Oblivion RPG: Tools and Mod List

Oblivion: The Elder Scrolls IV Module List

This is my Oblivion RPG game module list. These are the modules I am currently using, previously used, plan on using, or just look interesting. If you have questions about Oblivion mods and how to use them, see this FAQ post. Most mods I use improve game play while performing well on my PC (See Specifications Below). I do use quite a few mods that improve graphics but they must not noticeable hurt performance.

Many any of these game modules originally came from the POOP Mod collection. This collection contains over 80 mods. It is a great way to start adding mods to Oblivion. It covers all basics mods most players are looking for. This package includes installation instructions, tools, and OMOD files to make installation easy. The download is available through a bit torrent file here.

My PC Specifications

Processor: Intel 2.8 GHZ with Hyper Threading
Memory: 2.5 GB of RAM = (2 * 1GB) + (2 * 256MB)
Video: BFG NVIDIA GeForce 6200 OC 256MB AGP
Audio Card: Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS (WDM)
Monitor: CRT 19 inch Viewsonic Professional Series or LCD 17 inch Gateway

Tags Used

(Using) Current used MOD
(Removed) Previously used MOD
(Maybe) Might add the mod to Oblivion
(p) - source was the Popehat Oblivion Omods Project (poop) mod collection
(thread) - link to a forum thread
(wiki) - link to Wiki Article
(home) - link to home site
(pes) - Plant Elder Scrolls Download
(OBSE) - Requires OBSE
(COBL) - Requires COBL
(omod) - Separate OMOD file download

Official Patch

(Using) Oblivion 1.2.0416 official patch (US/North America)

Unofficial Patches

(Using) Oblivion Unofficial Patch 3.2 - (thread) (fixes) (home)- download "Unofficial Oblivion Patch v3_2_0 Installer Version"
(Using) Unofficial Official Mods Patch v15 - (thread) (fixes) - download the OMOD version "Unofficial Official Mods Patch v15 Installer Version"
(Using) Unofficial KOTN Patch 1.0.1 - (pes) - Patch for Knights of Nine add-on

Tools

(Using) Oblivion Mod Manager 1.1.11 (thread) (p)
(Using) Oblivion Script Extender (OBSE) (thread) (thread2) Required by some of the more complex mods
(Using) OCOL-OBSE v.9 Changes the Oblivion Icons and start menu to launch OBSE when found. I like the v0.9 version over the latest release. Another OBSE Launcher by HTF
(Using) Wrye Bash 205 (home) - Used to get a variety of Mods to work together
(Using) BOSS (thread)- Sorts the mods into the appropriate order. Download the latest database file. If you find some mods missing, just edit the file and put them with similar mods. The version replaced FCOMHelper.
(Using) TES4LODGen 1.2.44 Beta - Used to merge LOD graphics. A mod should inform you if you need to use this tool
(Using) Wrye Bash Used to get a variety of Mods to work together, fix problems, and tweak some settings together. It does a lot. Some mods or mod collections contain instructions on how to use this tool. For a additional information on using this tool read these web sites ( faq) (wiki) (thread) (installation)
TES4View - an advanced graphical ESP viewer and conflict detector. Last Updated February 2008

Mod List

Shared Library Mod

(Using) Cobl (Common Oblivion) Mod (pes) -by WRYE (thread) (manual) - Thia common mod is used by other mods in communcating with other mods. In addition, it adds useful items to Oblivion.
* Alchemical Sorters (store and sort your alchemical items)
* Cobl Clock (configurable on screen clock)
* Lore Books (lore books from previous Elder Scroll games)
* Tamrielic Ingredients (ingredients from Morrowind and Daggerfall)
* Tarnsman's Beer! (Beer's to buy from stores)
* Foods from Salmo the Baker (a large selection of foods)
* The Luggage (a hold all container accessible from pubs, guild halls, homes)

Startup Mods

(Using) Skip Tutorial v1.35 - (p) - This mod allows you to skip the tutorial
(Using) SM Plugin Refurbish v1.12 - (p)- Delays the starting of the official add-on quests.

Graphics

(Using) Qarl's Texture Pack 3, Redimized and Further Reduced (p))
(Using) QTP3 UOP32 Compatibility Patch - (p) install after Qarls Texture Pack 3 and Unofficial Oblivion Patch 3.2
(Using) Reduced LandscapeLOD Textures - (p) - Using BTQ 1024 Texture map 2048 Normal texture map.
(Using) Koldorns LOD Noise Replacer for Patch 1.3 - (p) no performance impact

Graphics - Environment

(Using) Natural Environments 2.1.4 - (p) - Has many enhancements for the environments. Such as more leaves on trees, bugs, birds, sun, weather, etc... Unfortunately only a few are not replaced by other mods
(Using) Enhanced Weather 1.27 (pes) (thread) (wiki) - Considered the best weather mod and does not cause performance issues.
(Removed) ScreenEffects v1.0 (thread) - (OBSE) Used by enhanced weather when found The latest release caused me performance issues. There is a way to fix this but not worth my time right now.
(Using) SonicEthers Beaming Sunglare v1.1 - (p) -Makes the sun beam
(Using) Enhanced Water 2.0 HD - (p) -Makes lakes and river less clear from a distance
(Using) Real Lava 1.3 - (p) -Better lava
(Using) Real Night Sky 2.0 - (p) -Better night sky stars
- Beautiful Stars - alternate to Real Night Skys
(Using) Krensada's Moons (pes) - (p) -Better Moon graphics
- Better Nightsky - alternate to Krensada's Moons
(Using) (Performance) Black Dragons version of low-poly grass - Reduces the PolyGones in grass to improve performance

Graphics - People and Items

(Using) Better Looking Tools 1.2 (ff) (p)
(Using) FineWeapons 1.0 (p)
(Using) Oddbasket's Imperial Armor Replace 1.3 (p)
(Using) Kafei's Better Amulet Replacer 1.0 (p)
(Using) Kafei's Better Ring Replacer 1.0 (p)
(Using) Rusty Items 1.0 (p)
(Using) TNR-Tamriel's NPC's Revamped + SI 1.0.6 (home) (p)
(Using) VA's Better Gold 2.0 (p)
(Removed) Visually Enchanted 2.1 (p)
(Maybe) Mike's Clothes Replacer 10.0 (p)
Improved Facial Textures (pes) v2.1 2006-09-04 by Shady Tradesman . Increases the resolution of all facial textures
Facial Textures (pes) v2.5 2007-04-20 by Enayla & Miss Onatopp Replaces all the human,elven & orc head textures.

Graphics - Cities and Roads

(Using) Improved Doors 1.0 - (p) - Improved Doors
(Using) Improved Signs + Update 1.1 - (p) - Improved Signs
(Using) Clocks of Cyrodiil 1.0 - Clocks added to Towns
(Removed) Regal Talos Bridge - Improves the appearance of the Imperial City Bridge

Graphics - Windows Lighting

(Using) Illumination Within Revived 7ZIP version 0.92 (omod) by Stryfe 2008-09-28. Add Lighted Windows at night
- (Using) Illumination Within Revived Optimized by Martigen 2008-09-28 - Performance Improvement
(Maybe) Illumination Within Revived Retrofitted by Woodman 2008-06-30
(Maybe) Texians Window Lighting System (omod) by Texian 2006-10-01. "TWLS is an alternative to Illumination Within. It provides similar visual enhancement (lighted windows) but without the performance overhead as there are no new meshes or scripts running." Warning: replaces mesh files from QTP3
- Texians Window Lighting System Fix Pack by Texian
(Maybe) Animated Window Lighting System - (thread) - performance friendly and compatible. Offers both IWR or TWLS lighting graphics.

HouseKeeping

(Using) Harvest [Flora] 3.0.1 - (p) - Shows when you harvested a plant.
(Using) Decorator Assistant Unofficial v1.11 by beancounter and ArchGaden - (OBSE) Used to arrange items
(Using) Book Jackets + Book Placement - (p) - I use the POOP version which is a combined version of these mods
(Using) Denock Arrows 1.0 - (p) - Press the Z key to denock an arrow
(Using) Drop Lit Torches OBSE v2.2 - (p) - Automatically drop arrow when you draw your weapon. Using 0 as a hot key to equip/unequip a torch.
(Removed) Harvest [Containers] 0.99.9 - (p) - Cause some performance issues when the graphics on a box freaked out near the player shack on the water front
Auto Book Placer (OBSE) Use spells to place books on shelfs

User Interface

(Using) MajorJims UI (omod) - Great User Interface for medium to low-end PC's
(Using) Color Map Mod 1.1 - (p) - very nice color map
(Removed) DarkUId DarN 1.5.6 - (p) - very popular but the gold font is too small for me to read.
(Using) Loading Screens Themed Replacer 1.0.1 - (p) - New loading screens used in the game
(Using) Map Loop And Oblivion Logo Replacement 1.0- (p) - New opening movie when game starts
(Using) Dude Where's My Horse 99.99 - (p) - Use to find my horse when it runs off or I loose it
BTMod -
wz_inventory - changes the inventory list to icons
Hotkey Cyclers by Lemunde 2008-05-29
HotKey Casting updated by Marty81 2007-09-23

Mapping

(Using) House Map Markers v1.4 (pes) by Dave J "Mordrid" - add map markers for the houses you own
(Using) Landmark with Wells v1.1 by Wrye - adds a map marker at every Ayleid Well, Runestone, Doomstone and Wayshrine that you find.
Map Markers by xebeth - adds a variety of map markers

Leveling - Creatures and Items

(Using) Francesco's Leveled Creatures 4.5b (pes) (thread) (readme) - (p) - changes the way monsters and NPC level with you. Add many other enhancements to the game
(Using) Quest Award Leveler 2.2.0 - (p) - Make quest rewards level with you if you complete a quest early in the game.
(Using) SM Plugin Refurbish 1.12 - (p) - delays the startup of official quests until you reach a certain level or meet some other criteria.

Sound

Oblivion Stereo Sound Overhaul (OSSO) v.9 by canderoc
Better Storms and Weather install after OSSO by PsychEroc Note: BS&W is not compatible with the Natural Weather mod from Natural Environments.
More Immersive Sound Edited by Brumbek (thread) (Orginal)
(music) Oblivion Background Music Project
Atmospheric Oblivion by Piratelord 2006-10-29
Ambient Town Sounds edited by Brumbek 2007-12-17

Sound Weather

(Using) (Sound) Weather Inside (Seasons) 1.2 - Add weather sound to indoor locations
(Maybe) (Sound) Storms Lightning Sounds for AWS NW Vanilla SI - merged the "Weather Inside" mod and the "Better Storms & Weather" adding many tweaks.
(Maybe) (Sound) Storms Lightning Sounds v3 for all weathers (thread) Suppose to work with all weather mods

Magic

Supreme Magicka updated (OBSE) by flyfightflea (thread) August 2, 2007
Supreme Magicka 2007-05-06 by flyfightflea

Official Plugin Mods

(Maybe) Artificerens Battlehorn Coblized (COBL) by Artificeren April 10 2008 - "Add many of the amenities of COBL"
(Maybe) Battlehorn Museum by KilobyteMod 2007-10-19
(Maybe) Princess Battlehorn Castle (COBL) by Princess Stomper 2008-07-26
DLC The Great Horse Compilation by Mavos 2006-05-28. Seems to include all the horses
Horse Armor Compatibility by dev_akm 2007-07-17

Buildings

(Using) Bank of Cyrodiil (pes) by Zarkis - (thread) - executable extract
(Removed) Bank Services By iTaLiaN
Imperial City Library by Jagnot
Cyrodiil Inns by Clavis0 (thread) - Four new inns

Homes

(Using) Armory Lab v4.1 by Tom Supergan
Optional Addons
- (Removed) ArmoryLab better Armory v1.0 (pes) by quasimodo - This add-on nearly doubles the available number of mannequins from 20 to 38 and removes the two display cases.
  Wryle bash Balo Groups (wiki)(installation) version removes forge and adds even more mannequins
- ArmoryLab better Armory - enhanced 1.0a (pes) by quasimodo. Adds another room
- Mark Empty Jars in ArmoryLab by Kay - adds another room
(Using) All In One Basement v7 by WithTheWeather - basement shared between homes
Optional Addons
- Brighter All In One Basement v1b by TomWithTheWeather
(Using) Bank of Cyrodiil (pes) by Zarkis - (thread) - executable extract
Clep Home by Miss Sparkle (non COBL version available) - a home used for storage you can only teleport to,
The Island House - v3 - nice video showing the house
Mountain Tower v6 - (thread) - Elaborate player tower in the Mountains by Bruma
Orange Road Manor by gdfgsd 2008-11-02
Orange Road Cottage by Yevic 2008-11-08
Weye Manor v1.4 by vlad23 2008-11-08

Items

(Using) The Encyclopedia Cyrodilica v1.21 from Badurdash. Complete set of in game reference books

Performance

(Using) OblivionScriptOptimization v1.0 (pes) by Hrmn (thread, thread2) - Operation_Optimization_v1.1.1-10510.exe
(Using) Streamline 3.1 plus patch. (wiki) (thread) Suppose to help performance and provide more features such as auto save. The POOP Mod Collection has very good instructions for setting up streamline. See the Theyre here link or this post.
(Using) Streamline 3.1 Used to improve performance but can be challenging to setup
Operation Optimization by Quarn (thread,thread2 ) - no esp
The Nearly Perfect Frame Rate FPS Optimizer (pes) - Do not use with streamline. May not support OBSE.

Performance - PolyGone mods

(Using) RPGBlackDragons LowTriPolyGrass 2007-07-22 by RPGBlackDragon
(Removed) LowTriPolygrass OMOD Conversion Data - (p) - 2008-03-14 by krull mcroth
(Removed) Short Grass v3 by Slig - Performance help by shortening grass. Work with LowTriPolygrass
RPG-BlackDragons LowPolyTrees by RPGBlackDragon - (thread,thread2)
Oscar's Nicer Grass: Lowers grass length and density for better performance.
No Lights Flicker Wyre Bash has a setting for this.
No Refraction Gates This mod replaces the vanilla textures of Oblivion Gates.
Oblivion PolyGone Overhaul [OPO], Polys be Gone! - optimize rocks and other items
Optimised Distant Land MAX v1.1 by bunsaki

Performance - INI Tweaks

(Using) Tweaper (review) - provides a list of tweak that you select to applied to your OBLIVION.INI file. Each option is fully explain another with any potential performance impact identified for each option. Many of the options are for the same setting with an explaining of on whether it should be activated.
Tweak Oblivion -This nifty little program can automatically change your .ini settings and has some pre-set values to choose from. If you are unsure about changing the .ini file yourself, then this program is for you.

Performance Sound Mods.

Note: I have an Audio card so these Mods do not help me.

Optimized Sounds : Foot by PsychEroc
Quiet Feet (pes) by OnmyojiOmn - recommended for PC's with on board sound
Quiet Feet MAX (OMOD) by (thread, thread2) - recommended for PC's with on board sound

Luggage

(Using) Bobos Summoned Chest (pes) by bobojbrown1
(Using) COBL includes the mod "The Luggage (a hold all container accessible from pubs, guild halls, homes)"
Saddle Bag - there are many different versions of adding saddle bags to your horse
- (Removed) Saddle Bag v1.2 by Justin Sommercorn. Does not use OBSE or COBL. It patches files to enable the saddle bag option on horses.
- MD Saddlebags V3 (forum)by Maboroshi Daikon (OBSE.) requires purchasing of saddle bag
- SaddleBags_WhereIsMyHorse_HorseWhispererRing by bell - collection of MODS saddle bag v2.2
- Saddle Bag Accessories by Gabriel Gullbergh April 09, 2007
(Using) Purse of Wonders ZIP (OMOD) (pes) by wdog offers three slots sell, keep, and alchemy stuff
Bag of Holding v1.5 (pes) by Quazzy - "Bag_of_Holding-4065.zip"

Creatures

(Using) Slofs Oblivion Horses Base (home) - (p) - More horses with nice graphics
(Removed) Oblivion Cats v02b - I added it then removed in an attempt to improve performance. I do not know if it help

NPC

(Maybe) Reneer's Guard Overhaul by Reneer 2008-07-07. Makes Guards act more realistic. POOP has the OMOD script to make this an OMOD file.
TIE4MODS (thread) by Ulrim 2008-07-07- Modified version of Tamerial Immersion Experiense (TIE) It keeps the NPC's and secret city entrances but removes the rest.
Extended Imperial City by stootoot 2008-01-08. Add 192 NPC
Extended Chorrol by stootoot 2008-06-16. Add 54 NPC
Extended Skingrad by stootoot 2008-06-16. Add 65 NPC

NPC - Merchants

(Using) Tamriel Travellers 1dot37a (pes) by Corepc (interview) (forum) 1.38 release - Travelling merchants available 24x7
(Using) The Infamous 10k Merchant -
More Merchant Money balanced - by el_giacomo
Rich Merchant (forum) by Stewie
XTS - Merchant Mod V1 by the Xtreme - hosted at Elderscrolls FileFront
XTS Merchant- Bruma (2.0) (pes) by the Xtreme - hosted at Elderscrolls FileFront
Pats Business Mod Shopkeeper - your own shop
Portrait Painter - Have your own portrait made.

NPC - Travellers

(Using) Tamriel Travellers 1dot37a (pes) by Corepc (interview) (forum) - Traveling merchants available 24x7
(Using) Crowded Roads Advance v1.3 by Shakh 2008-07-16. (p) - Adds a variety of NPC's (Vampires, Garve Robbers, Adventurers) to the roads. Note: Some of the NPC's in this mod fight with Tameriel Travellers NPC's. Recently I start using the light travel option. Before there was to many travelers on the roads causing backups and massive fights.
- SNR Crowded Roads by Shakh 2008-07-06. Predecessor to Crowded Road Advance. Requires others mods
- Crowded Roads v1.5 by bkwyrm13 2006-06-06
- Crowded Roads revamped (fix) v2 by MaXiMiUSv2 2006-06-26
- Crowded Roads Revisited v1.0 (Beta) by LazyAltmer. 2008-10-25 (thread) - fixes some issues and has some enhancements
Immersive Travelers (thread) by Hasteric 2008-08-19. Compatible with Crowded Roads

Weather Mods

(Using) Enhanced Weather by HTF 2008-07-21. (thread)
(Removed) Get Wet Update by Zepar - Make your character, NPC and Creature look wet when its raining.
Natural Environment - Contains Natural Weather Mod
(Maybe)All Natural by Chong Li 2008-05-09 (beta) (thread) Mod combining Natural Interiors (NI), Enhanced Weather (EW), Natural Environments (NE), and Real Lights (RL)
Arthur Natural Environment by Arthur G. 2008-07-21. Combines AWS and Natural Environments (OMOD)
Atmospheric Weather System

Quest - Nirnroot

Louder Nirnroots - Makes Nirnroots sound loader when you are close to them.
Dremora Nirnroot Farm - a Quest to get a Nirnroot Farm

Conclusion

The development community for Oblivion is very active and offers many high quality mods for free. I suspect I will be updating this web page regularly.

Top

My PC Quick Reference