GUIDE - OBLIVION with FCOM install (for experienced users) beta

• INTRO
• GUIDE

MOSTLY DEPRECATED - visit the FCOM thread @ beth forums (search for [RELz] FCOM Convergence 1.0)
NB : comments on the contents of the guide are most welcome - but for WB, FCOM support post at the relevant forum threads. Also, visit my sponsors -->

So you have an adequate PC, you know you can download mods from TesNexus, you know you have to check them in WB to see them in game, you know you don't install USIP when you don't have SI and you know it is good to PyFFI mod meshes. Good. Here we go :

0. Uninstall Oblivion (see here and here and here for registry cleaning etc. Btw here are my registry entries on a clean install (on Win7 Pro x64). Patches do not seem to touch them).

1. Install Oblivion in (say) C:\GAMES\TESIV\Oblivion. Do not install in the default location - applies to windows 7/Vista - here's why. The original version is 0.1.0.228. You can use obse_loader.exe -crconly command from a command window to check oblivion's EXE CRC, if installing from GOTY, Steam, No DVD cracks etc. Google the CRC or have a look directly at the OBSE source to see which CRC is for which version.

1a. Install OBSE, BOSS and Wrye Python 6 + Wrye Bash. Install the CS. See the INTRO for other essential tool links and my tips page for, err, tips.

2. Patches + SI (check links below, beth pulled older patches down apparently) - see here for a detailed discussion :

• vanilla (0.1.0.228) : backup Oblivion - Textures.bsa - the one installed by 1.1.511 is different
  
• 1.1.511
  
• copy 1.1.511 esm -it is the same as 1.2.0416 non SI esm (here are the differences)
  
• rename the copy to Oblivion_1.1.esm
  
• SI (CD version is 1.2.0.201)
  
• SI 1.2.0.416

If you don't want the 1.1.511 esm (for WB dual esm setup) you might ommit the steps with the 1.1.511 patch.
If you do not want SI, patch directly to 1.2.0.416 Vanilla. The way I post it you will have a fully patched SI setup and the ability to play/mod a 1.2.0.416 non SI game via WB's .esm swap feature. The exe (1.2.0.416) is the same in both SI and non SI patches, of course. Again see the links provided (or follow this blindly - the only thing not backed up is the 0.1.0.228 loader - replaced by 1.1.511 - but let's not be anal). Done with this. You have a clean SI 1.2.0.416 Vanilla Oblivion install. Back it up !(create a vanilla WB package with music, videos, shaders etc and place it at the bottom of BAIN, also use mTes4 etc) !
Now to FCOM.

NB : Install order matters. Should be (required) :

Unofficial Oblivion Patch
Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch (if applicable)
DLC's + Patches (if applicable)
Uop Hotfixes
Francesco's 4.5 (*)
OOO version 1.33 full patched to OOO 1.34 beta5
Oblivion WarCry patched to 1.085b, patched to 1.09 (*)
Bob's Armory 1.1 (*)
Armamentarium and Armamentarium Artifacts
Martigen's Monster Mod 3.7b3
MMM-Diverse WaterLife Update 3.7b3pF (if applicable)
COBL
MMM 3.7b3 Cobl Update (if applicable)
COBL Races
FCOM 9.9 beta + supported add-ons (add-ons optional) (*)
Body Replacement mods (Roberts, Exnem. EVE etc)
Texture replacers
To complete FCOM, install the UFCOM files, overwriting where prompted.
* : for these mods there are optimized/cleaned BSAs which is the preferred method of installation - some are still under testing. I link to those BSAs in my description below but do check with the current FCOM thread for updates, bugs etc. The dates I give are from the FCOM thread OP.
NB : the files marked if applicable are required if they are an update/patch to an optional installed component, of course

In BAIN it is easy to correct conflicts and overlaps - there is even a function to backup conflicts and install them on top of both conflicting mods - you did know this heh ? So you can adjust this anytime. Nevertheless I will be following this install order (which I repeat is equivalent to packages order in BAIN tab of WB) to the letter. SO :

3. Install (in this order in BAIN) :

• Unofficial Oblivion Patch 3.2.0 (make it into a simple package)
• Unofficial Shivering isles Patch (USIP) 1.4
• DLCs + Unofficial Official Mods Patch (UOMP) 1.5
• Uop Hotfixes 3.3.5 : this one is BAIN ready and contains fixes both for UOP and UOMP - so install last!

EDIT : DLCThievesDen - Unofficial Patch.esp 3.3.3  [Version 1.0.7] has deleted references that will cause a crash on exit - clean it with TES4EDIT (or WB). Not sure if fixed in 1.0.8 (not in the changelog).

4. FRANS !

5. OOO :
Download Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul (OOO) 1.33 (the OOO_133_Complete.7z, OMOD-ready). Restructure it as a BAIN package as follows :

Package Structure:

00 Core Files\
 Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esm
 meshes\
 textures\
 sound\
01 OOO-FULL\
 Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esp
01 OOO-LITE\
 Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esp
02 Options Only for FULL\
 OOO-DLT_Remover.esp
02 Options Only for LITE\
 OOO-Armor_Perks_WearRate_Repair.esp
 OOO-BirthSigns.esp
 OOO-Combat_Skills_Perks_Marksmanship.esp
 OOO-DaedraLord_Quests.esp
 OOO-Dangerous_Traps.esp
 OOO-Deadly_Combat.esp
 OOO-DLT_Immersion.esp
 OOO-Level_Normal.esp
 OOO-Level_Slow.esp
 OOO-Level_Stock.esp
 OOO-Magic_Effects+Enchantments.esp
 OOO-Magic_Effects+Spells.esp
 OOO-Magic_Game_Settings.esp
 OOO-Potions.esp
 OOO-Respawn_Month.esp
 OOO-Respawn_Two_Week.esp
 OOO-Respawn_Week.esp
 OOO-Respawn_Year.esp
 OOO-ThiefGuild_Difficult.esp
03 Compatibility Options\
 OOO-Container_Trap_Instant_Effects.esp
 OOO-Magic_Script_Effect_Fix.esp
 OOO-No_Guild_Ownership.esp
04 Other Options\
 OOO-Map_Markers_Stock.esp
 OOO-Water_Weeds.esp
05 Living Economy OBSOLETE v3.63\
 Cutthroat Merchants.esp
 Living Economy - Items.esp
 Living Economy README.htm
 Living Economy Spreadsheet.xls
05ESP Living Economy OBSOLETE v3.63\
 Living Economy.esp
05ESP Living Economy - No Barter Chatter OBSOLETE v3.63\
 Living Economy.esp
06 Level_Rates_Modified\
 Level_Rates_Modified_x2.esp
 Level_Rates_Modified_x3.esp
 Level_Rates_Modified_x4.esp
 Level_Rates_Modified_x5.esp
 LRM_Calculator.xls
 LRM_Charts_1.3.txt
 LRM_Generic.esp
 LRM_Readme_1.3.1.txt
07 Non BAIN (deleteMe)\
 omod conversion data -refer to different archive 'structure\
 config
 info.txt
 screenshot
 script.txt
 OOO.ico
 OOOupsave.exe
OOO_133_readme.pdf
OOO_Changelog_FAQ.html
OOO_Install_Instructions.rtf
OOO_Options.rtf
Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul COMPLETE_readme.rtf

RTM and make your choices - I chose (apart from 00 Core and 01 OOO-FULL, which are mandatory for FCOM -- LITE is out of question as 1.34 is full version only!) OOO-Water_Weeds.esp.  Essentially the options are 02, 03, 04 and 06 below so RTFM about those (waiting for an official reply lest one of those is not FCOM compatible - 0.0001% chance. I would recommend only OOO-Water_Weeds.esp though and the compatibility fixes if needed) :

Package Structure for FCOM:

00 Core Files MANDATORY\
 Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esm
 meshes\
 textures\
01 OOO-FULL MANDATORY\
 Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esp
02 Options Only for FULL (optional, duh)\
 OOO-DLT_Remover.esp
03 Compatibility Options (RTFM)\
 OOO-Container_Trap_Instant_Effects.esp
 OOO-Magic_Script_Effect_Fix.esp
 OOO-No_Guild_Ownership.esp
04 Other Options (optional, duh)\
 OOO-Map_Markers_Stock.esp
 OOO-Water_Weeds.esp
06 Level_Rates_Modified (optional, duh - activate one of them)\
 Level_Rates_Modified_x2.esp
 Level_Rates_Modified_x3.esp
 Level_Rates_Modified_x4.esp
 Level_Rates_Modified_x5.esp
 LRM_Calculator.xls
 LRM_Charts_1.3.txt
 LRM_Generic.esp
 LRM_Readme_1.3.1.txt
OOO_133_readme.pdf
OOO_Changelog_FAQ.html
OOO_Install_Instructions.rtf
OOO_Options.rtf
Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul COMPLETE_readme.rtf

Create a BAIN package (say OOO_133_Complete--BAIN'ed.7z) and install it.
Download Optimized OOO 1.33 meshes and install them (too old - PyFFI OOO 1.33's meshes yourself)
Download OOO_134_Beta_5_Patch and install it on top of 1.33.
Download PYFFIed Optimized OOO 1.34 beta 5 Meshes Patch (too old - PyFFI OOO 1.34b5's meshes yourself)
The reason I give the links to these ancient PyFFI'ed meshes is that those links are given in the guides around - but I firmly believe you should bin them and use newest PyFFI - currently 2.1.9 !
DONE with OOO.

6. War Cry :
Download Oblivion Warcry EV.bsa (12-1-2010), War Cry EV 1.09 esp (alternative link), make them into a BAIN package and install it.
Alternatively download War Cry 1.08, WarCry patch 1.085b, War Cry EV 1.09 esp, make them into a BAIN package and install it (delete the Thumbs.db) :

Package Structure:

meshes\
Sound\
textures\
OWC 1.08 EV Readme.txt
OWC Patch 1.08b 1.085b.txt
Oblivion WarCry EV.esp
WarCryEV109.txt

Then download FCOM_WarCry109 and install it last, after FCOM && UFCOM, it is the very latest version.
DONE with OWC.

7. Items :

• Bob's Armory1.1 : download Bob's Armory1.1 - combine the esp from this download with Bob's Armory Oblivion.bsa (my link is the 2010-11-28 version) and make a BAIN package of them - check FCOM thread's OP for BSA's features.
• Loths Blunt Weapons : download Loths Blunt Weapons 3.0.1 - dumb in BAIN and check only the Loth's Blunt Weapons for Npcs.esp in bash.
• Armamentarium : ArmaCompleteResources, ArmamentariumComplete ver 1_35, and Robert's male/female Body for Arma Complete (if you use Robert's). Male says muscular - not sure it works with other ones. Will check this in game.
• Artifacts : Artifacts + 1.1 Update + Roberts Female/Male. I made them into a BAIN package.

8. MMM !

9. Cobl (straight from FCOM OP) :

• Download and install Cobl 172 + Loot-Drop-Merchant changes Proposal (the latter in section Miscellaneous). Congrats you have Cobl 173 installed.
  
• Download and install the MMM 3.7b3 Cobl Update.
• Don't use FCOM_Cobl.esp or Cobl Tweaks.esp. Use OOO Cobl 1.32 if you want its ingame menu for OOO options (do not let 1.32 fool you - works with 1.34 and Cobl 173).

RTM for options - in particular : the TNR version bundled needs  Cobl Cosmetics Res 01 installed. Also Do not use CRB if you prefer vanilla race and birthsigns or if you're already using a different race re-balancing mod. (E.g bg2408's Race Balancing Project.)

10. MOBS/OMOBS :
Check this and this for info (a bit old - concerning version 1 - for version 2 see here). It all boils down to (already covered are stricken out) :

• Install Unofficial Oblivion Patch 3.2.0
• Install compatibility patch for QTP3 and Unofficial Oblivion Patch (if applicable)
• Install Unofficial Shivering isles Patch (USIP) 1.4
• Install Unofficial Official Mods Patch (UOMP) 1.5
• Install Unofficial Oblivion Patch Supplementals 3.3.5
• Install USIP MOBS 1.4 (optional apparently - just to reduce conflicts in TES4EDIT - don't know what's the status of this with OMOBS v2 - better bin it)
• Install Updated Official DLC MOBS (Lair_mobs.esp, Mehrunes_mobs.esp, and Thievesden_mobs.esp only)
• Install OMOBS/OMOBS_SI version 2.0a. Not both. Not OMOBS Optional Combat Settings.esp.

11. FCOM MODS !

12. FCOM !

Load Order after following my guide + BOSS + BP - but with no mods from the mod section installed. Pay close attention to the ++, the ** and the versions...

Bash tags are applied by Bash automatically if the BOSS masterlist is present. So you only need to fire up Bash after you have installed latest and greatest BOSS. Never looked at Bash tags myself - I do trust BOSS on the ol'time FCOM.

To be continued with cleaning - PyFFI info.
Comment if you find anything unclear/wrong or know something I don't.

Last edited : 2012.09.05 12.26 UTC