Correct install/load order help.

[coreypikes]

So I'm getting back into Oblivion after a couple years and I need help with figuring out the correct install/load order. Back when I first started playing Oblivion I kept getting unusual errors and texture issues, and when I presented my problem to another forum I was told that I didn't install the patches and such in the correct order.

Now, going back (after getting over my EVE Online/Neverwinter Nights 2/SMT Series addiction) I wanted to make sure I do things right the first time, so I can spend less time beating my head against the wall, and more time playing a damn good game.

 

Here is what I figure is correct...

 

 

Oblivion GotY Edition

DLC Packs (All of them)

OBMM (I figure this would be the time to install this)

IFT Improved Facial Textures (http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5643)

NPC Face Color Unlocker (http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=10811)

Facial Textures by Enayla (http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9534)

Female Eyecandy (OMOD Version)

HGEC

Luchaires HGEC Body Seam Reducer

Rens Beauty Pack

OOO 1.33

Beautiful Women Mod (http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=17189)

Custom Race Fix (http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1815)

---

Various other mods clothing, house, and weapon mods.

 

I've already downloaded BOSS and poured over the select few mods I've already downloaded to ensure minimum conflict issues. Just in case I've also downloaded the Archive Invalidation Invalidated, but if I'm correctly understanding the OBMM readme, OBMM has that function already installed.

 

Now, I apologize about the length of this post, but I do however have one more question. When going over the UOP readmes they stated that they would create an ArchiveInvalided.bsa automatically, but had the option not to do so if you currently had another program that did said action for you. So to clarify, OBMM will take care of this issue correct?

 

Again, I apologize for the length of this post and blatant noobish questions, but I wanted to avoid the same issues I've had in the past.

 

I thank you for your time.

[dezdimona]

for future reference

 

General Load-Order Guidelines

Here are the guidelines that I adhere to, personally.

 

~ Unofficial Oblivon Patch should always be first on the list. The fixes are great, but most aren't essential, so if a mod overwrites them its not a big deal, and the fixes have the potential for screwing up other mods if loaded later.

 

~ Offical Content (DLC's) should be loaded last, until you complete all quests associated with them (that includes buying all furniture for the houses and whatnot). Once they're complete, they can be safely moved up in the list. This is especially important for Knights of the Nine, which will have some fairly major problems unless loaded last (unless you get the UOP for KotN)

 

~ Major overhaul mods (OOO, Frans, MMM) should be loaded near the end. That gives you the most complete experience with any of those particular mods. It also lets you carefully choose which other mods to load afterwards... only move mods that you know will conflict and that you want the changes from. For example, I have Improved Soul Gems below OOO because I know that OOO changes the icons of some of the SG's, and ISG needs to be below to show through.

 

Some people will recommend putting larger mods first, but personally I disagree. There are a number of mods out there that make minor tweaks, and loading after a large mod will end up completely overwriting a chunk from one of the bigger mods because of the way conflicts work in Oblivion (even one minor change will take precedence over the entire record... for example, simply tweaking the speed of a weapon can cause every stat of that weapon to be retained to vanilla levels if loaded later).

 

So basically, it stacks up like this...

 

Oblivion.esm

Unofficial Oblivion Patch

<Minor Mods / DLC's (Post-Completion)>

<Major Overhaul Mod/Mods>

<Mods that specifically conflict with overhauls and need to take precedence>

<DLC's (Pre-Completion)>

Note: If using Mayu's Overhaul Mod. I recommend loading it after OOO or MMM

 

 

Expanded Load-Order Guidelines

by dev_akm

 

I would extend this to include:

 

Oblivion.esm

Unofficial Oblivion Patch

<Weather/Environment/Sound Mods>

<Minor Mods/New Items/Houses/DLC's (Post-Completion)>

<Major Overhaul Mods>

<Mods that specifically conflict with overhauls and need to take precedence>

<DLC's (Pre-Completion)>

<Quests>

<Compatibility Patches/UOMP/Merged Leveled Lists>

 

And a special-case warning for Knights.esp (Knights of the Nine) -- you may not be able to move it earlier than some other mods (some people have had problems after moving it before OOO, for example).

 

That's basically the structure I use and I have 140+ mods working well together.

 

Another way of describing this (posted by DMan77):

....

Oblivion

unoffical patch

Deeper realism mods that add sights and sounds

added content like weapons/items

gameplay changes, like 'must eat and sleep'

The OOO type

the 'new begining' type mod..

maigrets...You should also follow Dezi's load order guide if you're new to mods. BOSS is good, but not foolproof. There are a lot of mods it doesn't have in it's database and they have to be ordered manually.