So, I have read tutorials, I have watched tutorials on youtube...I just can't seem to mod correctly. The only ones I have been able to work were the HGEC body and Exnems body replacers. But it seems all those do is make it so I can look at my female characters nvde. =\ I know how to use OBMM, to an extent. Still don't understand load orders...Or whatever, but I know how to actually install mods using OBMM now. The only thing is, they don't work when I "Activate" them. I make sure there is a blue square next to them and everything. *sigh*

The ones that I really want are the ones in this video...But I can't seem to do it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6HNh9N4iEg&feature=related


Anyone able to help me at all? =(

The http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/449239-oblivion-mods-faq/ right here (stickied at the top of this forum). Then, maybe http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/.

:read: (No, really - this is the *only* way forward).

One of the most important things to remember is to read the readme files that come with most mods, and follow their instructions / heed their warnings. Likewise, any info freely given at pages where you download the mods in the first place. Take a bit of time out to read, and all will become clear, in time.

There is. No. Other way. :grad:


;) But it *is* true.

Just keep in mind - none of this makes any sense. Getting the game modded the way you want correctly is much harder than any game you've ever played. It's sort of a game in and of itself.

It is complicated, and there is often more than one way to to something. That said, there results are some of the best experiences you can have playing a game. Some of these mods are stunning when you seen them in action. My advice in to actually read the pages recommended above, and then start with one mod, then two, and so on. There are several types of install, so eventually you will have done them all. But again, just start with one and get it working. Something simple, no need to start with an overhaul mod. Once you get that functioning properly add another one. You will eventually have this figured out.

I would say that it's worth the trouble. You also might want to play the game un-modded first in you haven't, just to have the experience. If you're going to to do that you only need to worry about a proper install of the original game, and then getting the un-official patches installed. That would be a nice place to start.

GOOD LUCK!

The other important thing is to not do everything at once. Start with a single mod. Get it working. Then look at adding another. You can read until your eyes hurt, but you need to have something in front of you and follow the steps one-at-a-time. Then it will all click into place and you'll understand the terminology a lot better.

And yet, somehow, I have this sneaking suspicion that that is not even close to being a typical problem for those getting into mods...

Quite the reverse, one might say.

I would suggest this - start over. Un-install, and completely remove the folder.

Then only concentrate on getting the Vanilla version installed correctly. From there, add the official patches. Then, get the un-official patches and make sure the game is running fine.

From there select a mod you really want to try. Just one. Make it something that will be very obvious when you start the game again. Texture replacers are good because you can see their effects immediately. Just make sure that the mod you add first will provide and obvious change.

Then, come here, start a new thread, and get the fine folks here to walk you through the install of that mod. Get that one down, learn the way to install it, make some notes.

Then, pick a second mod. You see where I'm going with this? You eventually want to play the game, and you do not want to be a modder yourself. It could take you weeks to troubleshoot a large number of changes made at once, and for every answer you get there are almost always a bunch of exceptions. Take it slow and get help a step at a time. At some point you'll start noticing that you've already learned how to install this or that type of mod previously. From there you'll start being able to ask more specific questions and get better answers.

Short of becoming one of the people who never actually play the game, but only try to figure out how to get the mods to work, I'm not sure of a better way that one step at a time.

Here is a great example of what I'm referring to. This is a thread I just started, just to figure out how to install the game correctly. It was something I've always wondered about, and it's actually more complicated that I thought. http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1117733-ok-jeez-embarrassed-how-do-i-install-oblivion/

Getting this game to work and then adding a few mods is so hard for a novice it becomes comical. You are not alone my friend!

I think re-installing is a bit extreme, but yes, doing to i slowly one at a time is the way to get started. Start with something nice and simple. The simplest mods contain only an esp file which needs to be placed into you Data folder and activated. Anyone can manage that. Then build up your confidence and start trying more complex mods like ones that contain resources and multiple esps. Read the installation instructions and read mes carefully. You may want to extract the archives to a temporary location first to examine it and read the readme. Test after each mod install. Then before you know it you'll be installing like you've been doing it for years.

...And before you know it, you'll have been doing it for years.

lol... yes.

The reason I recommended the re-install is that I was concerned that there may have been problems caused by the efforts so far, bad enough that he'll never know if the fresh problems he might run into are caused by a new thing or an old thing. At least if he gets the game installed and patched correctly he'll know he's got a solid base to start from. And, if this all turns out to be more of a pain than it's worth he can just recover his backup and play Vanilla. At least he'll have a working game.

Okay, now I also have the Steam version. It is Oblivion GOTY deluxe. It comes with Shivering Isles and the Official patches. Does that mean it also comes with the Unofficial patches as well? Thanks a bunch everyone. =)

Nope, you have to download and install them yourself, they are not distributed by Bethesda, hence the 'unofficial'

Yeah, you need to get an account at TesNexus, which is a great site at which you can download pretty much everything you'd need.

Seriously, hit that installation thread link I posted and if you start with that you'll at least know what you're missing. Most of it is already in place because you've got GOTY. The un-official patches are all listed there.