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Synth

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SyntheticSyndicate

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About this mod

A complete mod list and mod installation guide for Mass Effect Andromeda.

Requirements
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In this beginner friendly guide I will explain how to install Andromeda mods to have an amazing Mass Effect experience.

I selected mods that overhaul Mass Effect Andromeda characters, improve its combat, modernize its gameplay and I also included a hefty amount of quality-of-life mods that make the game as nice as possible to play.

I selected mods that don't harm performance too much so this mod list can be used on any PC, as long as you can run vanilla Mass Effect Andromeda fine.
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Q: How long does it take to complete this guide?
A: Around 2 hours.

Q: How many mods are listed in this guide?
A: There are 70+ mods that account for 140+ plugins.

Q: I have cracked version, can it be modded?
A: NO!

Q: Can I use this guide with a low-end PC?
A: Yes. I selected mods that don't tank performance.

Q: Do I really need to buy RTGI shader to enjoy this mod list to the fullest?
A: No. Plus, I don't think RTGI adds that much to the game to begin with, hence it is listed as an optional feature to install.

Q: Can I use other/unlisted mods with this guide?
A: In theory yes. However I will not help you out if something bad happens to your game.

Q: I hate Mass Effect Andromeda... Will you change that?
A: Then why are you here? :D

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If you have already applied mods to your game before discovering this tutorial, uninstall and redownload your game.
I know - this is time-consuming - but I won't be able to help you out if you attempt to mix which ever mods you have already installed, with mods I listed in this guide.

  • Download and start your game.

  • When you launch your game for the first time, choose your in-game resolution and preferred graphic options.
    IMPORTANT: set Mesh Quality to Ultra and Anti-aliasing to Temporal AA (some texture mods require these settings).

  • Disable EA Desktop/Steam overlay (this is usually not needed unless your ReShade preset doesn't appear in the game)

  • IMPORTANT: if you have Steam version of the game, you must disable BOTH Steam & EA Desktop overlay (see instructions below)

To disable EA Desktop overlay:
1) Open EA Desktop app
2) Click on  
 icon (in the top left corner)
3) Click on Settings and then on Application
4) Disable In-game overlay
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To disable Steam overlay:
1) Open Steam
2) Click on Steam in top left corner and then on Settings
3) Click on In-Game
4) Unselect Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game
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  • Download the latest Frosty Mod Manager (for the purpose of this tutorial I will call it FMM, Frosty or Mod Manager).
    Always download the latest version available

  • IMPORTANT: Always run FMM as an Administrator
 How to install mods - the default method:

  • Download any Mass Effect Andromeda mod by clicking on Manual Download
  • Drag&drop mod folder into mod manager [OR] click on Add Mod(s) and select downloaded mod folder
  • Select any imported mod (in the left column) and click on Apply Mod(s)
  • Quick Tip: you can import and apply multiple mods at ONCE
  • IMPORTANT: Launch your game WITH Frosty Mod Manager for mods to appear in the game (see images below)
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How to install mods - the alternative method:
(use this method when you get the following messages:
Failed to read the Archive.
Archive contains no installable mods.
This is because Frosty Mod Manager can't manage .7z file format anymore)

  • Download any Mass Effect Andromeda mod by clicking on Manual Download
  • Manually unpack mod folder with WinRAR, 7-Zip or any other alternative software
  • Drag&drop any file with .fbmod file extension into mod manager [OR] click on Add Mod(s) and select any file with .fbmod file extension
  • Select any imported mod (in the left column) and click on Apply Mod(s)
  • Quick Tip: you can import and apply multiple mods at ONCE
  • IMPORTANT: Launch your game WITH Frosty Mod Manager for mods to appear in the game (see images above)


You MUST LAUNCH YOUR GAME with Frosty Mod Manager
or no mods will appear in-game!!!

IMPORTANT NOTE: if you launched your game with FMM and no mods are present in your game
[OR] if you are using Epic Store Games version of Mass Effect Andromeda, you need to download and then run FrostyFix. If it doesn't work, try using more up-to-date DatapathFixPlugin.


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As promised in the beginning, below is a list of mods that I use to enhance my game.
Install all mods in the order in which they are listed below.

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Always download one file listed under 'Main files' on a mod page, unless you are told otherwise.
When there are two or more files listed under 'Main Files', I will tell you which file to download.


* this mod makes Nomad much quicker BUT very difficult to control
** this mod can save you a lot of time by cutting travelling cinematics off after 2 seconds, but in my mind this completely destroys immersion

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  • HUD Overhaul → download and install HUD Overhaul (minimalistic)
  • HUD Overhaul's (Enemy Indicator Patch) → download and install HUD Overhaul's (Enemy Indicator Patch) - Vanilla
  • HUD.Player → download and install hud-player_Type-A (WARNING: this mod disables combat control prompts. If you don't know them yet... I suggest you skipping this mod)
  • Reduced Nomad HUD → download and install With Drive Mode (WARNING: this mod disables Nomad control prompts. If you don't know them yet... I suggest you skipping this mod)
  • Cleaner Omni-Tool Scanner
  • Minimal Targeting HUD → download and install (6 files): 1) 0 Extra - No Interaction Text, 2) 0 Extra - Remove Enemy Name, 3) Higher Combo Indicator, 4) Low Opacity Reticles - Original Center Dot, 5) Minimal Squadmate Position Marker, 6) No Enemy Target Bracket
  • GUI Tweaks → download and install (1 file): 1) New Ammo Consumables Icons
  • Mantle Icon Begone
  • Faster Quest Tracker Hiding → download and install Faster Hiding 5 Seconds
  • Push Down Camera → download and install (2 files): 1) Push Down Camera, 2) Push Down Camera - Nomad
  • Right In The Eye

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  • Project Pretty → download and install all files EXCEPT (8 files): 1) Initiative Blue Nomad, 2) Initiative Blue Tempest, 3) Initiative Cora Armor V2, 4) Jayde - Default Sara - Makeup, 5) Lexi, 6) Liam's Armor and Helmet, 7) New Initiative Cora Armor and 8) All in One Complexions
  • Turians Restored → download and install Turians Restored and Turians Restored - Vetra (IMPORTANT: you must use Temporal AA anti-aliasing for this mod to work correctly)
  • Turian Eye Tweaks → download and install TET 01 - Round TET Male and TET 02 - Round TET Female
  • Froggy eye salarians
  • Asari Tweaks 
  • Peebee Tweak → download and install Peebee Tweak 2.0
  • Suvi Hair Options → download and install Suvi Hair Options (bob)
  • Chained Princess Fashion Boutique → download and install (5 files): 1) Characters - Angara - Eyes - Horsehead Nebula, 2) Characters - Angara - White Teeth, 3) Characters - Humanoids - White Teeth, 4) Characters - Krogan - Eyes, 5) Characters - Krogan - White Teeth
  • Vetra No Visor
  • Foster.Addison_Customization → download and install Face-Universal
  • Ryders Wardrobe Overhaul → download and install (4 files): 1) Athletic Outfit as Base for Jacket Outfit Scott Ryder, 2) Athletic Outfit Volus Necklace for Scott, 3) Custom Dress for Sara Ryder Hoodie and Jacket Replacer (enable only the Dress for Sara Ryder Hoodie Replacer) and 4) Custom Outfit Sports Bra and Jacket Original Pants
  • Initiative Colors for Initiative Members → download and install (11 files): 1) Initiative Construction, 2) Initiative Engineers, 3) Initiative Mechanics, 4) Initiative Medical Personnel, 5) Initiative Scientists, 6) Initiative Security and Soldiers, 7) Major NPCs and Operations Bridge Crew and Captain Dunn, 8) Gil - Alternative Pattern, 9) Kallo - Alternative Pattern, 10) Lexi - Alternative Pattern and 11) Suvi - Alternative Pattern
  • Cora and Liam Overhaul → download and install (2 files): 1) New Cora Armor - Asari Underarmor as Casual Outfit and Default Hair and 2) New Liam Armor - Athletic Outfit and Tiny Afro Hairstyle - BRACERS - NO BRACERS

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Below are detailed instructions on how to install my ReShade preset. This is an optional step.
NOTE: All of my screenshots were taken with my ReShade preset enabled.

  • Download one of my my personal ReShade Presets from Optional Files.

  • Manually place HFV_RT_ON.ini in ...\Mass Effect Andromeda (where your MassEffectAndromeda.exe is located)


  • Select MassEffectAndromeda.exe (located at: ...\Mass Effect Andromeda) as an executable to which you want to apply ReShade.

  • Select Microsoft DirectX 10/11/12 rendering API.

  • Under Select preset to install click on Browse and then select my HFV_RT_ON.ini preset. ReShade will automatically detect and download all necessary shaders (except for one) for my preset to work.

  • If you want to use Ray Tracing preset, you must download iMMERSE_Pro shader package. It is available on Marty McFly Patreon. To install it, drop Textures and Shaders folders into ...\Mass Effect Andromeda\reshade-shaders

  • When in game press Delete button on your keyboard to open ReShade UI. If ReShade is installed correctly and my preset
    works, you can continue modding your game.

  • When you are ready, click on Performance mode button. This gives small FPS boost.


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Your game will only work correctly, if your mods are placed in the correct order!

OPTION A - Automatic - download my Andromeda mod pack. It contains all mods listed in this guide and has them all placed in the correct load order → unfortunately I can't share my mod pack here, because I don't have all necessary permissions ;(

  • Download my mod pack listed under Main Files
  • Open Frosty Mod Manager
  • Click on File → Pack → Import → select my Andromeda Mod Pack (by Synth).fbpack
  • Ignore window that pops up. If done correctly your mods should be placed in the correct load order. You may need to close Mod Manager and open it again.
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OPTION B - Manual

You need to manually place mods in the correct load order. The load order is the same as mod installation order listed in this guide ;) You can also use screenshot showed below:

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