Mod question (location to install)

[Grey Buddhist]

Just a quick question regarding mods (with the new 'in-game' mod section).
If I find a mod, that supposedly has been updated to work with the new in-game mod system, and I download it....where do I extract the files to?

I am on a Windows 10 Pro setup, battletech thru Steam (in case there was any doubt).

Currently bored with the game (have base game and all DLC) and trying to find some updated, and good, mods to bring more things for me to work with (missions/mechs/weapons/portraits/factions/etc..). Any mod suggestions are also welcome.

Thank you in advance for answers.

[Mr. Moyer]

DON'T DO IT.
Version 1.8 / Heavy Metal has the Mod Loader built in, sure... but any mods you try to load will cause your game to freeze at the loading screen. Wait for more updates... maybe version 1.8.5 or 1.9 or wherever they go from here will handle mods better.

But to answer your question there are currently two ways to mod this game (unfortunately both of them cause the same "black loading screen of doom" when you try to start a game)...

[Grey Buddhist]

@dj_moyer - Thank you for the information. Looks like I will wait until it is 'fixed' a bit more then.

[Mr. Moyer]

Method 1: In-game loader (version 1.8 or later ONLY)
Put your mod files into the folder located here:
C:\Users\(YOURUSERNAME)[\b]\OneDrive\Documents\My games\BattleTech\mods
You should also see the HBS sample mod in that folder.

Method 2: Use ModTek instead. (version 0.7.6 and later works with game version 1.8 or later)
Create a folder called "mods" in your Steam\Steamapps\Common\Battletech folder.
After unzipping the ModTek files to A DIFFERENT LOCATION, move the unzipped folder titled "ModTek" from there into the Steam...Battletech\Mods folder that you just made.
Add your mod folders to that mods folder.
From the ModTek folder, run the "ModTekInjector.exe" program. In-game, keep ModTek mod as ACTIVE... or else you will break it. ModTek basically overrides the in-game v1.8 mod loader.

[Boltergeist]

The black screen you get when you use a incompatible modtek

Thats why modpacks tell you what version you have to use

Aka what version you select in the steam beta tabs to roll back too

Aka one of these things hbs did to support modders since the beginning

[Mr. Moyer]

Bear in mind that some mods come in zip folders. Put the Zip Folders SOMEWHERE ELSE, then unzip the contents into the mods folder. Then delete (or quietly ignore) the zip folders.

Each mod should have ONE folder inside the mods directory folder. Inside that folder should be the mod.json file (required for every mod) and the data files that make the mod function.

Some mods have versions for several operating systems. If you are running Windows, some of them have files intended for use with Apple OS - remember to delete those before you run the ModTekInjector.exe program.

[Mr. Moyer]

The only mods I tried were listed as compatible with 1.8 and Heavy Metal.
I tried one of the flashpoint mods for "better start" (I think it had a bigger payout than normal or something), one that was supposed to give better starting mechs and equipment, and a bunch that were only for adding emblems you can use as your in-game flag. I tried running each one alone, both with ModTek and also with the 1.8 loader. Same result every time: I got through the initial new game setup options screen and then it just sat there with the little game-tip thing changing every few seconds but nothing else happened for 45 minutes so I had to alt-f4 quit the program.

[Mr. Moyer]

I don't want to rollback. Not yet anyway. Maybe after I bet the campaign and a career or two I might try rollback to use RogueTech or something... but by then they may have newer versions with better support.

[Mr. Moyer]

The only mod that works is the HBS sample... and all it does is creates a log file on your system that says hello. Cute proof of concept, but doesn't add to the game.

[Mr. Moyer]

At least I'm having a good time with the "vanilla" content. It's a fun game.

[kensw]

Originally posted by dj_moyer:

The only mod that works is the HBS sample... and all it does is creates a log file on your system that says hello. Cute proof of concept, but doesn't add to the game.

Reset Stores works perfectly with the new system I am using it now
After you activated the mod did you Exit the game and restart to activate it?

[Mr. Moyer]

Yes I did.

[Mr. Moyer]

Then: Campaign -> New -> Custom -> change some settings there -> Create Character -> black loading screen of doom

[Mr. Moyer]

But if I delete all the mods (except HBS sample) it works fine.

[kensw]

Originally posted by dj_moyer:

But if I delete all the mods (except HBS sample) it works fine.

"all the mods" could you list what mods you are trying to use in the new modloader?

[Grey Buddhist]

my game (vanilla) used to have a problem with exiting, it would always hang after I clicked the exit game button.
A workaround, that seems to work better loading, and exiting, the game (strange as it sounds) is I open up GeForce Experience (since I have a GeForce graphics card) and load the game from inside that instead of STEAM. This is the second STEAM game that seems to have problems with freezing on exiting (for me).