Pre-Installation
Modding The Witcher 2
The first thing to keep in mind when modding The Witcher 2 is that it is over a decade old, so expect the experience to not be entirely smooth sailing. That said the modding workflow is not too difficult but does require some thought
The general rule of thumb is this:
Within your Witcher 2 directory a folder will be used called "CookedPC". The CookedPC folder houses the files of most W2 mods, a couple mods do not install there though so make sure to read the install instructions of the mod so you place it in the correct location.
Additionally, since files can often be in raw formats, you can often be in cases of having to overwrite files in the Override folder with ones from a mod you're trying to install, this requires some thought so be careful when doing this
Throughout the guide I will be providing instructions in case you get confused but treat it as an education into the modding workflow of The Witcher
Also as a gesture of good will, I suggest you endorse each and every mod you download from this guide. Most mod authors work usually with little to no pay and contribute massively to the community, as such I believe it only right we return that gesture of goodwill with endorsements to show our appreciation
Before Starting the Guide
Some steps need to be taken to ensure little to no issues arise:
Create a backup of your Steam/GOG version of The Witcher 2 so that if you mess up badly you can just revert to the backup instead of having to reinstall the game from scratch
Ensure that your installation of The Witcher 2 is clean. This means no leftover files from previous mods. If you're unsure then do a game file validation to clean the files or if you want to be extra careful then reinstall the entire game
Ensure you have a tool like 7zip or WinRAR at hand. This is because some mods require one of these tools to be opened and have their files extracted
Important Information
The order in which you install the mods matters as there will be a few cases of files being overwritten. Always install from top to bottom
A new game is greatly recommended. It is possible some things could break if you try installing this mid-playthrough
With all that said, enjoy the guide and good luck on the path!