The DarnUI mod is a must. People who use it never go back. The radio mods just add flavor but I would listen to Radio New Vegas and Black Mountain Radio a lot on your first play as they change based on what you do in the game. Compiled Patch is vital just remember to remove it if the game is updated to a new official patch. Sandbox/Bottled Water are up to you, Bottled water only matters if you are playing Hardcore mode. I would leave the level cap and more perks mods for a second playthrough just to get the hang of the vanilla game first.

Thank you for patience with me, well I use hardcore but I decided to go without water mod, but I will use Sandbox and cap+perks as you suggested will be left for another playthrough.

I'd recommend playing vanilla first (aside from aesthetic mods maybe and smaller gameplay changes) and seeing how that suits you, then adjust appropriately the second time if you feel the need for more significant changes.

Quick question regarding music [no, i don't want to google..]:
Since New Vegas reuses the awesome soundtrack from F1 and F2 by Mark Morgan, is it possible to use the 320kbps versions of the songs [from Vault Archives, which i snagged before it went offline] instead of the 128kbps versions which are in the game folder?
And, does it make an impact on game performance/stability?

Wow..nice find. And why the heck would they use 128kbps..
Bet this would sound amazing on huge speakers w/320kbps.
It would probably work fine if the file names were exactly the same.

The tracks are here on GOG, no?

I found it by accident while searching for my copy of VA. I'll try to replace the files, hoping that F:NV accepts 320s.;)

I don't think GOG has the Vault Archives versions. It's some kind of a special remastered edition, which got pulled off the Aural site quite quickly, perhaps because of the soundtrack being used in NV. I've read somewhere in the comments on Aural that they are talking with Bethesda on the release. A loseless version was also coming. so i hope it all works out.

Check here for details: http://auralnetwork.com/releases
I bet some fallout fan sites still have a backup of what was released on Aural.;)

I see. Well these are 320kbps anyway.
The track names are different though sometimes similar, so you'd have to compare the tracks on both and rename accordingly.
Probably the easiest thing to do then is wait.

Oh, i am waiting.. for half a year now... ;P
Anyhow, i'll check out the music files later and report, now i'm doing the TEDIOUS task, of writing down ALL the locations from the Absolute Steve & Gredgie map [the big one] into human readable [.doc/.odt] for printing purposes. Already got the map printed on 6 A4 pages, neatly plastered with tape. All i need to do next is mark all the numbers with a marker on the map again, as they are barely visable.

I have to say, the map looks post apo'ish already, due to my poor skills with printing, and a little had twitch while plastering. ;D I don't even have room to unfold it even, but oh well, this is my OCD! :P

Stuck again, in Vault 22 (the one with the plants). I've pretty much figured out that my goal lies somewhere beyond a locked door that requires a key.

Where is the key?

Just finished "Come Fly with Me" the other day - I hear it can corrupt your saves, but thankfully it did not.

Also, came across my first deathclaws. Ouch. Going back to that area in a good 10 levels or so.

I wish they'd provide spoiler tags or at least PMs to due this.

SPOILER
If it's the door I'm thinking of, there is no key, you just have to find the computer terminal with the appropriate permissions to unlock it. IIRC you're looking for the terminal in the overseers office in order to get to the cavern, and find the scientist.
EDIT: The other one uses a key from the crew's quarters.

Recorded some gameplay with DarNified/Enhanced Blood mods: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSZ_BbUSxQk Sorry it's not HD, still figuring that out.

So for the main quest:


******* SPOILERS *******

Who did you guys side with?

First time with NCR, but had to give up when I kept dieing having failed to bring enough doctor's bags to do the job. And running largely low on ammo. I suppose I could've dropped hardcore, but I'm not willing to do that.

Second time, I haven't chosen yet.

I guess everyone who hasn't played the game or got far in it should look away now.

***SPOILERS***



Sided with Mr House, helped the NCR mostly, helped the Followers, murdered the Brotherhood, helped the Great Khans, wiped out the Powder Gangers, wiped out the Fiends, helped the Kings, recruited the Boomers. Ended with highest good karma. Quite satisfied with the ending except I wasn't high enough with trust to unlock Boone's ending. Over all happy with the ending slideshow's with Mr House tempered by my good nature. Didn't save the Kings though, them calling a truce with the NCR was their death warrant :(