Monthly Modder: RascalArt
For many modders, Fallout 4 DLC such as Nuka World, Far Harbor and Vault-Tec Workshop have been a rich source of modding inspiration, and this is also true for RascalArt (Bethesda.net, Nexus), who was inspired by the Automatron DLC. For those looking to go further than creating their own unique robot companions, players can now repurpose the limbs, heads and torsos of various corpses using his “Fleshsmith” mod (Xbox, Nexus) to create all manner of sci-fi monstrosities.
This mod gives players the ability to collect and combine the disembodied viscera of dead humans, ghouls, super mutants, mirelurks and molerats and just in time for Halloween. The potential combinations are endless, and you’ll gleefully return to your nearest robot workbench after each enemy encounter to see what new, weird friends you can create to help give your settlements a David Cronenberg vibe. In our interview, RascalArt discusses his process of taking this mod from wild idea to reality, his favorite Fleshsmith creations, and how he approaches modding in general.
”Fleshsmith” is such a fun expansion to the Automatron DLC. What inspired you to create it?
My inspiration for mods comes from either a) Wanting to start a new game with a specific play-style and I can't find an existing mod to make it work, or b) I think to myself 'Hmm, I wonder if that would work?' and just give it a go. Fleshsmith was a bit of both. Automatron is my favourite DLC and I decided to go the 'mad scientist' route for my umpteenth playthrough. As I sat in my recently raided settlement, mixing and matching my robot parts whilst surrounded by dead foes, I wondered...would this work? And went from there!
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in putting this together?
The first thing was figuring out how automatron robot parts work in the Creation kit. I'd had a go previously in my Dalek mod, but this was another level with a lot more parts to fit together, along with discovering the joys of attach-points for armour (or clothes in this case). I do find that every time I make a mod, I learn a little bit more about how the game works. After that it was just a matter of cutting up all the meshes neatly and getting everything to fit together nicely with the minimum of clipping (or at least an acceptable amount of clipping!)
This mod allows for many unique combinations. Do you have a personal favorite creation you have made using the Fleshsmith mod?
The Psi-ghoul, complete with floaty legs, oversized head and lightning wreathed hands is a favourite of mine, mostly because I was pleased with how it turned out, but also because it's so delightfully grotesque! Otherwise, I have a soft spot for any creation involving the Mole-rat pieces, because who doesn't want an army of mole-men?
What is your favorite part of modding?
The sheer joy of the creative process: Fallout 4 is a very versatile game - if you can think of it, it can probably be done! Having an idea, giving it a go and getting it to work, seeing your creation come to life in-game, it's very fun and immensely satisfying! That said not everything always works; I have a few half-done mods on my hard drive that my (current) skills aren't able to fully do justice, but that doesn't mean I can't revisit them one day when I know a bit more! I think people can sometimes be intimidated by the thought of getting started in modding, as there are a fair few systems in play. But it can be very fulfilling to see something in game, wish it could be even a little bit different, and then be able to change it. And then share your work with the community, who may not even have known they wanted it too!
Do you have any modding resources you can recommend?
There are loads of tutorial videos out there for aspiring modders covering a whole range of subjects, and they can be a life line if you find yourself struggling with the complexities of implementation. I will confess that I'm more of a 'trial and error' modder, I enjoy just diving into the Creation Kit and seeing how it all fits together, but there's nothing wrong with getting help if you're stuck!
What are your personal favorite mods or mod authors?
One mod that has never left my load order is 'Bullet Time'(Xbox, Nexus) by registrator2000. I spend a lot of time testing my creations in-game, and the ability to slow time has been very helpful in spotting issues! Also I have great respect for the Fallout London team, who recently released their collected works (Xbox, Nexus). I worked on the project for about a year before real life got in the way of modding, and they're a great example of what a talented, motivated team of modders can achieve, and I can't wait to see the finished thing!
(Check out our interview with the Fallout: London team from September.)
