Typically with games abandoned by their developers (and this debate-ably seems to be the case now with PA), mods and community patches are generally the way to go. Is there any sort of list of essential mods/patches that exists or general consensus above mods that really only improve the game? I know "improve" is subjective, but things like adding more flexible UI, controls, bug fixes, etc., over time can often be seen as essential, just wondering if we are at that stage yet?
Totes Galactic Annihilation System Sharing, compact system view, and all of the map packs. Green Fab Spray. Bigger Explosions.
Cover The Line Fabricator Commander Faster Server Browser For Titans And Classic Infinite Build Continuous Build Stance PA Bug Fix For Invisible Battleship (Leviathan) Strip Mining For Titans And Classic System Sharing For Titans And Classic PA:T | More Pew Pew Queller AI v3.3 These cover more than the "essential," but I think they probably match what you're asking for best.
Don't use "Infinite Build" better use "Continuous build stance" cause it works better with server-mods that add/change factories.
Thanks all, lots of cool stuff, pretty much all of it seem to be what I'm getting at . Also some other cool stuff at https://github.com/aldrik/pa-mods too.
All the stuff I can't live without: Auto Start Game - launch that lobby as soon as all players are ready Better System View - metal per planet count Connect Buttons - needed to reconnect to custom servers Contact Replays - load replays from anyone in the contacts list Continuous Build Stance - infinite build on by default Don't Look At Me! - don't zoom to Commander on spawn Hotbuild2 - the best hotkey system No Default System - don't load a system when entering a lobby until one is chosen No Splash - removes initial splash, allows you to play offline if PlayFab is down PA Chat - global chat Queller AI - improved AI by me Team Colored Chat - easier to tell who's talking in relation to the game Twenty-Four Hours - because am/pm is for weenies UI tweaks - removes the group control bar and gives me more display space Also a whole bunch of map packs. If I played more Galactic War then I'd check out: No GW Video - removes the GW intro video GW Shared Systems - uses systems from the Shared Systems mod in Galactic War GW Ramp - an attempt at a smarter difficulty curve Once the Legion Expansion is out, a mod which adds a second faction equivalent in size and quality to the original, I'd wholeheartedly recommend that too. It's not.
I wouldn't call most of these mods essential but once you start using a particular mod you get accustomed to it and can't play without it anymore. For me the most essential mod is hotbuild2 but that is only because I am used to using it, you could play perfectly fine without it. I know there are a few good players who play without many mods at all. In saying that a lot of the mods mentioned are very useful.
Yeah, I mean hotbuild2 is the only "could simply not play without" mod. But never underestimate the joy of ease of use
When it comes to mods I only stick with the bear minimum essentials. (no but seriously why has noone mentioned Ubermap yet?)
Yeah yeah whatever. Same with coloured fx mods since they make units even hidden by fog of war distinguishable. We've had this discussion before. Need I remind you that pip exists as well but some lower end computers can't make use of them. It's as "cheaty" as making use of pip.
actually i found continuous build stance mod to be buggy when selecting groups of factories where some have continuous and others not. Infinite build doesn't have dynamic support for new modded units, but it's pretty reliable if you are just playing vanilla PA
Improved Graphics PA:T | More Pew Pew PA-FX CPlosion Titans Subdued Booster Soft Landing Fast Click Remove Alert PIPs Green Fab Spray Commander Tele Landing Rainbow Circle Ring Quality of Life improvements Favourite Colour No Default System Fast Delete Auto Start Game for Titans & Classic Circle to Line mod Blueprint Info Framework Floating Framework Chrono Click Team Uber Cannon Color Clean Control Bar No splash Soft Landing Display Rank Client for Titans & Classic Don't Look at me! Selected Unit Secondary Colour In space, no one can hear you explode UI Enhancements Better Micro Strip Mining for Titans & Classic Cover the line Anchor Buttons combat fabricator group deselect Better Macro Eco Manager Infinite Build Hotbuild2
If I were to pick one then "No Default System" would be it. I see a lot of other mods conflict and break some things within the game so I haven't found them worthwhile. And the custom planets, of course.