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hybridfan
wallbash.gif I feel I have a love hate relationship when it comes to modding Oblivion, I always have the core mods, you know stuff like Deadly Reflex and Mystic Elves and Ren stuff plus Better Water and Natural Environments, plus a few more to improve the visual and gameplay effects on things.. but usually when a new mod comes along I feel I have to install it and see what it's like so I spend more time actually modding the game itself and finding the armour, weapons, quests etc then actually playing the main quest. Does anyone feel the same. ( Will I ever get to finish the main quest, I still haven't even gone to Jauffre yet to give him the amulet sad.gif )
Leenysaurus
I know exactly how you feel.

For this exact reason, I removed Oblivion entirely from my computer a week ago because with all the mods I was adding, I was never playing and/or crashing my game too much to even play! It's time for a healthy break; after which I'll play Oblivion without the oodles of mods.

I went back to Morrowind for a change of pace; a game I can personally play with little more than a couple of visual enhancements. Oblivion mods almost made me forget that when it comes to games, its playing the game that matters, not how it looks or how beautiful my character is.

When it comes to mods, it's a matter of self-control sometimes. You think you have to have every pretty outfit, and your character is dressing up more than doing battle. Or, like I found myself doing, your snapping screens to post here and show off your character more than you're leveling him/her.

When I finally got my new laptop months back, I was excited to finally try Oblivion with mods, having enviously watched my boyfriend play the PC version on his PC - something much better than my old, half-dead PC. I went and bought it, and threw in some mods; I'd played it enough by stock on the 360. And then, it went from there. More and more mods. Oblivion Script Extender for those fancy ones that Oblivion could never handle on its own, which runs the risk of random crashes. A pretty custom race. Body replacement mods. Perhaps even a magic/stealth/combat in general overhaul. As many fancy outfits and armor sets you can fit on your hard drive. And then, it just doesn't seem to end, because there is something new, and something you want more because you *know* so much can be added with the hundreds of thousands of mods out there, and the more you have, the less you find yourself satisfied - you never have enough, and mods, I've found at least for myself, become an unhealthy addiction that just consume time and keep me from actually playing the game at all!

That's my take on it, so I agree with you; I add mods more than I play. For ever hour I do play, I spend another 5 scouring through mods for something amazing, as if I expect to find some wild, incredible mod or the perfect one, but the truth is, there's no such thing, and only so much can be done to one game.

If I could, I'd go back to the days when I first played Oblivion and it was amazing with nothing added. But, then, would I still be playing it now? Who knows, but would it be a bad thing if I wasn't?

Rant in a nutshell - I guess I'd say, just never lose sight of what the game is on its own. Vanilla Oblivion on its own stands with a little over a 9/10 rating. It lost some of Morrowind's features, but understandable - it's set in a different place. The stock characters aren't gorgeous - but Bethesda meant it that way. Sex appeal isn't a part of their games, they want you to play the game, not be in love with your character. So, in the end, mods really are both a great thing and a bad thing. And I think I've typed enough, but I have a lot to say to this topic. Someday, I want to play Oblivion again so I can enjoy it without so many mods, or maybe I'll just as well wait for TES V.

I'm done for now, hope to see a lot on this topic. And maybe some good suggestions for enjoying Oblivion again without the nuisance of so many mods!

To think, I used to play with little more than Beautiful People ... =/ I wonder if I shouldn't try that again.
Varus Torvyn
QUOTE(hybridfan @ Jul 5 2008, 10:15 AM) *
wallbash.gif I feel I have a love hate relationship when it comes to modding Oblivion, I always have the core mods, you know stuff like Deadly Reflex and Mystic Elves and Ren stuff plus Better Water and Natural Environments, plus a few more to improve the visual and gameplay effects on things.. but usually when a new mod comes along I feel I have to install it and see what it's like so I spend more time actually modding the game itself and finding the armour, weapons, quests etc then actually playing the main quest. Does anyone feel the same. ( Will I ever get to finish the main quest, I still haven't even gone to Jauffre yet to give him the amulet sad.gif )

I decided to go the other direction from yours. First I installed four Replacer mods (Exnem's Body Female, Get Up Anim Replacer, Elys Uncapped, and Reneer's Guard Overhaul).

Then I chose to install mods that would add more "steak & potatoes" to the game: Super-mods (large quest & lore-mods).

My approach was, "Why not install something that really gives Oblivion some muscle?" I figured a RPG is based on action, puzzle-solving, doing tasks to earn EXPs to advance in skills & level. The "look-good" mods are great mods, but they don't help your character progress.

So I loaded in some of the favorites - Akatosh Mount, Lost Spires, Elder Council, Temple of the One, Midas Spells, Kingdom of Almar, The Necromancer, Fighters Guild Contracts, Origin of the Mages Guild, Kvatch Aftermath.

Then I added the Bank of Cyrodiil, a bunch of weapons mods, and the Bag of Holding. After that came Sulteric's Viconia companion mod, which is also a quest.

I'll be adding Malevolent & Sword of Aeons once the file updates are posted.

My game's fairly well-rounded, so I can spend time actually running a character.
hybridfan
To Varus

Damn so many mods, you will be bogging down the Oblivion Data folder, I checked last night at the size of my Bethesda folder and it's well over 12 gig laugh.gif
Varus Torvyn
QUOTE(hybridfan @ Jul 5 2008, 11:04 AM) *
To Varus

Damn so many mods, you will be bogging down the Oblivion Data folder, I checked last night at the size of my Bethesda folder and it's well over 12 gig laugh.gif


Hybridfan, you made me look! laugh.gif

Size-wise, you got me beat. Those environment mods you use must be huge.

My Bethesda folder is 6.96 GB - 7,984 files - 882 folders.

Edit - I just remembered, my file size is probably off some, because I use the Clean Disk Manager that compresses old files.
Varus Torvyn
Hybridfan, what Oblivion utilities do you use? I run with OBMM, OBSE, Wrye Bash, and FCOM Helper.
hybridfan
I am using OBMM & OBSS never actually knew what Wrye Bash actually does???

I have Apachii Godess Store and that Japanese bear shop mod which has very many files.
LoginToDownload
I find Oblivion un-modded hardly has any replayability, though. I found it got monotonous and stopped before beating any one of the questlines.
dezdimona
There's a main quest???? whistling.gif
hybridfan
QUOTE(dezdimona @ Jul 5 2008, 05:00 PM) *
There's a main quest???? whistling.gif


Something about finding Martin and running a bath for him... I think.
Varus Torvyn
QUOTE(hybridfan @ Jul 5 2008, 11:23 AM) *
I am using OBMM & OBSS never actually knew what Wrye Bash actually does???

I have Apachii Godess Store and that Japanese bear shop mod which has very many files.

Wrye Bash will load-order also, but it has some other stuff you can use. It can "bash", meaning merge similar mods into one "bashed" file. It will scan all of your mod files, and let you know if any can be merged.

Also, in addition to Kivan's UOP, UOMP, and USIP having the nVidia Black Screen Fix mod coding merged into them, Wrye Bash has the "nVidia Fog Fix" that will fix mods that change interior cells.

I like that Apachii store. I've been mulling it over if I should install it or not. Haven't made up my mind yet.

Oh and that comment that other person made about the Main Quest? I think she was being sarcastic, because that other person who said he was bored with Oblivion kind of irritated her.
dezdimona
that" other person" as you put it was being sarcastic.Thanks for noticing !
ummm,no,wasn't irritated in the slightest.Never try to guess what I'm feeling when I say something...you'll lose! closedeyes.gif
Blacksnake89
QUOTE(hybridfan @ Jul 5 2008, 05:24 PM) *
QUOTE(dezdimona @ Jul 5 2008, 05:00 PM) *
There's a main quest???? whistling.gif


Something about finding Martin and running a bath for him... I think.

I thought the main quest was about closing some kind of gates, running books to people, and collecting colorful easter eggs to imbue power to your weapons. I must have done the wrong quests.
sproaty
QUOTE(Leenysaurus @ Jul 5 2008, 03:45 PM) *
I know exactly how you feel.
....


This. Just finding/adding new mods is too addictive for me, it's ridiculous. I've finally settled at about 230 esm/esps in total (not counting the countless texture replacers) but lately I've been stopping, finally got my game where it needs to be - and focusing on playing!

The worst thing IMO about adding so many awesome quest mods is that many are suited towards high level characters, so if you're only just starting it's going to be around 40 hours before you even start on any of them! And then in this case you're stuck doing the [mostly crappy IMO] stock quests that you've probably played before many times if you're anything like me tongue.gif


My Oblivion folder has 57,394 files in 17.3GB blink.gif halfway through June it was 14.7GB in 42,000 files...jeez
Halororor
QUOTE(sproaty @ Jul 6 2008, 12:11 PM) *
...Just finding/adding new mods is too addictive for me, it's ridiculous. I've finally settled at about 230 esm/esps in total (not counting the countless texture replacers) but lately I've been stopping, finally got my game where it needs to be - and focusing on playing!


Well, at least you know you can only get 26 more mods as oblivion can only run 256, or somewhere around that.

I used to be like that too, but now I only monitor the latest mods everyday, that way I know what there is and I don't go through the older mods for hours on end.
maafiaman
QUOTE(Halororor @ Jul 6 2008, 01:28 PM) *
Well, at least you know you can only get 26 more mods as oblivion can only run 256, or somewhere around that.

I used to be like that too, but now I only monitor the latest mods everyday, that way I know what there is and I don't go through the older mods for hours on end.


From what I know the limit is 250, and I hate that. There are hundreds of mods that I would use (and my computer would go BOOOM!!!!). Is there a mod or a program that allows you to bypass that limit?

If not I guess I will take Wrye's Bash and merge more mods into one so that I can add a few more mods to my list wink.gif

Cheers thumbsup.gif

Maafiaman
Leenysaurus
I just hope that when I get back to Oblivion, not too far in the future, I go back to its basics. I never beat the main quest. I never finished any of the guild's quests. There's so much for me to do. I'm actually going to limit myself to the core beauty mods - Beautiful People, a body replacer, maybe some texture improvements if I feel like it - then, after main quests, quest mod. That might be the ideal.

I've actually gotten myself back to Morrowind, a game I never finished, and I'm actually enjoying it, and with few more than improved texture mods and a face/hair mod.

I would be amazed if my Oblivion would ever run so many mods, I always felt I had a lot at almost, if even over, 50 plugins. I won't do that again, though.

To me, Oblivion isn't a bad game on its own, it's a great game, in fact, but as I saw mentioned here, it doesn't have replay value on it's own, and I'm totally for replay value in games, because I love when a game keeps me hooked and playing it over and over. That's why Bethesda purposely made their games able to be modded! And that's incredibly smart of them; I think it's amazing that they did that. Still, to me, I was truly only bothered by how hard it was to have much of an attractive Oblivion character; again, Bethesda also didn't intend sex appeal.

Then, weapon and armors are okay (I love Daedric, so when I get to that point, there isn't much more I need). But quest mods really keep the game going. I just have to get through those main quests for once. >.>
Varus Torvyn
QUOTE(dezdimona @ Jul 5 2008, 07:06 PM) *
that" other person" as you put it was being sarcastic.Thanks for noticing !
ummm,no,wasn't irritated in the slightest.Never try to guess what I'm feeling when I say something...you'll lose! closedeyes.gif

Hmm....actually, it was just a comment between hybridfan & myself. Insofar as losing, not even interested in a contest or a discussion about it.

besides, irritation is normally a feeling a person who likes Oblivion experiences when people start flaming the game & saying they're "bored." I was making a general statement just to hybridfan.

Let's try to stay on-topic, please. 'nuff said.
Varus Torvyn
QUOTE(maafiaman @ Jul 6 2008, 08:37 AM) *
QUOTE(Halororor @ Jul 6 2008, 01:28 PM) *
Well, at least you know you can only get 26 more mods as oblivion can only run 256, or somewhere around that.

I used to be like that too, but now I only monitor the latest mods everyday, that way I know what there is and I don't go through the older mods for hours on end.


From what I know the limit is 250, and I hate that. There are hundreds of mods that I would use (and my computer would go BOOOM!!!!). Is there a mod or a program that allows you to bypass that limit?

If not I guess I will take Wrye's Bash and merge more mods into one so that I can add a few more mods to my list wink.gif

Cheers thumbsup.gif

Maafiaman

Maafiaman, do you think maybe something in Oblivion.ini? I dunno, if there is a setting in there you could change to get past it, that would indeed be great.

Oblivion.ini could be one option. Some of those variable names or terms they use read like gibberish sometimes. Too bad I don't have a Rosetta Stone in my Inventory. laugh.gif
dezdimona
QUOTE(Varus Torvyn @ Jul 6 2008, 06:46 PM) *
QUOTE(dezdimona @ Jul 5 2008, 07:06 PM) *
that" other person" as you put it was being sarcastic.Thanks for noticing !
ummm,no,wasn't irritated in the slightest.Never try to guess what I'm feeling when I say something...you'll lose! closedeyes.gif

Hmm....actually, it was just a comment between hybridfan & myself. Insofar as losing, not even interested in a contest or a discussion about it.

besides, irritation is normally a feeling a person who likes Oblivion experiences when people start flaming the game & saying they're "bored." I was making a general statement just to hybridfan.

Let's try to stay on-topic, please. 'nuff said.

What contest???? see, and you brought me into it with your comment,When its where all can read it it's not general.Leave me and my comments alone please!
as far as number of mods that you can run,depending on what equiptment your using, 250 is the norm,not the limit,you can go way beyond that!
and I mean...leave me alone!!!!
Leenysaurus
QUOTE(Varus Torvyn @ Jul 6 2008, 06:56 PM) *
QUOTE(maafiaman @ Jul 6 2008, 08:37 AM) *
QUOTE(Halororor @ Jul 6 2008, 01:28 PM) *
Well, at least you know you can only get 26 more mods as oblivion can only run 256, or somewhere around that.

I used to be like that too, but now I only monitor the latest mods everyday, that way I know what there is and I don't go through the older mods for hours on end.


From what I know the limit is 250, and I hate that. There are hundreds of mods that I would use (and my computer would go BOOOM!!!!). Is there a mod or a program that allows you to bypass that limit?

If not I guess I will take Wrye's Bash and merge more mods into one so that I can add a few more mods to my list wink.gif

Cheers thumbsup.gif

Maafiaman

Maafiaman, do you think maybe something in Oblivion.ini? I dunno, if there is a setting in there you could change to get past it, that would indeed be great.

Oblivion.ini could be one option. Some of those variable names or terms they use read like gibberish sometimes. Too bad I don't have a Rosetta Stone in my Inventory. laugh.gif



You could perhaps merge several same-type plugins together to lessen the total number of plugins? I would do that for race plugins, merge them together into one plugin.
Sangel2525
I suffered from this problem myself for a while, okay like over a year! Actually it came to a point where I never thought I would ever finish the main quest. Then I kind of devised a formula, I knew what mods I loved and what I just had to have, and pretty much willed it so. No more adding to the game until you finish the main quest and find out what all this hoohah is about with the Amulet of Kings. You get to have this, this, and this, but that's it, no more new stuff until you're done. It actually worked... Though I did find a really neat mod that makes one of the biggest quests in the main quest really fun after my first time beating it, which lead to me kicking myself. But I managed to finish the main quest, then I played a bunch of new mods as the Champion of Cyrodiil, so I had an idea as to what I wanted when I made new character the second go.

Months past and I picked up the game again started a new character knowing exactly what I wanted. Telling myself none of the newer mods until you do it again. The second time around felt a little more epic due to certain mods I added, and it was more personalized and immersive. So I did it again, and then I got the Kvatch Aftermath mod, and SI just for that mod. I never even started SI. Anyway I was very satisfied with my second Champion of Cyrodiil and Countess of Kvatch. I tried some new mods, lots of quest mods, while keeping tabs on my city, which I felt was well earned for a Hero like myself. Then to my dismay my hard drive died. NO! NOOOO!!! Everything was going so well, I was a Countess, I had like 3 different Castles all over Cyrodiil, Ravenpride, Hoarfrost, and another, which name escapes me. I had all the clothes, armor, spells, and weapons I wanted. I was a great looking Mystic Elf. And then Tamerial was destroyed! While my Champion could stop the forces of Oblivion, she was unable to stop the malevolent forces of Earth, in the form of some sort of computer virus.

So I was a bit demoralized to say the least. I wished I backed up my saves from my last character more thoroughly but she's back at square one before she even delivered the amulet. Yes I do back up my data directory so all my mods were saved for the most part. hmmmm I might go back to my very first character, she was a wee-bit on the evil side, and I can't see a Vamperic Necromacer obsessed with the macabre, who also happens to be The Listener of The Black Hand being a Hero. But based on what little I know about the SI questline it doesn't totally force you into being a goody goody... I might try SI with her.

But I must say I did enjoy being the Great Hero of Cyrodiil, Countess of Kvatch, etc... etc... I have been mostly lately just playing around with mods kind of preparing for my next attempt at greatness. I found a few that I really like. The Human Race, I may actually play something besides a Mystic Elf for a change after playing with that race. BloodandMud DirtDeluxeAnglais! blink.gif The quests are tough as the hints on where to go next are a bit cryptic at times. You don't get a compass, but it makes Bravil like a whole new expansion to Oblivion. I think BloodandMud is now one of my favorite mods. I might do a little prelude to my next Good character, have her grow up in a Bravil like that, and wind up joining the Dark Brotherhood or something. I mean Blood and Mud, makes Bravil really dark, and someone from there I could see becoming morally gray to say the least or just plain black.

Then later have my new character have a bit of catharsis of sorts, changing her outlook on things. Tears of The Fiend: Redemption might be good for that, then again? Anyway then have her rebel against her 'family' in the Black Hand. Winding up in jail for her crimes. I mean being ex- Dark Brotherhood, gives her good reason to be in jail when the game starts right? Yeah I kind of get immersed in the characters I make and the RP element of the game at times. It's hard not to with a TES game. And yes I'm willing to play that whole scenario out with the quickstart mod, working my way through DB quests, as that is a fun questline that I haven't played in quite sometime, and I do want an excuse to play Tears of The Fiend again. Then hmmm start a new game in jail, just go through that part at the beginning of the game when the Emperor dies and you escape with the Amulet of Kings. After that go back to my last save when I get out of the sewers as leveling again will likely suck the life out of me.

But I've decided on holding off on my next Hero until I get a new computer, as Oblivion isn't exactly as pretty as it can be on mine. Plus I'd love to use some of the more graphic intensive mods to liven up the world for my next attempt at Glory. Particularly Quarl's Textures, which look stunning! But my computer can't handle it. I do sound quite insane now, don't I? I believe that's the moral of the story. In order to get past the mod addiction you have to plan ahead of time or something. *cackles insanely* What? I'm exhausted, and I cannot sleep. erghhh work is going to be unpleasant tomorrow, I have to get up in 3 hours. blink.gif
Glue
I can definately relate to these feelings but no matter what mods you add or how much time you spend using the CS you have to just play the core game sometimes. Like the first tutorial on the CS wiki says,(and I'm paraphrasing) it reminds you what you got into it for and what a truly great game it is. Mods for themselves are fun too though so it shouldn't be a guilty pleasure. Its just a different side to the same coin.

I see it a bit like those people who spend lots of time tricking out their cars. If that's what you love, cool, but remember to drive the thing once in a while too. biggrin.gif
Leenysaurus
Sangel makes a very good point. Willpower is a huge factor in the "issue" (I quote that because some wouldn't necessarily call it that) at hand. When it comes down to it, you have to have the ability to say no when an urge to grab another outfit or set of armor comes.

Also, I like your analogy a lot about working on cars, Glue. There's no point to working on your car so much if you'll never drive it, and likewise, what good is putting mods in Oblivion if you're barely playing it? That's just time wasted.

All these points are very much making me look forward to picking up Oblivion in a few months time or whenever I choose to; I have no desire to try playing again yet because I'm enjoying other games (which I suggest, if modding Oblivion is becoming an addiction for you, too, take a break and hunt down a game you haven't played in a long time, or buy a new one, perhaps).

So, when the time comes that I'm ready to play Oblivion again, if I do, I'll be able to say, "Okay, understandable that you want this, but how's this helping your game??"

I'm glad this discussion about the addiction to mods came up, because quite frankly, I'd been good and ready to start something similar myself. So, I hope people have read this and gathered a lot of points about modding. But, if you love mods and can still add many and will yourself to play the game just as much, then more power to you; I wish I had that willpower.

Oh, another thing that helps with those armor mods, especially the ones that add powerful armor for free that you shouldn't be wearing at your first level. Tell yourself strictly to wait at least until level 20 or whenever Daedric/Glass armors start showing up to finally go use the new armor. Don't just cruise through the game in a set of powerful modded armor. Likewise with weapons. Remember, your character is nowhere near epic at his/her first level, and probably shouldn't look it or have the defense/power of a high-level character. But of course, it's not my choice how anyone plays, that's just a suggestion for armor/weapon mods. Besides, if you keep getting them right away at a low level, you'll just get bored quick and go hunting another armor/weapon mod.
LoginToDownload
QUOTE
Also, I like your analogy a lot about working on cars, Glue. There's no point to working on your car so much if you'll never drive it, and likewise, what good is putting mods in Oblivion if you're barely playing it? That's just time wasted.
What if you enjoy it? Aside from that, aren't all games mostly time wasted?
Leenysaurus
QUOTE(LoginToDownload @ Jul 7 2008, 07:32 PM) *
QUOTE
Also, I like your analogy a lot about working on cars, Glue. There's no point to working on your car so much if you'll never drive it, and likewise, what good is putting mods in Oblivion if you're barely playing it? That's just time wasted.
What if you enjoy it? Aside from that, aren't all games mostly time wasted?


I wasn't saying that mods are a waste of time. I just meant to say that it's not so meaningful to do if you mod the game a lot more than you play it (granted, opinions here may vary). It's fine if you enjoy mods; I certainly enjoy them and love Oblivion strongly for the very reason that it's an open-source game, but you should play plenty, too.

I can't say much on the idea of most games being time wasted. That could be controversial. A lot of people who love games wouldn't say they're a waste. If you want my opinion, games are just as much a hobby as sports or anything else, even if it isn't very healthy to sit around playing games. I know it's what I do with my free time, besides, I'm in college for game design, so I see it as fitting. Just as playing games can be a hobby, so can mods.

Also, any of my references to mods is meant in terms of downloading mods, not making them. Making mods is an entirely different subject to me.
LoginToDownload
Oh, okay. "Addicted to modding Oblivion" sort of confused me. I was using a sort of harsh definition of "A waste of time", though, since it had to include any enjoyment/interest found in browsing and downloading mods.
Leenysaurus
QUOTE(LoginToDownload @ Jul 7 2008, 08:52 PM) *
Oh, okay. "Addicted to modding Oblivion" sort of confused me. I was using a sort of harsh definition of "A waste of time", though, since it had to include any enjoyment/interest found in browsing and downloading mods.


I understand, I'm sorry if it offendedy you at all ... I'm trying to be careful in terms of defining a modding "addiction," but to me I only mean addiction int he sense of downloading and installing. Making mods is an art form, and so I don't see that as an addiction or illogical time-consumer (nor to I really see downloading mods as illogical, just somewhat nonsensicle in comparison to playing the game).
Sangel2525
To echo Leeny and clarify, when I use the term 'mod addiction.' I'm not talking about actually creating mods, of course not. While I am known to tweak some mods in the CS to my liking, for personal use from time to time. I'm hardly a modder. It's more along the lines of downloading mods just because they look so neat, and you just have to have it, while you're in the middle of trying to play through the game.

It does become a major distraction and kind of keeps you from actually playing. As I said though mods made my second play-through of the game much more enjoyable, and quite different. I used a lot less aesthetic mods, and more quest oriented/gameplay type mods in my second play through. For me the aesthetic mods can be the most distracting at times, even though I do love them. In one way it upsets me, but in another it's kind of a blessing in disguise. I use the BAB body, and not many modders are making new clothing, and armor for it these days. So it does stop me from going, "pretty must have!" Even though in a practical sense I think to myself, why would my character need that outfit right now? Or even, would she ever wear such an outfit? As pretty as it is, it may not exactly align with her overall personality you know? Still it would be nice to see new stuff for BAB. tongue.gif

This is not to say quest mods aren't addictive either. Some look just so neat, that it's like, "Wow I need to play this now!" Even if it makes no sense whatsoever for my character to get involved in said modded questline, while in the middle of trying to save the world. Though a lot of quest mods I have played do have their place, but you need to kind of use common sense as to when your character would likely get caught up in them. I guess you need to prioritize a lot, and really consider what kind of character you're playing, and where their focus would be when ingame. Again as I said, kinda plan ahead.

But I am in no way saying modders themselves have an addiction. Without mods this game would be really, really dry... I don't think I would play it more than once. Mods always keep me coming back to play the game after a while. They really increase the fun of the whole experience, and even after you save the world there may yet still need to be things that must be done. smile.gif

Also to add, if people just like to keep adding to their game, and really don't care about the main quest, and such. More power to them. The whole point of a video game is to have fun. If you have fun just adding to it more power to you. Me? I always wanted to progress through the game, but always wound up getting distracted by the next shiny, pretty new mod. I found for quite sometime, I spent most of my time just installing mods, and not really playing the game its self. Which always lead to me getting bored and never really accomplishing much in the game, say for the DB questline once. Finally I picked up the game again, knowing just what essential mods I kinda needed and decided okay I'll use them, but no new mods until I play through.

Finally I did it, I finished the main quest! After doing so, I went back to experimenting with mods, and found some really, really fun ones. Months later I picked up the game again knowing just what mods I wanted and the experience of playing through again was dramatically different and a lot more fun with those mods. But yes as always I had to will myself away from adding to the game until I finished the main quest. After doing so a second time, I found even more mods that could potentially make a third play through even more fun! Since my second Champion was killed by computer virus, as I really enjoyed that character. I'm going to have to do a third play through eventually if I want to have some serious fun with the game. But I'm taking a break... I figure I'll wait until I get a new computer before my third go, but I am right now when I have the time kind of experimenting with mods so I can prioritize what I want for take 3, which should be a load of fun when I play it. But I'm going to wait on that, since my second go is still fresh in my system, not to mention I want the game to be prettier hence wait until I get a new computer, which may take a while.
myrmaad
QUOTE(Varus Torvyn @ Jul 5 2008, 11:01 AM) *
QUOTE(hybridfan @ Jul 5 2008, 10:15 AM) *
wallbash.gif I feel I have a love hate relationship when it comes to modding Oblivion, I always have the core mods, you know stuff like Deadly Reflex and Mystic Elves and Ren stuff plus Better Water and Natural Environments, plus a few more to improve the visual and gameplay effects on things.. but usually when a new mod comes along I feel I have to install it and see what it's like so I spend more time actually modding the game itself and finding the armour, weapons, quests etc then actually playing the main quest. Does anyone feel the same. ( Will I ever get to finish the main quest, I still haven't even gone to Jauffre yet to give him the amulet sad.gif )

I decided to go the other direction from yours. First I installed four Replacer mods (Exnem's Body Female, Get Up Anim Replacer, Elys Uncapped, and Reneer's Guard Overhaul).

Then I chose to install mods that would add more "steak & potatoes" to the game: Super-mods (large quest & lore-mods).

My approach was, "Why not install something that really gives Oblivion some muscle?" I figured a RPG is based on action, puzzle-solving, doing tasks to earn EXPs to advance in skills & level. The "look-good" mods are great mods, but they don't help your character progress.

So I loaded in some of the favorites - Akatosh Mount, Lost Spires, Elder Council, Temple of the One, Midas Spells, Kingdom of Almar, The Necromancer, Fighters Guild Contracts, Origin of the Mages Guild, Kvatch Aftermath.

Then I added the Bank of Cyrodiil, a bunch of weapons mods, and the Bag of Holding. After that came Sulteric's Viconia companion mod, which is also a quest.

I'll be adding Malevolent & Sword of Aeons once the file updates are posted.

My game's fairly well-rounded, so I can spend time actually running a character.


I'm hugely picky about which mods I use, my modus operendi has been to get what I need and browse through what's available while I'm there. It started with Benirus Manor, I wanted a nice house I could afford, and I love Anvil, but the house was so creepy, I had to do something. I downloaded several Benirus mods but the hands down winner and the one I still use and really enjoy "coming home to" (when I'm in Anvil) is "ReCreated Benirus Manor" by CS@.

I don't recall if the mod did away with the foyer table, because I got rid of it myself ASAP by opening the console, clicking on the table, and typing "disable".

During game play, I will get aggravated with something, like losing my precious enchanted arrows for example, and think, "hey, I saw some mod that would address this," and going out and finding it--in that case the fab "denock arrows" mod.

The bulk of my mods are for houses and gameplay tweaks (faster turning horses, housemapmarkers, autobookplacer, decorator's assistant, dudewhere'smyhorse, BagOfHolding --Love That!--...)


Varus Torvyn's list is right up my alley, and I only have one or two of those, I'll have to check them all out!
Ulstan
I played Morrowind with 0 mods, couldn't be bothered, was having too much fun as it is tongue.gif

I've recently given mods a try for Oblivion - first I was interested in performance mods (low poly grass, streamline, etc) then I stumbled across the unofficial bug fixer mod and decided I simply must have that. Then I ran across the natural environments mod, installed it, loved it. Then, in a glorious moment, I found mods like denock arrows, house map markers, land mark map markers, etc, little tweaks that just made gameplay easier

And then it kind of snowballed from there until now I'm trying to install and use very ambitious mods - like OOO and some of the character levelling mods though I can't figure out how to get them to work yet. In a way, I feel really silly spending my evening trying to get KCAS work with OOO instead of actually, you know, playing the game, but I tell myself that it will make for a richer, more immersive, more *fun* experience. At least, that's the hope - if I can't figure things out soon I may just ditch them, but OOO looks so much exactly like what I want out of a mod!

And all the 'aesthetics' mods really do add a lot, in my opinion. Even little things, like shinier more detailed coins and rings and amulets. I love the OOO weeds in the water mod, and the harvest flora mod that makes the flowers disappear when you harvest them.

One of the great things about mods is that you can pick and choose what you want - so something may not be everyones cup of tea (though I am trying to limit myself to mods considered 'must have' by the community in general) but with a mod you can get those tweaks to make your experience more enjoyable. Everyone wins with mods, really smile.gif
MasterAub
I go with cycles...

I clean my Oblivion data files every well...6 months maybe...and restart from scratch

But there are at the very least 2 mods I am always reinstalling:

Oscuro Oblivion Overhauls and the Quarl Texture Packs...
SealJuice
I'm a mod junkie.

My two main games are Oblivion and Sims2. I have played sims2 less than 20 total hours but I have 150 gigs of custom content. Maxis finally broke it entirely with securom when they released Free Time. So I am trying to quit.

I am doing the same now with Oblivion. I have eight characters already, all level 1 and 100 mods. I crash every fifteen minutes and spend more time trying to stop the crashes than playing. I also spend a ton of time cruising for new mods, downloading, and installing.

I'm a mod junkie.
dezdimona
I mod stuff,install it in my game,think hey I'll release it, send to some friends to beta test,and by the time they've tested it,I'm already working on another one,so that one never gets released!
firefable
from now on im off the script extender and and of the mods that use OBSE. Thats it, i've alredy had 12! yes 12!!!! characters that just stuffed up, my latest 1 was lvl 61 and it stuffed up as well. grrrrrr.......... no more OBSE on my computer, no matter how good the mods look.
jstinlov1
Are the mods on this site just for the computer or are they also for the 360?
LoginToDownload
Just for the computer.
wwar
The way I see it is this: Oblivion is 80% mod and 20% actual game. There is more enjoyment of the game seeing and using what talented people have created.
myrmaad
QUOTE(wwar @ Jul 23 2008, 12:47 AM) *
The way I see it is this: Oblivion is 80% mod and 20% actual game. There is more enjoyment of the game seeing and using what talented people have created.


I think it comes down to the way you play, and maybe some luck. I have completed the main quest and a ton of the side questLines, my character is the "gray fox", the Arch Mage, Fighter's GuildMaster, Blade Sister, Champion of Cyridill, hero of Kvatch of course, Savior of Bruma, Knight Sister of the White Stallioin, Pilgrim of the Nine, Crusader of the Nine blah blah blah.. Level 64 Mage-healer, Zero Murders, 2 jail sentences, 130 fame, Gate Closin' hrm-mhrm-fhrm.



And currently I have these mods enabled, but the ones that give you clothes but no quests, for example, I just enable them until I pick up the clothes, and then disable them a bit later... the clothing and things stay in my character's inventory, after I disable the mod, as long as I don't delete the files or revert to a save prior to picking up the items... So I don't think the mods get in the way of the game unless you let them. Just my view.

Current Mods:
bookplacing.esm
StaticAlchemyMod.esm
Cobl Main.esm [Version 1.43]
Toaster Says Share v3.esm
EshmesBodiesV2.esp
ES4_Alchemists Reference.esp
LiteArrows.esp
MM_NoMoreAnnoyingMessages-Lite.esp
900-Elven Weapon Weight Reduction-TESSource.esp
Landmarks.esp
Cobl Glue.esp [Version 1.39]
Cobl Si.esp [Version 1.32]
Cobl Tweaks.esp [Version 1.25]
bMiscellaneousQuests.esp
bAlchemyGuide.esp
bMasterTrainerGuide.esp
RD-TimeKeeper-v1-3-5minUpdate.esp
DLCOrrery.esp
Must Train.esp [Version -03]
DLCFrostcrag.esp
DLCThievesDen.esp
DLCVileLair.esp
DLCMehrunesRazor.esp
DirenniAlchemyApparatus.esp
DLCSpellTomes.esp
Book Placement v2.esp [Version 2.0]
Expanded Hotkeys and Spell Delete v1.0.esp
Expanded Hotkeys Brief Equip Message.esp
HouseMapMarkers.esp
idcHome1.0+rmNOGORE.esp
PrincessAnvilBasement.esp
Salmo the Baker, Cobl.esp [Version 3.06]
Knights.esp
actors_in_charge.esp
university cosmetics.esp
BenirusManor.esp
PrincessAnvilSeasideCabin.esp
AddMapMarkers.esp
DLCShiveringIsles.esp
TamrielTravellers.esp
AncientSource.esp
The Black Cat Jewelry Store - Daedric
JIM_Summon_Unicorn.esp
007s_DragonfireTradeAndTransport.esp
SDCrystalBallLamps.esp
Zenman's Light Armor for Eshme's Body.esp
PlayerHomeNaheema.esp
MaleBodyReplacerV4.esp
DecoratorAssistant with OBSE v1.1.esp
Amajor7 Imperial Furniture.esp
Bruma House For Sale.esp
Ingredient Storage Shelves.esp
Divine Magicka.esp
Bravil Player Shack.esp
Uncapped Blivvy UHM.esp
Water's Edge Cottage.esp
Denock Arrows.esp
CompleteMagePack.esp
Abecean_lighthouse_1.1.esp
Arborwatch.esp
Advanced Magecraft.esp
LightVWD.esp
Bag of Holding.esp [Version 1.5.0]
Knights_fem.esp
Arctic Gear Improved.esp
All OBSI Clothes, Gloves, Capes and Cloaks
AnvilBayExpansion.esp
HorsesTurnFaster.esp
Dude Wheres My Horse.esp
Mages_house.esp
Anvil Dock Map Marker.esp
Toaster Says Share Faction Recruitment.esp
MountainRetreat.esp
XiaNewAmuletsV1.esp
Exnem Pekka Pumps.esp
newbrumahome.esp
Rogue Sun's Blood Lust Dress.esp
leyawiin_spirit.esp
archfall_house.esp
Riverside Cabin.esp
MountainTower.esp
Imperial Treehouse.esp
DallsPaladinHorse.esp
UFF Boots Collection.esp
TSS Custom Companion Template.esp
PrincessImperialCityApartment-COBL.esp
AlchemistsCave.esp
Advanced Mark & Recall.esp
LetThePeopleDrink.esp [Version 2.4]
Corean Hair + Elaborate Eyes.esp
BlackLuster.esp
Cheydinhal House Altered.esp
Sunset Keep.esp
Slof's Beefcake Armors.esp
ArmamentariumStaffs.esp
AutoBookPlacer_v3.esp
Apachii_Goddess_Store.esp
Slof's Extra Horses.esp
Love Suite Room.esp
GardenHome.esp
Princess Cheydinhal House For Sale v1pt1.esp
Slof's Horses Base.esp
Gantrano_Sanctuary-3831.esp
Castle_Highrock.esp
Princess IC Waterfront Shack.esp
WeynonRetreat.esp
Chapel_of_Saints-4615.esp
Akeras_House-7612.esp
Companion Sales & Retail.esp [Version 1.1]
LadyDeadlock_LoveYourHorse.esp
Companion Postal Service.esp
horse stay put 1.0.esp
Chorrol_FG_Guildmasters_Tower-4430.esp
Better_Water-1830.esp
Vanua Map Marker.esp
Harvest[Containers].esp
EnhancedWeather.esp [Version 1.1]
EnhancedWeather - SI.esp [Version 1.1]
ANB_Emerald_Sorceress_Armor.esp
qazHorseCommand.esp
Color Map Mod
Female EyeCandy - Body Replacer (Exnem)
Kvatch Aftermath
No Player Combat Groaning 1.0
Robert Muscular Stock Clothing & Armor
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