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In-game mod support is exciting news for any game, andBaldur’s Gate 3is no exception to this rule. However, the modding community has been hard at work long before in-game modding was possible, so it’s no surprise that the in-game system conflicts with some pre-existing mods. Both Vortex, NexusMods' proprietary mod manager, and theBaldur’s Gate 3Mod Managerby LaughingLeader allowed the community to implement mods into their game before Patch 7, but now that in-game support is here, there are some issues.
The primary issues seem to stem from pre-existing or previously installed mods not uninstalling or operating correctly on the new patch, both with Vortex andBaldur’s Gate 3 Mod Manager(BG3MM).For any veteran modder, this is no new issue, as each time a patch is released for the game, some mods have to be updated by their creators to account for any changes implemented by the patch.In the case of Patch 7, many mods, like Mod Fixer and Script Extender, are no longer necessary. Larian worked directly with prevalent modders to integrate these must-haves into the game itself.
How To Use Baldur’s Gate 3’s In-Game Mod Manager
No Need For Script Extender, Mods Are Plug And Play
If you were too intimidated by the BG3MM or Vortex, you’ll be happy to hear that the in-game mod manager is really simple. All you need to do is browse the available mods, filter them based on what you want to do, and then download any that strike your fancy.
In the right-hand tab, you can enable and disable your mods individually, allowing you to customize your play experience each time.More mods are being added to the in-game list every day, so if there’s something you want that you can’t find, stick around for a while and keep an eye out for it before giving up too quickly.
One Baldur’s Gate 3 Mod Ensures You Won’t Miss A Second Of Dialogue
Plenty of dialogue may never appear in any given Baldur’s Gate 3 campaign, but one mod helps fix that issue without throwing off the game balance.
As mentioned previously, Script Extender is now included in-game, so you no longer have to download it separately. If you’re not sure your Script Extender is working for any reason, check the home page of the game, in the bottom left corner.It should say “Script Extender v# loaded, built on [insert date].”
The most recent version as of the date of this article’s writing (9/12/24,) is version 20, which was built on 9/6/24.
As long as you’ve got that up and running, you should have no issues with the mod loader. Now, if you had mods installed before Patch 7 came out, this might be a different story.
Issues Caused By Previously Installed Mods
Text-Box Bug Is Caused By An Out-Of-Date UI Mod, Likely ImprovedUI
If you’re getting the above popup window when you attempt to exit the game, press escape, and many other actions in Patch 7, you’re not alone.This issue could come from a few places, but the most likely culprit is the mod ImprovedUI, which changes the user interface menus and is necessary for most modded subclass, class, and race mods.To fix, follow these steps:
If you’ve done both of these things, also make sure that ImprovedUI isn’t showing up in that right-hand tab of the Mod Manager in-game, which will ensure it’s still not installed.Now that it’s gone, reinstall the Patch 7-friendly version of ImprovedUI from the mods list in-game, and enable it in the right-hand menu.You might need to restart your game for it to take effect, but this should allow you to play without any more annoying popups.
ImprovedUI now includes “Improved UI Assets” inside of it, so you’ll no longer need two mods for this mod to work.
Overrides in BG3MM
In previous versions of the game, there were types of mods called “Overrides,” which were active even if they weren’t in the active mod load order.This type of mod was discontinued with Patch 7, and most “Override” mods no longer work. If you’re in BG3MM and see you still have mods in your “Overrides” section, you should uninstall these mods and wait for them to be updated to work with Patch 7. Having these installed can cause all kinds of issues.
Issues Caused by Vortex
Unfortunately, Vortex Itself Seems To Be The Issue
Vortex is nice for a lot of reasons, as it allows you to auto-update mods instead of having to download the new versions yourself, but it’s not compatible with Patch 7 ofBaldur’s Gate 3.It’s highly encouraged by modders that new mod-users start with the BG3MM, as it’s much more compatible withBG3,so if you’re still using Vortex, it’s time to make the switch.Veteran Joystick’s video on YouTube provides a quick way to make sure you’re all set up for a brand-new Patch 7 save file, whether you used Vortex or BG3MM.
I myself was resistant to switching from Vortex; after using it for hours and hoursplaying moddedStardew Valley, I was really comfortable with how it worked. However,I found that it is truly easier to use the designated mod manager, even if it is a bit intimidating when you first start.Thankfully, the in-game mod manager eliminates the need for a third-party manager altogether unless you want to use mods not currently offered in-game.
If All Else Fails, Uninstall and Reinstall The Game
This May Be Time-Consuming, But It’s A Surefire Way To Clean Up Any Wayward Files
Unfortunately, you may find that none of the fixes you try seem to get your game up and running.In these cases, it’s best to completely clear out your mods from the mods folder and whatever manager you use, then uninstall and reinstallBG3through Steam. If you don’t want to go nuclear right away, you can try verifying the files if you want on the game’s page in your Steam library by hitting thegear button, “Properties,” “Installed Files,” and finally “Verify integrity of game files.“This will scan all the game’s files, ensuring everything looks how it needs to to run.
Verifying files will only look at the game’s files that are downloaded when you install it, meaning if you have a mod that’s causing issues, this won’t fix it. It will only fix any native game files that are messed up.
Whether you choose to continue to use BG3MM or migrate to the in-game manager entirely, mods are an awesome way to enhance your gaming experience. With theBaldur’s Gate 3modding toolkit now live as well, players can expect plenty of new and innovative mods in the next few months as the modding community goes wild. Modding is always tricky business, but hopefully, with a little troubleshooting and maybe a re-download, you’ll be playing your custom campaign and characters in no time.
