Essential Mods
I will go over all of the most necessary mods you absolutely need in FNV,
ranging from utilities to textures to mods that enhance the game well.
Utilities
xNVSE (REQUIRED)
The New Vegas Script Extender, or NVSE for short, is a modder's resource that expands the scripting capabilities of Fallout: NV.
It does so without modifying the executable files on disk, so there are no permanent side effects.
4GB Patcher (REQUIRED)
Makes Fallout: NV 4GB aware, letting the game be able to use 4GB of RAM, and lets the main exe automatically load NVSE "if present".
JIP LN NVSE Plugin
A modding plugin for Fallout: New Vegas that extends the functionality of the New Vegas Script Extender (xNVSE). It
adds over 1000 new script functions, which can be used in GECK, fixes numerous engine bugs, restores broken features, and includes a
"Script Runner" to execute code without a plugin file (.esp).
JIP LN NVSE Plugin on Nexus Mods
iStewieAI's Tweaks and Engine Fixes
Adds thousands of different tweaks and new features that are completely configureable and fixes up the engine without any peformance hits.
iStewieAI's Tweaks and Engine Fixes on Nexus Mods
The Mod Configuration Menu (MCM)
A menu to configure mod settings without having to edit the INI files or using the in-game item or using GECK
The Mod Configuration Menu on Nexus Mods
kNVSE
xNVSE plugin that enables having custom animations for weapons and actors. Fixes the engine-bound anim group limit problem
AnhNVSE
A script extender plugin for NVSE. As of version 1.2.3, this plugin adds 44 new functions to the game.
JohnnyGuitar NVSE
PLAY THE GUITAR, PLAY IT AGAIN, MY JOHNNYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.
One of the necessary plugins for Fallout: New Vegas that extends the functionality of xNVSE. It acts as a script extender library, adding new
script function and bug fixes to the engine to support more complex mods. Usually a requirement for Fallout: NV modding.
JohnnyGuitar NVSE on Nexus Mods
YUP (Yukichigai Unofficial Patch)
YUP (Yukichigai Unofficial Patch) is a comprehensive, standalone bug-fixing mod for Fallout: New Vegas and its DLCs. It fixes thousands
of bugs—including crashes, broken quests, and scripting issues—without changing game balance, making it considered essential for a stable
playthrough. It is widely preferred over similar patches.
Graphics
NMC's Texture Pack
Majorly overhauls textures covering just about almost everything, including buildings, roads, the landscape of the Mojave, and more! You can
download either the Small, Medium, or Large file sizes depending on what texture you want and how much VRAM you have.
NMC's Texture Pack For New Vegas on Nexus Mods
Physically Based mods
These mods retexture some other items for a higher resolution and PBR (Physically Based Rendering) for better qualiy;
may take a big toll on VRAM.
Physically Based Collection 1 and Physically Based Collection 2 On Nexus Mods
WAP Year One and Bonus (there is more if you look at the author profile)
The more recommended mod for overhauling weapon textures in NV. Retexutres about almost every gun!
WAP Year One and Bonuses on Nexus Mods
New Vegas Reloaded (NVR)
Completely changes how the lighting works in the game from Vanilla. There are a lot of presets to choose from on Nexus Mosd like Hikikomori,
Uraniun Fever, H2O, etc.
Gameplay
Enhanced Movement
Adds sprinting, leaning, going prone, and diagonal movement.
Enhanced Movement on Nexus Mods
JAM - Just Assorted Mods
Adds a bunch of new mechanics to the game. Also adds sprinting, but Enhanced Movement covers that well. Adds a FO4-esc loot menu, a dynamic
crosshair, hold breath, hit markers, bullet time, etc. Some features must be downloaded with a mod manager and activated.
JAM - Just Assorted Mods on Nexus Mods
The Living Desert
Increases world reactivity with travelers and NPCs that react to your choices and adds random encounters.
The Living Desert on Nexus Mods
Titans of The New West
Improves the look and function of Power Armor in the game, making them actually look imtimedating and bigger instead of some metalli piece of
clothing your character puts on.
Titans of The New West 2.0 on Nexus Mods
B42 Mods
Not an all in one, rather a different set of mods you download. These mods improve the game by a MILE, ranging from weapon inertia to realistic
recoil to making the game more lively with animations. These mods are considered really good by the community for a better experience playing the game.
The author of the B42 mods on Nexus Mods
Content
The SomeGuy Series
A series of different mods by SomeGuy2000 that add whole new questlines like New Vegas Bounties, The Better Angles, The Inheritance, Russel, etc. They're
insanely high quality for what they are.
The SomeGuy series master file on Nexus Mods; You can look at the requirements and find the other mods.
Long 15 NCR Expansion
A DLC-sized mod with a map bigger than Old World Blues with 100+ VAs; adds new questlines and a new area to explore from the Long 15 gate at Mojave Outpost.
Long 15 - NCR Expansion on Nexus Mods
Tale of Two Wastelands (TTW)
I did say I'll not mention this mod, but I feel like I have to here. Adds the entirety of FO3 and shoves it into the FNV engine. It does requre Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition
however, but from what it is it's completely worth it. (and may be the only reliable way to play fallout 3 now.)
TTW Install Guide - Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition on Steam
