Fallout 4 needs the best possible conditions to perform. If you already have a fast and stable system, just skip to number 2. Cleaning/optimizing Windows is of course a huge subject, so I will not go into details, but rather give suggestions about what to look out for. NEVER check Fallout.esm or Fallout.exe during the entire process! Select all the mods/ESP files; right click and Check for Errors. If there are NO errors: Make sure the ESP files are still selected; right click; Apply Script. Select Merge Plugins v1.9 (which comes from the merge plugins script download above).
Merge Files
Please read the instruction!
Fallout 4 Esp Mod
Fallout 4 has a load-limit of 255 esp-files in the load-order. Therefore, if you want to install all mods from this guide (560+), which I highly recommend, then you will have to 'cheat' a little. I have merged some of the esp-files from different but similar mods, which saves space in the load-order. You still need to install the individual mods, but you can disable their esp-files in the load-order, and only activate the merged esp file instead.
Instruction: Download the merged files, and add them to NMM. Make sure you also install the mods which they merge. Install the merge-files via NMM, and go to the 'Plugins' tab. Place the merge-file right below the merged mods, and uncheck them. (But keep them installed)
Important: The merged mods still need to be installed (but disabled). These files ONLY merges esp files, nothing else.
Fix Merge (DOWNLOAD)
Files merged:
BarefootFootstepSet.esp
CodsworthQuestFix.esp
CompanionBugfix.esp
DangerousMindsAmariFix.esp
BedFix.esp
FlamerVATSfix.esp
moreoil.esp
Laser Weapon Sound FIX.esp
ColaCaffeineFix.esp
bleu Nuka Cola Storage Rack Fix.esp
MoveOldManStockton.esp
PlasmaImpactFix.esp
PowerArmorPaintFixes.esp
DLCFixes.esp
Vault 111 Floor Guide Fix.esp
v88EdgeMarkerFix.esp
Environment Merge (DOWNLOAD)
Files merged:
ImprovedNuke.esp
More Realistic Cats.esp
Diverse Cats.esp
RadiantBirdsv05.esp
Crafting Merge(DOWNLOAD)
Files merged:
DD_1x1_Foundation_Blocks.esp
BetterJunkFences.esp
AS_PowerArmorStation.esp
BetterGenerators.esp
Canned Goods Crafting.esp
cartman1975_concrete-glass.esp
Craftable Vault 81 Cure (Earned).esp
Eli_PlantPots.esp
BetterShackBridges.esp
LongerPowerLines3x.esp
ImmersiveScrapping_ScrapPowerArmor.esp
SolarPower.esp
Purified_Cooking.esp
PurifiedCooking_FarHarbor.esp
Hair Merge(DOWNLOAD)
Files merged:
ExtendedHairColors.esp
AzarPonytailHairstyles.esp
HairVariations_YoungAtHeart.esp
HairVariations_FairyTails.esp
HairVariations_Elegant.esp
HairVariations_Sophisticate.esp
HairVariations_Conversions.esp
Sunshine.esp
THBrows.esp
Weapon Merge(DOWNLOAD)
Files merged:
AQUILA.esp
AR70 Assault Rifle.esp
ASVektor.esp
LasEMPRifle.esp
PlasmaPulseRifle.esp
SonicBlaster.esp
GamePlay Merge (DOWNLOAD)
Files merged:
DV-Durable Vertibirds.esp
Faster Terminal Displays (20x).esp
Live Dismemberment - Regular.esp
Synth_Uniform_Lootable.esp
FO4 Timescale 3.esp
ITPCC.esp
MakanarWeightBase1000.esp
MakanarWeightStrength100.esp
Cel Respawn Timer 96.esp
CriticalHitsOutsideofVATS.esp
After 80 hours of playing vanilla Fallout 4, I’ve decided that it’s time for mods. Here’s how you can join me.
Before we get started with the instructions, I want to point out that modding Fallout 4 is simple, but it will get easier as time goes on. Publisher Bethesda has yet to release its official modding tools for its latest open-world hit. We should get that next year along with Steam Workshop support. Steam Workshop is how Valve enables developers and the community to instantly plug add-ons into games natively through Steam. This enables players to click the “subscribe” button on a workshop page in Steam to instantly add mods. But even when that happens for Fallout 4, the process I’m about to go over should always work.
Let’s get to it:
Installing mods
Finding and downloading mods
- First, you’ll need to find mods that you want to use with Fallout 4.
- The most trusted site right now is Nexus Mods.
- Pick a mod like Lowered Weapons, and click on the “Files” tab.
- Click the “download manually” link.
- Save the file to your desktop or a Fallout 4 mods folder.
Above: Nexus Mods is a great resource.
Fallout 4 Esp Files
Extracting and installing mods
- Go to the folder you downloaded the mods to.
- Use a program like WinRAR to extract the downloaded files into a new folder.
- Use the “Extract to …” option to ensure that files don’t get lost or disorganized.
- Go into the new folder and copy the applicable files.
- Generally, you’ll want to copy the entire folder (Meshes in the Lowered Weapons example).
- Find your Fallout 4 install location, which is typically: C:Program Files (x86)Steamsteamappscommon
- Paste the copied folder into Fallout 4’s “Data” folder.
- If it asks you to replace or merge files, hit “yes.”
Editing the .ini file
- Finally, you need to edit the .ini file to teach Fallout 4 to look for mods.
- Find the .ini file, which is almost always here: C:Users*USERNAME*Documentsmy gamesFallout4
- Right click on Fallout4.ini and select Edit.
- Hit CTRL+F and search the file for this: “sResourceDataDirsFinal=STRINGS”
- In the case of Lowered Weapons, add “, MESHES” to the end of that line.
- It should now read: “sResourceDataDirsFinal=STRINGS, MESHES”
- Go to file and Save As and replace the current .ini file.
- Keep in mind that it won’t always be “, MESHES” that you’ll need to add. It depends on the name of the file that you add to Fallout 4’s Data folder.
Now, all you have to do is boot up the game and enjoy. Let us know if you have any issues.