new to modding

[thizzlamic1]

hey, i'm new to this and am pretty lost with where to start. this will be the first time i've played oblivion in for a long time and i'm looking to make it as cool as possible. so if anyone has any mod suggestions that you feel are must-haves, or are just very fun, i'd like to hear them. the top rated mods seem to all have dependencies with other mods, which have dependencies with other mods, and it feels like i'm just going in circles. if someone could help me out then i'd be very grateful.

[Jenrai]

Heya matey. Welcome to the Nexus.

Before you get started with mods, make sure your game is version 1.20416, the latest version. If you have the GotY {Game of the Year} package, this is actually included in the SI disk. If not, you'll need to go to the Elder Scrolls home site's patch page, here, and download the patch you need. Please note that there are patches for every language version of the game {make sure you get the right one or it ain't gonna work} and also Shivering Isles{SI} or non-SI. Again, its vitally important that you get the right patch or it will not work. You don't need to d/l the earlier patches if your version isn't 1.20416. Just the patch to that version as it includes all the others. Once thats out of the way:

The first thing you're gonna want would be OBMM {Oblivion Mod Manager} Nexus Page here.

Just keeps things nice and simple and there, right in front of you. You might decide you want Wrye Bash later, if you choose to install FCOM or just because its supercool, but start with OBMM for now. Please read the readme and install as instructed.

The second would be OBSE {Oblivion Script Extender} Homepage

Vitally important for most new mods, it increases the scripting abilities of Oblvion, which were in fact, rather dire. Adds the ability to use longer scripts as well as more commands. Install

after

your game is patched to 1.20416. Run the game through OBSE's launcher to make sure it launches. Read the read me. Its not a mod and doesn't install like one.

And the third would be the Unofficial Oblivion Patch (search the file site, TESNexus for it) and any further unofficial patches for any of the DLC's you've got installed. Once its installed, check your game again. Make sure when playtesting that (a) it starts, (b) you can fight and © it doesn't crash after half an hour.

I know this seems like a lotta work but trust me, getting that little lot set up straight away will save you breaking your back trying to solve problems later. As a general rule, don't install more than 1 to 2 mods at a time, and if they are big mods or overhauls install only one, and playtest it for an hour if you can. I know thats a lotta time and theres loads of great mods out there that you can't wait to get your teeth into, but believe me, install more than a couple at a time and you're going to end up reinstalling everything all over again. Probably more than once. I did.

 

Once you've got that little lot running you can either start a post, ot reply here, or search the forums for mod lists. There are hundreds out there, and the guys here and here abouts are a good bunch and will help you. :)

 

Happy modding, and once again, welcome to the Nexus.

Jenrai

[Pushkatu]

Hi. First of all, welcome to Nexus forums. :thumbsup:

 

 

You might want to take a look at How to install Oblivion with patches article made by LHammonds . As for mods, well the best thing for you to do is to look around the categories and find the mods yourself, but I will give you a few hints. :happy:

 

 

Once you have installed the patches, start a new game and see how the game works. You should have no problems if you have installed the patches correctly.

 

You should make a copy of your data files folder at this point, just in case you do something wrong, so you won't have to start over from ground zero again.

 

If you plan to use many mods you should also take a look at BOSS - Better Oblivion Sorting Software , OBMM - Oblivion mod manager , Wrye Bash , Oblivion Crash prevention system

 

Now you'll probably want to start by looking for a place to stay as you have close to nothing. Everyone needs a place to crash and call home. I recommand you check some of my friends profiles, they are all very good modders and have some of the best house mods available. Of course there are many more good modders out there and even more good mods, but this is just to get you started.

So check : trollf , Emma , Khettiena , Korana , StapleNinja profiles.

 

Also some very popular house mods:

 

Dwemer Technology part II - Dwemer Skyship by mr_siika

 

Bravil Sea Domes by Phitt

 

Abandoned Mountain Shack by Vince Bly

 

Frostcrag Reborn by indefiance

 

etc.

 

If you have a decent PC(new ones tend to work better :tongue:), you might think "Hey, I've seen thousands of pictures with this game and everything looked so much better!" Well, you are right, modded Oblivion can give you some amazing scenics and views. Here's a couple mod I recommand you:

 

Weather - All natural by wrinklyninja

 

Let there be Darkness by LprMan

 

Oblivion Graphics Extender by scanti

 

Qarls Texture Pack III full v1_3 OMOD by Qarl & BangsBoomstik

 

Natural Environments by Kibosh

 

Illumination Within by slap

 

As for gameplay, this is what I recommand:

 

Realistic Ragdolls and Force

 

Harvest Flora

 

Deadly Reflex

 

See you sleep

 

Alternative Start Arrive by Ship

 

Oblivion Elys Uncapper

 

Oblivion XP

 

FCOM

 

Renners Guard Overhaul

 

Stealth Overhaul

 

Alchemy Advanced

 

Enchantment Restore Over time OBSE

 

 

Also, feel free to check my list of Oblivion mods. I have listed over 3300 mods, all sorted in alphabetical order and what I consider are some of the best and useful mods made by our community.

 

Push list of Oblivion mods

 

 

 

Cheers,

Pushkatu!