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Essential Mods

Make sure the The Best of Times profile is active before proceeding.

Creating a Separator in MO2

  1. Right-click the empty space in the left pane of MO2 and select Create Separator.
  2. Name the separator Essential Mods.

xNVSE

Installation instructions:

  1. Main Files - New Vegas Script Extender (NVSE) (Manual Download)
  2. From the downloaded archive, extract everything to the game's Root folder
If you do not know what the Root folder is, read the Key Terminology section from the Initial Setup page.
Despite its name, nvse_steam_loader.dll is still needed with the GOG version of the game.
An updated version of the original NVSE, which extends the scripting capabilities of the game.

After proper install, your Root Folder should look like this:
Screenshot of the root folder showcasing correct xNVSE install

4GB Patcher

This is required for both Steam & GOG users! The 4GB Patch included with the GOG release is obsolete as it lacks NVSE integration.

Installation instructions:

  1. Download the Main Files - 4GB Patcher
  2. From the downloaded archive, extract the .exe file to the game's Root folder
  3. Right-click on FNVpatch.exe and select Run as administrator
  4. A command prompt window will open and should say FalloutNV.exe patched!
  5. Close the command prompt and a file named FalloutNV_backup.exe should appear in the game's Root folder
Makes the game large address aware, meaning it can use 4GB of RAM instead of 2GB.
From now on, you should run the game through the Tale of Two Wastelands option in MO2, rather than the NVSE option. This mod makes the game auto-load NVSE when you run the game through the default executable, which is generally the safer option.

New Vegas Heap Replacer

Installation instructions:

  1. Download the Main Files - NVHR using the Manual Download button
  2. From the downloaded archive, extract everything to the game's Root folder
Replaces the game's heap management system with a much faster version, which can lead to large performance gains.

ROOGNVSE Plugin

Installation instructions:

xNVSE plugin fixing bugs & adding new functions; hard requirement for TTW.
After installing a mod, make sure you check the box next to it in the left pane of MO2 to enable it.

JIP LN NVSE Plugin

Installation instructions:

NVSE extension with new functions and many engine bug fixes.

JohnnyGuitar NVSE

Installation instructions:

Another NVSE extension similar to JIP LN.

Crash Logger

Installation instructions:

A DLL that logs raw crash data.

New Vegas Tick Fix

Installation instructions:

Works to fix micro-stuttering, improve performance, and allow playing at higher framerates.
In order for this mod to work properly, make sure you installed the DirectX and VC++ requirements from the Introduction page.

lStewieAl's Tweaks and Engine Fixes

Installation instructions:

Collection of many configurable quality of life improvements and bug fixes. Settings can be further enabled/disabled/tweaked in the new Tweaks section added to the main menu.

Stewie Tweaks Essentials INI

Installation instructions:

Preconfigured collection of tweaks, enabling basic quality of life feature, bugfixes and performance patches.

Combat Lag Fix (NVSE)

Installation instructions:

Improves framerate in combat by fixing an engine bug that lowered framerate while attacking an enemy with a health-bar visible.

ActorCause Save Bloat Fix

Installation instructions:

Fixes a save bloating issue related to actors detecting the player, improving save/load speed and decreasing save size 15-30% depending on playthrough length.

Mod Limit Fix

Installation instructions:

Raises the game's file handles limit and improves performance/load times, even if you are far below it.

kNVSE Animation Plugin

Installation instructions:

Resource for expanding and improving the game's limited animation system.

Improved Console (NVSE)

Installation instructions:

Enhances the console's abilities to be able to execute and print results from all available script commands. Full scripting support inside console, including creating variables and evaluating NVSE expressions (arrays, strings) for easy mod development and prototyping. Mouse wheel scrolling included too.

Console Paste Support

Installation instructions:

Adds Ctrl+V as a hotkey to paste into the in-game console, along with a few other helpful shortcuts.

ShowOff NVSE

Installation instructions:

NVSE plugin adding new functions and engine-level tweaks & bugfixes.

User Interface Organizer

Installation instructions:

Automatically ensures that multiple HUD extensions work together, as well as fixing many bugs and improving performance.

Performance and Stability Guide

The NVTF Section is mandatory if you play at resolutions higher than 1080p or plan on adding custom textures.
In-depth guide about how to fix the game's lackluster performance, display issues and alt-tabbing.
Covers topics such as DXVK, framerate limiting, fullscreen & windowed modes, lag and HDR.

Testing Essential Mods

  1. Restart your PC (Otherwise some plugins will print out 0)
  2. Launch the game using the Tale of Two Wastelands option in MO2 (NOT the NVSE option)
  3. If you see a black console window appear, it means NVHR is working
    • If not, NVHR is installed incorrectly
  4. Once the game has reached the main menu, hit the ~ key (Above the tab key) to open the console
    • You will need to unplug/disconnect any controllers to be able to use the keyboard
  5. Enter GetNVSEVersion, and the console should print NVSE version: 6
    • If not, xNVSE is installed incorrectly
  6. Next, enter GetIsLAA, and the console should print GetIsLAA >> 2
    • If it prints >> 0, then the 4GB Patch was applied incorrectly
    • If it prints an error message, then JIP LN NVSE is installed incorrectly
  7. Next, enter GetINISetting "bUseThreadedAI:General" and the console should print INISetting bUseThreadedAI:General >> 1
  8. Next, enter IsDLLLoaded CobbCrashLogger, and the console should print IsDLLLoaded "CobbCrashLogger.dll" >> 1
  9. Next, enter IsDLLLoaded NVTF, and the console should print IsDLLLoaded "nvtf.dll" >> 1
    • If not, then NVTF is installed incorrectly
  10. Next, enter IsDLLLoaded mlf, and the console should print IsDLLLoaded "mlf.dll" >> 1