I'm finally about to purchase the PC version of Fallout 3, after being a long time PS3 user, and putting up with all the bugs. I think the easiest (and cheapest) way to get the GOTY edition is from Steam, and I just want to make sure all mods will be compatible. I realize I'll have to change the file path of many, but is there anything unique to the Steam version that would cause problems with installing/playing mods?

EDIT: And do installing and playing mods work the same way as Oblivion?

I have the Steam version and haven't encountered any mod that wouldn't work, even Fallout Script Extender works with no problems. As for installing mods it is pretty much identical to Oblvion, and there are pretty similar tools available, Fallout Mod Manager, a Wrye Bash port (doesn't have all the functions of the Oblivion one, but still very handy) and even BOSS (for Fallout 3)

Awesome. I've never actually ended up using any of Wrye's mods, but OBSE, OBMM, and BOSS are everyday tools for me, so that will be very helpful. I'll probably play a bit vanilla for a while, as I'm going to have to get a feel for the PC version. Then I'll look up some graphics enhancing mods. (Recommend any...?)

Anyways, 72%.

I suggest you also download:

http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=637

Install it and make 2 copies of the executable. 1 named FO3MasterUpdate.exe and one named FO3MasterRestore.exe.

Some mods REQUIRE a master update, some do not so make sure you read the mod instructions carefully. Generally any major game change mods or any mods which add or edit navmeshes require this. The way I do it is to move all mods that do not require a master update into a temporary folder, run it, then move the mods back out. You will rarely need to run a master restore. FO3Edit is also VERY helpful in creating merge patches such as required by Weapon Mod Kits if you use any of it's DLC patches. I always tend to create merge patches whenever I add or remove mods. FO3Edit is also useful for resolving conflicts.

I'm a little confused at what that does, exactly. Is it like OBSE, as it is passive but it allows you to run certain mods that require it? Or is it like Wrye Bash, and does many things?

It's nothing like OBSE (Or FOSE in this case). It is an editor that easily allows you to see mod conflicts as well as tweak mods to your specific tastes.

http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/images/637-1-1244771031.gif

http://fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=8629

Oh, I see. So it's similar to Wrye Bash then?

Perhaps. It is a very powerful editor though. It's the same as TES4Edit and also made by ElminsterAU except tweaked for Fallout 3. The current port of Wrye Bash isn't fully functional yet.

As i mentioned, some mods require its use and any mod that alters or adds navmeshes and most mods that overhaul the game must be master updated unless otherwise specified in the readme.

Alright. Thanks for the info.

Alright, it's up and running now, and everything's great. Controls feel a lot more slippery than Oblivion's, but I'm sure I'll get used to them.

This is basically the same tool as TES4Edit, pretty much essential tool for Fallout 3 for it's merged patch and Master Update functions. Merged patch is required to make mods work together nicely, and Master Update helps resolve some bugs. To add to the above, you only need one copy of the exe; make two shortcuts for it, and add "-masterupdate" and "-masterrestore" to the target box.

This is true. Yet, due to not using masterrestore or masterupdate frequently and considering that disk space is cheap, having 3 of the 3.85MB executables named FO3Edit.exe, masterupdate.exe, and masterrestore.exe really isn't much of an issue. I keep FO3Edit pinned to my taskbar in Windows 7 and also a link to the Fallout 3 folder pinned as well if I should need to open it to run these and also to quick access other items which I might edit.

Ok, this isn't really mod related, but I thought I'd post here instead of making a whole new thread. I've already had two freezes, and I read that this is because I have a quad core processor. It said to use this fix:



This was written a long time ago with an earlier patch, but I was wondering if this will still work for me, and if it will screw anything up.

It will not screw anything up but make a backup of your ini file and give it a try.

http://www.tweakguides.com/Fallout3_1.html

Probably a stupid question, but will it effect performance, as it kills two of my processors?