Just wondering for a new person what are some basic "must have" mods you would recommend, currently I only have better bodies

Well first I'd advice you to install the Morrowind Patch Project: http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/966509-release-morrowind-patch-project-v164/

Then Morrowind Code Patch which fixes a lot of bugs that can't be solved by the Morrowind Patch Project: http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1098021-repairing-the-cogs-of-morrowind-no-20/

Otherwise you should go for Darknuts Replacers (Creatures/weapons), Visual Pack XT/Nature and then combine these with Vurts AWESOME Tree/flora replacers. http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=8190 !!!!!

You'd also like to check the Morrowind Graphics Extender which will improve the overall visuall quality using shaders, distant land, better water etc. Search at google for more info, I'm in a hurry sorry

Well it's a lot of mods out there, happy hunting

Pluto's excellent http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1060141-mod-recommendations-for-new-players/ thread would be a good place to start.

And "Better Skulls" of course, he says shamelessly. *chuckle*

Better Bodies, of course!

Other than a few graphical enhancements, patches and tweaks I'd avoid adding to many mods in your first play through. You'll want to play the game 'raw' as it where to see what sort of changes quest mods and the like add after all

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=2735 and http://www.psychodogstudios.com/betterclothes/ to go with the Better Bodies.

I also really like http://www.elricm.com/nuke/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=Downloads&file=index&req=viewdownloaddetails&lid=1073.

If you'd like to see a few more random people in towns, then get http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=7749.

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=8118 adds a few nicely animated people around various places.

If you like to play an archer, I absolutely love http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=5473.

Pretty much any texture pack by Darknut.

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=2332 along with http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=4054 and http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=1230.