Mods for Fallout 3

[Talyn]

I have recently reinstalled Fallout 3 on my PC - I played the game and beat it right when it came out, and I enjoyed it, but I always felt that it was a little too easy, and a little too civilized for a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

I recently learned that there are huge, extensive mods for the game, which can drastically alter the gameplay. I did some research on the mods, and I quickly found myself overwhelmed - when there are thousands of mods to choose from, I don't know which ones are good and which ones are not.

So, I ask the boards: what mods should I install for my next run through the Fallout 3 game? I do not have any of the expansions, and can't afford to buy them - stuff that is free to download only, please!

My goals for the mods:
- slower leveling (I hit the level cap before I was halfway through the game, my first time through)
- more difficulty (the endgame, especially, was too easy)
- more realism (I'd like fatigue and hunger to play a reasonable role)
- more useful sidekicks
- general world-building fluff (more dialogue options, more quests, anything that makes it more RP-friendly!)

Anything else that you think really improves the game, I'd be delighted to look at, of course.

Time permitting, I'd like to do a "Let's Play" for Fallout 3 when I've got a good bunch of downloads.

[BizzaroStormy]

If by "expansions" you mean the DLC, I'm pretty sure you don't have to pay for it unless you have the game on the Xbox.

[Emong]

Fallout 3: Wanderer's Edition combined with Mart's Mutant Mod is a fantastic combination. I'm fairly certain you need a compatibility patch for them, but it's worth it.

[Talyn]

The DLC - Broken Steel, The Pitt, and Mothership Zeta - you have to pay for, even for the PC.

Where can I download "Wanderer's Edition"?

[Emong]

Wanderer's Edition can be found here. (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2761)

[KBF]

My goals for the mods:
- slower leveling (I hit the level cap before I was halfway through the game, my first time through)

What?! You did every sidequest first, killed every creature you came across, actively sought out more creatures to fight, and then did more quests somehow? By the end of the game, after having done a good portion of the sidequests, I ended at level 16. I recommend this time you go through the game without hacking, which you clearly did.

*sniff*

[Kelmon]

I was also halfway through the game when i hit the level cap...that was of course before there was any DLC. But then again, i did virtually every side mission there is, tried to collect every special weapon in the game, etc.

I don't see why anyone would need to cheat to reach level 20 by the end of the main quest. Rather, i wonder how you can only be level 16 ;)

[Dark Faun]

The experience gained during the game depends on the difficulty level.

[Gundato]

Chances are he used a lot of fast travel (so less combat), and stuck to the less combat heavy sideuests. My very first game (when I was still skeptical), I only just hit level 20 before the final battle.

Also, if you actually know where you are going, you can probably cut down on leveling as well. Places like The Oasis will likely give you a level on their own. Not because of the quest, but because it is out of the way and requires a lot of journeying through enemy infested areas.

[Dixieboy]

What?! You did every sidequest first, killed every creature you came across, actively sought out more creatures to fight, and then did more quests somehow? By the end of the game, after having done a good portion of the sidequests, I ended at level 16. I recommend this time you go through the game without hacking, which you clearly did.

*sniff*

I was level 19 when I got to citadel, you don't have to do NEARLY all sidequests, just **** around for a couple of hours.

[Celesyne]

Oh man, if you EVER get lost and end up wandering for a bit, level 20 will not be an issue. I got lost in D.C tunnels trying to get to Rivet City for the 1st time. I probably wandered for 3 ours, and was level 16 or 17 by the time i got to Rivet City. Level 20 is by no means a stretch.

[Talyn]

Holy [expletive deleted]! The Fallout 3 Wanderer Mod is HUGE - and it requires a half a dozen other mods to work. I'm getting a crash course in computer compatibility issues just trying to get all of the different mods to talk to each other.

*laughs*

Well, I guess I asked for it when I wanted extensive changes to the game... but seriously, half a gigabyte in downloads, including three third-party .exe files just to get the mod working?

If my computer bursts into flames and explodes trying to run this, I will be rather annoyed.

On the other hand, judging by the readme files of the various mods, this is more or less exactly what I asked for. Assuming I can get everything in working order (I'm still not done downloading and managing interoperability yet), I'll run a test character through Megaton, and then get started on the "Let's Play."

[Talyn]

Ok - I've gotten started playing with the mod, and it's awesome, and definitely more challenging right away. However, it got rid of the lockpicking and hacking minigames, both of which I really enjoyed! :smallfrown: Is there any way I can turn those back on while keeping the mod active?

[Emong]

Looking through the readme original mod that was integrated into FWE it says there should be a menu that pops up whenever you pick a lock/hack a computer with an option to do it normally.

[Bryn]

Isn't FWE a compilation of a whole bunch of mods?

To remove elements you don't want, you'd have to either remove them with FO3Edit (complicated) or track down the individual mods and install the ones you want (time-consuming).

Anyway, here is my post last time the subject of mods came up. It's a little out of date - I've found some more since I wrote this.


Here is my modlist, but bear in mind it takes some work in FO3Edit to get it to work right :smallwink:
In any case, if you haven't already, make sure you get FO3Edit (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=637), FOMM (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=640) (this is essential!) and FOSE (http://fose.silverlock.org/).


Fallout3.esm

No explanation needed.
Mart's Mutant Mod.esm (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3211)

MMM makes the monsters' appearances more varied, improves their AI, changes spawns, adds new monsters and... well, look at the page. It's impressive.
Anchorage.esm

Official DLC If you have DLCs make sure to copy them to the Data folder so you can use them with mods..
ThePitt.esm

See O:A
BrokenSteel.esm

See O:A
PointLookout.esm

See O:A
CubeExperimental (EN).esm (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6270)

I've only played the German version so far. In any case, this is a huge and very high quality quest mod, based on the movie Cube.
Enhanced Weather - Rain and Snow.esm (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6170)

Adds rain to the game. Works well with Fellout.
Survival of the Fittest - Needs.esm
Survival of the Fittest - Injuries.esm (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9107)

This adds the requirement to eat, drink and sleep (as do many other mods), and increases the variety of injuries. You'll need to open it up in the GECK or FO3Edit if you want to be able to eat the extra food added in MMM. Also, it quadruples the weapon damage - disable this in FO3Edit if you don't want the game to get completely random when running with XFO.
SP_Destruction_MASTER.esm (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1904)

This mod makes various objects destructible. It's customisable, too - you can pick what you want to be destroyed.
PowerArmorImproved.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=790)

Makes power armour much tougher, particularly the Enclave armours. Works with a different power armour mod below.
CombatDuster.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4036)

Adds a few dusters based on Colonel Autumn's coat to raiders, Rivet City security, and other places.
ThePittFix [Official].esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5175)

That link may be wrong. This fixes something, dunno what, in The Pitt.
PCIdles.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1708)

When you stand still, your character will perform NPC idle animations based on the items in their inventory, such as fiddling with the Pip-Boy, drinking and smoking. Useful for screenshots.
Refurbish [BS].esp
Explosive Entry.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2917)

Allows you to blast open locks with explosives, with a chance based on your explosives skill and type of explosives.
Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3808)

Lots of fixes. Many don't apply for me because I've put it low in my load order to avoid mod conflicts.
OAF - Lite.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3482)

Operation: Anchorage equipment fixes.
OAF - Stealth Suit Fix.esp
FatmanMK2.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=951)

I think that link is correct, but there are a few similar mods. This makes the Fat Man's explosion bigger and increases the range.
SP_Destruction - 2 - Doors.esp
SP_Destruction - 3 - Weapons and Ammo.esp
SP_Destruction - 3 - Misc Items.esp
SP_Destruction - 3 - Containers.esp
SP_Destruction - 3 - Furniture.esp
SP_Destruction - 3 - Misc Movable Static.esp
SP_Destruction - 5 - The Pitt.esp
BlackWolf Backpack.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2553)

Adds wearable backpacks to the game.
StreetLights.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=8069)

It may be unrealistic, but it looks good. This makes the street lights have light.
oroLookoutFix.esp

Some fixes for Point Lookout which I can't find.
pointlookoutmadeeasy.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=7263)

Removes the extra damage that NPCs get in Point Lookout, since (particularly with XFO) that makes it very difficult for low level characters.
Sprint Mod.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1854)

You can spend action points to sprint faster than you can normally run.
Claw - PowerArmorTrainingImproved.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1881)

You can wear power armour any time, and you get extra benefits if you have training.
Dialogue Tweaks.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2053)

Slight improvements to dialogue all over the place to make things a little more believable. It doesn't change any sound files.
WeaponModKits.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3388)

Allows you to add modifications to weapons such as scopes, silencers and laser sights. This is a great mod but it won't work with other weapons mods unless they have a compatibility patch.
PowerArmorTraining.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1413)

Allows you to gain power armour training in multiple places, not just by following the main questline.
Accessorized Helmets and Mask.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3971)

Allows eyewear and open-faced helmets to be worn together.
PowerArmorTraining_MedicArmor.esp
PowerArmorTraining_Linden.esp

Search the nexus for 'training' to get these extra places to get training.
TenpennyGhoulsAtPeace.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=7383)

This removes the event where the ghouls in Tenpenny Tower slaughter the human residents.
MS11fix.esp

I have no idea what this is but I'm sure it's important.
Salvagable cars.esp

I can't find the link for this! However, this mod turns cars into containers from which you can salvage some things like tire irons and scrap metal.
knockdowns.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6439)

Explosions now knock you down, so if you get hit by a missile launcher and survive you'll still go flying.
ek.BrokenSteel.esp
shopping-spree.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3149)

Lootable shops all over the place!
Broadway_cinema [update2].esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4688)

This opens up the cinema in Broadway, and even adds watchable movies there.
GalaxyNewsRadio80[M].esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1418)

This extends Galaxy News Radio with a huge amount of tracks carefully matched with the tracks already there. Great mod.
VulturesRest.esp

This adds a tiny town, it's not very interesting...
FTE.esp

Bah, acronyms. I've no idea what this does either! :smallamused:
VDSC.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=7905)

Adds cooking. The author has done an impressive job of imitating the style of the Vault Boy icons too.
Survival of the Fittest - Anchorage.esp
Survival of the Fittest - Broken Steel.esp
Survival of the Fittest - Pitt.esp
Survival of the Fittest - Point Lookout.esp
GrayditchShelter.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4669)

Adds a huge player home under Grayditch. Perhaps too huge.
telescope_quest_fdt.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3271)

Although I've had this mod for some time I've never actually used it. Adds a quest which ends with you getting a telescope.
Water_Tower_Hideout_byOrophin.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2490)

Adds a home in a water tower which, for once, is reasonably sized. The house has an overpowered weapon and a computer with a somewhat over the top backstory.
XFO_Playstyles.esp
XFO_Stat_changes.esp
XFO_Pacing_med.esp
XFO_Weapskill_dmg_and_accuracy_med.esp
XFO_SP_Fix2_(SP10_TAGx2_INTxHalf).esp
XFO_Perk_rebalance.esp
XFO_rarity_ammo_med.esp
XFO_Timescale_med.esp
XFO_Degradation_fixes.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=334)

XFO is a wonderfully modular tweaking/balance mod, with options for a huge variety of changes. There are several similar mods but none, as far as I can tell, as modular as XFO.
ShellRain.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5277)

Allows dropped ammo to persist in the environment for much longer.
Consistent Books.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=7293)

After reading a skill book, it is replaced with a Misc. item which you can re-sell.
FleshBurningPlasma.esp

Makes a skeleton appear when you melt someone with a plasma gun. I reccomend getting EVE instead.
Owned!.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1516)

If you kill someone, their belongings stop being 'owned' so you can sleep in their bed, take their stuff etc. Also allows you to buy and rent out houses if you turn on that option, but that puts a bunch of computers all over the place which look rather out of place.
ReneerInvisibleKarmaMod.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=246)

Hides the karma messages so you don't get told every time.
FixHaleyRepair.esp

I haven't used this. I think it adds a ride-able motorbike or something.
I'll Touch What I Want.esp

Disables the NPC complaints when you bump into stuff.
dD-Larger Blood.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=101)

Higher resolution blood textures.
XFO_Sneak_Rebalance_mild.esp
XFO_Radiation_changes.esp
AReasonedArgument.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=7962)

A quest mod, but I haven't played through it yet so I don't know whether or not it's good :smallwink:
D.C. Confidential.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2762)

Lots of notes to read.
DCInteriors_Georgtown.esp
DCInteriors_SewardSq.esp
DCInteriors_Mason.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5573)

Opens up the unopenable buildings in the DC area.
Carter_Fallout_Shelter.esp

Must be a player home mod? I have no idea...
ACE2-1b.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=85)

Amplified Cripple Effects - makes being crippled much more serious.
SniperZooming.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5351)

Allows you to adjust the zoom in all scoped weapons using keys or the mouse wheel.
Named Wasteland.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3996)

Gives names to many nameless NPCs in Megaton, Rivet City, etc.
NotSoFast.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4730)

A quest mod. Reported to be great. I can't find the beginning...
HeirApparent.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5630)

The sequel to the above.
IntoTheDeepWoods.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6921)

Third mod in this series.
Reykjavik.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5370)

Allows you to visit a place in Iceland. I haven't, so I can't tell you what it's like there.
RepairIt!.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=7486)

Extends the repair lists of most items, so you can fix them with scrap metal, wonderglue etc.
RepairIt!-BrokenSteel.esp
AnchoRepair.esp
PittRepair.esp
PLookoutRepair.esp
Enhanced Weather - Rain and Snow in Fallout.esp
Enhanced Weather - Weather Sounds in Interiors.esp
Enhanced Weather - Sneak Bonus during Storms.esp
Enhanced Weather - Rainbows.esp

These are the other parts of Enchanced Weather: Rain.
Fellout-Full.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2672)

Fellout has been described above. It improves climate and weather effects, removes the green tint, and makes the game look better.
Fellout-Anchorage.esp
Fellout-BrokenSteel.esp
Fellout-PointLookout.esp
Ballistics-VANILLA-LessTracers.esp (http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=7135)

Improves weapon physics.
Mart's Mutant Mod.esp
MMMeyeweightadjust.esp
Mart's Mutant Mod - Hunting & Looting.esp
Mart's Mutant Mod - Natural Selection.esp
Mart's Mutant Mod - Tougher Traders.esp
Mart's Mutant Mod - XFO.esp
MMM Fix.esp

You won't need this since the bug has now been fixed.

Total active plugins: 112
Total plugins: 277

The mods I'd most recommend are Mart's Mutant Mod, XFO, WMK, Fellout, and Enhanced Weather: Rain, supported by FOMM, FOSE and FO3Edit.

Also, get EVE when it gets WMK support. Indeed, you might want it instead in the meantime.

[Emong]

Isn't FWE a compilation of a whole bunch of mods?


It's that along with a rebalancing of the game (less skill points, slower leveling, crippled limbs hurt more, etc.)

[Anteros]

If you play on very hard you level up much, much, much faster than if you play on easy.

[Talyn]

Ah, thank you for pointing that out. I took a second look - the "Open" command means "play the minigame." :smallbiggrin: I am happy again! Ok, Playgrounders, expect a "Let's Play" of the first few parts sometime later this week.