It's the first time I play Fallout 3 so I've been very conservative when it comes to mods. I did however add all the unofficial patches, but I've seen them being both recommended and not recommended so I'm a bit confused on those. So far the unofficial patch has saved the Ranger's questline because of a vanilla bug. So that's a plus. On the other hand, the Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch - Broken Steel.esp http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1073298 so I had to stop using it. Not sure if I should stick with the others - or skip using them altogether?

Also, even if being conservative, the mods add up so I have to think about load order. This is how it looks now - sorted by BOSS and me. It should be noted that FOMM doesn't agree about the DLC order:

Fallout3.esm
Anchorage.esm
ThePitt.esm
BrokenSteel.esm
PointLookout.esm
Zeta.esm
Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch.esm
Hairday.esm
DCInteriors_ComboEdition.esm
Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch - Operation Anchorage.esp
Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch - The Pitt.esp
Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch - Point Lookout.esp
Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch - Mothership Zeta.esp
CASM.esp
DarNifiedUIF3.esp
GalaxyNewsRadio100[M].esp
Dread Dogmeat.esp
dD-No Screen Blood.esp
Mark and recall.esp
BusworldV1.05d.esp

Another matter: I tried the Color Hi-Detailed map and some marker icons were missing - the info was there when the location was highlighted, though. Seems odd as it is such a popular mod and a straight replacer. I'm using archive invalidation invalidated.

Also, some random questions:

Is it possible to import a face to the player character, as it is with Wrye Bash/Oblivion?

Both DCInteriors and Busworld deal with my "major issue" with the game so far, namely that so many houses etc. are "dummies". Any other recommendations for this?

Plus a bonus question! Any recommendations on armor that looks a bit like Leather, Regulator and/or Raider stuff?

That's it for now. I'm pretty sure I had some other questions as well, though...

Well, don't know about Regulator/Raider/Leather, but Talon Armor Expanded adds all kinds of new Talon Armor.

I once found a modified/fixed esp for the unofficial fo3 patch - broken steel via google: http://www.mediafire.com/?z3qmlzyzomy
That also fixed the CTD issues for me so i didnt have to deactivate it.

Thanks for the tip.




Thanks, I'll try that. Is there are something else I should consider regarding the unofficial patches?

I know a number of people have reported CTD related issues with UFP: BK, but I don't think I've heard of any CTD related issues with the other UFP's (but then I've never personally experienced any CTD related issues with UFP: BK, knock on wood). Your load order is very conservative, and should promise a very stable game. The only advice I have is that before you decide to add more mods (and especially 'overehaul mods'), remember that we are playing without the benefits of many Oblivion equivalent meta-mods that would stablize the game. FOIP is no equivalent to FCOM (as I recently conceded, after having to uninstall MMM in order to stabilize my game...).



http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4094 will do the job.



There is my http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=11046 (plug plug ). I am working on it but I mod at my own leisure so only one building is 'open' so far and the next update is likely to be a few week away.
There is also http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=10558 which opens some of the boarded up shacks in Big Town. I haven't try it but it looks very promising.

OK, I'll keep the UFPs and try with the patch above.



Seems perfect.



Nice. Downloaded.

I know that many will vehemently disagree with me, but I personally do not see the need for any of the UFP's. I read the entire log of things it is supposed to fix, and most were very minor issues in my book (stuff like rocks not sitting entirely on the ground, or captives not being tied up properly or retextures and such). I never had one problem (without UFP) with the BIG things it was supposed to fix, but I did have major problems trying to run the UFP. It caused way more problems than it "fixed" than it was worth for me. Your experience may vary however.

Hi Arkngt.

Sorry for high-jacking your thread!!!

I have a question about archive invalidation invalidated,I don't want to start an unnecessary Thread.

I also use the Color map and icons Mod.

In the installation instructions,it says "Check if Archiveinvalidation.txt is already in Fallout3 folder, if found edit and add lines:"

If you are using archive invalidation invalidated Do you still need to use Archiveinvalidation.txt or does archive invalidation invalidated Do it for you?

Cheers.

James.

It does it for you

Thank you very Much

Do you have to toggle it off and on to work please?

It doesn't make it worse, so I would do it.