Hello there,

I have been using Fallout 3 with a number of mods for a few days, and while I haven't had any problems so far, I'd like to get clarification regarding the usage (or most common usage) of the tools available. I'm going to start by saying what I'm using right now.

I use 6 tools to help with the modding process:

- Garybash (a.k.a. old habits die hard): I am used to the functionality of Wrye Mash/Bash and I feel comfortable with its equivalent for FO3.

- FOMM: I use it to unpack fomods and convert them to BAIN format. Sometimes also to learn about the structure of a fomod before unpacking it, only if I cannot make sense of the script itself.

- FO3Edit: Mod cleaning and mod conflict fixing (creating my own patches if needed). I have never created a Merged Patch or used the FO3MasterUpdate functionality.

- BOSS + BOMM for load order, then tweak if necessary, via tagging or just by reordering, according to the information provided by FO3Edit.

- ArchiveInvalidationIvalidated!

Now the questions:

1.- Is FO3MasterUpdate still needed? I am using patch 1.7 and I'm not sure if the problems introduced in 1.5 have been addressed. I am a recent addition to the FO3 community, so v1.7 is the only version I know.

2.- Bashed Patch vs Merged Patch. I am very used to creating Bashed Patches via Wrye (Gary in this case), but what's the standard for FO3? What do you guys use / prefer? Why?

I apologize if I am too overwhelming with my questions, I just want to do things right.

Thanks in advance!