ROGUE SCIENTIST readme

Play as a refugee from the Institute, a wastelander researcher -- or perhaps an escaped synth. You will be able to craft new clothing, weapons, and armor, and add ballistic weave. Science, Armorer, and Gun Nut perks are essential, as is access to a chemistry workbench.  The mod adds "Rogue Scientist" and "Institute Armor" categories to the workbench.

RECOMMENDED
"Rogue Scientist" was inspired by "Start Me Up Redux - An Update for Alternate Start and Dialogue Overhaul" https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/56984 which provides many new options for starting the game.  You can, as usual, play as the Sole Survivor.  But you can also choose other options (including wastelander scientist, refugee from the Institute, or synth) and begin the game not in the Vault but in a variety of locations.  

WEAPONRY NOTE:
The mod includes electrical weapons, beginning with a Lightning Projector.  If two or more targets are close together, one shot may damage several of them.  Be careful:  this includes allies...

GAME BALANCE:
The recipe requirements for new weapons and armor are based on recipes in the Contraptions DLC. 
Possible issue:  with enough skill, you will be able to craft ballistic weave without joining the Railroad.  However, since ballistic fiber can be recovered from some military equipment, that suggests that at some point the technology was more broadly available.

CREDITS:
The dark uniform is adapted from Kall399's mod "FALLOUT 4 DARK SYNTH UNIFORM"
https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/48018 which is used by permission.