The beginning
Installing Fallout 4
Head to steam, buy the game if you haven't already, and download. For easier modding support, make sure that Steam is installed OUTSIDE your program files.
Don't use the Beta, it make modding more tricky and very uncomfortable (Beth tried to disable it for the Beta, to avoid mod-related bug report. It make sense, but we don't want that for a modding guide... ^^)
Settings some things up
Make sure you have the latest drivers for your GPU.This is especially true if using an AMD video card, as some of the not-so-outdated-but-a-little-bit drivers will lead to a crash on the FO4 main menu.
First thing to do is to initalize your game once to get all the inifiles created. The nicest way to do it is to download fINIp 4, and run it : fINIp 4
Installing a mod manager
Only NMM have been properly updated for Fallout 4. This is in my opinion the best choice until Mod Organizer 2 is more stable and reliable.
An other alternative is Wrye Flash, which also have been updated fo FO4 support.
Mod Organizer 2
Wrye Flash
Nexus Mod Manager
Installing FO4Edit
A good thing to do in those obscure time is also to grab a copy of FO4Edit so you can checks the mods you install yourself.
Some early mods have been released with a lot of errors, so checking them with FO4Edit to ensure they aren't to risky for your savegame is a good habit.
Read more about this specific issue here : http://forums.bethsoft.com/topic/1548366-fyi-to-potential-mod-users-tesvsnip-mods-on-the-nexus/
And here if you have access to this section : http://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/3439350-concerns-over-tesvsnipfosnip-mods/
To get it working properly, create a shortcut, and under the "target" field, add the following argument :
-fo4 -edit
If you're using a non-english version of the game, you'll also need the following two arguments :
-l:XX -cp:utf-8
Instead of XX, but your country's shortcut (example : fr for french)
Adjusting your settings
You can skip this if you can play on Ultra. If you can't, two things to test before down-grading to much is to
- Disable Godrays - Set Shadow Distance to Medium
If you still can't have a nice FPS with it, use a lower setting that match your computer's performance. Some settings having a high quality/performance ratio, and thus should be maxed out :
- Anisotropy -> Set it to 8x. Performance hit is only noticeable at 16x, but 8x look 1000x time better than 0 or 2x. - Anti-Aliasing -> TAA. There is a small performance hit, but TAA look infinitely better than FXAA (not even talking about no-AA at all). - Texture Quality -> Maximal. Very few differences, but the perfomance hit is close to 0.
Further INI tweaking
Go to ...\My Documents\My Games\Fallout4
In Fallout4.ini
Put bInvalidateOlderFiles=1 in the [Archive] section, so loose files will load through the game.
In Fallout4Prefs.ini
Make sure iShadowMapResolution is at least 2048. Even if it cost some FPS, 1024 is way tougly to play.
Put bEnableFileSelection=1 in the [Launcher] section, so you'll be able to use plugin-based mods.
A lot of decent advices can be found here : A data vault of tweaks and fixes
Just avoid bMouseAcceleration (Placebo) and uGridToLoad (dangerous BS) tweaks mentionned there.
Installing extenders and injectors
Fallout 4 Script Extender
F4SE have alreayd been released. For now, it only allow you to customize the controls for your game. No other interest for now, and some people have been noticing a few bugs, so If you don't have to remap your controls, better avoid it for now. Though it still allow to launch the game without having to see the Launcher.
Extract the archive in a temporary folder, and move f4se_loader.exe, f4se_1.dll and f4se_steam_loader.dll into your installation folder.
To customize keymapping (extract from F4SE readme) :
- customization of internal keymappings
Copy CustomControlMap.txt to Data\F4SE\CustomControlMap.txt.
Edit that file to set your bindings. The format is the same as Skyrim, it's a space-separated file.
The first column is the name of the internal keybind. The second column is the keyboard scan code that should activate the bind in hex, or 0xFF if unbound. Use google to find a table of scan codes. The third column is for mice, the fourth for controllers. The next three columns control whether or not a control should be written to the user's config file. The final column specifies which input layer the bind is associated with - you will probably not want to change that.
ENBoost
Not as critical as its Skyrim counter-part, ENBoost allow you to disable fake NPC-lighting without having to enter the command manually each time you load the game.
No performance hit. You also have a nice FPS counter available at will (* key on your numpad).
Download Binaries
Click on the latest binaries available, and on the next page on the "download" button.
Extract the archive in a temporary folder
Copy d3d11.dll, d3dcompiler_46e.dll and enblocal.ini in your installation folder.
Official Nexus Page
There is some informations and preset here regarding the ForceFakeMemorSize parameter. Leaving it at default (disabled) is recommanded for lower configuration. Only systems with a lot of RAM will take advantage of this.
ReShade
ReShade is a framework to enhance post-processing. There is already a bunch of preset available over Nexus.
Download is here : ReShade
Extract the archive in a temporary folder, rename ReShade64.dll to dxgi.dll, and put dxgi.dll, ReShade.fx, and the ReShade folder with all of its content to your Fallout 4 installation folder.
Shadow Boost
Remember the advice earlier about setting shadow distance to medium to drastically increase performance ? Well, here is a fix. This will allow you to set a desired FPS. If you still have the desired FPS, it will increase the Shadow Distance. If they start dropping, it'll reduce it until you go back to your actual FPS value.
Download Binaries
Extract the archive in a temporary folder, and move ShadowBoost.asi, ShadowBoost.ini and xinput1_3.dll in your installation folder.
You can open ShadowBoost.ini to adjust parameters (target framerate, min/max drawdistance, and the speed at which the draw distance change).
Installing a ReShade Preset
Installing a ReShade is rather straightforward. Go to the nexus page, download manually, extract, and copy-paste the files so they overwrite the ones installed with the FrameWork. Note that this way of doing things will result in a need to completely uninstall and reinstall ReShade when switching between presets until a proper manager is out.
Recommanded presets
Shadow Of Boston - 1.0 - by MangaClub
A bleak/sinister preset, perfect for the wasteland. The best in this category. Close to 0 performance hit, and very nice interiors.
Cinematic Excellence - 5.6 - by Archalyus
The highest quality preset currently available. Carefull for the performance hit ! There is a performance version available if your PC can't handle the main file.
Time to mod !
User Interface
Time on loading screen - 1.0 - by Neanka
UXO - User Experience Overhaul - 0.14 - by necromunger
Improved Inventory - 0.0.2a - by Neanka Override UXO
Full Dialogue Interface - 7.1b - by shadwar and Cirosan
Improved Map - 1.2 - by mm137 OR : FTO-Pip-Boy (Map only, in optionnal files) - 2.1 - by Nebulla
BugFixes & Annoyances removal
Creature Blood Texture Fix - 1.0.1 - by SLXJ
Dead Body Collision - 1.0 - by MadAce
Faster terminal Display - 2.0 - by Old Nick
x5 is enough
Simple Bug Fixes - 2.06 - by MookityBonnie
Mo Betta Scrap - 0.28 - by Citre
Textures - environment
Optimized vanilla Textures - 1.07 - by Myst A set of optimized textures, very little quality loss for a small performance improvement. Use the Full BSA download.
FAR - Faraway Area Reform - 1.1 - by PidgeyPrince Grab both files.
WET - Water Enhancement Textures - 1.5 - by PidgeyPrince
FO4 RAIN - 3.0 - by Ramccoid
Radiant Clouds and Fogs - 1.01 - by MangaClub
Rock On - 09beta - by 3AMt
Better Quarry Sights - 2.2 - by LucidAPs
Vivid Fallouts - Landscapes - 1.1 - by Hein84 2K Textures. Normals Maps if you're PC is ok.
Jesters Better Destroyed Vehicles - 1.0 - by Jester
New Road Enhanced - 2.0 - by Rufus696
Improved Sanctuary Bridge - 01 - by jensen01
Langleys Workshop - 0.2 - by Langley
Fallout Textures Overhaul Stars - 1.0 - by Gorgulla
FO4 MOON - 3.0 - by ramccoid
Use size x2 Moon because the bigger, the better.
Textures - Equipment
You can pick a customized Vaultsuit color here : Vault Suits Recolor - 0.9 - by akalor
Or a high-quality custom-made with Proto Vault Suit - 1.2 - by nitronizer
Immersive Wastelanders Ammunitions - 1.0 - by Atrioch
No Combat Armor Skin Decal - 0.1 - Milacetious
In case you don't want to be Cap'tain america.
New Double Barrel Shotgun Textures - 1.0 - by Millenia
4K Black Suit and Tuxedo - 1.1 - by TwistedMethod
Fallout Textures Overhaul Power Armors -1.1 - by Gorgulla
Fallout textures Overhaul PipBoy - 2.3 - by Gorgulla Choose 2K or 4K, and vanilla-color or darker color.
Textures - Other
Weathered First Aid Kit - 1.0 - by Kazeite
Use the "Weathered First Aid Kit". The Heavily version can look out of place in some locations.
Improved Pre-War Money - 1.0 - by Zaldiir
Pre-War Retextures - 0.2 - by TheMatthewBe
Comics Got Back - 2.0 - by tonicmole
Mentats Redux - 1.2 - by herpderp2332
High Resolution Pack - Valius - 1.1 - by Valius
Enhanced Blood Textures - 0.08 - by dDefinder
Normal color match the vanilla atmosphere better.
Alternate Rugs - 0.3a - by Stuyk
Pick three that fit your fancy, no matter the order as long as you choose 3 differents ones.
FTO Pip-Boy - Holotape - 2.3 - by Gorgulla
(Holotape file only in optionnal download)
Better Computer Terminals - 1.0 - by Jomla97
"Dirtier" option
Chem Redux - 2.3 - by Derp No Glow Version
Textures - NPCs
Immersive Mouth and Teeth - 2.2 - by ClearanceClarence
Med-Tek Facial Reconstruction - Eyes - 1.0 - by Xenius
Lore-Friendly Ghoul Eyes - 1.0 - by Pommymax
Nuclear Edition
Sounds Improvements
No More Cash Register Sound - 1.0 - by LiquidBronze
Remove the gling-gling sound everytime you gain xp.
P.A.M.S. - Power Armor Movement Sounds - 1.1 - by ONIXer Pick Heavy + Hydraulic
Towbie's Realistic Weapon Sounds -0.56 - by towbiekun
Visuals
Lowered Weapons - 1.1 - by lesma666
PipBoy Shadows - 0.4 - by McGuffin
(Headlamps only version, the shadow pipboy by themsleves look weird and glitchy, and can cost a lot of FPS).
Shell Rain - 1.0 - by pauderek
Darker Nights - 1.10.1 - by unforbidable
Use "Medium", Vanilla Sky, one of the three night eye colors with "medium", and the modified detection.
Fog Out - 5 - by g10stpd
Interiors only
Realistic Lights - 1.2 - by Fr4nsson
Indoor only
Brighter Settlement Lights - 1.2 - by Elvani
Settlements
Expanded Settlements Buildings - 1.0 - by FloorBelow
Homemaker - 1.13 - by NovaCuru
Longer Powerlines - 1.1 - by Puma361
Increased Settler Population with Infinite Settlement Budget - 1.2 - by Puma361
Grab main file and NoObjectLimit under update.
Simple Intersection - 0.51 - by Draco856
+ Homemaker Patch
Crafting
Armorsmith Extended - 1.71 - by Gambit77
Craftable Alcohol - 1.4.4 - by ShinraStrife
Craftable Melee Weaponry - 1.02 - by Xylozi
Craftable Ammunition - 1.13 - by Xylozi
New items
Gloves of the commonwealth - 1.1 - by fadingsignal
Wearable Travel Backpack - 1.1 - by Aldebaran90
Looting
Pre War Safes - 1.1 - by Armstrad
Credits and Thanks
Kelmych - I stole his background picture. He don't know it yet, so, sshhhh
DoubleYou and InsanePlumber - Some great INI tweaks mentionned here, and more to come ;)
