Hello. Nice to see that you're planning to do your first PC walkthrough.
Before we go into mods I have to know if you have everything sorted to start modding the game? Meaning programs like NVSE, an appropriate mod manager, and stability mods like FNV 4gb, NVAC, and possibly New Vegas Stutter Remover. I once helped someone on this website with everything required, and I still have the entire PM collection saved, so feel free to ask.
Here are some recommended mods, and also my essentials:
1. Weather/Lighting mods
- Nevada Skies http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/35998/?
- Realistic Wasteland Lighting http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/52037/?
- Realistic Wasteland Lighting Enhancement http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/59591/?
You have many ENBs available, but if you plan on using any of the three weather mods above, you have to check if the specific ENB author has made a version compatible with the mod. Although there's a chance that any of these three weather mods already make the game look just the way you want it, without any enbs.
However, if you want a Weather mod + ENB combo from one author, you can first check Hitman's 47 ENB 2: The Sequel, which you can find here on GUN
https://www.gunetwork.org/t2762-fnvrelease-47-enb-2-the-sequelOr check my personal preference, URWLNV http://www.moddb.com/mods/urwlnv-ultimate-edition-v20
I like this one the most because I'm more into realistic and not too stylized enbs, it doesn't have certain lighting problems other enbs tend to have, it is compatible with various vanilla (night-vision scopes, Cateye) and modded image modifiers (Project Nevada's vision modes), and doesn't ruin the intended appearance of NPCs from mods like Fallout Character Overhaul or New Vegas Redesigned 3.
2. Since I mentioned them, let's go to NPCS
- Although I agree with ThompsonBoss that FCO is great, I must also say that it's not being updated anymore, and its current version is full of bugs.
http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/54460/?
- New Vegas Redesigned 3 on the other hand is still being updated, with a major update on the way. It also uses resources from FCO.
http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/56312/?
Both mods edit more than 2000 npcs, however, there's one important difference: ThompsonBoss said
- Quote :
- If you find a rotting corpse it will look like one instead of just an NPC lying there
- this applies to NVR3 as well, but on a much much larger scale. You can check the screenshots to see for yourself. At the end it is up to you.
3. Texture mods
Eight essential ones come to my mind:
ENVIRONMENT and OBJECTSOjo Bueno Texture pack http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/39755/?
or its less perfomance intensive variant Poco Bueno http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/42028/?
NMC's Texture Pack http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/43135/?
MG's Neat Clutter (for little things) http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/42551/?
UHQ Terrain http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/57479/?
The installation order depends on your preference. I use all four of these, so they have to be installed in specific order. For example, I want OJO Bueno to be the main pack, with UHQ Terrain for rocks and roads, and everything else taken care by NMC and Neat Clutter.
For that I have to install NMC first, then overwrite everything with Ojo Bueno; next is the Ojo Bueno friendly version of the MG's Neat Clutter (available as an option on the mod's page), and finally overwriting everything with only rocks and roads from UHQ Terrain. This installation is a bit tricky because it requires copying only the specific files from UHQ Terrain. Let me know what's your preference after reviewing these mods, and we'll find the solution.
ARMORS, CLOTHING, CREATURES- Wasteland clothing Hires retexture (just armors and clothing)
http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/54478/?
- aMidianBorn NV Book Of Water (creatures, power and combat armors)
http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/39873/?
WEAPONS and EFFECTS - Weapon Retexture Project for ballistic weapons
http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/38285/?
- Essential Visual Enhacements for energy weapons and its critical kills, blood decals, better explosions and effects
http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/42666/?
Complement it with IMPACT, and you have a winner: http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/57113/?
That's all for now. I'm late for bed, so I wish you good luck with this