions. Warning: does not allow TobEx to insert an optional scrollbar. Additional kits or spells may be unavailable for you. Warning! Addon needs downloaded manually.]
Seriously? This is just incompatibility - move to Standard
1pp high quality music for BGT, SoA/ToB, Tutu/ToSC (mods are marked Standard but components are flagged Expert -- I recently tried installing these on my BGT game and Weidu was complaining about some files being too large, so that might be why)
Like the description - "Weidu was complaining about some files being too large"
W_GUI (Beta) [description: This mod is a partial replacement for BG2 ToB GUI - Graphical User Interface. Only few screens have been redone. version may be its final release, because the author lost interest in very long time ago. Expert, new not everyones taste. If you want another GUI, please visit homepage and look at it first.]
Taste != expert - move to Standard and mark incompatibilities
"I am the smiley addict, yellow and round, this is my grin when I'm usually around .
When there's trouble brewing, see me post, cuz it's usually a wall o' yellow and your eyes are toast!!!"
Rather a test version to look at than a *mod*. It is at the very end of the installation, if put even further back, anyone could install take a look and uninstall again (no expert knowledge required for that).
My vote
Should not be part of BWS yet - if you want it put it on top of the final install, so you can uninstall it without penalty.
NEJ(2) + Tortured Souls (old BP-compatible version) [marked Expert because the description from the other, non-BP, newer version of TS says: The mod includes a task with the Yoshimo family, as well as a romance with Valygar for a female PC and a romance with Sime for a male PC - this are two absolutely different plots! This is the latest version of TS. Unlike the previous version of TS the new version is supposed to be compatible with most of the mods around, particularly with Neverending Journey Second Edition and Baldur's Gate Trilogy-WeiDU (BGT-WeiDU). However there may be logical incompatibility issues which the author could not foresee.]
EDIT: The NEJ3 that is not publically available might be what ever compatible with ... but not being public, we can't use it,. But the TS-BP v6.10 and NEJ2 v6.91+v6.94 patch that are the publically available versions, and so the versions the BiG World Project has tried to keep compatible with the rest of the mods in the large mods composition with the install order and fixes in the BiG World Fixpack... but those are sevearly old... the NEJ being ~8 years old. About the times when the BGT-weidu v1.01 came out, it having 17 updates, one that lead to this. The reason, the BGT Imoen was change to be imoen2 instead of imoen, so the creature never gets summoned in the new transfer cinematic, so the the game stoips into a never ending cinematic scene.
EDIT: yeah, the TS v7.01+.04 updates have come to public relevanlty recently ... see the Imp is an ancient being, it talks this way sometimes.
W_GUI (Beta) [description: This mod is a partial replacement for BG2 ToB GUI - Graphical User Interface. Only few screens have been redone. version may be its final release, because the author lost interest in very long time ago. Expert, new not everyones taste. If you want another GUI, please visit homepage and look at it first.
This works well if you do not install any of the other GUI mods that come as an addition in the BGT-weidu's archive(+BG1Tutu GUI). If you do, it will mess up the whole thing, because some of those moved the interface elements. And similar like all the other GUI mods, this needs to be installed before the Widescreen mod. My recomendation is to move it to default-ly not selected, and make sure that the other GUI mods are not selected when this is. The BWS could actually have a GUI selection section. Or make a premade GUI mod that actually covers all the possible variant using the copied old files. It's actually already coded by the BGT-weidu's GUI's system, if you have all the megamods installed. As they themselves extend the .tp2 code file during their own installs. The only fault int his is that you can't freely choose the GUI from the options, as you have to have the Megamod of choise installed, and the BWS can't really handle the progressivelly programmed .tp2 file.
W_GUI (Beta) Rather a test version to look at than a *mod*. It is at the very end of the installation, if put even further back, anyone could install take a look and uninstall again (no expert knowledge required for that).
Have you ever installed a GUI mods ? Clearly not.
Edited by The Imp, 21 November 2015 - 10:48 AM.
Yep, Jarno Mikkola. my Mega Mod FAQ. Use of the BWS, and how to use it(scroll down that post a bit).
OK, desert dweller, welcome to the sanity, you are free to search for the limit, it's out there, we drew it in the sand. Ouh, actually it was still snow then.. but anyways.
Ehm, the NEJ3 + TS v7.04 that's not publically available might be what ever the f%&#¤%#¤ they want to be compatible with ...
But the TS-BP v6.10 and NEJ2 v6.91+v6.94 patch
You're mixing up versions my friend
NeJv4.2 + TS-BPv6.10
NeJv6.94 + TSv7.04
Vlad's latest private beta is with NeJv7.01 + TSv7.05
"I am the smiley addict, yellow and round, this is my grin when I'm usually around .
When there's trouble brewing, see me post, cuz it's usually a wall o' yellow and your eyes are toast!!!"
Played myself several times, no issues. Cannot confirm those mentioned Valen issues - if they exist they are neither gamebreaking nor is there any expert intervention during gameplay required.
There is some issue out of certain constellations of mods and the Imoen dream scenes, Sometimes Imoen does not spawn in Bodhi's maze in the Asylum. This is not a fault of a single mod but some conbination with others (just too many mods creating too many versions of Imoen). The only *expert* action I ever encountered with any variation is to CreateCreature("Imoen213") in the dungeon after the first Irenicus battle if she is not there. And the same may be caused from some other constellation of mods as well. Hints for the Imoen not being there are all over BG sites on the net, really not expert, and compare it to the contents you would loose.
Simply counts differently from the information screen you have in-game for each party member. Nothing you can do even with expert. It is rather a gimmick than a mod, but it breaks nothing and you can just take it as it is whatever that is worth for you.
For this a question: has anyone played through BGT with the current version BP v181? The author recently played through BG2EE and reported no major issues. Is this issue with hostile NPCs caused by the AI components or the tactical components or both? BP v181 has separated the AI from the tactical components and removed many of the internal dependencies.
Questor Revised under Mini-Mods [description: This mod adds a NPC and monster with new item. is not finished yet has unrealistic stats items without descriptions.]
Move to Standard - no reason to be expert
An unfinished and unsupported mod like this .. we should just remove from BWS. Why keep it?
Imoen Romance v2.5 under BG2 NPC-Related Mods (there is also v1.202 marked Standard) [description: This is new version of mod, that compatible with Imoen Friendship, but incompatible BGT.]
No reason - Move to Standard
The description says "incompatible BGT" - do we know what that means?
1pp high quality music for BGT, SoA/ToB, Tutu/ToSC (mods are marked Standard but components are flagged Expert -- I recently tried installing these on my BGT game and Weidu was complaining about some files being too large, so that might be why)
Like the description - "Weidu was complaining about some files being too large"
You mean that we should add that to the description?
I do not have conflict/compatibility information about the expert mods. I suspect many of them have not been looked at for a long time. It would be very helpful if someone could volunteer to research compatibility conflicts for each of the mods we want to move to Standard. A list of components of the Expert mod, and for each of those a list of conflicting components from other mods, would be ideal.
BiG World Fixpack (community collection of mod fixes and compatibility patches, with user-friendly cross-platform script)
BiG World Setup (tool to automate best-practice installation of Infinity Engine mods on Windows, with conflict analysis)
The component to battle the Five in any order causes definite problems with a number of mods that have ToB contents and use the original triggers for their progression.
This should be treated in compatibility checks instead. There is no *expert* solution for this other than to re-write numerous scripts on the fly during the game or jump back and forth in dialogues and such.
If you have not installed or not in the party any of the affected NPC (it affects also ToB romance parts of such as Jaheira and Viconia) or mod content it may work.
My vote
Standard - provided the compatibility issues are covered by BWS, othersise
Another one of those that have loads of compatibility issues with other tweak mods. The creature getting hostile problem also appears under some other mod constellation (with no BP).
My vote
This should be solved in some other way than setting individual mods to expert or standard. The BWS should offer one (or more if exist) standard constellation of those tweaks that are known to have little or no issues and leave all others for expert until tested. Similar to the standard Gui package that was proposed.
In my experience any combination of major Tweak mods that overlap on key components is sooner or later *Expert* (as there is always some kind of lesser or graver bug). And on top of that. any of those mods have dozens of subcomponents that can interact with dozens of subcomponents of another tweak.
BWP manual quote here: Tweaks: Are risky in general and should not be installed without precise instructions.
The v181 version was the one that introduced the hostile NPC bug - v179 was fine afaik (I even recommended it over SCS once )
Questor:
I'd be totally against removing unfinished mods unless they prevent completing the game. The BWS is as much a mod advertising platform as it is an installation platform.
Imoen Romance:
Probably means that the romance dialogue can start in BGT (no variable checks for BG1 chapters) - which I don't think is an issue unless it references BG2 only events
1PP HQ Music:
Yes Add a note with the WeiDU version we currently have (maybe if WeiDU solves the issue in a future update, the mod can be moved to Standard)
@Roxanne:
W_GUI:
It's certainly not a test mod - it does have some UI issues when combined with 1PP's GUI components but nothing gamebreaking (the BWS should handle the compatibility stuff) - I used to use it extensively before 1PPv4 came out
"I am the smiley addict, yellow and round, this is my grin when I'm usually around .
When there's trouble brewing, see me post, cuz it's usually a wall o' yellow and your eyes are toast!!!"
Yes Add a note with the WeiDU version we currently have (maybe if WeiDU solves the issue in a future update, the mod can be moved to Standard)
The likely problem is in the mods own .tp2 file, if it uses COPY ~~ ~~ and gets a file size note, it needs to use a COPY_LARGE ~~ ~~ command for the files that exceed the weidu.exe 16 Mb file size restriction. Also this means that the file can't be edited with patch_if commands etc.
This is known thing and it won't be fixed under the current weidu.exe programming because the base language that does all the programs function, simply can't. According to the_bigg. And wisp. Yes, I asked seperately.
Yep, Jarno Mikkola. my Mega Mod FAQ. Use of the BWS, and how to use it(scroll down that post a bit).
OK, desert dweller, welcome to the sanity, you are free to search for the limit, it's out there, we drew it in the sand. Ouh, actually it was still snow then.. but anyways.
The v181 version was the one that introduced the hostile NPC bug - v179 was fine afaik (I even recommended it over SCS once )
Do we know which components cause this problem?
Questor:
I'd be totally against removing unfinished mods unless they prevent completing the game. The BWS is as much a mod advertising platform as it is an installation platform.
I agree, incomplete mods have a place in BWS -- but only if the author is supporting the mod.
"The NPC is named "Questor" and appears in the government district of Athkatla. Questor loads the main character on an adventure, but would like for it to join the group. I once received him tentatively, but given him after looking at the attributes at once jilted. Justification: All property values are at 25 what Questor by far No. 1 brought in the hit parade of the most powered NPCs (!)." (sorry about the terrible Google Translate)
I also downloaded the mod and checked the readme. The last update was in 2009. If the author releases a new version, we can put it back, but for now I think it should go.
BiG World Fixpack (community collection of mod fixes and compatibility patches, with user-friendly cross-platform script)
BiG World Setup (tool to automate best-practice installation of Infinity Engine mods on Windows, with conflict analysis)
The v181 version was the one that introduced the hostile NPC bug - v179 was fine afaik (I even recommended it over SCS once )
Do we know which components cause this problem?
It's likely the primary component, Aka the wrong Detectable Spells mixed with some other detectable spell mods AI enhancements: SCS, RR, Atweaks, D0Quest mods etc take your pick.... as it's likely the base call for help that makes them hostile.
Yep, Jarno Mikkola. my Mega Mod FAQ. Use of the BWS, and how to use it(scroll down that post a bit).
OK, desert dweller, welcome to the sanity, you are free to search for the limit, it's out there, we drew it in the sand. Ouh, actually it was still snow then.. but anyways.
Another one of those that have loads of compatibility issues with other tweak mods. The creature getting hostile problem also appears under some other mod constellation (with no BP).
My vote
This should be solved in some other way than setting individual mods to expert or standard. The BWS should offer one (or more if exist) standard constellation of those tweaks that are known to have little or no issues and leave all others for expert until tested. Similar to the standard Gui package that was proposed.
In my experience any combination of major Tweak mods that overlap on key components is sooner or later *Expert* (as there is always some kind of lesser or graver bug). And on top of that. any of those mods have dozens of subcomponents that can interact with dozens of subcomponents of another tweak.
BWP manual quote here: Tweaks: Are risky in general and should not be installed without precise instructions.
BWS has two ways to do what you suggest here:
1) If can create a custom selection, export to file and send it to me with a short description, and I can add it to the drop-down menu above "choose your components" on the main screen
2) If you just want to focus on a particular group of mods, not a complete selection for all mods, BWS has a "mod groups" feature where you can list particular components of particular mods as being included or excluded from a group. Then you can name the group and it becomes a selection from the menus while you are in the component selection view.
Example:
Spoiler
[Groups]
; Components in curved () brackets are acting along the rule and will be added or removed like the user asked for.
; Those in edged [] brackets are removed if those on curved brackets are installed
Sorry about that...
(with reasons ofcourse)
when I'm usually around 
.
)
