Best way handling downloaded mods

All the searching and such is getting on my nerves.

So I'm using MedManager basically to run most mods. Seems that manually having a .bat shortcut does the same trick.... the @ *.cfg thing, and of course the mod folder in the M2TW folder.

Overall I find it pleasant to use MedManager.


I've also unpacked the files with the unpacker. As you know, you must use the 'medieval2.exe --io.file_first' in a .bat file to use the unpacked files.

If I have the files unpacked, running the game with the normal executable will not read the unpacked files. If I run with the '--io.file_first' it will read the unpacked files. Right?

So, what if I want to mix some mods?

BigMap works fine with MedManager so I've seen.

And I read that Skymod doesn't work with a mod folder OR a mod switch thing (which I don't understand anyway). This means I must replace the original unpacked files and use the 'medieval2.exe --io.file_first' for both to function together, correct?

You know, I dunno where the heck I'm going right now, but maybe somebody can clear things up for me here :dizzy2:


I think my question is this: what is the easiest and best way to handle mods, without losing/replacing original unpacked files, if it says in a mod's description the mod switch thing doesn't work?