Modding is about fine-tuning games to suit your tastes, making changes and alterations to games based on whatever you (and mod creators) see fit.
What is PC game modding?
You could change something visual, you could change how your character gains power, or you could swap out the entire game soundtrack for a fan-made orchestral version. Some folks are picky about the lighting; others may change up the game’s difficulty in ways that the default Easy to Hard scale doesn’t quite fulfill; and some may just be patching some buggy parts for the benefit of the game’s fan community.
While specific mods out in the world will have some crossover, we’re going to break mods down into four major categories:
Types of PC mods
Aesthetics
The most popular mods for the most popularly modded games tend to be aesthetic mods that tweak the look and sound of a game. For many, it’s about making things prettier, more realistic, or to push their hardware a bit further than the game can on its own.
Take Skyrim, one of the most heavily modded games of all time, and take a look for some of its mods. The most subscribed mod on Skyrim’s Steam Workshop is a water retexture mod called Pure Waters by Laast. At NexusMods, the most downloaded Skyrim mod is a high resolution textures pack called Skyrim HD - 2K Textures. Skyrim has so many amazing visual mods that it’s easy to see why allkinds of games are finding new life through HD remakes.
But a picture is worth a thousand words. Here’s Skyrim running unmodded, but with Bethesda’s HD Texture packs installed…
…and here’s Skyrim with a slew of graphics mod installed: Climates of Tamriel, Natural Grass Texture Floor, Pure Waters, Realistic Lighting Overhaul, ENB, RealVision ENB, Skyrim HD - 2K Textures, Static Mesh Improvement Mod, Skyrim Distance Overhaul LOD Improvement, and Ultimate HD Fire Effects. Click the images to enlarge them if you want to bask in all the improvements.
Audio mods are only popular in some games, but they can do interesting things. Fallout 3’s GNR Enhanced adds theme-suitable music the radio and improves some of the immersion in the scripts of Three Dog, the game’s radio DJ. Other audio mods focus on quality, such as swapping out the sounds of the various guns in the games for what’s considered more accurate, higher quality versions. Towbie’s Realistic Weapon Sounds for Fallout 4 is a good example.
But there’s also a reverse side to aesthetic mods, especially visual ones. Some mods focus on decreasing visual quality, to allow games to run better on underpowered hardware or simply increase the frame rate for a more buttery feel. Many competitive players reduce graphical quality just enough so that the important details are still visible, but the framerate can be as high as the hardware will allow it to be. If a game’s options don’t quite cover what you need, you’d look to something like Torcher’s Texture Optimization Project for Fallout 4.
On this note of frame rate optimization, we’re getting dangerously close to what we’re calling technical modding.
Technical
Fixing bugs and enhancing system compatibility are the key reasons for technical modding. Sure, it may feel like every classic game is getting an HD remaster this week, but not all fan favorites are so lucky. A supportive modding community can help add a much-needed layer of modern polish.
For example, the legendary isometric RPGs of yesteryear—like Baldur’s Gate, Fallout, and Planescape Torment—were designed for 4:3 display ratios and resolutions in the 640x480 through 1024x768 range. Nowadays, most gamers are running 16:9 ratios supporting 1920x1080 and higher resolution. Playing the older games on modern monitors results in ugly black bars surrounding the picture, or worse, visual stretching and distortion. To fix this, mods like the_bigg’s Widescreen Mod change how the game scales up for higher resolution, though you may need to pair it with something like GhostDog’s Planescape: Torment UI mod. GhostDog’s mod tweaks the UI and text in classic games running at modern resolution, so everything can be seen, readable, and not wildly warped.
Here’s how Planescape: Torment looks running windowed at default resolution on a 1440p display…
…and here’s Planescape: Torment in 1440p resolution using the aforementioned mod duo. Big difference, eh?
Some mods take aim at player-discovered bugs. Bethesda’s games are notorious for their (sometimes unsettling) bugs, and many Elder Scrolls modding guides start by pointing to community patches that squash them or fix hardware compatibility problems. Other games, such as Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: The Sith Lords, may contain unfinished content, causing some weird dead ends in gameplay and storytelling. Communities have banded together to resolve these in different ways, such as The Sith Lords Restored Content mod, which utilizes unused assets in the original game as well as original efforts to effectively close off the loose ends.
But this kind of mod taps into the gameplay and content of its game, so let’s move on!
Gameplay
Gameplay mods change how you play a game, covering aspects like difficulty scaling, character progression systems, control schemes, adding or removing certain mechanics, or even interface changes.
A perfect example of a mod that alters difficulty is Brutal Doom. This mod for the earlier Doom games—not the 2016 edition—effectively cranks everything up to 11 by adding a ton of enemies and giving foes new tactics. (It also greatly expands the gore and destruction that Doom is famous for.)
The first Dark Souls game on PC used a sort of emulation to effectively translate keyboard and mouse into controller actions, and generally lacked control options. The resulting frustrations lead to the creation of the mod Dark Souls Mouse Fix and its current iteration, Dark Souls Input Customizer. These mods ditched the emulation and added raw mouse input, mouse acceleration and sensitivity settings, and key mapping. These control mods not only provide options for PC purists, but also opportunities for gamers with disabilities who depend on custom hardware and button mapping to get their game on.
Many gameplay mods can complement each other that provide a fresh experience to a game. Grim Dawn, an action RPG by Crate Entertainment, has a popular mod compilation called DAIL that combines a bunch of gameplay mods into one. DAIL can adjust the number of enemies that spawn in the game for a range of new difficulty options; it triples the amount of class trees for your character; and includes additional game types that mirror Diablo 3’s rift system or Gears of War’s Horde Mode… which takes us to the final mod category.
Content
Sometimes, you just need more. The game was either so good, or missing just enough, that someone felt the need to add even more to it. Content mods tend to be a combination of the previous categories plus additional components that add something new to the game. Mods like the earlier mentioned The Sith Lords Restored Content and Minecraft’s Tinker’s Construct introduce all kinds of content, from quests to equipment, that were not previously in the game. The additions have their own visuals, sounds, and gameplay changes all combined. They’re basically unofficial expansions.
Some mods drastically overhaul the entire game, and sometimes spark new games and genres of their own. League of Legends, DOTA, and the entire MOBA genre was birthed by a mod for the original Starcraft called Aeon of Strife. Counter-Strike started as a Half-Life mod. DayZ and battle royale games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds sprung from the Arma modding scene. And you can find full-length expansions, new factions, and more for Elder Scrolls games.
These are heavy duty mods. If you want to learn more about content and “total conversion” mods, check out PCWorld’s list of 10 influential game mods that truly changed PC gaming.
Bottom line
Modding video games is a lot like playing card games or board games with house rules. While some people like to just skip the jail mechanic in Monopoly, others might want to pull out their favorite Warhammer 40k figure to take over the board in the name of the Emperor. Likewise, some gamers might want to replace Skyrim’s dragons with Macho Man Randy Savage or Thomas the Tank Engine. Anything is possible!
Now you’re armed with everything you need to know to start modding PC games. Have fun!
Posted by3 years ago
Archived
I made a nice little test area by following the modding tutorial that comes with the tools now. So then I build the mod and go back into GD. Start up a custom game using the mod and.. I'm in Devil's Crossing. How exactly do you get into the modded stuff in game, as that wasn't in the tutorial?
I'm also wondering about having to make a new character for the custom game. Are you able to have more than one mod active at a time and can characters be used in more than one mod? These kind of things aren't very clear.
4 comments
Necromancers have always been epic in any RPG games. Since Crate Entertainment announced this class, it has been the most awaited mastery in Grim Dawn, just like the necromancer class in Diablo 3.
Most builds that you will encounter in this article focus on pets since necromancers have always been known to summon allies. As a general rule in playing a pet build. The pets will take care of dealing damage to enemies. Your primary job is to keep yourself alive and to re-summon any pets that have fallen in battle.
By the way, in case you don’t prefer pet builds, this article also contains references for non-pet types of build.
Here are the builds that will be discussed in this article:
Note: Recommended Devotions are not in order, meaning, it is up to you what constellation you should learn first. Just in case you don’t know, devotion points can also be re-assigned in order to meet certain requirements.
When it comes to gear components, resistance to different damage types should be the priority for your character to survive on higher difficulties.
1. Pet Cabalist Variant 1 (Necromancer + Occultist)
Our first pet build focuses on full power of necromancer’s pets, plus buffing it with Blood of Dreeg.
Attributes
Defense is your main priority here. Since your pets will deal damage for you, 90% or 95% of your attributes should be placed on physique.
You should still put points on spirit to be able to equip high-level enchanted items.
Don’t bother putting attributes on cunning, unless you are planning to equip something that requires cunning.
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Necromancer Skills
Occultist Skills
Devotion
Equipment Priorities
Use equipment that grant bonuses to your pets, especially the one with add to a pet’s All Damage. Equipping items that let you summon more pets is also a good idea.
It all comes down to personal preference whether you want to equip caster’s off-hand for cooldown reduction or shield for better defense.
How to Play?
Follow the general rule in playing a pet build.
Also, never forget that you have Blood of Dreeg to buff and heal the whole group.
2. Pet Cabalist Variant 2 (Necromancer + Occultist)
This build variant lets you summon pets from both necromancer and occultist mastery and buff them with multiple toggled skills that increase their damage.
Attributes
Same as Pet Cabalist Variant 1.
Necromancer Skills How to start a summary of your lecture in spanish.
Occultist Skills
Devotion
Equipment Priorities
Same as Pet Cabalist Variant 1.
How to Play?
Grim Dawn Modding Tutorial Download
Follow the general rule in playing a pet build.
3. Dark Mage Cabalist (Necromancer + Occultist)
A non-pet cabalist build that deals major vitality damage with some chaos damage. This build also has great survival capabilities because it converts a lot of attack damage to health.
Attributes
Spend 60% or 75% of your points on spirit and the rest on physique. You may also put some points on cunning if you want more offensive ability.
Grim Dawn Modding Tutorial Youtube
Necromancer Skills
Occultist Skills
Devotion
Equipment Priorities
Get gear with bonuses affixed to Vitality damage and Chaos damage.
How to Play?
Use Sigil of Consumption and Doom Bolt on long-range enemies.
Use Siphon of Souls when surrounded by melee to midrange.
Use Bone Harvest for dealing damage to multiple enemies in a straight line.
4. Grim Reaper (Necromancer + Nightblade)
For those who want to play like a Grim Reaper, I believe this is one of the closest builds that you can get. Grim Reaper is a melee type build that can deal heavy amounts of damage while converting a percentage of it to health.
Tip: To look exactly like a Grim Reaper, refer to an illusionist to transform your two-hand weapon into a scythe of your choice, your head armor into a hoodie of your choice, and finally, your chest armor into a robe of your choice.
Attributes
Since this build is a melee type, having high amounts of physique is your main priority. Spirit is your next priority because your main attacks are magical damage. Getting some cunning is also a good idea for better offensive ability.
Necromancer Skills
Nightblade Skills
Devotion
Equipment Priorities
For damage types, vitality, vitality decay, and aether are your top priorities. Cold and physical are secondary choices.
How to Play?
To survive in melee, don’t stop attacking enemies so that you can continuously recover your lost health.
I put a single point on Shadow Strike so that I have the ability to dash quickly from one enemy to another.
5. Range Blade Reaper (Necromancer + Nightblade)
This range build’s damage balances physical and magical while converting a portion of it to health.
Attributes
For this hybrid build, spend 25 or 30 points on cunning, and another 25 or 30 points on spirit, and the remaining points on physique.
Necromancer Skills
Nightblade Skills
Devotion
Equipment Priorities
Equip gear that increases damage to vitality, pierce, or bleeding. It is also advisable to equip a caster’s off-hand for energy regeneration and cooldown reduction.
How to Play?
Your primary damage dealing skill is Phantasmal Blades. Use it like your normal attack. Then cast your blade trap whenever available, especially to hold off melee enemies.
6. Pet Death Knight (Necromancer + Soldier)
Having Soldier’s Field Command provides good damage and defense buff to both your pets and party.
Attributes
Refer to Pet Cabalist Build.
Necromancer Skills
Soldier Skills
Devotion
Refer to Pet Cabalist Build.
Equipment Priorities
Refer to Pet Cabalist Build.
How to Play?
Follow the general rule in playing a pet build.
7. Grim Death Knight (Necromancer + Soldier)
This is a variant of the Grim Reaper build. Grim Death Knight is a good choice for those who prefer better toughness.
Attributes
Refer to Grim Reaper build.
Necromancer Skills
Soldier Skills
Devotion
Refer to Grim Reaper build.
Equipment Priorities
Your main damage type priority for this build are vitality, vitality decay, then aether.
Once you reach level 94, it is mandatory to equip Howl of the Wendigo. It converts your Blade Arc’s physical damage into vitality damage making it suitable for this build.
How to Play?
Refer to Grim Reaper build.
Regarding what skill to learn last, choose Blade Arc as last priority since it won’t deal that much damage for this build until you get How of the Wendigo.
Grim Dawn Modding Tutorial Videos8. Pet Ritualist (Necromancer + Shaman)
This build contains the full force and abilities of the necromancer’s pets in addition to having Summon Briarthorn with its Ground Slam. One thing I like about this build is that both Briarthorn’s and Blight Fiend’s area of effect skill can easily wipe out mobs.
Attributes
Same as Pet Cabalist Variant 1.
Necromancer Skills
Shaman Skills
Devotion
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Same as Pet Cabalist Variant 1.
Equipment Priorities
Same as Pet Cabalist Variant 1.
How to Play?
Follow the general rule in playing a pet build.
9. Life Drainer Ritualist (Necromancer + Shaman)
This is a midrange mage type build that wields multiple attack damage converted to health skills.
Attributes
Same as Dark Mage Cabalist.
Necromancer Skills
Shaman Skills
Devotion
Same as Dark Mage Cabalist.
Equipment Priorities
Choose gear that increases vitality damage.
How to play?
Learn Devouring Swarm first. It’s the best skills to choose for leveling up on early game.
This build is generally a midrange build, but you don’t have to worry about taking some damage because all of this build’s offensive skills can convert attack damage to health.
© 2017 Arc Sosangyo
Crate Entertainment has now released the modding tools for their ARPG Grim Dawn.
The mod tools can be downloaded from this page on Crate’s site which also comes with a guide on how to use the tools.
Grim Dawn features a powerful set of modding tools, the same tools, in fact, as the ones used by the development team in the creation of the game. This grants players vast opportunities to create their own content, items, classes and even entire worlds. Advanced users can take even advantage of Lua support to script complex gameplay events and create entirely new types of content not seen in the base game.
Combined with the creativity of our growing community, the immense potential of the modding tools will provide Grim Dawn users with free player-generated content for years to come.
The mod tools release also bring more updates to the game which have been detailed in the patch notes below.
Brim Dawn v V1.0.0.3 patch Notes
[Major New Features]
[Tech]
[Game]
[Itemization]
[Class & Skills]
Devotion
Posted by3 years ago
Archived
Hi,
So I was reading the game guide to check how armor worked because I was (and still am) clueless about how it works, and I ended up reading page after page of features and thought it was funny how many little things weren't updated. Eventually I got to the modding section and there was a link to a modding guide:
I suppose that's what they talked about in their Grim Misadventures about how they were completing the guide, but I didn't think I'd find it here.
Anybody knows how long it's been in there? I'm hyped and confused at the same time.
EDIT: Words
EDIT2: I'm a hypocrite
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