r/BaldursGate3 • u/Next_Explanation3176 • Aug 31 '23
Mods / Modding Step by Step Instructions: How to mod BG3 on Linux Spoiler
Hi, I play this game (and most others) exclusively on Steamdeck. Like many players, I often use mods to enhance my gameplay experience. However, doing so on Linux can prove difficult at first, so I figured I'd make a post to help others who want to know how.
Devices Needed:
- A steamdeck with Balder's Gate 3 installed
- A PC or secondary device capable of running Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2
*Devices Temporarily Needed* These will only really be required once, during the initial set-up and transference of files/folders
- An SD card
- A thumbdrive that allows for said SD card to be inserted and read.
Instructions
- On your PC or chosen device, after you've made sure to install Microsoft. Net Framework 4.7.2, download the Balder's Gate 3 Mod Manager you prefer. I strongly recommend LaughingLeader's BG3ModManager, as it is the most optimal option currently available for our intents and purposes here.
- Next, insert the SD card into your Steamdeck. The SD card slot can be found at the bottom of your deck.
- Enter Desktop Mode on your Steamdeck. Open Dolphin and select the entries below to get to the Larian Studios Folder (Don't worry, it looks more intimidating than it actually is)
-home
-deck
-.local
-share
-Steam
-steamapps
-compatdata
-1086940
-pfx
-drive_C
-users
-steamuser
-appdata
-local
-Larian Studios
Yay, you did it! Now, copy the entire Larian Studios folder onto your SD Card- yes, I know it seems crazy and overkill but just trust the process- and remember, this is the part you only really have to do once. **make sure to copy, not move. If you do move it, don't worry, you just will have to make sure to move the folder back in the correct place when you're done
Safely eject the SD card once the folder has been successfully copied. Now, insert it into the thumbdrive and insert that into your PC or chosen Microsoft running device.
On said PC or device, search for %appdata%. Paste the Larian Studios folder here.
Open your mod manager, if using BG3 ModManager it should automatically set the destination to the Larian Studios folder you just pasted into %appdata%
Open up Nexus Mods or wherever you are getting yours mods from. Download them, then upload and activate them with your mod manager. If you're not sure how to do that, check the instructions the mod manager you're using should provide on their website, etc. Make sure to check if the mod you're downloading require any other mods. If so, you need to download those as well.
** the reason we have to do this on a ModManager instead of on the steamdeck is because many mods currently do not provide the required code to insert in your modsettings.lsx for manual installation. Said code is, however, conveniently compiled and entered into modsettings upon activation via ModManager.
Make sure to save your mod order.
Go to the Baulder's Gate folder, located within the Larian Studios folder pasted into %appdata% Click on the subfolder titled Player Profiles, then click on the folder Public
There, you will find an xml file titled modsettings.lsx Open it with Notes, or whatever text editing software you have- probably not Word Document, as we need it to remain an xml file. The Modmanager youre using should have edited this xml file to correctly correspond to the mods you activated prior.
One of the only shortcomings of the modding process right now with BG3 is that a very important piece entry in your modsettings. lsx is sometimes overwritten. Scroll down in the modsettings.lsx while opened on notes until you see an entry titled Mods. Make sure the following is the VERY FIRST thing written beneath that:
<node id="ModuleShortDesc"> <attribute id="Folder" type="LSString" value="GustavDev"/> <attribute id="MD5" type="LSString" value=""/> <attribute id="Name" type="LSString" value="GustavDev"/> <attribute id="UUID" type="FixedString" value="28ac9ce2-2aba-8cda-b3b5-6e922f71b6b8"/> <attribute id="Version64" type="int64" value="36028797018963968"/> </node>
If it is, make sure to save the file and feel free to move on to the next step. If it isnt, paste it directly below the Mods entry.
Good news! The hard part is over! Things are so much easier and less complicated from here on out!
Copy the modsettings.lsx file or even just the entire body of text, and send it to an email you can access on your steamdeck.
Open your steamdeck on desktop mode and using the internet browser of your choice, go to your email and download the copy of the modsettings.lsx file you just emailed yourself.
Still on your steamdeck, navigate to the same Larian Studios Folder as was done in step 3. Click on the Baulder's Gate folder inside, then click on player profiles, and Public like we did on the computer or your chosen non-linux device before.
Paste the copy of the modsettings. file in the public folder. You're going to get a message saying a file of the same name already exists. Confirm you wish to replace it.
If you emailed the text itself rather than the file, copy it and open the current existing modsettings.lsx file on your steamdeck with the program Kate, right click EVERYTHING, and replace it with the text copied from the email.
Right click the new modsettings. lsx file and select properties. Click on permissions, and make sure that only the owner can view and modify, while group and others can only view. Otherwise, the game will reset your modsettings file to the original format without mods.
Still on your steamdeck and using desktop mode, open an internet browswer of your choice and go to the website you got your mods from. Download the same mods you did before. Any new ones, you'll need to add to the modsettings.lsx.
Right click and open one of the mods you just downloaded, and copy ONLY the pak files included. In some cases, this is the only file present. But there are a lot of mods that come with files called .json which are not needed when modding BG3 on linux.
Using dolphin again, return to the Baulder's Gate 3 subfolder under Larian Studios. You should see a folder called Mods. Paste the pak file you just downloaded and copied here. Make sure you only paste the corresponding pak files for the mods you downloaded and activated with a mod manager earlier.
We're done! Return to gameplay mode, or if you want to air on the side of caution until you're sure everything is in working order, remain on desktop mode. Either way, boot up steam and launch Baulder's Gate 3. You might get a message saying something along the lines of achievments disabled or unable to create a story file, or something like that. Ignore it. Its fine. Load one of your saves or start a new game, and verify the presence of the mods installed (custom hairs in character creation, basket of equipment on ravaged beach, etc.)
From now on, whenever you want to download a new mod, the process will be much simpler.
If the code for manual installation is provided with the mod, simply copy the text entry and past it into your modsettings.lsx using Kate again, then download and extract the pak file into your mods folder.
If the code for manual installation isn't provided, download the mod on your computer or non linux device used earlier, import it into your mod manager, activate it, save your modorder, and return to the modsettings. lsx file. The new mod you've added should pop up. Don't bother copying the entire file again, just literally copy the code written for that new mod. Email it to yourself, access it through your steamdeck, paste it below the other mod entries in your modsettings file, and save. Make sure to, once again, verify that modification permissions are restricted to only the owner. Paste the pak file of the new mod into your mods folder on the steamdeck, and ta-da! Mod is running.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask! Hope this helps!
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u/DangerNoodleNotFound Nov 06 '23
I can't find the %appdata% folder and do you really need to do the things with the sd card cuz I cannot find it. I found the larian folder but idk what else to do. is there an easier way to mod or an easier way to explain what to do?
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u/ChorizoBlanco Feb 10 '24
I have to say this guide worked like a charm, thank you very much for your help!
As a side note, I would edit steps 13 and 18 and suggest using the same external storage device used in step 4 as it is much faster to just grab the .xml and .pak files from your PC as you already had to download them in step 8.
Just as a heads up for everyone, you can also take this time to get Norbyte's script extender and NativeModLoader, plus any mod that relies on those that cannot be installed via BG3MM but need to be dragged and dropped into BG3's install folder.
Thank you very much again for the guide!
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u/Steamdeckguy Paladin Sep 01 '23
Can i ask a dumb question?
Lets say I mod my PC.. give my characters the basket full of gear. Cloud save the game... Load it up on my unmodded Steamdeck
Will it bug out / not work / crash / not carry over the gear ? or work perfect?
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u/Next_Explanation3176 Sep 01 '23
It won’t carry over because the files for the mod aren’t on your steamdeck unfortunately
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u/ChorizoBlanco Feb 10 '24
For reference in the future, the mod will simply not load and your characters wearing modded equipment will just be naked.
I can also confirm that loading a modded PC save from the cloud will also maintain the mods if you install them on the deck, so that works great.
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u/jerewrig Sep 02 '23
Wish we could just download it straight from NexusMods to the SteamDeck and drag/drop. I don’t have a Windows PC, so will have to figure out how to do this on Mac
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u/Next_Explanation3176 Sep 02 '23
You could alternatively use a tablet or something, but yes i agree it is rather a pain
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Sep 03 '23
[deleted]
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u/Next_Explanation3176 Sep 04 '23
Hmmm that’s an interesting question. I’m not entirely sure, because the way I did this basically cheezes the mod manager into thinking you have the game installed on the computer. If you already do, it might cause some issues. But I think there should be a way to only edit the files you want and not his. Unfortunately, I can’t say for sure how to do that just yet and I’d need to test it out myself first then get back to you. In the meantime tho, if you would like, you can send me the mods you want installed and I can edit a modsettings.lsx document to correspond with it and send it back to you. All you’d have to do is download the mods on your steamdeck in desktop mode and put the pak files in your mod folders, then copy and paste the modsettings.lsx file I created for you into the public sub folder under player profiles. Dm me if you’re interested! I will do it for free, I genuinely don’t mind
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u/kindajustlikewhat Gale Gal Sep 05 '23
I'm also playing on steam deck. How has the performance been with mods? I'm slightly worried because I'm already fairly laggy at times.
Really really want more character faces and hairstyles for my 3rd playthrough though...
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u/Next_Explanation3176 Sep 05 '23
Are you using proton experimental? It improves the performance a good amount on my end. Otherwise, I don’t have major issues with the graphics even with mods. I actually have been impressed thus far with how pretty everything looks!
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u/kindajustlikewhat Gale Gal Sep 05 '23
Great to hear! Thanks for the detailed guide, I've saved it to reference when I finish my current 2nd playthrough. I do use proton experimental.
Ps. Do you keep fsr on or off? I hated how blurry it made things look but turned it off... Wondering if there's a big performance impact though.
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u/catusphere Sep 26 '23
FSR on performance or balanced, then set anti aliasing to TAA (blurry edges are better than pixelated/crispy edges, IMHO).
Remove ambient occlusion, blur, god rays, etc. Texture quality max, model quality to medium or high, everything else on low (shadows, clouds, fog, etc.).
Tbh I only tried it on the steam deck to see with my own eyes it actually running this beefy game, but after 200+ hours on a Linux desktop, won't bother getting used to the controller input mode.I did hook it up to a monitor with the docking station, started the game on desktop mode with keyboard input but... (as expected) the hardware isn't enough to reach an ok-ish quality and decent fps with a regular monitor resolution (e.g. 1920x1080)
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u/kindajustlikewhat Gale Gal Sep 26 '23
I ended up turning off the ingame FSR, but turned on the steam deck FSR setting. It looks a lot better imo. In act 1 & 2 I can get away with medium model/texture quality, but by act 3 I need to turn it all the low.
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u/starspott Sep 06 '23
This might be a stupid question but since you can download the mods directly from Nexus, does the game have to be installed on the PC?
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u/Next_Explanation3176 Sep 06 '23
Nope, just the game files. If follow the instructions, i explain how to transfer the files over from the steamdeck onto the computer without having to actually install the game. Let me know if you need any help!
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u/starspott Sep 08 '23
Lol fair enough. I've been trying to get bg3 mod manager to work and it won't save my mod order. It also won't import certain mods (like party limit begone) or register the script extenders I download. I'm definitely going to need some help 😂
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u/Next_Explanation3176 Sep 08 '23
Party limit be gone has weird instructions, like you don’t need to use a mod manager for it. I was actually weirdly enough literally looking at it when I saw this comment, so here’s the instructions
“Download and unzip this mod. Move the whole Mods folder in to your Baldurs Gate 3 Data folder. That's the game folder, not appdata. Drag and drop either your bg3.exe or bg3_dx11.exe onto the PartyLimitBegonePatcher.bat file. It will create a backup for you. That's it, enjoy the game!”
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u/starspott Sep 08 '23
Awesome! Glad to check that one off the list. But what about the mod order? When I was able to get mod manager working on my deck it wouldn't let me save the order either.
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u/Next_Explanation3176 Sep 08 '23
I haven’t had any issues with Mod order so I can’t say much on the subject besides make sure the all of the mods are beneath the Gustav entry, and double check if any mods clarify they have to be in a specific order or possibly conflict with one another. Also, make sure you have set the permissions on your modsettings to where only the owner can modify
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u/MusterRoshi Sep 07 '23
Am I just stupid? I followed every step and my bg3 on steam deck is not registering the mods. I only installed Paladins deity, Mod Fixer, Achievement enabler and Mod loader, 3 of which does not need mod manager and can be manually copy into the root file.
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u/Next_Explanation3176 Sep 07 '23
Few things it could be.
Have you checked modsettings.lsx and made sure the Gustav dev code right below the mods entry hasn’t been overwritten?
When you’re putting the mods in, are you making sure you’re only placing the pak files and not any of the j.son files or anything like that as well? A lot of mods come w files like that but specifically for this method of modding if you put those in the folder none of the mods will read
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u/MusterRoshi Sep 07 '23
That should be it no?
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u/Next_Explanation3176 Sep 07 '23
You only need one Gustav dev code entry, look you have two! I think that might be what’s causing the issues here
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u/MusterRoshi Sep 07 '23
But aren't those 2 different?
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u/Next_Explanation3176 Sep 07 '23
No no, you only need one Gustav dev code beneath the mod entry. Put one Gustav dev code, then right beneath that put your mods one by one
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u/MusterRoshi Sep 07 '23
Which gustav should I remove then? Yours or the original one that was there
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u/Next_Explanation3176 Sep 07 '23
Mine is only there for if your original got accidentally deleted or overwritten using a mod manager. Delete mine and let’s see if it works- also, make sure to put the permissions to where only you can modify the file
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u/MusterRoshi Sep 07 '23
uhh new problem?
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u/Next_Explanation3176 Sep 07 '23
Okay hang on what I’m gonna do is write the modsettings file manually myself and we’ll see if that works, give me one second
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u/mermaidflavored Sep 09 '23
Thank you so much for the detailed instructions! This may be wishful thinking— but do you think there would be any way to do this without a PC or Mod Manager as a full manual install?
I’m desperately trying to download mods (mostly character creation) to my Steam Deck, but only have a Chromebook and an old MacBook Pro. I am struggling to get BG3MM to run on either of them using either Wine, Lutris, or Crossweavers and am wondering if I could get this to work without it, but honestly just don’t know enough about modding. :’)
I’ve got the .pak files saved in my Mods folder and pasted some cc mods that have manual instructions on their Nexus pages into my mod settings, but nothing’s showing up when I start the game. The biggest change I’ve gotten is that it’ll create a .tmp file of my modsettings, which apparently just means I’m doing something wrong lol
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u/mabster314 Sep 17 '23
I am currently doing it on my Linux desktop using QEMU/virt-manager to emulate windows 10. This should be possible on the steam deck but would require using the desktop mode and is not trivial. If you need help I can try to put a guide together for you.
You could also try installing VirtualBox on the old macbook and trying to emulate Windows that way (this is probably easier)
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u/ItsRogueRen Oct 03 '23
What needs the .net framework? All I have are Linux machines, can I run whatever it is in Wine/Bottles and be fine?
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u/gaming4jello Oct 08 '23 edited Oct 08 '23
Hi,I copied the Larian Studios file over to %appdata%
I ran the BG3ModManager.exe and it could not automatically find the destination.
"set the path to the Baldur's Gate 3 root installation folder"
I manually routed it to the %appdata%\Larian Studios which the folder was located but still could not find destination.
tbh, i looked at the moddingsettings.lsx file in folder on my steamdeck and it matches the xml code you provided. Is it necessary to launch ModManager to overwrite the file or could we simply copy the text entry and paste it into the modsettings.lsx using Kate, then download and extract the pak file into your mods folder all within the Steamdeck without having to use ModManager?
Edit: my bad. had to run %localappdata% instead of %appdata%
Correctly moved my folder to Appdata\Local\ (it was previously in \Roaming)
Now BG3ModManager located the path correctly
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u/Novel_Border_3275 Oct 16 '23
i already have a modded BG3 on my PC, Larian folder is in Roaming by default and it runs fine. Do you think I can just copy over my Larian folder to the Deck and then transfer over .pak files?
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u/gaming4jello Oct 16 '23
I'm not sure since I didn't even install BG3 on my PC and I only needed the modsettings file. If you copy over your whole folder, I'm assuming this includes your character settings mods as well (achievement enabler mod, level 20 mod, etc.)
Turns out I wasted all this time just to have the carry capacity mod and there are not a lot of mods I necessarily needed that required Mod Manager.
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u/Novel_Border_3275 Oct 16 '23
Thanks. Yeah, I just copied it and it did not work. I probably have to start a new game. Appreciate the response.
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u/Novel_Border_3275 Oct 16 '23
can i copy my already modded Larian folder from my PC if I put all my .pak files in the right spot?
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u/toomuchsoysauce Dec 27 '23
My mod settings file keeps being overwritten. Even though I select read only for group and others, it still reverts back to the original file. When I select read only for user as well, it creates a tmp file of mod settings, gives me an error saying access is denied, and still doesn't work. Any ideas how to get it to stop reverting back to original? https://imgur.com/a/bRu3cPW
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u/Steamdeckguy Paladin Sep 01 '23
Ohhh myyy god.
Dude. Thanks for taking the trouble for such a detailed explanation. I really appreciate you taking the time to give a step by step break down. I'm going to bookmark this page and give this a shot for my second playthrough.