Better Scenario Research and Tech Level Options Mod

Better Scenario Research and Tech Level Options Mod is an update of large moron’s mod. It improves how you select your starting research and faction tech level, especially useful when playing with Semi Random Research or similar mods. It allows players to begin at any technological tier with appropriate research automatically completed, enhancing flexibility and quality of life when setting up new RimWorld games.

Better Scenario Research and Tech Level Options Mod Features

Includes 6 Scenario options to start at the technology tier of your choice — from Neolithic to Archotech — with every research project below your selected tier automatically completed.

Archotech tier: Starts with all research in the game complete, including Archotech-tier projects from mods like More Archotech Garbage and Science Never Stops. This can be useful for testing modpacks or starting advanced colonies instantly.

This mod does not remove hidden research included in some scenarios, even if higher than your chosen tier.
For example, scenarios such as Crashlanded, Rich Explorer, and Naked Brutality include hidden research like Electricity. If you select Neolithic or Medieval tech level in these, you will still begin with electricity.

This is intentional to preserve gameplay balance and scenario integrity. If you want to remove or change this, use era-appropriate scenarios or a different mod.

Load order should not matter. If you encounter incompatibilities or unexpected behavior, report them in the comments.

How to use this mod

1. Start a new game and open the Scenario Editor from the Scenario screen.
2. Select the Edit Mode red X on the left panel.
3. Click Add Part and choose Set Faction Tech Level from the drop-down list.
4. Click the new button that appears on the right and select your desired tech level.

Compatibility notes

Update of large moron’s mod

• Fixed: Anomaly research should no longer be unlocked when selecting Industrial or higher.

Note from the comments: selecting Industrial or higher automatically unlocks all anomaly-related research. This is an engine-side limitation and won’t be fixed here. The author encourages others to commission or create their own versions if needed.

These mods complement Better Scenario Research and Tech Level Options Mod for richer progression through technological eras:

• Research Reinvented: Makes research more engaging and interactive.
• Semi Random Research: Randomly selects available research projects instead of letting you pick freely — a unique and challenging way to play.
• Tech Advancing and Tech Traversal: Allow your faction to progress through tech tiers dynamically, with appropriate research cost scaling.
• TechBlock: Organizes research into logical blocks, requiring you to complete earlier eras before advancing to the next.
• Ignorance is Bliss: Prevents higher-tech factions from raiding you until your tech level is comparable.
• Arcane Technology: Prevents pawns from using or equipping technology they haven’t researched yet.
• I Can’t Fix That: An alternative to Arcane Technology that allows use of higher-tier items and structures while maintaining progression realism.

Original author: large moron.
Abandoned version maintained for compatibility and stability with later RimWorld versions.