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SyntheticSyndicate

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A complete mod list and mod installation guide for Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
For easier use - it now comes with Mod Install Groups compatible with Batch Mod Installer.

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

I carefully selected mods that are lore-friendly and don't stray too far away from established Mass Effect lore. By following this guide your game will contain more Mass Effect content to explore, combat will be overhauled and streamlined, graphics will be improved and there will be more character customization options, higher variety of weapons, armors, clothes and general improvements present in your game, making your next Mass Effect playthrough much more enjoyable.

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 Legendary Edition fine.

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Q: How long does it take to complete this guide?
A: Around one hour for each game, so three hours in total.

Q: How many mods are listed in this guide?
A: 60+ for Mass Effect, 90+ for Mass Effect 2 and 80+ for Mass Effect 3, so 230+ mods in total!

Q: I want to mod cracked version, can you help me?
A: NO!

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

Q: Why is Mass Effect 3 mod list described as Partially Lore-Friendly?
A: It includes Happy Ending Mod and Citadel Epilogue Mod, both of which are not part of Mass Effect canon.

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.


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Throughout years Mass Effect Modding Community has created a very specific glossary that you
need to know before you start your modding adventure.
If you don't understand some terminology in this guide, don't be afraid to come back here:

  • Mod Manager - by mod manager we always refer to ME3Tweaks Mod Manager. We use this tool to install content mods. You can't use Vortex to install mods in Mass Effect Legendary Edition!!!
  • M3 - abbreviation of ME3Tweaks Mod Manager
  • MEM - abbreviation of Mass Effect Modder; we use this tool to install texture
  • OT - Original Trilogy
  • LE - Legendary Edition
  • MELE - Mass Effect Legendary Edition
  • Content mod - a type of mod that is always installed with ME3Tweaks Mod Manager
  • Texture mod - a type of mod that is installed with Mass Effect Modder. It only includes texture files
  • Merge mod - a type of mod similar to a content mod. Merge Mods are always installed with ME3Tweaks Mod Manager
  • LE1 / LE2 / LE3 - Original Trilogy games were called ME1/ME2/ME3; Legendary Edition games are called LE1/LE2/LE3
  • Batch Install Group (aka Mod Collection) - a preselected list of mods that can be installed in your game automatically. In Mass Effect Modding community we always use ME3Tweaks Mod Manager to install them
  • Batch Mod Installer - a Mod Manager tool that we use to use to install Batch Install Groups
  • Vanilla -  a game to which no mods have been applied to


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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 Mass Effect Legendary Edition and start each game. When in-game, choose your preferred graphic options (resolution etc.), then come back here

  • 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 ME3Tweaks Mod Manager (aka M3; for the purpose of this guide I will refer to it as M3 or Mod Manager). Always download the latest version available
  • I highly recommend to backup game folder with mod manager. M3 allows its users to backup game folder, so that it can be used to quickly restore Legendary Edition to unmodified state. It takes around three minutes to create a backup if your game is installed on an SSD. The downside is that you must have ~110GB of free space on your drive. The upside is that if your game breaks, you can quickly restore it to default, unmodified state
How to create a game backup:

  • In M3 click on Backup & Restore
  • Click on Backup if you want to backup your game (or Restore if you want to restore it to unmodified state)
  • Select a game that you want to backup, then click on Backup
  • At this point you will be asked where to save your backup to.
    Personally, I go to ...\Documents\, right-click here and create a new folder called LE1 - Backup. I then use this folder to backup my Mass Effect 1. Additionally I create LE2 - Backup folder to backup Mass Effect 2 and LE3 - Backup folder to backup Mass Effect 3
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How to install content mods:

  • Download mods by clicking on Download with Mod Manager, or download them manually and then drag&drop them into mod manager
  • When you download/drag&drop mod into mod manager, a new window will appear. Always click on Import Mods
  • Quick Tip: you can drag&drop multiple mods into Mod Manager at ONCE
  • To install any content mod: select a mod and then click on Apply mod in the bottom right corner
  • To uninstall a content mod: click on Manage target, then click on Delete next to a mod that you want to uninstall
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Batch Mod Installer is a Mod Manager feature that allows to create, edit and automatically install mod collections.
Batch Mod Installer is an AUTO-INSTALLER ONLY!!! It does NOT DOWNLOAD any mods.
You must download them yourself (see instructions below)

To make installing content mods listed in this guide much easier and to limit the risk of an user error, I shared my LE1, LE2 & LE3 Install Groups. You can still however, install mods manually if you like.
MUST READ!!!

  • To use any MELE mod collection, you must download all mods through Batch Mod Installer, NOT directly from a mod page (refer to the image below):
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  • Clothing mods are not included in my LE1 Mod Collection (for now). You will have to manually apply one clothing mod of your choosing to your game after installing my LE1 Mod Collection
  • Texture mods must are not included in any of my mod collections. You can either install them with Mod Manager or with Mass Effect Modder (the latter is the recommended method)
How to use Batch Mod Installer:

  • Download any of my mod collections by clicking on Download with Mod Manager (just like you would download any content mod)
  • Start Mod Manager, click on Mod Management, then click on Batch Mod Installer. Select any Install Group
  • Download mods listed in Install Groups through Batch Mod Installer. This way you will always download the correct mod version. Besides, this is the only way to download now deleted mods!
  • When you are ready click on Install this group in the bottom right corner
  • Quick Tip: My Install Groups come configured already. If you wish to customize mods yourself when installing them, refer to my guide to select proper compatibility patches
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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.



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Overhauling your Shepard's look is a little bit tricky - different people have different preferences. So instead of listing all mods that I use, I decided to list the most popular mods in three groups based on what sort of changes they introduce to the game. You can decide what your commander Shepard will look like.

Group I You can install multiple hair mods at the same time, however you can only use one hair mod at the time. Hair mods for LE1 must must be installed manually:


Group II Below are popular clothing mods for your Shepard. Choose something that you like. You can only install one clothing replacer for each FemShep and BroShep at the same time.


Group III

  • My Custom Shepard → if for whatever reason you want to recreate my Shepard from screenshots, you can find her .headmorph under Optional files. To install this mod, follow attached instructions. Or alternatively, you can install it with Mod Manager (Mod Management → Install Headmorph)


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In this part of the guide I will explain how to install texture mods. First, I will tell you which files to download, and then we will install all texture files at once.

  • A Lot Of Textures (ALOT) → download (2 files): 1) ALOT for LE1 2) Improved Static Lighting (ISL) for ME1
  • LEUITM → when installing LEUITM select the following texture files:
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    AllianceUniformsLEUITM.mem
    AsariLE1DPCompatLEUITM.mem
    AvinaLEUITM.mem
    BatarianLEUITM.mem
    ConsortDressLEUITM.mem
    GarrusArmorCSecLogoLEUITM.mem
    KrogansLEUITM.mem
    NoveriaFrostedGlassLEUITM.mem
    SalariansLEUITM.mem
    VFXFixesLEUITM.mem
    VirmireHDSandsLEUITM.mem
    WrexBattleHardenedLEUITM.mem
  • Primitives - A Facial Appearance Overhaul
  • (LE1) Garrus and Turians - Face and Eyes Textures (GTFET) → download (LE1) Annabellya's GTFET - Full Version
  • NSFW WARNING!!! (NSFW) Paramours → download (LE1) Paramours. When installing choose only ONE texture for Ashley, ONE texture for FemShep and ONE texture from LCM-ME3 folder
  • LE1 - Liara and Others Arm Patch Gibberish Replacer (V2) → download and install ONE texture file of your choosing
  • Femshepping's Female MELE Complexions → download ONE complexion replacer that you prefer the most. When you open mod folder, there will be three .mem files. Only select one, that is compatible with LE1. You need this mod if you want to recreate my Shepard (I choose face texture: Cyber Complexion)

How to install texture mods:

  • After your texture mods are downloaded, please extract them using WinRAR (or 7-Zip). In extracted mod folders you should be looking for files that have .mem extension. Files with this extension are considered texture mods
  • In mod manager click on Tools, then click on Mass Effect Modder (for Legendary Edition). This is a program we currently use to install texture mods in Mass Effect Legendary Edition. You can also download it directly from here
  • After you start Mass Effect Modder click on Texture Modding under Mass Effect, then click on Install Texture Mods
  • Click on Add to list, then select texture files that you wish to install. Upon importing they should appear in the dark box on the left. When you are ready click on Install all mods
  • ONCE YOU CLICK ON 'INSTALL ALL MODS' YOU CANNOT ADD OR REINSTALL CONTENT MODS OR YOUR GAME WILL BREAK
  • After MEM is done installing texture mods, you are free to enjoy modded Mass Effect
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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 personal ReShade Presets from Optional Files.

  • Manually place HFV_RT_ON.ini in ...\Mass Effect Legendary Edition\Game\ME1\Binaries\Win64


  • Select MassEffect1.exe (located at: ...\Mass Effect Legendary Edition\Game\ME1\Binaries\Win64) 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 Legendary Edition\Game\ME1\Binaries\Win64\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 play your game.

  • VERY IMPORTANT: If enabling/disabling iMMERSE PRO RTGI (MartysMods_RTGI.fx) does nothing in the game, then your depth buffer is set incorrectly. In Home tab enable Display Depth (DisplayDepth.fx). If your screen becomes pitch black use below screenshots for help.
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  • When you are ready, click on Performance mode button. This gives a small FPS boost


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



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Overhauling your Shepard's look is a little bit tricky - different people have different preferences. So instead of listing all mods that I use, I decided to list the most popular mods in three groups based on what sort of changes they introduce to the game. You can decide what your commander Shepard will look like.

Group I You can install multiple hair mods at the same time, however you can only use one hair mod at the time. Hair mods for LE2 must must be installed manually:


Group II Below are popular clothing mods for your Shepard. Choose something that you like. You can install all of them simultaneously if you want.


Group III

  • My Custom Shepard → if for whatever reason you want to recreate my Shepard from screenshots, you can find her .headmorph under Optional files. To install this mod, follow attached instructions. Or alternatively, you can install it with Mod Manager (Mod Management → Install Headmorph)


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In this part of the guide I will explain how to install texture mods. First, I will tell you which files to download, and then we will install all texture files at once.

  • A Lot Of Textures (ALOT) → download (2 files): 1) ALOT for ME2 2) Improved Static Lighting (ISL) for ME2
  • LEUITM2 → when installing select the following: 
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    AllianceUniformsLEUITM2.mem
    AriaLEUITM2.mem
    BatarianLEUITM2.mem
    ChakwasLEUITM2.mem
    CollectorsLEUITM2.mem
    EndBossLEUITM2.mem
    EnvironmentFixesLEUITM2.mem
    FeronLEUITM2.mem
    GruntLEUITM2.mem
    KolyatLEUITM2.mem
    KrogansLEUITM2.mem
    LegionLEUITM2.mem
    MordinLEUITM2.mem
    OverlordLEUITM2.mem
    SalariansLEUITM2.mem
    ScionLEUITM2.mem
    ShadowBrokerLEUITM2.mem
    TelaVasirLEUITM2.mem
    ThaneLEUITM2.mem
    VolusLEUITM2.mem
    VorchaLEUITM2.mem
    WrexBattleHardenedLEUITM2.mem
  • Primitives - A Facial Appearance Overhaul
  • (LE2) Garrus and Turians - Face and Eyes Textures (GTFET) → download (LE2) Annabellya's GTFET - Full Version
  • NSFW WARNING!!! (NSFW) Paramours → download (LE2) Paramours. When installing choose only ONE texture for Ashley, ONE texture for FemShep and ONE texture from LCM-ME3 folder
  • Femshepping's Female MELE Complexions → download ONE complexion replacer that you prefer the most. When you open mod folder, there will be three .mem files. Only select one, that is compatible with LE2. You need this mod if you want to recreate my Shepard (I choose face texture: Cyber Complexion)
  • Unique Kahlee Sanders → if you are planning on using Unique Kahlee Sanders mod for LE3, download Unique Kahlee Sanders LE2 Picture
  • Improved Normandy Crash Site Flashback Textures → download Flashback Textures - Alliance Uniform Consistency Continuity - UNOFFICIAL LE2 PATCH VERSION
  • Goodbye Lens Flares (LE2) → download Goodbye Lens Flares

How to install texture mods:

  • After your texture mods are downloaded, please extract them using WinRAR (or 7-Zip). In extracted mod folders you should be looking for files that have .mem extension. Files with this extension are considered texture mods
  • In mod manager click on Tools, then click on Mass Effect Modder (for Legendary Edition). This is a program we currently use to install texture mods in Mass
    Effect Legendary Edition. You can also download it directly from here
  • After you start Mass Effect Modder click on Texture Modding under Mass Effect 2, then click on Install Texture Mods
  • Click on Add to list, then select texture files that you wish to install. Upon importing they should
    appear in the dark box on the left. When you are ready click on Install all mods
  • ONCE YOU CLICK ON 'INSTALL ALL MODS' YOU CANNOT ADD OR REINSTALL CONTENT MODS OR YOUR GAME WILL BREAK
  • After MEM is done installing texture mods, you are free to enjoy modded Mass Effect 2

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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 personal ReShade Presets from Optional Files.

  • Manually place HFV_RT_ON.ini in ...\Mass Effect Legendary Edition\Game\ME2\Binaries\Win64


  • Select MassEffect2.exe (located at: ...\Mass Effect Legendary Edition\Game\ME2\Binaries\Win64) 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 Legendary Edition\Game\ME2\Binaries\Win64\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.

  • VERY IMPORTANT: If enabling/disabling iMMERSE PRO RTGI (MartysMods_RTGI.fx) does nothing in the game, then your depth buffer is set incorrectly. In Home tab enable Display Depth (DisplayDepth.fx). If your screen becomes pitch black use below screenshots for help.
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  • When you are ready, click on Performance mode button. This gives small FPS boost.


Spoiler:  
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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.


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


Spoiler:  
Show



Spoiler:  
Show
Overhauling your Shepard's look is a little bit tricky - different people have different preferences. So instead of listing all mods that I use, I decided to list the most popular mods in three groups based on what sort of changes they introduce to the game. You can decide what your commander Shepard will look like.

Group I You can install multiple hair mods at the same time. Thanks to Appearance Modification Menu LE3 you can now select your preferred hairstyle when in game (no need to use Trilogy Save Editor anymore):


Group II Below are popular clothing mods for your Shepard. Choose something that you like. You can install all of them simultaneously if you want.


Group III

  • My Custom Shepard → if for whatever reason you want to recreate my Shepard from screenshots, you can find her .headmorph under Optional files. To install this mod, follow attached instructions. Or alternatively, you can install it with Mod Manager (Mod Management → Install Headmorph)


Spoiler:  
Show
In this part of the guide I will explain how to install texture mods. First, I will tell you which files to download, and then we will install all texture files at once.


How to install texture mods:

  • After your texture mods are downloaded, please extract them using WinRAR (or 7-Zip). In extracted mod folders you should be looking for files that have .mem extension. Files with this extension are considered texture mods
  • In mod manager click on Tools, then click on Mass Effect Modder (for Legendary Edition). This is a program we currently use to install texture mods in Mass
    Effect Legendary Edition. You can also download it directly from here
  • After you start Mass Effect Modder click on Texture Modding under Mass Effect 3, then click on Install Texture Mods
  • Click on Add to list, then select texture files that you wish to install. Upon importing they
    should appear in the dark box on the left. When you are ready click on Install all mods
  • ONCE YOU CLICK ON 'INSTALL ALL MODS' YOU CANNOT ADD OR REINSTALL CONTENT MODS OR YOUR GAME WILL BREAK
  • After MEM is done installing texture mods, you are free to enjoy modded Mass Effect 3

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Spoiler:  
Show
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 personal ReShade Presets from Optional Files.

  • Manually place HFV_RT_ON.ini in ...\Mass Effect Legendary Edition\Game\ME3\Binaries\Win64


  • Select MassEffect3.exe (located at: ...\Mass Effect Legendary Edition\Game\ME3\Binaries\Win64) 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 Legendary Edition\Game\ME3\Binaries\Win64\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.

  • VERY IMPORTANT: If enabling/disabling iMMERSE PRO RTGI (MartysMods_RTGI.fx) does nothing in the game, then your depth buffer is set incorrectly. In Home tab enable Display Depth (DisplayDepth.fx). If your screen becomes pitch black use below screenshots for help.
Spoiler:  
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  • VERY IMPORTANT: If your image is stretched, then your depth buffer in LE3 doesn't work correctly. Go to ...\Mass Effect Legendary Edition\Game\ME3\Binaries\Win644 and open ReShade.ini.
    Add the following line (written in yellow) under the [General] section:

    PreprocessorDefinitions=RESHADE_DEPTH_LINEARIZATION_FAR_PLANE=1000.0,RESHADE_DEPTH_INPUT_IS_UPSIDE_DOWN=0,RESHADE_DEPTH_INPUT_IS_REVERSED=0,RESHADE_DEPTH_INPUT_IS_LOGARITHMIC=0,RESHADE_DEPTH_INPUT_Y_SCALE=1.333

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