BFG's ULTIMATE and FINAL mod install list-NEED suggestions & : IV

» Tue May 08, 2012 1:17 pm

I've decided to do a full reinstall of Oblivion one last time. My current install suffers from the "lots of mods were added and removed over time" effect, which means despite my best efforts to keep things clean I have a lot of conflicts, mismatched meshes, etc. that can't be fixed easily. So...this time, I'm going to install everything up front that I could possibly want, and (other than updates) NEVER TOUCH IT AGAIN.

I would like any suggestions for mods to add to or remove from the list of mods that I'm planning to install (below). Any and all comments--on similar mods, popular mods I'm missing, potential conflicts, etc.--are appreciated. I'm looking for these sorts of suggestions:

STABLE. I'll remove some mods if necessary.
MODEST graphical improvement mods. I have a lower end machine so no QTP3® or RAEWVD for me. Prefer to keep things looking vanillaish.
Realism or atmosphere enhancing mods: additional locales, characters, critters, etc. are fantastic. So are mods that require the PC to have more "human" limitations, like Realstic Fatigue.
Major, proven quest or content-adding mods. Kragenir's Death Quest or things like Heart of the Dead / Lost Spires are examples.
For the most part, everything needs to be lore friendly...it needs to enhance vanilla Oblivion, not replace it. (So, no FCOM for example.) Exceptions only for the major, most popular quest mods.

Not interested in these common mods: FCOM, Fran's, OOO, Darnified or other UIs, Leveling tweakers, Magic tweakers, body mods other than Robert's, Integration: The Stranded Light (only because I don't want to install its dependencies)

==All mods will be BOSS'd, PyFFI'd and cleaned with TES4Edit. I'll also have to do some Wrye Bashing.==

VANILLA
Oblivion
Shivering Isles
All DLC
Unofficial Oblivion Patch 3.4
Unofficial SI Patch (latest)
Unofficial DLC Patches (latest)
4GB Patch (I'm on Windows x64)
ArchiveInvalidation Invalidated!
FastExit 2

UTILITIES
Oblivion Stutter Remover
BOSS
BSA Commander
PyFFI Automator
TES4Edit
TES4LodGen
Wrye Bash

EXTENDERS
OBSE 20
ConScribe
Elys' Universal Silent Voice
kuertee's Cleanup
NVidia Black Screen Screen Fix (Sneak)
Ring of Console
Wizard's Spell Book

GRAPHICS ENHANCERS
Bomret's HiRes Landscape Normals, Enhanced Vanilla Normals, and Enhanced SI Normals
Improved Cave Normals
TheMythofStrider's Mythic series: Akatosh, Creatures, Animals, Ghosts and Goblins, SI, Gatekeeper, Amber Armor, Madness Armor, Mehrunes Dagon
All Natural weather/environment mod
Animated Window Lighting System
Natural Habitat
Alive Waters with Grass Bug Fix
Slof's Horses (with Horse Armor and MMM compatability patch) and Dogs
Ethereal Armor, Imperial Edition
Robert's Female 1.3 and Male 5.2
TeamFF Clothing, Clothing SI, and Armor
Oblivion Underwater Bubble FX

MUSIC AND SOUND
Adam Frechette's complete MP3 Collection
All Original Music Scores for Oblivion
Extra Music Pack Complete
Lost Paladins of the Divines Music Collection
Symphony of Violence
More Immersive Sound (Edited)
Atmospheric Oblivion
Storms and Sound
Musical Immersion

MAJOR GAMEPLAY CHANGES
Mart's Monster Mod 3.7b3 with Diverse Waterlife Update, Playable Undead Armor, and Better Dire Creatures
Mart's Monster Mod for SI
Enhanced Economy
Trade and Commerce
Reneer's Guard Overhaul
Realistic Fatigue
Realistic Health
Survival Suite: Hunger Thirst Sleep
Tamriel Immersion Experience (TIE)

MINOR GAMEPLAY CHANGES
Birthsigns Expanded
Class Advantages
Deadlier Creatures
Marksman Velocity
Smarter Bandits
Map Marker Overhaul
Dynamic Maps
Enchantments Restore Over Time
Khajiit NightEye Toggle
Pitcher Plant Harvestable
Risky Inn Beds
Running Revised

LOCATIONS
Arboretum Bathhouse
Faregyl Village
Feldscar
Frostcrag Village
Imperial City Library
Molapi
Reedstand
Sutch Village
Urasek
Vergayun
Weye - The Imperial City Suburb
Shezrie's Towns
Stirk

QUEST MODS (Vanilla Enhancements)
Enhanced Daedric Invasion with Aggression Fix
Kvatch Rebuilt
A Brotherhood Renewed
Bruma Guild Reconstructed
Kragenir's Death Quest
Reclaiming Sancre Tor
The Ayleid Steps
The Blackwood Company

QUEST MODS (Non-Vanilla Related) -- I'll turn these on & off as needed to avoid conflicts.
Bartholm
Blood and Mud
Claudia's Little Secret 1/2/3
Companion Vilja
Curse of Hircine Resurrected and COHr:Symphony of Night with COH/MMM patch
Cybiades
Gates to Aesgaard 1&2
Heart of the Dead
Ivellon
Lost Paladins of the Divines
Malevolent
Ruined Tail's Tale
The Naked Nord
The Lost Spires
The Underdark Saga
Tears of the Fiend
Verona House: Bloodlines (Arthmoor's Fixed version)
Windfall

ATMOSPHERE
Better Clocks with Bugfix
moDem's City Life
Populated Prisons
Arena Capacity Crowds
Better Letters
Black Horse Courier Expanded
Female Guards
Salmo the Baker (with Havok fix)
Tamriel Travellers

IMMERSION ENHANCERS
Bathing Mod
See You Sleep
BFG's Enhanced Armory Realism
Kuertee's Clothing Matters
Cyrodiil Travel Services
Dungeon Actors Have Torches
Harvest Flora

NEW CREATURES, EQUIPMENT, ITEMS, ETC.
Creature Diversity
Water Nymphs
Cats and Rats
Weapon Expansion Pack for Oblivion Nthusiasts

OTHER
Reznod's Mannequins with Slof's enhanced textures
Shivering Isles Door Usable (allows companions to follow you into SI)
Dancer Undress
BFG's Open All the Gates

» Tue May 08, 2012 8:52 pm

Use http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=41042 to take care of duplicates within BSAs. And if you compress, chew an additional 5% off of them as well.
BSA Commander is outdated, so much that it doesn't even set the file-type masks right. OBMM has a better BSA-manager than BSA Commander is.

» Tue May 08, 2012 4:50 pm

A few favorites,
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34905
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=23062
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36313
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=31882
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=32651
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37088
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=18434
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=25616

» Tue May 08, 2012 5:41 pm

Just a couple of things stand out for me.

-Symphony of violence has a couple of very very loud sounds, so you may want to balance them out yourself to avoid pain.
-Reneer's guard overhaul is awesome, but can react with other mods in unexpected ways. Watch out for this.

Some suggestions:

-Reneer's notes adds unique text to a lot of the generic notes lying around in the world. Very nice touch for immersion, and they fit with the lore.
-Phitt's autumn trees adds falling leaves to all of the orange/red trees. Very pretty.
-Immersive Caves removes the doors in cave entrances. Makes them a lot more "cave-like" plus any caves that are modified by another mod will still have the door, giving you some variety.
-SM Plugin Refurbish delays all the dlc until certain conditions are met. I won't spoil the surprises, it just makes the dlc happen to you more "naturally" as you play the game.
-Let The People Drink adds a scenic aqueduct to the imperial city, fountains, and a small quest.

I'm going to stop here so as not to cause too much bloat :whistling:

Also, I strongly recommend installing everything with BAIN. It has a short learning curve, but it is amazing how much easier and safer it is to change your install order, update or uninstall mods and generally just makes your installation much more flexible. It is also a very easy way to test mods without permanently overwriting texture/mesh/sound files.

» Tue May 08, 2012 1:47 pm

I'd like to throw my mod's hat into the ring. Just released 4.0.1, stable as far as I can tell. No plans on any changes other than fixes. Overhauls sneaking and detection system, plus a few extra odds and ends along the same vein. 72 endorsemants since first released eight months ago, so not too shabby.

http://www.saebel.net/sdr.php

» Tue May 08, 2012 2:14 pm

Integration: The Stranded Light (only because I don't want to install its dependencies)

It doesn't have any requirements or gameplay changes anymore if you use the no gameplay version available in the http://tes.multimediaxis.de/?go=dlfile&fileid=441

Maybe the three main Duke Patrick mods for combat changes if you want any? They're a bit more simple and stable compared to the other two big combat mods.

» Tue May 08, 2012 12:03 pm

Unless I read the OP post too quickly I cannot see http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=10400 It's a utility with two very useful features, Streamsave (autosave) function and cell buffer memory purging (this may be handled by Kuertee cleanup already, I just do not know). You can also implement fog for the LOD viewdistance, and it can fiddle with graphics settings real-time in order to improve FPS.

I only use the Streamsave and the memory purging options. It is all optional and configurable in the .ini

The PyFFI Automator, is that really needed? Isn't that outdated? Native PyFFI 2.1.10 includes an oblivion_optimize.bat that handles the process conveniently and above all, very safely.

» Tue May 08, 2012 10:22 am

BFG99,has Bomret ever enhanced SI normals? Maybe you meant Bomret High Res SI Texture pack?

» Tue May 08, 2012 5:43 pm

If you're tired of, or have already played, the vanilla content in Frostcrag Tower, http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=40752 is very popular. The original has 127,000 downloads, and my version is compatible with the UOMP and everything else in your LO (as far as I can tell).

Also, Unique Landscapes??

» Tue May 08, 2012 8:08 pm

Cyrodiil Inns http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=14853

If you do not use ULs the potential for conflict would be minimal. Nice to have these throughout the land to stop at for the night when no camp is available. Easier to plan a long trek.

» Tue May 08, 2012 11:50 pm

Hahaaa... just thinking that the word "Final" (title) is just not a good word to use in the same sentence as "mod install"... just too many options available, always...

» Tue May 08, 2012 6:50 pm

I'm surprised you don't have Cava Obscura in there.

I'd also recommend Isathar's Ayleid Ruins Replacer (not sure where it is; try PES) and Koldorn's Sewer Textures.

For quests, try the Treasure Maps series, Lost Sword of the Ayleid, and Blade of the Haunted.

Also, aren't the Nvidia Black screen fix and Marksman Velocity already covered with bashed patch tweaks?

» Tue May 08, 2012 3:43 pm

Here's my installed package list from BAIN, in case it's of any use.

Bain Packages:

Spoiler

++ 000 - PYFFIed Vanilla Meshes.7z (F7C9ECF7) (Installed)++ 001 - PYFFIed SI Meshes.7z (8F210740) (Installed)++ 002 - UnofficialOblivionPatchv3.2.0.7z (12CDBD23) (Installed)++ 003 - Unofficial_Oblivion_Patch_v3_4_0_Upgrade_Manual-5296-3-4-0.7z (F63F033F) (Installed)++ 004 - Unofficial_Official_Mods_Patch_v16_Manual_Version-9969-16-1.7z (4822C2D7) (Installed)++ 005 - v1_5_0_Manual_install_7Z_version-10739-1-5-0.7z (E3743CC4) (Installed)++ 006 - DarNified_UI_132-BAIN-22170.7z (FEA185A1) (Installed)++ 007 - Bomrets_Detailed_Normal_Maps_for_Vanilla.7z (19757949) (Installed)++ 008 - Book_Jackets_Oblivion_High_Res.7z (53D62A45) (Installed)++ 009 - Vibrant_1-6-5-18677.7z (54075FCD) (Installed)++ 010 - Vibrant SI 1.6.6.7z (38A807DC) (Installed)++ 011 - Animated_Window_Lighting_System_v5-5-4-19628.7z (C81E2E3B) (Installed)++ 012 - Gates To Aesgaard 2.7z (FCF801C5) (Installed)++ 013 - Grimbots_Spell_Tomes-16247.7z (3212FDB5) (Installed)++ 014 - Harvest_Flora_v3_0_1-2037.7z (E0D3E71A) (Installed)++ 015 - LessAnnoyingMagicExperienceEV 1,69.7z (FE756E80) (Installed)++ 016 - Oblivion Stereo Sound Overhaul.7z (F9CD7730) (Installed)++ 017 - Realistic_Physics_and_Force_Package-5197.7z (70B2EBF5) (Installed)++ 018 - Race Balancing Project 10,5 - Installation Files Complete.7z (FD601B18) (Installed)++ 019 - Race Balancing Project 10,5 EV.7z (85D5F867) (Installed)++ 020 - Shivering_Book_Jackets-16247.7z (ABF9FA04) (Installed)++ 021 - Symphony Of Violence.7z (78B5C41F) (Installed)++ 022 - Unique Landscapes.7z (8FA027D2) (Installed)++ 023 - Unique_Landscapes_LODs-27495-1.7z (80BB4AA4) (Installed)++ 024 - Storms & Sound.7z (2241BDE0) (Installed)++ 025 - DLT_OBSE_V2-3b-16282.7z (ABFD47D4) (Installed)++ 026 - Quest_Award_Leveller-5701.7z (DAC9B1B7) (Installed)++ 027 - Quiet_Feet_MAX_2_0-12331.7z (A5EAAF5A) (Installed)++ 028 - SM_Plugin_Refurbish_1-2-11474.7z (7253891A) (Installed)++ 029 - Low Poly Grass.7z (713992DC) (Installed)++ 030 - Stealth_Overhaul_Redux-31908.zip (DD58FD8F) (Installed)++ 032 - Initial_Glow-5138.rar (E03EBA12) (Installed)++ 033 - Dungeon And Exterior Actors Have Torches.7z (C7977F43) (Installed)++ 035 - Audia Arcanum.7z (5AE1617B) (Installed)++ 036 - Reneers_Guard_Overhaul_253-5977.zip (34D12B2F) (Installed)++ 037 - DarNifiedUI_Config_Addon_v1x4-34792-1.zip (E5C34F7D) (Installed)++ 038 - Anyclass-36349-1-0.7z (9DDFBB17) (Installed)++ 039 - Harvest_Containers-3979.7z (3C603101) (Installed)++ 040 - Harvest_Containers_Filter_patch_for_mods_-_non-OOO_version-35155.7z (23425799) (Installed)++ 041 - MenuQue_v9a-32200-1.zip (E17E8B93) (Installed)++ 042 - ConScribe_90-26510.zip (CD80FA08) (Installed)++ 043 - FastExit_2-22410.zip (33FF14FA) (Installed)++ 044 - OSR_4-1-23208.zip (D7AF95BB) (Installed)++ 045 - Pluggy_v125c-23979-125.7z (B1458EAE) (Installed)++ 046 - OBSE_-Elys-_Universal_Silent_Voice_v93-16622.7z (4249925D) (Installed)++ 047 - COBL Alpha Omega (Jan 18).7z (B3ED8391) (Installed)++ 048 - Cobl Variations (Jan 20).7z (1D7EF669) (Installed)++ 049 - MMM37b6bsa.7z (7F5D3A77) (Installed)++ 050 - Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul135bsa.7z (641CD281) (Installed)++ 051 - MMM38.7z (429AFF3E) (Installed)++ 052 - OOO135Alpha3.7z (DAA454F6) (Installed)++ 053 - OOOMIssingIcon.7z (5D48169C) (Installed)++ 054 - OMOBS_SI-28537-2-0.zip (6F998DD2) (Installed)++ 055 - LockBashOmega15-25040.zip (9E148223) (Installed)++ 056 - nGCD-14065-2-1-1.7z (558BAAE2) (Installed)++ 057 - Immersive_Interiors_0-8-1-34199-0-8-1.zip (4E5DFBEB) (Installed)++ 058 - Soulgem_Magic_2_0-35393-2-0.rar (B9DE4920) (Installed)++ 059 - Cobl Update (May 16).7z (646B6F7A) (Installed)++ 060 - Cobl Main July 2011.7z (30EBF661) (Installed)++ 061 - Cava Obscura 1-4.7z (1BD54F7B) (Installed)++ 062 - Gates To Aesgaard 2 Update (CB544A68) (Installed)++ 063 - Enhanced_Economy_5_4_1-25078-5-4-1.rar (39BC1406) (Installed)++ 064 - Sounds of Cyrodiil.7z (453037A2) (Installed)++ 065 - Ls_More_Butterflies_and_Fireflies_5_0-26218.7z (E62F6CC5) (Installed)++ 066 - UL_Compatibility_Patches_Compilation_WIZBAIN-13834-5.7z (43E1709B) (Installed)++ 067 - Persuasion_Overhaul_v1-43-12367.zip (1A2FAC96) (Installed)++ 068 - Shivering_Isles_Elven_Map_v1_1-35608-1-1.7z (7B5F62A5) (Installed)++ 069 - Enhanced_Hotkeys_2_3_1-34735-2-3-1.7z (74691EDE) (Installed)++ 070 - Dynamic_Map_2_1_1-35969-2-1-1.7z (4FB40C92) (Installed)++ 071 - Map_Marker_Overhaul_3_9_3-26389-3-9-3.7z (B482FFD0) (Installed)++ 072 - All_Natural-18305-1-32.7z (9AC9FC84) (Installed)++ 073 - Alternative_Beginnings-37382-1-2-5.7z (479852C9) (Installed)074 - ==Last==

I also have almost as many quest mods, etc. in storage, the above is what I consider to be my "Must-have", minimal list. However, some notes:

1. I'm thinking of ditching RBO, and just having TNR instead. I don't really notice the other changes, besides the expanded cosmetic options, which I don't care for.

2. Gates To Aesgaard 2 is only installed for WIP patching purposes. I don't consider it to be a "must-have".

3. LAME could be replaced by Supreme Magicka, but a magic overhaul of some sort is needed IMHO.

4. Unique Landscapes.7z is a custom package containing all the ULs as sub-packages.

5. Storms & Sounds only has its sound file replacements installed, not the plugin. This is perhaps not a "must-have", considering the number of other sound overhauls I have.

6. I have a whole bunch of alpha/beta Cobl, OOO and MMM packages installed. Please pretend they don't exist.

Just take it that OOO, MMM and Cobl are "must-haves" IMHO.

7. Ls_More_Butterflies_and_Fireflies_5_0-26218.7z isn't as good as I think it could be, so the idea behind the mod (ie. insects, birds as effects) is essential, but this particular mod isn't. I'm considering making an alternative...

8. I'm thinking of adding Progress to my list.

» Tue May 08, 2012 8:04 pm

WOW! I wasn't expecting so many good responses so quickly. The board won't even let me autoquote everyone. Thank you, and please keep the suggestions coming!

Use http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=41042 to take care of duplicates within BSAs. And if you compress, chew an additional 5% off of them as well.
BSA Commander is outdated, so much that it doesn't even set the file-type masks right. OBMM has a better BSA-manager than BSA Commander is.

Thanks, I'd never heard of BSAOpt before. I'd prefer to stay away from OBMM if I can (simply because I've never used it; I'd prefer to manage all mods directly). It's possible to autoset the correct file-type masks with BSA Commander if you're careful.

A few favorites,
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34905
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=23062
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36313
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=31882
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=32651
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37088
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=18434
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=25616

Thanks! I'm already using Deadlier Creatures but several of those look promising. I especially like the looks of Skill Decay. (Guess I won't be able to keep my primary character at all-100s anymore.)

Just a couple of things stand out for me.
-Symphony of violence has a couple of very very loud sounds, so you may want to balance them out yourself to avoid pain.
-Reneer's guard overhaul is awesome, but can react with other mods in unexpected ways. Watch out for this.

Some suggestions:
-Reneer's notes adds unique text to a lot of the generic notes lying around in the world. Very nice touch for immersion, and they fit with the lore.
-Phitt's autumn trees adds falling leaves to all of the orange/red trees. Very pretty.
-Immersive Caves removes the doors in cave entrances. Makes them a lot more "cave-like" plus any caves that are modified by another mod will still have the door, giving you some variety.
-SM Plugin Refurbish delays all the dlc until certain conditions are met. I won't spoil the surprises, it just makes the dlc happen to you more "naturally" as you play the game.
-Let The People Drink adds a scenic aqueduct to the imperial city, fountains, and a small quest.
Also, I strongly recommend installing everything with BAIN. It has a short learning curve, but it is amazing how much easier and safer it is to change your install order, update or uninstall mods and generally just makes your installation much more flexible. It is also a very easy way to test mods without permanently overwriting texture/mesh/sound files.

Very nice. A couple questions for you:
1. Is Reneer's Notes the same thing as "Better Letters"? I've never heard of it.
2. Phitt's Autumn Trees--sounds pretty, but how much of a performance hit does it cause? I have a Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz / Nvidia GeForce 9600M GS, so have to be careful with what mods I add.
3. SM Plugin Refurbish--GREAT! I was hoping to see something like this.
4. Let the People Drink - thanks, I forgot about that one.
5. Yeah, I'm not sure about Reneer's Guard Overhaul. I installed it once before and had massive problems with it (but it was an older version).
And I'll have to look at BAIN; sounds like a viable alternative to OBMM from your description.

I'd like to throw my mod's hat into the ring. Just released 4.0.1, stable as far as I can tell. No plans on any changes other than fixes. Overhauls sneaking and detection system, plus a few extra odds and ends along the same vein. 72 endorsemants since first released eight months ago, so not too shabby.http://www.saebel.net/sdr.php

D'oh! I meant to have SDR on the list; thanks for reminding me about it.

It doesn't have any requirements or gameplay changes anymore if you use the no gameplay version available in the http://tes.multimediaxis.de/?go=dlfile&fileid=441
Maybe the three main Duke Patrick mods for combat changes if you want any? They're a bit more simple and stable compared to the other two big combat mods.

Also good adds. I've gone back and forth on Duke Patrick's mods; I probably should add them then turn them off later if I don't want them. Glad to hear there's a version of this mod that is standalone, I'll add it.

Unless I read the OP post too quickly I cannot see http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=10400 It's a utility with two very useful features, Streamsave (autosave) function and cell buffer memory purging (this may be handled by Kuertee cleanup already, I just do not know). You can also implement fog for the LOD viewdistance, and it can fiddle with graphics settings real-time in order to improve FPS.

I only use the Streamsave and the memory purging options. It is all optional and configurable in the .ini

The PyFFI Automator, is that really needed? Isn't that outdated? Native PyFFI 2.1.10 includes an oblivion_optimize.bat that handles the process conveniently and above all, very safely.

I've debated installing Streamline. I thought I'd leave it out and just go with OSR for now - on my machine this seems to result in superior performance.
I'll have to take a look at the new Oblivion_Optimize.bat - I was using version 2.1.8 before so no BAT file available. Does the new PyFFI give a report on how much it "shrunk" each mesh? That's the reason I use the Automator.

If you're tired of, or have already played, the vanilla content in Frostcrag Tower, http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=40752 is very popular. The original has 127,000 downloads, and my version is compatible with the UOMP and everything else in your LO (as far as I can tell).
Also, Unique Landscapes??

Cyrodiil Inns http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=14853

If you do not use ULs the potential for conflict would be minimal. Nice to have these throughout the land to stop at for the night when no camp is available. Easier to plan a long trek.

I haven't looked at those mods before, thanks.

I'm surprised you don't have Cava Obscura in there.
I'd also recommend Isathar's Ayleid Ruins Replacer (not sure where it is; try PES) and Koldorn's Sewer Textures.
For quests, try the Treasure Maps series, Lost Sword of the Ayleid, and Blade of the Haunted.

Also, aren't the Nvidia Black screen fix and Marksman Velocity already covered with bashed patch tweaks?

Does Cava Obscura only affect graphics (lighting levels), or is there more to it? I've toyed with lighting mods (including Real Lights) but typically they've caused low performance and problems for my less-than-stellar eyes.
Haven't heard of the others, thanks.

Here's my installed package list from BAIN, in case it's of any use.
I also have almost as many quest mods, etc. in storage, the above is what I consider to be my "Must-have", minimal list. However, some notes:
1. I'm thinking of ditching RBO, and just having TNR instead. I don't really notice the other changes, besides the expanded cosmetic options, which I don't care for.
2. Gates To Aesgaard 2 is only installed for WIP patching purposes. I don't consider it to be a "must-have".
3. LAME could be replaced by Supreme Magicka, but a magic overhaul of some sort is needed IMHO.
4. Unique Landscapes.7z is a custom package containing all the ULs as sub-packages.
5. Storms & Sounds only has its sound file replacements installed, not the plugin. This is perhaps not a "must-have", considering the number of other sound overhauls I have.
6. I have a whole bunch of alpha/beta Cobl, OOO and MMM packages installed. Please pretend they don't exist.

Just take it that OOO, MMM and Cobl are "must-haves" IMHO.
7. Ls_More_Butterflies_and_Fireflies_5_0-26218.7z isn't as good as I think it could be, so the idea behind the mod (ie. insects, birds as effects) is essential, but this particular mod isn't. I'm considering making an alternative...
8. I'm thinking of adding Progress to my list.

Wow, your list is frighteningly similar to what I'm hoping to come up with. *taking notes*
I'll have to look into both RBO and TNR. I looked at TNR once before and wasn't too interested at that time.
Regarding Magick replacers - I'd consider an overhaul only if it felt like it was accentuating vanilla Oblivion. That is, I don't want thousands of new spells with super-fancy effects, but would consider something that causes vanilla spells to work differently. From that perspective, would you recommend LAME or SM more?
Don't think I'll go for OOO but I definitely want MMM (including any alphas/betas if you want an additional tester

)
More Butterfiles and Fireflies - that kind of reminds me of Max Tael's(?) Natural Habitat, with birds etc. Perhaps that package could be further modified?
Progress - what's that?

I've got a LOT more work to do. Phew!

» Tue May 08, 2012 11:53 am

Does the new PyFFI give a report on how much it "shrunk" each mesh? That's the reason I use the Automator.

Shrinkage should not be your concern. Overall, pyffification will in most cases shave off some KBs / MBs of any meshes folder. However, optimized individual meshes *MAY* even be slightly bigger than before pyffie processing. The performance gain is not directly a consequence of a smaller file size only. Or so people much more knowledgeable than I am are saying.

I never look at the stats or reports or anything. I pyffie that folder and that's it. What meshes could be optimized got optimized, that is the important thing. That ob_opt.bat form Pyffie 2.1.10 will even make 3 (!) passes of pyffie processing on any meshes. It works very diligently and SAFE. It is my understanding that it is the best available method to optimize meshes.

» Tue May 08, 2012 1:39 pm

I whole-heartedly suggest Basic Primary Needs as one stop shop for your hunger/thirst/sleep needs. It is very customizable (through ini), coordinates with HUD status bars, and has a ton of features. You can fill your bottles from the barrels added by Better Cities, as well as from COBL wells. You can fill them up with rainwater as it pours!
Sleep in low-class beds, and get a chance for being sick. Sleep in a dungeon, and you're almost sure to catch something (customizable). Separate features for vampires and werewolves. Also well supported by Maskar.

And also get BEAR - wonderful mod. Of course, the author was going to rewrite it :whistling:

, but I guess he has started playing the game again (how dare he!) :thumbsup:

Another suggestion is to not use mods that on't fit your current character. If you play a paladin (Lost paladins of the divines), no point in getting a dark brotherhood quest mod.

Same thing with mage guild enhancements. I am roleplaying a nord paladin, so I didn't even join the mages/thieves/dark brother hood guilds this time around, and removed the mods that added on to that to make sense.

» Tue May 08, 2012 7:41 pm

..and removed the mods that added on to that to make sense.

....and as a side benefit have a slightly lighter installation. Like this, ideally, crashes will occur less frequently, increasing the fun time and so on and so on. Yeah! :goodjob:

» Tue May 08, 2012 10:17 am

....and as a side benefit have a slightly lighter installation. Like this, ideally, crashes will occur less frequently, increasing the fun time and so on and so on. Yeah! :goodjob:

An a good case not to install all the DLCs. Vile lair, Thieves Den, Frostcrag, may not be necessary in addition to their patches. Lean and mean.

» Tue May 08, 2012 9:18 am

Very much in the vien of anithinks I role play a Nord paladin, so there's no thieving or assassin type mods in my game.
There's far too many excellent mods to recommend to an experienced player as you'll know the basic mods that significantly alter gameplay. Saying that I will throw out three that I build everything else around - nGCD, Progress and Willful Resistance. Trust me when I say that once used these will become essential and ever present mods.
I'm aware that your not interested in FCOM or any of its dependencies so these can be ignored.
The versions shown aren't yet publically available anyway, but you may pick up something else that shines.

Spoiler

00  Oblivion.esm [CRC: 2FF840C5]01  You Are Here.esm [CRC: F500D378]02  All Natural Base.esm  [Version 1.3] [CRC: A9327E88]03  Francesco's Leveled Creatures-Items Mod.esm  [Version 4.5bSI] [CRC: 2D78AA91]04  Francesco's Optional New Items Add-On.esm  [Version 4.5bSI] [CRC: DFD4FB97]05  Cobl Main.esm  [Version 1.73] [CRC: 3F18EFCA]06  Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esm  [Version 1.35Alpha4] [CRC: 37FCC345]07  Mart's Monster Mod.esm  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: FA08DE55]08  Enhanced Daedric Invasion.esm [CRC: D5332060]09  FCOM_Convergence.esm  [Version 0.9.9MB8b1] [CRC: 235A3B01]0A  Progress.esm  [Version 2.2] [CRC: C2F22F8B]0B  TamRes.esm [CRC: 6DAE1370]**  Cobl Races TNR.esp  [Version 1.53] [CRC: EE36BE6B]**  Cobl Races TNR SI.esp  [Version 1.53] [CRC: 1BF099CF]0C  Unofficial Oblivion Patch.esp  [Version 3.2.0] [CRC: FBE175F0]0D  DLCShiveringIsles.esp [CRC: 2BB84977]0E  Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch.esp  [Version 1.4.0] [CRC: 73F25676]0F  SM Plugin Refurbish - SI.esp  [Version 1.30] [CRC: E7A35AF9]10  Francesco's Optional Chance of Stronger Bosses.esp [CRC: 45BD7EF9]11  Francesco's Optional Chance of Stronger Enemies.esp [CRC: 4F003DB0]12  Francesco's Optional Chance of More Enemies.esp [CRC: BEA456A9]13  Francesco's Optional Leveled Guards.esp [CRC: 36DF7A6E]++  FCOM_Francescos.esp  [Version 0.9.9MB8b1] [CRC: A763E334]++  FCOM_FrancescosItemsAddOn.esp  [Version 0.9.9MB8b1] [CRC: C8E156A2]14  FCOM_FrancescosNamedBosses.esp  [Version 0.9.9MB8b1] [CRC: 4B999582]15  Fran_Lv30Item_Maltz.esp [CRC: A6BC52B6]++  LoadingScreens.esp [CRC: BC55DB17]16  LoadingScreensAddOn.esp [CRC: AF2B8B17]**  LoadingScreensSI.esp [CRC: 85BE3659]17  TamRes.esp [CRC: 87A08844]18  Natural Selection.esp  [Version 1.0] [CRC: 10019470]19  All Natural.esp  [Version 1.3] [CRC: 868A1717]1A  All Natural - SI.esp  [Version 1.3] [CRC: 77EDBF04]++  All Natural - MMM Patch.esp  [Version 1.3] [CRC: 8198FCB1]1B  Immersive Interiors.esp  [Version 0.8.1] [CRC: 1464E3CC]1C  OBGE - Liquid Water.esp [CRC: 98001EB9]1D  Idle Dialogue.esp  [Version 1.2] [CRC: D9587EF1]++  Symphony of Violence.esp [CRC: EDFF56A7]1E  MIS.esp [CRC: BCA36827]1F  MIS New Sounds Optional Part.esp [CRC: E2973B88]20  Atmospheric Oblivion.esp [CRC: 0DEF6521]21  Sounds of Cyrodiil.esp  [Version 1.0] [CRC: FDEC5031]22  All Natural - Real Lights.esp  [Version 1.3] [CRC: C4C01327]23  WindowLightingSystem.esp [CRC: E7050887]24  AmbientDungeons.esp  [Version 1.3] [CRC: 0E06139A]25  AFK_PrayerIdles.esp  [Version 1.0] [CRC: 45D869E1]26  Book Jackets Oblivion.esp [CRC: 88936850]27  ChaseCameraMod.esp [CRC: C99150E1]28  VanityCameraSmoother.esp [CRC: 0EF8F8E8]29  ImprovedSigns.esp [CRC: 1BE7ABA7]2A  PTFallingStars.esp [CRC: 14F23954]2B  RAEVWD Cities.esp  [Version 1.9] [CRC: 0423FA92]2C  RAEVWD New Sheoth.esp  [Version 1.7] [CRC: D85ED0D8]2D  RAEVWD Imperial City.esp  [Version 1.9] [CRC: 417DF3FE]2E  Reznod_Mannequin.esp [CRC: 80D94BBD]++  VA_BetterGold.esp [CRC: E571A95F]2F  Willful Resistance.esp  [Version 4.0] [CRC: 321CBF04]30  Enhanced Economy.esp  [Version 5.2.2] [CRC: 8C74C20B]31  FormID Finder4.esp [CRC: 99D3B0B2]32  MotionBlur.esp [CRC: 737CD8BA]33  Streamline 3.1.esp [CRC: 9BBCA467]34  Dynamic Map.esp  [Version 2.0] [CRC: C4DB169D]35  Map Marker Overhaul.esp  [Version 3.8] [CRC: 89087E32]36  Map Marker Overhaul - SI additions.esp  [Version 3.5] [CRC: 2B08755B]37  Landmarks, w Wells.esp  [Version 1.11] [CRC: 0BD636C8]38  MapMarkers.esp [CRC: A4723D66]39  Expanded Hotkeys and Spell Delete v1.0.esp [CRC: 7F95E7CC]3A  DLCMehrunesRazor.esp [CRC: CB413740]3B  DLCMehrunesRazor - Unofficial Patch.esp  [Version 1.0.4] [CRC: 17517FA6]3C  SM Plugin Refurbish - MehrunesRazor.esp  [Version 1.30] [CRC: 1FCC4922]3D  Sounds of Cyrodiil - Mehrune's Razor Add-On.esp  [Version 1.0] [CRC: AF30D21D]3E  ExnemEyeCandy.esp [CRC: F7923592]**  HGEC_special_armor_repl.esp [CRC: E4A02928]++  MaleBodyReplacerV4.esp [CRC: 2AD879A8]3F  Adonnays Classical Weaponry.esp [CRC: 132A2E76]40  Alchemy Book.esp [CRC: 63B91A68]41  Blades Ceremonial Armour.esp [CRC: FCFC0AC4]42  tda_Armoury.esp [CRC: F94FB563]++  MMM_Runeskull_Rebalance_BETA2.esp  [Version Beta] [CRC: AB46B220]43  Cobl Glue.esp  [Version 1.73] [CRC: 9FA7EEF9]44  Cobl Si.esp  [Version 1.63] [CRC: 8260DFCF]45  Bob's Armory Oblivion.esp [CRC: DE136AF6]46  FCOM_BobsArmory.esp  [Version 0.9.9] [CRC: 5A017B08]47  Loth's Blunt Weapons for Npcs.esp [CRC: D82849FE]++  FCOM_LothsBluntWeapons.esp  [Version 0.9.9] [CRC: C7E2EFAC]48  Oblivion WarCry EV.esp  [Version 1.09] [CRC: 8F9765A5]49  FCOM_WarCry.esp  [Version 0.9.9MB8b1] [CRC: C03178D5]4A  Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esp  [Version 1.35Alpha4] [CRC: 61D8F0F5]4B  Alluring Potion Bottles v3.esp [CRC: A506F25E]4C  Alluring Wine Bottles.esp [CRC: 22975E58]**  OMOBS_SI.esp  [Version 2.0] [CRC: 6F998DD2]4D  OOO 1.32-Cobl.esp  [Version 1.72] [CRC: 10345C67]4E  Mart's Monster Mod - Additional Enemy NPC Vars.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: F02F3B04]4F  FCOM_Convergence.esp  [Version 0.9.9Mb8b1] [CRC: 5C891563]++  FCOM_EntropicOrderRebalance.esp  [Version 0.9.9beta2] [CRC: F03C2087]50  FCOM_RealSwords.esp  [Version 0.9.9MB8] [CRC: 132E57BE]++  FCOM_SpawnRatesStronger.esp  [Version 0.9.9Mb3] [CRC: 91E5DF7E]51  Mart's Monster Mod - More Wilderness Life.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: FEA2D531]++  FCOM_LessRats.esp  [Version 0.9.9] [CRC: 2B2CA06F]++  Mart's Monster Mod - No Pests.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: FD5158B2]++  Mart's Monster Mod - No Swarms.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: 31E5E710]++  FCOM_NoReaversInGates.esp  [Version 0.9.9] [CRC: 22C0B57E]++  FCOM_NoAdventurersInGates.esp  [Version 0.9.9] [CRC: B359A7AF]52  Mart's Monster Mod - Extra Wounding.esp  [Version 3.7b5] [CRC: 2DD85457]53  Mart's Monster Mod - No Carrion Rats.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: EEE80176]++  Mart's Monster Mod - No Bone Loot.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: 6EB28406]++  Mart's Monster Mod - No Slimes.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: ADAEDF08]++  Mart's Monster Mod - No Fiends.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: 7CD34790]++  Mart's Monster Mod - No Werewolves.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: B069AB27]++  Mart's Monster Mod - No Beholdens.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: C6C70215]++  Mart's Monster Mod - No Uberhulks.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: BF1E308C]++  Mart's Monster Mod - No Skeep.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: 4EDBFE3F]54  Mart's Monster Mod - Zombies for Body Meshes.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: 6C98F68D]55  Mart's Monster Mod - Farm Animals.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: 7AD3E3A9]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Slof Horses Complete.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: 4618F324]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse Runeskulls Loot OOO.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: 932A57C9]**  FCOM_FriendlierFactions.esp  [Version 0.9.9] [CRC: 21EC43A1]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Shivering Isles.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: DF4B7C20]++  Atmospheric Oblivion - MMM Patch.esp [CRC: 2433D766]++  Atmospheric Oblivion - OOO Patch.esp [CRC: 32086EAE]++  MMM-Cobl.esp  [Version 1.73] [CRC: 376D1BF2]56  Ivellon.esp  [Version 1.8] [CRC: 6B64F421]57  Trade and Commerce.esp [CRC: C5C1D187]58  300_Artifacts.esp [CRC: EE1BF7BC]59  AdenseEpicDungeon.esp [CRC: 17D44F94]5A  Imperial Furniture Renovated.esp [CRC: 8A0EBFC3]5B  Better Benirus Manor.esp  [Version 4.71] [CRC: 1064C9B8]5C  Better Benirus Manor - AN Patch - Natural.esp [CRC: 81B5B3B4]5D  Bruma_House__Fireplace_with_Fire-2800.esp [CRC: 16CD7F82]5E  Deathtrap Dungeon.esp [CRC: D13AFF74]5F  Gift of Kynareth.esp [CRC: 3A806172]60  HauntedHouse.esp  [Version y] [CRC: 2F2F9619]61  LostSwordOfTheAylied.esp [CRC: DD4B7009]62  Lynges_Dark_Brotherhood_Assassins-8654.esp [CRC: B5CD930F]63  The Imperial Water.esp [CRC: DFCE7F93]64  Muffin Display Rooms.esp [CRC: 77638032]65  TheWellOfMinlorada.esp [CRC: 1C50B54E]66  TheForgottenShields.esp [CRC: 33817D08]67  VHBloodlines 1.2.esp  [Version 1.5.6] [CRC: F036F8CF]68  WOTFH_1.3.esp [CRC: 76708A3D]69  Knights.esp [CRC: F1F478FA]6A  Knights - Unofficial Patch.esp  [Version 1.0.9] [CRC: CCEDD7EE]++  SM Plugin Refurbish - Knights.esp  [Version 1.06] [CRC: 4FFAB027]6B  Sounds of Cyrodiil - KOTN Add-on.esp  [Version 1.0] [CRC: 663D97FD]6C  GuardsofCyrodiilRedux.esp  [Version 1.12] [CRC: 25B48E04]6D  Lost Paladins of the Divines.esp [CRC: 7D20E14F]6E  HoarfrostCastle.esp [CRC: A93FE299]6F  MannimarcoRevisited.esp [CRC: E8F62FC0]70  MannimarcoRevisitedOOO.esp  [Version 0.1] [CRC: 5057FEA6]++  FCOM_Knights.esp  [Version 0.9.9MB8b1] [CRC: ED4238AA]71  Gah Falquan Umarile Indy.esp [CRC: 816E6F07]72  Enhanced Daedric Invasion.esp [CRC: D34D61BC]++  FCOM_EnhancedDaedricInvasion.esp  [Version 0.9.9] [CRC: E306C016]73  xuldarkforest.esp  [Version 1.0.5] [CRC: B948EAE3]74  xulStendarrValley.esp  [Version 1.2.2] [CRC: FEC083A9]75  xulTheHeath.esp [CRC: ADDF5F66]76  MMMMWL-TheHeath patch.esp [CRC: 427B1939]77  XulEntiusGorge.esp [CRC: A900F10A]78  xulFallenleafEverglade.esp  [Version 1.3.1] [CRC: EF98D162]79  xulColovianHighlands_EV.esp  [Version 1.2.1] [CRC: 9C5A7A05]7A  xulChorrolHinterland.esp  [Version 1.2.2] [CRC: E70A54FC]7B  HoarfrostCastle-ChorrolHinterland patch.esp [CRC: 707550A9]7C  xulBeachesOfCyrodiilLostCoast.esp  [Version 1.6.4] [CRC: 64B503C9]7D  xulBravilBarrowfields.esp  [Version 1.3.2] [CRC: AADC875D]7E  xulLushWoodlands.esp  [Version 1.3.1] [CRC: 1E045FF7]7F  HoarfrostCastle-LushWoodlands patch.esp [CRC: 05092148]80  xulAncientYews.esp  [Version 1.4.3] [CRC: 98F220FA]81  xulAncientRedwoods.esp  [Version 1.6] [CRC: E541D578]82  xulCloudtopMountains.esp  [Version 1.0.3] [CRC: 75E2FD36]83  xulArriusCreek.esp  [Version 1.1.3] [CRC: DF776E3A]84  xulPatch_AY_AC.esp  [Version 1.1] [CRC: FAEC8265]85  LostSwordoftheAyleids-ArriusCreek patch.esp [CRC: 88BB07FC]86  MMMMWL-RollingHills patch.esp [CRC: C3F43D05]87  xulPantherRiver.esp [CRC: AD0A3B5E]88  xulRiverEthe.esp  [Version 1.0.2] [CRC: 52A9819F]89  xulBrenaRiverRavine.esp  [Version 1.1] [CRC: 9302AD30]8A  xulImperialIsle.esp  [Version 1.6.6] [CRC: 8FB669FC]8B  UL Imperial Isle Adense Epic Dungeon Patch.esp [CRC: 4477658F]8C  xulBlackwoodForest.esp  [Version 1.1.0] [CRC: C1C3E5FA]8D  xulCheydinhalFalls.esp  [Version 1.0.1] [CRC: 5FAB540B]8E  GiftOfKynareth-CheydinhalFalls patch.esp [CRC: 6AFE5059]8F  DungeonsOfIvellon-CheydinhalFalls patch.esp [CRC: B8E4B86D]90  xulAspenWood.esp  [Version 1.0.2] [CRC: 599BB21F]91  xulSkingradOutskirts.esp  [Version 1.0.1] [CRC: DABED778]92  xulSnowdale.esp  [Version 1.0.2] [CRC: 478C8B3E]93  OOO-Snowdale Patch.esp [CRC: 5B675281]94  xulCliffsOfAnvil.esp [CRC: A748D79E]95  OOOCliffsofAnvilPatch.esp  [Version 1.1] [CRC: C07D7A0D]96  xulSilverfishRiverValley.esp  [Version 1.0] [CRC: 607DAACD]97  Castle Wolfspike2.esp [CRC: 8137DE38]98  Fort Akatosh Redux.esp [CRC: 986EFD79]++  Cyrodiil Legion Addon.esp  [Version 1.3] [CRC: C2C7B8FB]99  Legion Ranger Addon.esp [CRC: C9B1B43A]9A  Harvest [Flora].esp  [Version 3.0.0] [CRC: FA700811]++  Harvest [Flora] - Shivering Isles.esp  [Version 3.0.0] [CRC: 05003A29]9B  DZ_Auto_Harvest.esp [CRC: 78AFA8C2]9C  AutoBookPlacer.esp  [Version 3.02] [CRC: 621A4412]9D  DecoratorAssistant with OBSE v1.1.esp [CRC: 68666EA4]9E  Dungeon Actors Have Torches 1.6 CT.esp [CRC: F9B1BF4F]9F  Exterior Actors Have Torches 1.3 CT.esp [CRC: 727FCC3F]A0  Reset Your Status Page.esp  [Version 0.0.8] [CRC: 5E4F476C]A1  Speedy Disrobe OBSE.esp  [Version 1.3] [CRC: 9BE7FA2D]A2  Quest Award Leveller.esp  [Version 2.0.1] [CRC: 521FA592]++  Quest Award Leveller - Mehrunes Razor.esp [CRC: 7EDD4CD5]++  Quest Award Leveller - Knights of the Nine.esp [CRC: 6A69791E]A3  SigilStoneAdjustment.esp++  EnchantmentFix.esp.A4  Advanced Mark & Recall.esp [CRC: 855CE363]A5  SetEssentialActors.esp [CRC: 2899721D]A6  Smite of Order.esp [CRC: 2D483627]++  illusionfix.espA7  AgarMoreVariedSpellEffects.esp [CRC: 7CF84099]A8  SSEE-OOO.esp [CRC: FF0686F0]A9  SigilStoneSelector-SSEE-OOO.esp [CRC: D8F9B56A]AA  Armorer's Advantage.esp [CRC: BE26B8AE]AB  nGCD.esp [CRC: D57FC3CA]AC  nGCD Oghma Infinium.esp [CRC: 497AAD7E]++  nGCD Skeleton Key.esp [CRC: D80A3E21]AD  ProgressGSD.esp  [Version 2.0] [CRC: FD2D4BDB]AE  ProgressMBSP.esp  [Version 2.0] [CRC: 0259F308]AF  ProgressSBSP.esp  [Version 1.0] [CRC: FF8856A3]B0  ProgressRBSP.esp  [Version 1.0] [CRC: 8C91AC98]B1  ProgressRacial.esp [CRC: 62F0F4D5]B2  ProgressArmorer.esp  [Version 1.0] [CRC: BD769C50]++  Immediate Character Generation.esp [CRC: 0179F60E]B3  Alchemy.esp**  SW01.esp [CRC: 86ADA339]++  DMC Stylish - Specialanims.esp [CRC: 9FDF7EDD]**  Cava Obscura - Cyrodiil.esp [CRC: 19F94DEE]**  Cava Obscura - SI.esp [CRC: C4A670A0]**  Cava Obscura - Filter Patch For Mods.esp [CRC: D8008DEB]++  Item interchange - Placement for FCOM.esp  [Version 0.78] [CRC: A496C1BE]++  Item interchange - Option, Ingredients in Bulk, reduced.esp  [Version 0.78] [CRC: 7E6725F7]B4  Cobl Races.esp  [Version 1.52] [CRC: AA29DCA8]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Resized Races.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: E29818CA]B5  ZUAmberMadnessOverhaul.esp [CRC: 1530F34B]B6  ZUSIO-RatsInCrucible.esp [CRC: 94FED5AE]++  ZUSIO-MMM SI-patch.esp [CRC: C9F35CDD]B7  ZUSIO-Map MarkerOverhaul SI-patch.esp [CRC: B66FCFAE]B8  Birthsigns Expanded.esp  [Version 3.21.] [CRC: 02869569]B9  No More Annoying Comments.esp [CRC: 429748CA]**  [GFX]_Initial_Glow-all.esp [CRC: D9C86B64]BA  Companion Compatibility.esp [CRC: 43BDBEEA]++  Cobl Filter Late MERGE ONLY.esp  [Version 1.53] [CRC: A066EBDE]++  Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul - Harvest Containers - SI.esp  [Version 0.99b] [CRC: 9A400259]**  All Natural - Indoor Weather Filter For Mods.esp  [Version 1.3] [CRC: 26FF9B00]BB  MMM Mummy.esp [CRC: 32829C7B]BC  Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse Creatures Expansion.esp  [Version 3.8b1] [CRC: E300B724]BD  Cobl Variations.esp [CRC: DE66069F]BE  Bashed Patch. 3 esp [CRC: FEA474FC]

There's a few personal fixes that obviously are not available but as these don't have BOSS's code after the esp they will be easy to spot.
Needles to say that texture replacers, OSR, OBSE and many others that don't have esp's are also in use, but the bulk of these have already been mentioned in previous posts.
Good luck. Modded properly Oblivion can be one helluva game.

» Wed May 09, 2012 12:18 am

1. Is Reneer's Notes the same thing as "Better Letters"? I've never heard of it.

-Better letters...hmm that sounds familiar... Oh right, I'm using it too! From the Better Letters readme: "It is recommended to use Reneer's Note Mod along with Better Letters. Reneer's Note Mod adds text to the
crumpled pieces of paper."
So I guess I got the 2 mods mixed up. They are both pretty great.

2. Phitt's Autumn Trees--sounds pretty, but how much of a performance hit does it cause? I have a Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz / Nvidia GeForce 9600M GS, so have to be careful with what mods I add.

- I didn't notice any performance hit with it at all. I don't know how it works, but the leaves seem to be a looping animation instead of actually rendering leaves so that might be why.

I've debated installing Streamline. I thought I'd leave it out and just go with OSR for now - on my machine this seems to result in superior performance.

-Streamline takes a little configuring to make it suit your tastes. For example, I stopped it from changing grass distance and quality, because I hate it when the grass doesn't look good. I allowed it to cut shadows more aggressively, since that's not something I care about as much.

Edit: alt3rn1ty's http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35230 is a good introduction to BAIN.
The neat feature of BAIN is "auto-anneal". What this means is that it keeps track of what mods were installed in which order and lets you change that order around while preserving the right files. Say for example you installed Koldorn's Ayleid textures, followed by QTP3 which changes almost all textures. You prefer Koldorn's textures but they were over-written! All you have to do is click and drag Koldorn's package after QTP3. Wrye Bash crunches numbers for a moment, and now all of the files from Koldorn are overwriting QTP3!

» Tue May 08, 2012 2:27 pm

...and consider using Dynamic Leveled Lists if you want to configure your spawns to be unleveled, where you can meet level 40 creatures starting at level 1 (chances all configurable). You see a greater variety of creatures also as the spawns are drawn from all lists. Might be worth considering especially if you do not run FCOM or TIE.

» Tue May 08, 2012 3:06 pm

Does Cava Obscura only affect graphics (lighting levels), or is there more to it? I've toyed with lighting mods (including Real Lights) but typically they've caused low performance and problems for my less-than-stellar eyes.
Haven't heard of the others, thanks.

Wow, your list is frighteningly similar to what I'm hoping to come up with. *taking notes*
I'll have to look into both RBO and TNR. I looked at TNR once before and wasn't too interested at that time.
Regarding Magick replacers - I'd consider an overhaul only if it felt like it was accentuating vanilla Oblivion. That is, I don't want thousands of new spells with super-fancy effects, but would consider something that causes vanilla spells to work differently. From that perspective, would you recommend LAME or SM more?
Don't think I'll go for OOO but I definitely want MMM (including any alphas/betas if you want an additional tester

)
More Butterfiles and Fireflies - that kind of reminds me of Max Tael's(?) Natural Habitat, with birds etc. Perhaps that package could be further modified?
Progress - what's that?

I can answer the first quoted question too.

Cava Obscura doesn't come with a performance hit of any sort. It's just lighting levels being changed. It does make things 90% darker though, so if you've got bad eyes it might not be for you (though I myself wear glasses).

RBO is something I'm undecided about: while bg's changes all sound like sensible things, the amount of new hairs, etc. added is of no interest to me. If I could find a mod that just changed things like RBO and added nothing new, then I'd probably use that instead.

As for LAME vs. SM, I'd check bg's thread on the comparison between magic overhauls, he knows far more than I do. I've never played the game enough to notice the difference between the two, though both are better than vanilla in terms of balance and tweaks to abilities (ie. multiple summons for good conjurers).

I'm not on the MMM team, I just got offered to help test out of the blue (and have done a pretty poor job, what with hardly playing...), so I can't help you there.

More Butterflies and Fireflies is like Natural Habitat, though without the birds, but more insects I believe. Both are lacking somewhat IMHO though, but in different areas so you could probably get something good if you stuck them together, but I'll never get permission to so I'd have to do something myself.

Progress lets you choose how quickly skills level up, so you can slow down how some skills level and speed up others, for instance.

» Tue May 08, 2012 3:52 pm

HGEC and denock arrows, also Eisen Platte and Spvssyn Lauf.

» Tue May 08, 2012 5:45 pm

Shrinkage should not be your concern. Overall, pyffification will in most cases shave off some KBs / MBs of any meshes folder. However, optimized individual meshes *MAY* even be slightly bigger than before pyffie processing. The performance gain is not directly a consequence of a smaller file size only. Or so people much more knowledgeable than I am are saying.

I never look at the stats or reports or anything. I pyffie that folder and that's it. What meshes could be optimized got optimized, that is the important thing. That ob_opt.bat form Pyffie 2.1.10 will even make 3 (!) passes of pyffie processing on any meshes. It works very diligently and SAFE. It is my understanding that it is the best available method to optimize meshes.

Yeah, that threw me off the first time I used the automator. I thought "Why are these meshes 15% bigger when they're optimized?" I've since read up about tri-strips, tri-shapes, etc. so have a pretty decent understanding of what PyFFI actually does.
I'll have to give the batch file in 2.1.10 a try

Related question: are there any (dis)advantages in using Python x64 over x86? In earlier installs of Oblivion I noticed slight differences in about 20% of the meshes after running with each version--I assumed that this meant some of the PyFFI "spells" were running correctly under one version of Python and failing under the other.

» Tue May 08, 2012 9:30 pm

And also get BEAR - wonderful mod. Of course, the author was going to rewrite it :whistling:

, but I guess he has started playing the game again (how dare he!) :thumbsup:

You can't trust the author of BEAR - he lies a lot

Actually, BEAR (and the final version of WEPON) are two of the main reasons for the reinstall! I have so many mod conflicts, artifacts, etc. that my current install is not very conducive to testing for issues in these two mods. I like to test them under both vanilla conditions and heavily modded conditions before release - this new clean install should let me do both.