Modding Fallout 4 can significantly enhance your gameplay experience by adding new content, improving graphics, fixing bugs, and even changing the game mechanics. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to get started with modding Fallout 4, along with useful tips and resources.
1. Understanding Fallout 4 Modding
What Are Mods?
- Mods (short for modifications) are user-created content that modifies or adds to the game’s original features. Mods can range from simple graphical tweaks to complete gameplay overhauls.
Types of Mods:
- Texture Mods: Improve the visuals of the game, such as environment textures and character models.
- Gameplay Mods: Modify or add to the game’s mechanics, like new quests, weapons, or changes to combat.
- Quality of Life Mods: Improve the overall experience without drastically altering gameplay, such as better UI or fixing bugs.
- Overhaul Mods: These significantly change the game, often adding new features or rebalancing the entire game.
2. Setting Up Fallout 4 for Modding
1. Prepare Your Game
- Backup Your Game: Before starting, it’s a good idea to backup your Fallout 4 installation. This can save you a lot of trouble if something goes wrong.
- Install the Game Freshly: A fresh installation ensures that no old mods or tweaks are left behind, which could cause issues later on.
2. Update Fallout 4
- Ensure Your Game is Updated: Make sure Fallout 4 is updated to the latest version. Most mods are created for the latest version of the game, so an updated game is crucial for compatibility.
3. Enable Mods in Fallout 4
- Enable Modding:
- Navigate to
Documents > My Games > Fallout4. - Open
Fallout4Custom.iniin a text editor. - Add the following lines if they aren’t already present:
[Archive] bInvalidateOlderFiles=1 sResourceDataDirsFinal= - Save and close the file.
- Navigate to
3. Essential Tools for Fallout 4 Modding
1. Mod Managers:
- Vortex Mod Manager:
- Vortex is the official mod manager from Nexus Mods. It is user-friendly and suitable for beginners.
- Download Vortex: Vortex Mod Manager
- Mod Organizer 2 (MO2):
- MO2 is a powerful mod manager that keeps mods organized and does not modify the original game files. It’s excellent for managing large mod lists.
- Download MO2: Mod Organizer 2
2. Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE):
- What is F4SE? Fallout 4 Script Extender is a tool that expands the scripting capabilities of the game, allowing more complex mods to function.
- Download F4SE: F4SE
- Install F4SE: Follow the instructions provided on the website to install F4SE. You’ll need to launch Fallout 4 via the F4SE loader for any mods that require it. Video Guide: How to Install F4SE
3. LOOT (Load Order Optimization Tool):
- What is LOOT? LOOT automatically sorts your mod load order to prevent conflicts and ensure stability.
- Download LOOT: LOOT
- Using LOOT: After installing your mods, run LOOT to optimize your load order. Video Guide: How to Use LOOT
4. xEdit (FO4Edit):
- What is xEdit? xEdit is a tool used for cleaning and editing mods, resolving conflicts, and making compatibility patches.
- Download FO4Edit: FO4Edit
- Using FO4Edit: You can use it to clean your master files and resolve conflicts between mods. Video Guide: How to Clean Fallout 4 Mods with FO4Edit
4. Finding and Downloading Mods
1. Nexus Mods:
- Nexus Mods: This is the most popular site for finding and downloading Fallout 4 mods.
- Create an Account: Nexus Mods
- Install Mods: You can use Vortex or Mod Organizer 2 to directly install mods from Nexus. Video Guide: How to Download and Install Fallout 4 Mods from Nexus
2. Bethesda.net:
- Bethesda.net: Another source for mods, especially for console players. PC players usually prefer Nexus for its extensive library and flexibility. Useful Link: Bethesda.net Mods
5. Popular Types of Fallout 4 Mods
1. Graphical Mods:
- Fallout 4 HD Overhaul: A high-resolution texture mod that enhances the look of the game.
- Vivid Fallout – All in One: A mod that improves the textures for landscapes, rocks, roads, and other environmental details.
- ENB Presets: These mods add post-processing effects to improve lighting, shadows, and overall visual quality.
- Download Vivid Fallout: Vivid Fallout
- Download ENB Preset: ENB Series Video Guide: How to Improve Graphics in Fallout 4
2. Gameplay Mods:
- Sim Settlements 2: A complete overhaul of the settlement system, adding new mechanics and story-driven quests.
- Survival Options: Adds a menu to customize the Survival Mode settings.
- Better Locational Damage: Overhauls the combat system to make damage more realistic and challenging.
- Download Sim Settlements 2: Sim Settlements 2 Video Guide: Sim Settlements 2 Installation Guide
3. Weapon and Armor Mods:
- See-Through Scopes: Adds more realistic and functional scopes to the game’s weapons.
- Eli’s Armour Compendium: Adds a variety of new armors and outfits for your character.
- Download See-Through Scopes: See-Through Scopes Video Guide: Top Weapon Mods for Fallout 4
4. Quality of Life Mods:
- Full Dialogue Interface: Restores the full dialogue options in conversations, allowing you to see what your character will actually say.
- Def_ui: A customizable user interface mod that lets you tweak the HUD to your liking.
- Download Full Dialogue Interface: Full Dialogue Interface Video Guide: How to Install Full Dialogue Interface
5. Content Mods:
- The Bleachers – A Diamond City Story: A fully voiced, story-driven mod that adds a new area and questline to Diamond City.
- Outcasts and Remnants: A quest mod that adds hours of new content and adventures to the game.
- Download The Bleachers: The Bleachers Video Guide: Best Quest Mods for Fallout 4
6. Installing and Managing Mods
1. Installing Mods with Vortex or MO2:
- Vortex:
- Download the mod directly from Nexus Mods, and Vortex will automatically handle the installation and enable it.
- MO2:
- Download the mod, then add it to MO2 by dragging and dropping it into the manager or using the “Install” button.
