Any MUST HAVE Mods for Biotech DLC?

[Kozzy]

Played alot of the vanilla Rimworld over the years, just picked up my first DLC/Expansion and am curious if anyone has any advice for suggestions for favorite mods for the Biotech DLC? I will try it out on its own first but just want to know if anyone has any what they would call "go to" that you love for Biotech?

Thanks

[Jaggid Edje]

My favorite mods for Biotech are several of the mods that add more genes and the Gene Ripper mod. I like messing with genes, a lot, so the more options the better. I am using several cosmetic-only gene packs even, so I can make all kinds of crazy not-human xenotypes.

I would also label WVC - Work Modes as a must-have for me now that I've used it. I learned about it here in the discussion boards just a week or two ago, but now I wouldn't want to play a mechanitor without it.

[Grayfang]

Vanilla Expanded Races is something to consider. They aren't "must have" by any means, but they do improve upon the original concept to the vanilla biotech xenotypes.

[Kozzy]

Originally posted by Grayfang:

Vanilla Expanded Races is something to consider. They aren't "must have" by any means, but they do improve upon the original concept to the vanilla biotech xenotypes.

Thanks!

[Kozzy]

Originally posted by Jaggid Edje:

My favorite mods for Biotech are several of the mods that add more genes and the Gene Ripper mod. I like messing with genes, a lot, so the more options the better. I am using several cosmetic-only gene packs even, so I can make all kinds of crazy not-human xenotypes.

I would also label WVC - Work Modes as a must-have for me now that I've used it. I learned about it here in the discussion boards just a week or two ago, but now I wouldn't want to play a mechanitor without it.

Cheers!

[-HoK- Cian]

Vanilla Genetics Expanded if you want to make crazy hybrid animals

[Kozzy]

Originally posted by -HoK- Cian:

Vanilla Genetics Expanded if you want to make crazy hybrid animals

thannk you

[XelNigma]

Mechanoid Focus post:

I feel like the vanilla mechanoid researches and crafting is just too simple. So this mod helps add some complexity to make it feel more rewarding.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2945753581

I would also strongly suggest one of the mods that makes the mechanoid Chips invulnerable. Far too often, they burn up or are exploded in the attack.

And one of the mods to make them craftable too. It gets really annoying having to fight the boss mechs over and over and over just to replace the gear that wears down so quickly.
There are several to choose from, I'll leave it up to you to choose.

Then for more control over the mechs I would recommend:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2888380373

This next mod adds many implants for your people, but also specialized ones for your mechanist.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3223443793

Now Mechanoids can generate lots of toxic waste. and some people accept it as a balance for having mechs, others just dont think its a fun or engaging mechanic.

This recycling mod pretty much makes toxic waste into a useful resources. Allowing it to be a source for rare metals like gold or uranium. but also a way to change normal soil into rich soil. Just be warned it negates toxic waste as a form of balance.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3155781848

Alternative I often look for a Poluxkin, a custom race in this next mod to deal with toxic waste in a bit more balanced way. They are a plant race of people that buff Polux Tree while also able to plant Polux bushes. And they even eat toxic waste! One alone wont null out a mechanator's toxic waste generation but it will slow it down. And it gives you something you need to protect. It takes so long to get a field of Polux bushes going that it hurts when a fire or something destroys them.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2927323805

Cosmetically there are a few retexture mods. from uwu bingbag looking things to HD mechanoids. and im sure theres some anima girls somewhere too. I'll let you find your own. but if you want more color options, and deeper colors (I hate the vanilla pastel options) you need this mod.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2929236759

I would recommend this one retexture for Mechanitor gear simply because its so good looking and vanilla looks really dumb.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2943977908&searchtext=mecha

[Elvi]

Prolly Gene Ripper (to be able to extract specific genes, rather than endlessly rolling the dice) and any gene pack mods that you find interesting.

Also Mechanoid work modes mod is kinda essential if you like mechs in my opinion, it has a lot of features, buts mostly so that mechs shut down automatically when they are not doing anything (the wandering idle mechs ht performance very hard over time).

[Kozzy]

Originally posted by XelNigma:

Mechanoid Focus post:

I feel like the vanilla mechanoid researches and crafting is just too simple. So this mod helps add some complexity to make it feel more rewarding.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2945753581

I would also strongly suggest one of the mods that makes the mechanoid Chips invulnerable. Far too often, they burn up or are exploded in the attack.

And one of the mods to make them craftable too. It gets really annoying having to fight the boss mechs over and over and over just to replace the gear that wears down so quickly.
There are several to choose from, I'll leave it up to you to choose.

Then for more control over the mechs I would recommend:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2888380373

This next mod adds many implants for your people, but also specialized ones for your mechanist.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3223443793

Now Mechanoids can generate lots of toxic waste. and some people accept it as a balance for having mechs, others just dont think its a fun or engaging mechanic.

This recycling mod pretty much makes toxic waste into a useful resources. Allowing it to be a source for rare metals like gold or uranium. but also a way to change normal soil into rich soil. Just be warned it negates toxic waste as a form of balance.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3155781848

Alternative I often look for a Poluxkin, a custom race in this next mod to deal with toxic waste in a bit more balanced way. They are a plant race of people that buff Polux Tree while also able to plant Polux bushes. And they even eat toxic waste! One alone wont null out a mechanator's toxic waste generation but it will slow it down. And it gives you something you need to protect. It takes so long to get a field of Polux bushes going that it hurts when a fire or something destroys them.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2927323805

Cosmetically there are a few retexture mods. from uwu bingbag looking things to HD mechanoids. and im sure theres some anima girls somewhere too. I'll let you find your own. but if you want more color options, and deeper colors (I hate the vanilla pastel options) you need this mod.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2929236759

I would recommend this one retexture for Mechanitor gear simply because its so good looking and vanilla looks really dumb.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2943977908&searchtext=mecha

Cheers on all the info, appreciate it!

[Kozzy]

Originally posted by Elvi:

Prolly Gene Ripper (to be able to extract specific genes, rather than endlessly rolling the dice) and any gene pack mods that you find interesting.

Also Mechanoid work modes mod is kinda essential if you like mechs in my opinion, it has a lot of features, buts mostly so that mechs shut down automatically when they are not doing anything (the wandering idle mechs ht performance very hard over time).

Thanks!

[HidesHisFace]

For biotech specifically there is one must-have I can think of - "Consistent gene inheritance"

The game, unfortunately, does not recognize player-made custom xenotypes by default for some reason.

If you breed two Pigskins, you will get pigskin child, for example.
But if you breed two exactly identical customs, their genes will not pass fully - they will not be the same xenotype as their parents and will inherit only a portion of their parent's features. Which, honestly... kind of defeats the purpose of having custom xenotype colony.