Fallout4 Modding

Documentation

fallout 4 INI guide

https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/articles/163/

Locations

${STEAMAPPS}/compatdata/377160/pfx/	wine/proton prefix
drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/Fallout4/ * Fallout4.ini(default settings) * Fallout4Prefs.ini(game set settings) * Fallout4Custom.ini (manual ini settings)	overrides to Fallout4.ini settings
${STEAMAPPS}/common/Fallout 4/Fallout4/Fallout4.ini	default settings values
drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Local/Fallout4/DLCList.txt	available plugins? (.esp, .esm)
drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Local/Fallout4/Plugins.txt	enabled plugins (.esp, .esm)
${STEAMAPPS}/common/Fallout 4/Data	mods installed here

Enable Mods

Allow custom Assets

Enable loading assets for mods:

# ${STEAMAPPS}/compatdata/377160/pfx/\
#   drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/Fallout4/Fallout4Custom.ini

[Archive]
bInvalidateOlderFiles=1
sResourceDataDirsFinal=

Load Each Plugin

Mods with .esp, or .esm files must be activated/ordered

• this can be done in-game from the settings
• this can be done manually in Plugins.txt

This example enables M9.esp

# C:/Users/steamuser/AppData/Local/Fallout4/Plugins.txt

*M9.esp

Quick Test

The M9 pistol mod is a really good test since:

• it has custom assets (invisible if not loaded properly)
• it use a .esp (won't be listed in console if not enabled)
• it can be added from the console, in a new game before reaching the vault

Install Mods

Mod Organizer 2

NOTE:

installation failed on proton-5.x, but after a reinstall on proton-experimental everything works!

- download:
- run: protontricks -c 'wineconsole cmd' 377160
- run: |
    cd Z:\home\will\Downloads
    Mod.Organizer-2.4.2.exe
- install:
  - perform a 'portable install' of MO2
  - skip nexus link

NOTE:

MO2 works by running the game from a virtual filesystem with your mods layered overtop of it.
In the rightmost pane's Data tab, mousing over a file will reveal the virtual filesystem location.
Once everything is satisfactory, you can copy this virtual filesystem and run it directly from wine?

Run game

protontricks  \
  -c 'wine /mnt/storage/games/steamapps/compatdata/377160/pfx/drive_c/Modding/MO2/ModOrganizer.exe'  \
  377160

Overlayfs

NOTE:

This didn't work for me. The .esp displayed as loaded, but the content wasn't present in-game.
I tried read-only, read-write, making the various .ini files read-only it just wouldn't work.

Plan Updates

Steam likes to auto update programs. This is problematic for mods that make use of F4SE (which is tied to a specific release of fallout4).

Configure Steam Updates

Set steam to update on run, or limit updates to hours computer will not be in use (ex. 4-5am).

Keep Previous Updates

1. Find what version of Fallout 4 you are currently running.
2. Copy and paste a copy of Fallout4.exe and then rename the new copy to Fallout4-<version>.exe
3. Whenever Steam updates Fallout 4, simply rename the new Fallout4.exe and then change your older copy to Fallout4.exe.
4. When the F4SE team is able to release an update, download the new F4SE version and rename the new patched executable back to Fallout4.exe.

https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/3381095-how-to-stop-steam-updating-fallout-4-and-why-you-need-to/

NOTE:

This is true, but Fallout changes more than just the .exe in updates (but less than the whole application).

Download old Fallout Versions from Steam

The Depots you are interested in seem to be:

• Fallout.exe
• Fallout 4 content_b

See steam page.