This guide comes after seeing a troll guide for playing the best Fallout game. Fallout 4 may have many shortcomings, but mods can elevate the game to a magical and memorable experience. Yet the task of knowing which mods can be daunting for the beginner, even seasoned players occasionally will stumble across a new mod they have no idea how they overlooked or nor can ever imagine playing without again.

This guide is not meant to be the definitive mod list, but a guide for the mods any player will want to start out with. Mods that overhaul the experience into something approaching what it could be, mods that add tens if not hundreds of hours of potential gameplay. The rest will be left up to you to explore and discover.

Starting out you will need a few necessities to get your modding experience underway. Each of these programs is safe and used by hundreds of thousands of users every day so there is no concern over viruses or malware. Here are the programs you will need

Nexus Mod Manager: A tool for downloading, installing, and managing mods for Fallout 4. A great product that simplifies installation process of numerous mods.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/modmanager/

LOOT: Short for Load Order Optimizing Tool it is used to sort the mod load order to help eliminate potential crashes to desktop that may emerge as a result of nothing else other than a bad mod load order.
Link: https://loot.github.io/

Fallout 4 Script Extender: many mods require the script extender to run, it is an executable that opens Fallout 4 and what you’ll be booting the game with from now on.
Link:https://f4se.silverlock.org/

A forewarning LOOT works well, but can be difficult to install as it may have issues recognizing the directory for Fallout 4. If this issue persists install the files directly into the directory which can be found at: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common on a normal installation.

The final step in getting started is disabling automatic updates. Each time Bethesda opts to update their micro transaction store it breaks Script Extender preventing many of your mods from working. Bethesda is not offering improvements to the experience or bug any worthwhile bug fixes with these updates, so you essentially do not need them.

To disable auto updates Follow these steps (Note: open steam before clicking script extender or it will boot the game and try to update it anyway. If this happens click pause update close game, and click script extender to launch the game. )

1. Go to steam library
2. Right click on Fallout 4
3. Click on properties
4. In the options go to updates
5. Select Update only when I launch the game
6. Click close

Basics are a compilation of mods across a wide spectrum of improvements to your experience.

Unofficial Patch: The unofficial patch contains hundreds of bug fixes that plague quests and basic game play. It doesn’t tweak the experience, merely fixes what Bethesda should have.
Link:https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/4598

Everyone’s Best Friend: This mod allows Dogmeat to always follow you without taking up a companion slot so you can continue to bring your dedicated pack mule with you.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/13459

Improved Map: A mod that improves your pipboy’s map by adding roads, fixing marker placements, amongst numerous other options.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/1215/

Enhanced Blood Texture: A mod that improves the blood textures in game
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/212/

Darker Nights: Tired of wandering the commonwealth with 20/20 night vision? This mod makes nights darker with a sliding scale for you to determine how dark you want it.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/191
True Storms: This mod overhauls the weather of the commonwealth offering some truly beautiful and breathtaking moments.
link:https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/4472

Better Location Damage: this mod overhauls how damage is handled and adds scripts that make head hits more devastating. Armoring up will be vital to surviving. (note this mod causes being knocked out by bounty hunters to be impossible)
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/3815/

Settlement building as a feature is hit or miss for most people, largely do to settlements being lifeless and creativity being an exercise for one’s own interest. These mods change that, making settlement building an integral and engaging part of the Fallout experience

Sim Settlements (3-1): Sim settlements is the defacto overhaul to the settlement system. Adding plots that settlers will build housing, businesses, and even industry on. All gradually upgrading as their needs are met as you manage or assign someone to manage your settlement.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/21872/ (get 3 in 1)

Sim Settlements Year One: A pack that includes houses, businesses and industry created by the community. A must have compliment to Sim Settlements.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/30396

Build High: A mod that expand the reach of the settlements. No longer are they claustrophobic or annoying leaving out that river nearby. Once you’ve experienced settlement range expanded you’ll never want to go back.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/3528

Settlements expanded: Fallout 4 was designed with console limitations in mind, so there is a limit to how much you can build in your settlements. This mod allows you to expand that limitation. Remember Frame Rate is your responsibility, if it starts dipping noticeably then that’s when you stop.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/1062

Scrap Everything: A mod that allows you to clean up the annoying clutter around your settlements including any buildings that are in the way of your creativity. Be warned when removing clutter indoors it can result in the ground no longer registering contact. Always save before removing clutter.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/5320

Longer Power Lines: extends the range of powerlines so they’re not ridiculously short
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/2241

Homemaker: Adds a slew of new options and items for settlement construction.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/1478

Snap and Build: Adds a slew of options to build buildings you see in game
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/28834

Survival mode merely needs a few tweaks to improve its shortcomings.

Journey: Allows you to travel with your caravans between settlements. A common sense fast travel solution rather than reenabling fast travel.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/12685

Survival Mode Console Reenabler: This mod allows you to use console commands once again in survival mode. No clip being particularly useful if you ever find yourself stuck (command tcl)
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/12556

Vanilla quests can be enjoyable, but they absolutely pale in comparison to what the community has concocted. Here are some of the must have additions.

Fusion City Rising: Adds a whole new area called Fusion city, numerous quests and a few new companions.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/16423

Outcasts and Remnants: Adds a whole new campaign between the remnants of Lyon’s Brotherhood and the Enclave, along with new areas, companions, and quests
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/21469

Project Valkyrie: Adds 4 new companions, 20 new quests, and resolves story issues where you should have the ability to tell other factions to chill.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/28085

Atomic Radio and Tales from the Commonwealth: Adds a new radio station and numerous NPCs you can meet throughout the commonwealth. From the creator of Interesting NPCs for Skyrim
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/8704

These mods overhaul some of the areas in Fallout 4 that needed a bit more love and content.

Swamps Expanded: adds new locations to the Southern swamp region of the world
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/27817

South of the Sea: greatly expands the glowing sea by adding new areas to explore
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/27870

Salem Expanded: Adds more buildings and enemies to Salem
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/27420

Fort Hagan expanded: Adds gunners and more buildings to Fort Hagan
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/27607

Concord Expanded: Adds more interiors to concord
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/27333

There are many faction overhauls available and even more additional factions. For sake of simplicity this guide will focus on the Minutemen and bounty hunters, but it is highly recommended that you go and explore the nexus to find factions overhauls and new factions you may like.

We Are the Minutemen: Greatly overhauls the Minutemen to be a powerful faction to be reckoned with. Units now scale to your level making them better than just bait. Flairs and artillery now have extended range that is fitting for their use. Plus a slew of small tweets and improvements that don’t break the minutemen, but make them more viable as a faction.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/6443

Bounties For You: Do you miss being dogged by experience mercenaries like in Fallout 3 and New Vegas? This mod adds bounty hunters who will periodically attempt to take you out. After decreasing their numbers you can opt to begin taking on bounty hunting quests that will send you all over the commonwealth in pursuit of your target.
Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/25664

From here your experience should be overhauled and great, but don’t stop there. There are many more mods that will continue to bring enjoyment to your experience. I highly recommending checking out Quests and New Lands categories to find DLC sized mods from talented individuals. Enjoy your trek through the commonwealth and if you so choose even beyond.

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