Cluckyx's Almighty Override Guide **UPDATED 08/06/10**

[Cluckyx]

 
 
 
e all love this game.It's a fun and exciting way to waste unhealthy amounts of hours playing some sword swinging demagogue or something,
But lets face it, this game is getting on a bit, and NWN2 sucks balls. Graphically, NWN is really starting to show it's age. Now this isn't going to ruin the game for you, but any form of spit and polish would be greatly appreciate no?
Hakpaks are a good option, but that sacrifices any semblance of compatibility. Because whether or not people want the content it provides. EVERYONE has to download it. Having to download a big file 'o' crap before you can even enter the server is one of the most annoying things in the world. So in the interests of keeping this server available to everyone. HAKPAKS are out of the question.
Well Overrides are you crown savior, you may have come across them before, hell you might be using Loads already, If so Good For You! There still might be a few you missed in the list.
 
 
 
WHAT IS AN OVERRIDE?
 
n override, in the most basic sense of the term. Does exactly what it says on the tin. It will override specific parts of the game, sounds, textures, models. Even the actual interface! They maybe functional overrides, maybe pretty overrides. Most will contribute to your game and change content that is already present on your PC.
Overrides don't change ANY of the ingame mechanics. the changes are purely aethetic. So just because a creature looks badder and meaner. It will still behave (spells, lvls, combat etc.) in exactly the same way as it did before.
The Changes made by overrides are Client-Side. Which means the changes that you see IG are only visible on YOUR screen (unless someone else has downloaded the overrides, where they'll see them too. Duh). This is still damn handy and can really improve your experience IG. They are different from Hak-Paks you may have seen on other servers because they are completely optional and you can pick and choose them as you see fit.
 
 
 
 
HOW DO I INSTALL/UN-INSTALL AN OVERRIDE?
 
t's stupidly easy. Open up your Neverwinter nights folder, and look for the folder named (unsurprisingly) Overrides. Anything you download, just unzip and copy into the folder while Neverwinter Nights is closed and all the new or improved content will be there next time you load up the game. See? So easy even Calculor could do it without hurting his brain muscle too much. Similarly, to uninstall an Override, just locate the files in y our Override folder. And while the NWN client is turned off. Delete the files, make sure you get all of them, leaving half an override behind can confuse the game a bit. But it's just a case of hunting down all the filenames.
 
A WARNING TO LINUX USERS: Unlike the NT Kernel, 99% of linux Kernel is case sensitive with filenames. And a lot of the people who made these things were pretty lax on filenaming. Enjoy remaining every 3rd file :(?
 The quickest and easiest way to rename all these files is to use a bulk encoder. I reccomend convmv.

[Hide=How to: convmv]
 Convmv will amongst other things will allow you tomass convert filenames to lower case.
If you are running something isn't Ubuntu, you can get the tarball here, if you have Ubuntu you can find it on the Repositories. If you're not sure how to go about downloading packages, just fire up a terminal and enter

Code Select Expand

sudo apt-get install convmvThen it's as simple as you can get.

Code Select Expand

convmv --notest --lower -r PATH/TO/FILESShould do the trick.
[/Hide]
 
WHAT AM I DOWNLOADING?
 
retty much all of this is packaged in .rar files. If you don't know what they are. They are archive files like .zip or .tar.
If you are running Windows: Google Winrar. And download the 21 day free trial. Except the trial never runs out. It just asks you nicely to register.
 
If you are running Linux: If you're running a major distro. Look up UNRAR on your distro repository. It should integrate into into your generic archive manager. Otherwise you can run it through Command Line with the switch e. There are other switches just run the program without any other switches to see the list.
 
[SIZE=10]THE OVERRIDES[/SIZE]
 
here are HUNDREDS of overrides out there, for all kinds of purposes. Some are amazing pieces that leave the Bioware original content in the dust. And some are pretty crappy. What follows is a list of some of the best overrides out there, that should help bring your somewhat elderly game kicking and screaming into 2010!
 There are a LOT of good overrides. So now to make life a little easier, it's all collapsible, it's all organised. IT'S SO MUCH BETTER THAN BEFORE.

[Size=8]Creature Overrides[/Size]


MANY IMPROVED MODELS by Various Authors
 
In a long and distant time, there was a list.
 This list contained creatures big and small. And this list offered links to reskin them and make them awesome. And people did download them and it was awesome and people did rock. And then God looked down upon NWN. And said, that's just plainly inconvenient. He weaved his godly voodoo and low and behold ALL of the creatures AND MORE were bound into 3 EASY LINKS. But if you still want to read what is contained within these magical archive files. Look into the Hide file below for more information.
Download
Download 2
Download 3

[hide=old model overrides]
IMPROVED GOBLINS by EvilAsmo & SebastianCain
 

 
Efu:A has a lot of Goblins. So that makes this an override that you will notice a lot. The Original goblins, in my opinion. Looked retarded. This override with replace them with better dressed, better armored and simply less silly looking Goblins. These things actually look like little bastards that could stab you in the back when you're not looking. Which is of course what it should be!
NOTE: There is a slight glitch where some of the weapons look are held a little funny, but it's minor, very minor. And the benefits still outweight little pissy things like that.
 
Download
 
 
 
IMPROVED UNDEAD PACK by SixThrice & Diadedemus
 

 
This is several different Overrides, but I grouped them together for the sake of simplicity. Together these 3 Overrides will completely redo the basic undead of the game. A high quality remodelling and reskinning of all the Skeletons, Zombies, Wights, Liches, Mummies and Ghouls. And they're all REALLY well done. Efu:A has a lot of brushes with the undead so you should notice the difference immediately. These guys are fantastic, the creators really pulled out all the stops for these. Considering large chunks of the world are flooded with Skeletons every night. This should make a substantial improvement to your gaming experience.
 
Download (Mummies, Skeletons, Wights, Liches)
Download (zombies)
Download(Ghouls)
 
 
 
BETTER IMPS by Adinz & Sixesthrice
 

 
Imps aren't a common sight in EFU:A, but these are still damned nice models, making for a pleasent surprised whenever they do turn up. Every type of mephit now looks totally unique as opposed to "same model different colour". An approach that bioware took with a lot of it's modeling. Some of them even have particle effects and animated skins. Sweet!
Download

IMPROVED SAVAGES PACK by Diadedemus (Cropped By Cluckyx)
 

 
This Override will vastly improve the ogres and the orcs.
The Orc models hold the prestigious honour of being the only model that looks MORE RETARDED than the goblins. The replacement orcs are decidedly tolkeinesque and looking pretty damn awesome. Their combat animations, especially with 2 handed weapons kick 6 ton of ass, and the shaman models just look creepy as shit.
Also the ogres get a big redo. Completely different. They look a LOT more feral, and just generally BETTER. The elite models wear armour now and they're all a lot hairier .
As a little bonus, theres also a little redo of the Earth Elemental. He looks more Nature based as opposed to a stone golem.
 
 
Download (Orcs)
Download (Ogres and Elemental)
NOTE 1: I had to repackage this myself to trim the shite. If I've done something wrong and theres a problem with the models or the textures let me know and I'll fix it.
NOTE 2:The Ogres pack is an expansion of the Orc's pack. You can't have the ogres without the orcs. Sorry.
 
[/hide]

*NEW*IMPROVED BUGBEARS*NEW* By Lord of Words



Lord of words has always been good, and he's STILL releasing models. He's now blessed us with some pretty swish looking bugbears. Now bugbears may not be a common site on  the island of Ymph, but hell. On the off chance they do show up? You want them to look awesome no? Then download this little package to keep ALL your bases covered.

Download

MONSTER GLOW SCALING
 
For those of you who are annoyed by monsters that glow blue/green/red when you hit tab. This is for you.
For those of you who are annoyed by monsters that have been shrunk and are showing a white skeletal outline of their original sized model. This is for you.
For those of you are just annoyed. Well, I can't help you.
Just unzip and drop it in your override folder.
 
Link!

[Size=8]Player Overrides[/Size]



CLOAK REVERTER by Cammi
 
You didn't like the visible cloaks that came with 1.68? Ungreatful little bastard. But if you're sick of suffering in silence. This override will answser your wishes and remove those visible cloaks for you. BECAUSE OLD SCHOOL IS COOL.
 
Download
 
 
REWORKED HANDS by Kurairyu
 

 
Hey, are you bored with having you hands balled into cubic fists? Constantly looking like you're up to punch someone? Well hooray!
This Override will give player models of all the default races individual fingers! So stretch out those digits and see what it's like to have 10 of them.
 
Download
 
 
IMPROVED COMBAT ANIMATIONS by ragnarok_mr4
 

 
If your level 8 fighter is supposed to be as hard as coffin nail. Why is he swinging that god damn sword round like a bread stick over his head?
This override doesn't touch the models. Instead it turns your character into a god damn ninja, kicking, spinning and chopping his way through whatever gets in the way. Immensely satisfying, and makes you feel at least 4 times more awesome than before. I GUARANTEE IT.
NOTE: This is a popular override. But it hasn't been updated since late 2004. So this mod doesn't support cloaks. They will still work, just whenever you are performing one of your attack animations, the cloak will go as stiff as cardboard. Its up to you to decide whether it's worth it or not. It might piss you right off, it might not bother you at all. You might have cloaks hidden! Give it a try
 
Download
 
 
NUDE PATCH by Hera
 

 
Now I know what you're thinking "I'm a pervert, and nothing pisses me off more than stripping my character to their birthday suit to find titanium unremovable underwear"
Well today is your lucky day. This override will put everyone's jubbly bits on show for you to point and lol at. You immature little bastard.
I hope you like Half-Orc Penis.
 
Download

[Size=8]UI Overrides[/Size]



COLORED ICONS by The Amethyst Dragon


4 years ago The Amethyst Dragon created some amazing coloured icon overrides. There was much rejoicing. Well now. He's back. And He's Made More. More of the same and they're just as awesome. More colours, less borders. This isn't just a few changes and bugfixes, this is a complete overhaul. I can't reccomend these enough.
(If you're wondering what the hell I'm talking about, check out the version 1 description below!

[hide=The Links & Coloured Icons from Version 1]
These are some of the most commonly used Overrides around. They are purely functional, and once you get used to them, you'll wonder how you did without them. They colour your spell icons, your feat icons as well as the Class Icons various colours. Not only are they a vibrant and welcome change after years of looking at the dull brass icons all the time. You'll also find yourself being able to locate and find thinks on your quickslots much faster and easier. And when you're fumbling for that invis potion as 50 friggin' gnolls close in on you. You'll thank your lucky stars you downloaded these.
 
Download (345 spell icons!)
Download (Polymorph icons)
Download (Epic Spells)
Download(Class Icons)
Download (Feats and Abilities)
[/hide]
 
 
THE AENEA UNOBTRUSIVE GUI by The Amethyst Dragon
 

 
Originally designed for a server, this custom GUI still has the old server's branding and name on it. But that aside. This is a damn useful addition to your repertoire. Especially if you're running on a lowish resolution. The windows are much more transparent,meaning windows don't totally obscure what's going on in game. The health bar is a transient fill from green to red, making it easier to spot when to start running away.Thinks like the status list that appears next to your portrait in the top right have had the backgrounds removed, generally giving you more space to see whats going on if space is at a premium.
 
Download (GUI)
Download (Patch No.1)
Download (Patch No.2)
 
[Size=8]Item Overrides[/Size]
 

 
IMPROVED WEAPONS by various
 

 
Ok. So you've installed a load over overrides, and the creatures just look pimp now. But they can only look a certain amount of pimp while the weapons they're swinging around look like complete wank. So find enclosed the first of many Weapon overrides. Making your kukri, maces, Dwarven Waraxes, Greataxes,spears and bastard swords look awesome. Including completely different looks, much more realistic looking weapon designs and much higher res skins. The spears are done by Sixesthrice, one of the best nwn1 custom artists around and it shows. Spears are quite popular in efu:A at the time of writing so this one should be useful in particular.
The other fantastic aspect of this, is that where as changing the colour of a weapon part with vanilla Bioware weapons gave you the options of gold, silver and bronze colours. A lot of the overrides are so jam packed with content, that changing the colour completely changes the blade just like changing the style. So expect a much MUCH richer array of weapons.
Possibly Coming Soon:, Greatswords, Daggers, Clubs.
Download (Battleaxes)
Download (Bastard Swords)
Download (Maces)
Download (Greataxes and Kukri)
Download (Spears)
 
 
New Weapon FX by
 

 
Weapon FX are shiny. Adding a little, fire, ice or whatever can really put the cool edge on an item and even the character holding it. Now admittedly, seeing these sort of FX in efU:A is an uncommon thing but still, when you see them. They at least deserve to look cool.
Enter this override that will spruce up the weapon Effects making them much more satisfying and generally more fluid and higher res. The lightning and Fire effects get a complete reworking and look much more threatening. Well worth it.
Note:The author messed up a little, and so the acid effect doesn't work. If you download this override, make sure to delete all the acid override files form your folder. They look like *****_fxacid.mdl there are 35 of them, so it's probably easier to just do a search inside the override folder for fxacid and do it that way.
Download

[Size=8]Texture Overrides[/Size]



POTM SKYBOXES by Team Ravenloft
 

 
Skyboxes are one of the most underappreciated aspects of the NWN world. You never really notice them, but they have a profound effect on atmosphere and the general occlusion of the game. You'd certainly miss them if they weren't there thats for sure.
So it seems only fair that the valiant little skybox gets a bit of a spruce up once in a while. This override does exactly that, providing much higher rez and much prettier skyboxes that will certainly set the scene for any map, night or day.
Download

Tileset Overried

It's simple. Painless and should make the city take a much more macabre, ruined, vegetation covered look.
 
Download
 
P.S. You can use it for other servers if you want but it is optimized for EFU:A. Similarly, if you do take it/advertise it, give credit where credit is due. This was made from a combination of skins that I made myself and taken from other bioware tilesets ( retouched to make them all nice and good).
 
Cheers

[Size=8]Misc Overrides[/Size]



HUGE: Music Override

That's right. A efu:a music override with a very awesome score that should enhance the ambience of the gameworld a lot!
 
Download
 
Don't hammer the link. It's a huge file (260 Mb!) ... It might make the website go down if too many people download it.
 
Instructions:
After unzipping it with winrar or another archiver program that reads .7z files, put the files of the override folder in your nwn override folder and put the files of the music folder in your nwn music folder.
Do a backup of the music folder just in case you want to go back to the nwn corny fanfare one day. Otherwise, say goodbye to it and enjoy good thematic music!.

CONTRIBUTE
 
 
There are a LOT more Overrides out there, if you've found one that you think belongs on the list. Leave a message and it'll get looked at. Any other suggestions are welcome. This guide will evolve over time so any other thoughts will be useful to.
 
 
Enjoy
 
Cluckyx.
 
Glitch Fixed: Ok whenever you install override, check to make sure the override didn't include the file Apperance.2da. If it does. Delete it. If interferes with resized creatures.
Delete that file and the problem will fix itself.

[Hide=CHANGELOG]
08/06/10
* Added convmv tutorial
* Added Coloured icons v2 (thanks Sternhund)
* Hid Coloured Icons v1 description & links
* Combined all redundant Creature Overrides
* Removed Show packs over cloaks override, made redundant by serverside text commands
* Added image to Naked Override
* Added Proper Subsections
* Added Bugbears to Creatures subsection
* General BBCODE clean up

More coming soon!
[/Hide]

[Yalta]

Awesome guide Clucky, i'd suggest at the very least that the Undead and Goblins ones are moved to the recommended Override section

[Dr Dragon]

Nice work. Also u Forgot the domains Overide.

[Tyrael]

Hmm. The colored icons look strange to me after years of seeing NWN colors. I like the more transparent chatbox, though. The good nes is that it's all extracted to your override as individual TGA's, so you can sort through them and choose which parts you want to keep.

[DangerousDan]

Great guide. Moar overrides pls.

[domare]

Damn Cluckyx's...I have only been playing for three years now and have only just now found out about this?  *sighs*

Oh ya...You rock!  Thanks!

[ExileStrife]

You should make a tutorial for converting any hak pack content into an override since it's not hard after you do it once, and also because there's a ton of content out there only in hak format that can easily be an override.

[pwnd n00b]

Awesome stuff!!

[p00d33m]

I am still waiting LTS and others players to post the nwn newbie survival combat itens and builds guide ...

Awesome Cluckyx!

[efuincarnate]

*blinks* downloaded 'em all. I will simply never be the same after viewing the halforc nekid. Ruined for life...

Seriously, it is like haveing a new game.. amazeing stuff, been in the same boat as domare until today..being a wizard might actually get easier now, with that handy dandy color codeng!!!                    THANKS CLUCKY!!!

[lovethesuit]

nwn newbie survival combat itens and builds guide
by LTS and others players

chapter 1

fighter
rogue

chapter 2

cleric

chapter 3

sun elf
gsf:illusion
phk

specil thanks to:
you the reader

the end

[DangerousDan]

Had some issues installing these. If you could compile the skins overrides into one easy package, I would give out some sweet loot.

[Thomas_Not_very_wise]

One of the overrides doesn't let you view the size changed creatures, please identify.

[Cluckyx]

try deleting apperance.2da. I will look into it.

more details plz.

[p00d33m]

Thanks LTS.

nwn newbie survival combat itens and builds guide
by LTS and others players

chapter 1

fighter
rogue

chapter 2

cleric

chapter 3

sun elf
gsf:illusion
phk

specil thanks to:
you the reader

the end

A pitty it covers nothing discussed in #class =(, but thanks.