This page will cover how to install Fallout Who Vegas on a fresh install of Fallout New Vegas. Due to the age of the game and the advancement of computers since its release, there are several essential mods and tweaks required before the start of a game in order to ensure a stable and (relatively) bug-free experience.
Preparing Fallout Who Vegas From a Fresh Install[]
Generating ini files[]
From a fresh install of the game, simply open the game via the launcher, reach the main menu, and close it again. This generates some necessary configuration files for the game to run properly.
The 4GB Patch[]
By default, New Vegas is only able to use 2GB of RAM. However this makes it prone to crashing due to running out of memory. To counter this, download and apply the 4GB patcher to your Fallout New Vegas executable (FalloutNV.exe in your game folder). Be sure to follow the instructions on the 4GB patcher mod page as this patch cannot be installed with a manager.
Mod Manager[]
It is HIGHLY recommended to use a mod manager which generates a virtual file system while modding Fallout New Vegas in order to maintain stability. The recommended manager to use is Mod Organizer 2. Install and run MO2 - almost all future modding and loading of the game must be done through your mod manager to ensure that your mods are loaded when the game starts.
NVSE[]
NVSE, or New Vegas Script Extender, is a requirement for Fallout Who Vegas and many other mods. It cannot be installed with a mod manager and must be installed manually. The latest NVSE, also known as xNVSE, can be found here. If you are using xNVSE then you should also use Bungles xNVSE patch, as it resolves some compatibility issues between Who Vegas and xNVSE.
Install Essential Mods[]
Several mods are essential for Fallout New Vegas whether you intend to play a vanilla or modded run. They fix bugs, prevent crashes, and generally make the game significantly more playable. It is HIGHLY recommended that you install these mods before any others:
- New Vegas Anti-Crash
- New Vegas Tick Fix
- An "Unofficial Patch" Bug Fixing Mod, such as Yukichigai's Patch
- JIP LN NVSE Plugin
Install your Mods[]
This is the time to install Fallout Who Vegas, and any other mods you intend to play with, using your mod manager. We strongly recommend installing the Fallout Who Vegas Complete edition from the linked GitHub page rather than the mod from the nexus as the Original file contains many, many unpatched issues. This contains the base mod, already patched for stability, and your choice of all available community addons. It is by far the easiest way to install the mod and its addons, and in Mod Organizer 2 allows you to customise your experience however you see fit.
Sort your Load Order[]
Your load order (the order the mods are loaded into your game) can make or break your game's stability. Some mod managers have an integrated load order sorting feature, however if yours doesn't, download LOOT, run it via your mod manager, and use it to sort your load order.
Archive Invalidation[]
You must set up an archive invalidation for your install for certain textures and assets to display properly in-game. If not, many textures may appear bright pink. Mod Organizer 2 has native archive invalidation support. Simply go to profiles at the top, and select manage. From there, select the profile you are using. There should be an archive invalidation checkbox in the menu which you want to leave checked. If using a different mod manager or modding manually, you may need to use an external tool such as this one to generate the necessary files.
You're Done! If you've followed these steps, Fallout New Vegas should be patched, stabilised, and ready to go. Simply run nvse_loader.exe through your mod manager and enjoy the game.
Using Vortex[]
Vortex is not recommended as it does not have proper Archive Invalidation functionality, and its method of mod deployment can cause complications. If you plan on using Vortex anyway, follow the same instructions as above and use Vortex's functionality rather than MO2 to cover the various steps, and be sure to launch any executables from inside of Vortex to ensure that they are able to see the virtual file system it generates.
Manual Installation and Other Mod Managers[]
It is entirely possible to install Fallout Who Vegas manually, or by using mod managers such as NMM or FOMOD. To do so, simply follow all the same instructions above, and instead install all mods using your desired method. This guide still recommends using Mod Organizer 2 as it stores your mods in a separate directory from the base game and generates a virtual file system to run the game out of, meaning that no files are ever permanently overwritten, and you can safely verify your game cache without it affecting your mods. This is not true of manual installation. Using MO2 means that if you make a mistake you can keep trying without running the risk of finding that you've overwritten an important file. It also allows you to much more easily keep track of exactly which loose files are from which mod(s).
Optional Steps for Additional Stability[]
There are some additional steps you can take when installing mods on any modern Bethesda game to improve the stability of your mods and their interaction with each other. These are not considered an essential part of installing Fallout Who Vegas, however they can be useful in making an install more stable.
- Use FNVEdit to Clean the DLC Masters: Certain DLC master files were released with wild edits left in which serve no purpose but may conflict with mods. To remove them, simply download FNVEdit, and use the FNVEditQuickAutoClean.exe file inside to select each of the .esm files for the game's DLC. FNVEdit will automatically clean these files and save them for you. FNVEdit can only clean one file at a time, but is otherwise fully automated.
- Create a Smashed Patch: A smashed patch is a patch made unique to your selection of mods, and patches them together to help minimise conflicts. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution which guarantees no conflicts, however it can reduce some specfic types of conflict which can arise from certain mods. After you have installed all of the mods which you intend to use on given playthrough, download Mator Smash and run it through your mod manager. By default it will select all mods you have active. Simply hit the green "smash all" arrow on the top left, and it will create your patch. This smashed patch may end up in your mod manager's overwrite folder, and is best moved from there into an empty mod created for it.
Notes[]
- Historically, we had recommended an old version of NVSE and associated plugins while we ascertained the compatibility between Who Vegas and xNVSE. This is no longer the case, and so an outdated NVSE and plugins (such as JIP LN NVSE) are no longer required. If, for whatever reason, you are using NVSE 5 or lower, it is recommended but not essential to use Bungles xNVSE patch.