2026 Ultimate Modding Guide

I saw most Steam guides are very old or full of unstable mods, so this is a very simple guide on how to get FNV ready in 2026. Its easier than ever to install mods, using Wabbajack and the Viva New Vegas modlist.

Go to:

https://vivanewvegas.moddinglinked.com/

Pick "WabbaJack", then follow the guide FULLY to install the Viva New Vegas modpack.

This is a massive modpack that contains all recommended bug fixes, performance updates and quality of life fixes for FNV. I recommend picking the Extended version, as many of the gameplay updates it adds are also very useful.

That is more or less everything you need to get started. Just follow that entire guide and you are pretty much ready to go. Check the "Mods to avoid" section, it has suggestions for mods to install instead.

Adding mods is easy, after you have found one on Nexus and clicked "download with manager", it will show up in the downloads tab of your mod manager. Just drag it into the right category to install it. Remember to enable it after!


I usually disable Agua Fria, as its a hardcore mod that just makes everything more tiresome, and Manual Reload.

If you want to make the game look even better with modern post processing, install New Vegas Reloaded, unfortunately only available via Discord. LINK HERE.[discord.com]
Desert Natural Weathers[www.nexusmods.com] is also a very good mod if you want a weather overhaul.


If you want to install other mods, I recommend:

Essential mods (for me):

JIP companions[www.nexusmods.com] - unlimited compaions and more control over them.
Visual objectives[www.nexusmods.com] - Skyrim style objective markers.
Enhanced FOV [www.nexusmods.com] - FOV slider.


Do you want more hardcore/realistic combat? Install:

Fallout 4 survival damage[www.nexusmods.com] - you deal more damage and take more damage.
NPCs can miss [www.nexusmods.com] - essential with the mod above.
Additive hit reactions[www.nexusmods.com] - enemies react to being shot
Threshold [www.nexusmods.com] - heavy armor and power armor actually block bullets. Higher calibers are needed to fight end-game enemies.
DT multiplier and DR adder [www.nexusmods.com] - enhances the mod above.
NPCS use aid items[www.nexusmods.com]


Do you want more content? Install:

Functional post game ending [www.nexusmods.com] - play after the game ends
Mojave wildlife [www.nexusmods.com] - more wildlife in the open world.
Legion quests expanded [www.nexusmods.com] - restores cut legion quests.
Uncut wasteland plus npcs (simple freeside open + Outside Bets version) [www.nexusmods.com] - restores cut content.
Outside bets [www.nexusmods.com] - restores more cut content
Consider also the other "New Vegas Uncut" quests from the same creator as above LINK[www.nexusmods.com]

Do you want to make the game feel a bit more alive using modern hardware? Install:

Casino Crowds [www.nexusmods.com] - more NPCs in casinos
Simple Open Freeside[www.nexusmods.com] - no gates inside Freeeside
Simple populated freeside [www.nexusmods.com] - more NPCs in Freeside
Simple open strip [www.nexusmods.com] - no gates inside The Strip.
Lamplight [www.nexusmods.com] - Functional lampposts.
Simple Interior Lighting Enhancement[www.nexusmods.com] - Better interior lights.

And some last assorted mods that you might want:

YCS + wild wasteland[www.nexusmods.com] - get both the unique Gauss Rifle and Alien Blaster.
Better (faster) character creator + respec patch[www.nexusmods.com] - Skips most of the character creation stuff, good if you have played FNV many times.
Complete respec [www.nexusmods.com] - allows you to respec at the Vigor tester in Doc Michell's house.
Brotherhood house truce FPGE[www.nexusmods.com] - Brotherhood of Steel + House Alliance, based on cut content.
Save Cass [www.nexusmods.com] - Cass doesn't have to die in the Van Graff questline.
Van Graff hostility fix[www.nexusmods.com] - Van Graffs wont be hostile after finishing Cass' companion quest.
Arcade Rehired[www.nexusmods.com] - You can rehire Arcade Gannon after finishing his quest.
Cleared Map Markers [www.nexusmods.com] - Allows you to mark locations as [Cleared] like in Fallout 4.
Modern Minimap[www.nexusmods.com]
Simple Player Home Crafting Stations[www.nexusmods.com] - Crafting stations in all player homes.
Main and Pause Menus Overhaul [www.nexusmods.com] - Pause menu with achievements overview and ultrawide support.
Daily Vendor Restock[www.nexusmods.com]
More Vendor Caps[www.nexusmods.com]
Marathoner[www.nexusmods.com] - run faster outside combat.

There is also a mod, Tale of Two Wastelands (TTW) that adds all of Fallout 3 to New Vegas. At game start you decide if you want to start in New Vegas or Fo3, and can travel to the other via a train station on each map.

Adding it to this modlist is relatively easy, but requires some manual work.

Steps:

1. Install Fallout 3 and open it at least once.

2. Go to https://thebestoftimes.moddinglinked.com/ttw.html and follow this entire page. Use the mod organiser you have already installed. The only exception is step 3, you only need to paste this piece into your falloutcustom.ini:



3. In mod organiser you should now see the Tale of Two Wastelands mod and YUPTTW.

4. In mod organiser's plugin's tab, move all the Fallout 3 content, TTW and YUPTTW to the top, like this:


5. You need to install https://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/77415

6. You need to disable YUP and YUPDate, New Vegas Mesh Improvement Mod, and any associated patches like The Living Desert YUP Patch or NVMIM YUP Patch.

7. Install any TTW patches for any mods you have installed. For example the ones for Functional Post Game Ending, Simple Open Freeside, etc.

It should work now. Remember that you NEED to start a new game, existing saves wont work.

If I have missed anything then either the mod launcher or the game itself will give an error telling you what to disable/install.

If you want Fallout NV speech checks get this mod: https://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/68736

Traveling between games:

To get to New Vegas from Fallout 3, look for the metro station behind the National Archives (its in the Mall oppossite the Museum of Science). Explore the metro station until you find an exit, and you should be standing close to the new Penn. Station building. Inside it is a train that you can take to Vegas.

To get to Fallout 3 from New Vegas, go to Freeside. The train station is down the same street as Van Graff's and the casino, but blocked by rubble so you have to go around it. Its the same location you go to in the shootout between the NCR and Pacer, or to find FISTO.