» Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:38 am eXcalibr Book of Earache is designed for the seasoned player looking for a unique experience before we all move to New Vegas.
This mod is more than a replacer. It adds a TON of guns. More than 100 variations including weapons never before seen in Fallout3.
Unlike most weapon mods, this one does not add weapons to enemy or ally weapon lists (spawns), to common vendors, or to a crate outside vault 101. Instead, it gives individual weapons to named NPCs, random encounter NPCs, and specific factions. It then spreads the rest all over the wasteland for you to uncover as you explore.
It is compatible with the lore of Wasteland, the macdaddy game that started this whole thing, but not so much with the Fallout ripoff series. Wasteland featured clean, modern weaponry and was revolutionary for the introduction of selective fire.
The mod is currently a http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=14006 and I plan to have the gold code in early September. I am looking for constructive feedback before I lock the feature set. I would especially appreciate any coding suggestions to enhance performance and stability. I do my best, but my coding skills can be generously described as a blunt instrument (at best).
Features:
- Replaces all companion weapons with unique, playable guns. Does not replace energy weapons like Ahztek's overhaul, but Paladin Cross and Elder Lyons have been given nice smallguns instead of energy weapons.
- All vanilla uniques are truly UNIQUE and worth questing for. Miss Launcher is no longer a joke, and even the Zhu-Rong is a weapon to be reckoned with. Missing uniques are added to the gameworld for you to find.
- 100 additional new weapons are scattered about for you to find. With scores of new weapon scripts, you never know when you are going to stumble across something extraordinary, or stumble into someone else's crosshairs.
- A huge variety of ammo types are employed. A minimal amount of ammo is spread throughout the wasteland, and all NPCs have required ammo for the weapons they carry. Additional ammo can be added to vendors and loot lists with an optional esp.
- ALL weapons use highly detailed xCALIBR shells and slugs, and an integrated light version of Shells Rain. Hallelujah, its rainin' shells.
- A scaled kickback/muzzle rise effect is include for all smallguns. A 7.62mm automatic kicks like a mule. A match grade pistol with a compensator hardly rises at all. An algorithm applies the appropriate kickback for 3rd party weapons.
- CRAFT AMMO schematics Mod is integrated and updated with xCALIBR names, prices and a baker's dozen of additional ammo types.
- More variations of the open field reflex scopes introduced with the Munitions Shop.
- Missile launcher replaced by Toxa's RPG-7. "Withammo" lists and world instanced are updated with proper CALIBR RPG ammo. Schematic to craft RPGs can be found early in the quest so you can convert your missile inventory.
- Damage levels are higher than vanilla but not as high as FWE. They are competitive to a talented player. Damages are internally balanced.
Quest:
eXcalibr Universe contains a quest for the Book of Earache, a legendary weapons field manual long thought to be lost. This is more or less the back story of how Sy learned to build the great guns that he builds.
Following the quest will unlock the hotkeys for the weapons as well as the ammo schematics required to craft your own. Successful completion will give the player the ability to customize hotkeys and configure the kickback effect.
Hotkeys access the weapon scripts which add features like selective fire, functioning Taclights, enhanced optics modes or adjustable zoom on sniper scopes.
Completion will also unlock several vendor features. NightCaptain Durga will offer for sale most of the mod weapons so you can purchase what you cannot find. A new vendor you meet along the way will offer to upgrade some of the vanilla guns.
The quest starts in the eXcalibr Munitions Shop after you prove your chops by having you pockets full of meat.
Compatibility:
Book of Earache is designed with a minimal footprint to co-exist with as many mods as possible. Obviously, it doesn't work with other replacers, but it was developed and tested with FWE EVE MMM5.x and 20CW installed.
Toxa's arsenal should work fine so long as you load it before this mod.
FOOK2 works weapon wise, but the shop weapons will be very hard to acquire without cheating.
Greater sources of conflict would be Project Beauty or LingsPrettyThings as this mod changes the inventory of dozens of NPCs.
In general, load the xCALIBRuniverse.esp file after all your major mods and you will have a playable game.
NOT quite compatible with WMK. WMK energy weapon upgrades are unaffected by this mod, but the smallgun upgrades will revert to the vanilla model damage ammo etc. This mod has a different approach to weapon upgrades. You want a scope for that gun? Find someone who has a scoped version and kill them for it.
Life in the wasteland is harsh.
NOT compatible with CRAFT Ammo Schematics. Its already baked in and will cause conflicts.
Known Unknowns:
- For the quest, player must recover ink container from Arlington. Some mod is replacing the ink container quest item with a new object.
- For the quest, player must access an underground cistern containing a bobblehead. Some mod is setting this door inaccessible.
