LE2 Prologue Framework mod for Mass Effect Legendary Edition

LE2 Prologue Framework

This mod makes changes to the way the game will load assets during the very first part of the game (the opening scene through to departing Minuteman Station). It means that certain NPCs will load from their own unique files, improving compatibility between mods and reducing the need for patches.

Installing this on its own will not result in any visible differences. It is a framework for other mod developers to use as a baseline so that their mods work together. Those mods will mark this framework as required.

This mod works the same way as the streaming framework in the LE3 Community Patch, though it is more targeted in scope. Detailed instructions are provided further down this page.

Installation and Compatibility

Import the .7z file into ME3Tweaks Mod Manager. Apply the mod to the game.

This mod requires the Unofficial LE2 Patch, version 0.9.5.2 or later.. You must install this first.

Warning!

Using prologue mods built built for this framework and mods which were not at the same time will not work and will break your game. The changes the framework makes to the way files are loaded and what they contain are very invasive. Using incompatible mods won't just override or break things, they have a good chance of landing you in a softlock.

You MUST make sure to read the requirements of the prologue mods you are using to be sure you are using only compatible mods.

HOW TO USE THE FRAMEWORK

This framework streams in characters from files with the BioNPC prefix instead of leaving those pawns within the main level package files. If you want to edit the appearance of these characters, you can edit the appropriate pawn within the BioNPC and mount above this mod (which mounts extremely low at 2503). This way your mods will be compatible with other edits of other characters, or mods that need to edit the main files but do not edit characters (i.e. dialogue mods, etc.)

Some BioNPC files have more than one pawn. This is because different pawns may be present in the same scenes, sometimes different scenes require different types of pawns, and sometimes pawns have different properties like light environments. Below is a list of the pawns in each package, how they are tagged, and what they are in the game.

Vanilla BioH files for Miranda, Jacob and Wilson are also used during the prologue - see the notes section for further detais.

BioNPC_ProMiranda.pcc
hench_vixen_par + hench_vixen_fem = Miranda during the opening scene. Both pawns used in the same scene.
procer_miranda = Miranda during the scene where Shepard wakes up on the table.
procer_vixen = Miranda during the scene where she shoots Wilson and druing the shuttle flight to Minuteman Station.
station_vixen = Miranda aboard Minuteman Station.

BioNPC_ProTIM.pcc
npc_illusive_man_par + npc_illusive_man = The Illusive Man during the opening scene. Both pawns used in the same scene.
npc_illusive_man_sta = The Illusive Man aboard Minuteman Station.

BioNPC_ProSecretary
pronor_secretary = The Illusive Man's secretary.

BioNPC_ProAshley.pcc
hench_ashley = Ashley during the Normandy evacuation. Armoured, helmeted look present in prerendered video. But can change head/hair, etc.

BioNPC_ProKaidan.pcc
hench_kaidan = Kaidan during the Normandy evacuation. Armoured, helmeted look present in prerendered video. But can change head/hair, etc.

BioNPC_ProLiara.pcc
hench_liara = Liara during the Normandy evacuation. Armoured, helmeted look present in prerendered video. But can change head, etc.

BioNPC_ProJacob.pcc
station_leading = Jacob aboard Minuteman Station.

BioNPC_ProWilson.pcc
wakeup_wilson = Wilson during the scene where Shepard wakes up on the table.
procer_wilson = Wilson wounded and waiting for medigel, through to when he joins as a squadmate.


NOTES:
- Miranda's video diaries on Lazarus Station import from her BioH file.
- Jacob is streamed in from his BioH file for the entirety of the Lazarus level, including the shuttle ride over to Minuteman Station.
- Wilson is streaming in from his BioH file after he joins the squad.
- BioH files must be loaded into memory concurrently with BioNPC files. Per regular modding rules, if you want to vary appearances, you will need to make sure everything is uniquely named.
- Joker is not included because he has extended appearances in pre-rendered cutscenes. This is the majority of his prologue content.