Monday, October 18, 2021

Baldur's Gate 3 - How to Unpack .PAK files

How to unpack game resource files (.pak) of Baldur's Gate 3.

Way #1 (more user-friendly)

  1. Download and unpack ExportTool version 1.15.10 or later from https://github.com/Norbyte/lslib/releases
  2. run ConverterApp.exe
  3. at "Game" picklist select "Baldur's Gate 3 (64-bit)"
  4. select tab "PAK / LSV Tools"
  5. select game resources and manipulate what you want

That instrument also can convert binary .lsf files into readable XML .lsx files.

Way #2

  1. download and unpack QuickBMS version 0.11 or later from https://aluigi.altervista.org/quickbms.htm
  2. open https://zenhax.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14229#p59245
  3. and copy script code to a clipboard.
  4. OR find script code here below.
  5. in that folder create file baldur_pack.bms
  6. paste script code into the file and save changes.
  7. run quickbms_4gb_files.exe
  8. select the script file baldur_pack.bms
  9. select game file .pak from ..\steamapps\common\Baldurs Gate 3\Data\
  10. select output folder
  11. just wait, QuickBMS will unpack game files into output folder

And, of course, you can use CLI of that application.

* CLI = command-line interface


# Baldur's Gate 3 PAK format (script 0.1.1)

# script for QuickBMS http://quickbms.aluigi.org


callfunction QUICKBMS_4GB_CHECK 1


comtype lz4

idstring "LSPK"

get VERSION long #15

get TABLE_OFF longlong


goto TABLE_OFF

get FILES long

get TABLE_ZSIZE long

savepos TABLE_OFFSET


math TABLE_SIZE = FILES

math TABLE_SIZE *= 296


clog MEMORY_FILE TABLE_OFFSET TABLE_ZSIZE TABLE_SIZE


for i = 0 < FILES

    getdstring NAME 256 MEMORY_FILE

    get OFFSET longlong MEMORY_FILE

    get ZSIZE longlong MEMORY_FILE

    get SIZE longlong MEMORY_FILE

    get DUMMY longlong MEMORY_FILE

    get CRC long MEMORY_FILE

    get DUMMY long MEMORY_FILE

   

    if SIZE == 0

        log NAME OFFSET ZSIZE

    else

        clog NAME OFFSET ZSIZE SIZE

    endif

next i


startfunction QUICKBMS_4GB_CHECK

    math TMP64 = 0x10000000

    math TMP64 * 16

    if TMP64 == 0

        print ">>>> You must use quickbms_4gb_files.exe with this archive <<<<"

        cleanexit

    endif

endfunction


Guide by Mellarius

Baldur's Gate 3 - Character creation guide

I've been playing DND since I was 14, starting out with pathfinder and since 2018 moving onto Fifth Edition, the latter being superior in my book I was so excited to hear Larian was making the next Baldurs Gate. The only worry I have is that you can't have multiple party members taking part in a conversation :(, "Sorry your cha-dump cleric or Rogue walked ahead, you will now fail the charisma checks for this convo".


Regardless, please enjoy the below guide for building the optimal character, both mechanically and for the sake of fun!

Character Creation

Race: Human

Pick Humans because nothing is more unique to people than not being some cretin who's ♥♥♥♥♥ mother banged:

  • A Demon
  • A Midget
  • An Elf
  • An Orc
  • A Drow
  • A Drow Midget
  • A Scottish Midget

Disregard all other races


Class: Fighter

Pick Fighter (Until Paladin is available) because unlike a an Elven bow or a demon ♥♥♥♥ spell, a sword doesn't run out of arrows or MP.

Disregard all other classes

Now that you're in game

Kill some mind-flayers, romance whoever you wish and disrespect druids, goblins, Elves and whosoever decide to in front of you sword!


Disco Elysium - How to play with mouse only guide

Tired of using the keyboard ? Want to play mouse only? Maybe this helps! :)

If you agree with the following then I maybe have a solution for you:

  • Holding down TAB or double clicking for runningis a little bit enervating ?
  • You want to play the game entirely mouse only ?


How to do it

Here a simple Script for AUTOHOTKEY so that you only have to use the mouse to play the game.


Left Side Button = TAB is held. Press again TAB is unheld

Right Mouse = AutoRun

Middle Mouse = ESC

-----------------------------------------------

; Mouse Only Play for Disco Elysium

; Tab to Mouse Left Side XButton1

; Running to Right Mouse Button

; ESC to Middle Mouse Button


RButton::Click, 2

MButton::ESC


XButton1::

Toggle := !Toggle

If Toggle

Send {TAB Down}

else

Send {TAB Up}

return

-----------------------------------------------


Do not copy the --- lines ^^


You can get Auto Hot Key there ---> https://www.autohotkey.com/


Procedure:

  1. Install AHK
  2. Open an editor e.g. notepad, notepad++ etc
  3. Paste above script into the editor
  4. Save the file as eg disco_auto_tab.ahk
  5. Make sure that the file is saved as an AHK file !!!
  6. Doubleclick on it
  7. Enjoy


Thx to Private_Airport for the running idea :)


If you want to to use other mouse buttons then replace XButton1:

  • Mouse 5 : replace it with Xbutton2
  • Middle : replace it with MButton

Guide by dukecrom

Assassin's Creed Unity - Crash on Startup FIX!

Disable ShadowPlay from GeForce Experience before entering the game!

Introduction

If you encounter a crash on startup, then you'll need to disable ShadowPlay from GeForce Experience before entering the game!

How to?

Open GeForce Experience, click on ShadowPlay in the top right corner, then click on the "switch" thingy, until all green lights are off. Exit both ShadowPlay and GeForce Experience.


The Result

Voilà! You can now enjoy playing Assassin's Creed Unity again!


Assassin's Creed Unity - Various Gameplay Tips

This guide will impart on you some hopefully useful tips which will make your gameplay more fun.

Money

Money will obviously be important for you in Unity. Everything costs a bit. Basic conumables will cost you. Advanced consumables will cost you more. End game items will cost you a small fortune.

What to do? - Invest. Upgrade Cafe Theatre as soon as you possibly can. Keep in mind that this will require you to complete the Cafe quests at well below their ideal level. Renovate the coffee shops as well for more income. And don't forget to pick up your money from the Cafe chest!

Helix Points

Important - do NOT spend these on equipment items.

Helix points are a separate currency obtainable from the now defunct game companion app.

You get some to start off with and you can get some more from the uplay rewards.

Both of these should allow you to get 3/4 time saver packs.

These time saver packs are different than in Black Flag.

This is because in Unity, synchronizing with a viewpoint does NOT show locations on the map.

You can only get those locations to show up by purchasing a time sever pack.

My advice would be to get the chests timesaver pack and the paris quests timesaver pack.

The others are few enough that you can just google them.

Lockpicking

Cards on the table - I have lockpicking in this game. The designers have picked the single, most annoying minigame to unlock chests. The wost lockpicking i've seen in any game.

But let's move on to how to deal with it.


How it works is that you need to press the button at the exact right moment that the cursor passes the "safe zone". I've found it helpful to press when the curson is ABOUT to enter this zone. But it will be up to you to learn the right timing for this minigame.


The other big tip, and this is the really good one is to get a lockpicking belt. Some of the belts in the game allow you to increase the ammount of lockpicks you can carry. Even a cheap belt should more than double your lockpicks, making opening doors and chests a much less frustrating experience and you get more chances at a lock.

Gear

A new function in Unity is gear and equipment. You get to pick an mix between various weapons and armor. These provide different stat boosts and bonuses and make your game more fun.

You get to choose a weapon, a pistol and armor. The armor consists of a hood, a chest item, trousers gloves and a belt.

As the previous section hinted, it's a good idea to buy a belt with increased lockpick capacity for chests and door unlocking.

As for the rest, it's up to you to decice what boosts you want. Personally I'd advise getting bonus health, at least until you get the hang of the combat.

As for weapons, I think that the Heavy weapons are the best choice. Blocking and counters are actually equally difficult with all weapon types. It makes sense then to go for the weapons which do the most damage with each hit.

Stay away from rifles. I found them to be completely useless. They use the same ammo as your pistol, do as much damage and have as much range. A waste of space and a badly designed mechanic.

Apart from all this, my advice would be to just read through the various stat boosts each gear item gives you and choose what you like best.

You may also want to equip items from the same set as they generally boost the same stats. And they look better together than a random collection of items.

Combat

Combat is resonably well designed in Unity. You shouldn't have too much trouble, unless you run into an area above your level. But here's a few tips which might make your life easier.


Don't fight indoors or in closed locations. Unfortuntally Arno's worst enemy in combat is the camera. It will often lock in on one enemy only, leaving you blind to the actions of the others. If this happens, block an attack and try to move to a different location to shake up the camera.


Take out the snipers first. These enemies deal absurd ammounts of damage. Even with end game gear specifically chosen to protect against ranged attacks, each shot will still take away a significant ammount of your health.

This gets even more important later in the game, when difficulty is often created by stacking half a dozen snipers in one area.


Then the agile enemies. Normal enemies are easy. Long weapon ones too. Heavy enemies are dangerous, but still blockable. Agile ones however are a major pain, Their attacks are very difficult to block and even more so to counter. The best way i've found of dealing with them in melee is to throw a smoke bomb and then keep hitting them when they're stunned.

Guide by Phex

Assassin's Creed Unity - How to be stealthy

 I made this Guide to show new Players (Mostly People that have never played an Assassin's Creed Game before) how to not-fail a Mission. Yes... My Grammar is perfect...

The Basic Stuff

First of all, I hope you know the Steering for an AC Game. If not, you mostly find it in-game in the upper right corner, or in the in-game Menu.


For the case that you still don't know how to litteraly move arround with "style", read this:


Climbing

To climb, easily hold shift and use WASD to move to a Wall, then press Space to jump on it. If your Charachter didn't fall off the Wall, you're now in climbing-mode. Use WASD and shift to move again, but do not press Space (you will jump off the Wall then.)


Important: If you're stuck at a Position, but press the Buttons, you're probably stuck because there's nothing your Charachter can climb to / on. Try another way then.


Running on the Rooftops

If you made it on a Rooftop, there are 3 Things you need to know if you want to move fast and unnoticed:


Number 1

Running straight in one direction isn't always the best way. Somewhen there will be no Roofs infront of you to jump on, so you need to go left or right. Plan your Ways by looking arround and use your enviroment. Everything is a Ladder.


Number 2

In Unity, you can climb a Chimney or something high to see the Icons of different Locations (such as Markets, Missions, etc.) If you don't want to use the Map, do this.


Number 3

No Rooftops, and your Target is under you, or you need to quickly get off the Roof? Look for Hayball Carts. If you hold shift, run at them from a Rooftop, and press Space you can jump into them without taking damage, and dissapear for your enemies (if your Game is lagging you maybe also land next to it and die.)


Fun Fact: Doing this in real life will kill you too. No matter if you miss it or not, you will either be injured or dead.


Fun Fact 2: Wikipedia says Assassins did this while being on Dr0gs.


Dead from Above

Now that you can climb most Buildings, you surely wonder if the only thing you can do is jumping into your demise, right? No, You can also take out Sharpshooters and use their Platforms to shot your Target, Jump on a Rope and from there on your Enemy, Spy out the Location from the Rooftop, or if a NPC is highlighted in Red, you can perform a "Dead-From-Above-Assassination" by left clicking. (This wont work if the enemy has an red Exclamation mark on his Head) There are also 3 things about being a Rooftop Assassin I'd heavily advise to watch out for:


Number 1

Do not get too close on the end of the Rooftop, before assassinating your Enemy. Otherwise NPCs might notice you. Also don't jump at your Targets if they are surrounded. You will end up being ganged.


Number 2

Sentences like "Hah this ain't too high for me." or "Pfft I can jump down there without Hayballes." will get you killed too. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE GRAVITY.


Number 3

If you want to assassinate someone with style, do it like most of us experienced Assassins do; Throw a Smokebomb at your Target, jump down and kill them, and then quickly hide somewhere (Hayball Carts, Wadrobes, or else) or return to the Rooftop.


Skills that will help you alot

If you have multiple Targets or guards blocking your way, buy one of these 3 Skills:


Double-Assassination

Ability to kill 2 Persons that stand next to eachother. Very usefull if you need to enter somewhere, as most entranced are guarded by 2 (or even 4) Guards.


Double-Air-Assassination

Jump down and YEET your hidden Blade into their Heads. Usefull for the same reason as above.


Skills, that allow you to have more Munition

This one isn't very specific, but I'd recommend to buy everything that says "carry x instead of x [Gadget name here] now." as soon as possible.


Multiplayer LobG

These are my personal Multiplayer "Laws of being Good" (LobG). You don't need to follow them, but its helpfull.


Number 1

Use a Mic or Chat if possible. I just hope that you speak the same language...


Number 2

Use Team-abilities when possible. Such as the refill-area, mass-healing, or customization. These skills make your Assassin's Life way easier.


Number 3

If one of your Friends is surrounded, help them by quickly firing a Phantom-Blade or a Concuss-Bomb or distract their attackers. Most Missions are easier when you're all alive...


Number 4

Split into Teams. I'd recommend Making 2 2 Person Teams. Maybe a Team to distract, and a Team to attack.


Number 5

Having someone with a Rifle in your Team could be pretty usefull. In combat situations, they can just support you from above.


Number 6

Decide about the Way you go in! Its just taking the fun when 3 of you try to be stealthy, and someone just runs into the Place and slashes everyone.

Do not rush the Story!

As the Tittle says, do not rush the Story. Unless you want to become depressed because you died 824 Times.


My Assassin name would be "The Idiot" since I did rush the Story...

...So here's my advise: Do not do it


Need better Gear? Do Co-op or Side quests.

They bring you more...err... Currency (dam I forgot the Name) than the Story does.

I still don't get why killing a 3 Diamond Templar-Soldier gives you 1000 (Currency name here), but killing a High-Ranked Templar Official will only get you 800 (Currency name here).


Close Quarter Missions

There are Missions that will force you to go into small Rooms.

Try to follow my 3 Hints:


Number 1

Use Walls and Objects to hide behind by pressing ctrl > space (only press ctrl when you're not crouching). If an Enemy gets highlighted in red, press left mouse button to assassinate them. But be sure that nobody sees it.


Number 2

Only use Firearms in emergencies. They're loud af and NPCs will witness it (I guess, I didn't try it yet.). Being too loud can completely ruin a Mission.


Number 3

Do not rush into Rooms. Use your Eagle-eye (V) and sneak into it.

This will be helpfull if you need to defeat the King of Beggars too, as he's a real (enter swearing here)


Keep up with your Gear

The Diamonds in the upper left Corner represent your Gear-Status. They have nothing to do with the Rank next to it, these Diamonds are affected from your Loadout. Buy the best Equipment and Clothing you can get, or if you have no problem with beating higher ranked enemies, buy the Equipment that fits your Style. Otherwise...


Do not skip Cutscenes in AC: Unity

The Story is very suprising ngl, I never expected so many Plot-Twists. You think its an average "they betrayed me and I knew from the beginning on who it is" Game? No...


Blue + Red = Fight

There are 2 Factions in this Game (Assassin's dont count, you and your friends are the only ones.)

The Military, and the Patriots. Military is Blue, Patriots are Red. Try getting them into a Conflict, its not just fun to watch, its a good distraction.


LIBERATE THE CITY!

If you own Cafès in the Town, you get 2-3 Missions marked with a House-Icon. Play them to liberate Parts of the City. Its usefull.


Know your Location

Synchronize as many Places as you can. Climb on the Building marked with an Eagle on the Map, and you gain pieces of the Map. (This is still in the newer AC Games... its boring but helpfull...)


Refill before you start Missions

Refill your Equipment at Stores before starting a new Mission. You never know what awaits you.

Stealth

Stealth is the main-part of Assassin's Creed Games. If you're not sneaky, you're no Assassin.


How do I start infiltrating in a Mission?

First of all, get near the Building, but not the "restricted zone". Then use your eagle eye to scan for enemies where you want to Infiltrate. If there is any Enemy, try finding a Way to take them out silently. I recommend using Phantom Blades (If you have none, sneak upon them) when the Guard NPCs are moving arround, look for their patroling route and sneak to the Wall when they're gone. Then parkour over the Wall / on the Roof and you're in / on it.


Patrolling Enemies

I recommend looking for "easy Prey" such as Guards patrolling lonely far away from the rest of the others. Then systematically hunt down one after one. If theres no enemy patrolling lonely left, take down the Sharpshooters. Then; Voilà! You have a Rooftop, and a few Corners nearby for yourself. Now we go for the not so easy Prey....


Mass-Patrolls

If you own the Double-Assassination Skills (Air & Ground) a Group of 2 Soldiers patrolling is surely easy. If they stand next to eachother... WABAM! But what if there are 3 or more? You cant take all of them out in the same Time. When the Group you're hunting is far away from the others, Try throwing down a Smoke Bomb (Keep in mind; If they have a red ! over their head, you cannot assassinate them easily.) and jump on them, or assassinate from the ground. Depends on how you're standing.

When you want to throw a Smoke Bomb or any other Bomb preciselly, Hold down F. (Hold F... hmm)

But BEWARE if you aim preciselly, Enemies can see you. You can't aim preciselly and crouch at the same time... somewhy. If you want it a bit Saver, use "Assassinations from Cover" by sneaking upon a Wall / big Object and press space. If an Enemy is nearby and highlighted, press left mouse button to assassinate... wait I already wrote that!


Keep in mind: If a NPC sees you pulling someone over and slice their throat, they will be alerted. NO WITNESSES.


What if I'm caught?

First, look out if any "Bellringers" run away. Take them out asap, before they reach the Alertbells.

Then, try to throw a Smokebomb and climb the Roof. If everything went good, they should search - instead of murder - you now.


How do I prevent the Enemy from calling backup?

Sabotage the Alertbells. Walk up to them, and if you're unnoticed (no yellow or red ! ) you can press E to sabotage the Bell. This will make it impossible for the Enemy to call backup. But make sure that you sabotage ALL Alertbells. There are mostly more than one.


Stealth in Multiplayer or Freeroam

I recommend using the following Tactic:

2 People on the Roofs, They take out Snipers and use eagle-eye (and maybe the shared-eagle-eye-ability) to spot Enemies. 2 People on the Ground, taking out Guards and sneaking arround them if necessary. If you have less than 4 People, always split it so most Players are on the ground (example; 3 Players; 1 Roof, 2 Ground).


Another Tactic, 3 People on the Ground 1 on the Rooftop. The Person on the Roof looks for big Groups of enemies next to the Ground Team, and tries to distract those Groups and split them. Then all of you skyrimish them. Throw Bombs (smoke, gas, stun, etc.) and take them out. Then repeat.


The last Tactic is what I call "Jumpdead". Yes Im bad at naming things.

Climb the Roof, and take out Spotters & Sharpshooters. Then look for Ground Troops matching the ammount of Players you got. (Example; with 2 Players look for 2 NPCs, with 3 look for 3 NPCs...)

Then, throw the Smokebombs or Stungrenades, jump down and slash them, get up on the Roofs and search your next Prey.


Oh Hold up, Hold up, I know another Tactic;

Use your Berserker Phantom Bolts / Blades. More like, you ALL use your Berserker Phantom Bolts / Blades. Shot them into a crowd of Enemies, and watch them distracting eachother. Always aim for the Heavys or the Skilled Ones (that can parry until you break their attack) If you hit them, you should have enough time to sneak arround the Place and do whatever you wanted to.

If you have to eliminate a Target, Shot the Berserker Bolts / Blades into their Guards. Then say "Goodbye."


Different Robes = Different Stats

Your whole Loadout, Including Weapons and Clothing give you different Stats. Try to find something matching your Groups gamestyle. If you are Stealthy, like its meant to be, look for Gear that improves your sneaking, If you're Offensive, look for something raising your meele skills.


Random Street Events

There are few Events in Freeroam:


In one, a Citizen gets attacked by two NPCs.

In another one, you got to catch a Thief.

Then theres one you have to give Beggars Money.

One a Citizen gets stabbed.


and some similar ones.


It doesn't affect Gameplay, but its a good training if you want to test your stealth skills.

Plus, if you finished enough Events, you get a Money Bonus.

Guide by TMega1606

Assassin's Creed Unity - How to transfer your save from the Ubisoft launcher to Steam

 Steam and Ubi launcher save files are at the same place


Ubisoft Connect - C:\Program Files (x86)\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher\savegames[Ubisoft Connect ID Number]\720

​Steam - 857

Ubi Launcher - 720


Transfer save file from folder 720 to 857


Enjoy not having to touch the Ubi launcher again