What do you think about using mods when playing a game for the first time?

[Acrux]

Not counting mods or configs to get a game running on a modern system, do you ever use them the first time you play a game?

[Val the Moofia Boss]

There are games I would strongly recommend using mods for when playing for the first time. If you play and Elder Scrolls game, you really want to use the bug fix mods, and graphics mods also improve the experience as well. FF13 should be experienced using the steam modding guide. You can't go wrong playing Mount & Blade with a mod like diplomacy that adds in more robust features. And so on.

[rusty_shackleford]

really depends on the game and the mod, a lot of older games have mods that just add basic UX stuff

gothic 3 is the only game I can think of off the top of my head that requires extensive modding to be playable due to the base game just being unfinished and nearly devoid of content, so you really need the content patches to actually play 'gothic 3'

[CSM-101]

Really depends... The original Mount & Blade, VtM Bloodlines, KOTOR 2... All games that practically require mods to run right.

[jebacdrkac]

Before I start a new game, I always check the most popular mods for it on Nexus. If I find something I like, I use it. But most of the time, it's mostly just texture mods, shaders, etc. For game mechanics I always try them first by playing vanilla, if I find some of them to be really ******* annoying, than I add a mod for it additionally. And yes, sometimes I get spoilered, but **** it.

[logincrash]

If you play and Elder Scrolls game, you really want to use the bug fix mods, and graphics mods also improve the experience as well.

After having over 500 hours in modded Skyrim (all I did was dungeon crawl and genocide NPCs while listening to podcasts) I finally decided to play through the main quest and all the guilds in the vanilla Skyrim. The first time I entered the werewolf Fighters Guild with Lydia as my companion, she attacked the guy who was fighting me in the entrance exam. So, the first hour of my vanilla Skyrim experience was bugged out to the point that the most known companion broke the introductory quest for the most basic ***** guild. I was baffled.
So, yes, bugfixes are mandatory for Bethesda's games even on the first playthrough.
Also, after I finished the main quest and the Thieves Guild storyline, I never played Skyrim again. Those two were so unbelievably, incredibly awful that they soured my feeling for Skyrim forever.

[Big Red Dog]

I wish I had the rainbow removal mods the first time I played BG3 I went into it blindish and learned first hand about how much Gale wants to plumb the depths of my paladin's plumbing. If someone told me that you literally cant be friends with your companions without constant aggressive sexual advances I probably wouldn't have bothered wasting my time torrenting it. If I met someone who was going to play the game for the first time blind I would strongly recommend those mods. It's actually a fun game when I dont have to shift my perspective during every conversation with a companion to that of a degenerate french gooner of his 15th jo of the day in order to interpret a joke about tickling cat bellies as a lurid depraved homosexual enticement, which by the way even though I immediately left the conversation when gale got creepy frog referred to as me pledging my body to gale cutting off the frogussy

[Vergil]

If you play a game modded for the first time you've still never played the game and all of your opinions on it are meaningless.

[LemonDemonGirl]

Don't install porn mods. Otherwise I don't care

[Orvas Dren]

Only porn mods. Otherwise I care

[Magick]

Definitely. Some mods are just a complete no-brainer.
Others that give a "different" take are worth using after playing the game as standard.

But if the mod is something I WANT, why would I not just use it?
One example is Mass Effect. As soon as I made a character I found I just COULDN'T USE some weapons on most classes. I'm there carrying around a ******* sniper rifle on my back, EVERYWHERE I go, picking up new ones etc. and just couldn't even draw the **** thing. What the ****?
Sure I'd expect to not be proficient in it, but not even be able to USE it?

So I cracked open the files / registry or whatever it used, and tweaked that. I didn't give myself extra points, just simply unlocked it. And that gave me a better first-play experience.
Funnily enough you apparently "unlock" such on a New Game+ anyway.

[logincrash]

One example is Mass Effect. As soon as I made a character I found I just COULDN'T USE some weapons on most classes. I'm there carrying around a ******* sniper rifle on my back, EVERYWHERE I go, picking up new ones etc. and just couldn't even draw the **** thing. What the ****?
Sure I'd expect to not be proficient in it, but not even be able to USE it?

Bad example, because you for sure could use all 4 weapon types in Mass Effect from the get go with all the classes. You were just so **** with those you've not trained in that they were pretty much useless.

[Vergil]

Definitely. Some mods are just a complete no-brainer.
Others that give a "different" take are worth using after playing the game as standard.

But if the mod is something I WANT, why would I not just use it?
One example is Mass Effect. As soon as I made a character I found I just COULDN'T USE some weapons on most classes. I'm there carrying around a ******* sniper rifle on my back, EVERYWHERE I go, picking up new ones etc. and just couldn't even draw the **** thing. What the ****?
Sure I'd expect to not be proficient in it, but not even be able to USE it?

So I cracked open the files / registry or whatever it used, and tweaked that. I didn't give myself extra points, just simply unlocked it. And that gave me a better first-play experience.
Funnily enough you apparently "unlock" such on a New Game+ anyway.

A lot of words to say you used cheats.

[Magick]

One example is Mass Effect. As soon as I made a character I found I just COULDN'T USE some weapons on most classes. I'm there carrying around a ******* sniper rifle on my back, EVERYWHERE I go, picking up new ones etc. and just couldn't even draw the **** thing. What the ****?
Sure I'd expect to not be proficient in it, but not even be able to USE it?

Bad example, because you for sure could use all 4 weapon types in Mass Effect from the get go with all the classes. You were just so **** with those you've not trained in that they were pretty much useless.

That's not true. I played Vanguard and specifically remember having to **** around unlocking something just to use the sniper. (Even if that meant not being accurate, which is fine).

[logincrash]

One example is Mass Effect. As soon as I made a character I found I just COULDN'T USE some weapons on most classes. I'm there carrying around a ******* sniper rifle on my back, EVERYWHERE I go, picking up new ones etc. and just couldn't even draw the **** thing. What the ****?
Sure I'd expect to not be proficient in it, but not even be able to USE it?

Bad example, because you for sure could use all 4 weapon types in Mass Effect from the get go with all the classes. You were just so **** with those you've not trained in that they were pretty much useless.

That's not true. I played Vanguard and specifically remember having to **** around unlocking something just to use it. (Even if that meant not being accurate, which is fine).

What game are we talking about? The original Mass Effect 1 on PC or the faggy "Legendary Edition?"

[LemonDemonGirl]

Bloodlines is basically unplayable unless modded (see: Unofficial Patch).

[UltraFan123]

I would never had been able to sit through the entirety of a whole Wrath of the Righteous run if not for the mod that de-wokefied it, and once I get myself a new PC that's powerful enough to run BG3 smoothly I will install No Alphabets asap.

[Magick]

Bad example, because you for sure could use all 4 weapon types in Mass Effect from the get go with all the classes. You were just so **** with those you've not trained in that they were pretty much useless.

That's not true. I played Vanguard and specifically remember having to **** around unlocking something just to use it. (Even if that meant not being accurate, which is fine).

What game are we talking about? The original Mass Effect 1 on PC or the faggy "Legendary Edition?"

The original! I can't even play the new "Legendary" one as despite the original supporting older OS, the Legendary one has a bootcamp ****** web-based launcher that only supports W10+ ~

Seems I semi-misremembered. You CAN draw and "use" the weapon as another class. Albiet with no ******* zoom. A sniper rifle with no zoom is essentially useless. Again, I didn't mind no proficiency, which is separate.

If you get 150 kills with a given weapon, you will earn an Achievement. Getting that Achievement will allow you to pick that weapon as a bonus on a future playthrough (either NG+ or brand new character).
However, you cannot "learn" a new weapon mid-playthrough (that is not a class default).

Something to do with "Weapon bonus talents", it seems, that are unlocked after getting enough kills or completing the game with a weapon(?) then that "talent" is unlocked for NG+ or new character.
I remember granting myself that, making a few other minor tweaks and adding a batch of nice outfits for the ship (using the captain's one was nice). I don't believe I bothered for the assault rifle, since I could "use" that well enough as it was. And being a Vanguard I already had the pistol and shotgun fully usable.

The second game I modded much more heavily, tweaking biotic skill cooldowns and increasing enemy hp / shields to compensate, as I hated the gameplay and shared cooldown BS compared to the first game.
Haven't yet played the third, or "fourth".

[Vergil]

Bloodlines is basically unplayable unless modded (see: Unofficial Patch).

The issue is "mod" is being used too broadly here. Some people are saying using mods is fine and they mean basic bug fix patches and others are literally cheating themselves extra items and abilities.

[UltraFan123]

Bloodlines is basically unplayable unless modded (see: Unofficial Patch).

The issue is "mod" is being used to broadly here. Some people are saying using mods is fine and they mean basic bug fix patches and others are literally cheating themselves extra items and abilities.

I would say that cheat mods definitely shouldn't be used for a first run since that is just lazy and sucks the fun out of any game.

[A Chinese opium den]

I don't respect the artistic vision of people who make games anymore.

[DagothGeas5]

I would never play a game modded from the start, but many just seem to require mods, especially these days. Morrowind, for example, has an invisible weight bug that corrupts the game, as well as many others. Never fixed by the developers.
I miss when I could just plug and play and mods were for fun and flair used later on BECAUSE I liked the game and wanted to mix things up. These days is to just remove ******** and I feel it has really drained my enjoyment the tinkering once brought me

[Acrux]

I don't respect the artistic vision of people who make games anymore.

Very few games actually reflect a creator's "artist vision" anyway. Maybe a very few solo dev games. There's a lot of tradeoff, cut ideas, and compromise that happens with software development.

[Magick]

Bloodlines is basically unplayable unless modded (see: Unofficial Patch).

The issue is "mod" is being used to broadly here. Some people are saying using mods is fine and they mean basic bug fix patches and others are literally cheating themselves extra items and abilities.

I would say that cheat mods definitely shouldn't be used for a first run since that is just lazy and sucks the fun out of any game.

Subjective opinion. Playing through an entire game being forced to lug around a sniper rifle with no zoom, vs being able to actually use that weapon where necessary (despite still being untrained / poor accuracy), which is the more "fun"?
One would imagine a highly-trained special ops agent would at least have BASIC training in using other weapons (such as being able to look down a ******* scope lol), even if they are only truly proficient in their specialist ones.

[A Chinese opium den]

The issue is "mod" is being used to broadly here. Some people are saying using mods is fine and they mean basic bug fix patches and others are literally cheating themselves extra items and abilities.

I would say that cheat mods definitely shouldn't be used for a first run since that is just lazy and sucks the fun out of any game.

Subjective opinion. Playing through an entire game being forced to lug around a sniper rifle with no zoom, vs being able to actually use that weapon where necessary (despite still being untrained / poor accuracy), which is the more "fun"?
One would imagine a highly-trained special ops agent would at least have BASIC training in using other weapons (such as being able to look down a ******* scope lol), even if they are only truly proficient in their specialist ones.

Looking through glass tubes is very complicated, please understand.

[Vergil]

The issue is "mod" is being used to broadly here. Some people are saying using mods is fine and they mean basic bug fix patches and others are literally cheating themselves extra items and abilities.

I would say that cheat mods definitely shouldn't be used for a first run since that is just lazy and sucks the fun out of any game.

Subjective opinion. Playing through an entire game being forced to lug around a sniper rifle with no zoom, vs being able to actually use that weapon where necessary (despite still being untrained / poor accuracy), which is the more "fun"?
One would imagine a highly-trained special ops agent would at least have BASIC training in using other weapons (such as being able to look down a ******* scope lol), even if they are only truly proficient in their specialist ones.

You chose a class with specific limitations and then cheated to circumvent those limitations ruining the whole point. You're the reason modern games don't have real class/skill systems and everyone can just do anything and get gay perk points.
Would you also "mod" (cheat) your attributes in a game so your bard can use a zweihander as well?

You should try playing Mass Effect one of these days btw since it sounds like you haven't played it.

[Jordy]

I think it depends on the game like others have said. Generally I would like to at least start a game as it's meant to be played. I will probably add QOL mods along the way if needed (and if they exist).

BG3 on the other hand, I started it with the no alphabets mod.

[Magick]

I would say that cheat mods definitely shouldn't be used for a first run since that is just lazy and sucks the fun out of any game.

Subjective opinion. Playing through an entire game being forced to lug around a sniper rifle with no zoom, vs being able to actually use that weapon where necessary (despite still being untrained / poor accuracy), which is the more "fun"?
One would imagine a highly-trained special ops agent would at least have BASIC training in using other weapons (such as being able to look down a ******* scope lol), even if they are only truly proficient in their specialist ones.

You chose a class with specific limitations and then cheated to circumvent those limitations ruining the whole point. You're the reason modern games don't have real class/skill systems and everyone can just do anything and get gay perk points.
Would you also "mod" (cheat) your attributes in a game so your bard can use a zweihander as well?

You should try playing Mass Effect one of these days btw since it sounds like you haven't played it.

I'll respond directly to your catty faggotry just this once, for other's benefit, and since you clearly haven't had your daily dose of cum today and craving some attention.

1. The exact same outcome (unlocking zoom on that weapon for another class) is achieved merely by completing the game. Note that proficiency (how well you use the weapon) is separate.
2. I would indeed mod my game so my bard could "use" (albeit at low proficiency) it, if the game's setting was that bard was someone given at least basic training with such weapon types, and forced to lug it around regardless. If such a bard is portrayed as being able to carry it around on his ******* back, he can at least hold it in his hands, just as a highly trained 10/10 special-ops agent can look down a glass tube. The spectre literally carries all FOUR weapons everywhere he goes, it is farcical to accept he would do so if he could not use them to a basic capacity.
3. Both of the above would depend if I found it "fun" to do so or not.
4. If I wasn't forced to physically lug the **** thing around on my back the entire game and the character's background in lore didn't suggest they could use such a weapon, I probably wouldn't bother.

You were likely still (failing) in school, when I played Mass Effect 1.

[Vergil]

The exact same outcome (unlocking zoom on that weapon for another class) is achieved merely by completing the game. Note that proficiency (how well you use the weapon) is separate.

So it would be okay for me to just use a "mod" to auto level myself to the level cap and give myself 5trillion gold because that can be achieved by completing the game?

I would indeed mod my game so my bard could "use" (albeit at low proficiency) it, if the game's setting was that bard was someone given at least basic training with such weapon types, and forced to lug it around regardless. If such a bard is portrayed as being able to carry it around on his ******* back, he can at least hold it in his hands, just as a highly trained 10/10 special-ops agent can look down a glass tube. The spectre literally carries all FOUR weapons everywhere he goes, it is farcical to accept he would do so if he could not use them to a basic capacity.

A lot of cope and seethe to basically admit that it's ******** and nonsensical to allow classes to use weapons outside their proficiency. You're using an appeal to realism for why a videogame ought to be a certain way which is basically an admission of defeat from the get go. There's millions of nitpicks I could go to using your same realism logic. Mass Effect is an RPG. Classes are limited to certain proficiencies. I understand you don't like RPGs so you "mod" (cheat) out the RPG elements of RPGs but that's your problem.

Both of the above would depend if I found it "fun" to do so or not.

So your idea of fun is to use cheats to remove game mechanics?

If I wasn't forced to physically lug the **** thing around on my back the entire game and the character's background in lore didn't suggest they could use such a weapon, I probably wouldn't bother.

Your character's background lore only states they can use such a weapon if you select the class that is able to use that weapon hope this helps

You were likely still in school when I played Mass Effect 1.

I don't see what you being so bad at Mass Effect 1 that you had to cheat while I managed to beat it without cheats while still a child has to do with helping your argument...

Then again I guess it makes sense for you to immediately give up at any sign of challenge and go for the easy pleb option. You did marry a brown woman after all

[Magick]

Kek, this ****** is trying to make out it's not "ok" to mod a single player game, even if one finds it more enjoyable. Where have we heard that before.

For other's benefit, in Mass Effect the player character is a "Spectre" (Special Tactics and Reconnaissance). An elite 10/10 unit, answerable only to the citadel council of species, the highest tier of government. They literally carry all four weapon types (Pistol, Shotgun, Sniper Rifle and Assault Rifle) on their back everywhere they go throughout the entire game:


Clearly (as defined by completing and restarting the game with a NG+ / new character), the agent is indeed capable of looking down a glass scope, backed by their elite status in lore. (Proficiency to use it well is a separate stat, though).
Restriction of that to only 2nd / 3rd+ playthroughs is therefore a developer gameplay choice to force additional playthroughs. (Which I did actually do just once as a Soldier to enjoy his various special abilities with the Assault Rifle, and play a different character personality).


The game can indeed just as well be easily completed without using the sniper rifle (or other "locked" weapons) at all (despite carrying them around the entire time). With the amount of abilities the player has, plus companions of varying classes that can use different weapons, there is no situation where it would be "hard" to complete the game without it, just less fun, for some players.

I didn't mind that I could "use" (shoot full auto) the assault rifle but miss out on the special abilities / ammo types with it as a Vanguard. But it's ******* stupid to suggest one would lug a sniper rifle around literally everywhere, if the scope couldn't be used. The assault rifle without the other abilities is still a fast-shooting gun. A sniper rifle without a scope is ******* useless.
I modded that **** before I even had the chance to shoot anything with it because the concept was ridiculous.