Proper Load Order

[ElysianMods]

So I recently overhauled my usual load order method and came to this load order in the end. I'd appreciate any feedback you all have. Loot returned no errors and only typical warnings regarding deleted references.

 

falloutnv.esm
DeadMoney.esm
HonestHearts.esm
OldWorldBlues.esm
LonesomeRoad.esm
TribalPack.esm
MercenaryPack.esm
ClassicPack.esm
CaravanPack.esm
GunRunnersArsenal.esm
oHUD.esm
YUP - Base Game + All DLC.esm
CHEMS.esm
More Perks.esm
More Perks for Dead Money.esm
More Perks for Honest Hearts.esm
More Perks for Old World Blues.esm
More Traits.esm
TheSecretBunker.esm
ZionTrail.esm
JIP Selective-Fire.esm
NVCE Ultimate.esm
Project Nevada - Core.esm
Project Nevada - Cyberware.esp
Project Nevada - Equipment.esm
Project Nevada - Rebalance.esp
Project Nevada - Extra Options.esm
CASM with MCM.esp
The Mod Configuration Menu.esp
ItemBrowser.esp
JIP MiniMap.esp
JIP Improved Recipe Menu.esp
OneToolToRuleThemAll.esp
Delay Level Up.esp
Delay Level Up - Stealth Suit Fix.esp
FlashlightNVSE.esp
Better Pickup Prompt.esp
Universal Item Sorter.esp
The Weapon Mod Menu.esp
YUP - NPC Fixes (Base Game + All DLC).esp
Unofficial Patch Plus.esp
dD - Enhanced Blood Main NV.esp
Readius_NV.esp
UHNV.esp
UHNV-Brighter Lighting.esp
UHNV-Chems.esp
UHNV-Dead Money.esp
UHNV-Honest Hearts.esp
UHNV-Lonesome Road.esp
UHNV-More Mannequins.esp
UHNV-OWB.esp
VulpesCompanion.esp
JGrahamCompanion.esp
CHEMS - Benches.esp
CHEMS - Basic Chems.esp
CasinoHeists.esp
LightUpAndSmokeThoseCigarettes_edisleado.esp
lightupandsmokethosecigarettes_dm.esp
FalloutNVCheatTerminal.esp
WeaponModsExpanded.esp
WMX-ModernWeapons.esp
AutumnLeaves.esp
Conelrad 640-1240.esp
More Perks Update.esp
More Perks for Dead Money Update.esp
More Perks for Honest Hearts Update.esp
More Perks for Old World Blues Update.esp
More Traits Update.esp
ZionTrail-NV.esp
UnlimitedCompanions.esp
populatedcasino-medium.esp
Follower Home Marker.esp
JIP Companions Command & Control.esp
Companion Sandbox Mode.esp
JIP Fast-Travel Anywhere.esp
Casino Exchange All.esp
Casino UnBanner.esp
Easy Unlocking and Easy Hacking and Guaranteed Pick Pocket.esp
Fellout.esp
Fellout-OWB.esp
friendofnightforfellout.esp
NVCE Ultimate - YUP Patch.esp
NVCE Ultimate - Vanilla.esp
NVCE Ultimate - UP+ Patch.esp
NVCE Ultimate - NPC Edits.esp
NVCE Ultimate - JSUE Patch.esp
DecoratedBOSBunker.esp
EVE FNV - ALL DLC.esp
Legion Quests Expanded.esp
Project Nevada - Cyberware Additions.esp
Project Nevada - Rebalance Complete.esp
Project Nevada - All DLC.esp
Project Nevada - EVE All DLC.esp
Project Nevada - WMX.esp
True Wasteland Economy.esp
dD-Reduced Dismember Force - EVE.esp
dD-Smaller Wounds - EVE.esp
Unofficial Patch Plus - Project Nevada Patch.esp
Unofficial Patch Plus - PN Rebalance Patch.esp
WMX-DLCMerged.esp
WMX-POPMerged.esp
WMX-ArenovalisTextures.esp
WMX-EVE-AllDLCMerged.esp
FacePresets1.esp

So my methodology here was to begin with any UI mods, script plugins, and large patches. Then I added in any texture packs. Next was minor, then major addition and DLC-sized mods, with a preference to any that only added content to interior world spaces or added new world spaces entirely. After that I added in simple mechanics, secondary overhauls, then primary overhauls and finally any dependent patches.

 

This is a completely new setup to me so I'm really curious how this is going to work out, but it all began because I was having issues where I used to install overhauls first and some inconsequential mod would mess with it and it would cause a domino effect on the entire game.

[dubiousintent]

While it probably won't make a difference, the "pre-order packs" (POPs) are not considered DLCs like the others (especially Gunrunners) as they do not provide anything other than unique items. So, conventionally we place Gunrunners as the last of the DLCs, followed by the POPs.

 

According to Zilav 27 Apr 2017 06:19 in "TES5Edit Support Forum":

"All plugins from the Data folder are sorted into 2 groups by extension (and extension only, ESM flag in plugin's header doesn't matter): *.ESM and *.ESP, then each group is sorted by plugin's file timestamp. Then xEdit loads all ESM, then all ESPs. The order of masters in plugins doesn't affect anything."

The file's "Modified Data" is used for sorting. For some unknown reason, the "PN-Extra Options.esm" file always gets loaded in xEdit immediately after the "PN-Core.esm", regardless of the date/time stamps even if "PN-Equipment.esm" is placed before "PN-EO".

Even though the PN download page doesn't recommend a specific load order, placing the PN "master" files in the following sequence seems to have eliminated conflicts when using xEdit to "sort masters" of PN-related ESP plugin masters to conform to it. They do not need to be "contiguous" or immediately next to one another.
* PN-Core.esm
* PN-Extra Options.esm
* PN-Equipment.esm
* PN-Cyberware.esp (ESM flag)
* PN-Rebalance.esp (ESM flag)
* Other PN ESP files simply must load after any "master files" in their xEdit "File Header".

 

LOOT is good for a "first pass" at sorting, and I never argue when it insists some plugin needs to go before another. OTOH, within certain limits as to dependency it doesn't much care as to the order if it does not know about or detect a conflict. Consequently I have found it useful to rearrange some mods (especially recently added ones) by moving them to the top (low numbered position below the ESMs) and see which plugins it sorts them below. From there you can pretty much always move them lower in the LO without problems. This is helpful when arranging groups of "contiguous adjacent" plugins to be merged into "merge plugin files" in order to reduce your overall "active" plugin count. This also gets you a reasonably stable "sort" sequence even when adding new mods later.

 

It is also possibly to use the "metadata" information in LOOT to ensure it places specific plugins after other specific plugins (e.g. "Project Nevada", etc.). This "metadata" ability is described in LOOT's docs.

 

As for "install order" (distinct from "load order"), I have found the "General Order for Installing Mods" guide on TESCOSI to work well as a basic structure. "Install order" sets up the foundation of your modded game. It deserves as much or more attention as "load order".

 

The key to avoiding problems is to install and TEST each mod one at a time. There is simply no way to predict accurately which mods won't work well together. You need to be prepared to dump a less important one well before you get to playing, so prioritizing which are most important to you is your first step. That difference in priority one of the unspoken differences between different suggested mod mixes. Please read wiki "FNV General Mod Use Advice" article.

-Dubious-

[ElysianMods]

While it probably won't make a difference, the "pre-order packs" (POPs) are not considered DLCs like the others (especially Gunrunners) as they do not provide anything other than unique items. So, conventionally we place Gunrunners as the last of the DLCs, followed by the POPs.

 

According to Zilav 27 Apr 2017 06:19 in "TES5Edit Support Forum":

"All plugins from the Data folder are sorted into 2 groups by extension (and extension only, ESM flag in plugin's header doesn't matter): *.ESM and *.ESP, then each group is sorted by plugin's file timestamp. Then xEdit loads all ESM, then all ESPs. The order of masters in plugins doesn't affect anything."

The file's "Modified Data" is used for sorting. For some unknown reason, the "PN-Extra Options.esm" file always gets loaded in xEdit immediately after the "PN-Core.esm", regardless of the date/time stamps even if "PN-Equipment.esm" is placed before "PN-EO".

 

Even though the PN download page doesn't recommend a specific load order, placing the PN "master" files in the following sequence seems to have eliminated conflicts when using xEdit to "sort masters" of PN-related ESP plugin masters to conform to it. They do not need to be "contiguous" or immediately next to one another.

* PN-Core.esm

* PN-Extra Options.esm

* PN-Equipment.esm

* PN-Cyberware.esp (ESM flag)

* PN-Rebalance.esp (ESM flag)

* Other PN ESP files simply must load after any "master files" in their xEdit "File Header".

 

LOOT is good for a "first pass" at sorting, and I never argue when it insists some plugin needs to go before another. OTOH, within certain limits as to dependency it doesn't much care as to the order if it does not know about or detect a conflict. Consequently I have found it useful to rearrange some mods (especially recently added ones) by moving them to the top (low numbered position below the ESMs) and see which plugins it sorts them below. From there you can pretty much always move them lower in the LO without problems. This is helpful when arranging groups of "contiguous adjacent" plugins to be merged into "merge plugin files" in order to reduce your overall "active" plugin count. This also gets you a reasonably stable "sort" sequence even when adding new mods later.

 

It is also possibly to use the "metadata" information in LOOT to ensure it places specific plugins after other specific plugins (e.g. "Project Nevada", etc.). This "metadata" ability is described in LOOT's docs.

 

As for "install order" (distinct from "load order"), I have found the "General Order for Installing Mods" guide on TESCOSI to work well as a basic structure. "Install order" sets up the foundation of your modded game. It deserves as much or more attention as "load order".

 

The key to avoiding problems is to install and TEST each mod one at a time. There is simply no way to predict accurately which mods won't work well together. You need to be prepared to dump a less important one well before you get to playing, so prioritizing which are most important to you is your first step. That difference in priority one of the unspoken differences between different suggested mod mixes. Please read wiki "FNV General Mod Use Advice" article.

 

-Dubious-

 

Thanks for the feedback! So far, I have had none of the usual issues with load order such as crashing or significant loss of FPS that I used to have. I also haven't come across anything that isn't working as it should, so I'm a little fearful of messing with the current load order further, however, I will bookmark both links provided as well as your post here. Thank you for the time to give me detailed feedback!