Hi there GUN! I came here to ask you guys about your recommended mods for FO3? I'm currently starting my very first playthrough of it because I recently just found a way to make it work (FINALLY GOD). I'm very very cautious of getting mods because of how the game reacts to it, so that's why I came to you guys I just trust you guys a lot more regarding this because I know a lot of you are long time modders and mod users

Also, I know that TTW is almost out, but I want to play the game as it is first.
Thank you for taking time in reading

The Unofficial patch is a MUST: http://www.nexusmods.com/fallout3/mods/19122/?

The NMC's Texture Pack: http://www.nexusmods.com/fallout3/mods/12056/?

Fellout (Weather mod): http://www.nexusmods.com/fallout3/mods/2672/?

These are the few that I always play with as they don't really screw up the data files that much.

@guan12 Thank you for the recommendations! ^_^
I really have no idea what mods are essential to install, but at least now I have an idea

DC Moods: http://www.nexusmods.com/fallout3/mods/19191/?

Fallout Wanderer's Edition: http://www.nexusmods.com/fallout3/mods/2761/?

Fallout 3 Redesigned: http://www.nexusmods.com/fallout3/mods/6341/?

DC Moods is an absolute must, FWE is an amazing overhaul that adds some much needed depth and challenge to FO3, Fallout 3 redesigned makes the ugly NPCs pleasant to look at.

Fallout 3 is actually more stable to mods than New Vegas. You can have well up to 180+ mods for FO3 and it will work just fine but FNV starts to choke around 130. If you want to start things slow, I would stay away from the huge game play overhaul mods and stick to just mods that change models and textures and weather. The first thing you should install after the unofficial patch is body replacers and the proper armor refits for those body replacers. If the game is still lacking and you want more that is your choice. I personally don't use any of the major overhauls myself and the mods that I like will naturally be different from anyone else's.

@Jewbacca @Tapper

As of now, I'm only using NMC textures, book of steel, dc moods, and some sound improvements and ambient sounds. I have to say, using Vanilla UI+ for Fallout 3 is so fun; so much fun than my first playthrough of New Vegas. Thank you guys for the recommendations! Really really appreciate it!

Also, I'm using the updated unofficial patch to correct the critical errors from the official esms