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Master Overflow Settings

Split Files if Max Masters Exceeded

This setting allows Synthesis to automatically handle the TooManyMastersException by detecting and merging split mod files that were created when a patcher exceeded the master file limit (typically 255 masters in Skyrim).

Default: ON (enabled by default)

When to Enable

  • Turn this ON (default) if you encounter TooManyMastersException errors during pipeline execution
  • This allows patchers to create multiple split files (e.g., Patch_1.esp, Patch_2.esp) when they exceed the master limit
  • The next patcher in the group will automatically detect and merge these split files back together

Important Requirements

  • All patchers in the group must target a Synthesis version that supports this feature (v0.36.0 or later)
  • If you have older patchers that need to target older Synthesis versions:
  • Place them earlier in the patcher group (before the master limit is reached)
  • This ensures they run successfully before split files are created
  • Later patchers with modern Synthesis versions can handle the split files

How It Works

  1. When a patcher exceeds the master limit, it creates split files: ModName_1.esp, ModName_2.esp, etc.
  2. Each split file contains a subset of the masters to stay under the limit
  3. The next patcher with this setting enabled will:
  4. Detect the split files
  5. Merge their contents back together
  6. Present them as a single unified mod in the load order
  7. Continue patching normally

Example Scenario

Group Order:
1. OldPatcher (v0.35.0) - runs first, doesn't create split files
2. HeavyPatcher (v0.36.0) - adds many masters, creates Patch_1.esp and Patch_2.esp
3. FinalPatcher (v0.36.0) - merges split files and continues

In this example:

  • OldPatcher runs with v0.35.0 (doesn't support split files) and completes successfully
  • HeavyPatcher hits the master limit and creates Patch_1.esp and Patch_2.esp
  • FinalPatcher automatically detects and merges the split files, then continues patching normally

Troubleshooting

Error: "Could not find file 'ModName.esp'"

This error typically means:

  • A patcher created split files (e.g., ModName_1.esp, ModName_2.esp) but the next patcher doesn't support the split file feature
  • Solution: Ensure all patchers in the group use Synthesis v0.36.0 or later, OR place older patchers earlier in the group

Mixed Version Scenarios

If you must use older patchers (< v0.36.0) alongside newer ones:

  1. Analyze your load order: Identify which patchers are likely to cause the master limit to be exceeded
  2. Place old patchers first: Put all v0.35.x and older patchers at the beginning of your group
  3. Place heavy patchers last: Patchers that add many masters should come after old patchers
  4. This ensures old patchers run before split files are created

Update Load Order After Run

When split files are created, your Plugins.txt needs to be updated to include the new split files so that the game and other tools recognize them. This setting automates that process.

Default: ON (enabled by default)

After a successful run, Synthesis will update Plugins.txt to reflect the current set of output files:

  • Adds any new split files (e.g., Patch_2.esp, Patch_3.esp) that were created
  • Removes old split file entries that are no longer produced
  • Preserves the original position and enabled/disabled state of the base mod in the load order
  • New entries are inserted adjacent to the base mod entry so that split files remain consecutive