What's the best Mod List (& most essential mods)

[Gravestoner]

I played a lot of TESIII: Morrowind on the Series X through Backwards Compatibility & absolutely loved it, having a PC now though I'd like to experience this game but improved.
I am however afraid of downloading a bunch of mods that look great but I don't realize are incompatible with eachother, so I wanted to ask what would be the best list of Compatible Mods to install that won't break the game when combined?

What I am looking for in mods personally are:
PRIMARY:
- Rebalance
- Magic Regeneration
- Bug Fixes/Unofficial Patch
- Graphical Overhaul (In both Environment, Effects & DEFINITELY the NPCs)
- Draw Distance Extension
- Walking Speed
SECONDARY:
- Content Expansion (More Quests)
- Weapon Expansion (More Weapons)
- Gameplay Improvements

[psychotron666]

- morrowind rebirth for rebalance and revamping the game.
Otherwise if you don't want the game transformed too much, use the tribunal rebalance and bloodmoon rebalance mods (coupled with the expansion integration mods).

- there's tons of Magicka Regen mods. You won't find any that don't absolutely destroy the balance of the game, as it's balanced around not regenerating. But many people use them, they're a dime a dozen and shouldn't interfere with any other mods.

- patch for purists, And either MCP (morrowind code patch), or openmw (new engine).

-i think the mod was called character overhaul, can't remember exactly. Someone else might help you better here. But intelligent textures is the best most purist texture replacer.

- morrowind code patch or openmw both have toggleable and adjustable distance settings.

- someone else will have to help you here, I've never adjusted walking speed. I just up athletics, speed and don't carry too much for this.

- Tamriel rebuilt adds most of morrowind mainland (bigger landmass than the entire oblivion game) with like 500 quests and more guild quests and content.
Province Skyrim also adds like 200 quests and the reach section of Skyrim.

- weapons not sure, there's dozens of those out there. Just look and decide what if any ones you want.

-openmw and MCP both add gameplay improvements. Personally I like open mw a lot, it revamps the AI so they aren't as stupid, and fixes AI pathing a lot, as well as many other optional features.

[psychotron666]

This guy has the 3 rebalance mods, one for each expansion, one for main quest.

https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/45714

And here's the expansion integrated mod, works best with the rebalance mods above (because the expansions have inflated enemies meant for after main quest).

https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/47861

Alternatively use morrowind rebirth, which as I said completely revamps the games and moves things around. It's more like a morrowind 2.0 for people who've beaten the game to death and exhausted all content. It also rebalances the game to be much harder and removes exploits.

[Von Faustien]

well world expansion the go to mods are

https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/42145

adds a large chunck of the mainland

https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/44921

Skyrim in morrowind well a small part of it

Cyrodil has one as well but its pretty minor at this stage

https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/44537

master for all tamriel rebuilt and project tamriel mods.

https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/49042

master file for a lot of Vardenfell (the base game) focused revamps my personal picks being

https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/46177

https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/49075

[Ghost]

First, choose an engine; either use OpenMW, or use both MCP and MGE XE.

- MCP fixes and expands the default engine with various optional features, MGE XE extends the graphics options and currently has MWSE 2.1 built in. Links below.

- OpenMW replaces the engine with a modern one, adds various features, including optional local multiplayer, and extends the graphics options. Incompatible with MWSE. https://openmw.org/faq/

If you want to play multiplayer, you need OpenMW.
If you intend to play a mod that requires MWSE (most don't), get MCP and MGE XE.
Otherwise get OpenMW.


Engine
- OpenMW - replaces default engine
https://github.com/OpenMW/openmw/releases/tag/openmw-0.47.0
Downloads are at the bottom of the changelog.
Assuming windows, you want to click on "OpenMW-0.47.0-win64.exe"
When you're installing it, you need to 'browse' to the Morrowind.esm file and 'open' it.

- Morrowind Code Patch (MCP) - fixes default engine bugs, expands engine capabilities
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/19510
Doesn't work with OpenMW.

- Morrowind Graphics Extender XE (MGE XE) - graphics expansion tool
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/41102
Doesn't work with OpenMW.

---

Content
Like with the engine, pick one of the big 2: Morrowind Rebirth or Tamriel Rebuilt.
Note that Rebirth is incompatible with almost every other content mod. Use it on its own.

- Morrowind Rebirth - total overhaul, new content, balance changes etc.
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/37795/
Basically Morrowind 2.0. Sadly incompatible with pretty much any other content mod: https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/articles/42/
Don't overwrite any of this mods files - suggest installing it last.


- Tamriel Rebuilt - Massive project to add mainland morrowind to the game
mod files: https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/42145/
data files: https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/44537/
This has so much going on it's almost overwhelming. Bigger than Oblivion on its own, and full of content. OpenMW highly recommended. Remember to register the BSA files.

Progress map: https://tamrielrebuilt.uesp.net/trmap/
Playable content map: https://i.imgur.com/N83v9hg.jpg
Main website: https://www.tamriel-rebuilt.org/


- Skyrim: Home of The Nords - add some Skyrim to your game
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/44921
Based on lore from the Pocket Guides to the Empire and other additional sources - what you might expect from having played Morrowind rather than later games in the series.
Requires the data files from TR. OpenMW highly recommended. Register the BSA files.

Main website: https://www.project-tamriel.com/welcome


- Uvirith's Legacy and Building Up Uvirith's Legacy - massive overhaul to the Telvanni stronghold, multiple questlines, town building
UL: https://www.dropbox.com/s/sqxbej0nef7bg9e/Uviriths_Legacy_3.53.7z?dl=0
BUUL: https://mw.modhistory.com/download-47-11851

Almost lost to time, these patch together two of the most popular Tel Uvirth Stronghold mods: Uvirith's Legacy(UL) by StuporStar, and Building up Uvirith's grave(BuUG) by Mike "Acheron". Load BUUL after UL.

- The White Wolf Of The Lokken Mountain - new land, 20+ hours of content, a classic
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/27306

- The Rise of the Tribe Unmourned - mq continues 3 weeks after Dagoth Ur's death
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/45165
Reccomend the Crown edition.

---

Patches
- Patch for Purists (PfP) - fixes game bugs, the best 'unofficial morrowind patch'
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/45096
Should always have this installed. Generally this should be the top .esp file in your load order. Don't use with Morrowind Rebirth, as that includes its own version already.

- Expansion Delay - delays the DB assassin attacks and limits Bloodmoon intrusion.
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/47588
Assassin's can still be farmed. Don't use with Rebirth, has its own method.

- Unofficial Morrowind Official Plugins Patched - patched versions of Morrowind's official dlc that aren't bundled with the game
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/43931
More info on them here: https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Plugins

---

Rebalance
Don't use these with Morrowind Rebirth, as it does its own already.

- Beware the Sixth House - rebalances main quest specifically, and sixth house in general
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/46036

- Tribunal Rebalance - rebalances Tribunal as if it shipped with Morrowind
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/45713

- Bloodmoon Rebalance - rebalances Bloodmoon as if it shipped with Morrowind
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/45714

---

General Graphics
Installation order for these graphics:
PfP > MOP > MET or MIT > PA > PA's optional textures for MET or MIT
If using Morrowind Rebirth, don't let them overwrite its files. Suggest installing it last.

- Weapon Sheathing - Makes unreadied weapons appear on the character's hip or back
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/46069

- Morrowind Optimization Patch (MOP) - fixes mesh errors, improves performance
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/45384
Also install the included Better Vanilla Textures. If using weapon sheathing, install the patch.

MET and MIT basically do the same thing, the same way, so it's pretty much a matter of preference. Choose one.

- Morrowind Enhanced Textures (MET) - Replaces almost all textures in the game with high resolution AI upscales
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/46221
If using MCP enable the "Map-texture conflict fix"

- Morrowind Intelligent Textures (MIT) - Replaces almost all textures in the game with high resolution AI upscales
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/47469
If using MCP enable the "Map-texture conflict fix"

- Project Atlas (PA) - MOP extension: texture atlasing, improves performance
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/45399

- Better Dialogue Font - high resolution Magic Cards font replacer
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/36873
For pretty much everything that's not in Daedric.

- Better Daedric Font - high resolution Daedric font replacer
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/44540

---

Magicka Regen
Haven't used or tested either of these as I've never had a problem with this in the game. Can only use one. Both old, but seem to work fine.

- Fair Magicka Regen V2B - new calculation for magicka regen
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/39350?tab=description
Don't use with MWSE.

- MWSE Magicka Regen - configurable magicka regeneration
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/48129
Don't use with OpenMW. Requires MWSE.

[Ghost]

Checking various archives, I will be back

[pierrealain66]

Originally posted by Ghost:

Checking various archives, I will be back

I do not know who you are but ... THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[pierrealain66]

THANK YOU psychotron666, Def-C AND Von Faustien
This discussion is much appreciated.

[lonetrav]

Regarding your SECONDARY list, you might consider having a look at Morrowind's Total Conversions (TC)s. These are new games playing in new worlds, developed with the Morrowind Construction Set (and using Morrowind's assets).
The 3 biggest ones I know are Myar Aranath and Arktwend from SureAI (the guys behind Nehrim and Enderal, the TCs can be downloaded from their website), and, my personal favourite, Sword of The Perithia (available on GamePressure). These TCs add probably at least 50 - 100 hours playing time each (well, once you know them well or use a guide, you may be able to complete their main quests a lot quicker, but with all sidequests, you're likely to get far beyond 100 hours), and they are quite tough to play at times. I've noticed occasional bugs, too, but not a single one I couldn't find a solution or workaround for - yet :-)). Some familiarity with Morrowind is highly recommended!

Additional notes:
- Myar Aranath and Arktwend are German, but to my knowledge there exist English translation mods for both, definitely for Arktwend.
- It's highly recommended to install each TC in its own copy of the Morrowind folder.
- There is no guarantee that the TCs are compatible with Morrowind mods or expansions, or with OpenMW (of course, you can search the internet for information, or simply experiment on your own, for example, the official Master Index plugin works with Sword of The Perithia, the author included a nice questline with propylon indices). According to my experience, SOP works well with OpenMW, but you may have to adjust a few settings to get optimal immersion.

[Ghost]

So turns out many of the links I had saved in my archive are now dead, which makes finding things a massive pain. So many mods lost, so many dead or broken websites.

Walking speed
Both MCP and OpenMW have a fix to remove race height/weight influence.
With the fix applied, characters with the same stats will move at the same speed.
If it's still to slow for you, try this:

Run Faster - Faster Running Speed
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/42796
Try the 'Faster' version first. If it's too fast, use 'Fast', if too slow use 'Fastest'.

---

Weapon Expansion
Both Morrowind Rebirth and Tamriel Rebuilt include new and unique weapons and armour, and complete the sets that were missing pieces. More aren't really needed but I've linked their categories on the nexus. Suggest sorting by endorsements or downloads.

Consider all of them as content mods if they're not just retextures - anything with a .esp

Weapons: https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/categories/31/
Weapons and Armor: https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/categories/16/

You need to be aware however, that these sorts of mods typically alter the games levelled lists, and multiple lists are not compatible and will overwrite each other.

To prevent this, you'll need to merge the files. The best option for doing this is the TES3MERGE tool. https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/46870

It is a replacement for old object merging utilities, as well as Wrye Mash's mashed patch and tes3cmd's multipatch feature. Configuration is done by the .ini file, basic instructions are included, additional on the github page: https://github.com/NullCascade/TES3Merge

Place in the same folder as the Morrowind.exe. Backup your Morrowind folder, configure the ini file, and run the tool. When it's done, enable the Merged Objects.esp file it creates and place it at the bottom of your load order.

It requires the .NET 6 Runtime to run. Depending on your computer, you may already have this installed. If the TES3MERGE doesn't open, you don't have it.

Link to download page: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/6.0
- Scroll down to the .NET Desktop Runtime 6.0.11
- If your system is 64-bit, get the x64 installer, if it's 32-bit, get the x86.
- run the installer, then try running TES3MERGE

[Ghost]

So what's left? Gameplay and NPC's. Will probably make a guide with all this stuff for simplicity since these discussions keep popping up.

Gameplay
Not knowing your preferences for gameplay, will go for common picks.

Building
- Wayfarer's Rest - build and upgrade an inn, profit
https://mw.modhistory.com/download-15-9901

Survival
- Water and Thirst - periodically drink water or suffer
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/46509
Remember to drink water people - if you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated.

- Cooking and Eating - cook and eat food for buffs, starving optional
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/46507

- Bad Weather Matters - weather actually has an effect
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/46495

- Bodily Injuries - being hurt applies penalties
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/46405

- Yurt Crafting - camping / portable home
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/47356


Vampirism and Lycanthropy
Vampire Realism II - overhauls vampirism experience, another lost to time
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/42483
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loU7yVcVbN8

Bloodmoon Werewolf Realism - overhauls werewolf gameplay
https://www.sabregirl.com/mods/were-realism.html


Romance
Morrowind does actually include some romance, but aside from Ahnassi for male characters, none of them go anywhere. Unsurprisingly this is a staple for many (and often the best) companion mods in Bethesda games. Arguably some take it too far, but I'm not going to judge.

Morrowind has it's own framework in the 'Romance' mod if that sort of thing interests you. It's the top mod in the NPC's category by far. Also, it should go without saying that it is NSFW.

Romance English Version
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/6932
It also has some 'unofficial' addons and a 'modernized' version, which are incompatible.
addons: https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/30121
modernized: https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/46015

[Ghost]

NPC (and player) Graphics

Install these last, to avoid them being overwritten.

Body replacer
- Better BodiesZW - updates body for elves and humans
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/42395
Two versions, one with underwear, the other nude.

- New Beast Bodies by LizTail - updates argonian and khajiit bodies
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/47678
Clean is underwear, mature is nude. Requires Unique Shadow Pack.

- Unique Shadow Pack
https://mw.modhistory.com/download-10-6029

- Westley's Pluginless Head Replacer Complete - vanilla style, high-res head and hair replacer for men and elves
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/50152

- Pluginless Khajiit Head Pack - above but for Khajiit
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/43110

Clothes
- Better Clothes Complete - updated clothes for use with body replacers
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/47549
Combines: Better Clothes 1.1, More Better Clothes, BetterClothesForTB and BetterClothesBloodmoonPlus1.5

- Better Robes - same as above, but for robes
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/42773

Armor
- Better Morrowind Armor
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/42509
Only use 1 .esp from the Data Files folder. Complete armor joints optional but recommended.
- Various Armor Improvements and Patches - fixes some issues with BMA
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/47920
Better Morrowind Armor Fixes; overwrite BMA's files with the 00 Data Files folder, and the 01 if you installed Complete armor joints.

Gods replaces with better bodies versions
- Better Almalexia
https://mw.modhistory.com/download-90-13339
https://staticdelivery.nexusmods.com/mods/100/images/23388-1-1238092367.jpg

- Vivec God Replacement Creature Edition v1.2
https://mw.modhistory.com/download-56-10946

- Azura Replacer v1.0
https://mw.modhistory.com/download-56-6053


When everything is installed, run the TES3MERGE tool.

[pierrealain66]

Is there a mod you recommend where you ally yourself with the bad guy and have a different ending?

[lonetrav]

No, but you can BE the bad guy - it's a role-playing game.

[Ghost]

Originally posted by pierrealain66:

Is there a mod you recommend where you ally yourself with the bad guy and have a different ending?

Yes and no. There are 3 I know of, though I haven't tried them. So I can't speak for their content, quality or compatibility etc. Assume they won't work together or with Rebirth.

Also note these mods are re-uploads, the original authors long gone or their sites shut down. Consider them to have been abandoned.

- The Return of Great House Dagoth: https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/15546
This takes place after the main quest ends, but lets you join the 6th house.

- Great House Dagoth: https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/48200
This lets you accept the invitation left on Dagoth Gares' corpse and join Dagoth.
This mod needs cleaning though, and apparently doesn't work with OpenMW.

- Endek's Sixth House: https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/49438
This lets you join the Sixth House by talking to a Sleeper in Balmora or wandering the road between Balmora and Caldera. Stay out of Ilunibi and don't do the 'Sixth House Base' mainquest or you'll lock yourself out.

It's recommended to also use The Tribe Unmourned with this one.
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/23357

[lonetrav]

I forgot to mention the Main Quest Overhaul, https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/46913.
It's not quite what you want, but it offers several main quest alternatives. Perhaps one of them is to your liking.