Jump to: Useful Links – Installation – Current Mods – Upcoming Mods – Legacy Mods – FAQ
Like many games, Legend of Dragoon can be modified to alter the experience; especially so thanks to the fan port Severed Chains. The rolling devbuild and upcoming stable release 3.0 feature expanded modding capabilities.
What Kinds of Mods Are Possible?
Many kinds of mods and QoL improvements can be made. Over time, it’ll be possible to change or add just about anything: dialog, playable characters, bosses and minor mobs, additions, special abilities, game modes, even story content! Click for some examples.
Difficulty options for combat are already possible in Severed Chains. Zychronix’ Hard Mode is being adapted for SC featuring tougher foes in battle. HUD-less additions are also in, presenting a significant new challenge for veterans of addition mastery. In the future, it’ll even be possible to create new game mechanics.
Texture modding will include the background images the player walks amongst, 3D model textures, and particles. Improved or brand-new assets of this category will assist in revamping LoD’s overall appearance toward modern graphical standards. A test was completed involving upscaled background images, confirming that the Upscale project can be adapted for SC once higher priorities are finished.
3D models range from characters, to objects, to battlefields and beyond. Naturally, the models in LoD are now outdated despite holding up well in their own time. New models will have more polygons, and help represent a modern/HD appearance. Here is an example of what the boss Urobolus could look like. In the future, it will be possible to place improved versions of existing models or even brand-new designs!
It is possible to edit just about every piece of text in the game. From smaller mods like typo corrections to complete re-interpretations of all the dialog, these lines can be edited in the future to create script mods. This also extends to non-character lines such as combat subtitles (All-out attack!) or the text that comes up when acquiring treasure chests and Goods. There are two script mods made for emulation, one of which is expected to be adapted for SC when the tools become available.
Audio modding comes in many forms. This can include music, ambience, sound effects, and voiceovers. Such mods can replace existing files, or they can be called up as a new instance of sound that didn’t exist in the base game. Multiple audio mods are potentially arriving, between Nogard’s Fandub team and the Echo-S team from Tsunamods.
The Modding API for Severed Chains
A new modding API is in development for Severed Chains. It is a nexus of growing capabilities that unify and simplify the creation of mods. The idea is to make it easier for everyone to create mods for LoD, from dialog changes to combat stat adjustments to 3D models and beyond. Although the API is not quite ready for public use, it will be made available as soon as possible.
Useful Links
- Github Org (Repository List) for SC and assorted mod projects
- Mod Discussion on the LoD Discord server.
- Asset Extraction Guide for modding purposes (coming soon!)
Installing Mods
Click to expand instructions.
Generally speaking, mods will use the simple setup shown below. Some mods may require specific instructions as listed by their authors.
- Download and unzip the mod.
- Place contents in the “
/mods” folder of Severed Chains. - Launch the game.
- At the New Campaign screen, select “Mods” and choose which mods to enable.
- Mods can also be enabled or disabled for existing campaigns; note in some cases this may cause issues.
- Additional options for the mod may or may not be present in the Options screen. Please check the mod listing for more info or contact the author.
Current Mods
New
- Additional Additions – Two mods. Use the Editor to create and edit custom additions, built out of pieces of other additions as well as some non-attack animations. No programming required! The other mod (non-editor) is required to use custom additions created by yourself or others. Custom additions can be shared with others as small JSON files. Advanced users can edit these JSON files to target custom animations they provide.
- Archipelagoon [Testing] – randomizer, but you send/receive unlocks from players in their own LoD campaigns or other games entirely. Can be set up as synchronous where all participants play at the same time, or async where people can play at different times.
- Altergoon [Testing] – Mod where each player-character is a new element. Dart is Darkness, Haschel is Wind, and so on.
- Icon Turn Order – Turn Order display mod. Shows large icons on the left-hand side, similar to Expedition 33.
- Legend of Tides – action-packed fishing. Catch fish with a variety of effects. Also the first mod to feature weapon modding with full 3D models as well as the first mod to feature crossover content.
Featured
- Battle Rewards – Adjust EXP/Gold earnings from 1/4 to 10x
- Dragoon Modifier – tougher combat, new mechanics. Hell Mode in beta.
- Irongoon Randomizer – choose how random it gets!
- Rhythm Minigame – Like Guitar Hero & DDR/FFR/SM. Requires modified build of SC 2.1
- Stardust Indicators – visual hints as you come across them on maps.
- Reshade – shader mod to subtly enhance LoD’s visuals.
Upcoming Mods
Click to expand: A list of upcoming mods that we hope to ship with SC in the future. Please note that the items listed here are subject to change based on volunteer interest and availability. This is an abbreviated sampling of our aggregated mod and feature wishlist.
- MoGuRuu Dabas functionality
- Upscaled background images, 3D model textures, and UI elements
- Multiplayer: Basic Co-op and PVP combat.
- Minigame leaderboards
- Battle Composer
- Achievements
- Lock mods/settings at campaign start (ironman mode / achievements)
- Camera control
- Lore Hub
- Bestiary
- Improved Tutorials
- Buy-back in shops
- Large-scale battles
- Custom playable characters, foes, attacks, voiceovers, textures, battlefields, items, et cetera
Legacy Mods (Emulation)
Note that emulator mods are no longer being updated, although some may be ported to Severed Chains in the future.
Click to expand: emulator mod instructions and mod list.
Start with a suite below. If you choose LODModS, be sure to download the specific mods you want in the list under the suites.
Dragoon Modifier is for making temporary changes for as long as it runs alongside the emulator, but you can make the changes “persist” by running it again for your future sessions.
LODModS will make permanent changes to your digital disc images. Always make a copy of the roms when applying changes, so you always have an unmodified set to work from!
Suites
- Dragoon Modifier – Applies temporary changes.
- LODModS – Applies permanent changes.
List of mods applied through LODModS:
- Full Modpack – Includes all; can still choose which ones to activate.
- 64-item limit by theflyingzamboni
- Encounter Rate bugfix by theflyingzamboni
- Full Script Revision by VoidWaveCEO
- Script Overhaul (Disc1 only) by theflyingzamboni
- Full EXP to all party members by theflyingzamboni
- Half Max HP for party by theflyingzamboni
- Roses Are Red (remove Demon’s Gate censor) by NoOneee
- Un-Dub (JP voiceovers applied to NA region’s FMVs) by NoOneee
Modding FAQ
Q: I downloaded a mod and placed it in the /mods folder, but Severed Chains is not detecting it. Why not?
A: Check to make sure you have placed the files correctly. Some users accidentally place the entire mod folder, instead of just the files inside it. In other words, inside /mods you should only have jar files and any supplementary files/folders