Thanks for checking out the list and/or the mod. There's a Random Q&A article in the Articles section, which in combination with the mod page should answer some questions. Otherwise feel free to ask.
Please keep any conversation factual and constructive, no sh*posts. Examples:
Sh*tpost: X mod is totally lame, I don't understand why people still like that crap, otherwise cool list. Constructive post: The list shows 'X mod' as the first option based on popularity. It neglects to mention as an alternative 'Y mod', which has the following advantages (proceeds to list).
What do the green buttons above do?
Track: Adds the mod to your tracking list for notification of any updates. Endorse: Click if you enjoyed the mod or found the information helpful.
Thank you in advance for being cool and keeping the comments section useful.
Pro-tip: If you build a load order out of several different guides, including ones not listed here, with your own mods and some Creation Club .esl garbage thrown on top so that it's riddled with conflicts and completely out of order, and you haven't run FO4Edit to see all the conflicts, and your game starts acting funny, I'm sorry but you've undermined the entire purpose of a mod guide. I suggest you start over and follow the guide.
If you have a question not covered in the mod documentation and want a quick answer, you're welcome to try the Discord server.
Didn't think it needed to be said on a mod page like this, but apparently it does. No interest in entertaining trolls. Please read what you are writing before posting. At the first hint of anything remotely trollish, you will be blocked not only from this file, but from all related ones as well. If you provide misguided advice to other users in the comment section, whether on account of trolling or ignorance, your comment will likely be removed.
October 25, 2020: Updated for Sim Settlements vs. Sim Settlements 2, Baka Scrap Heap, Classic Holstered Weapons.
July 31, 2020: Added a new lightweight sorting mod called "Really Simple Sorting", available for download in the files section.
July 19, 2020: Added a new quality of life mod called "More Grind-Free Game Settings" for download in the files section. An overview of what it does is here.
July 15, 2020: The list and the sample load order have been updated to add the following mods (these are all optional):
Weapons Section: Giat Famas, Glock 19x, and Mossberg 500 Pump-Action Shotgun Animations: Kicks & Punches, and Just New Female Animations Body and Face Presets: Added several based on most popular releases of 2020 so far Other: Clarified some text in places with links to alternatives and/or additional customization options
April 26, 2020: Just fyi I updated the list and the sample load order to add the following mods (these are all optional):
Weapons Section: Springfield Armory M1A Armor Section: Vtaw Wardrobe 5 Hidden Gems Section: Dark Sci Fi Vault Retexture, Vault Crates Retexture, and Blood Mist Overhaul (none of these take up an .esp slot)
Returned to endorse the grind-free esp (using main one, not the "more" one). Having done one long playthru I'm so done with mini-games! And as one still requires spending on levels of lockpick and hack perks it still feels balanced-ish and not cheaty for gameplay. Many thanks.
Update: I discovered one issue with the grind-free esp in its settings to make NPCs back away faster and twice as far. At least for me, this can sometimes make it awkward to interact with NPCs & companions to talk/trade etc (mainly, they quickly get too far away when I instead want them staying-put so I can click on them. Fortunately, if you're ok with FO4edit, you can easily find and tweak/undo the feature. In the esp expand the "Game Setting" section and the 3 ones you want are fBumpReactionSmallWaitTimer, fBumpReactionMinMoveDist, and fBumpReactionIdealMoveDist. I put the wait timer at 0.5 (vanilla is 1.0, mod is 0.1), and the two distance ones almost back to vanilla. Cheers.
Thank you for making this actually cause for someone like me making a load on pc for the first time this is actually very useful in finding alot of the essential mods.
I played this list in early 2021 and had a great time! I used to extend my Tale of Two Wastelands roleplay by recreating my PC from that saga (via alternate start). It's a manual setup but it helped me learn MO2 really well. Since then I went over to Skyrim and began using Wabbajack modlists, and I really wish this list was available on Wabbajack, but no dice. Oh well. I am about to set it up again, it was a lot of fun and I was able to add many mods that aren't in the list, to give it my own spin. I also ignored all the drama but yeah I am pretty sure Thuggy is not around?
Thomas Sowell, really? great mods tho, love your work, and dont really care about your politics just read the whole mod page for diary of a madman because i was thinking of playing it, and I just had to give an opinion. Also I guess I have to play it now
My first decent sized LO for Fallout 4 and still one I use as a reference from time to time, thanks not only for the mods but also the clarity of the guide. Was utterly delighted when I found it, as I had been sifting through old guides for a few days (and a few LO's...).
Thanks again and take care!
E: Just thought I'd note, Advanced Needs 2, and Real Water isn't available on Nexus. Fallout Seasons is hidden rn.
i have a copy of every one of the seasons (including spring thaw) if you want it, also you probably want to use the new Advanced Needs 76 as opposed to the eld AN2
I use AN76 (and think I have a copy of Seasons - Winter which I'm going to use on my next LO), was just noting it in case the author of the list wanted to note such.
This is wonderful and has been a great resource for me to catch up on the mods available (havent played the game in a long while). Awesome work!!! One question however: could you expand on Sim Settlements 1 vs 2? I noticed that your list only has Sim Settlements 1 but you do refer to the option of using SS2 instead but without any mention of the mods, could you maybe expand on why you prefer SS1 (upsides/downsides)?
Using Sim Settlements 1 (non-"3 in 1" version) doesn't cause problems with a large mod list. Plenty of places online to read about what is likely to happen to a save game over time with SS2, or in certain cases with SS1 "3 in 1". No need to rehash here.
Thanks for this list! It made a huge difference in speed for me even though I was using LOOT to set the load order. Really appreciate it. Thumbs and fingers up!
Give Feedback
477 comments
Please keep any conversation factual and constructive, no sh*posts. Examples:
Sh*tpost: X mod is totally lame, I don't understand why people still like that crap, otherwise cool list.
Constructive post: The list shows 'X mod' as the first option based on popularity. It neglects to mention as an alternative 'Y mod', which has the following advantages (proceeds to list).
What do the green buttons above do?
Track: Adds the mod to your tracking list for notification of any updates.
Endorse: Click if you enjoyed the mod or found the information helpful.
Thank you in advance for being cool and keeping the comments section useful.
If you have a question not covered in the mod documentation and want a quick answer, you're welcome to try the Discord server.
July 31, 2020: Added a new lightweight sorting mod called "Really Simple Sorting", available for download in the files section.
July 19, 2020: Added a new quality of life mod called "More Grind-Free Game Settings" for download in the files section. An overview of what it does is here.
July 15, 2020: The list and the sample load order have been updated to add the following mods (these are all optional):
Weapons Section: Giat Famas, Glock 19x, and Mossberg 500 Pump-Action Shotgun
Animations: Kicks & Punches, and Just New Female Animations
Body and Face Presets: Added several based on most popular releases of 2020 so far
Other: Clarified some text in places with links to alternatives and/or additional customization options
April 26, 2020: Just fyi I updated the list and the sample load order to add the following mods (these are all optional):
Weapons Section: Springfield Armory M1A
Armor Section: Vtaw Wardrobe 5
Hidden Gems Section: Dark Sci Fi Vault Retexture, Vault Crates Retexture, and Blood Mist Overhaul (none of these take up an .esp slot)
Last update prior to this was February 12, 2020.
Update: I discovered one issue with the grind-free esp in its settings to make NPCs back away faster and twice as far. At least for me, this can sometimes make it awkward to interact with NPCs & companions to talk/trade etc (mainly, they quickly get too far away when I instead want them staying-put so I can click on them. Fortunately, if you're ok with FO4edit, you can easily find and tweak/undo the feature. In the esp expand the "Game Setting" section and the 3 ones you want are fBumpReactionSmallWaitTimer, fBumpReactionMinMoveDist, and fBumpReactionIdealMoveDist. I put the wait timer at 0.5 (vanilla is 1.0, mod is 0.1), and the two distance ones almost back to vanilla. Cheers.
I am about to set it up again, it was a lot of fun and I was able to add many mods that aren't in the list, to give it my own spin.
I also ignored all the drama but yeah I am pretty sure Thuggy is not around?
It has to be asked... Have you made a mod pack for FO4? If so, which one....
So I'd assume no mod packs...
Thanks again and take care!
E: Just thought I'd note, Advanced Needs 2, and Real Water isn't available on Nexus. Fallout Seasons is hidden rn.
One question however: could you expand on Sim Settlements 1 vs 2? I noticed that your list only has Sim Settlements 1 but you do refer to the option of using SS2 instead but without any mention of the mods, could you maybe expand on why you prefer SS1 (upsides/downsides)?
Really appreciate it. Thumbs and fingers up!