Modernizing The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall – Remastering and Modding for Enhanced Gameplay

First, install the Daggerfall Unity. To install it visit the guide at
https://www.dfworkshop.net/using-steam-release-of-daggerfall-with-daggerfall-unity-updated/
and complete the entire setup process for Daggerfall Unity.

In case the link is not accessible or removed, navigate to
https://www.dfworkshop.net/, scroll down, and locate the section titled
"Using Steam Release of Daggerfall with Daggerfall Unity – Updated!"
and follow the provided guide to set up Daggerfall Unity.

Once the setup is successfully completed, proceed with the following steps, which include the installation of Nexus Mods.

DREAM

Paste the "Mods," "SpellIcons," and "Presets" folders into the following directory:

"..Daggerfall\DaggerfallUnity_Data\StreamingAssets"

Organize them as follows:
"..Daggerfall\DaggerfallUnity_Data\StreamingAssets\Mods"
"..Daggerfall\DaggerfallUnity_Data\StreamingAssets\SpellIcons"
"..Daggerfall\DaggerfallUnity_Data\StreamingAssets\Presets"

In the game, confirm that all 12 or more(in case updated) Dream packages are marked as "Enabled."

After copying the presets to the designated folder:

Open the mods section in the game menu.
Select the desired mod for setup(Some mods include the option to configure presets within their settings menus.).
Click on "settings."
In the top right corner, locate the "presets" tab.
Click on the tab and load the DREAM preset.
Utilize these presets to achieve the optimal final results!

Download Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/daggerfallunity/mods/5

Setting up ReShade

Access the DREAM folder and launch ReShade_Setup_4.8.2.exe or the latest version.
Select the gray button labeled "Click here to select a game and manage...."
Click "Browse."
Navigate to your "DaggerfallUnity.exe" in the game folder (e.g., "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Daggerfall Unity").
Choose "DaggerfallUnity.exe" and click "Open."
Opt for "DirectX 10/11/12."
Ensure all checkboxes are marked.
Click OK.
Always choose "Select all" and click OK.

Importing the DREAM RESHADE preset

Copy "DREAM 2022.ini" to the folder where your "DaggerfallUnity.exe" is located, such as "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Daggerfall Unity."

To Apply the DREAM Reshade Preset in the Game:

Reshade initiates automatically upon starting the game, briefly displaying information at the top of the screen.

Access the Reshade menu by pressing the "Home" key and click "Skip tutorial."

Locate "ReShadePreset" at the top and click on it.

Choose "DREAM 2022."

Click on "Select."

Recommended: Set the ON/OFF key to the "End" key (located under the "Home" key). Configure this in "Settings" - "General" - "Effect Toggle Key."
Completion: DONE!

Note: The DREAM version may change from year to year, and if the mod is updated, ensure to
replace the existing file with the updated version.

Enhanced Sky mod

Download Enhanced Sky mod, extract it, and copy the files into:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Elder Scrolls II Daggerfall\arena2 launcher\DaggerfallUnity_Data\StreamingAssets\Mods or wherever the game is installed.

Download Link: https://forums.dfworkshop.net/viewtopic.php?t=1542

Distant Terrain

Download Distant Terrain mod, extract it, and copy the files into:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Elder Scrolls II Daggerfall\arena2 launcher\DaggerfallUnity_Data\StreamingAssets\Mods or wherever the game is installed.

Download Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/daggerfallunity/mods/128

Handpainted model replacements

Download the Handpainted model mod, extract it, and copy the files into:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Elder Scrolls II Daggerfall\arena2 launcher\DaggerfallUnity_Data\StreamingAssets\Mods or wherever the game is installed.

Download Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/daggerfallunity/mods/9

Real Grass

Download Real Grass mod, extract it, and copy the files into:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Elder Scrolls II Daggerfall\arena2 launcher\DaggerfallUnity_Data\StreamingAssets\Mods or wherever the game is installed.

Download Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/daggerfallunity/mods/20

Improved Interior Lighting

Download Improved Interior Lighting mod, extract it, and copy the files into:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Elder Scrolls II Daggerfall\arena2 launcher\DaggerfallUnity_Data\StreamingAssets\Mods or wherever the game is installed.

Download Link: https://www.nexusmods.com/daggerfallunity/mods/144

To launch the game through Steam

1) To launch Daggerfall Unity from Steam, start by installing Daggerfall Unity using the guide provided earlier. Once the installation is complete, follow the steps below to enable Steam integration for Daggerfall Unity only after installing mods:

Navigate to the following directory: Steam\steamapps\common\The Elder Scrolls Daggerfall.

Locate the existing "DOSBox-0.74" folder and rename it to "DOSBox-0.74-backup." Then, create a new, empty folder named "DOSBox-0.74" in the same directory.

Copy all the contents from the Daggerfall Unity installation folder, which you downloaded from the specified zip file (e.g., dfu_windows_64bit-v0.16.2-rc), and paste them into the newly created "DOSBox-0.74" folder.

Within the "DOSBox-0.74" folder, rename "DaggerfallUnity.exe" to "DOSbox.exe" and "DaggerfallUnity_Data" to "DOSBox_data."

By following these steps accurately, you can now launch Daggerfall Unity directly from Steam.

2) After the successful launch of Daggerfall from steam navigate to the mods section to customize settings based on player preferences. Press the Home Button, and ensure to check the boxes for AdaptiveSharpen[AdaptiveSharpen.fx], Clarity, and SMAA. Additionally, tick the Performance Checkbox is located at the bottom.

[Glorbp]

On Steam Deck to count playtime i:
>Unzipped Daggerfall Unity (Linux ver.) to /home/deck/Daggerfall Unity
>Put this line in Daggerfall's properties launch options:
"/home/deck/Daggerfall Unity/DaggerfallUnity.x86_64" %command%

Also I had these mods installed to make the game slightly more appealing (in this load order):

daggerfall expanded textures
det uncesored
first-person-lighting
nine's nicer bodies
paperdoll enhanced
roleplayrealism
roleplayrealism-items
unleveled loot
shield widget
unique armor

[Bysalmorphic]

A heads up that DFworkshop link is down at this time. Hope the creator able to port the mods into nexus at some point.

[MikeyDOOM]

I just wanted to add, you don't have to do the stuff under To launch game through Steam things.

Just add the DaggerfallUnity.exe to steam as a non-steam game. You can still use steam overlay and custom controller config.

[Atman]

Here we are talking about launching the game exclusively through steam, and the fact that manually installed mods works properly is quite obvious.

[Elthrael]

just want to confirm that you can install mods if you rename the folders first and then install mods. If you use a mod manager, it won't work because it can't recognize "dosbox.exe" as Daggerfall, but if you install mods manually, it works just fine.