User:Astien/Oblivion

Oblivion Vanilla Enhanced 2017

An up to date, ENB compatible guide focused on improving Oblivion's visuals without drastically altering anything from its original appearance. This guide assumes that the user has Shivering Isles and KOTN installed, anyone that doesn't can just skip over the DLC related mods though. Oblivion Reloaded isn't included, but given its popularity I'm going to mention which mods to ignore if you want to use it with this modlist. Any mid to high range pc should be able to get very good performance using this guide. CPU matters most for Oblivion and using an i5 4670k @ 4.0 Ghz I generally get a solid 60 fps at 1440p. For the best results this is meant to be followed from top to bottom, though you can skip over any mods you don't like or replace them with an alternative if you want. If a mod adds or changes something you don't need, like a mod adding controller functionality when you use keyboard and mouse, then you obviously don't have to install it.

Feel free to use the mod manager of your choice while going through the guide, but I'm going to assume that the user is installing everything manually and will only mention using a mod manager when it's necessary. Before starting, it's a good idea to install the game outside of the Program Files folder so you don't have to deal with any UAC issues. As you follow the guide, unless I say otherwise you should just download the main file(s) and extract the mod to the appropriate directory, overwriting anything that was already there. Any optional files or updates you download should be installed after the main file(s). 7zip is a good program for dealing with zip files if you don't already have one.

For those who may be interested, I've also made a short gameplay enhancement guide based around Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul (OOO). Despite being a gameplay overhaul, OOO also includes some visual modifications of its own. So to keep the two guides compatible I'll also make note of the mods you can ignore that would be redundant when using OOO.

Click here for screenshots with and without ENB

Video 1 with ENB

Video 2 without ENB

• Note that I am recording at 1080p and playing at the same time, the game usually runs smoother and looks better.

Suggested In-game Options

• Brightness: 50%
• Texture Size: Large
• Tree Fade: 100%
• Actor Fade: 100%
• Item Fade: 100%
• Object Fade: 100%
• View Distance: 100%
• Grass Distance: 100%
• Distant Land: On
• Distant Buildings: On
• Distant Trees: On
• Self Shadows: Off
• Shadows on Grass: Off
• Tree Canopy Shadows: On
• Shadow Filtering: High
• Specular Distance: 100%
• HDR Lighting: On
• Bloom Lighting: Off
• Water Detail: High
• Water Reflections: On
• Water Ripples: Off
• Window Reflections: On
• Blood Decals: On
• Distant Land: On
• Anti-aliasing: Off

Under Gameplay options, I would also suggest turning off "Save on Travel" as it has been known to cause problems. You may want to install an Autosaver mod from the Nexus instead.

Tools

Name	Description	Installation
BOSS	Used to automatically sort the load order of your plugins.	Download "BOSS.Archive.7z" and extract the files to a new folder. Rename the folder "BOSS" and move it to your main Oblivion directory. Run the program with BOSS.exe.
Wrye Bash	Mod manager that is also used for creating the Bashed Patch.	Download "Wrye Bash 306 Standalone Executable" near the bottom of the page and extract the Mopy folder to your main Oblivion directory. When you open Wrye Bash for the first time, right-click the top bar and uncheck "Lock Load Order".
TES4LODGen	Used for generating distant LOD objects.	Download the main file and extract the exe to your main Oblivion directory. You should rerun this program anytime you change your load order.
Landscape LOD generator tes4ll-v5	Used for generating distant LOD meshes and normal/color maps.	Download "Landscape LOD generator 5_03" at the bottom of the page and extract the files into your Oblivion\Data folder. Rerun this program anytime you download a mod that changes the landscape.
Multi Purpose GUI	A GUI for running tes4ll.	Download the main file and run the setup.exe. I would suggest installing the program at Oblivion\Data\ini\tes4ll for ease of use.
4GB Patch	Allows users with a 64-bit(x64) operating system to use more memory when running Oblivion. Don't use this if you are on a 32-bit(x86) OS or if you're unsure.	Run the program and select your Oblivion.exe file.
OBSE	Oblivion Script Extender adds new scripting functionality to Oblivion and is a requirement for many mods.	Download obse_0021.zip and obse_loader.zip at the top, and extract them to your main Oblivion directory in that order. Click yes when asked to overwrite.
MoreHeap	Supposedly makes Oblivion more stable.	Download and extract the dll file to your main Oblivion directory. Run the game once and you should see a "MoreHeap.ini" show up in your Oblivion directory. Open the file and change both values to 768, save and close.
Oblivion mod manager	Very simple mod manager for anyone not using Wrye Bash to install mods. If you are using Wrye Bash then there's no need to install this.	Download the full manual version and extract to your main Oblivion directory.

OBSE Mods & Unofficial Patches

Name	Description	Installation
EngineBugFixes	Fixes bugs, as you may have guessed from the name.	Extract main file to Oblivion directory. Find the EngineBugFixes.ini, open and set all the patches at the bottom to 0. If you understand what they do and want to leave them enabled then go for it.
Oblivion Graphics Extender	Oblivion Reloaded's predecessor. Obviously you want to skip this one if you are using Oblivion Reloaded. We'll be downloading the core-retro version and using it solely for better quality water reflections.	Download "OBGE Core - Retro 3-0-0" from the Old Versions and extract only the OBGEv2.dll to your OBSE\Plugins folder. Run the game once to create an OBGE.ini in your \Documents\My Games\Oblivion folder which we'll configure later on.
Oblivion Stutter Remover	Prevents or mitigates a number of issues related to stuttering and framerates, and can reduce the frequency of stutter related crashes.	Download "OSR_4-1-37" and extract the Data file to your Oblivion directory. Open the sr_Oblivion_Stutter_Remover.ini and make the following changes: bReplaceHeap = 1, fMaximumFPS = 60, iHeapSize = 768. You can change max fps to anything you want.
OneTweak	Borderless windowed mode + no crashing when you ALT+TAB.	Extract the OneTweak.dll and OneTweak.ini to your OBSE\Plugins folder.
Unofficial Oblivion Patch	Fixes lots of stuff.	Download and extract the Unofficial Oblivion Patch main file to your Oblivion\Data directory.
Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch	Fixes lots of stuff in SI.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Unofficial Oblivion DLC Patches	Fixes lots of stuff in the DLC plugins.	Download and extract, you should only use the esps for the DLC that you have installed.

Base Texture Packs

Name	Description	Installation
Really Textured Normal Maps for Vanilla	Improved normal maps for better visuals on nearly everything in the game.	Download and extract all three files. Either exclude or delete the normal maps from Oblivion\Data\Textures\trees\branches as they can cause flickering tree trunks. If you are planning to use OOO Shivering Isles, then you should also exclude/delete the weapons and armor files from the "RTNM Shivering Isles Fixed" archive as they can cause visual issues with Dark Seducer/Golden Saint armor.
Qarl's Texture Pack III Redimized	High resolution texture replacement for nearly everything in Cyrodiil.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
QTP3 UOP350 Compatibility Patch	Compatibility patch for QTP3 and UOP.	Download the patch from the optional files section and extract to the appropriate directory.
Bomret's Texture Pack for Shivering Isles	High resolution texture replacement for nearly everything in the Shivering Isles.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.

User Interface

Name	Description	Installation
DarNified UI	The quintessential UI mod for Oblivion.	Download the optional 7z archive and extract the fonts, menus, meshes and textures to Oblivion\Data. If you want to get rid of quest journal entry popups then look in the custom_files folder, extract the empty.xml and rename it to quest_added.xml then move it to Oblivion\Menus\generic and overwrite the original file.
Color Map Mod zipversion	Colorful world map for Cyrodiil.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory. OMOD version is here for those using a mod manager.
Coloured Enemy Health Red	Makes the enemy health bar above the crosshair change from default - red depending on how much health the enemy has left.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
DenockArrowToo	Denock a readied arrow by pressing the ready weapon key. If you plan to use archery at all then this is a must-have mod.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Dot Crosshair	Changes the large vanilla crosshair to a dot for better immersion.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
FOV Modifier	Change your FOV. I use 80, but most people seem to like 90 for 16:9. 75 is the default FOV for Oblivion. This mod isn't needed if you are using Oblivion Reloaded.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Morths Local Map	This mod colorizes the local map similar to using the ini edit bLocalMapShader=0, but it lets the background shine through for unexplored/inaccessible areas and still has a bit of the vanilla "hand drawn map" appearance.	This is the first of a few mods that you need to install with a mod manager. Personally, I found Oblivion mod manager to be the easiest one to work with. Here's a tutorial if you need some help using it.
nONatees colored Shivering Isles map	Colored world map for the Shivering Isles.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Spell Deletion	A mod that lets you delete spells by pressing delete, who would have guessed? Unlike other spell deletion mods, instead of just hiding your removed spell this one renames it as well, which lets you reuse the same name if it was made by the player or lets you repurchase the spell if it was one that you bought from a merchant.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Toggleable Quantity Prompt - Updated	With this mod, you can auto-confirm the quantity prompt ("How many?") and confirmation prompt that you get when an item or spell is transacted (moving/buying/selling/dropping). The end result being that your shopping trips go by much, much faster than they did before.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory. In the TQP.ini, I changed "set aveTQP.iDefaultAction" to 1 so that one item will be auto-confirmed when I click, but you can set it up as you wish. The ini has details on the different settings.
Oblivirim - Xbox 360 Controls For Oblivion	Preset JoyToKey and Xpadder profiles for those wanting to use a controller with Oblivion. I use Xpadder, but JoyToKey should work just as well.	You'll need to set up either Xpadder or JoyToKey to use these obviously, which goes outside the scope of this guide. If you do some googling you should be able to find what you need.
UI Controls for Oblivion (UICO)	Makes the navigation and control of Oblivion's user interface a lot more intuitive when using a controller, similar to how Oblivion runs on the Xbox 360 version. See here for details on how the mod works.	Open the main file archive and extract the contents of the "UI_DarN_Base" folder to your Oblivion\Data directory.

INI Tweaks

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

Oblivion.ini

[General]
uGridDistantTreeRange=25

More distant trees for better visuals, lowers fps slightly.

[General]
SMainMenuMovie=
SMainMenuMovieIntro=
SIntroSequence=

Disables intro videos.

[Display]
iShadowMapResolution=1024

Better looking shadows, no noticeable fps cost.

[Display]
bAllow30Shaders=1

This tweak is only needed by ENB users. Open RendererInfo.txt in your Oblivion.ini directory and find the line that says "3.0 Shaders". If it says yes next to it, then you should use this tweak. If it says no then leave it as is, note that you may experience some minor visual glitches if you use an ENB though.

[Controls]
bUse Joystick=0

Prevents some issues if you're using a controller with Oblivion.

[Water]
bUseWaterReflectionsTrees=1

Better water reflections, no noticeable fps loss.

[Interface]
fDlgFocus=3.0000

Less zoomed-in camera when talking to NPCs.

[GamePlay]
bSaveOnInteriorExteriorSwitch=0

No autosave when entering a new area, prevents corrupted savegames and crash to desktop.

[Font]
SFontFile_2=Data\Fonts\DarN_Kingthings_Petrock_14.fnt
SFontFile_3=Data\Fonts\DarN_Kingthings_Petrock_16.fnt
SFontFile_4=Data\Fonts\DarN_Oblivion_28.fnt

Required changes for DarNified UI.

[SpeedTree]
bForceFullLOD=1

If set to 1 uses full level of detail for trees, making them appear slightly better at the cost of a small fps drop.

[Grass]
iMinGrassSize=120

Better performance with no noticeable loss of grass.

[Grass]
fGrassEndDistance=8200
fGrassStartFadeDistance=7200

Max distance grass.

[Archive]
SInvalidationFile=

For BSA redirection.

OBGE.ini

[DepthBuffer]
bUseDepthBuffer=0
bUseRAWZfix=0

[Effects]
bUseEffectList=0

[ScreenBuffers]
iReflectionMapSize=2048

[Serialization]
bSaveData=0
bLoadData=0

Architecture, Dungeons & Landscape

Name	Description	Installation
Arena HD	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Arena Redone HD	Another HD Arena mod that deviates further away from vanilla Oblivion with its visuals. I only use the new mesh and textures for the Basin of Renewal, which Arena HD didn't change.	Download and extract the following mesh and textures from the main file, then add them to the appropriate directories: "01 UOP Patch [Optional]\meshes\architecture\arena\bloodworkscistern01.nif" The textures from "00 Core [2K]\textures\architecture\arena\" that begin with "bloodwork" or "circularfloor" - 8 in total The textures from "00 Core [2K]\textures\architecture\arena\ArenaRedone\bloodworks\" that begin with "cistern" - also 8 in total
Better Chapel Altars	High resolution textures.	Download and extract the main file, then the optional file to the appropriate directory.
Bettys Sewer Textures	High resolution textures.	Download the "BettysSewerTextures" main file and the update and extract them to the appropriate directory.
Caves retexture	High resolution textures.	Download and extract the 2k version to the appropriate directory.
Cloud Ruler Temple HD	High resolution textures.	Download and extract the main file and the update to the appropriate directory.
Detailed Terrain	High resolution textures.	Download the main file, the update, and the Shivering Isles optional file. Install all three with Oblivion mod manager. Install the update after the other downloads and OBMM will keep asking you if you want to overwrite files, just keep selecting "Yes" until it's installed.
Evandars Snow Texture Replacer	High resolution textures.	Download and extract only the two palepass ice textures from dungeons\misc to the appropriate directory.
Farm fence retexture and UV maps	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Gecko's Ayleid Ruins Textures V2	High resolution textures.	Download and extract the Parallax main file to the appropriate directory.
Gecko's Fort Interior Textures	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Gecko's Imperial Dungeon Textures	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Hi-Res Road Texture - QTP3 Replacement	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
HiRez Architecture- Daedric Shrines	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Improved Signs	High resolution textures.	Download the "ImprovedSignsComplete" main file and extract to the appropriate directory.
Kvatch HD	High resolution textures.	Download and extract both the main file and the update to the appropriate directory.
Oblivion Realm HD	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Rocks retexture	High resolution textures.	Download and extract the 2k version to the appropriate directory.
Statues HD	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.

Flora & Water

Name	Description	Installation
AliveWaters	You can skip this mod if you're using OOO. Adds more stuff underwater so it isn't so barren. You only need the assets, no esps.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory, exclude/delete the esps.
Alive Waters Updated	You can skip this mod if you're using OOO. Fixed esp for AliveWaters.	Download the "Alive Waters No Fish" main file and extract the esp to Oblivion\Data.
Better Nirnroot - Hi-Res	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Enhanced Vegetation	Better LOD billboards for trees, and the option to make all trees/shrubs and their shadows 25-50% larger. My screenshots and videos were made using the 150% plugin and I definitely recommend using that one even though it can cause some minor visual issues.	Download only the "Enhanced Vegetation - Plugins v1dot1" main file and extract the esp of your choice from the "timescale 30" folder.
Enhanced Vegetation - Darker trunks version	Adjusts the textures from Enhanced Vegetation so that they're not so bright and look much better in game.	Download the "Normal Res textures" main file and extract to the appropriate directory.
Enhanced Vegetation - Shivering Isles	Adjusts Shivering Isles tree shadows/billboards for those using Enhanced Vegetation 125% or 150%.	Download and extract the plugin of your choice to Oblivion\Data.
Enhanced Water v20	You can skip this mod if you're using Oblivion Reloaded's water. Better looking water.	Download and extract the HD esp to Oblivion\Data.
Enhanced Water v20 HD - SI Addon	You can skip this mod if you're using Oblivion Reloaded's water. Better looking water for Shivering Isles.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
foaming falls	High resolution textures.	Download and extract the textures folder to Oblivion\Data.
Tree Bark HD Reduced	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Improved Doors and Flora	High resolution textures.	Download both main files and extract to the appropriate directory. Make sure the update is extracted last.
Improved Fruits Vegetables and Meats	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory. Same as before, make sure you get the update.
Improved Trees and Flora	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Improved Trees and Flora 2	High resolution textures.	Download all three files and extract "Improved Trees and Flora 2" then "ITF2Update" then "ITFBark2012" to the Oblivion\Data directory.
Mandrake retexture	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
New shadows for trees	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Real Lava	You can skip this mod if you're using Oblivion Reloaded's water. Better looking lava.	Download the "Real Lava 1_3" main file and extract to Oblivion\Data.

Character Improvements

Name	Description	Installation
beautiful arena spectator	Beautiful may be a bit of an overstatement, but they're better off than they were before.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
elaborate eyes simplified	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
emperors face redone	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
IAFT improved argonian facial textures	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
IFT improved facial textures	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
lifelike eye normalmaps	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
natural faces	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.

Weapons, Armor & Clothing

Name	Description	Installation
weapon improvement project	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
improved amulets and rings	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
initial glow redux	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
insanitys armory	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
madness armor and weapons retex by mos	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
mythic amber armor	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
recoloured underwear - black	mention ooo seducers	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
visually improved staffs	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
visually improved staffs for OOO	OPTINAL obviously	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.

Animals & Creatures

Name	Description	Installation
akatosh retexture	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
mythic animals	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
mythic creatures	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
mythic ghost and goblins	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
mythic madness	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
improved flame atronachs	i skipped the fireparticle texture	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
improved storm atronachs	get the shock retex	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
realistic horse eyes	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.

Weather & Environment

Name	Description	Installation
animated window lighting system and chimneys	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
autumn trees	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
better window environmental map	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
dousing the flames	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
falling stars	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
natural environments	needs detailed install info	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
improved fire and flames	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
improved lightbeam	skip meshes, caused invis hands	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
improved moons	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
improved sky textures	make sure to copy to nat environments folder	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
particled ayleid stones	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
RD natural weather unofficial test fix	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
smoke and dust	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.

Miscellaneous

Name	Description	Installation
Alluring potion bottles v3	not needed with OOO	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
Alluring Wine Bottles with Real Glass	not needed with OOO	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
book jackets: oblivion	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
book jackets: kotn	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
grimbots dlc book jackets	not needed with ooosi	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
graphic improvement project	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
GW71 life detect	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
high quality rugs	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
highres varla and welkynd stone replacer	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
hires hay bail textures	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
hires pewter	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
hires silver and gold clutter	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
hires soul gems	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
improved skulls and bones and ironwork	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
isathars improved tapestries	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
magic effect replacer and enhanced ver	dont overwrite atronach shock retex	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
mesh improvement project	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
nighteye shader replacement	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
better ropes	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
darooz upperclass clutter	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
no more annoying comments skills and training	ayleid statue	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
no more annoying merchant comments combined	goes very well with TQP	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
oblivion symphonic variations music suite	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
painters touch	High resolution textures.	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
painters variation	OPTIONAL	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
TD_Lower_Clutter	get update	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.

Distant Landscape

Name	Description	Installation
koldorns lod noise replacer	if having bad performance install only this mod and skip the next two	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
evenstars colourwheel lod update	asdfasdfasdf	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.
really aevwd	ayleid statue	Download and extract to the appropriate directory.

Finishing up

• Sort load order using BOSS.exe
• Make Bashed Patch
• run tes4lodgen
• run tes4ll
• hardware AA/AF if not using enb
• I would suggest setting your ini to read-only once you're done with the guide, so that the Oblivion launcher doesn't overwrite any of your settings in the future. mention new driver fix

ENB

cinematic enb

Credits

Hishutup, Soire (Red), and Synthetik for the Mythic Dawn Oblivion Modding Guide:
http://wiki.step-project.com/User:Hishutup/Sandbox2
http://wiki.step-project.com/User:Hishutup/OblivionGuide

Bevilex for his modlist for Oblivion Graphics:
http://www.nexusmods.com/oblivion/mods/47591
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCii7QfAUwxaNdpWQrp4fziw

And I'd like to thank the entire Oblivion modding community for making this game what it is. Happy 11th anniversary!

Be sure to endorse all the mods you downloaded to thank the authors for their work.

Check out the Nexus page if you need to ask for help with the guide, or if you want to leave comments/feedback/screenshots/videos: