If the recent hype around the Fallout universe has you wanting to return to the wasteland, consider downloading some of the best Fallout 4 mods for the greatest experience. It’s been about a decade since the game’s release, so there are tens of thousands of bugs, visuals and technical issues modders have improved over the years.
Are you new to modding? We pulled all of these from Nexus Mods to make things easy on you. Simply install Vortex mod manager, then visit Nexus Mods. Click on “Files” and “Mod Manager Download” to download a mod — Vortex handles the complicated stuff. It’ll tell you if there are any conflicts or updates.
1. Fallout 4 Downgrader
You’re not alone if you’re not a fan of the “next-gen” update. Some critics have called it a “total mess,” saying it brings virtually no improvements to PC. While it provided some minor bug fixes and added creation club content, it also broke a ton of mods. Fallout 4 Downgrader is one of the bet Fallout 4 mods because it reverts your game to the pre-update version.
2. Unofficial Fallout 4 Patch
Whether you’re new to the wasteland or have explored it for years, you know the game has bugs and glitches galore. The Unofficial Fallout 4 patch fixes hundreds of gameplay, NPC, quest, text, placement and object bugs, providing a more stable experience. It’s designed to be as conflict-free as possible, so it should be a go-to addition for any modlist.
3. High FPS Physics Fix
Bethesda support says your framerate should stay capped because uncapping it makes the game move too fast. As its name suggests, High FPS Physics Fix fixes this issue by untying its speed from the framerate. It allows you to set any FPS without experiencing visual glitches. If you have a solid-state drive, you might even experience noticeably faster loading speeds.
4. Achievements Mods Enabler
Fallout 4 has been out since 2015 — modern mods provide a variety of technical and visual improvements. However, even if you only download texture, performance and immersion mods, Bethesda disables achievements. Fortunately, Achievements Mods Enabler can help by enabling achievements regardless of your modlist.
5. Enhanced Lights and FX
Video game lighting has come a long way since Fallout 4’s release. Luckily, modders are here to bring the game up to date. Enhanced Lighs and FX is one of the best Fallout 4 mods because makes interior lighting more atmospheric by overhauling light sources, upping the number of god rays and improving shadow casting. It also enhances visuals for the day/night cycle.
Enhanced Lights and FX adds flames to candles, casts sunbeams from holes in the ceiling, tones down interior brightness and adds specks of dust in the air to maximize realism. You won’t need to overclock your graphics processing unit (GPU) — which grants a 20% performance boost — to use this mod unless you run the game on an ancient GPU.
6. Improved Map With Visible Roads
Let’s face it — your Pip-Boy’s map is clunky and bland. Improved Map With Visible Roads is arguably one of the best Fallout 4 mods because it overhauls the world map with a detailed, high-contrast alternative. It adds topography, roads and waterlines. It also makes icons more accurate, placing them where you actually encounter them instead of in the general area.
7. Full Dialogue Interface
Have you ever had to reload a save because the dialogue option you chose didn’t sound anything like you thought it would? Fallout 4’s overly simple dialogue wheel isn’t for everyone. If you want to know exactly what you’ll be saying, download Full Dialogue Interface. It displays the entire sentence instead of paraphrasing. Also, it simplifies the UI.
8. True Storms – Wasteland Edition
Do you crave immersion? Are you unsatisfied with the amount of rain the wasteland gets? If so, the True Storms mod is for you. It adds new particle effects, textures and sound effects. More importantly, it adds tons of unique weather, including heavy dust storms, thick fog and radiation rain. Accompanying those are new interior sounds for all weather types.
9. SIM Settlements
If the phrase “another settlement needs your help” haunts you — or you’re not fond of the settlement management system — you might want to download SIM settlements. It forces settlers to build their own shops, houses and farms. Interestingly, it works on a progression system where a new building tier appears each time you return.
10. Place Everywhere
If you’ve spent any time building your settlement, you’ve probably cursed the red that appears when your item gets too close to others. The Place Everywhere mod is one of the best Fallout 4 mods because it allows you to build wherever you want — inside other stuff, in water or in the air — with surgical precision. You can even move previously immovable objects.
11. Homemaker – Expanded Settlements
If you’ve played Fallout 76 — which is a highly-rated game, despite its controversy — you’re probably a fan of building. Unfortunately, Fallout 4 doesn’t have nearly as many decorations or furniture. The Homemaker – Expanded Settlements mod fixes that, providing over 1,000 craftable objects to the game.
This mod adds build sets, prefab buildings, fences, barricades, streetlights, trees, farmable crops and more. Most items come in multiple colors, stains, finishes or styles. There’s even an entire collection of pre-war furniture if you’re not a fan of the rust-covered decor that’s usually available in the wasteland.
12. Looks Mirror
While you can change your looks in-game, you have to travel to Diamond City and fork over 115 caps for a complete makeover. With Looks Mirror, you can customize your appearance wherever you have a settlement simply by placing a mirror. It’s a simple yet immersive mod that comes in handy if you’re strapped for caps.
13. NPCs Travel
While Fallout 4 offers the occasional random encounter and has groups set up in pre-set spots, it sometimes seems like you’re the only person wandering the wasteland. The NPCs Travel mod changes that, adding over 300 traveling NPCs. You’ll encounter groups like death claws, synth patrols and wastelanders as they walk to one of 400 randomized locations.
14. Unlimited Sprint Out of Combat
Darting from point of interest to point of interest is an amazing experience — at least until your AP drains and you’re forced to move at a snail’s pace. The Unlimited Sprint Out of Combat mod lets you run around to your heart’s content as long as you’re not actively engaging in a fight. While it’s a minor quality-of-life improvement, it’s definitely noticeable.
15. Fallout 4 HD Overhaul
Revisiting Fallout 4 after years — or getting into it after playing modern games — can be visually shocking. If things look worse than you care to admit, consider downloading Fallout 4 HD Overhaul. It replaces 10,000 textures, including armor, clothes, creatures, weapons and objects. The upgrade ranges from 1k to 8k resolution and has DLC support.
Make Your Fallout Experience the Best Possible
While Fallout 4 doesn’t need mods to be good, they help make your experience immersive, convenient and fun. This modlist of the best Fallout 4 mods available fixes most of the issues or annoyances we’ve had playing the game, so we bet you’ll appreciate some of them, too. Consider using them to make your time in the Commonwealth that much better.
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