[FF7PC-98/Steam] New Threat Mod (v2.0.99994)

[Soulstice]

Hi! I'm having trouble finding clear information on the exact differences between 2.0, Combat Only, and Vanilla Combat. Can someone explain these?

Also, I've never finished FFVII before, so I'm looking for an experience that's fairly similar to vanilla, but I do like to be moderately challenged, and it sounds like the vanilla game is too easy on its own. I've read, however, that in New Threat 2.0, while the difficulty is better balanced, physical attacks are nerfed to the point of being underpowered, forcing you to rely mostly on magic, which to me sounds like a downgrade, being that not all playstyles are viable. Can anyone speak to whether or not this is true?

While I like the idea of the improved script, new events/dialogue, character specific abilities, Source upgrades, QoL improvements and new limit requirements, I don't want the items, materia, and enemy skills moved around in my game where I can't find them. Is it possible to have the former without the latter? Thank you!

Edit: I'm also wondering, when you open the configure mod menu for New Threat Combat Only on 7th Heaven, there's an option that simply says Choose, and a toggle for on and off, however I cannot find an explanation in the readme or anywhere else. What does this mean?

Final thing, does the 6030 FPS mod work with Combat Only?

[Sega Chief]

Hi! I'm having trouble finding clear information on the exact differences between 2.0, Combat Only, and Vanilla Combat. Can someone explain these?

Also, I've never finished FFVII before, so I'm looking for an experience that's fairly similar to vanilla, but I do like to be moderately challenged, and it sounds like the vanilla game is too easy on its own. I've read, however, that in New Threat 2.0, while the difficulty is better balanced, physical attacks are nerfed to the point of being underpowered, forcing you to rely mostly on magic, which to me sounds like a downgrade, being that not all playstyles are viable. Can anyone speak to whether or not this is true?

While I like the idea of the improved script, new events/dialogue, character specific abilities, Source upgrades, QoL improvements and new limit requirements, I don't want the items, materia, and enemy skills moved around in my game where I can't find them. Is it possible to have the former without the latter? Thank you!

Edit: I'm also wondering, when you open the configure mod menu for New Threat Combat Only on 7th Heaven, there's an option that simply says Choose, and a toggle for on and off, however I cannot find an explanation in the readme or anywhere else. What does this mean?

Final thing, does the 6030 FPS mod work with Combat Only?

I personally find physical attacks to be just as viable but there's probably more ways to do more damage with magic; the trick is to try and equip armour, accessory, and Materia to push their Strength and Luck stats. I think I adjusted things like enemy defences and spell strengths for the late-game a little to try and counteract it a bit.

These are the two derivatives from the full mod:
*) Combat Only: Only the battle balancing is included (enemy strength & character equipment, spells, etc.), the field scripting, story text, item placement, events, etc. are all vanilla. Any new enemies added for NT are also removed. For people who want the combat rebalancing stuff but not the other stuff I've added. 2.0 has this variant. It can be used as a compatibility option with mods that adjust field scripting, though it may not be 100%.

*) Vanilla Combat: The opposite of the above; all the new field scripting, events, item placements, etc. for NT are included but all of the enemy encounters and character equipment, etc. is vanilla. For people who want the extra stuff, but not the battle rebalancing. 2.0 doesn't have this variant (the 1.5 build has it), but I'm planning to make this for 2.0 soon.

As for item placements & enemy skills, they're mostly the same with a few exceptions; Matra Magic is still learned from Custom Sweepers outside Midgar, for instance. There's a download I have on this thread that contains documentation which lists where everything is (or at least, one location for it) if that helps.

The 30/60 FPS mod should work with Combat Only; enable both the 60fps IRO and the 60FPS NT IRO like you would for the full mod.

The IRO text on the options isn't super clear, but I did an update to NT CO today that hopefully makes it a little clearer; it's just an internal thing so that it applies the files, and should be left On.

[Dorklord]

Hi Sega Chief,

I have a quick question regarding

Spoiler: show

the battle where you play as Zack in his last stand.

Is the battle winnable or do the enemies keep coming endlessly until you lose? Also if it is winnable, is there a reward to winning or is it just bragging rights?

[Soulstice]

I personally find physical attacks to be just as viable but there's probably more ways to do more damage with magic; the trick is to try and equip armour, accessory, and Materia to push their Strength and Luck stats. I think I adjusted things like enemy defences and spell strengths for the late-game a little to try and counteract it a bit.

These are the two derivatives from the full mod:
*) Combat Only: Only the battle balancing is included (enemy strength & character equipment, spells, etc.), the field scripting, story text, item placement, events, etc. are all vanilla. Any new enemies added for NT are also removed. For people who want the combat rebalancing stuff but not the other stuff I've added. 2.0 has this variant. It can be used as a compatibility option with mods that adjust field scripting, though it may not be 100%.

*) Vanilla Combat: The opposite of the above; all the new field scripting, events, item placements, etc. for NT are included but all of the enemy encounters and character equipment, etc. is vanilla. For people who want the extra stuff, but not the battle rebalancing. 2.0 doesn't have this variant (the 1.5 build has it), but I'm planning to make this for 2.0 soon.

As for item placements & enemy skills, they're mostly the same with a few exceptions; Matra Magic is still learned from Custom Sweepers outside Midgar, for instance. There's a download I have on this thread that contains documentation which lists where everything is (or at least, one location for it) if that helps.

The 30/60 FPS mod should work with Combat Only; enable both the 60fps IRO and the 60FPS NT IRO like you would for the full mod.

The IRO text on the options isn't super clear, but I did an update to NT CO today that hopefully makes it a little clearer; it's just an internal thing so that it applies the files, and should be left On.

Thank you for your very thorough answer! Much appreciated. Combat Only sounds perfect for me then, since I haven't ever finished the game.

When I tried to run the game from 7th Heaven just now, I get an error that says 60 fps animations for New Threat 2.0 requires you to activate New Threat 2.0 as well, but I have New Threat Combat Only enabled already, so it seems that for some reason the 60 fps mod won't work with Combat Only. Any ideas?

[remmy88]

Anyone else game freeze when using chronocure? I thought it was part of the spell or something first time i used it having chrono in the name lol, but that game stayed frozen..could hear me getting attacked in the backround though and to force close the game.

[k1ra]

Anyone looking to use mods on a Steam Deck, this https://github.com/dotaxis/7thDeck worked perfectly for me.

I'm new to registering, but I've been following this site and this mod on and off for a very long time. I've never really been a PC gamer, though, so being able to play modded FFVII portably is a dream come true.

Having a blast so far. It's astounding the amount of work and dedication you've put into this, Sega Chief. I'm glad you're still around after all these years. I'm up to Junon at the moment. I think the innates thing is pretty neat, and I like the switch-up you've done with materia and equipment, definitely playing in a different way due to it. Looking forward to what's to come!

[hotandcrunchy]

I've installed the Combat Only mod and I can't find an explanation anywhere on the only configurable item: what is "New Thread Mod - Core Files" for? Is this something that enables the mod? Like do I need to enable the mod and then enable this as well?

[guisfsj]

hi i want to know if  "only combat version" of new threat 2.0 keeps classes and sp system. i am doing a second playtrough and i dont wanna change too much. but i want a revigorate battle system, since documentation links its not avaible anymore.

thanks.

[HardPunkKore]

@ Sega Chief. Love what you have done with the game.

Question: The documentation in the mod files says there is an Added Effect Materia hidden somewhere in Great Glacier. I have searched and searched. Got any hints on where to find it?

Thanks, I'll hang up and listen.

[Sega Chief]

Hi Sega Chief,

I have a quick question regarding

Spoiler: show

the battle where you play as Zack in his last stand.

Is the battle winnable or do the enemies keep coming endlessly until you lose? Also if it is winnable, is there a reward to winning or is it just bragging rights?

It's just for bragging rights, the fight was originally going to loop infinitely but I decided to just make it close off after the final wave.

Thank you for your very thorough answer! Much appreciated. Combat Only sounds perfect for me then, since I haven't ever finished the game.

When I tried to run the game from 7th Heaven just now, I get an error that says 60 fps animations for New Threat 2.0 requires you to activate New Threat 2.0 as well, but I have New Threat Combat Only enabled already, so it seems that for some reason the 60 fps mod won't work with Combat Only. Any ideas?

Unsure, it's probably an ID thing and expecting the regular version rather than the variant. I'll look into it.

Anyone else game freeze when using chronocure? I thought it was part of the spell or something first time i used it having chrono in the name lol, but that game stayed frozen..could hear me getting attacked in the backround though and to force close the game.

Sounds like an issue with the attack animation; on its own it should be fine, but maybe there's another mod or some tweak to the way the game renders graphics that has caused this one to malfunction. It's a very rare attack animation in the base game from what I remember (used by Tonberries), so it maybe slipped the net.

Anyone looking to use mods on a Steam Deck, this https://github.com/dotaxis/7thDeck worked perfectly for me.

I'm new to registering, but I've been following this site and this mod on and off for a very long time. I've never really been a PC gamer, though, so being able to play modded FFVII portably is a dream come true.

Having a blast so far. It's astounding the amount of work and dedication you've put into this, Sega Chief. I'm glad you're still around after all these years. I'm up to Junon at the moment. I think the innates thing is pretty neat, and I like the switch-up you've done with materia and equipment, definitely playing in a different way due to it. Looking forward to what's to come!

Cheers; good to hear it works on steam deck.

I've installed the Combat Only mod and I can't find an explanation anywhere on the only configurable item: what is "New Thread Mod - Core Files" for? Is this something that enables the mod? Like do I need to enable the mod and then enable this as well?

It's just an internal thing; IROs need ID'd flags within other IROs to toggle options, etc. I just left it in for that. It is a bit redundant as the IRO itself has a toggle on the library page, but I didn't want to cause unforeseen compat issues by removing it.

hi i want to know if  "only combat version" of new threat 2.0 keeps classes and sp system. i am doing a second playtrough and i dont wanna change too much. but i want a revigorate battle system, since documentation links its not avaible anymore.

thanks.

It has all of NT's changes to the battle system, but as SP is handled through field script this part isn't in there I'm afraid.

@ Sega Chief. Love what you have done with the game.

Question: The documentation in the mod files says there is an Added Effect Materia hidden somewhere in Great Glacier. I have searched and searched. Got any hints on where to find it?

Thanks, I'll hang up and listen.

It's on this field:

Hey Sega Chief, not sure what's up, could be a bug, but the version I'm on (2.09973) Cid's Big Brawl limit on Schizo and some other enemies in Great Glacier does nothing, no damage, it doesn't even make a sound effect.

There's a visual bug with that Limit Break on the steam version; it won't display damage numbers correctly and has other visual/audio bugs. It's not NT-related.


***

I've put together a Vanilla Combat variant of the mod, for people who want the default game's battles & character equipment, etc. It should be on the catalog now, but a link is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sLdMU0QDFnDDrT8z1KvTPdqYmUaLN-va/view?usp=sharing

[HardPunkKore]

@Sega Chief.

I finally found it. It is very well hidden. I ran right by it at least a dozen times. The blue materia blends in very well with the shades of white, grey and other blues from the environments snow, ice and storm effects. Even after knowing what screen it is in, I have to deep scan the area to find it.

Kudos!

Having a blast playing with the mod.

Thanks!!!

[KelloggCereal1]

Trying out the 2.0 Vanilla Combat variant and the All materia in the Beginners Hall has been replaced with a Sense materia. I also noticed that a Star Pendant is still obtainable in the sector 5 reactor before planting the bomb. I am receiving "An invalid initial state was detected; your game's kernel has not been patched." error upon selecting a new game. I uninstalled/reinstalled 7th Heaven and FF7 entirely and tried with only New Threat 2.0 Vanilla Combat installed and still noticed these errors. Not sure what to do at this point so I apologize if this ends up being a user error.

I would just like to thank you for all of the work you've done with New Threat over the years, it's always been my favorite way to experience the game.

[Sega Chief]

Trying out the 2.0 Vanilla Combat variant and the All materia in the Beginners Hall has been replaced with a Sense materia. I also noticed that a Star Pendant is still obtainable in the sector 5 reactor before planting the bomb. I am receiving "An invalid initial state was detected; your game's kernel has not been patched." error upon selecting a new game. I uninstalled/reinstalled 7th Heaven and FF7 entirely and tried with only New Threat 2.0 Vanilla Combat installed and still noticed these errors. Not sure what to do at this point so I apologize if this ends up being a user error.

I would just like to thank you for all of the work you've done with New Threat over the years, it's always been my favorite way to experience the game.

The error message should be fine, it was just a failsafe check I added to the full mod to make sure that the kernel was patched. As vanilla combat uses a vanilla kernel, it's triggering the logic in the field script to report an error (I forgot to remove it). I'll remove the error script in the next patch; it's safe to ignore that error message for now. Sorry for the reinstall hassle.

I think Sense being in Beginner's Hall has something to do with explaining to Barret how to use Materia, but I'd need to check. I'd consider it intended for now.

Aeris has Cid's Scimitar as an available weapon to equip, and can actually use it. Was this on purpose or a bug? NT version 2.09973

Yeah I set Aeris to be able to use some of Cid's late-game weapons to give her some extra options, as she has less weapons overall than the other characters. I added the models to her character model data so they should appear, unless overwritten by a model swap mod or something.

[KelloggCereal1]

Thanks for the response Sega Chief. I was mostly interested in the vanilla version because I thought the item/materia placements would be reverted to vanilla FF7 states. That doesn't appear to be the case which is fine. As far as the All materia is concerned, Cloud does not spawn with it like he does in standard 2.0 nor is it at the Beginner's Hall, so not sure what to do about that.

I did plant the second bomb at the No. 5 Reactor and initiated an encounter against three Bulga? I know it's supposed to be a Thunder Gunner in standard 2.0, but I had expected to not have an encounter there at all given it's vanilla combat, so not sure what's going on there as well.

[Sega Chief]

Thanks for the response Sega Chief. I was mostly interested in the vanilla version because I thought the item/materia placements would be reverted to vanilla FF7 states. That doesn't appear to be the case which is fine. As far as the All materia is concerned, Cloud does not spawn with it like he does in standard 2.0 nor is it at the Beginner's Hall, so not sure what to do about that.

I did plant the second bomb at the No. 5 Reactor and initiated an encounter against three Bulga? I know it's supposed to be a Thunder Gunner in standard 2.0, but I had expected to not have an encounter there at all given it's vanilla combat, so not sure what's going on there as well.

Just forgot to change that battle ID to something appropriate; I'll sort something out for All as well.

[funkscience]

Playing through this amazing mod for the first time and having a blast! Hoping someone might be able to help with this question/problem:

I've saved Aeris but am unable to put her in the party through PHS. She's on the highwind, is interactive, has dialogue, but I can't play play her. Is there something I need to do to get her fighting again or is something bugged?

Many thanks in advance!

[Wacker3]

Hi all.

I am having some trouble in the Shinra mansion, specifically recruiting Vincent. I am on game type A and have gotten the Sephiroth scene and beaten lost number but I started getting crashes when entering the screen with Vincent's room so I left Nibelheim and re-entered which seemed the fix that, however the door the Vincent's is closed and i can see from others playthroughs it should just be open? Not sure how to proceed and don't wanna miss out on a party member so any help would be appreciated since I'm really enjoying the game otherwise.

Thanks

[Sega Chief]

Playing through this amazing mod for the first time and having a blast! Hoping someone might be able to help with this question/problem:

I've saved Aeris but am unable to put her in the party through PHS. She's on the highwind, is interactive, has dialogue, but I can't play play her. Is there something I need to do to get her fighting again or is something bugged?

Many thanks in advance!

That's unusual, were any other mods active?

Hi all.

I am having some trouble in the Shinra mansion, specifically recruiting Vincent. I am on game type A and have gotten the Sephiroth scene and beaten lost number but I started getting crashes when entering the screen with Vincent's room so I left Nibelheim and re-entered which seemed the fix that, however the door the Vincent's is closed and i can see from others playthroughs it should just be open? Not sure how to proceed and don't wanna miss out on a party member so any help would be appreciated since I'm really enjoying the game otherwise.

Thanks

There should be a key in one of the chests close to the safe (the safe is no longer required to recruit Vincent) which will let you open the door.

[Wacker3]

I'm sorry but unless I am blind (which is a possibility) there are no chests near the safe and I'm pretty sure I've opened all others in the mansion.

[Final_Figue]

Hello funkscience.

I have a similar problem about Aeris, the problem was that I used "Cactuar mod". Other thing that you can do is this: Start a new gameplay, only for make sure of this detail: 

Do you see this image when you start a new gameplay? Do it with the mods that you already have it enalbled.



If you don´t  see this image disable your mods one by one until you get it.

I hope this help you.

[funkscience]

Just chiming in to say that I was also having crashes trying to get vincent. I had to disable battles for that section to avoid crashes and that seemed to get me through it, but there was definitely some weird bugs going on that were scary...

[funkscience]

wdx on the discord generously helped modify my save file to fix it but I don't know what caused it. I did indeed have Cactaur mod active in order correct the xbox controller icons - should I disable Cactaur or was this the only part of the game that caused problems for you?

[Hunfinho]

This is definitely the best way to play FF7, I'm just too addicted, but i'm having some doubts right now.

For the mock weapons, is there someway that I figure out what they can do? Or any document that have this information? Some of them you can figure it out, but most of them I still have no clue what it does.

Spoiler: show

Also for the Shinra Mansion, any hints on the "The fifth row has been (melody)", I looked everything up and couldn't find anything on the game or in the forum, but that thing is really bothering me because I want to figure it out.

[Sega Chief]

I'm sorry but unless I am blind (which is a possibility) there are no chests near the safe and I'm pretty sure I've opened all others in the mansion.

I think the info I gave you was out of date (it used to be in a chest but it looks like I updated the scripts since then); I'll double-check while I'm investigating where the crash might be coming from. Sounds like it's from battles.

This is definitely the best way to play FF7, I'm just too addicted, but i'm having some doubts right now.

For the mock weapons, is there someway that I figure out what they can do? Or any document that have this information? Some of them you can figure it out, but most of them I still have no clue what it does.

Spoiler: show

Also for the Shinra Mansion, any hints on the "The fifth row has been (melody)", I looked everything up and couldn't find anything on the game or in the forum, but that thing is really bothering me because I want to figure it out.

There's a piano on the ground floor that can be played like tifa's piano; one of the keys is broken so it's a little more tricky to play by ear but if you play the tune you usually play on tifa's piano there something may happen (think it's Disc 3 also maybe).

As for the mock weapons:
Nail Bat: 30% crit rate bonus
Work Glove: +100 Vit/Spr
Rocket Punch: 30% crit rate bonus
Hairpin: Long-Range
Umbrella: 30% crit rate bonus
Mop: Water/Blunt element, Dex+52, Lck+70
Superball: Deals bonus modifier damage when you have dead allies (yoshiyuki effect)
Trumpet Shell: Inflicts Sadness & restores HP
Lightgun: Inflicts KO, 100% crit-rate

***

Edit: So I had a look, I wasn't able to replicate a crash though.

So for 2.0, it seems that the basement door where Vincent is sleeping is unlocked by default, and the laboratory door is locked instead. The key sits on Vincent's coffin and is obtained when interacting with the coffin. This makes Vincent's recruitment mandatory as the player can't leave through Nibelheim's back exit until they've found Sephiroth in the lab.

Hi all.

I am having some trouble in the Shinra mansion, specifically recruiting Vincent. I am on game type A and have gotten the Sephiroth scene and beaten lost number but I started getting crashes when entering the screen with Vincent's room so I left Nibelheim and re-entered which seemed the fix that, however the door the Vincent's is closed and i can see from others playthroughs it should just be open? Not sure how to proceed and don't wanna miss out on a party member so any help would be appreciated since I'm really enjoying the game otherwise.

Thanks

Based on the above, how did you get into the laboratory without talking to Vincent? The way into the lab should be blocked until the player has spoken to him in his coffin. Were you able to just enter the lab as normal without doing that? Are there any other mods active? It shouldn't be possible currently to talk to Sephiroth in the mansion before talking to Vincent. I'm thinking something's interfered and left parts of the mansion as vanilla/altered fields maybe which has disrupted the logic. Also, if you're able to send me your save file I can take a look at it and see what's been set and what's not been set.

[Final_Figue]

Hello funkscience.

I did indeed have Cactaur mod active in order correct the xbox controller icons - should I disable Cactaur or was this the only part of the game that caused problems for you?

In my case Aeris disappeared from PHS option. Some characters disappeared in the Villages, too. I enabled and disabled Cactuar but It was the same. So, I decided to start all over the game.