Oblivion:Must Have Mods

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There are many great Oblivion mods. This is a list of some notable ones. Remember, mods are only for the PC version of Oblivion.

Contents

[edit] Bug Fixes

  • The Unofficial Oblivion Patch (self-installer or manual install 7-Zip file. With v3 this patch increased to 110mb total): Fixes over one thousand bugs in Oblivion left over after the official 1.1.511 and 1.2.0416 patches. Fixes quest, item, scripting, graphical, object placement, sound and dialog/voice bugs and more, and a couple of crashes to desktop. Also fixes problems that occur when playing using a custom race. Compatible with many other mods including OOO; many of its otherwise incompatible fixes have been incorporated into OOO v1.3. See http://www.baldurdash.org/TESOblivion/TESOblivion.html.
  • The Unofficial Official Mods Patch (2.7MB self-installer, 2.5MB OMOD install, or 2.5MB manual install 7-Zip file): Fixes the bugs existing in the official plug-ins released by Bethesda.
  • The Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch (18.7MB self-installer or 18.6MB manual install 7-Zip file): Fixes the vast amount of bugs currently existing in the Shivering Isles expansion pack for Oblivion.

[edit] User Interface

  • DarkUI'd DarN by Gothic251 (16.6 MB OMOD install, 29.0 MB Manual Install): Combining DarkUI and DarNified UI flawlessly, this mod is simply the darker version of DarNified UI. Always based off the latest version of DarNified UI, combined with the last version of DarkUI by Darkbirdy, it has the modularity of DarNified UI and the dark red textures of DarkUI.
  • Darnified UI by DarN (1.3 MB): Includes a tweaked version of the highly popular BTMod in a convenient OBMM distribution. Includes many optional improvements that modify the UI including smaller list font, larger window sizes, and additional HUD information. Basically it's the PC interface as it should have been.
  • Expanded Hotkeys and Spell Delete: This mod gives you 28 available hotkeys and an easy spell delete function (shift-delete). A good mod for the avid spellcaster since more than 8 spells are often required and accessing the "spell book" can get quite annoying after a while. Also included is a auto item-equip function which can make life a lot easier at times. Remember to follow the install instructions to the letter. There is no conflict between this mod and BTMod v.2.2
  • Keychain mod (56 KB): This mod puts a keychain in your inventory so you do not have to scroll through the keys anymore. It no longer slows down the opening of your inventory.
  • Menu Escape: This mod allows you to use the mouse and/or spacebar to quickly escape out of menus and conversations and more.
  • Toggleable Quantity Prompt: With this mod, you can disable the quantity prompt ("How many?") and confirmation prompt that you get when moving/buying/selling/dropping an item. Items may be moved/bought/sold/dropped one at a time with by holding down either ctrl key, or an entire stack at a time by holding down either shift key.

[edit] Graphics and Visuals

  • Cyrodiil Terrain Color Map by whisselj (28 MB) or Color Map Mod by p1p3 (2.5 MB): The first map is an extremely detailed color map of Cyrodiil. However, those playing at lower resolutions may notice pixelation. The second map is just a nice colored version of the map for people who think that 28MB for a map is insane.
  • Landscape LOD Textures by shaja (22 MB): Replaces the original 1024x1024 landscape LOD textures with improved 2048x2048 textures. Makes the far-off terrain look much less blurry. This version includes only the 12 textures for the 'inner Tamriel' - the part of Cyrodiil you can normally travel across.
  • Landscape LOD Textures (border regions) by shaja (37 MB): Replaces the original 1024x1024 landscape LOD textures with improved 2048x2048 textures. Makes the far-off terrain look much less blurry. This package includes the 24 textures of Tamriel worldspace not in the base package, covering the border regions that you can't normally travel to. It is possible to use these textures without having the base package installed, but that would be a bit pointless.

Using all three LOD mods greatly improve the resolution of near and distant landscapes. They increase the loading time slightly and it is suggested only to use these if you have at least 256 MB of video card memory and at least 1 GB of system memory.

  • Qarl's Texture Pack III (1.7 GB): Meshes and textures in Oblivion are now 4 times the resolution of the vanilla textures. Dungeons, architecture, rocks, landscapes, butterflies, snowflakes, and blood splatters are now much, much more photo realistic. A huge 1.7 GB download but well worth it. Be aware that if you have a lower-end PC or only a mid-range graphics card, this pack could cause severe slow-down and make the game nearly unplayable.
  • Bananasplit Better Cities: Cyrodiil cities look much more beautiful with this, though it requires a high-end computer and video card.

Attention: If you do not use a mod management tool such as Oblivion Mod Manager (highly recommended), all the above mods will stop working after installing any official patch more recent than the mods. To fix them, you have to change the creation date on all mod files to a later (e.g. today's) date, or add their location to the "ArchiveInvalidation.txt" file in your Oblivion folder (not the Data folder), using relative paths from the Data directory and slashes instead of backslashes ("c:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Oblivion\Data\textures\menus50\map\world\cyrodiil_resized.dds" would become "Textures/Menus50/Map/World/Cyrodiil_Resized.dds", without quotation marks).

[edit] Game Balance & Leveling Changes

  • AF Leveling or Kobu's Character Advancement System (KCAS): If the whole idea of efficient leveling bothers you, you should try out one of these two mods. You will no longer have to worry about avoiding training the wrong skill and accidentally missing out on precious +5 attribute bonus. Lets you just play and your attributes go up automatically according to your skills. There are reports that it is tricky to uninstall.
  • Francesco's leveled creatures items mod multilanguage ("Francesco's mod"): Tired that nearly all creatures level up with you? Bored that at level 25 all bandits of the world are god-like ones with daedric equipment? Then this mod is for you. This mod has similar effects as the OOO mod (the OOO mod has a bunch of other game balance changes also), however since it's designed by another individual, the changes are not quite the same. It is advised to check out the list of changes for both mods before deciding upon either one.
  • not Galsiah's Character Development (nGCD): Another alternative to AF, KCAS and S.P.A.M. nGCD is a smooth character advancement system. As your skills progress, your attributes and level are automatically increased; there is no interruption, no "level up" screen, and no time wasted managing multipliers. The system through which your abilities are derived bears little resemblance to the standard Oblivion system, and you will find that different sorts of characters play very differently; each path has great weaknesses as well as great strengths. The OMOD version is here nGCD works well together with Progress
  • Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul (abbreviated as OOO): None of currently available game balancing mods are perfect, so it is hard to recommend any single one; however, Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul is likely the most popular one. New! Latest version, V1.34b5 - see here.
  • Progress: Progress is a general replacement for skill rate adjustment mods. It allows full configuration of skill advancement rates by editing the Progress.ini file. Includes Magicka-Based Skill Progression, and pre-configured settings to imitate Bofra's Level Rates Modified.
  • Quest Award Leveler: A very popular mod, this mod makes level-scaled rewards from quests be upgraded to their higher versions as you reach the level for those versions. Thus your quest rewards go up in power at the same time you do. This allows you to do the quests in whatever order you like without worrying about getting stuck with the wimpy version of the quest reward. A version that is compatible with Battlehorn Castle can be acquired here.
  • Simbacca's Player Advancement Method (S.P.A.M.): An alternative to the above AF and KCAS player levelling systems, S.P.A.M. also is for those who are bothered by the idea of efficient leveling. However S.P.A.M. also addresses the issue of , for example, having to make your Swordsman character use a bow, pick locks, or crawl around just to get a decent Agility increase. S.P.A.M. completely removes the connection between skill-use and attribute-increases. Instead, at-level-up attribute modifiers are determined by specialization and favored attributes. In the soon to be released S.P.A.M. ver 2.0, there will also be an optional configuration menu, allowing the player to adjust how much their attribute modifiers are affected.
  • Oblivion XP: Completely changes the leveling system, the system is similiar to Diablo/Dungeon Siege/Baldur Gate, kill stuff do stuff, get exp, level up, spend the points you earned when you leveled.

[edit] Gameplay experience

  • Alternate Start: Modifies the beginning of the game, so that you begin your game in one of nine different ways: You can live in one of the seven houses (you will even be given some start-up money and equipment as if you had lived their all your life), you can start as a homeless person living in a cave, or you can go through the original Imperial Prison escape route. If you choose the latter, you will not be interrupted by the annoying tutorial quest log updates that tell you how to do simple things like run, sneak, etc.
  • Bag of Holding: Based on the famous Bag of Holding from Dungeons & Dragons, this bag allows you to hold any amount of items in it, with the weight nullified.
  • Borderless Cyrodiil: To enable a borderless Cyrodiil, "mod" the game yourself. Search for the file oblivion.ini, usally in My Documents/My Games/Oblivion/oblivion.ini. Change the line bBorderRegionsEnabled=1 to bBorderRegionsEnabled=0.
  • Deadly Reflex 5.0 (30.7 MB): This allows for a multitude of things that enhance combat experience in Oblivion. This includes timed blocking, shield bashing, weapon punching, one-key dodging, and slow motion mutilations including severing the head or cutting in half, and even cutting off the hands. Horse Combat is not available in version 5.0.
  • City Stealth Exits(94 kb): Adds stealthy and hidden entrances and exits, complete with interiors, to each and every city for those who want a quick, unguarded escape in and out. Convinient for theives and assassins.
  • Faster Spells(5 kb): Doubles the speed of every spell in game, some are tripled depending on spell effect, for a more realistic, nonside-steppable on target spells.
  • Harvest Flora by XmirroR (5.2 MB): make all flora behave more realistically by changing their appearance when you harvest them (whether you are successful or not). This means you can see which plants you've already picked.
  • The Lost Spires: This Hall of Fame mod is one of the most popular pure quest mods for Oblivion in existence. The game adds an estimated fifteen hours of new gameplay, a new faction (the Archeology Guild) to join, and a new storyline to go with this faction and questline.
  • Midas Magic (63.8 MB) : This mod adds over 290 new and unique spell types. It adds beam, spray and projectile attacks. Turn bodies to gold, summon your own magic carpet, or dwemer transformer, or protect yourself with a ring of fire.
  • No Backwards Running Updated by abo (4 KB): Disables continuous backwards running, forcing the player to walk after one third of a second. This allows you to quickly lunge forwards and dodge backwards when in combat, but prevents you from running backwards and pumping enemies full of arrows.
  • No Psychic Guards: Reduces the crime sound alarm to a shorter distance, and other tweaks to make things more realistic.
  • Open Cities (6.1MB): Removes doors to cities so they are part of the world of Tamriel instead of loading a separate space when you enter them. All cities except the Imperial city. This mod really gives a "Morrowind" feel to the cities, and cool things can happen like creatures going on a rampage in the city, or riding in on horseback... Note: This mod does not work with mods that affect the cities themselves. For example, if a mod adds a building in a city, then the building will not be there in the "open city". The Illumination mod (that shows light through windows in cities) is another example that will not work in the "open city". The mod will load, but there will not be any light at windows. There are patches available for some city mods available.
  • Ranokoa's Organized Potions(8 kb): Renames all potions and poisons already in game for better categorization and less spreading. Makes finding a specific potions much faster by searching for effect, not strength.
  • Ranokoa's UnderCover Overhaul(15 kb): This mod allows the player to go "under cover" in every dreamable faction just by wearing the associated armor, such as necromancers robes, city guards cuirass ETC.
  • Realistic Fatigue by abo (6 KB): tweaks all fatigue and encumbrance related settings to be more realistic and provide better gameplay. Also adds immersive visual blur and panting sounds that gradually increase in intensity as fatigue gets lower.

[edit] Horse and equipment tweaks and add-ons.

  • Bedrolls 1.1 by aaaBors (5 KB): Now you can pick up those outdoor bedrolls and take them with you for when you need a sleep out in the woods.
  • Drop Lit Torches in Combat 1.6 by Frugal (13 KB): drop your lit torch on the ground when you draw your weapon instead of automatically putting it out and stowing it. This makes it much easier to see when you are fighting in the dark.
  • Saiden Storm's Akatosh Mounts (15654kb): With this mod, you can choose a dragon mount, based on the Akatosh statue in the Imperial City after the main quest, and take to the sky. Who doesn't like flying on dragons?

[edit] Homes and home add-ons.

  • ArmoryLab: This useful add-on adds 6 rooms that any player can access from any of the buyable houses. Useful for repairing your weapons (via a special station that works a lot like the Frostcrag Spire alchemy station, but with armoring instead of alchemy) or storing them in one of 50 display cases or using one of 17 mannequins. Also there's an alchemy lab that automatically strips you of your (base game) ingredients and stores them in an easy-to-use jar system for you so you're not encumbered by them constantly. Great for both warriors and magic-users who get a lot of loot and like to display it, or as a base of operations for warrior types and alchemists.
  • Bravil Sea Domes: What's so special about this mod? It's underwater! It features a main hall with display cases, a pool and four rotating waterfalls, a dining room with a crystal chandelier, a living room with a chess set, a fireplace, a bedroom with a four-poster bed, and a few windows for a lovely underwater view. Very good if you're into scenic homes rather than practical ones.
  • Frostcrag Reborn: Requires Official plugin Wizard's Tower. Disappointed with the original mod? This mod adds onto the mages tower, giving it more rooms, utilities, etc., as well as a few "sweet surprises".
  • Kumiko Manor: A large island estate located about one mile south-southeast of the town of Leyawiin. Opencities compatible.
  • Kvatch Rebuilt: Wanted to see Kvatch like it was in former glory? Now you can help to rebuild Kvatch step by step! Also a chance to be a Count(ess) of Kvatch and own a castle Count(ess) quarters as a home.
  • Mountain tower: A tower meant mostly for the magical characters but will suit anyone. Includes a tropical pool with many types of fish, a highly decorated bedroom, a highly decorated sitting room with a fireplace, trophies and display cases, and even enchanting station (includes a custom enchantable staff) and spell-making station, plus more! A great Frostcrag Spire alternative, some would even argue that this mod is better than the offical mod. Opencities compatible.

[edit] Just For Fun

  • House Map Markers mod: This tiny mod adds fast travel markers on your map directly to your owned homes. Sure beats always traveling to the nearest city gate & walking from there.
  • Night-Eye/Life-Detect Goggles mod: This nifty mod adds wearable goggles with options for constant-effect night-eye and life-detect. The goggles don't interfere with armor, helmets, or other enchanted jewelry. (loses powers if enchanted!)
  • Reznod Mannequins mod: This mod adds mannequins (shop dummies) you set up in your owned homes. Since they are both show case and storage container, they provide a fun and useful way to organize armor and weapons sets. For example, dress one up in full elven armor and use it to store all your elven gear. It is easy to remember where that elven shield is now. Great for "armor mods" which include a full set of a dozen weapons.
  • Tom's All-in-One-Basement mod: This mod places a trap door to a new basement in every house you own; trick is, it is the same basement regardless of which house you enter from. Great for meaningful and fast storage management.

[edit] Companions

  • Cheydinhal Pet Shop: This mod puts a Pet shop just across the Cheydinhal stables which allows you to buy one (or more, but only one of each breed) of several different pets. Pets include a Battle Boar, Several types of bears, Dogs, Cats (actually domesticated wild cats), a mudcrab, a red imp, and even a miniature skeletal minion! you can feed each of them with a different type of food to heal them, and if they die you can bring them back to life with a special health kit! They also level with you (they grow in physical size every 5 levels)
  • Companion Share and Recruit: This mod lets you turn ANYONE in the game into a companion, lets you share their stuff with you, etc. (Provided you have a high disposition with that person of course. Over 80 to be precise.) You can also go on a quest to recruit some generals and assign NPCs under them.
  • Gabrielle Companion: This mod adds one of the most versatile companions to take along with your travels. She has a horse (somewhat recalcitrant) and allows full control of inventory. Provides a certain sense of continuity as you explore the lands of Cyrodiil and has her own leveling system to keep pace.
  • Ruined-Tail's Tale: This Argonian Battlemage companion mod is unlike most other companion mods out to date. Ruined-Tail is an on the run, former Shadowscale in search of a companion with which to adventure around Cyrodiil making a name for himself. He takes you on an engaging questline with an extremely deep story behind it. The story will change according to how the player responds to Ruined-Tail and his tale. He will also take part however the player chooses to spend his/her time in Cyrodiil. This highly original companion mod adds depth to a beautiful world that the mod author thought was lacking. He can be found in the Arena District of the Imperial City next to the statue.

[edit] Performance Enhancing

  • Streamline 3.0 Open Beta 4: Streamline claims to enhance the performance of Oblivion by reducing stuttering and lag, smoothing out gameplay. It does this by maintaining much cleaner cell buffer and video ram cache while the game is running and the player is moving from place to place. Streamline can smooth out FPS changes and make the game stutter much less, especially when moving between cells. There are six different levels of intensity the mod can be set to run at, so that the mod can be useful for somebody with an old computer or even a powerful one. This mod requires the OBSE.
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