Need help with modding

[Suicide Junkie]

You can use the forum's search function (right below "post reply"), or if that fails, just post a message. There's lots of people here ready to help .

As for leaning to mod...
I would say that getting right into the text file is best.
Start by creating a modfolder, create a "data" folder in there, and copy the original components.txt. Change the path.txt in your SE4 directory to read "Path := <modfolder>", rather than "none"
Now you're ready to change stuff. Look through the file, and change some numbers, then work your way up to bigger changes.
The biggest and most confusing problem is the double-blank line. SE4 stops reading once it hits that, and you'll be left wondering why your stuff isn't showing up.
You'll want to keep a copy of Abilities.txt handy, as well as the top-most How-To part of components.txt.

PS: If you've got an idea, but aren't sure how to implement it, just ask.

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For what works with what, it would be best to check the ReadMe files, then ask the authors themselves.
In general, mods are incompatible if they change the same files, though there are fuzzy situations.