Oblivion:Unofficial-Hishutup-1.0.0

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About Mythic Dawn

Mythic Dawn was created by Hishutup and Soire (Red). It was updated in 2015 by Synthetik.

Oblivion is very much a dated game that is 18 years old now. This guide will help make Oblivion look as good as possible while maintaining a setup that adds to gameplay, stability, and re-playability. This guide's goal was to account for everyone, this includes users that only want a "fixed" game that includes improvements/fixes and also to account for users that want to see how many extras mods can offer to their game. With that in mind, Oblivion is old enough that the Game of the Year Edition or the base game with all DLC is required. This guide will use Wrye Bash as its main mod manager and BOSS as the main sorting tool.

If you would like to provide feedback or make suggestions relating to the guide, use this forum thread.
If you have issues or problems and need support for the guide, ask via this forum thread on the STEP Community forums.

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System Requirements

We recommend the following hardware configuration for running Mythic Dawn. The minimum requirements should be sufficient for installing the Core mods. For those wishing to use high quality options and/or to install the Extended mods, be advised that a more powerful system is likely necessary.

It should be noted that this guide is incompatible with SLI/Crossfire configurations and if you are a multi-card user you should create a custom graphics profile and disable SLI/Crossfire for this guide.
Please note that the higher the clock speed, the better the performance. Oblivion is very CPU dependent. On my old AMD Phenom II x4 955 @ 3.6 GHz, I used to get near the teens in terms of framerate with only Better Cities. Now with a Intel 6700k I get a perfect 60 fps. Another thing I found is that GPU doesn't matter with any modern card.

Hardware	Minimum	Recommended
Windows OS	Windows 7/8.1/10 (64 Bit)
CPU	Intel Core i5 2500K / AMD (unsupported due to performance)	Intel Core i7 6700K
System RAM	4 GB	≥8 GB
GPU	512MB VRAM	≥2GB VRAM

How is this Guide Modular?

Currently Mythic Dawn is built around a modular installation.

• All mods should be considered required unless otherwise noted.
• Mods marked as "Optional" are up to the user as they may or may not be for everyone.
• When a mod is marked as "Extra" should be carefully looked over to see if its something for you as they may cause issues with other mods or have extra patches that need to be carefully examined.
• Please don't use any mod marked as "Omitted" because the only reason its there is to remind me.

Installation Setup

If You Have Modded Oblivion Before..

This guide assumes that the user is beginning with a clean Oblivion installation. If you already have the game installed or have modded Oblivion before please follow the instructions below.

The following will remove everything, meaning: games files, installed mods, game saves, etc. If you wish to back up your mods, game files or saves then do so now.

1. Back up locations:
   • "steamapps\common\Oblivion"
   • "My Games\Oblivion"
   • "%AppData%\..\Local\Oblivion"
2. Deactivate all mods using your choice of mod manager.
3. Open Steam, right-click Oblivion in your Library → Delete Local Content → Delete. Wait until the game has been uninstalled.
4. Browse to your Oblivion directory and delete all files and sub-directories.
5. Navigate to "%AppData%\..\Local\Oblivion" and delete the Oblivion folder.
6. Go to
   • "My Games\Oblivion"
   • Delete the Oblivion folder. It will be regenerated later.
7. Uninstall your previous Mod Manager(s).
8. If you did use Wrye Bash, navigate to
   • "<Steam>\SteamApps\Common"
9. Find the folder Oblivion Mods. Backup first if you want to, then delete.
10. If you did use any other mod manager, find and delete (and backup) their mod directories.

Installing Oblivion

Simply launch "setup.exe" if using a disc, or right-click Oblivion in Steam and select install.

It is recommended to install Oblivion to an SSD if available, and preferably separate from the drive with Windows. Oblivion should be installed outside of "Program Files" or "Program Files (x86)" folders as Windows User Account Control can cause issues with Oblivion.

If you need help, here is a video.

Backing Up Oblivion

After installing Oblivion I highly suggest backing up the vanilla files for future use. Copying the folders in the following locations to a folder such as "Oblivion Backup" should ensure you have access to your vanilla files. If you would like to reduce the size of your backup, using Windows, 7-Zip, or WinRAR to compress your backup files should free up some space.

Back up locations:

• "<Oblivion>"
• "<My Games>\Oblivion"
• "<YourUserName>\AppData\Local\Oblivion"

Archiving the Data Folder

It is required that you archive the Data folder. This is going to be used in Wrye Bash as the first mod. I believe this will help with some of the glaring issues when uninstalling mods.

To archive your Data folder with Windows:

• Navigate to your Oblivion Data install folder
• Select any file/folder that is not an "*.BSA"
• Right-Click and select "Add to Data.7z"

• Wait for the folder to finish being compressed, which may take a few minutes
• Move the Archive out of your install directory to somewhere such as your desktop as it will be used later.

Other Important Details

• Users should change Windows folder options so that they can see file extensions on known file types as well as showing hidden files and folders.
• Users should disable Steam overlay and synchronization.

Setting up Oblivion's INI Files

Oblivion Project INI (opINI)

• Author: Vuud
• Version: 1.0
• Description: DoubleYou cleans and reorders the INIs so that it is more readable without touching the vanilla values.
• Files: "opINI Installer"
• Installation: Run the program like normal but be sure to change the directory where the Oblivion folder is located. When dialogue boxes popup select "Yes" to them. Steam copies of the game may fail to start the launcher. If that does happen then just launch Oblivion from the Steam interface.

Setting up Oblivion via launcher

• Select Ultra high presets
• It is recommended to change the resolution to your native resolution, fullscreen, Vsync.
• HDR is required for TES4LODGen, AA will be adding in by Oblivion Reloaded
• It is also recommended to start the game and make any necessary changes in the options so that the inis can be archived for backup.

Suggested In-game Options & Controls

Suggested Options

Suggested options from Oblivion_Reloaded_-_OBGE_v4 in relation to this guide.

• Brightness: Leave it in the center
• Texture Size: Large
• Tree Fade: 100%
• Actor Fade: 100%
• Item Fade: 100%
• Object Fade: 100%
• Grass Distance: No suggestion
• View Distance: 100%
• Distant Land: On
• Distant Buildings: On
• Distant Trees: On
• Self Shadows: No suggestion
• Shadows on Grass: Off
• Tree Canopy Shadows: On
• Shadow Filtering: High
• Specular Distance: 50%
• HDR Lighting: On
• Bloom Lighting: Off
• Water Detail: High
• Water Reflections: On
• Water Ripples: On
• Window Reflections: On
• Blood Decals: On
• Distant Land: On
• Anti-aliasing: Off

Suggested Controls

Controls
Action	Keyboard	Mouse
Activate	E
Block	L-Alt	Right-Click
Cast	Q
Ready Weapon	R
Sneak	L-Sneak
Run	L-Shift
Always Run	Caps
Auto Move	C
Jump	Space
Change View	V
Journal	Tab
Wait	T
QuixkSave	F5
QuickLoad	F9
Grab	Z

Backup Oblivion INIs

Navigate to the "<My Games>\Oblivion\" folder and archive the "Oblivion.ini" file.

Tools

LOOT

• Author: WrinklyNinja
• Version: v0.8.1
• Description: LOOT is helping with setting up the right load order for your mods plus provides helpful information about various plugins.
• Download: "LOOT.Installer.exe"
• Installation: Run the installer normally.

If you need help here is a video on LOOT.

Wrye Bash

• Author: Wrye Bash Team
• Version: 306
• Description: Wrye Bash (WB) is at this time the main Mod Manager used for this guide. Even for Skyrim and the Fallout Series Wrye Bash is used for it's ability to generate a Bashed Patch based on your load order. For more info refer to the Readme.
• Notes: The link redirects to the Wrye Bash on the Skyrim version of the Nexus. If you need more info on Wrye Bash here is a Guide Link.
• Download: "Wrye Bash 306 - Standalone Executable"
• Installation: Drag the "Mopy" folder to the Oblivion folder and uncheck the "Lock Load Order" from the topbar.

It may be helpful if you add markers in Wrye Bash

It can get pretty chaotic because of the length of the guide so I would recommend that you add the markers in Wrye Bash when prompted to do so throughout the guide.
You can do this by right-clicking on the header bar at the top and selecting "Add Marker".

I would also recommend restarting Wrye Bash often

This is be because Wrye Bash saves the Installers placement, markers and what you had installed/uninstalled when the application is properly closed. This means to restart it before rebuilding the Bashed Patch and/or restarting after adding, installing, removing, and changing mods.

TES4LODGen

• Author: ElminsterAU
• Version: 3.1.1
• Description:

• What is LOD/VWD?

LOD (.lod) data files are necessary to view landscapes that are distant in the middle-ground or background. These are different than the static objects you see from far – also

known as 'Visible while Distant' objects (VWD). Not all mod (replacer) packages do provide all necessary files related to LOD/VWD and therefor the player runs into

strange views. Or bugs.

LOD is built on the basis of quadrants of four adjoining blocks of 32x32 cells. Now, as landscape mods and such changing exterior cells are added, these quadrants realign

themselves. Further they depend highly on loadorder and the heightmap used in each cell. However technical all this sounds, this results in the necessity to rebuild LOD

every time a mod is added, removed or changed in both loadorder and installation order that affects these quadrants – like for example 'Qarls Texture Pack' or 'RAEVWD'. The

tools for this are known as 'LOD Generators'.

• Notes: TES4LODgen MUST be ran every time load order changes, also if you change something in your Installers tab that affects related LOD files. This includes that one tiny file called 'bashed patch' at the very end. If you fail to do this, your game wont crash nor will your savegames be destroyed but distant meshes will be strange, out of line or simply not appear.
• Download: "TES4LODGen_3_1_1"

Landscape LOD generator tes4ll-v5

• Author: Gruftikus and Lightwave
• Version: 5.03
• Forum Link
• Notes: Running will take place at the end of the guide. After you have completed this guide, this should be ran every time you install or uninstall a landscape mod. Be sure to install the MPGUI below.
• Download: "Landscape LOD generator 5_03"
• Installation:

Install the files into the data folder except for the bat files

Multi Purpose GUI

• Author: Gruftikus
• Version: 1.22
• Forum Link
• Notes: This program is used to run the GUI for Tes4ll.
• Download: "mpgui_1_22"
• Installation:

mpgui_1_22

• Run the MPGUI-Setup.msi file and install it normally except when it asks to install batch file templates, uncheck the option.

4GB Patch

• Author: Daniel Pistelli
• Version: 1.0.0.1
• Description: This 4GB patch is for 32-bit executables to use more than the 2.1GB RAM. This patcher adds a LAA(large address aware) flag which raises the RAM limit for Oblivion.exe up to about 3.1GB.
• Notes: Only use this if you have 64-bit (x64) Operation System. If you have a 32-bit OS you do not need this.
  

Only run once. The original "Oblivion.exe" will be renamed to "Oblivion.exe.Backup".
To determine what OS, navigate to:

Control Panel → System and Security → System. Look for System Type.

OBSE (Oblivion Script Extender)

• Author: Ian Patterson, Stephen Abel, Paul Connelly
• Version: 0021
• Notes: OBSE is mandatory for this guide. For Steam version, launch Oblivion using the Steam client. For any other version use the obse_loader.exe to launch. You do not need to use obse_loader.exe under normal circumstances.
  If OBSE is not running, most mods that require OBSE will bring up a dialogue box saying "OBSE is not working". If that's the case, check if you have enabled 'Steam overlay while ingame'.
• Installation:
• Download: "obse_0021" and the "Latest Loader"

TES4Edit

• Author: ElminsterAU
• Version: 3.1.1
• Description: This tool is primary used for cleaning the official DLC's and mods. However, it's also a powerful utility with various other functions such as merged patches and reordering masters.
• Notes: For more information, download the FNEdit PDF-Files (applicable to TES4Edit) here.
• Download: "TES4Edit_3_1_1"
• Installation:

Unpack the archive somewhere for use in the near future.

ENBoost

• Author: Boris
• Version: 0.259
• Installation:

Extract the wrapper version to the "Oblivion" folder. Edit "enblocal.ini"

[MEMORY]
ExpandSystemMemoryX64=true
ReduceSystemMemoryUsage=true
DisableDriverMemoryManager=false
DisablePreloadToVRAM=false
EnableUnsafeMemoryHacks=false
ReservedMemorySizeMb=64
VideoMemorySizeMb=0
;Use this tool to get the correct value for the parameter above
EnableCompression=true

Before Starting to Mod

Setting up Wrye Bash

• Start up Wrye Bash and select the Installers tab and accept on the dialogue box.
• Open the context menu on the top bar and confirm that "BSA Redirection" is ticked

Adding Oblivion's Base Game Files

• Drag the previously made Oblivion Data folder archive into the Installers window and select Copy.
• After the file is done copying, move it to the top of the install order and install it.
• The red plus box will turn into a green plus.

Cleaning the DLC

This is a required step and should be done regardless of whether you are going to follow this guide or if you are even going to mod your game. Cleaning DLC .esp's and certain mods is critical for creating a stable modded game environment.
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If you are NOT familiar with cleaning, click me.
Note: Some mods have "UDR(s)" or "ITM(s)" but must not be cleaned. Follow BOSS report unless other wise described for a particular mod.

• Reminders are going to be located after the installation description of mods that do need cleaning.

Here is the DLC that you should clean now. Template:XEdit

Add Cleaned Mods to Wrye Bash

I highly recommend you do this every time you clean a set of plugins.

• You can either create a project inside Wrye Bash's installers and then copy the cleaned esms to it or you can just archive the cleaned esms and then copy or move the archive into Wrye Bash.
• Move the installer package to be after the vanilla package.

OBSE Mods

OBSE plugins allow mods to interact in different ways with the game using extended scripting abilities.

Create a Marker

I recommend that you add a marker in Wrye Bash called "OBSE Mods"

OBSE -Elys- Universal Silent Voice

• Author: Elys
• Version: 0.93
• Description: When a character in the game isn't voiced Oblivion will skip through the dialogue even if there are subtitles. This mod fixes that by placing a blank audio track in place of the voiced dialogue so you are able to read the text dialogue.
• Requirements: OBSE and subtitles enabled
• Download: "OBSE -Elys- Universal Silent Voice v93"
• Installation: Apply the BCF provided

Blockhead

• Author: shadeMe
• Version: 10.3
• Requirements: OBSE
• Download: "Blockhead 10.3"

Oblivion Stutter Remover

• Author: SkyRanger-1
• Version: 4.1.37
• Description: This is a must have for anyone playing Oblivion. It has many tools that are useful to Oblivion such as the FPS management, force quit and heap replacement.
• Requirements: OBSE
• Download: "OSR_4-1-37"
• Installation:

OSR_4-1-37

Unpack the archive to project and keep the original archive

Open the newly created project and delete all the files except the ini in the OBSE folder and use this file to make ini changes

"OBSE\Plugins\sr_Oblivion_Stutter_Remover.ini"

Master
bManageFPS = 0
bReplaceHeap = 1
bFastExit = 1

Heap
iHeapAlgorithm = 6
iHeapSize = 768

Note: I have not found a one-size fits all solution to heap size as Oblivion doesn't have the same tools that Skyrim does.

ConsCribe

• Author: shadme
• Version: 10.0
• Requirements: OBSE
• Download: "ConScribe 100"

MenuQue - OBSE Plugin

• Author: kyoma
• Version: 16b
• Description: MenuQue extends Oblivions game-engine to deal with various additions/changes to the User Interface, Skills, Fonts and more.
• Requirements: OBSE
• Download: "MenuQue v16b"

Oblivion - Enhanced Camera

• Author: LogicDragon
• Version: 1.4b
• Requirements: OBSE
• Download: "Enhanced Camera"

Shaders

Create a Marker

I recommend that you add a marker in Wrye Bash called "Shaders"

Oblivion Reloaded - OBGE v4

• Author: Alenet - Timeslip - Scanti - ShadeMe - Ethatron
• Version: 4.2.3
• Download: "Oblivion Reloaded"
• Installation:

Oblivion Reloaded

Unpack to a project and keep the original archive

Delete all the files in the newly created project except for the ini files

"OBSE\Plugins\OblivionReloaded.ini"

[Main]
WindowedMode = 0
FoV = 95.0
WaterReflectionMapSize = 2048
CameraMode = 0
EquipmentMode = 0
SleepingMode = 0

[Effects]
EnableWaterLens = 1
EnableAmbientOcclusion = 1
EnableColoring = 1
EnableBloom = 1
EnableSnowAccumulation = 1
EnableBloodLens = 1
EnableLowHF = 1
EnableWetWorld = 1
EnableSMAA = 1

INI Tweaks

You can find your .ini file in "\Documents\My Games\Oblivion".

I would recommend NOT using the edits in Wrye Bash because Wrye Bash does not use carriage returns, making future editing very difficult. The best method of editing your .ini file is with Notepad++.

Oblivion.ini

Each of the following entries can be pasted directly into the INI. The entry descriptions are commented, so they will not be interpreted by the game at startup. Alternatively, these descriptions can be omitted. Descriptions are only provided on tweaks that needed explaining. There are too many tweaks to list what each one does, but know that all are required.

Remove AI file

[Archive]
SInvalidationFile=

Remove the intro

[General]
SOblivionIntro=

Oblivion reloaded

[BackgroundLoad]
iPostProcessMilliseconds=25
iPostProcessMillisecondsLoadingQueuedPriority=100

[Display]
iMultiSample=0
iShadowMapResolution=512

[General]
uGridDistantCount=50
uGridDistantTreeRange=30

[HAVOK]
fJumpAnimDelay=0.2500
fHorseRunGravity=5.0000

[SpeedTree]
fLocalTreeMipMapLODBias=0.0000
fLODTreeMipMapLODBias=-0.5000
iTreeClonesAllowed=10

[Water]
bUseWaterReflectionsActors=1
bUseWaterReflectionsTrees=1
bUseWaterReflectionsStatics=1

Fixes

Create a Marker

I recommend that you add a marker in Wrye Bash called "Fixes"

UOP - Unofficial Oblivion Patch

• Author: Quarn, Kivan and Arthmoor
• Version: 3.5.3b
• Description: Unofficial Patches are a must; they fix literally ten-thousands of bugs in the original game that were never addressed by Bethesda.
• Download: "Unofficial Oblivion Patch"
• Installation:

Unofficial Oblivion Patch

Uncheck the following Esp/m Filter

• UOP Vampire Aging & Face Fix.esp

Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch

• Author: Quarn, Kivan and Arthmoor
• Version: 1.5.7
• Description: A must have mod with similar effects as UOP - Unofficial Oblivion Patch
• Requirements: "Unofficial Oblivion Patch"
• Download: "Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch"

Unofficial Official Mods Patch

• Author: Quarn and Kivan and Arthmoor
• Version: 22
• Description: A must have mod with similar effects as UOP - Unofficial Oblivion Patch
• Requirements: Unofficial Oblivion Patch
• Download: "Unofficial Official Mods Patch"

BASH Tags:
DLCFrostcrag - Unofficial Patch.esp

Remove

• C.Climate
• C.Light

Summon Dremora Lord Saved

• Author: DemonLord7654
• Version: 1.0
• Description: The Bruma Mages guild is the only one who sells the spell Summon Dremora Lord. If you didn't pay attention, later in the game you won't be able to purchase this spell. This mod adds the spell to Mystic Emporium and the Mages Guild in Skingrad.
• Download: "Summon Dremora Lord Saved"

BASH Tags:
Summon Dremora Lord Saved.esp

Add

• Actors.Spells

Elz - No Floating Weapon

• Author: Elzee
• Version: 1.0.2
• Description: Fixes the floating weapon issue upon death of a NPC.
• Requirements: OBSE
• Download: "Elz - No Floating Weapon"