I posted this at Tesnexus and thought it would be useful here as well.


For those new to Oblivion I've used this thread to consolidate and explain some of the other Installation and Optimization threads to make it less intimidating to dive into modding the game.

The goal was to make the game look as good as possible without going crazy, keeping most of the original functionality of vanilla oblivion.

System Specs:

AMD Phenom x6
4gb Ram
Radeon 5830 (Forced 16xAnisotropic filtering, AA off - Use application settings, Catalyst A.I. off)
Win7-64bit

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I referred to this http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18247684 thread during my learning process, but didn't want as many mods as he had listed, so I will try to build off of it while simplifying.
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First, make sure Steam is installed in a new folder like C:\Games rather than program files, you can move it by deleting everything in the Steam folder except the Steam.exe and the Steamapps folder, then run Steam.exe and repatch. Installed Oblivion to C:\Games\Steam\.....Oblivion.

Next, download http://www.7-zip.org/ as you'll be using it to unpack/repack some of the mods. As mentioned in the Building Oblivion thread, you want all of the mod archives to contain the textures/meshes in the root directory, rather than two or three folders deep.

Also, to make use of the in-game console, press ~ key. Enter "Setdebugtext 12" for an FPS counter, "Setdebugtext 13" for fps with vram usage. Enter "tdt" to display or hide debugtext.

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I recommend running the game once before any mods, once after Unofficial Patches, again after OBSE and OBGE are installed, then periodically during installing the rest of the mods.

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Mod Installers/Managers:
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=22368 Standalone Version. Installs mods in archive form such as .7z, .zip, .rar.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2097 Installs mods saved as .Omod's. Simply right-click each one to activate.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=20516 Plugs in to Wrye Bash to sort the order Oblivion loads your mods.



Start with the unofficial manual patches:
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5296
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=10739
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9969
Unofficial Patch Supplemental 3.4.1 - listed under Updates on the 3.2 patch page.

Download the http://www.ntcore.com/4gb_patch.php to allow Oblivion to take advantage of more than 2gb of RAM. Apply to oblivion.exe and GameOverlayRenderer.dll in the root Steam directory. Note: This will require you to run Steam in offline mode, as each time you run online mode it will more than likely replace the gameoverlayrenderer.dll, and you'll probably have to repatch it.



Supplemental Mods:
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37952 Allows for and launches more complex mods.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=30054 Updated shaders for water reflections, anti-aliasing, depth of field, etc. (I use MDLAA and CrysisDoF with Oblivion's default HDR) Make sure the Oblivion Graphics Extender Support Plugin is not selected anytime you build your Bashed Patch.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=15781 You'll want to run this after installing graphical mods so that distant terrain matches your updates (ie. You don't want the ugly old textures loading in the distance, then you approach them and suddenly the shiny new and completely different textures pop up in their place.) Not really necessary during the install/testing phase, but rerun it later whenever you add new mods or Frostcrag Spire disappears off it's mountaintop for no reason.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=23208. Helps Oblivions loading and optimization processes. See ini settings below.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=22410 Keeps the game from freezing on exit.


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Now to the addons, to be downloaded into the c:\games\steam\steamapps\common\oblivion mods\Bash Installers folder for archives, or ...oblivion/obmm/mods for .omods.


-World/Environment Mods-
Qarl's Texture Pack - See Spoiler for detailed instructions.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=11441. I used the medium (2048) of both, these upgrade distant terrain.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5147 Optional textures for mountains and land outside of the travel-able area.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9952 Replaces the pepper-speckles on distant terrain.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2536 Install Natural Habitat only
.OMOD http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=23783 Textures and Plugin.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=8500 and http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=11891 + TF2 update.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=8011
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5570
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=20053 - Install Forts, Ruins, Wilderness Buildings only.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6914
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2234 combined with http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=18801.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=27972 Changes hours of daylight to simulate seasons.


-UI Mods-
.OMOD http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=10763
.OMOD http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1950
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=26389

-Character Mods-
.OMOD http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34442 Replaces character models with bouncy boobs, new skeletons, etc.
.OMOD http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35551 New animations for running/fighting.
.OMOD http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=24078 Updates clothes/armor to match HGEC bodies.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34324 Updates EVE for bouncy boobs while clothed.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=40532
.OMOD http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=33980
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4431
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5643. Just for the aging facial maps.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=20022 Self-installing .exe's.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=28537

-Sounds-
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=39804 Adds more world sounds and sound positions.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=8711 Use/Install just the OBSE Storms & Sounds SI.esp.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5861
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5861
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=7703 Adds more ambient world noise.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=13987 Combat Sounds

-Weather - All Natural-
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=18305 Adds weather effects, changes lighting to actually require a source of light, and works with Immersive Interiors for indoor weather effects.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34199 Great mod that lets you see out of the windows of the buildings and hear the weather outside.
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=19628 Lights up exterior windows at night/during rain and adds chimney smoke.

-INI File Edits-


References: http://tescosi.com/wiki/Oblivion, http://www.tweakguides.com/Oblivion_8.html, http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/Feature/36546,optimising-oblivion-v20.aspx and http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/Feature/36919,optimising-oblivion-v30-into-modblivion.aspx.

That is where I've stopped for the time being for my first playthrough. I'm sure I'll add more, especially when I start a 2nd character, or finish the first and want http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=15412, http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=28977, http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=19370, http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=16513, or the countless others.

[img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6524987981_e4001cbd3e_z.jpg[/img]

Everything looks good for a noob to start modding except the optimizing guide you were referring to. That guide was written more than 5 years ago so I'm not sure if the ini tweaks in that guide is useful. Maybe you should put a note mentioning that tweaking ini can and could affect the game negatively? Just a suggestion.

Good post, problem will be it will get buried here on the forums in like a few days...

In any case, I would definitely include http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34735 under the UI mods. It is from the same author as Map Marker Overhaul and as easy to install.

I would also include TNO's http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=25078, very easy to install (using default .ini, can be changed later) and making the economic aspect of the game so much better. Really, you should not play without it.

TNO (TheNiceOne) has more mods, all are excellent and sensible. I also use Soul Gem Magic, Lightweight Potions, Automatic Timescale. Search for them on Tesnexus, they are all easy to find.

Not a bad start but as mentioned theres some out of date advice there

You also need to consider users who bought a GOTY Disk instead of steam, for installing the game outside of the default Program files

Users with x32 bit OS - No point using the 4gb patch

And your UOP list is just a bit out of date (You dont have to deselect anything anymore either)

And one more for the OBSE plugins - Elys Universal Silent Voice - For mods without Voice acting it puts a long enough pause in dialogue so people can read the subtitles

TESCosi http://tescosi.com/wiki/Oblivion is a good reference too for new users.

*sigh*
...thinking back to the project saebel started... just wondering if he is still working on it. We have not heard of it in say last 10 days? Maybe in the new year then... I'm still convinced it would be a good one.

Good suggestions, I hadn't seen the TESCosi page, though I don't see any ini edits that are different from what I've listed. I'm alright with the list of mods I'm using currently, at least for the first playthrough, but I can add Enhanced Economy and some of the others at the bottom for a subsequent run. I also didn't read enough about Elys Silent Voice to understand why it was needed, since I didn't add any voiced or non-voiced content mods.

I think this list keeps the game pretty close to vanilla, just makes it look and sound alot better. I'll mention the 32 bit and disk installs next update.

TESCOSI.com has been the go-to destination for basic-advanced Oblivion modding. It is slightly out of date as Tomlong hasn't updated it in a few months, but its sections on crashes library, troubleshooting, BAIN packaging and ordering, and FCOM installation are priceless.

Got distracted by RL, and got a bit stymied about what to do. I'm thinking of just going ahead and creating the wiki page and then letting folks have at it, mainly because I don't have a whole lot of time. Should I use the OP here as a starting point?

The trouble is that unless you invest significant quanitities of time yourself, there's little chance anyone else will carry the torch, unless you've very firmly got a framework where you're the person that gets stuff set up and there's a team of people waiting to fill it with content.

If only we were immortals with time machines.

saebel, RL is a distraction we all appreciate after all.

I would say basically the same as wrinklyninja: If you do not have sufficient time, do not do anything with that wiki site. Better not to start another half-baked, half-useful site. If you wish, you can always work on it on the side as you please and as you can, contact people by PM and so on. But better be in stealth mode than proclaiming something "big" and come up short and find no love. I could fully understand if you just drop the wiki project for the time being.

We should probably consider putting up a newbie wiki for modding Skyrim once we have gained some experience with it. May be more appreciated than for the "old" (but timeless) game of Oblivion.

I think I've been instinctively doing that. No sense talking about something I'm not currently working on/haven't finished.

Now that Tomlong has made an appearance after months, I've requested her to possibly give her inout in this topic.

Another suggestion I made to her was to open up her wiki for edits by a few select knowledgeable and active members of this community so that tescosi can be opened up and be update more frequently.

After all, my thoughts are that this thread is going to lead to something more or less similar to tescosi, so why repeat that valuable information already included in tescosi?

I'm going to make sure file uploads are ready to go too, so we can have multiple/many people uploading screenshots to enhance all of the guides and articles. One of the major goal's for the site is also to have all information as easy- to find as possible. TESCSWiki already covers just about every modding-related topic I can think of, but it is HUGE and thus, not a newbie friendly resource.



--Tomlong75210

Well that would be great. The other option was TES Nexus, but your site would be a much better location for the article.

Yup, just give a couple days to get that user rights sorted out. I may be able to get all the licensing stuff done today and get a start on reorganizing the site. I'll make the first opening very limited because the site needs to be reorganized before people start uploading and adding things. Any users who join will probably be helping out with that effort first.


--Tomlong75210

I need to consolidate what has been proposed in this thread that is missing from TESCOSI. I know about the Skyrim stuff. TESCOSI is already setup to add Skyrim-related content, it's just that there's nothing up for it yet.


Happy gaming!
--Tomlong75210

Here's a work in progress page that outlines a template for a "recommended mods for beginners" page that I've been working on here and there. I haven't spent a whole lot of time on it, but I think combined with other info on this thread it would be a good starting point. (You can drop the title if you like).

http://saebel.net/wip.php

Okay. Hmm... I believe Tommy_H also wanted to add a Recommended Mods section of sorts. Hmm... We could add a Recommended Mods page and then use sub pages for each individual recommendation list, including this one. Actually, we can use categories to group recommendation list, so this page could be added straight to the wiki, if you'd like. The Discussion pages on TESCOSI are, by default, in forum like format, so it should be easy for you to start collaborating on it. The Types of Mods page already has a Body Mods subpage. I think that page is related but can still stand on its own...

If you add it to the wiki, I can start an "Ongoing Projects" list on the main page, so that it gets visibility. I'm also planning to start a slimmed-down modified Oblivion setup guide, one without explanations and more detailed steps, as suggested in another topic. If you want to add it, let me know when you create your account so that I can give you page creation rights. What I'd really love is if all the recommended lists, as long as they aren't really long, came with step-by-step instructions for people to follow to set them up.


Happy gaming!
--Tomlong75210

I agree. If I were you I would probably wait to add any information about Skyrim as long the CK isn't released yet, but Gstaff http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1300556-skyrim-what-were-working-on/page__view__findpost__p__20170500 this yesterday so I guess that CK will be out soon I hope.