FalloutNV:Unofficial-EssArrBee-1.0.0

Introduction

Fallout New Vegas has been out for a number of years now and there is a truly amazing community that has supported the game with really creative mods since the game's release. This guide will help make New Vegas look as good as possible with the idea of compatibility in mind so that users may use it as a spring board for a larger mod setup. With that in mind, New Vegas is old enough that only the Ultimate Edition will be supported, so all DLC will be required. Also, this guide will be made for people using Mod Organizer as their main mod manager, but Nexus Mod Manager will be needed for part of the installation and Wrye Flash NV can be used to generate a Bashed Patch.

Users already familiar with STEP and Skyrim Revisited will notice that this takes queues from both styles of guides. The presentation of this guide will look more like Skyrim Revisited, but the mod choices will stick close the STEP Mandate. Additionally, there will be pages for using different mods that add new gameplay elements, items, and quests at later date when this guide is more developed.

While going through the guide remember that this is merely a working version v0.1 and is quite far from completion. There is also a Fallout Series forum to post any questions that might arise, and it is also encouraged to make suggestions there or by sending a private message. This guide will probably never be the size and scope of the STEP guide, but the current mods listed work together without compatibility issues.

The guide is listed from top down and it is advised to install the mods in that order to make sure that all directions are followed correctly and that no mods are missed. Keep in mind that there are very specific directions to install the interface mods and that those directions are very important to make sure that there no problems when starting New Vegas.

Pre-Installation Checklist

Make sure that everything is ready to install before proceeding with this guide.

Make sure Fallout New Vegas directory is clean from any other modding previously done.
- A good way to make sure is to delete everything in the New Vegas folder except the Data folder.
- Now open the Data folder and delete everything that is not a vanilla ESM or BSA from New Vegas or the DLCs.
- Now go to New Vegas in Steam and verify game cache and Steam will download all the necessary files.
Delete the Fallout.ini and FalloutPrefs.ini from My Games in the Documents folder and start the Fallout launcher so new ones can regenerate. This will allow the INIs to revert back to vanilla before starting.
Set the Fallout New Vegas launcher settings to max for the system being used to play the game. Fallout New Vegas should be able to perform well on any modern hardware.

Utilities

There are a few tools that are necessary to mod Fallout New Vegas and should be downloaded and installed be for any modding starts.

BOSS

Author: The BOSS Development Team
Version: v2.1.1

BOSS is the best way to sort the load order of any plugins for all the Bethesda games. Without it the community would be lost. There is a drop down menu that allows switching between different games, so a different installation for New Vegas, Fallout 3, Oblivion, or Skyrim is unnecessary.

BUM

Author: Surazal
Versions: v6.6.4

Opens up BOSS userlist functions not available by using BOSS alone. Creating custom load orders or adding plugins not yet part of the masterlist is much easier with BUM.

FNVEdit

Author: ElminsterAU
Version: v3.0.31EXP

It would really be impossible to have a heavily modded game without this amazing little tool. Essential for anyone wanting to mod a Bethesda game.

Mod Organizer

Author: Tannin
Version: v1.0.7
Installation: To use MO for multiple games it must have multiple installs in different locations. It is recommended to put each install of MO into the game directory of each game that it will be installed for. For New Vegas, it should go into .../Steam/steamapps/common/Fallout New Vegas.

MO is a powerful mod manager that does not install mods into the game's data folder like other mod managers. Instead MO uses a virtual directory which gives modders the ability to switch between profiles very easily without having to install and uninstall mods. For more information, see the Mod Organizer Guide.

Nexus Mod Manager

Author: Nexus Mod Manager Team
Version: v0.45.7

Nexus Mod Manger supports most of the games on the Nexus websites with only one installation of the manager. This mod manager is usually not supported by any STEP project, but for this guide it must be used for combining interface mods xml files with Unified HUD.

Wrye Flash NV

Author: valda
Version: v15.4
Installation: This program is optional. To install Wrye Flash NV, WryePython04a must be installed. Install the following:

Python 2.7.1
wxPython 2.8.12.0 ansi for Python 2.7
comtypes 0.6.2 for Python
PyWin32 for Python 2.7
- If any version of Wrye Bash/Smash/Flash is already installed then these files might not be needed.
Now extract the Wrye Flash NV archive to your Fallout New Vegas directory so that the Mopy folder is the Fallout New Vegas folder.

Wrye Flash NV is only going to be used for its Bashed Patch abilities to merge mods or parts of mods to increase compatibility while using many mods. it can be tricky to get installed, so this is not absolutely required for using this guide.

Extenders

Fallout New Vegas will need to take advantage of a couple extenders to open up functionality for certain mods.

NVSE

Author: Ian Patterson, Stephen Abel and Paul Connelly
Version: v3beta2
Installation: Download the v3beta2. Extract the files into the Fallout New Vegas folder, NOT into the Data folder. The src folder and text files are not needed.

Without NVSE many mods that add incredible features to New Vegas cannot be used. This is an essential mod for any gamer.

4GB Fallout New Vegas

Author: MonochromeWench
Version: v1.6
Installation: Download and extract the archive into the Fallout New Vegas folder, NOT into any other folder.

Fallout New Vegas only allows for 2 GB of RAM to be accessed by the FalloutNV.exe, so this will allow 4 GB of RAM to be accessed by setting the LAA flag.

Setting up Mod Organizer

Now that all the programs necessary to mod New Vegas are installed, it is time to set them up for installing mods and running New Vegas with Mod Organizer.

Start MO and click the Configure Profiles button, it is the icon that looks like an ID card.
1. Now highlight the Default profile, make sure Archive Invalidation is checked, and click Copy.
2. Rename the profile to the desired name, for this guide it will be referred to as NVEP, and click Ok, then Close.
  - This procedure can be repeated for copying any profile in the future.
Setup Mo to download mods from the Nexus, follow the directions provided on the Mod Organizer Guide.
Click the Executables icon, it looks like two gears, and set up the programs that will be run from the MO launcher using directions from the Mod Organizer Guide.
- For this guide add: BOSS, BUM, fnv4gb.exe, FNVEdit, and Wrye Flash. Only add the Construction Kit if necessary.
Set up optional settings as desired:
1. Click Settings, the icon with two tools on it.
2. Choose style, language, mod folders, customize mod categories among other things.

Mod Organizer should now be installed and properly set up for modding from this point forward.

Fixes

The comprehensive patches for New Vegas have seen many changes since release. There have been a few different groups that have tried to take on the task of fixing most of the bugs in New Vegas, but some have disappeared or lead their projects in directions away from just fixing bugs. Enter the Yukichigai Unofficial Patch which is just fixes and nothing else. The project has been quickly adopted by many New Vegas users and is still supported by Yukichigai and community members bringing even more bugs to be fixes constantly. Other projects that may have more to offer than just fixes will not be used in this guide.

Yukichigai Unofficial Patch - YUP

Author: Yukichigaki
Version: v7.2
Installation: Use the YUP - Base Game + All DLC.esm

This mod can be consider the main unofficial patch for New Vegas and is still being actively supported by Yukichigai and New Vegas players with constant support for new fixes.

New Vegas Anti-Crash

Author: Queue
Version: v3.4.0.0
Requirements: NVSE

Mod helps with some of the offsets and structures the exception handling of New Vegas to reduce crashes for the supported addresses. This mod will be updated frequently and should be followed for updates.

New Vegas Stutter Remover

Author: SkyRanger-1
Version: v4.1.30
Requirements: NVSE

This is not required for all users. Only use if experiencing stuttering during gameplay. The INI can be edited, it is in the Data/NVSE/Plugins folder.

Interface

The interface section will be broken up into two sections. The first one will be installed with Nexus Mod Manager and then the mods will be imported into Mod Organizer. The second set will be installed with Mod Organizer (MO) as all other mods would.

Nexus Mod Manager Section

For the following section you need to use Nexus Mod Manger (NMM) to install the following mods. Install these mods in the specific order they are listed as well. After installation the mods will be imported into Mod Organizer and then uninstalled. Do not run NMM through MO, it will not work.

Open Nexus Mod Manger and go to the mods tab.
Make sure the following mods are in the NMM mods folder before starting NMM. They need to be in the NMM mods folder to be installed by NMM.

Darnified UI

Author: Darn
Version: v04 beta

Even though this mod never made it out of beta it is still complete enough to be used for all interface text.

The Mod Configuration Menu

Author: Pelinor
Version: v1.5
Requirements: NVSE

This mod will allow other mods to have advanced functionality by accessing the in game menu for customizable settings.

One HUD - oHUD

Author: Gopher
Version: v1.0.1
Requirements: NVSE and MCM

This mod combines ImmersiveHUD, AdjustableHUD, and Primary Needs HUD into one version for easy installation.

Grenade Hotkey

Author: vivanto
Version: v1.3.0
Requirements: NVSE

Adds hotkeys for grenade, grenade swapping, and melee attack. If going to add in Project Nevada make sure to skip this mod, since PN has a grenade hotkey feature.

Unified HUD Project - uHUD

Author: Gopher
Version: v3.7

If installing any mods not listed in this guide check this mod's Nexus page to see if those mods are supported by Unified HUD so they can be installed during this part of the installation process with NMM. Any mod that is listed on the Unified HUD page needs to have xml file date combined and that is why it must be installed prior to Unified HUD and with NMM.

Mod Organizer Section

Now that the last section has been installed with NMM it is time to use MO to continue. NMM can be closed now.

Open the NMM Import for MO, click the icon with the puzzle pieces on it and choose NMM Import.
Check that all five mods from the prior section are listed and click Next.
On the next screen click Copy & Delete, then No to copy over the archives. Do not copy over the archives so this procedure can be run again.
Make sure the mods in MO are listed in the order from the previous section and that they are all in the proper place so far in the guide.
Open the Ini Editor for MO, click the icon with the puzzle pieces on it and choose Ini Editor.
Find the [Font] section and replace the text with the following text, then save and close:

;sFontFile_1=Textures\Fonts\Glow_Monofonto_Large.fnt
sFontFile_1=Textures\Fonts\DarN_FranKleinBold_14.fnt
;sFontFile_2=Textures\Fonts\Monofonto_Large.fnt
sFontFile_2=Textures\Fonts\DarN_FranKleinBold_16.fnt
sFontFile_3=Textures\Fonts\Glow_Monofonto_Medium.fnt
;sFontFile_4=Textures\Fonts\Monofonto_VeryLarge02_Dialogs2.fnt
sFontFile_4=Textures\Fonts\DarN_Sui_Generis_Otl_10.fnt
sFontFile_5=Textures\Fonts\Fixedsys_Comp_uniform_width.fnt
;sFontFile_6=Textures\Fonts\Glow_Monofonto_VL_dialogs.fnt
sFontFile_6=Textures\Fonts\DarN_Sui_Generis_Otl_13.fnt
;sFontFile_7=Textures\Fonts\Baked-in_Monofonto_Large.fnt
sFontFile_7=Textures\Fonts\DarN_Libel_Suit_Otl_24.fnt
sFontFile_8=Textures\Fonts\Glow_Futura_Caps_Large.fnt
sFontFile_9=Textures\Fonts\NVFont_Test.fnt

Centered 3rd Person Camera

Author: Jahandar
Version: v5

Every game has a crappy over the shoulder camera and modders always fix that problem.

FNV Classic Worldmap

Author: Colored
Version: v1.0

Pip-Boy map replacer that adds in more detail to the terrain.

Misc Item Icons - New Vegas

Author: The 3rd Type and DekoMan91
Version: v0.9

Replace many of the icons in the Pip-Boy menu for more diversity.

The Weapon Mod Menu

Author: Pelinor
Version: v1.2
Requirements: NVSE and MCM

Opens up new features to the weapon modding interface used in game, so it is more intuitive.

Covering the Mojave

Texture Overhauls

POCO BUENO Texture Pack

Author: Ojo Bueno aka tapioks
Version: v5

Excellent texture pack that covers many things.

NMCs Texture Pack For New Vegas

Author: NeilMc_NMC
Version: v1.0
Installation: Install the both Medium files. Large files on the Nexus can get corrupted during download and the only fix is to retry the download until it works.

The largest texture pack for New Vegas and with Poco Bueno is a great base to build from. There are three sizes of this texture pack, the Medium is a mix of different sized textures matched together really well. The large is mostly 2k and 4k textures, so to much for a heavily modded setup.

Plants & Stuff

Wasteland Flora Overhaul by vurt - v1.0

Use the ESP-less v1.0, the other versions have to many disabled and deleted references and can not be cleaned.

Hectrol FX DUSTSTORM Deluxe HighRes Retex by Hectrol - v1.0

Hectrol Tumbleweed Deluxe HighRes Retex by hectrol - v1.0

Improved LOD Noise Texture by Cyberlazy - v1.00

Mojave Nights - a moon and stars replacer by CptJoker - v1.0

Choose 140% moon size and default moon glow.

People & Mutants

Uhh... That's Not a Bug

An author's note: The Cazador is based on a real monster known as the Tarantula Hawk. They are huge black spider wasps with orange wings that have the second most painful sting or bite in the world. They usually sting tarantulas and their venom flips over the spider and paralyzes it. Then they lay their eggs in the tarantula's stomach and when the eggs hatch a feast ensues, while the spider is alive. They are the state insect of New Mexico, the state which the author is a former resident and now lives about 10 minutes from. Nightmares, check. Remember that like Australia, everything in the Mojave wants to kill you.

Bornagain NV the Book Of Water

Author: CaBaL
Version: vOmni2
Installation: Just install The Book of Flesh for now, but download The Book of Steel which will come later.

Cabal is clearly a master of the dark arts. It is the only explanation for the level quality his work produces.

Feral Ghoul Retexture by Koldorn

Author: Koldorn
Version: v1.0

The Ghouls will now look much more like rotting, radiation ridden zombies, and that is a good thing.

The Most Dangerous Game

Does This Make Me Look Fat?

Why did the neck collars of the Ranger Armor get left out? No one knows, but these will fix that and a bunch of other stuff.

ADAM - A Definitive Armor Mod

Author: VT08
Version: v4.0
Installation: Use the vanilla replacers only.

This is packaged really weird, so extra attention should paid while installing it to get the correct folders.

Bornagain NV the Book Of Water

Author: CaBaL
Version: vOmni2
Installation: Install the The Book of Steel.

Again dark magic here, use at your own risk.

NCR Civilian Clothing

Author: Darziak
Version: v1.0

Make nice tweaks to the NCR clothing and bring a bit color to the their wardrobe.

Bornagain Combat Armor

Author: EmeraldReign and Cabal120
Version: v1.0
Installation: Lite Version

Combat armor is big, bulky, and makes soldiers look ridiculous, which is the most accurate representation of combat armor. This will just make it look more big, bulky, and ridiculous.

ALR - Aptoms Legion Retextured

Author: Aptom
Version: v1.1

Better gear for Legion. Hail Ceaser!

Do You Feel Lucky?

Well, do you punk? The 2nd Amendment is alive and well in the Mojave, so make sure that rifle is real nice and shiny.

Retextured FALLOUT Ordnance - RFO

Author: EmeraldReign
Version: v0.2

Heavy Weapons face lift, covers most of the larger guns.

Weapon Retexture Project - WRP

Author: Millenia
Version: v1.95
Installation: Install Main file and 12.7 alternate file

There is not a whole lot to say about this mod that has not already been said. Millenia is a gun nut who is also the best texture artist making mods ever. We are just lucky that he was making mods and not scooped up by a studio earlier.