This topic is meant to be a simple go to reference for people potentially interested in modding Contagion to let them what tools they will need and can start researching themselves.

• Hammer - The engine/builder/compiler (choose a term) for Source levels. This comes with the Contagion game files (located in bin).
  
  
• Vice - Used for decrypting .nut/.nuc/.ctx files. Located in the bin folder same as Hammer.
  
  
• GCFScape/Crowbar - Used for unpacking .vpk folders (When opening multi-pack .vpk open the *_dir.vpk, you'll get blank folders otherwise). You'll need to download this.
  
  
• Crowbar - Decompile models (gun models and such). You'll need to download this.
  
  
• BSPSource - Decompile .bsp files into Valve Map Files (.vmf) the Hammer editor can load. (Note: Decompilation is not always perfect and can break certain features in a map. I haven't noticed any particular issues that couldn't be ignored decompiling the original maps.) You'll need to download this (Vmex may also work).
  
  
• Text Editor of Choice - You need something to edit scripts with. I personally like notepad++ but whatever floats your boat here.
  
  
• Model Editor of your Choice - And of course something to edit models with. I don't do much here but I have used Blender and a few other freebies. I don't have any favorites though.

Scripting/Mapping/Modeling References

• https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/app/238430/discussions/0/1736588252405813761/ - Contains some useful plugins (located on someones Google drive as a .zip file - is safe). These are very high level (in terms of difficulty) scripts but have very insightful code.
  
  
• https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=329414414 - Basic Vscript guide (located in Contagion guides in Steam)
  
  
• https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=251813634 - Setting up Hammer
  
  
• https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=261717274 - Creating custom weapon model/script edit
  
  
• https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=314427467 - Useful knowledge for creating a modpack as well as simple texture editing of weapons
  
  
• https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=200136104 - Some useful knowledge relating to the cvars
  
  
• https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/List_of_Contagion_Cvars - List of cvars themselves (tons of these are broken or are not implemented in Contagion and are 'leftover')
  
  
• https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/List_of_Contagion_Script_Functions - List of known Contagion script commands

This by far is not a comprehensive list of everything out there. I chose resources that will hopefully let people get the jump start in modding. I will also be posting this under the guides section as well so it is a little more visible.