NOTE: this article provides instructions for creating a "Merged Patch" using the FNVEdit program. For other methods and tools, you will need to look elsewhere. [ Updated August 2021 ]
A "merged patch" ensures that the game's internal lists are properly updated when new mods are installed. For example: updating the Shotgun Surgeon perk to take advantage of a new shotgun provided by a weapon mod. The patch should be rebuilt/updated whenever the collection of installed mods is altered.
WARNING: do not trust a YouTube video unless it includes setting [FO3/FNV] Sort FLST in FNVEdit's Experts tab.
Here are the steps for doing that by using the FNVEdit modding tool (courtesy of Antistar):
- Delete any existing merged patch.
- Go to this link and acquire FNVEdit: http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/34703/
- Unpack the downloaded file.
- Move the resulting folder into the the game's install location.
- Create a program shortcut for FNVEdit. For example: right-click the .exe file, select Send To, and select Desktop.
- Right-click on that shortcut and select "Properties". In the target field of the Properties window, add a space and then -iknowwhatimdoing after the .exe" text. As an example, it might look similar to this:
- Click OK and then run FNVEdit using the updated shortcut.
- A list of all the plugins in your Steam\steamapps\common\fallout new vegas\Data\ directory is displayed. By default the plugins you have activated in the New Vegas Launcher, or in a mod manager, will have ticks next to them. This is what you want, so just click OK.
- Open the Options menu by clicking the three-horizontal-bars button at the top-left corner of the program and then clicking Options, or by pressing Ctrl+O. If the three-horizontal-bars button is not present, then the shortcut has not been edited correctly.
- Select the Experts tab, then place a tick in the box next to "[FO3/FNV] Sort FLST" to enable that feature, then click OK. If the Experts tab is not present, then the shortcut has not been edited correctly.
- Right-click anywhere in the panel on the left that lists your activated plugins, and select 'Create Merged Patch' from the context menu. Note that this may be under an 'Other' sub-menu, depending on which version of FNVEdit you have.
- Enter a name for the patch into the window that pops up (any name you like), and click on 'OK'.
- Once FNVEdit has finished generating the patch (it creates a new .esp file with the name you entered), which should only take a few seconds, close FNVEdit. Click OK on the window that pops up to save the Merged Patch that was generated.
- Finally, make sure the Merged Patch's esp is loading after all your other plugins (which it should be already by default), and activate it using the New Vegas Launcher or a mod manager tool.
NOTE: If you ever uninstall plugins, update existing plugins, or install new ones, deactivate and delete the Merged Patch, and then follow these instructions again to create a new one.
18 comments
WARNING: do not trust a YouTube video unless it includes setting [FO3/FNV] Sort FLST in FNVEdit's Experts tab.
Bit of a shame that, since that was the one thing that I wanted to make a patch for: Mod-added weapons patched for mod-added ammo
E: Nevermind, put "-iknowwhatimdoing" in the arguments section in the mo2 shortcut. (you can skip making a shortcut to fnvedit if so)
The necessary steps are complex, so study them carefully as you proceed step-by-step.
[ apologies for the very late reply -- Nexus Mods failed to inform us that you had posted a question ]