Alright, major project updates!
First, I'm pleased to announce the debut of the Legend of Dragoon Modding System, or LODModS, a new, simple-to-use system for applying mods to LoD! Up until now, mods for the game have tended to each use similar but differing installation methods, forcing users to have to rename disc images and move files around to apply them all. Further, no thought was given to mod compatibility, nor was there any sort of documentation on the subject to help users figure out how to deal with mod conflicts.
LODModS is my solution to these and other issues, by designing mods to be installed by a single patcher (Frankensteined out of custom code and freely available utilities), and reducing their file footprint where possible. The patcher is easy to setup and use, only requiring the user to specify a handful of folder and file names in the config file before running the executable. Currently, only the patcher is available, but once the full toolset is in a more complete state, I'll release that too so that other modders can generate mods designed to work with the system.
Second, I have also released the v0.9 update to my Script Overhaul Disc 1 beta. In addition to a few small typo corrections, this update contains improvements to all of the item/spell/system/battle menu text, generally focused on readability and making item and spell descriptions a bit more explicit (and accurate). For instance, Dragoon spell descriptions now have the
actual damage percentages. These changes are applied to all 4 discs. The installation method has have course been updated to use the LODModS patcher.
Third, while testing other mods for the game, I discovered that NoOneee's Encounter Rate Bugfix is actually itself bugged. Because of this, I went ahead and made my own fix for the original bug using a different algorithm. The encounter rate should now be roughly the same regardless of movement direction and speed, as originally intended. Additionally, I have included alternate versions to halve and double the rate.
Finally, to make full use of LODModS, I have updated all currently complete LoD mods to work with LODModS, including both my own work and mods by other authors (with permission), and bundled them into a single LODModS Mod Pack. In some cases, I have also extended or otherwise updated those mods (details in the readme files). The Mod Pack contains my Full XP and Encounter Rate Bugfix mods, NoOneee's Undub and Rose's Blood mods, and Zychronix's Half HP mod. Aside from my still-incomplete Script Overhaul mod, this is currently a one-stop-shop for all of LoD's mods.
Links are here, and also in the OP:
LODModS Patcher:
http://www.romhacking.net/utilities/1445/Script Overhaul beta v0.92:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/587n5o4ue5gkcs5/LODSO_Disc1_beta.zip/fileLODModS Mod Pack:
http://www.romhacking.net/hacks/4348/Full XP:
http://www.romhacking.net/hacks/4072/ (mainly archival, also in Mod Pack)
tfz's Encounter Rate Bugfix:
http://www.romhacking.net/hacks/4347/ (mainly archival, also in Mod Pack)