Best mod manager and essential mods?

[cheeseownsu]

I'm looking to try another playthrough, the last time I did the most annoying thing was random crashes after traveling on loading new zones. Everyone seems to have some preference as to what mod manager does best now, I haven't really played around with much since nexus launched vortex.

[LukanGamer]

I mean DAO is epic without mods and modding it these days (due to its age and age of mods) can be finicky(though not a huge deal or game breaking) like I know I had body mod work with armors way back then, but now all companions get invisible body except me and this 1 mod companion that was temp.

It all depends on what style of mods you looking for I mean the obvious thing to do / answer easily would just search top mods of all time and you get your answer.

[Xerica]

there really is no mod manager, the modding always turns out way better if you just manually install them yourself and make sure to get the xml files complier program so cosmetic mods can work seamlessly and together.

Head on over to nexus mods and check out the many different types of mods you can grab. there are plenty for dragon age.

Here is a video of mine that can give you an idea of what cosmetic mods can do for your character's looks and companions.

it takes time to mod it just the way you like it, but it is always worth it in my opinion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8xTapCavlw

[voehringer_nitron]

I have only a handful of mods installed, but most of them I installed manually. I think only of them required DA Mod Manager, but I can't recall which one.

First one I installed was the camp storage chest. I'm a packrat, and to have a place to store excess items is nice. You can also get a chest when you complete Soldier's Peak, but that takes longer to access, and you have to keep going back there.

Skip the Fade. It was interesting to experience once, but after that it gets annoying. Lots of back and forth to get all the different shapeshifts so that you can proceed through all the areas and get all the attribute boosts. This gives you all the XP, Codex entries, attribute points and shapeshifts (which can only be used there) and takes you to the end.

Character Repecialization. Lets you reassign a party member's attribute points, skills, talents/spells and specialization points. Want to make Morrigan a Spirit Healer, or Leliana a Duelist, go ahead. Only drawback is, it doesn't give Sten a level 7 specialization point.

Lock Bash. Lets Warriors try opening locked containers based on Strength, and Mages based on Magic. Plenty of games let you try bashing open a chest, or casting an unlocking spell. I believe this may have been intended to be included in the game, but it got cut. You can customize it so there is a chance for any items inside to be broken, or you can turn it off.

Extra Dog Slot. Lets you bring the Mabari hound with you, without it taking up a party member slot. That one party member in Golems of Amgarrak can have a ronto with him, why can't you bring along the dog, which is much smaller?

Make console commands visible and add item console command. Editing one of the text files lets you open the console, but you need a mod to see what you are typing. There's a few quests that were meant to provide item rewards, but due to bugs they don't work. You can add them without needing to download several separate mods for various items.

[LukanGamer]

Extra Dog slot is for sure one the most popular, it great. [just use the whistle it gives you if he dissapears and uncheck all companions when choosing who to bring (sometimes game will register dog with you when choosing).

[cheeseownsu]

Managed to break it already with bug patch and lock smash, well more so me editing the settings ini to try and stop crashing....

[SpookyKikii ♥TTV]

Skip the Fade. Honestly, play through it once and then you never wanna go back to it again. Best mod IMO, really useful & you get all the XP you would've got if you actually played it.

The DA Mod Manager on Nexus is pretty good, but a lot of mods are better with a manual install :)