[i]This thread will document my efforts to add as many quality mods to the game as possible. I am not experienced with the game or modding of it, but it is my hope that more knowledgeable people will step forward to assist which ultimately should result in a load order which is extensive and non-conflicting.

I will update the load order on this first post along with additional relevant information.

So with that the first decision one has to make is determining what they are looking to enhance in the game. For me, the following are important:

-Enhanced graphics in every way possible. Landscape, weather, characters, animations (specifically character behavior ones) etc.
-Add more quests, especially ones with engaging stories
-Add more sounds, music
-Add utilities that would assist someone who wanted to create movies (camera angles, extended zooming out and in utilities etc)

Aside from the last one, I imagine most people seek the same things... and if so then this load order and the instructions should prove useful to others IF they have similar computer specs.

My System Specs
Apple iMac
2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM
ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (BootCamp)
Display 24" with 1920x1200 resolution



---------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS & NOTES
Unless otherwise specified when I state install or applied I mean into the Oblivion Data folder.


PHASE ONE: CORE

1A. Installed Oblivion, Both Expansions along with all official plugins.
1B. Ensured game was updated with latest patch v1.2.0416: http://static.gamesas.com/isles/ShiveringIsles_v1.2.0416English.exe

2A. Installed Wrye Python (Wrye_Python) with all its components: http://wrye.ufrealms.net/Wrye%20Bash.html#PythonComponents
2B. Installed Wrye Bash (Wrye Bash 271): Same link as above.

3A. Installed Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library 2008: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=A5C84275-3B97-4AB7-A40D-3802B2AF5FC2&displaylang=en
3B. Installed BOSS into Oblivion Data folder and then applied updated master list dated Sept 20th: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=20516

4. Installed OBMM v1.1.12: http://timeslip.chorrol.com/obmm_download.html

5A. Updated DirectX: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=2DA43D38-DB71-4C1B-BC6A-9B6652CD92A3&displaylang=en
5B. Installed TES4Edit v2.5.3: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=11536

6A. Applied Unofficial Official Oblivion Patch v3.2: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5296
6B. Applied Unofficial Official Mods Patch v15: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9969
6C. Applied Unofficial Official Shivering Isles Patch v1.4.0: http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=2754#Files



PHASE TWO: PRIMARY MODS

1: OOO
1A. Installed Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul (also known as OOO) v1.33. When installing I chose ONLY the full version option: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=15256
1B. Applied OOO v1.34 Beta 5 Patch: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=15256

2: MMM
2A. Installed MartsMonsterMod (also known as MMM) v3.5.5 (MartsMonsterMod355ReleaseFull) but did NOT add any of the ESMs or ESPs, just the Sound, Texture and Mesh folders went into the Oblivion Data one: http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/fms/Download.php?id=64326
2B. Applied MMM v3.7 Beta (MartsMonsterMod37beta1andMMMForSI-17784), again only the Sound, Texture & Mesh folders BUT this time with one ESM file - Mart's Monster Mod.esm: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=17784
2C. Also from the same link, I downloaded and applied MMM Invisible Lich Patch (Lich_Textures) Note, was informed by Corepc that this is already included in the 3.7b1 update though the wording on the FCOM site gives the impression it is not included.
2D. Applied Farm Animals Update (MMM37b2_HC_EW_FarmAnimals_Updates-17784): (same link as 2B).
2E. Installed optional file Slof Horses Complete (MMM_Slof_Horses_Complete-17784): (same link as 2B).
2F. Installed optional file Optimized Meshes OMOD (MMMPYFII_Optimized_Meshes_OMOD-17784): (same link as 2B).
2G. Added the following MMM ESP files:

• Mart's Monster Mod - Looting NPCs & Creatures.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Hunting & Crafting.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Less Bone Loot.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Resized Races.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Vindasel.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Foxes.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Farm Animals.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Dungeons of MMM.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - More Wilderness Life.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Extra Wounding.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - City Defences.esp

3: FRAN'S
3A. Installed Fran's Level Creatures Items Mod (Francescos_leveled_creatures-items_mod): http://www.elricm.com/nuke/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=Downloads&file=index&req=viewdownloaddetails&lid=3855
Important - follow installation instructions here: http://devnull.sweetdanger.net/fcominstall.html
3B. Installed Fran's Optional New Items Creatures Update (FrancescosOptionalNewItemsCreatures): http://www.fileplanet.com/hosteddl.aspx?/planetelderscrolls/fms/files/oblivionmods/268/FrancescosOptionalNewItemsCreatures.exe
Important - follow instructions here: http://devnull.sweetdanger.net/fcominstall.html
3C. Installed Fran's Optional Leveled Quests SI Only (Frans_Optional_Leveled_Quests-SI_Only-17621): http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=17621
3D. Installed USIP MOBS 1.4 (USIP_MOBS_1-4-17621): same site as above.

4: WARCRY
4A. Installed Warcry (OWC) - note, only put the 'Oblivion WarCry EV.esp' file into the data folder: http://www.worldofelderscrolls.de/?go=dlfile&fileid=12
4B. Applied Warcry Patch v1.08b (OWC_Patch_1.08b_1.085b) - again note, only the 'Oblivion WarCry EV.esp' : Same link as above.

5: BOB's ARMORY
5A. Installed Bob's Armory (Bobs_Armory_Oblivion1_1). Note - only install the 'Bob's Armory Oblivion.esp' file : http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=1860

6: FCOM
6A. Installed FCOM Convergence (FCOM_Convergence_Beta99): http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=12249
Note - no files from the '=== FCOM Optional Add-Ons ===' folder were added. Only the Meshes & Textures Folders along with the following files:

• FCOM_Convergence.esm
  
• FCOM_BobsArmory.esp
  
• FCOM_Convergence.esp
  
• FCOM_Francescos.esp
  
• FCOM_FrancescosItemsAddOn.esp
  
• FCOM_FrancescosNamedBosses.esp
  
• FCOM_RealSwords.esp
  
• FCOM_WarCry.esp

6B. Now going into the '=== FCOM Optional Add-Ons ===' folder, I chose the following add ons - note, with further mods, additional FCOM files may be required:

• FCOM_DurabilityAndDamage.esp
  
• FCOM_LessRats.esp
  
• FCOM_SaferRoads.esp
  
• FCOM_FriendlierFactions.esp
  
• FCOM_Knights.esp
  
• FCOM_Archery.esp

7: LOTH'S BLUNT WEAPONS
7A. Installed 'Loth_Blunt_Weapons_ver_3-0-1-12939': http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=12939
7B. Added FCOM_LothsBluntWeapons.esp from additional FCOM add ons folder.

8: FRAN'S MOD ARMOR ADD ON + CRYOS ORDINATOR AMOR + BONEMOLD HELMET
8A. Installed Cryos Ordinator Armor 'cryos_ordinator_armor', note - do note apply ESP file: http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=4408#Files
8B. Installed Cryos Ordinator Armor Update 'update_version_11', Note - do not apply the ESP files: same link as above.
8C. Installed Bonemold Helmet 'Bonemold_Helmet-6997', note - don't apply the ESP files: http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6997
8D. Installed Unofficial Fran's Mod Armor Add On 'FranArmorAddOnV2-11483', NOTE - this time I included the ESP file 'Fran Armor Add-On.esp': http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=11483
8E. Added 'FCOM_UnofficialFranArmorAddon.esp' from the additional FCOM add ons folder.

9: UNOFFICIAL LEVEL 30+ FRAN'S LEVELED ITEM
9A. Installed 'Fran_Lv30Items_Maltz_v1dot0-15411', note - all files including 'Fran_Lv30Item_Maltz.esp': http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=15411

10: EXNEM'S RUNE SKULLS
10A. Installed 'RuneSkulls-9412': http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9412
10B. Added 'FCOM_ExnemRuneSkulls.esp' from the additional FCOM add ons folder.

11: TAMRIEL TRAVELLERS
11A. Installed 'TamrielTravellers139c_-__Even_more_Omod_script_Fixes-4387', note - placed the Mesh & Textures folders, along with 'TamrielTravellers4OOO.esp', 'TamrielTravellersItemsNPC.esp', along with the 'TamrielTravellers.esm' from the SITravellers Folder into the Oblivion Data Folder: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4387
11B. Added 'FCOM_TamrielTravelers.esp' from the additional FCOM add ons folder.
11C. Installed 'TravellersBelt-4387': Same link as above.

12: MIDWAY MISC
12A. Added the following FCOM files from the FCOM Additional add on folder:

• FCOM_DiverseGuardUnity.esp
  
• FCOM_BobsGuardUnity.esp
  
• FCOM_HungersUnitySI.esp

12B. Applied Dark Seducer Weapon Patch 'FranDarkSeducerWeaponsPatch': http://devnull.sweetdanger.net/mods/FranDarkSeducerWeaponsPatch.rar
12C. Applied Entropic Order Patch 'FCOM_EntropicOrderRebalance', Note - I only used the FCOM_EntropicOrderRebalance.esp: http://devnull.sweetdanger.net/mods/FCOM_EntropicOrderRebalance.7z



PHASE THREE: FCOM RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL ADD ONS

1: COBL
1A. Installed 'Cobl_171', Note - placed 'Cobl Glue.esp' 'Cobl Main.esm' 'Cobl Si.esp' along with resource folders in the Oblivion Data folder but did NOT install any other files: http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=3508
1B. Added 'Cobl Si.esp' from the Additional FCOM Add Ons Folder.

2: MIGHTY UMBRA
2A. Installed 'Mighty_Umbra_V1dot1-13398', Note - installed 'Mighty Umbra.esp' file along with resource files: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=13398
2B. Added 'FCOM_MightyUmbra.esp' from the additional FCOM Add Ons Folder.

3: QARKS RESOLUTION REDIMIZED
3A. Downloaded & extracted file 'QTP3Redimized' here 'C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Oblivion\obmm\mods\QTP3Redimized': http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?id=3813&view=OblivionMods.Detail
3B. Downloaded & added the patch 'QTP3R-Patch' to the folder above: file was from the same site as above also.
3C. Followed instructions to create and activate the OMOD 'QTP3Redimized', Note - used easy to follow instructions found here: http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/How_To_Create_an_OMOD

4: BLOOD & MUD
4A. Installed Blood & Mud 'Blood&Mud_DirtDeluxeAnglais', Note - extracted files into temporary folder then moved them to data folder: http://www.planetoblivion.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=857&Itemid=73
4B. Applied patch Qarl Textures for Blood and Mud 'Qarl_Tex_for_BloodnMud-12029': http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=12029
4C. Added 'FCOM_Blood&Mud.esp' from the Additional FCOM Add Ons Folder.

5: UNGARION'S MEMOIRS PART 1: THE WELKYND SWORD
5A. Installed 'Ungarions_Memoirs_1_The_Wellkynd_Sword_NEW_SWORD_MODEL_v15-4969': http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4969
5B. Applied additional file 'Newer_Sword_Model_-_Major_Detail_Changes_Plus_New_Scabbard-4969': same link as above.
5C. Added 'FCOM_WelkyndSwordBlood&Mud.esp' from the Additional FCOM Add Ons Folder.

6: THE MYSTERIES OF THE DULAN CULT
6A. Installed 'The_Mysteries_of_the_Dulan_Cult-7663', Note - Placed resource folders and ESP file in the Oblivion data folder: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=7663
6B. Added 'FCOM_Ruin.esp' from the Additional FCOM Add Ons Folder.

7: ENHANCED DAEDRIC INVASION
7A. Installed 'Enhanced_Daedric_Invasion_REL_1_3-9858' & 'Enhanced_Daedric_Invasion_REL_1_VOICEFILES-9858', Note - extracted both files into the same folder then moved them to the Oblivion Data folder: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9858
7B. Added 'FCOM_EnhancedDaedricInvasion.esp' from the Additional FCOM Add Ons Folder.

8: KD CIRCLETS
8A. Installed 'KD_Circlets_OOO_1.32_Optimized_-_Version_1.2-10670', Note - Chose the 'KDCircletsOOOOptimized - NPC Equip.esp' file: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=10670
8B. Added 'FCOM_KDCircletsOOOOptimizedNPCEquip.esp' from the Additional FCOM Add Ons Folder.

FINISHED!!!
At this point, all the add ons recommended/referred to by the FCOM Mod have been installed successfully (as far as I know). If any problems arise, I will be sure to mention it in this first post. Also, though I have logged my efforts here, understand that mods do get updated, and thus it would be very prudent to check instructions offered by each mod's creators.

Hope this proves useful to other newbies like me and Good Gaming!

FINAL PHASE: MY PERSONAL PREFERRED MODS
I will list my install logs here eventually - once I know they have been added on successfully. You can however see what I am 'attempting' to add on in the Load Order & Boss Log below.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
LOAD ORDER

• Oblivion.esm
  
• Francesco's Leveled Creatures-Items Mod.esm
  
• Francesco's Optional New Items Add-On.esm
  
• Cobl Main.esm
  
• Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esm
  
• Mart's Monster Mod.esm
  
• Enhanced Daedric Invasion.esm
  
• TamrielTravellers.esm
  
• FCOM_Convergence.esm
  
• Armamentarium.esm
  
• Artifacts.esm
  
• Kvatch Rebuilt.esm
  
• Open Cities Resources.esm
  
• BathingMod_Base.esm
  
• CM Partners.esm
  
• Lineage II Elves.esm
  
• IceElfRace.esm
  
• Lattamerv3.esm
  
• Aanila.esm
  
• Golden Saint.esm
  
• Dark Seducers.esm
  
• TNR ALL RACES FINAL.esp
  
• TNR - ShiveringIsles.esp
  
• TNR - ShiveringIsles no helms.esp
  
• Unofficial Oblivion Patch.esp
  
• DLCShiveringIsles.esp
  
• Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch.esp
  
• Francesco's Optional Chance of Stronger Bosses.esp
  
• Francesco's Optional Chance of Stronger Enemies.esp
  
• Francesco's Optional Chance of More Enemies.esp
  
• Francesco's Optional Leveled Quests-SI only.esp
  
• Francesco's Optional Leveled Guards.esp
  
• Francesco's Dark Seducer Weapons Patch.esp
  
• FCOM_Francescos.esp
  
• FCOM_FrancescosItemsAddOn.esp
  
• FCOM_FrancescosNamedBosses.esp
  
• Fran Armor Add-on.esp
  
• Fran_Lv30Item_Maltz.esp
  
• oc_darker_nights.esp
  
• phinix-waterfix.esp
  
• MIS.esp
  
• MIS New Sounds Optional Part.esp
  
• Atmospheric Oblivion.esp
  
• Storms.esp
  
• weather inside [seasons] v1.2.esp
  
• WindowLightingSystem.esp
  
• ImprovedSigns.esp
  
• P1DseeYouSleep.esp
  
• RAEVWD Cities.esp
  
• RAEVWD Imperial City.esp
  
• Map Marker Overhaul.esp
  
• DLCHorseArmor.esp
  
• DLCHorseArmor - Unofficial Patch.esp
  
• DLCOrrery.esp
  
• DLCOrrery - Unofficial Patch.esp
  
• DLCVileLair.esp
  
• DLCVileLair - Unofficial Patch.esp
  
• P1DseeYouSleep - DLCVileLair.esp
  
• DLCMehrunesRazor.esp
  
• DLCMehrunesRazor - Unofficial Patch.esp
  
• DLCSpellTomes.esp
  
• DLCSpellTomes - Unofficial Patch.esp
  
• EVE_StockEquipmentReplacer.esp
  
• ArtifactsFemaleArmor.esp
  
• sixyKunoichi.esp
  
• DLCThievesDen.esp
  
• DLCThievesDen - Unofficial Patch.esp
  
• DLCThievesDen - Unofficial Patch - SSSB.esp
  
• KDCircletsOOOOptimized - NPC Equip.esp
  
• FCOM_KDCircletsOOOOptimizedNPCEquip.esp
  
• ExnemRuneskulls.esp
  
• FCOM_ExnemRuneskulls.esp
  
• Slof's Oblivion Robe Trader.esp
  
• Cobl Glue.esp
  
• Cobl Si.esp
  
• OOO 1.32-Cobl.esp
  
• FCOM_Cobl.esp
  
• Bob's Armory Oblivion.esp
  
• FCOM_BobsArmory.esp
  
• Loth's Blunt Weapons for Npcs.esp
  
• FCOM_LothsBluntWeapons.esp
  
• Oblivion WarCry EV.esp
  
• FCOM_WarCry.esp
  
• Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esp
  
• ArmamentariumLL.esp
  
• ArmamentariumLLVendors.esp
  
• ArmamentariumLLMagic.esp
  
• ArmamentariumArtifacts.esp
  
• ArmamentariumLLArmaVendor.esp
  
• FCOM_Convergence.esp
  
• FCOM_EntropicOrderRebalance.esp
  
• FCOM_RealSwords.esp
  
• FCOM_DurabilityAndDamage.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - More Wilderness Life.esp
  
• FCOM_SaferRoads.esp
  
• FCOM_LessRats.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Extra Wounding.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Looting NPCs & Creatures.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Less Bone Loot.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Vindasel.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Foxes.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Dungeons of MMM.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Hunting & Crafting.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Farm Animals.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Slof Horses Complete.esp
  
• TamrielTravellerAdvscript.esp
  
• TamrielTravellers4OOO.esp
  
• TamrielTravellersItemsCobl.esp
  
• ShiveringIsleTravellers.esp
  
• ShiveringIsleTravellersFriendlyFactions4MMM.esp
  
• FCOM_TamrielTravelers.esp
  
• FCOM_DiverseGuardUnity.esp
  
• FCOM_BobsGuardUnity.esp
  
• FCOM_HungersUnitySI.esp
  
• FCOM_Archery.esp
  
• FCOM_FriendlierFactions.esp
  
• ArmamentariumLL4OOO.esp
  
• Fransfemale.esp
  
• OOO-WaterFish.esp
  
• EVE_StockEquipmentReplacer4FCOM.esp
  
• EVE_StockEquipmentReplacer for OOO.esp
  
• EVE_StockEquipmentReplacer4MMM.esp
  
• Artifacts.esp
  
• Artifacts - ArmaCompleteAddon.esp
  
• Abriael_Human.esp
  
• Kvatch Rebuilt.esp
  
• OCC-KR-Patch.esp
  
• Kvatch Rebuilt - Leveled Guards - FCOM.esp
  
• Apachii_Goddess_Store.esp
  
• DLCBattlehornCastle.esp
  
• DLCBattlehornCastle - Unofficial Patch.esp
  
• DLCFrostcrag.esp
  
• DLCFrostcrag - Unofficial Patch.esp
  
• Knights.esp
  
• Knights - Unofficial Patch.esp
  
• EVE_KnightsoftheNine.esp
  
• OCC-KOTN-Patch.esp
  
• RTT.esp
  
• OCC-RTTv3 Patch.esp
  
• Mighty Umbra.esp
  
• Ungarion1TheWelkyndSword.esp
  
• Blood&Mud.esp
  
• The Mystery of the Dulan cult.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - City Defences.esp
  
• FCOM_MightyUmbra.esp
  
• FCOM_Blood&Mud.esp
  
• FCOM_Knights.esp
  
• FCOM_WelkyndSwordBlood&Mud.esp
  
• FCOM_Ruin.esp
  
• FCOM_SlofsRobeTrader.esp
  
• FCOM_DulanCult.esp
  
• Enhanced Daedric Invasion.esp
  
• FCOM_EnhancedDaedricInvasion.esp
  
• PersonalPackGuars.esp
  
• PersonalPackGuars Black.esp
  
• Open Cities New Sheoth.esp
  
• Open Cities Outer Districts.esp
  
• Open Cities Full + Bravil Blood & Mud + Leyawiin Reborn.esp
  
• OCC-OOO-Patch.esp
  
• FCOM_UnofficialFranArmorAddon.esp
  
• EVE_ShiveringIslesEasterEggs.esp
  
• Salmo the Baker, Cobl.esp
  
• BathingMod_Soap.esp
  
• BathingMod_Bathroom_Upgrades.esp
  
• BathingMod_Placeable_Bathtubs.esp
  
• Level Based Health.esp
  
• RealisticForceLow.esp
  
• RealisticMagicForceMedium.esp
  
• RealSleepExtended.esp
  
• SW01Plus.esp
  
• Mart's Monster Mod - Resized Races.esp
  
• Nec Mystic High Elf-Remake.esp
  
• Nec Mystic Dark Elf-Remake.esp
  
• CuteElf11.esp
  
• _Ren_BeautyPack_full.esp
  
• AinmhiRace.esp
  
• Lineage II Elves.esp
  
• X.Moon.Elf.esp
  
• CM Partners.esp
  
• CM Partners Special NPCs.esp
  
• CM Partners More NPCs.esp
  
• Aliyah.esp
  
• CM Tifa A.esp
  
• companion_moonelves.esp
  
• Tamara.esp
  
• DARaewyn.esp
  
• bgBalancingEVCore.esp
  
• bgBalancingEVOptionalFangs.esp
  
• bgBalancingEVOptionalMoreEyes.esp
  
• bgBalancingEVOptionalNPCDiversity, Beautification Better Redguards.esp
  
• bgBalancingEVOptionalFCOMAdditions.esp
  
• bgBalancingOptionalNPCDiversityKvatchRebuilt, for Wrye Bash.esp
  
• bgBalancingEVOptionalSeamReducerHighElfFix.esp
  
• EVE_KhajiitFix.esp
  
• Improved Lava.esp
  
• Bashed Patch, 0.esp
  NOTE - After this point, the following are NOT recognized by BOSS. I therefore have to manually place them in the order. It is not overly difficult as I simply look for similar mods that adjust the same things - but sadly my efforts so far have not been successful. See current posts for discussions of the problems.
  
• LattamerV3_P-rrtyCure_Hair_Module.esp
  
• Golden Saint.esp
  
• MeridiaKatrina.esp
  
• Dark Seducers.esp
  
• Diano.esp
  
• Isrithr.esp
  
• Aanila.esp
  
• DATiamsGirls.esp
  
• Companion_Ab_Human_2.esp
  
• Companion_Ab_Human_4.esp
  
• companion_iceelves.esp
  
• ambreskav02.esp
  
• MIS Weather.esp
  
• SeasonWeatherforMoreSkyClimates.esp
  
• Map Marker Overhaul - SI additions.esp

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


BOSS LOG


-----------------------------------------------------------
Better Oblivion Sorting Software Load Order Utility

? Random007 & the BOSS development team, 2009
Some rights reserved.
CC Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/
v1.4 (31 August 09)
-----------------------------------------------------------

Master .ESM date: Mon Jan 01 19:07:12 2001
FCOM detected.


------------------------------------
Recognised and re-ordered mod files:
------------------------------------

Oblivion.esm

Francesco's Leveled Creatures-Items Mod.esm

Francesco's Optional New Items Add-On.esm

Cobl Main.esm
. Note: Do not use Tamrielic Ingredients and COBL at the same time.

Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esm

Mart's Monster Mod.esm

Enhanced Daedric Invasion.esm

TamrielTravellers.esm

FCOM_Convergence.esm

Armamentarium.esm

Artifacts.esm

Kvatch Rebuilt.esm

Open Cities Resources.esm

BathingMod_Base.esm

CM Partners.esm

Lineage II Elves.esm

IceElfRace.esm

Lattamerv3.esm

TNR ALL RACES FINAL.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:NpcFaces,NoMerge}} and deactivate.

TNR - ShiveringIsles.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:NpcFaces,Invent,NoMerge}} and deactivate.

TNR - ShiveringIsles no helms.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:NpcFaces,NoMerge}} and deactivate.

Unofficial Oblivion Patch.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:C.Climate,C.Light,C.Owner,Delev,Invent,Names,Relev,Stats,Relations}} and remove the C.Water tag.

DLCShiveringIsles.esp

Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch.esp
. Note: Remember to use the 'MOBS' version when using Francesco's and FCOM.
. Note: Newest MOBS and non-MOBS versions have the same name.
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:C.Light,C.Owner,Invent,Names,Stats,Delev}}

Francesco's Optional Chance of Stronger Bosses.esp

Francesco's Optional Chance of Stronger Enemies.esp

Francesco's Optional Chance of More Enemies.esp

Francesco's Optional Leveled Quests-SI only.esp

Francesco's Optional Leveled Guards.esp
. Note: Requires Shivering Isles expansion.

Francesco's Dark Seducer Weapons Patch.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:Delev, Relev}}

FCOM_Francescos.esp
. Note: Francesco's Leveled Creatures-Items 4.5b required.

FCOM_FrancescosItemsAddOn.esp
. Note: Francesco's Leveled Creatures-Items 4.5b required.
. Note: Francesco's supplementary addon package required.

FCOM_FrancescosNamedBosses.esp
. Note: Francesco's Leveled Creatures-Items 4.5b required.

Fran Armor Add-on.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:Invent}}
. Note: Requires FCOM_UnofficialFranArmorAddon.esp
. Note: Requires the meshes from 'Bonemold Helmet' and 'Cryos Ordinator Indoril Armor' mods, but not the ESPs.
. Note: Francesco's Leveled Creatures-Items 4.5b required.

Fran_Lv30Item_Maltz.esp
. Note: Francesco's Leveled Creatures-Items 4.5b required.

oc_darker_nights.esp
. Note: Not compatible with weather overhauls.

phinix-waterfix.esp
. Note: Possibly better to not merge this.

MIS.esp

MIS New Sounds Optional Part.esp

Atmospheric Oblivion.esp

Storms.esp

weather inside [seasons] v1.2.esp
. Note: Don't use the [silent seasons] version at the same time as the [seasons] version.
. Note: Not compatible with later versions of Storms & Sound.

WindowLightingSystem.esp

ImprovedSigns.esp

P1DseeYouSleep.esp

RAEVWD Cities.esp

RAEVWD Imperial City.esp

Map Marker Overhaul.esp

DLCHorseArmor.esp

DLCHorseArmor - Unofficial Patch.esp

DLCOrrery.esp

DLCOrrery - Unofficial Patch.esp

DLCVileLair.esp

DLCVileLair - Unofficial Patch.esp

P1DseeYouSleep - DLCVileLair.esp

DLCMehrunesRazor.esp

DLCMehrunesRazor - Unofficial Patch.esp

DLCSpellTomes.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:Relev}}

DLCSpellTomes - Unofficial Patch.esp
. Note: Not compatible with 'CDM-CGO Compatibility plugins'.

EVE_StockEquipmentReplacer.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{Bash:Graphics}}

ArtifactsFemaleArmor.esp

sixyKunoichi.esp

DLCThievesDen.esp

DLCThievesDen - Unofficial Patch.esp

DLCThievesDen - Unofficial Patch - SSSB.esp

KDCircletsOOOOptimized - NPC Equip.esp
. Note: Has bugs. Use Loot version or a patch or 'FCOM_KDCircletsOOOOptimizedNPCEquip.esp' if using FCOM.
. Note: Avoid using Potion Belt and KD Circlets at the same time. Character can wear belt or circlet, not both.

FCOM_KDCircletsOOOOptimizedNPCEquip.esp
. Note: Requires 'KDCircletsOOOOptimized - NPC Equip'.
. Note: Avoid using Potion Belt and KD Circlets at the same time. Character can wear belt or circlet, not both.

ExnemRuneskulls.esp
. Note: Requires 'FCOM_ExnemRuneskulls.esp'.

FCOM_ExnemRuneskulls.esp
. Note: Requires 'ExnemRuneskulls.esp'.

Slof's Oblivion Robe Trader.esp
. Note: Requires 'FCOM_SlofsRobeTrader.esp'.

Cobl Glue.esp
. Note: Requires 'FCOM_Cobl.esp'.

Cobl Si.esp
. Note: Requires Shivering Isles expansion.

OOO 1.32-Cobl.esp

FCOM_Cobl.esp
. Note: Requires 'Cobl Glue.esp' and 'OOO 1.32-Cobl.esp'.
. Note: Do not use COBL and Tamerielic Ingredients at the same time.

Bob's Armory Oblivion.esp
. Note: Requires 'FCOM_BobsArmory.esp'.

FCOM_BobsArmory.esp
. Note: Requires 'Bob's Armory Oblivion.esp'.

Loth's Blunt Weapons for NPCs.esp
. Note: Requires 'FCOM_LothsBluntWeapons.esp'.

FCOM_LothsBluntWeapons.esp
. Note: Requires 'Loths Blunt Weapons for NPCs.esp'.

Oblivion WarCry EV.esp
. Note: Requires either 'FCOM_WarCry.esp' or 'FCOM_WarCryNoSpawn.esp'.

FCOM_WarCry.esp
. Note: Use either 'FCOM_WarCry.esp' or 'FCOM_WarCryNoSpawn.esp', not both.

Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esp

ArmamentariumLL.esp
. Note: For non-OOO users. Use 'ArmamentariumLL4OOO.esp' if using OOO.

ArmamentariumLLVendors.esp
. Note: Can be used with either 'ArmamentariumLL.esp' or 'ArmamentariumLL4OOO.esp'.

ArmamentariumLLmagic.esp

ArmamentariumArtifacts.esp

ArmamentariumLLArmaVendor.esp
. Note: Do not use with ArmamentariumLL4OOO.esp or ArmamentariumLLVendors.esp

FCOM_Convergence.esp

FCOM_EntropicOrderRebalance.esp

FCOM_RealSwords.esp

FCOM_DurabilityAndDamage.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - More Wilderness Life.esp
. Note: Use either 'More Wilderness Life' or 'More Wilderness Life No Gates' but not both.

FCOM_SaferRoads.esp

FCOM_LessRats.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Extra Wounding.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Looting NPCs & Creatures.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Less Bone Loot.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Vindasel.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Foxes.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Dungeons of MMM.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Hunting & Crafting.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:Scripts}}

Mart's Monster Mod - Farm Animals.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Slof Horses Complete.esp
. Note: Not compatible with Slof's Horses or Slof's Extra Horses.

TamrielTravellerAdvScript.esp

TamrielTravellers4OOO.esp
. Note: Requires 'FCOM_TamrielTravelers.esp'.

TamrielTravellersItemsCobl.esp
. Note: Requires COBL.

ShiveringIsleTravellers.esp
. Note: Use of 'TamrielTravellersItemsNPC.esp', 'TamrielTravellersItemsUnscaled.esp', or 'TamrielTravellersItemsVendors.esp' will remove SI items for sale.
. Note: Requires Shivering Isles expansion.

ShiveringIsleTravellersFriendlyFactions4MMM.esp

FCOM_TamrielTravelers.esp
. Note: Requires 'TamrielTravellers4OOO.esp'

FCOM_DiverseGuardUnity.esp

FCOM_BobsGuardUnity.esp
. Note: Requires 'Bob's Armory Oblivion.esp'.

FCOM_HungersUnitySI.esp
. Note: Requires Shivering Isles expansion.

FCOM_Archery.esp

FCOM_FriendlierFactions.esp

ArmamentariumLL4OOO.esp

Fransfemale.esp

OOO-WaterFish.esp

EVE_StockEquipmentReplacer4FCOM.esp

EVE_StockEquipmentReplacer for OOO.esp

EVE_StockEquipmentReplacer4MMM.esp

Artifacts.esp

Artifacts - ArmaCompleteAddon.esp

Abriael_Human.esp

Kvatch Rebuilt.esp

OCC-KR-Patch.esp

Kvatch Rebuilt - Leveled Guards - FCOM.esp

Apachii_Goddess_Store.esp

DLCBattlehornCastle.esp

DLCBattlehornCastle - Unofficial Patch.esp

DLCFrostcrag.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:C.Owner}}

DLCFrostcrag - Unofficial Patch.esp
. Note: Possible conflict with Frostcrag Reborn. Do not use both or land tearing will occur.

Knights.esp

Knights - Unofficial Patch.esp

EVE_KnightsoftheNine.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:Graphics}}

OCC-KOTN-Patch.esp

RTT.esp

OCC-RTTv3 Patch.esp
. Note: Works with RTT 3.0 only.

Mighty Umbra.esp
. Note: FCOM requires 'FCOM_MightyUmbra.esp'.

Ungarion1TheWelkyndSword.esp

Blood&Mud.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:Hair, NpcFaces}}
. Note: FCOM requires 'FCOM_WelkyndSwordBlood&Mud.esp' or 'FCOM_Blood&Mud.esp'.

The Mystery of the Dulan cult.esp
. Note: FCOM requires 'FCOM_DulanCult.esp'.

Mart's Monster Mod - City Defences.esp

FCOM_mightyumbra.esp
. Note: Requires 'Mighty Umbra.esp'.

FCOM_Blood&Mud.esp
. Note: Requires 'Blood&Mud.esp'.

FCOM_Knights.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:Delev,Relev}}
. Note: Requires DLC 'Knights.esp'.

FCOM_WelkyndSwordBlood&Mud.esp
. Note: Requires 'Ungarion1TheWelkyndSword.esp' and 'Blood&Mud.esp'.

FCOM_ruin.esp
. Note: Requires 'Ruin.esp'.

FCOM_slofsrobetrader.esp
. Note: Requires 'Slof's Oblivion Robe Trader.esp'.

FCOM_DulanCult.esp
. Note: Requires 'The Mystery of the Dulan cult.esp'.

Enhanced Daedric Invasion.esp
. Note: Requires 'FCOM_EnhancedDaedricInvasion.esp'.

FCOM_EnhancedDaedricInvasion.esp

PersonalPackGuars.esp

PersonalPackGuars Black.esp
. Note: Use only one PPG colour esp

Open Cities New Sheoth.esp
. Note: Requires Shivering Isles expansion.

Open Cities Outer Districts.esp

Open Cities Full + Bravil Blood & Mud + Leyawiin Reborn.esp
. Note: Requires Bravil Blood&Mud.

OCC-OOO-Patch.esp

FCOM_UnofficialFranArmorAddon.esp
. Note: Requires 'Fran Armor Add-on.esp' from 'Unofficial Francesco's Armor'.

EVE_ShiveringIslesEasterEggs.esp

Salmo the Baker, Cobl.esp
. Note: MAY cause CTDs. Cause uncertain despite extensive debugging. Disable if experiencing a persistant crash.

BathingMod_Soap.esp

BathingMod_Bathroom_Upgrades.esp

BathingMod_Placeable_Bathtubs.esp

Level Based Health.esp

RealisticForceLow.esp

RealisticMagicForceMedium.esp

RealSleepExtended.esp

SW01Plus.esp
. Note: Use 'SW01.esp' or 'SW01Plus.esp' but not both at the same time. SW01Plus affects the player as well.

Mart's Monster Mod - Resized Races.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:Body-M,Body-F}} and deactivate.

Nec Mystic High Elf-Remake.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:NpcFaces,Hair,Eyes,Graphics}}

Nec Mystic Dark Elf-Remake.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:NpcFaces,Hair,Eyes,Graphics,R.Relations}}

CuteElf11.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:NpcFaces,Hair,Eyes,Graphics}}

_Ren_BeautyPack_full.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:NpcFaces,Hair,Eyes,Graphics}}

AinmhiRace.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:NpcFaces,Hair,Eyes,Graphics,R.Relations}}

Lineage II Elves.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:NpcFaces,Hair,Eyes,Graphics,R.Relations}}

X.Moon.Elf.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:NpcFaces,Hair,Eyes,Graphics,R.Relations}}

CM Partners.esp

CM Partners Special NPCs.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:Hair,Eyes}}

CM Partners More NPCs.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:Hair,Eyes}}

Aliyah.esp

CM Tifa A.esp

companion_moonelves.esp

Tamara.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:Hair,Eyes}}

DARaewyn.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:Hair,Eyes}}

bgBalancingEVCore.esp
. Note: bgBalancingNoSIVersion_Core_still_required.esp is required if Shivering Isles not installed.

bgBalancingEVOptionalFangs.esp

bgBalancingEVOptionalMoreEyes.esp

bgBalancingEVOptionalNPCDiversity, Beautification Better Redguards.esp
. Note: Requires 'bgBalancingEVOptionalBetterRedguards.esp'.
. Note: Use only one 'OptionalNPCDiversity' plugin.

bgBalancingEVOptionalFCOMAdditions.esp

bgBalancingOptionalNPCDiversityKvatchRebuilt, for Wrye Bash.esp

bgBalancingEVOptionalSeamReducerHighElfFix.esp
. Note: Requires Shivering Isles and Luchaire's Body Seam Reducer.

EVE_KhajiitFix.esp

Improved Lava.esp
. Bashed Patch tag suggestion: {{BASH:Graphics}} and deactivate.

Bashed Patch, 0.esp

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Unrecognised mod files:
Reorder these by hand using your favourite mod ordering utility.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Unknown mod file: Aanila.esm
Unknown mod file: Golden Saint.esm
Unknown mod file: Dark Seducers.esm
Unknown mod file: LattamerV3_P-rrtyCure_Hair_Module.esp
Unknown mod file: Golden Saint.esp
Unknown mod file: MeridiaKatrina.esp
Unknown mod file: Dark Seducers.esp
Unknown mod file: Diano.esp
Unknown mod file: Isrithr.esp
Unknown mod file: Aanila.esp
Unknown mod file: DATiamsGirls.esp
Unknown mod file: Companion_Ab_Human_2.esp
Unknown mod file: Companion_Ab_Human_4.esp
Unknown mod file: companion_iceelves.esp
Unknown mod file: ambreskav02.esp
Unknown mod file: MIS Weather.esp
Unknown mod file: SeasonWeatherforMoreSkyClimates.esp
Unknown mod file: Map Marker Overhaul - SI additions.esp


-----------------------------------------------------------
Done.

Do you have a plan? Are you just looking for suggestions? Tip: go slowly and test (play the game a bit) as you add each mod (little mods, like stuff that adds 1 weapon or armor, can be added in bunches) May as well install OBSE... you'll need it eventually.

Here are some of my favorite, relatively simple, mods to help get you started:
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9185 & http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4804.
http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=13707. Painkiller_rider has some other nice mods too...
These ^ are mostly for high level characters...
http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=11280 IMO, essential!
http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=25204 Excellent Detect Life alternative with tons of customization.
http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9333 Until you install COBL.

If I was starting a new character I would definitely try out the relatively new and huge http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1036985.

Have fun and good luck!

Edit: Unless your using BAIN (part of Wrye Bash) to install mods, it's a good idea to make OMODs for most mods that come as loose files + a DATA folder- as opposed to .bsa's... read the readme's to be sure.

I was planning on adding FCOM. It seems a great deal of work went into it and thus it would make an excellent 'core' to my load list. What do you think?

You should install FCOM before adding any more mods to your list and make sure game is stable, before doing anything else that is my tips if going to go fcom route.

What are your computer specs? CPU, RAM, graphics card, OS? I ask because of your phrase, "Enhanced graphics in every way possible," coupled with your desire to add FCOM. This isn't a comment on your installation methods or utility choices. It's just that it is REALLY easy to bring your computer to its knees very quickly, even with a mod load that isn't running into other problems due to installation mistakes or load order problems.

You might want to check out the TOPP thread (The Oblivion Performance Project).

gothemasticator

Good Point. I will detail my computer specs in the first post.

Well, generally I think it's not necessarily a good idea to suggest installing FCOM to someone who is new to applying mods. However, if your determined it's definitely worth it! Find the relevant links in the FCOM thread... and read thoroughly! :read: Most problems with FCOM are caused by careless attention to detail.

I agree. If you can get FCOM to work you can probably get just about anything else to work provided it doesn't directly conflict with any of the mods involved in FCOM.

I'm a fan of texture replacers and body replacers.

http://devnull.sweetdanger.net/obliviontextureoverhaul.html

You can find a lot of neat stuff there. Keep in mind that the game is already something of a resource hog so adding additional texture or model quality can start to bog down your system. Many of the larger texture packs listed on the site I linked have been gone over and redone by the same modders or other modders to reduce the file size and system load they cause with minimal loss of visual quality. I prefer to play it safe and play with the reduced packs since my own system isn't really anything spectacular.

Head on over to Slof's Hive to get some more visual eye candy. She has a few horse and dog retexture packs. If you plan on using Robert's Seamless Male/Female body replacer she also has some beautiful Khajiit retexture packs as well as a mod that puts whiskers and claws on Khajiits and back/tail spines on Argonians.

For more visual prettiness you may consider replacing the default male and female bodies. The only male body replacer I know of is Robert's Seamless Male and it comes in several versions, from bulky to thin. Female body replacers are plentiful. BAB (Biu's Adventuress Body), Exnem's EyeCandy, HGEC EyeCandy, Fantasy Figures, and probably several others that I can't remember off the top of my head. If you do go with a body replacer it is IMPERATIVE that you get the stock Oblivion armor and clothing pack that supports that body. Most come with these bundled together, some of them bundle them separately. If you choose not to go with a body replacer keep in mind that mods that depend on a specific body to work properly won't work on the default body or on a different body than the one they were intended for. Slof's Khajiit retextures for Robert's Female replacer, for example, won't work on the stock body or on, say, Fantasy Figures.

DarkUId Darn is a great addon to have. It makes the menu a little easier on the eyes by darkening the color to a rich red. No more blinding yourself when you're in a dark dungeon and have to open your menu! Yay!

The majority of my game files are graphical overhauls. If you find something you like make sure you read the download site AND the readme that comes with the mod very carefully to see if it conflicts with anything you already have installed. When you kind of more or less get the hang of file placement in the Data folder you'll usually be able to intuit exactly where certain mods conflict and if overwriting or changing the load order is enough to bypass those conflicts, or if you should just not install it at all.

As previously stated, you should list your system specs here. CPU, RAM, Graphics card, whether you use on-board sound or a better sound card, monitor screen size (for resolution purposes), and your operating system can all have an enormous impact on Oblivion's playability. There are several tweaks you can do to Oblivion's "go to for setup" file to streamline your game a little bit. If your system is lagging the first thing I recommend you do is disable the 3d grass. Yeah, it takes away a wee bit of realism, but I'm fond of the addon "Shin Akuma's Real Grass" as it's quite lovely and distracts me from the fact that I don't have my grass turned on.

Cannot state the importance of getting FCOM working before adding more mods..Once again..

and Only one choice for Male Roberts Male with support FCOM. and for Female Body Mods It is either EVE HGEC or Robert Female both support All parts of FCOM..You can find Roberts Female for Mods if you look for it..search for my topics..

Textures packs if you have a low end computer and video card. then Bomret Detailed Normal Maps and Vibrant Textures are route to go for graphics enhancements. Or just want to save vram for other things.

Else it would be QTP3R and Bomret SI if you have high end machine and video card.

Fantasy Figures has armor packs for Fran's and OOO out there somewhere as well, though my brief foray into FCOM didn't see much time testing them out so I can't vouch for their stability or completeness.

Even if you have a high end machine and video card QTP3R and Bomret's SI pack can still have a noticeable impact. It does on mine, that's for sure. I drop from 50+ FPS to 30 or lower with my mods installed, almost half of which are texture packs. There are ways to work around FPS problems too, provided you aren't looking for an enormous performance gain and have realistic expectations.

With that hardware/OS setup you should be able to run some good texture replacement mods (as the above poster stated, it's still a good idea to go for reduced or redimized versions). Some comments to keep in mind, though:

4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM

• Windows XP can only make use of 3 GB out of your 4.
  
• Oblivion can only make use of about 1.5 of the remaining three. (So, it's a good thing your RAM is fast. That'll help some.)

ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB

• Your graphics card is nice, but it isn't top-of-the-line. And with 512MB VRAM, you're still going to have to be careful with graphics-intensive mods. Especially outdoors.
  
• As an above poster pointed out, your screen resolution will matter also, so that info would be helpful for your chronicle also. You may not be able to play at the highest resolution supported by your card.

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition

• With Windows XP, you will have less headaches with your install than Vista users do. If you intend to make this chronicle as useful to others as it can be, you might want to add a sentence pointing this out.

2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

• Oblivion doesn't make good use out of dual-core processors. Again, it's good you have a fast one, because it will end up just using one. (XP has been smart enough in my experience to move at least some of the system processes to the second core, so your hardware won't be totally wasted.)

Good luck! And do make use of the FCOM thread. I myself have gotten invaluable advice there.

gothemasticator

An example:

I play on a 22" monitor, hence my less than optimal FPS rates despite the fact that my system should theoretically be able to tackle QTP3 and other high-quality visual packs with relative ease. When I switch to a smaller monitor my FPS increases a disgustingly unfair amount. If you have or can have access to a smaller computer monitor you'll be much happier with your graphics card's performance.

Also, don't go too hog wild on extra mods, especially ones that add custom scripts or rely extensively on OBSE scripts. The additional scripting can lead to additional system resource usage which can noticeably, sometimes even dramatically, increase stuttering in Oblivion that has nothing to do with graphics.

You can use it or not as you desire. It adds fish to bodies of water. It will add to processor load, so people experiencing cpu overload can disable it as part of troubleshooting.


Basic answer: none of those are necessary. However, you would be best off asking in the FCOM thread, or better yet in the MMM thread, for more detailed answers.

Also, when you edit the first post, the thread is not updated, so not moved up to the top of the forum page. If you want questions answered here, you're best off asking them in a new post.

gothemasticator

Okay, so I will keep the fish for now.

There is a support thread for FCOM in this forum as well as a support thread for MMM. Scroll back a few pages or use the search engine and you should be able to locate them. A word of warning though....as a rule of thumb, the more mods you add, the less stable the game becomes. Running a significant number of mods (say, 200+) will almost gurantee that CTDs--however infrequent with a good load order and weOCPS--will be inevitable. So my advice is not to add everything that enhances an aspect of the game, but add what you consider to be "essential" to your enjoyment of the game. As you play the game, what you consider to be "essential" (which is to say they are not truly "essential" in the same way that the unofficial patch is) will start to grow, and pretty soon, you'll be looking at a 200+ mod load order.

If you have MMM question ask in MMM thread that is linked in my sig..and read the second post at least to see what has been updated with those plugins..Else those MMM updates are optional not required but recommended..


http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1042029

http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1040546

I do not mind helping people in individual post,

but alot of information can be found in these thread themselves..

MMM thread:
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1037788&hl

FCOM thread:
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1040546

Definitely will consider the visual mods. First though got to get FCOM up and going.

I can easily recommend Extra Wounding... I love it! I enjoyed More Wilderness Life for quite a while but I've since deactivated it because of the occasional annoyance of encountering 10+ deer near a large spawn of enemies! :ahhh:

Onboard sound-> do you have a dedicated sound card or do you use the sound hardware that came with your motherboard?

I have an iMac so probably came with my motherboard?

Hahaha. That piece of information is usually the kind of thing one would mention first when asked for hardware info.

So, you're running Windows XP on your iMac... Any and all hardware questions should then be answered by Mac people. It's such a different machine.

gothemsticator

Can't blame me can you? Always Mac bashers behind every corner! lol

I have said nothing to bash Macs or to blame you for using one. What I am noting is that the hardware advice and caution you have received from myself and others in this thread is rendered less accurate and helpful, because we didn't know you are using a Mac. And what I am suggesting is that you should get hardware advice from some informed Mac users, because they are very different machines from pcs. In addition, I have no idea what performance impact, if any, you will get running a resource-intensive modded Oblivion setup on a Mac+Windows setup.

gothemasticator

I couldn't agree more about gaining more info about a Mac setup.
Even the best PC rigs can be brought to tears running a heavily modded Oblivion.

FCOM seeks to blend top mods for Oblivion. I am curious though, what if I decided to install MMM in its entirety then additional mods excluding FCOM (mostly visual and quest related mods) - how would gameplay be different? What would be lost or gained? Or is that far too complicated of a question?

Anyone venture to guess?
thanks