Easiest way to change the armor/weapon of an npc?

[floatingdeadrobot]

Some amazing outfit/armor/weapon mods out there, but I dont want to wear all of them myself and I can't see an easy way to just apply them to NPCs.

Maybe I just want to put Ulfric and Tullius in tattered rags. I was hoping I wouldn't have to learn how to use the CK to do it though (unless it's easy).

Also would like to fight some of the player designs as NPC enemies or even followers, but I am guessing that is infinitely more difficult than changing an NPC's appearance.

[alexander_dougherty]

you need to use console commands to access their inventory, give them the armour you want them to have and remove their default armour.

I have done it in the past, just can't remember the console command anymore.

[Ihateeverybody]

There is no way to do it that I know of where the CK (or similar) isn't used. Maybe look into something to do with SPID. That might work (I really know nothing about it).

The CK method:

A little background information.

So every NPC has a default outfit. This is essnetially a record of various clothing or armour that the person (dev or modder) said they will wear. Some even have a default sleeping outfit, this is the outfit they change to when sleeping.

Lets take Uthgerd the Unbroken as an example.

Her default outfit is ArmorSteelPlateNoHelmetOutfit [OTFT:000579A3]. Now if we opened that list we would find The Cuirass, the boots, the Gauntlets. That is what She will wear unless given better armor (We won't even discuss what she considers best). Her default sleep outfit is DefaultSleepOutfit [OTFT:0001697D] (which I think if i remember correctly is Belted Tunic (Beige/Yellow outfit).

So to alter an NPCs outfit, you would have to override these outfits with either a better outfit (again, that is up to the NPC based on perks and whatever requirement fits their needs). These outfits are not in inventory so they just can't be taken away (They usually come back). I used to do that with EFF and it drove me crazy.

So for general out in the world NON follower NPCs what would need to happen is you would have to alter their NPC record and have a mod dependability on the mod that has the armor.

Dressing Tullius and Ulfric in Rags is simple. Rags are a Vanilla Outfit. You would just load up the Skyrim.esm and Update.esm (No Active File, don't make either Active). Change their Default Outfit and Default Sleep outfit to Rags (think its called Begger outfit or Prisoner Outift depending on which rags you mean.) Save as new plugin. then you are good to go.

Creating a dependency on an armor mod would be just as simple. You load the Mod (it will already have Skyrim.esm as a Master). Create an outfit (This is a list of the items you want them to wear) then assign to the NPCs and save as a New Plugin. Then enable that plugin.

[ĿIFE oƒ ƤIE]

You can change the default outfit records in game via scripting, best to use a follower manager mod.

[floatingdeadrobot]

I really dont want to use the CK, I've heard bad things about it, plus I'm using a downpatcher on the forced AE update to get it back to SE, which could maybe complicate things further.

Here's what I'm thinking.

1. Download mods.
2. Find mods unique item numbers
3. Create a bat file to add all the armors to the npcs I want
4. Use bat file(s) after starting a new game (assuming the armors are set to default on new game)

I've read you have to keep a single piece of default armor on the npc otherwise they just remove everything soon after.

I feel like this is harder than it should be though if the CK can do it quicker.

[Altbert]

@floatingdeadrobot:

That won't work! Adding armors to an NPC's inventory will only put the armors in their inventory, but it will NOT change their outfit. Also using a batch file will not change their default outfit, as there are no console commands to change an NPC's outfit. There are three ways to change an NPC's outfit:

• Change a base actor's default outfit in the Creation Kit
  
• Change their default outfit using xEdit
  
• Create a new mod and use a script to change the outfit, or use an existing mod with such functionality

Either way, it may take some time before the NPC actually changes their outfit. As long as the NPC is 3D loaded (the player is still in the same loaded area) the NPC will not change outfit.

[floatingdeadrobot]

Just downloaded the CK, fired it up and the render screen does nothing but flash at me. Looked online and apparently I need to roll back my graphics drivers. I am already done with it.

Do you think I'd have a better time with xEdit?

[Altbert]

I'm using CK64 v1.5.73.0 with CK64Fixes Rev 1948737, but I don't know if you can still download that version, since there is a new version 2.x. You can also use xEdit, but if you need a specific outfit, make sure to make the mod a dependency, or make a new mod with your specific outfit. You can also do that with xEdit.

[Jirki88]

Getting modded armors/weapons on random NPCs isn't that difficult (depends on the mods tho, some armors/weapons are for player/followers only)... especially not if you combine it with random NPC mods (e.g. mods that adds patrols, wandering NPCs, mercenaries and the like). All you need to do is to merge the leveled lists in a Bashed Patch (with Wrye Bash) and you'll see them pop up here and there.

It's in fact much easier than trying to change the outfit of a specific NPC.

[jreese46]

Download Amazing Follower Tweaks and Simple NPC Outfit Manager. Use the outfit manager to give them whatever default outfit you want through dialog. Use AFT to make them a follower and give them weapons. They will keep AFT weapons but not outfit after dismissal, hence the simple npc outfit manager combo.

I use a bunch of different mods that add readily-available followers who travel the roads and taverns. I routinely use this mod combo to give them the armor and weapons I want, then release them to travel on their merry way.

[Altbert]

Yes, there are several solutions, but it all depends on your preferences. I don't like followers (no follower frameworks) and also don't want to change the outfit of all NPCs (no outfit manager). I have just one steward and don't want her to walk around in monk outfit, and made a small mod (less than 1k) to change her outfit to that of a mage college outfit for a destruction mage.

[FauxFurry]

A mod such as the NPC Clothes Changer and Maintainer are the best bet. No follower framework is required and no full load order slot is needed, either.
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/50066?tab=description

[FauxFurry]

Originally posted by Altbert:

Yes, there are several solutions, but it all depends on your preferences. I don't like followers (no follower frameworks) and also don't want to change the outfit of all NPCs (no outfit manager). I have just one steward and don't want her to walk around in monk outfit, and made a small mod (less than 1k) to change her outfit to that of a mage college outfit for a destruction mage.

Outfit managers like the one that I just posted only affect the NPC who one is managing. The menu only shows up when wearing a ring added to the player's inventory when the mod successfully activates.

[Altbert]

Originally posted by FauxFurry:

A mod such as the NPC Clothes Changer and Maintainer are the best bet. No follower framework is required and no full load order slot is needed, either.
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/50066?tab=description

Thanks, I will try that one!

[floatingdeadrobot]

That seems like the easiest solution. I really wanted to have the clothing sorted before the game starts but I guess the point and click solution is the best one for those who cant get CK or sseEdit to work (maybe due to the down patcher, but who knows, havent got time to work it out)

[floatingdeadrobot]

Anyone used Project Proteus mod? It seems to be able to change weapons and armor without talking which would be useful for enemies who you can't talk to.

It also does some incredibly powerful stuff like import old save characters as npc followers, though I have no use for that right now personally.