Simple edits for NPC weight + atronach perk issue

[Apap]

Hey guys,

 

so I wanted to create my own small patch to do the following:

 

1. Update some female NPCs' weights to make them appear curvier

2. Remove the annoying blue magic swirl effect on some NPCs that is supposedly caused by the Atronach perk (https://forums.nexusmods.com/topic/2158674-npc-swirling-aura-bug/ )

 

Here's what I did using xEdit:

 

1. Load all the basic plugins (skyrim, update, DLCs, USSEP)

2. Located a few NPCs (Ysolda, Ilya, Mjoll, Brelyna etc.)

3. Copied their individual entries using 'Copy as override into...' and created a new esp/esl

4. Bumped their weights closer to 100 

5. Saved the new plugin and agreed to a prompt about setting up respective masters

6. Moved the plugin into a new mod in MO2, then enabled and LOOTed it

 

For the second problem I copied the atronach perk into the same new plugin and removed the secondary condition (GetBaseActorValue) as suggested as the solution in the link above.

 

After I booted the game I couldn't see any changes to the NPC appearance and the stupid blue swirl was still present as well. 

 

I double-checked the process but couldn't figure out any obvious mistakes. Would anyone know why it didn't work for either problem? Should these edits be included in the bashed patch maybe ? It doesn't look like my edits would affect any levelled lists but I'll admit I don't have any deeper knowledge of how modding works.

 

On a side note, I don't use any body-randomizer mods, just a preset that has slider differences for weight.

 

Thanks in advance!

[traison]

4 hours ago, Apap said:

Saved the new plugin and agreed to a prompt about setting up respective masters

 

This sounds wrong, the masters prompt should show when you copy records. In your case it wouldn't show at all since the new plugin would likely already be created with Skyrim.esm as master because of the records being copied. Check the masters of your new plugin, make sure there's no extra entries there.

 

4 hours ago, Apap said:

Located a few NPCs

 

How? There is no rule against there being multiple copies of an NPC (Edit: not talking about Actors, note the difference) in the game. To find the NPC_ record of the NPC you're having issues with, the more reliable way would be to find them in-game, and get their reference ids from there using the console. If you have More Informative Console you can get the form id directly.

 

4 hours ago, Apap said:

I double-checked the process but couldn't figure out any obvious mistakes.

 

But did you double-check the load order?

 

4 hours ago, Apap said:

Should these edits be included in the bashed patch maybe ? It doesn't look like my edits would affect any levelled lists

 

As far as I know bashed patches are merged plugins. They do far more than just merge leveled lists if that's the case.

 

4 hours ago, Apap said:

For the second problem I copied the atronach perk into the same new plugin and removed the secondary condition (GetBaseActorValue) as suggested as the solution in the link above.

 

Which, depending on how the spell works, may not have any effect on already cast magic effects to which the unwanted effect is attached. You'd have to remove the MGEFs from the affected NPCs as well.

 

Edit:

4 hours ago, Apap said:

Bumped their weights closer to 100

 

This may cause a neck gap between the higher-weight body and the pre-built facegen mesh. You may need to rebuild these meshes in the CK to get the neck to line up:

 

1. Have your mod manager load the mods you want active when generating faces: tintmaks, head mesh, eye textures, ...
2. Open the CK.
3. Select NPCs you want to build.
4. Hit the hidden hotkey: Ctrl+F4

Edited November 10, 2024 by traison