Using Startup Time to Measure the Impact of a New Mod

Establish a Baseline First

Before adding the mod you want to test, launch the game and record the startup time the mod reports. Do this a couple of times so you have a stable reference, since the first launch after any change is often slower.

Test the Change

Add the single mod you are curious about, then launch again. Compare the reported startup time to your baseline. The difference is that mod's rough contribution to load time on your system. If you want a cleaner result, remove it, relaunch to confirm you return near the baseline, then re-add it and test once more.

Interpreting the Difference

• A small increase means the mod adds little loading overhead.
• A large increase suggests heavy registration, world-gen hooks, or many assets.
• No change at all is possible for lightweight mods.

Practical Tips

• Only change one mod between runs, or you cannot attribute the difference.
• Close other heavy programs so they do not skew results.
• Test on the same world and same settings each time.
• Remember that startup time reflects loading only, not in-game performance.

This makes the mod a simple A/B tool for deciding whether a mod is worth its load cost.