So, after trying to figure out why I couldn't recharge my items with portable items, I realized that this issue occurs only when I use SS2Tool, which patches the game to the latest version of Newdark.

When I try and use SS2Tool without also installing the newest version of Newdark, the game won't even launch as the .exe vanishes.

Is there some work around to this? Can I manually make my game mod-friendly without using SS2Tool?

Fixed it. In case anyone else has this issue, redownload Newdark 2.42, and patch over the currently installed version, aside from the .cfg files. Your game stays moddable, and the issues present from the installer vanished.

the tool actually fixes the problem with portable battery not properly charging items, and NewDark 2.43 definitely does not break the battery. what you did there (mix old and new files) is extremely not recommendable.

anyway, do share more details if possible, finding out what actually happened might be useful.

I installed a fresh copy of System Shock 2, then patched with SS2tool. I did not install any of the extras with it, just Newdark, and the files to make the game mod friendly.

I installed my mods (Just cosmetic stuff), and noticed that when I dragged a battery over to my equipped items, nothing happened. The battery would just stick to my cursor until I placed it back into inventory.

However, this didn't happen when I installed a fresh copy of System Shock 2 and manually installed the newest version of New Dark. The game wasn't mod friendly this way, however.

SO, I opted to install System Shock 2, then used SS2 Tool, THEN I manually installed Newdark, overwriting all files except for anything config related (lg.ini, and a few others), and ran the game.

After that, the battery worked perfectly, and my mods were working too. :)

maybe something went wrong during the patching process. well, it's good that you are up and running, but anyway, under normal circumstances, just using the tool should be much safer.