Single Player - Essentials

[chivs688 10]

Just got the game today and cant wait to get started.

But before I jump into the singleplayer, I was wondering if someone could advise me on some mods to improve my singleplayer experience.

So a great AI mod, graphics enhancement,...

Also which is a great mod manager/installer/updater?

Thanks.

Edited April 15, 2011 by chivs688

[bad benson 1733]

definatly check out:

GL4 (AI enhancement not so good for the campaign because they get too smart and missions can break due to this but a blast any any other situation)

DAC (very simular to GL4 but with lots of additional stuff for creating dynamik missions)

WarFX-BlastCore (super crisp explosions, muzzleflashs etc )

and of course

Mando's Missile Stuff (u can't describe this in short due to the crazy amount of features - basicly it adds super hightech weapon systems to alot of vehicles but it includes ALOT more)

there are of course more but in my opinion these are the things making the most drastic changes without being overloaded with unneeded additional stuff.

just search for these on armaholic.com. there are also guides for mod usage there.

[sdood 10]

You can try:

A.C.E (Huge,very popular mod that adds and changes alot in the game)

WarFX-Blastcore ( Particle effects,muzzle flashes,etc)

Sound mod is a must if using ace the ace sound mod is good.There are alot of sound mods but JSRS is the most popular and probably the one you should use.

JTD fire and smoke (adds fire and smoke effects,as well as birds in the mission)

DAC is good for ai but needs to be in mission,Mandos missle is good,ai mods like gl4 and zeus are good.You can download missions that use UPSMON,DAC,etc for improved ai,listed in mission info most of the time.

ShackTac Fireteam HUD (adds a hud for your fireteam that shows their name and orientation)

Shacktac movement (removes an annoying animation,and tones down weapons collision)

Best mod manager/installer/updater is probably Six updater,i use yoma addonsync.

Check out Armaholic.com for addons and missions

Edited April 15, 2011 by sdood

[mrcash2009 0]

As regards an addon "launcher" (to run the addons and launch game) I use ArmaLauncher. But as mentioned Yoma's is good for large data updates of the actual mods, and Six Updater.

To have without question I would say as above:

General visuals and helpers:

WarfxBlastCore

LandTex Arma2AddOn Version (makes chernarus land look much smoother)

JSRS soundmod

JTD Fire & Smoke

Gibbits "Copy My Stance" addon (so AI copy's your stance no matter what)

Mando Missiles Pack whole new experience with helis and flying/targeting

AI

Zeus AI

GL4

Theres are a fair few but this thread will help you allot (sticky in this section):

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=96591

[bad benson 1733]

Mandos missle is good but needs to be edited into missions or in them

not true!

if u install mando as addon u get several features on vehicles by default...that's the whole beauty of it! there are features for addon malers and mission makers but there are also "plug'n'play" components in Mando missile.

[mrcash2009 0]

Actually to clarify Mando comes in 2 flavours as one download pack, one that's so you can setup with missions, and the other that auto runs / autoinit ... its the autoinit version/pbo you run with if you want all the features to kick in while playing in helis/flight etc at any time.

[bad benson 1733]

exactly!

also GL4 is not bad for SP in general. sure it can break campaign missions but fiddling with the editor is a big part of SP in this game too. u can have alot of fun just placing some units when using these enhancements just BECAUSE the AI gets smarter and more independent. so don't say GL4 shouldn't be recommended for SP. because it basicly is a singleplayer mod. would be a great mistake to skip it!

[celery 8]

There are no essential mods. The game is awesome without any.

I suggest you try the game without mods for a while and only then think what you'd like to improve in it.

Edited April 15, 2011 by Celery

[mrcash2009 0]

There are no essential mods. The game is awesome without any.

Even stock sounds? Really? :)

I agree though, at least spend some time with vanilla game to get a handle on things. Introduce things like sound mods first as they wont real effect gameplay in terms of code or AI changes, then play around with AI mods later.

[DaveP 66]

Beyond sound mods, you also have to consider that gameplay improvement mods may make the AI do unexpected things in single player missions/campaign which could break said mission

[mrcash2009 0]

Actually a tip would be that seeing as you would have a mod launcher, it makes it easier to launch certain mods for certain things. So for example if you have all mods on with AI changes play what you think will be ok with those, then when it comes to stock campaign switch off AI mods for when your loading and playing those.

Bear in mind that game saves will include any mods, so removing a mod then loading a save game when it was active wont work so just bear that in mind.

I normally play with Zeus AI on smaller missions or my own generated, then when I play a campaign I launch without it, just get a work flow with launcher so you remember what mods you launch with for the campaign saves to continue where you left off.

Edited April 16, 2011 by mrcash2009