Hello
I made this account because I wanted to make a post asking for help and advice when modding Morrowind.
To give some background, I currently am using a 4 year old PC and do not have morrowind currently installed. My disc set became corrupted a few years ago and I haven't played the game since. However, remembereing Morrowind as perhaps the best game I ever played, nostalgia awoke within me and I now would like to download the game and expansions from Steam.
Furthermore, I want to mod the game so it is a lot better (for obvious reasons). I must warn that I have never modded a game in my life, nor have any experience with this sort of thing so please, be gentle. I am not very computer literate either in the sense that even though I can build a computer, I don't have much knowledge of anything software related. That being said, I do know what I want for the game and would like to acheive:
-I want the very best visual and sound experience availible, It seems that the 3.0 overhaul offers the best solution (?), so I would like advice on how to download/install it.
-Are there graphics mods that I should download in addition to 3.0, and if so, what are the most comprehensive ones?
-I have done some reading and people talk about UMP 1.6.3b as fixing loads of issues. In addition, people mention MCP 2.1 as being very good as well: do I need both? is there any conflict with 3.0?
-Assuming these two previous questions can yield answers to all Graphics updates and bug/code fixes, the next thing I would like is any sort of gameplay enhancer that would not conflict with these previous mods. Now the difficult part is that I don't particularly want more quests; but more NPC's, harder enemies and overall better combat experience mods would be very desirable.
Tl;dr I would rather not download loads and loads of mods; I want general ones to improve graphics and gameplay.
Thank you for your time, I do not feel like a clever man typing this... but I can't exactly disguise my [&@%!]-poor knowledge of the subject. I figured there would be people here who'd be willing to help someone who has a clean-slate opportunity with the game.
Advice needed: Modding Morrowind.
Re: Advice needed: Modding Morrowind.
Firstly, welcome to the forums!
It sounds like you've already done a good amount of research into the subject and are clear on what you want accomplished. That's a good starting point.
As always, I recommend picking up a hard copy over a digital download. But if you're set on the Steam version, be warned that there are issues with the Construction Set. You can circumvent this by skipping on over to TES Nexus and downloading this. I've also heard that there can be complications with mods and Steam, but I've never played the Steam version or used the above CS mod, so I can't give any feedback. Whatever you choose, you'll decidedly want to pick up the GOTY version.
For graphics, MGSO 3.0 is the cream of the crop in terms of mod compilations. I don't see any reason why you'd want to incorporate any additional texture replacers from the the get-go. Don't wear yourself out trying to perfect the look of the game before you experience it.
Additionally, MGSO already incorporates some of the tweaks you're talking about, like Animated Morrowind (adding more NPCs with animated tasks), Hold It (some NPCs can hold objects like brooms or instruments), and the nigh-all-encompassing Morrowind Code Patch. I'm not sure if the Unofficial Morrowind Patch can be used in tandem with MCP, you'll have to ask someone else about that.
The install process for MGSO has been made incredibly easy. Everything is included in one self-extracting archive, and it will walk you through the steps. There is also an .exe (MGSO Options) that allows you to check/uncheck particular mods you want installed, and customize your choice of texture packs. Just make sure to skim the readme before installing to make sure you've got all your ducks in a row.
A few other sweeping, game-changing mods not included in MGSO that are quite popular (but highly preferential) are Morrowind Comes Alive, Children of Morrowind, and Necessities of Morrowind.
The biggest gameplay mods I can think of are centered around revamping the leveling system, e.g. Galsiah's Character Development and Madd Leveler. Again, these have a notable impact on gameplay, so keep that in mind.
Abot also makes some good immersion mods such as Silt Striders, Gondoliers, Boats, Guars, and Water Life.
And the fact that you're using a 4 year old PC shouldn't prevent you from running this conglomeration of mods well if you have decent RAM and GPU, though you might have to knock MGE down to the lowest setting. Your OS is also going to matter (more than one might think).
Just to reiterate an earlier point, you don't need to go crazy modding right off. You'll be set with MGSO and maybe a few other mods tailored to your personal preference. As you play you will discover what you want to keep and what you want to change. Good luck, and welcome back to Vvardenfell!
It sounds like you've already done a good amount of research into the subject and are clear on what you want accomplished. That's a good starting point.
As always, I recommend picking up a hard copy over a digital download. But if you're set on the Steam version, be warned that there are issues with the Construction Set. You can circumvent this by skipping on over to TES Nexus and downloading this. I've also heard that there can be complications with mods and Steam, but I've never played the Steam version or used the above CS mod, so I can't give any feedback. Whatever you choose, you'll decidedly want to pick up the GOTY version.
For graphics, MGSO 3.0 is the cream of the crop in terms of mod compilations. I don't see any reason why you'd want to incorporate any additional texture replacers from the the get-go. Don't wear yourself out trying to perfect the look of the game before you experience it.
Additionally, MGSO already incorporates some of the tweaks you're talking about, like Animated Morrowind (adding more NPCs with animated tasks), Hold It (some NPCs can hold objects like brooms or instruments), and the nigh-all-encompassing Morrowind Code Patch. I'm not sure if the Unofficial Morrowind Patch can be used in tandem with MCP, you'll have to ask someone else about that.
The install process for MGSO has been made incredibly easy. Everything is included in one self-extracting archive, and it will walk you through the steps. There is also an .exe (MGSO Options) that allows you to check/uncheck particular mods you want installed, and customize your choice of texture packs. Just make sure to skim the readme before installing to make sure you've got all your ducks in a row.
A few other sweeping, game-changing mods not included in MGSO that are quite popular (but highly preferential) are Morrowind Comes Alive, Children of Morrowind, and Necessities of Morrowind.
The biggest gameplay mods I can think of are centered around revamping the leveling system, e.g. Galsiah's Character Development and Madd Leveler. Again, these have a notable impact on gameplay, so keep that in mind.
Abot also makes some good immersion mods such as Silt Striders, Gondoliers, Boats, Guars, and Water Life.
And the fact that you're using a 4 year old PC shouldn't prevent you from running this conglomeration of mods well if you have decent RAM and GPU, though you might have to knock MGE down to the lowest setting. Your OS is also going to matter (more than one might think).
Just to reiterate an earlier point, you don't need to go crazy modding right off. You'll be set with MGSO and maybe a few other mods tailored to your personal preference. As you play you will discover what you want to keep and what you want to change. Good luck, and welcome back to Vvardenfell!
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Hardsider
- Layman
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Mar 01, 2014 2:43 pm
- ES Games: Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim
- Platform: PC
Re: Advice needed: Modding Morrowind.
Thank you very much for all your help! I shall probably look into getting a hard copy in that case if it's going to work smoother/better with mods.