Best tech tree mod for probe start?

[แมทธิว]

Hi, what do you think the best tech tree mod is that has the focus of starting with probes first, and then gradually moving up to manned flights? I want a stock experience, the ones I've found look really big or add loads of mods to the tech tree. What's something simple and stock that just makes you have to use probes first? Thanks :)

[Magna0pera]

You will struggle to earn science if you are playing a career mode with only probes. Just start with all tech unlocked maybe? Probes can't take crew reports, or EVA reports, or take surface samples. Neither can they reset the science module or the mystery goo.

They can't plant flags on planets either, or conduct science research in the mobile lab.

[แมทธิว]

Originally posted by Magna0pera:

You will struggle to earn science if you are playing a career mode with only probes. Just start with all tech unlocked maybe? Probes can't take crew reports, or EVA reports, or take surface samples. Neither can they reset the science module or the mystery goo.

They can't plant flags on planets either, or conduct science research in the mobile lab.

yeah I know all this, thats why its a fun challenge. But there are plenty of tech tree mods that are like this. I'm just looking for the best stock one, as there's lots of options.

You can make lots of science without crew reports, eva, surface samples, or resetting your experiments. The whole point is to be forced to explore the solar system a bit with probes before you can send kerbals there, which in a progression sense I find fun.

[Manwith Noname]

Things to look at...in no particular order...

https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/196589-1123-unkerballed-start-v131-happy-new-year-jan-01-2022/

https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/181013-ksp-18-112-probes-before-crew-pbc-version-293/

https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/174731-1123-tetrix-techtree-217-and-simplex-techtree-127/

I don't and have not used any, I'm just aware they exist.

Edit: There are others too, I just posted the ones that are marked as working with the latest version of the game. That doesn't mean the others don't work, they probably do but...well, I'd be here all day posting links.

[LUIS94]

Releasing the tree with only probed data will take a long time. The best way to get science is with the lab. Put one in the KSC itself, each building has different scientific data, just take this data to the laboratory and process it to multiply science. Do the same with a laboratory in space. When you transmit scientific data without first processing it in a laboratory you lose a lot of science.

[LUIS94]

One way to do this using probes would be to make probes that return to kerbin, but you would have to go to the probe, collect the data and take it to a lab using a kerbal

[แมทธิว]

Originally posted by Manwith Noname:

Things to look at...in no particular order...

https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/196589-1123-unkerballed-start-v131-happy-new-year-jan-01-2022/

https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/181013-ksp-18-112-probes-before-crew-pbc-version-293/

https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/174731-1123-tetrix-techtree-217-and-simplex-techtree-127/

I don't and have not used any, I'm just aware they exist.

Edit: There are others too, I just posted the ones that are marked as working with the latest version of the game. That doesn't mean the others don't work, they probably do but...well, I'd be here all day posting links.

Thank you this is to do with what I asked.

In regard to other people saying "probes r hard" this isn't what I asked. I know how to play the game thank you, I just want a probed start where I unlock manned flight 1/4 or so into the way of the tech tree.

In other news, I've decided upon trying this mod (unkerballed start) https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/196589-1123-unkerballed-start-v131-happy-new-year-jan-01-2022/

[Xero Effect]

Don't know if you are still considering, but I've been using this one and I really like the challenge it has. I've used several others in the past and they all end up getting a manned capsule (other than the jet cockpits) rather quick. This one at least requires you to do a fair amount before the first pods are un-lockable. https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/202292-1122-csi-tech-tree-05-usi-suite-updated/

[koimeiji]

"Probes Before Crew" is probably the best stockalike probe start mod there is.

However, the "ultimate" experience for a probes before crew game is definitely RP-1, from Realism Overhaul.

[Toastie Buns]

Originally posted by Magna0pera:

They can't plant flags on planets either, or conduct science research in the mobile lab.

I made a mod years ago that gave probes the ability to plant flags but I could never figure out how to make them plant at the side so it would place them under the probe and violently fling it into the sky.

As an alternative flavour, sometimes it would propel the flag into space.

Fun times