Folks who have 500+ hour playthroughs... : IV

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 7:05 am

Hey guys, I've seen folks mention how they have 500+ hour-long playthroughs across a few characters or even just one.

Out of curiousity, what mods are helping you to keep interest in your character? Is it an overhaul like FCOM? Quest packs like Integration or KDQ? Reduced leveling? Or is it roleplaying? Maybe a combo of all these?

I'm just kind of curious how to get that same mileage out of my modded game and wanted to see if there is a pattern of long gameplay hours using certain mods... I know this seems like a gameplay question but it's more a "how are you getting the most out of your modded Oblivion and which mods help hold your interest for so many hours".

Fire away!

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 3:21 pm

Quests for me, especially ones with replay and options so that I can play it again and have it be some what new on a later character. Making up unique characters and using unique gameplay mods helps too. Characters like pacifists, or anarchists that just like pissing people off, holy mages that get corrupted by power, etc.

So I guess a mix of quest mods, gameplay mods, and roleplay

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 5:48 am

Honestly I've played over 500 hours of Oblivion. Probably around 300 hours in vanilla just making different character builds and doing quests and hundreds of more testing out mods like FCOM, TIE, Warcry New Dimensions, WAC, etc. Basically I just love messing around with the game itself and seeing what I can accomplish which is why I've used a huge amount of different mods in trying to accomplish this.

I still want to play through Nehrim at some point in time but it may be awhile before I do so as I have so much content to test in actual Oblivion.

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 11:05 am

I've done it a couple of times. My longest game ever was 800+ hrs. And I've never played with any overhauls! I do have all the DLC's and I join all the guilds. I also have some quest mods like Lost Spires and Kvatch Rebuilt. With the 800 hr game, I wanted to get my character to level 50, so I did a lot of dungeon diving. Only did that once though. Most of the time I just play through all the quests and stuff. Recently I also loaded up EE and did some of the merchant quests - that extends the play time too. Don't have much time to play anymore though - just enough to get my character to the point where I can test my mod

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 5:10 pm

Hey guys, I've seen folks mention how they have 500+ hour-long playthroughs across a few characters or even just one.

Out of curiousity, what mods are helping you to keep interest in your character? Is it an overhaul like FCOM? Quest packs like Integration or KDQ? Reduced leveling? Or is it roleplaying? Maybe a combo of all these?

I'm just kind of curious how to get that same mileage out of my modded game and wanted to see if there is a pattern of long gameplay hours using certain mods... I know this seems like a gameplay question but it's more a "how are you getting the most out of your modded Oblivion and which mods help hold your interest for so many hours".

Fire away!

Sort of bad timing for that question in my case as I'm quite bored with the game now, but I have played it perhaps 1500 hours or so with perhaps 5 long living chars. In my case the shortest answer is probably OOO. I had basically stopped playing the game when trying it out the first time - and that game is high on my list over best gaming experiences ever. And it has a high replay value as well - I have fought Lord Volmyr with five different chars and all fights have been memorable.

Anyway, a tip for longevity is to slow down the leveling rates considerably. I tend to retire my chars around Lvl 25 but with c. x5 slower leveling rate via Progress that clocks in at c. 350 hours. And it has taken 350 hours to do the main quest, mages guild quest line, favorite OOO quests (all but Slavers & Smugglers), Mighty Umbra, half of the SI MQ and some other stuff.

From the perspective of a compulsive collector in games I was actually a bit shocked and almost dismayed when I realized that I never ever is going to find everything in OOO alone, not mentioning Armamentarium, Artifacts etc. I mean, I like the additional weapons/armor a lot but, just as an example, after 1500 hours I still haven't happened upon a Daedric Dai-Katana from OOO. So for avid collector completists, using FCOM plus Armamentarium etc. basically means a game that will last forever...

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 5:34 pm

A leveling mod that rids the game of the vanilla attribute chase, followed by one that lets me control the pace at which I level skills come at the top of my list. Like many others I find an ngcd + Progress setup fills that void ideally.
The addition of some personal mods and tweaking is also something I've done to create longevity.
And I wouldn't dream of playing without FCOM.
I've also found that adjusting the difficulty slider as you move into the higher levels increases the challenge, otherwise the tendency is for your avatar to outgrow your mods.
At 30 plus I run the game normally at 75/85%. Any higher and it's instant death when facing two or more ranged attackers.
To give you some ideas for additions my mod list -

Spoiler

Active Mod Files:
00 Oblivion.esm
01 All Natural Base.esm [Version 1.3]
02 Francesco's Leveled Creatures-Items Mod.esm [Version 4.5bSI]
03 Francesco's Optional New Items Add-On.esm [Version 4.5bSI]
04 Cobl Main.esm [Version 1.73]
05 TamRes.esm
06 Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esm [Version 1.35Alpha2]
07 Mart's Monster Mod.esm [Version 3.8b1]
08 FCOM_Convergence.esm [Version 0.9.9MB8b1]
09 Progress.esm [Version 2.2]
** Cobl Races TNR.esp [Version 1.53]
** Cobl Races TNR SI.esp [Version 1.53]
0A Unofficial Oblivion Patch.esp [Version 3.2.0]
0B DLCShiveringIsles.esp
0C Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch.esp [Version 1.4.0]
0D TamRes.esp
0E Francesco's Optional Chance of Stronger Bosses.esp
0F Francesco's Optional Chance of Stronger Enemies.esp
10 Francesco's Optional Chance of More Enemies.esp
11 Francesco's Optional Leveled Guards.esp
++ FCOM_Francescos.esp [Version 0.9.9MB8b1]
++ FCOM_FrancescosItemsAddOn.esp [Version 0.9.9MB8b1]
12 FCOM_FrancescosNamedBosses.esp [Version 0.9.9MB8b1]
13 Fran_Lv30Item_Maltz.esp
++ LoadingScreens.esp
14 LoadingScreensAddOn.esp
** LoadingScreensSI.esp
15 Natural Selection.esp [Version 1.0]
16 All Natural.esp [Version 1.3]
17 All Natural - SI.esp [Version 1.3]
++ All Natural - MMM Patch.esp [Version 1.3]
18 Immersive Interiors.esp [Version 0.8]
19 Immersive Interiors - Lights Addon.esp [Version 0.8]
1A Realistic Water.esp
++ Symphony of Violence.esp
1B MIS.esp
1C MIS New Sounds Optional Part.esp
1D Atmospheric Oblivion.esp
1E All Natural - Real Lights.esp [Version 1.3]
1F WindowLightingSystem.esp
20 AFK_PrayerIdles.esp [Version 1.0]
21 Book Jackets Oblivion.esp
22 ImprovedSigns.esp
23 RAEVWD Cities.esp [Version 1.9]
24 RAEVWD New Sheoth.esp [Version 1.7]
25 RAEVWD Imperial City.esp [Version 1.9]
++ VA_BetterGold.esp
26 Willful Resistance.esp [Version 4.0]
27 Enhanced Seasons.esp [Version 1.3.1]
28 Enhanced Economy non format.esp
29 Streamline 3.1.esp
2A Map Marker Overhaul.esp [Version 3.8]
2B Map Marker Overhaul - SI additions.esp [Version 3.5]
2C Landmarks, w Wells.esp [Version 1.11]
2D MapMarkers.esp
2E Expanded Hotkeys and Spell Delete V2.esp
2F DLCMehrunesRazor.esp
30 DLCMehrunesRazor - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.4]
31 ExnemEyeCandy.esp
++ MaleBodyReplacerV4.esp
32 Adonnays Classical Weaponry.esp
33 Reznod_Mannequin_HD[Eng].esp
++ RustyItems for OOO.esp
34 tda_Armoury Beta v1_2.esp
** StockClothingArmor-forExnems.esp
++ Restoration.esp
35 Cobl Glue.esp [Version 1.73]
36 Cobl Si.esp [Version 1.63]
37 Bob's Armory Oblivion.esp
38 FCOM_BobsArmory.esp [Version 0.9.9]
39 Loth's Blunt Weapons for Npcs.esp
++ FCOM_LothsBluntWeapons.esp [Version 0.9.9]
3A Oblivion WarCry EV.esp [Version 1.09]
3B FCOM_WarCry.esp [Version 0.9.9MB8b1]
3C Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esp [Version 1.35Alpha2]
3D Alluring Potion Bottles v3.esp
3E Alluring Wine Bottles.esp
** OMOBS_SI.esp [Version 2.0]
3F OOO 1.32-Cobl.esp [Version 1.72]
40 Mart's Monster Mod - Additional Enemy NPC Vars.esp [Version 3.8b1]
41 FCOM_Convergence.esp [Version 0.9.9Mb8b1]
++ FCOM_EntropicOrderRebalance.esp [Version 0.9.9beta2]
42 FCOM_RealSwords.esp [Version 0.9.9MB8]
++ FCOM_SpawnRatesStronger.esp [Version 0.9.9Mb3]
43 Mart's Monster Mod - More Wilderness Life.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ Mart's Monster Mod - More Passive Wildlife.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ FCOM_LessRats.esp [Version 0.9.9]
++ Mart's Monster Mod - No Pests.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ Mart's Monster Mod - No Swarms.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ FCOM_NoReaversInGates.esp [Version 0.9.9]
++ FCOM_NoAdventurersInGates.esp [Version 0.9.9]
44 Mart's Monster Mod - Extra Wounding.esp [Version 3.8b1]
45 Mart's Monster Mod - No Carrion Rats.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ Mart's Monster Mod - No Bone Loot.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ Mart's Monster Mod - No Slimes.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ Mart's Monster Mod - No Fiends.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ Mart's Monster Mod - No Werewolves.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ Mart's Monster Mod - No Beholdens.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ Mart's Monster Mod - No Uberhulks.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ Mart's Monster Mod - No Skeep.esp [Version 3.8b1]
46 Mart's Monster Mod - Zombies for Body Meshes.esp [Version 3.8b1]
47 Mart's Monster Mod - Farm Animals.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ Mart's Monster Mod - Slof Horses Complete.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse Runeskulls Loot OOO.esp [Version 3.8b1]
** FCOM_FriendlierFactions.esp [Version 0.9.9]
++ Mart's Monster Mod - Shivering Isles.esp [Version 3.8b1]
++ FCOM_HungersUnitySI.esp [Version 0.9.9MB8b1]
++ Atmospheric Oblivion - MMM Patch.esp
++ Atmospheric Oblivion - OOO Patch.esp
++ StockClothingArmor-forExnems - OOO Patch.esp
++ MMM-Cobl.esp [Version 1.73]
48 CNRP Bruma4OOO.esp [Version 0.2]
49 CNRP Chorrol4OOO.esp [Version 1.1]
4A CNRP Cheydinhal4OOO.esp [Version 1.0]
4B CNRP FightersGuild4OOO.esp [Version 1.0]
4C Ivellon.esp [Version 1.8]
4D 300_Artifacts.esp
4E AdenseEpicDungeon.esp
4F allinonebasemant_COBLnoCM.esp
50 Imperial Furniture Renovated.esp
51 Basemant_chorrolhouse.esp
52 Bruma_House__Fireplace_with_Fire-2800.esp
53 Deathtrap Dungeon.esp
54 LostSwordOfTheAylied.esp
55 Muffin Display Rooms.esp
56 TheWellOfMinlorada.esp
57 The Ayleid Steps.esp [Version 3.4]
58 TheForgottenShields.esp
59 WOTFH_1.3.esp
5A Knights.esp
5B Knights - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.9]
5C The Lost Spires.esp
5D GuardsofCyrodiilRedux.esp [Version 1.12]
5E Lost Paladins of the Divines.esp
5F HoarfrostCastle.esp
60 MannimarcoRevisited.esp
61 MannimarcoRevisitedOOO.esp [Version 0.1]
++ FCOM_Knights.esp [Version 0.9.9MB8b1]
62 xuldarkforest.esp [Version 1.0.5]
63 LostSpires-DarkForest patch.esp
64 xulStendarrValley.esp [Version 1.2.2]
65 xulTheHeath.esp
66 MMMMWL-TheHeath patch.esp
67 XulEntiusGorge.esp
68 xulFallenleafEverglade.esp [Version 1.3.1]
69 LostSpires-Everglade patch.esp
6A xulColovianHighlands_EV.esp [Version 1.2.1]
6B xulChorrolHinterland.esp [Version 1.2.2]
6C xulBeachesOfCyrodiilLostCoast.esp [Version 1.6.4]
6D xulBravilBarrowfields.esp [Version 1.3.2]
6E LostSpires-BravilBarrowfields patch.esp
6F xulLushWoodlands.esp [Version 1.3.1]
70 HoarfrostCastle-LushWoodlands patch.esp
71 xulAncientYews.esp [Version 1.4.3]
72 xulAncientRedwoods.esp [Version 1.6]
73 xulCloudtopMountains.esp [Version 1.0.3]
74 xulArriusCreek.esp [Version 1.1.3]
75 xulPatch_AY_AC.esp [Version 1.1]
76 MMMMWL-RollingHills patch.esp
77 xulPantherRiver.esp
78 xulRiverEthe.esp [Version 1.0.2]
79 xulBrenaRiverRavine.esp [Version 1.1]
7A xulImperialIsle.esp [Version 1.6.6]
7B UL Imperial Isle Adense Epic Dungeon Patch.esp
7C xulBlackwoodForest.esp [Version 1.1.0]
7D xulCheydinhalFalls.esp [Version 1.0.1]
7E DungeonsOfIvellon-CheydinhalFalls patch.esp
7F xulAspenWood.esp [Version 1.0.2]
80 xulSkingradOutskirts.esp [Version 1.0.1]
81 xulSnowdale.esp [Version 1.0.2]
82 OOO-Snowdale Patch.esp
83 xulCliffsOfAnvil.esp
84 OOOCliffsofAnvilPatch.esp [Version 1.1]
85 xulSilverfishRiverValley.esp [Version 1.0]
86 Lost Spires + Silverfish River Patch.esp [Version 1.0]
87 Fort Akatosh Redux.esp
++ Cyrodiil Legion Addon.esp [Version 1.3]
88 Legion Ranger Addon.esp
89 Harvest [Flora].esp [Version 3.0.0]
++ Harvest [Flora] - Shivering Isles.esp [Version 3.0.0]
8A DZ_Auto_Harvest.esp
++ Visually Realistic Deadly Lava.esp
8B AutoBookPlacer.esp [Version 3.02]
8C Birthsigns Expanded.esp [Version 3.21.]
8D DecoratorAssistant with OBSE v1.1.esp
8E Dungeon Actors Have Torches 1.6 CT.esp
8F Exterior Actors Have Torches 1.3 CT.esp
90 Reset Your Status Page.esp [Version 0.0.8]
91 Speedy Disrobe OBSE.esp [Version 1.3]
92 Quest Award Leveller.esp [Version 2.0.1]
++ Quest Award Leveller - Mehrunes Razor.esp [Version 2.1.0]
93 Quest Award Leveller - Knights of the Nine.esp [Version 2.1.0]
94 Alchemy nerf.esp
++ EnchantmentFixes/recharge.esp
95 Advanced Mark & Recall.esp
96 SetEssentialActors.esp
97 Smite of Order.esp
++ Illusion fix.esp
98 AgarMoreVariedSpellEffects.esp
99 SSEE-OOO.esp
9A Armorer's Advantage.esp
9B nGCD.esp
++ nGCD Skeleton Key.esp
9C ProgressGSD.esp [Version 2.0]
9D ProgressMBSP.esp [Version 2.0]
9E ProgressSBSP.esp [Version 1.0]
9F ProgressRacial.esp
A0 ProgressArmorer.esp [Version 1.0]
++ Immediate Character Generation.esp
A1 The Versatile Adventurer.esp
++ DMC Stylish - Specialanims.esp
** Cava Obscura - Cyrodiil.esp
** Cava Obscura - SI.esp
** Cava Obscura - Filter Patch For Mods.esp
++ Mart's Monster Mod - Resized Races.esp [Version 3.8b1]
A2 ZUAmberMadnessOverhaul.esp
A3 ZUSIO-RatsInCrucible.esp
++ ZUSIO-MMM SI-patch.esp
A4 ZUSIO-Map MarkerOverhaul SI-patch.esp
A5 No More Annoying Comments.esp
** [GFX]_Initial_Glow-all.esp
++ X-Ray Detect.esp
A6 Cobl Silent Equip Misc.esp [Version 01]
A7 Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse Creatures Expansion.esp [Version 3.8b1]
A8 MMM Mummy.esp
A9 Gift of Kynareth.esp
AA GiftOfKynareth-CheydinhalFalls patch.esp
AB Cobl Races.esp [Version 1.52]
AC Cobl Variations.esp
++ DiverseDremoraArmorFCOM.esp
** All Natural - Indoor Weather Filter For Mods.esp [Version 1.3]
++ Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul - Harvest Containers - SI.esp [Version 0.99b]
++ Cobl Filter Late MERGE ONLY.esp [Version 1.53]
AD Bashed Patch, 3.esp

Note that the version of FCOM and many associated plug-ins are not available for general download, as are some other esp's shown which are my own personal game tweaks and fixes, so don't be asking for a download link or searching google for them.
I hope this gives you a general idea for a game build.

Good luck

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 4:57 am

I have 430 hours on my most well-loved character, not counting enjoyed mod testing time (which is easily another 150 hours). That time put it in includes completing the MQ, SI MQ, and the DB chain, but no other guild chains or DLCs.

I do not run any overhauls (or didn't, until I installed WAC just yesterday). There are three major contributors to the prolonged lifespan of this game for me. The first is RP. My character has her own story, her own nature - she is not just me in avatar format. So playing through the game is like simultaneously reading and writing her story. The second contributor is quest mods, for the obvious reason that they've given my character more to do. The third contributor is a bit more personal. Playing the game triggers my imagination and creativity, and I'll spend an inordinate amount of time just exploring and pondering all the whys and hows and what ifs of Tamriel.

I think the last one is most important. Without it, the game would just be a way to pass hours, like Tetris. :ermm:

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 12:24 pm

One thing I find adds a lot of hours to the game is not using the Fast Travel system !

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 8:01 am

My current character has 633 hours. I've been playing with this dude for more than a year now. He'll be my last character, but I will only retire him after I've played Reclaiming Sancre Tor. This will be his last and I hope epic adventure. In the mean time, I'm playing through The Northern Front and Verona House Bloodline, which I've never played.

Like many others, what makes me play for a long time with the same avatar are quest mods, but also I try not to use fast travel. I also roleplay a bit and use a simple eat/sleep/drink mod (Simple essentials by Skycaptain) and this add to longevity. I find myself looking for inns and places to sleep when my former characters were just machines. I literally never slept with some of them, unless I was required to wait for 3 days and whatnot.

I do collect some armors and weapon here and there, but hoarding is not my main motivation. It's nice to look at your unique collection though.

When I get bored with the game, which is normal after playing with it for the last 5 years (and almost 10 different characters) I just go play something else. But then, series like Game of Thrones and my yearly Lord of the Rings marathon force me to go back to the game because I need my heroic fantasy "fix". I'm weak

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:49 am

I've been changing out Mods as I complete them, I'll tend to keep them until I start haveing compatibilty problems, Then any Suspects tend to go first.

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 6:52 pm

Major mods add many hours of gameplay

SI
KOTN
Mehrunes Razor
OOO
Dungeons of Ivellon
Lost Spires
Windfall
Glenvar Castle
Origin of the Mages Guild
Kvatch Aftermath
The Elder Council
Brotherhood renewed

These alone add hundreds of hours

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 2:53 pm

for me its all about role play. a few extra quest mods. Companion Vilja and various realism mods ( real hunger thirst and the bathing mod for example ) i dont have any overhaul mods. other then wac and i dont use all of the esp options so its pretty basic just wanted the added wild life. and i have Elsweyr the Deserts of Anequina. but as another person mentioned i also do not use fast travel except to enter the ic and anvil docks where i tend to experience crash from time to time and even then i walk up as close to the location as i can first so getting around in its self is time consuming. then i also have crafting and fishing. so setting up a campsite hunting some dinner cooking it and what not all take up time. pluss provides pleanty to do if and when my char decides to retire. i try to do any misc quest that is offered to me and i join a couple guilds as long as it doesnt go against my chars nature. though i do not do the main quest! cant stand it never have . and the alternative start mod i use allows me to choose not to even trigger it which is nice. with all of this its not uncommon to have many hundreds of hours invested in a char.

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 12:29 pm

Hawk's been around about 1700 hours... never once got bored or didn't see something new.

It was FCOM and quests that made it stay interesting and a little gem called Automatic Difficulty Increaser, that made sure at level 65 he can still get crushed if he doesn't plan it out. Also Immersion mods like hunger, thirst, sleep and fatigue made hunting in the mountains for days just a pleasure!

Funny thing at 1200 hours my save game reset to 0!!! And I saved it away and ran up another 500.

Then all of a sudden... right before I was about to finish the main quest, i tripped over a Nirnroot (a quiet one) hit my head and wound up (in a about two weeks from now) in a prison, strangely familiar, yet different. A world re-shapen by the wise ones who guide us on these boards. And this time it's for keepsl!

(Dang, where did I leave the keys to that castle??)

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 5:00 am

For some reason my games can't last super long, past 100 hours. My saves become really unstable, glitchy, and stutter gets bad.

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 1:04 pm

Personally, I totally NEEDED the Unique Landscapes series...all 26, then all of Arthmoor's villages.

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 8:01 pm

Hawk's been around about 1700 hours... never once got bored or didn't see something new.

It was FCOM and quests that made it stay interesting and a little gem called Automatic Difficulty Increaser, that made sure at level 65 he can still get crushed if he doesn't plan it out. Also Immersion mods like hunger, thirst, sleep and fatigue made hunting in the mountains for days just a pleasure!

Funny thing at 1200 hours my save game reset to 0!!! And I saved it away and ran up another 500.

Then all of a sudden... right before I was about to finish the main quest, i tripped over a Nirnroot (a quiet one) hit my head and wound up (in a about two weeks from now) in a prison, strangely familiar, yet different. A world re-shapen by the wise ones who guide us on these boards. And this time it's for keepsl!

(Dang, where did I leave the keys to that castle??)

Hawk, what is Automatic Difficulty? I never heard of that? Is it compatible with OOO?

» Mon Jul 11, 2011 2:16 pm

My favorite character just past 250 hours this week, but I have a collective total of well over 1200 hours invested in all 6 of them.

Quests are the primary reason. Especially those that have more than one way to go about them. I've played all 6 characters with TIE being the only overhaul, which I didn't even introduce into the game until the 3rd character. I don't even use leveling mods, so most of my guys have all gone well into their 30s and two into their mid-40s. I've been through the main quest on 5 of the 6, after I got tired of #6 and drafted him for testing stuff that needs the MQ to still be in progress. Each time through the game I manage to find something I didn't catch before, which is always nice.