Back to SE4 ! Request on "best mod setup"

PDF · #1 April 4th, 2006, 07:26 AM

Well, some playing of GC2 made me install *again* MoO2 and SE4, and I'm amazed that even now there is still new patches and an overactive mod community, maybe more active than 3 years ago !
So I've installed the game, patched it up to 1.95, and now the question is "which mods" !

I would like to play "vanilla SE4" - I mean standard SE universe and races, not Starstuff or StarWares, but with "optimized/improved" things as much as possible.

For the IA I suppose TDM mod is still the best, for variety FQM is also here, but can you guys point me at anything new/cool that would be compatible with both ?

Thx !

Atrocities · #2 April 4th, 2006, 10:33 AM

Adamant
Carrier Battles
Star Trek Mod
Dark Nova

are a few of the current outstanding mods available that have recently been updated. STM is good for single player, not sure about the others.

Ed Kolis · #3 April 4th, 2006, 10:42 AM

Welcome back!

Carrier Battles has a brand-new AI, thanks to Rollo...
Pretty sure Dark Nova has a decent AI...
Heard about SE5 yet? Supposed to come out in June... SJ is working on a version of Carrier Battles for SE5 which is going to require a heck of a lot of processing power to run the battles - but boy will they look shiny!

Alneyan · #4 April 4th, 2006, 10:47 AM

FQM is compatible with pretty much anything out there. TDM isn't compatible with most mods, however: the AI files only work for the vanilla components, so don't go adding anything else. PvK Balance is compatible with TDM, though you will have to create Empire files for the AI too; it makes more Empire choices viable, unlike the vanilla game where there's one standard and a couple variations, no matter what.

AIC is the other mod primarily focused for single player, though it alters the basic gameplay very much. Most other mods are best played in multiplayer, I think. Among these I'll add Proportions 3.0 to the list.

Atrocities · #5 April 4th, 2006, 10:53 AM

The expanded mod is also a good single player mod. Its more like TDM than all the other mods, except that it has been set up to use neo standard ships, and incorperates the FQM mod (Fyrons Quadrant Mod).

It might now load though because of the StarMenu.bmp but that is easy enough to fix. Just copy over the StarMenu.bmp from your 1.95 installation of SE IV Deluxe into the same location within the Expanded mod. - easy.

And ya, welcome back.

Dizzy · #6 April 4th, 2006, 11:00 AM

I started off with the expanded mod. Oh wow it was so much cooler than stock. Then I started using Devnul mod. Its also close to stock... but more options. Then I started modding myself... creating things I wanted here and there.... using bits of other mods. Customizing my game...

Carrier battles is way different from the stock game. Might try that for a completely diff exp.

PDF · #7 April 4th, 2006, 01:05 PM

Thanks to all for the replies!
I didn't knew about Expanded Mod, too recent for me, but it looks exactly to be what I was seeking - an "upgraded" SE4 set in the SE universe.
I knew Proportions, and quite liked it (maybe a little too slow to start..), will be a good candidate for another SE univerese experience with changed gameplay. Maybe Carriers Battles also.
Adamant and Dark Nova are presented as MP mod without custom IA, as I'm interested in solo play I think I'll pass.
For an universe change I think I'll have a look at the huge StarTrek mod (a favorite universe for me 'cause it reminds me of my youth

).

Edit :
Dizzy, I think I've seen a mod of you somewhere but can't remember where, nor what it does ...
Last note, I'm also waiting for SE5, has anyone a release date sooner than June ?

Fyron · #8 April 4th, 2006, 02:23 PM

Dark Nova has adapted TDM AI in it these days.

Adamant does have functional AI in it, though it is not highly optimized like a TDM or an AIC.

Suicide Junkie · #9 April 4th, 2006, 03:01 PM

Carrier Battles has some very scary AIs, thanks to rollo.

Even though the AIs are preliminary, I play against them on *No Bonus* settings, and life is tough. At low bonus, and a thinly populated galaxy, you might be able to hang on if you're good.

Urendi Maleldil · #10 April 4th, 2006, 03:18 PM

The best part about SE4 is that it's so easy to make your own mods. I have at least three "experimental" setups in my SEIV folder, not including the Masters Mod (which, BTW should be fully compatable with the TDM Mod, and 99% compatable with Fyron's Quadrant Mod)