Best Mod Combinations?

[thetraveler]

I have been playing KSP for several weeks now, and I am ready to start messing around with Mods. Particularly, I really want to be able to kolonize other worlds... since isn't that really the end goal of any space program? It seems there are so many useful mods, many of them doing the same things. Therefor, I'd like to hear which mod combinations you guys use?

Do you think this is a good place to start? Do you think these Mods will play nice together? This is what I am thinking of installing:

Kerbal Attachment System
Kerbal Inventory System
MechJeb
USI Kolonization Systems

Edit: I want the most complete colonization system. I am not afraid of complicated; I want realism.

Edit: Ben Sil'ver posted an epic picture to the community of a kerbal on a space walk. He said the Texture mod he is using is: mods - TextureReplacer and KSPRC - Renaissance Compilation

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=789292826

Does anyone have thoughts on which texture/graphics enhancement pack is best?

[Eekhoorn]

TAC life support adds a lot of gameplay especially on long voyages and colonization. Also, you need to pick your landing spots perfectly, so use SCANsat and DMAGIC orbital science to scan the living kerblight out of a planet or moon.

Now you've got that covered it is time to give some proper credits to your Kerbals by using Final Frontier.

These are the mods I use by default. I think this will keep you busy for a while. Have fun!

[Gianni1122]

Yes to all of those mods. Also,

TAC Life Support and/or USI Life Support
DeepFreeze (best with a life support mod)
Raster Prop Monitor (for IVA realism)
Planetary Base systems
Konstruction (also by RoverDude who makes USI)

[OneMuskyOx]

I'd recommend Infernal Robotics to make some useful construction equipment but it seems borked as of 1.2

[thetraveler]

Thanks guys. I went to install MechJeb but it seems to only be updated for 1.1 So I looked to Engineer Redux, and it also seems to only be updated for 1.1? Has neither mod been updated ofr 1.2 yet? I couldn't figure out how to get the proper windows to pop up in MechJeb, wich is what clued me in. Am I missing something?

[Eekhoorn]

Originally posted by thetraveler:

Thanks guys. I went to install MechJeb but it seems to only be updated for 1.1 So I looked to Engineer Redux, and it also seems to only be updated for 1.1? Has neither mod been updated ofr 1.2 yet? I couldn't figure out how to get the proper windows to pop up in MechJeb, wich is what clued me in. Am I missing something?

I'm waiting for a release of Kerbal Engineer. In the meantime you can use the DEV build for Mechjeb:

https://ksp.sarbian.com/jenkins/job/MechJeb2-Dev/

[Operation40]

surface bases are boring without life support :)
I usually go with TAC-LS, but doing a play-through with "Snacks" and it's a ton of fun. Probably not as realistic as others.

I don't like USI Kolonization for surface bases, but I always pick up USI Core..
KPBS (Kerbal Planetary Base Systems) has the best surface modules, without a doubt..

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=782931715

fyi: KER has a dev version for 1.2 as well.

[thetraveler]

Originally posted by Mr. Calavera:

I'm waiting for a release of Kerbal Engineer. In the meantime you can use the DEV build for Mechjeb:

https://ksp.sarbian.com/jenkins/job/MechJeb2-Dev/

Thanks!

Originally posted by Operation40:

surface bases are boring without life support :)
I usually go with TAC-LS, but doing a play-through with "Snacks" and it's a ton of fun. Probably not as realistic as others.

I don't like USI Kolonization for surface bases, but I always pick up USI Core..
KPBS (Kerbal Planetary Base Systems) has the best surface modules, without a doubt..

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=782931715

fyi: KER has a dev version for 1.2 as well.

Ooh, whats different about snacks that make is so fun?

[Operation40]

Originally posted by thetraveler:

Ooh, whats different about snacks that make is so fun?

Snacks is just really simple. ore converts directly to snacks with greenhouse and you're set.
TAC-LS cycle is ore -> algae -> food.. and also wastewater -> water recycling
USI-LS has an annoying homesickness and hab% that degrades over time.

[Manwith Noname]

Originally posted by thetraveler:

Does anyone have thoughts on which texture/graphics enhancement pack is best?

KSPRC has always been my favourite but you cannot just throw it into your game and expect it to work. Even when you sort out replacing the out of date mods you are going to face a massive decrease in performance unless you manually tweak some of the configs.

The texture work is however first class and it was the only pack that made use of Kopernicus' ability to make terrain scatter solid objects.

[thetraveler]

Originally posted by Manwith Noname:

Originally posted by thetraveler:

Does anyone have thoughts on which texture/graphics enhancement pack is best?

KSPRC has always been my favourite but you cannot just throw it into your game and expect it to work. Even when you sort out replacing the out of date mods you are going to face a massive decrease in performance unless you manually tweak some of the configs.

The texture work is however first class and it was the only pack that made use of Kopernicus' ability to make terrain scatter solid objects.

Is this Mod being actively updated/developed? I looked at pictures, and I reallly like the look of it. I do not want to install something that is going to be 1) a pain to install, 2) not work with other mods & 3) break again with the next update

[Manwith Noname]

It is being worked on. The author just has to deal with real life presumably and so it does tend to break with KSP updates, relying on the end user to update the individual parts themselves.

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/69702-112-ksprc-renaissance-compilation-artworks-remake-v-07-pre-release-3/&do=findComment&comment=2774252

[Zombo]

mk2 + mk3 expansion mods. (if you like space planes)