i'm totally new to modding, so i was wondering if anyone had a step by step guide that is easy to follow so i can patch and mod oblivion? please note my oblivion copy is from STEAM

See the Construction Set Wiki: http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/Main_Page and the Beginner's Guide: [url=http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/Category:A_beginner%27s_guide]http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/Category:A_beginner%27s_guide[/url]

OBSE, which is heavily used by Oblivion mods (it adds a lot of script functionality), needs care in installation to make it work with a Steam copy. See http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-900993.html

that guide seems more orientated to making mods than what i meant which is installing them

Oh, installing.

Each mod comes with its own installation instructions (usually in a README file), which you will need to read, understand, and follow.

Apart from mods with irregular installation requirements, there are maybe four different ways to install them.

1. Unpack the files in place. Most simple mods work this way. Just unpack the files into the folder structure under Oblivion\Data.

2. Use OBMM (Oblivion Mod Manager). Highly recommended. If you have OBMM installed, you can use it to install mods packaged as OMOD files (suffix .omod) and convert simple mods to OMODs. You can use OBMM to activate, deactivate, and reorder mods easily.

3. The mod may be packaged as an executable installer (.exe or .msi). If so, just run the installer.

4. Complex mods that change gameplay tend to create lots of conflicts (especially involving leveled lists) that must be resolved for the mod to work. Any of the overhaul mods will fall into this category. Such mods are merged into a "Bashed Patch", using the tool "Wrye Bash". The READMEs that come with these mods will explain how.

Just poking my head in here to agree with the guy above me ;) I got Oblivion GOTY from Steam at Christmas and installing mods is usually just a matter of downloading, unzipping then copying em into the Data folder then selecting em in the Launcher. Unlike Morrowind, Steam's Oblivion doesn't seem to have any major problems with mods at all.

Saying that, though, I've had no reason to use OBMM or OBSE but then I've seen no complaints about them not working while browsing forums which is usually a good sign.

i was following this guide http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1306005&page=17


and when i got to the end of that guide before any actually modding i wanted to check compatibilty with the game but whenever i tried to close oblivion it stopped responding, also alot of the files he mentions that need extracting dont dl in a extractable form


and both of those things confused me

Oblivion frequently crashes on closing. Try not to worry about it.

For extracting, you need a better extractor. The built-in zip wizard in Windows is junk. My favorite is 7-Zip.

And DO NOT expect to be able to install a bunch of mods and have them all come up and work on the first try. You WILL, especially if you do not use OBMM, botch your Oblivion installation and have to start all over.

Install one mod at a time, and verify that the game is stable after you install it, before installing any other mods.

i heard the stalker game had one almight complete mod and thats all you need, its a shame oblivion doesnt


to add oblivion didnt crash on exiting before i applied those unofficial patches

Well, the Oblivion modding scene is anarchy personified, nothing like Stalker at all. Oblivion has a kajillion different modders working on the game. And you might as well try getting feral cats to cooperate.

Adding any mod to Oblivion destabilizes it to some degree. Many mods, especially ones that add a lot of resources, make it more likely that the game will crash on exit.

That is why I say install one at a time and test everything before proceeding.

If you're having problems with the game after installing the unofficial patches, you probably installed them wrong. Read and understand the README files that come with them, understand the order requirements, and learn to use OBMM before taking one more step.

i'll keeep that in mind but i hadnt even got to the modding itself and it was crashing, i must be terrible at this

You're not terrible at it. It's sheer anarchy. The only way out of it, when you're trying to use multiple Unofficial Patches and mods, is to get the load order requirements straight, pay attention to detail, and make your life easier by using OBMM.

Yeah, I think the best you can do there is use Google to look for popular mod lists. Frankly the sheer scope and size of Oblivion's mods basically mean that making a big all-in-.one pack is nigh-on impossible. Not to mention everyone will have different mods they consider 'essentiall' (For example I can't play now without my black unicorn whereas someone who disliked mounts wouldn't want to waste their time with it)

ok, i'm re-downloading the game right now so i'll give it another go tomoorow, btw what differences does extracting a file and installing to just installing make?

HOLD ON!

Back up your files so that you don't have to re-download, K? In my limited knowledge, zipping is like packing the information for travel. You have to extract it so that it can be read. I also use 7-Zip. You can also use it to open .exe files to make changes. 7-Zip will pop up in the right click menu.

Tulivu
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