BFG's ULTIMATE and FINAL mod install list-NEED suggestions & : IV - Oblivion

» Tue May 08, 2012 10:08 am

I can answer the first quoted question too.

Cava Obscura doesn't come with a performance hit of any sort. It's just lighting levels being changed. It does make things 90% darker though, so if you've got bad eyes it might not be for you (though I myself wear glasses).

Interesting comment. I now consider Cava Obscura one of my core mods. My sixty-plus year old eyes have no problem with it, and they ain't in the best of shape by any means. I must say I enjoy both Cava and my night-sky darkener (ye olde reliable OC Darker Nights) more on my ancient Viewsonic VP191b 1280x1024 standard-width monitor than I do on my new Samsung backlit 1920x1080 widescreen monitor. The Viewsonic's black level is deep and velvety. Blacks are truly black. For the life of me I can't match that with my Samsung. A shame really. The Samsung has much faster response (true 2ms) and looks glorious in Cyrodiil during sunshiny daylight hours.Okay, it looks glorious at everything but pitch black skies and interiors. Due to that, the Samsung resides on my secondary computer while the old Viewsonc still pulls duty on my primary rig, the one where my current Oblivion play-through resides. (Both computers have fully functional Oblivion installs, btw. Both are capable of running it with lots of eye candy.)

As to recommendations, I don't recall seeing mention of Pack-Donkeys by Emma (of Companion Vilja fame). What self-respecting adventurer would brave the wilds without a means of transporting his spoils to market? Quite immersionistic in my opinion.

I'll second (or third or fourth or...) the recommendation for Duke Patrick's Combat Archery. Even if you don't plan for your avatar to rely on bow and arrows it's worth installing since it makes enemy archers ever so much more deadly. They become a force to be reckoned with.

-Decrepit-

» Tue May 08, 2012 2:08 pm

Interesting comment. I now consider Cava Obscura one of my core mods. My sixty-plus year old eyes have no problem with it, and they ain't in the best of shape by any means. I must say I enjoy both Cava and my night-sky darkener (ye olde reliable OC Darker Nights) more on my ancient Viewsonic VP191b 1280x1024 standard-width monitor than I do on my new Samsung backlit 1920x1080 widescreen monitor. The Viewsonic's black level is deep and velvety. Blacks are truly black. For the life of me I can't match that with my Samsung. A shame really. The Samsung has much faster response (true 2ms) and looks glorious in Cyrodiil during sunshiny daylight hours.Okay, it looks glorious at everything but pitch black skies and interiors. Due to that, the Samsung resides on my secondary computer while the old Viewsonc still pulls duty on my primary rig, the one where my current Oblivion play-through resides. (Both computers have fully functional Oblivion installs, btw. Both are capable of running it with lots of eye candy.)

Ah! That's a good point. I'm just using the stock 1440x900 LCD screen that came with my laptop to play Oblivion - I suspect a higher quality screen would make Cava Obscura worthwhile. Still, you two have piqued my interests enough to at least check it out. (If all else fails I could just spam Nighteye and torches, after all.)

» Tue May 08, 2012 7:22 pm

Related question: are there any (dis)advantages in using Python x64 over x86?

Hmmm... I just don't know in detail. However it is my understanding that PyFFI should run on Python x86. I am running Pyffie on the same Python setup that I have Wrye Bash v295 on, which is Python 2.7

I guess x64 could handle more memory, but I have never seen PyFFI (or WB) using anywhere close to the address limit in 32-bit (which is maximum 3.5 GB more or less). But you are talking to a layman in this respect, really.

» Tue May 08, 2012 10:39 am

I have used Cava Obscura for well over a year and it is a great mod. In my last game I went without it to lighten up things just a tad but the fog really messed things up. So I found Jhaerik's Dungeon Fog Remover mod and it seems a great alternative if Cava Obscura is too dark. You should definitely try out the two and compare.

» Tue May 08, 2012 9:44 pm

You definitely need an auto-save mod. I don't recommend Streamline 3.1. If you insist in using that mod, go look for the version before 3.1. I've long suspected that it's "Streamline Angel" (or whatever entity it uses to monitor the CPU's performance) contributed more to CPU usage than what it was suppose to streamline. I never heard back from the developer about my comments about it. That was such a long time ago.

Anyway, there's a couple other auto-save mods you can use. I have one and Duke has one also.

In regards to Clean up, it doesn't do a PCB. All it does is "clean up" all the discarded items that are left in world. These discarded items usually stay in the game forever. E.g. you'd see armour pieces on the road long after you've discarded them. Note, however, that some users have experienced the opposite and have said that there was no use for Clean up.

There's a couple more mods that I'd suggest. The first two ensures that the game becomes more about the value of your attributes and skills instead of the simplistic random gameplay from Oblivion that they fix. And the last simply makes your encounters more random. It's good when you have a mod that increases spawn locations and rates.
Zumbs Lockpicking - removes the twitch game mechanic.
Persuasion overhaul - removes the random wheel match the colours game mechanic.
Wandering encounters - removes the static placement of encounters by making the spawned entities travel to a random desitinations.

Good luck with your new game!

» Tue May 08, 2012 9:13 pm

Phew, those will keep me busy for a while! Current COMPRESSED mod content (no vanilla components): 8.2 GB

I added three dozen more mods to my list based on the above suggestions, thanks -- I'll update the first post when I get a chance.
In the meantime, I wasn't able to find these that were mentioned in the thread. Anyone know where I can find them?

Reneer's Notes (I kinda expected it to be listed under Reneer on TESNexus...)
Phitt's Autumn Trees
TamRes (what is this? It was on Shikishima's list)
AgarMoreVariedSpellEffects

Keep the suggestions coming!

» Tue May 08, 2012 1:23 pm

TamRes (what is this? It was on Shikishima's list)
AgarMoreVariedSpellEffects

TamRes - Tamriel Resource Pack. It's only required if using Fort Akatosh. Linked on the Ft. Akatosh download (TESNexus)
Spell Effects http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=14799

Cheers

» Tue May 08, 2012 10:03 am

Found a few more looking through my backups that you might like:

Audia Arcanum (new sound FX for spells) + Enhanced Magic Effects (just a texture replacer)

Darker Cathedrals + Stained Glass Replacer + Echo Chapel Chant (three separate mods, but they're a must)

Realistic Water v2 (don't get v3; it's got issues)

Visually Realistic Lava (there are lots of lava mods; this one has the option of insta-kill if you step in it, and it looks good)

Harvest Flora (not sure if this was mentioned)

And one that was just released, and that is nothing short of amazing: Lush & Gaudy Flora Gloriana. I use the medium-res version, and there's no performace hit (YMMV).

mz Shields is a cool mod - it gives all the vanilla + SI shields unique designs.

Reality Specter's Better Potions - you really should have a potion replacer, and this is one of the better ones, IMO.

» Tue May 08, 2012 7:01 pm

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37352

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36561 - Vacuity made the resource and Phitt implemented it, so that's probably why you had trouble finding it.

I'm curious about mz shields as well, but I couldn't find it on Tesnexus or through google. Google is getting worse and worse for "nonsense" terms like mz

» Tue May 08, 2012 3:39 pm

1. I'm thinking of ditching RBO, and just having TNR instead. I don't really notice the other changes, besides the expanded cosmetic options, which I don't care for.

I don't see anything in your lists that abbreviates to RBO. Are you referring to Race Balancing Project? If so, you could give TRAP a shot.

Thanks! I'm already using Deadlier Creatures but several of those look promising. I especially like the looks of Skill Decay. (Guess I won't be able to keep my primary character at all-100s anymore.)

You said you weren't interested in any leveling mods, so I should warn you: Skill Decay borders on an exploit without something like nGCD or Realistic Leveling.

» Tue May 08, 2012 9:19 pm

I'm curious about mz shields as well, but I couldn't find it on Tesnexus or through google. Google is getting worse and worse for "nonsense" terms like mz

Thy google-fu is lacking, http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=10376.

It does seem interesting though reading through the comments it seems it'd take a little work to make it compatible with FCOM.

» Wed May 09, 2012 12:34 am

Wouldn't Crature Diversity overlap with MMM and other creature-adding mods?
I suggest you to use http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37904 in that case, but Hex said it may conflict with UV II (which you won't use I believe seeing your list)

» Tue May 08, 2012 11:46 am

I don't see anything in your lists that abbreviates to RBO. Are you referring to Race Balancing Project? If so, you could give TRAP a shot.

You said you weren't interested in any leveling mods, so I should warn you: Skill Decay borders on an exploit without something like nGCD or Realistic Leveling.

Yeah, I meant RBP.

I had a quick look at TRAP, but was undecided. TBH most of the specifics will likely go way over my head and never be noticed, but I suppose a more careful comparison would be good.

» Tue May 08, 2012 5:34 pm

Thanks for the warning on Skill Decay.
Turns out downloading was the easy part...Now I need to go through and decide what I actually want to install - after I read through the documentation on all 200+ mods

Still taking suggestions if anyone has more to add. When I'm done I'll post what I came up with. With luck, it'll make for a 1000-hour game (I made it to 850 with my current build before giving up).

» Tue May 08, 2012 5:20 pm

[musing out loud]

Hmm...I'm increasingly thinking that I should put together a "base install" that doesn't include any of the extended quests, but just gives an improved vanilla experience. Then I can tack the various quests on top of that install.
For example, while I think the Lost Spires is fun, and comprises a ton of content, I don't find that it is particularly lore-friendly or fits Tamriel (or for that matter, Mundus) that well. So it probably shouldn't be in the basic install.
On the other hand, MMM, Tamriel Travellers, Enhanced Economy, TIE...these all build on the basic experience and don't stray very far from the original Oblivion experience.

[/musing out loud]

» Tue May 08, 2012 10:10 pm

In my experience (i.e. it might have been the fault of another mod or a conflict) Enhanced Daedric Invasion is buggy: broken quests, occasional CTDs. As well as silly soldiers running as supersonic speed, but that's intended by the mod author.

How's your performance compared to vanilla Oblivion with that mod mix?

» Tue May 08, 2012 1:32 pm

[musing out loud]

Hmm...I'm increasingly thinking that I should put together a "base install" that doesn't include any of the extended quests, but just gives an improved vanilla experience. Then I can tack the various quests on top of that install.

[/musing out loud]

I agree. When I eventually do my next play-through, I'm going to build my mod list from the inside out, making sure each mod I add is compatible with the set before it. Especially considering the limitations of mod space. In order of importance:
Use Interface Experience -
> Menu system
> Color scheme
> Game mode GUI
Fundamental game mechanics -
> Stealth
> Combat
> Magic
Personal growth and development -
> Race changes
> Body replacers
> Birthsign changes
> Leveling
> Skill progression
> Health/Fatigue/Sleep/Eat/Drink
Interactive Game Mechanics -
> Economics
> AI Behavior
> Companions and Followers
Generic World Changes
> Monster additions and changes
> NPC additions and changes
> Revamped vanilla cities and villages
> Landscape changes
A/V enhancements
> Texture improvements
> Sound improvements
Quests
> Original Content Rewrites and fixes
> New Content
Bells and Whistles
> Random fun stuff
> Patches for any of the above

Have I left anything out?

» Tue May 08, 2012 5:54 pm

I agree. When I eventually do my next play-through, I'm going to build my mod list from the inside out, making sure each mod I add is compatible with the set before it. Especially considering the limitations of mod space.

I hope you don't mind if I pinch your list

» Wed May 09, 2012 1:16 am

Yeah, I meant RBP.

I had a quick look at TRAP, but was undecided.

I was astonished to find a couple of Skyrim races have new abilities that seem to be inspired by TRAP. I mean, it could be coincidence and parallel thinking, but even that's kind of flattering.

» Tue May 08, 2012 1:21 pm

Hmm...I'm increasingly thinking that I should put together a "base install" that doesn't include any of the extended quests, but just gives an improved vanilla experience. Then I can tack the various quests on top of that install.

Hahaaa!!! It is interesting that you say this. I came to the exactly same conclusion a short while ago when I decided to take up OB for one more round. I used to have a full monty FCOM install which on the one hand I quite liked at the time, but on the other hand it was so stressful and always a bit crash prone. And I never got round to playing all the installed extra quest mods. I eventually bailed out at level 22 or so.

So this time I just have vanilla (and SI) and MMM as the backbone, plus some content mods (Cobl, Wepon among them) and basically only Integration - TSL as a major quest mod that I want to do, finally!! The main fighting changes are LAME and Duke Patrick. In the background of course there is OBSE and all those related plugins, plus Dark Darnified UI. Textures I use Bomret, bodies I just have vanilla at this time. Cosmetics are only Cobl Cosmetics and what comes with RBP, nothing too fancy.

The advantage of vanilla is that compatibilty is usually best. The "bandits in glass armour" annoyance I try to counter with Better Leveled Lists. I post my current Modlist for your reference.

Spoiler

00  Oblivion.esm01  All Natural Base.esm  [Version 1.3.2]02  Cobl Main.esm  [Version 1.73]03  Harvest[Containers].esm04  Mart's Monster Mod.esm  [Version 3.7b3p3]05  Armamentarium.esm  [Version 1.35]06  Artifacts.esm07  BetterMusicSystem.esm08  RealisticLeveling.esm**  Cobl Races TNR.esp  [Version 1.53]**  Cobl Races TNR SI.esp  [Version 1.53]09  Unofficial Oblivion Patch.esp  [Version 3.4.0]0A  DLCShiveringIsles.esp0B  Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch.esp  [Version 1.5.0]++  LoadingScreens.esp0C  LoadingScreensAddOn.esp**  LoadingScreensSI.esp0D  All Natural.esp  [Version 1.33]0E  All Natural - SI.esp  [Version 1.3.2]++  All Natural - MMM Patch.esp  [Version 1.3]++  phinix-waterfix.esp0F  All Natural - Real Lights.esp  [Version 1.3.2]10  BAKAdventurerTorch.esp++  Item interchange - Extraction.esp  [Version 0.78]11  BetterMusicSystem(SI).esp  [Version 1.0]12  P1DseeYouSleep.esp13  VAs Better Gold with no Menu Icon.esp14  Enhanced Economy.esp  [Version 5.4.3]15  BookTrackerOBSE.esp16  DarNifiedUI Config Addon.esp17  QZ Easy Menus.esp18  Streamline 3.1.esp19  Map Marker Overhaul.esp  [Version 3.9.3]1A  Map Marker Overhaul - SI additions.esp  [Version 3.9.3]1B  Enhanced Hotkeys.esp  [Version 2.3.1]1C  Adonnays Classical Weaponry.esp1D  Adonnays Elven Weaponry.esp1E  Adonnays Elven Weaponry for NPCs.esp1F  ClassyClothingCompendium.esp++  CSR - Golden Saint.esp20  Weapon Expansion Pack for Oblivion Nthusiasts.esp  [Version 1.03]21  Cobl Glue.esp  [Version 1.73]22  Cobl Si.esp  [Version 1.63]++  Cobl Tweaks.esp  [Version 1.73]++  CSR - Fine Iron.esp++  ArmamentariumLL.esp  [Version 1.35]++  ArmamentariumLLMagic.esp  [Version 1.35]23  ArmamentariumArtifacts.esp  [Version 1.35]++  ArmamentariumLLArmaVendor.esp  [Version 1.35]++  Adonnays Elven Weaponry for NPCs - Armamentarium piggyback.esp++  Harvest[Containers] - Vanilla.esp++  Harvest[Containers] - SI.esp24  Mart's Monster Mod.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Shivering Isles.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]25  Mart's Monster Mod - Additional Enemy NPC Vars.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse Imperial Armor.esp  [Version 3.7b3p]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Looting NPCs & Creatures.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]++  Mart's Monster Mod - No Bone Loot.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]++  Mart's Monster Mod - No Uberhulks.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]26  Mart's Monster Mod - Dungeons of MMM.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]27  Mart's Monster Mod - More Wilderness Life.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]28  Mart's Monster Mod - City Defences.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]29  Mart's Monster Mod - Farm Animals.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]2A  Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse WaterLife.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]++  MMM-Cobl.esp  [Version 1.73]2B  Artifacts.esp++  Artifacts - ArmaCompleteAddon.esp  [Version 1.0]2C  Knights.esp2D  Knights - Unofficial Patch.esp  [Version 1.1.2]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Knights.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]2E  Salmo the Baker, Cobl.esp  [Version 3.08]2F  Harvest [Flora].esp  [Version 3.0.0]++  Harvest [Flora] - Shivering Isles.esp  [Version 3.0.0]++  Betterleveledlists.esp30  phinix_portable_tent.esp31  HUD Status Bars.esp  [Version 5.3.2]32  DS Less Predictable Respawn.esp  [Version 1.1]33  DS Portable Sorters.esp  [Version 1.3]34  Dungeon Actors Have Torches 1.6 DT.esp35  Exterior Actors Have Torches 1.32 DT.esp36  PersuasionOverhaul.esp  [Version 1.43]++  Respawning Ore Veins.esp37  ReneerNPCNameMod.esp38  Respawning Varla & Welkynd Stones.esp39  Toggleable Quantity Prompt.esp  [Version 3.2.0]++  Enhanced Economy - House prices.esp  [Version 5.4.3]3A  Quest Award Leveller.esp++  Quest Award Leveller - Knights of the Nine.esp++  RealisticForceHigh.esp++  RealisticMagicForceMedium.esp3B  RefScope.esp  [Version 2.1.2]3C  Harvester.esp3D  Lightweight Potions.esp  [Version 1.1]3E  Denock Arrows.esp3F  Duke Patricks - Near Miss Magic And Arrows Alert The Target.esp  [Version 7.1]40  Duke Patricks - Actors Can Miss Now.esp41  Duke Patricks - Melee Combat NO RECOIL.esp  [Version 5.8.3]42  immersive_caves_auto.esp**  Cava Obscura - Cyrodiil.esp**  Cava Obscura - SI.esp**  Cava Obscura - Filter Patch For Mods.esp++  Item interchange - Placement.esp  [Version 0.78]43  bgBalancingEVCore.esp  [Version 10.52EV-D]++  Mart's Monster Mod - Resized Races.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]**  Better Redguard v2.esp44  bgMagicEV.esp  [Version 1.7EV]++  bgMagicSpellTomes_for_WryeBash.esp  [Version 1.68EV]++  bgMagicItemSigil.esp  [Version 1.68EV]++  bgMagicEVStartspells.esp  [Version 1.68EV]45  bgMagicBonus.esp  [Version 1.7EV]++  bgMagicEVAddEnVar.esp  [Version 1.68EV]46  bgMagicEVPaperChase.esp  [Version 1.68EV]++  bgMagicAlchemy.esp  [Version 1.57]++  bgMagicPotionNumberSoulGemValue.esp  [Version 1.68UV]++  bgBalancingOptionalLessHealth.esp  [Version 10.0UV-U]++  bgBalancingEVOptionalClasses.esp  [Version 9.0EV-U]++  bgBalancingEVOptionalBetterRedguards.esp47  bgBalancingEVLAMEAddition.esp  [Version 10.51EV-D]++  bgBalancingEVLAMEGlue.esp  [Version 10.0EV-D1.62EV]++  bgBalancingEVOptionalSeamReducerHighElfFix.esp  [Version 10.0EV-D]48  bgIntegrationEV.esp  [Version 1.0b]++  Integration faces revamped.esp49  Automatic Timescale.esp  [Version 1.1.1]**  bgMagicEVShader.esp  [Version 1.7EV]++  bgMagicShaderLifeDetect.esp  [Version 1.68]4A  kuerteeDetectLifeEffectNightEyeShader.esp++  bgMagicLightningbolt.esp++  CoreRandmonClothing4Npcs.esp++  Harvest Containers Filter patch for mods.esp  [Version 1.00]**  All Natural - Indoor Weather Filter For Mods.esp  [Version 1.3.2]4B  Clintmichs Beautiful Market District MakeOver v1.4.esp4C  Ferryboats.esp4D  Bashed Patch, 0.esp4E  DynamicLeveledLists.esp

It is not fully populated yet, some "basics" mods are still missing like Tamriel Travellers. But I have a policy of only installing in small batches. Non-core at this time I consider 1F, 3C, 4B and 4C.

I really like mods that work on the leveled lists: Items interchange, Better LL's, CoreRandmon, and DLL by Leviathan which is really great conceptually and how he actually implemented it (GUI).