Es3 Save File — How To Edit
ES3 files are typically stored in different locations depending on the platform:
Look for files with extensions like .es3, .txt, .save, or sometimes no extension at all. The default Easy Save 3 filename is often default.es3 or SaveFile.es3.
For most users:
→ Use the Easy Save 3 Editor inside Unity.
→ If you don’t have the asset, ask someone who does, or search for a standalone ES3 editor tool.
For devs / advanced users:
→ Write a simple Unity script to load → modify → save the ES3 file directly.
Would you like a sample script to dump an ES3 file’s keys and values for easier manual editing?
Editing an Enderal: Forgotten Stories (ES3) save file allows you to modify your character’s level, gold, skill points, or even fix broken quest stages. Because Enderal is built on the Skyrim engine, the methods are nearly identical. 🛠️ Method 1: The In-Game Console (Easiest)
For most players, you do not need to open the save file externally. You can "edit" your current state while playing. Open the console: Press the tilde key (~).
Add Gold: Type player.additem 0000000f [amount] and press Enter.
Add Skill Points: Type set LearningPoints to [number] or set CraftingPoints to [number]. Level Up: Type player.setlevel [number]. God Mode: Type tgm. 📂 Method 2: Locating Your Save Files
Before using external tools, you must find where the game stores your data. Open File Explorer.
Navigate to: Documents\My Games\Enderal\Saves (or Enderal Special Edition\Saves).
Back up your files: Copy your .ess files to a different folder before editing. ⚙️ Method 3: Using FallrimTools (Re-Saver)
If you need to clean a save from "phantom" scripts or fix a bloated file that won't load, FallrimTools is the industry standard. 1. Download and Install Download FallrimTools from the Nexus Mods site.
Ensure you have the latest Java Runtime Environment installed. 2. Open Your Save Launch Resaver.exe. Select File > Open and navigate to your .ess save file. 3. Edit Data
Unattached Instances: These are scripts no longer tied to anything. Right-click and delete them to improve stability.
Change Variables: Look under Global Variables to manually adjust values like your "Arcane Fever" percentage. Save: Select File > Save As to create a new, edited file. ⚠️ Important Warnings how to edit es3 save file
Arcane Fever: Modifying stats too aggressively can trigger the "Arcane Fever" death mechanic if you aren't careful.
Quest Corruption: Avoid editing "Quest" scripts unless you are following a specific guide. It can permanently break your playthrough.
Script Lag: Deleting the wrong script in Re-Saver can cause the game to crash on startup. To help you get the best result, let me know:
Are you trying to fix a bugged quest or just give yourself more money/levels?
Are you playing the original Enderal or the Special Edition? Do you have mods installed that might be causing the issue?
I can provide the specific console codes or script names you need to look for!
Editing an ES3 save file (typically generated by the Easy Save 3 Unity asset) depends on whether the developer encrypted the data or left it as a standard JSON file. Method 1: Use a Direct Text Editor (Standard Files)
If the file is not encrypted, it is saved in a human-readable JSON format. Best Tool: Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code.
Process: Right-click the .es3 file and select "Open with." You can then find and modify keys like money, health, or inventoryItems. Method 2: Dedicated Save Editors (For Specific Games)
Many popular games use the ES3 format. Communities have built specialized tools for them:
R.E.P.O Save Editor: A powerful GitHub-hosted tool specifically for the game R.E.P.O.
Web-Based Editor: Sites like es3.tusinean.ro allow you to upload your save, modify values in a GUI, and redownload the edited file.
Python Libraries: Developers can use es3-modifier to programmatically decrypt and modify stats (often used for games like Phasmophobia). Method 3: Modifying Encrypted Files
If the file looks like random symbols (gibberish), it is encrypted. You cannot edit it without the encryption password.
Finding the Password: Advanced users use tools like dnSpy to inspect the game's code and find the ES3Settings object containing the password. ES3 files are typically stored in different locations
Re-Encrypting: Once you have the password, you must use a tool or script that supports ES3 encryption to save your changes, or the game will see the file as corrupted. ⚠️ Important Warnings Editing Modding - CK3 Wiki
Editing ES3 (Easy Save 3) files allows for the modification of game data—such as money, inventory, and stats—by directly altering the save file, usually found in JSON format
. Because these files are often encrypted or formatted in a complex way, a systematic approach is necessary to avoid corrupting the save.
Important: Always make a backup copy of your save file before attempting to edit it. 1. Locate the ES3 Save File
ES3 files are commonly used by Unity games. On Windows, they are often located in the user's %localappdata%low\\
Before editing, it is crucial to disable Steam Cloud or any in-game cloud saving features. If you do not, the cloud may detect the modification as a corruption and instantly overwrite your edited file with the original, unedited save. Steam Community 3. Decrypt or Edit the File
Depending on the game, the ES3 file might be in plain JSON text or encrypted. Text Editor Method: If the file is not encrypted, you can open it with or a similar text editor. Look for variables to change from or update numerical values. Online Decrypter Method:
Many ES3 games use a common encryption structure. You can use an online editor, such as the es3.tusinean.ro editor , to upload your file, decrypt it, and edit it directly. Using a Specific Editor:
for specialized editors created by the community for your specific game (e.g., search for "[Game Name] Save Editor"). 4. Re-encrypt and Replace If you used a decrypter: Save your changes. Use the online tool to re-encrypt the file if necessary. Replace the original file in the
For anyone looking to dive into the world of Easy Save 3 (ES3)
file editing, it’s a journey from "confused developer" to "data master" in about an afternoon. Whether you're a Unity developer trying to debug a complex save state or a player looking to skip a grind, here’s a review of the current landscape for editing The "Quick Fix" Tools
If you aren't looking to write code, there are two standout ways to crack open these files: ES3 Online Editor (by Alex Tusinean)
: This is the "gold standard" for quick web-based edits. You upload your save, the site decrypts it, you change your values (like "Money" or "Store Level"), and then download the modified version.
: Many games use a password for encryption. For example, some community guides for games like Tower of Babel
list specific passwords or XOR keys needed to unlock the data. Notepad++ (for Human-Readable Saves) : If the game doesn't use heavy encryption, Look for files with extensions like
files are essentially human-readable JSON. You can simply open them in
to find terms like "rubber," "gold," or "ActiveItems," and flip "false" to "true" to unlock everything. For the Unity Developer If you're using the Easy Save 3 Asset
in your own project, the "editing" happens mostly inside the Unity Editor: The Types Panel
: Forget manual serialization. In ES3, you can just select fields from a dedicated
panel. Adding or removing fields doesn't break your old save data, which is a massive upgrade over the older ES2 system. The Reference Manager
: A common "gotcha" review mentioned is losing references to ScriptableObjects. The fix is simple but often missed: right-click your asset and select "Add references to manager" to make sure the save file knows what it's looking at. Performance vs. Convenience
: Some advanced users have reported that the automatic reference management can bloat scene files (sometimes up to millions of lines). The "pro move" here is to uncheck Auto Update References
in the settings and manage them manually to keep your project snappy. The Verdict: Is it worth it? Easy Save 3
is widely regarded as a "must-have" for Unity developers because it turns a day of coding a custom binary formatter into a five-minute setup. For players, the fact that it saves in a structured JSON-like format makes it one of the most "mod-friendly" save systems out there—provided you can find the encryption password. EasySave adds over 4 million lines to scene file - Forums
Here’s a clear, step-by-step write-up you can use or adapt for a guide on editing an ES3 save file (commonly from Unity games using Easy Save 3).
| Problem | Likely Fix | |---------|-------------| | File is garbled | It’s binary – use Unity with Easy Save 3 | | Game says “Save corrupted” | Restore backup or fix JSON syntax | | Changes don’t appear | Clear game cache or check if another save file is being used | | Game crashes on load | You may have changed a critical value (e.g., data length mismatch) |
Morrowind is celebrated for its deep, unbridled freedom. But even in Vvardenfell, you might find yourself stuck: a quest item glitched through the floor, a skill too tedious to grind, or maybe you just want to start the game with the "Robes of the Drake’s Prince" without cheating the old-fashioned way.
Editing your save file (extension: .ess) is the most direct, nuclear option for modifying your game. It allows you to change stats, inventory, journal entries, and even your character's physical location.
Warning: Editing save files can corrupt your game if done improperly. Always back up your saves (located in Documents\My Games\Morrowind\Saves).
Here is the definitive guide on how to edit an ES3 save file.
Before the modern TES3 Save Editor, veterans used Enchanted Editor. This tool reads the raw data structure of the save file. It is useful if the modern editor crashes on a modded save.