(Note from Steam Guide author: this is from its official website install page. None of this information in this section of the guide are my own words. What is my own words in this section however is text like this here, where its in bold and has parentheses.)

English copies of both Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas with all DLCs on either Steam, GOG, or the Epic Games Store.

You may "mix and match" Steam, GOG, and Epic Games versions of the 2 games.

Only the English version of the game is supported for maximum compatibility - translations can conflict with mods and cause issues.

The Microsoft Store versions are not supported.

The Polish-Czech-Russian (PCR) version of Fallout: New Vegas is fully supported as long as the game itself is in English.

The German release uses a "No Gore" version, making it also incompatible with xNVSE. If you have it on Steam, you can use DepotDownloader to download the international EXE.

The Games for Windows Live version of Fallout 3 is supported as long as it's the GOTY and in English.

At least 40GB of free drive space, both games included. Tale of Two Wastelands itself is 17GB.
Windows 10 or higher (64-bit).

Windows installations deviating from the public release (e.g. customized or LTSC) are not supported by us. We can refuse to provide help in such cases.

This is because they don't guarantee the default functionality expected from the public release, which can cause unforeseen issues.

A text editor (Notepad++ is recommended, but the default Windows notepad will work).

An archiving tool (NanaZip is recommended).

(Note from Steam guide author: 7zip[www.7-zip.org] is fine as well)

The latest GPU drivers (either NVIDIA, AMD or Intel).

(Note from Steam Guide author: Just have a computer that isnt a potato.)

A Nexus Mods account (a Premium subscription will allow uncapped download speeds).

A MOD:PUB account.


The guide will make the game run better than vanilla.

The game is much more CPU-intensive than GPU-intensive, and actually scales with modern hardware pretty well.

Installing the game on an SSD will drastically improve loading times and decrease stuttering.

Here are the recommended minimum specifications to run TBoT at 60 FPS 1080p with all the recommended mods and settings:

CPU: Any quad-core processor (2.5GHz or more).

RAM: 8GB or more.

GPU: Matching or surpassing the performance of NVIDIA's 600 series or AMD's 5500 series.

(Note from Steam Guide author: Again, just have a computer that isnt a potato.)


(Note from Steam Guide author: I do actually recommend doing this here as the mod itself will need it.)

Most engine mods and tools require latest Visual C++ Redistributables to be installed.

We will use an all-in-one package that will install all possible versions.

Failure to have latest versions installed will result in an immediate crash when launching the game or modding tools.

Please install the redistributables even if you have them installed already, as they are often outdated.

Step 1:Download VC++ AIO[www.techpowerup.com] from TechPowerUp.

Step 2: Extract the archive and run the included install_all.bat as an administrator.

Step 3: Restart your PC.

You will need to come back to this part of the guide for reference because this guide will mention it a lot. This also counts for Fallout 3, but you mainly need to focus on New Vegas after Step 5.


For Steam:

Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout New Vegas

(Note from Steam Guide author: "(unless you manually changed the installation path)" also counts for steam depending on where you install Steam. Not the game itself, but Steam itself as a whole.)

For GOG:

GOG Galaxy\Games\Fallout New Vegas

(unless you manually changed the installation path).

For Epic Games:

Epic Games\FalloutNewVegas\Fallout New Vegas English

(unless you manually changed the installation path).


For Steam:

Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout New Vegas\Data

For GOG:

GOG Galaxy\Games\Fallout New Vegas\Data

For Epic Games:

Epic Games\FalloutNewVegas\Fallout New Vegas English\Data

(Note from Steam Guide author: This is for reference from the mod author's guide in knowing how to download a mod. If you already know, ignore this part of the guide.)

When the guide says to install a mod, it will be formatted as Main File - Example 1.5, this is referring to the mod's category on Nexus and file name.

IMPORTANT:

Unless otherwise specified, always use Mod Manager Download.


Standard procedure through the manager:

Download the indicated file(s).

Open the Downloads tab in MO2 (below the executable selector on the right).

Double-click on the mod to install it.

Enable the mod on the left pane by ticking its checkbox.

If downloading through the manager is not an option, do the following:

Click the Manual Download button (or whatever the download button is for the respective site).

Once the download has finished, click the MO2 archive button button at the top of MO2.

From the new window, navigate to where the file was downloaded to and double-click it.

Finish the install as you would with a Mod Manager Download mod.

When installing a mod, MO2 might prompt you with multiple choices:

Rename appears when you are trying to install a file with the same name as an existing one.

If you are installing, for example, a secondary file necessary for the mod to work, then rename it accordingly with the name drop-down list or by typing the name manually.

If you are updating from an old version of a mod, you should select Replace, this will automatically delete all the files from the old version of the mod and replace them with the ones from the new version.

Merge should only be used when you are sure the mod will not be updated and in situations where a hotfix is uploaded as separate file. Avoid it if you can, for maximum modularity.

If something goes wrong with the game, like the menu not loading at all, here is what I'd do in something like this.

I'd check each and every nexus page for any missing mods that are needed for said mod to work.

The 2nd thing I'd do is check for compatibility issues through each mod's nexus page description.

And the 3rd thing is I would do this thing where I'd disable 2 mods at a time, until the problem stops.

If you do the 3rd option here, which is probably your best bet, and end up finding the problem,

you got 3 options.

1, either get rid of it.
2. Find a patch for it.
3. Use LOOT, a tool that organizes your load order.

Here is the link to download LOOT so that you could organize the load order.

https://loot.github.io/

This is for people who are new to using MO2. I understand if this happens. Ive had this happen to me. Just please be careful on how you install mods.

So, the first thing you need to do is to legally have all of the dlc of Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas. No cracked or pirated copies will work for it. If you already have them, skip to step 2


https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/22400/Fallout_3__Operation_Anchorage/?snr=1_5_9__405

https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/22410/Fallout_3__Broken_Steel/?snr=1_5_9__405

https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/22420/Fallout_3__The_Pitt/?snr=1_5_9__405

https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/22430/Fallout_3__Mothership_Zeta/?snr=1_5_9__405

https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/22440/Fallout_3__Point_Lookout/?snr=1_5_9__405


https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/72840/Fallout_New_Vegas_Gun_Runners_Arsenal/?snr=1_5_9__405

https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/72760/Fallout_New_Vegas_Lonesome_Road/?snr=1_5_9__405

https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/72750/Fallout_New_Vegas_Old_World_Blues/?snr=1_5_9__405

https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/72740/Fallout_New_Vegas_Honest_Hearts/?snr=1_5_9__405

https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/72730/Fallout_New_Vegas_Dead_Money/?snr=1_5_9__405

https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/22470/Fallout_New_Vegas_Couriers_Stash/

Now, go to the website to the mod's download page through this link

Tale of Two Wastelands Download[mod.pub] (And no, this isnt a harmful link, this is the legitimate link to it)

Now, let it download and after its done downloading, extract it outside of any system files like Program Files 86x

Now, we gotta choose a location. Which is simple.

You dont wanna put the mod in folders like download as those folders are in special folders like program files and that will lower the performance of the game if installed there.

So I recommend downloading it in Outside of these files.

In order to do that, just make a folder in This PC/*Insert boot drive name here*:C

yes, we are placing it IN the boot drive, but not in folders like program files. So make a folder for this mod like C:TTW or C:Games. The mod author also recommends to install this on an SSD, and I agree because SSDs are usually more stable.

Now, let Steam install the dlcs.

If you just got the games, run them at least once, to make some fresh ini files.

These files will be found in C/Users/*Insert name here*/Documents/My Games

in the folder of Fallout3 and FalloutNV.

We need to do this so that the VC Redist files can be installed and as well as Steam detecting the video hardware of your computer to put in the video settings.

Now, depending on how good or crappy your graphics card is, you might need to change some settings for your graphics card. If its good, then just leave it as is.

Now we need to have Mod Organizer 2

So go ahead and install the program from this link

https://www.nexusmods.com/site/mods/874

Then extract the file and install it in a location that isnt in any system files like program files Keep it out of those files.

Then run the install program. Keep the components at default and accept the license.

Name the install location, "The Best of Times" and click next

When your asked about the start folder, name it "The Best of Times" and click next.

(You can actually name the install and start folders whatever you want, but I'd go with the name the mod author gave us to make it easier.)

Now dont make a shortcut as we will make one later.

When on the final page, click install and let it do its thing.

When its complete, click the "Finish" button.

Now we need to set up the instance for Tale of Two Wastelands.

Click on Mod Organizer 2 and when it gets to the instance creation popup, make a portable instance and click next.

Then select "Tale of Two Wastelands".

If asked about profile settings, enable all of them and click next.

Now, normally, we would keep it out of its default location, but this time, actually keep its install location to default.

And then, connect MO2 to NexusMods.

On the last page, click the "Finish" button.

If you see a pop-up called Show tutorial?, select No.

If you see a pop-up called Register?, select "Yes".

If you see a pop-up called INI file is read-only, select "Remember my choice from the drop-down at the bottom then click Clear the read-only flag."

If you see a pop-up called FalloutNV_lang.esp was found, select "Yes."


Click the X in the bottom right of MO2 to close the log window.

Now, click the MO2 settings button at the top of MO2 to open the settings.

This is what it looks like:
If you want to, you can select a different theme.

In the Nexus tab, click "Connect to Nexus."

MO2 will open your browser and prompt you to authorize the connection.

Once you authorize it, you can close your browser and of the MO2 settings.

Then let MO2 to restart.


Now, open the game Launcher for New Vegas.

As I said before, the settings will depend on how strong or weak your computer is. Mainly, your graphics card.

So if you have a good graphic card, you can have it at Ultra.

But if its weak, might wanna have it medium or lower.

Now, the launcher will detect the resolution of your monitor.

But if it doesnt get it right,

then, go ahead and close the launcher.

now, click the Tools drop-down button at the top of MO2 and select INI Editor.

Select the FalloutPrefs.ini tab.

Change the following settings in the Display section:

iSize W = your screen width

iSize H = your screen height

After your done, close the launcher/save the ini file and close it.

Now, open up the Tale of Two Wastelands folder and Open Mod Organizer 2.

Then select the MO2 Folders button at the top and select Open Mods folder.

Here, create a folder named Tale of Two Wastelands and then copy its path.

Once your done with that, close Mod Organizer 2.

Back in the TTW mod folder, run its install.exe file. It will look like the thumbnail of the guide if you look at the top left of your screen.

Now have the install popup look exactly like this.

Ensure that the install paths look exactly like the ones in the image where its outside of any system files like Program files.

If all is good, click the "Install" button.

Now, this will take a while, so it let it do its fine and when its done downloading, come back here and do Step 9.

Activating and Size Check

Open Mod Organizer 2.

If you installed TTW correctly, you should see the Tale of Two Wastelands mod in the left pane of MO2.

If you do not see anything or the mod name is greyed out, you did not install TTW to the correct folder.

Find out where the files were installed to and move them to the folder you created in step 3 of the previous section.

The path should look like this: YOUR MOD ORGANIZER FOLDER\mods\Tale of Two Wastelands

Click the checkbox next to it in the left pane and the right pane should fill with plugins.

In MO2, right-click Tale of Two Wastelands and Open in Explorer.

Right-click anywhere in the folder (do not select any file inside) and open its Properties.

The folder's size should be 17GB, reinstall Tale of Two Wastelands if it isn't.

This can be done by first clearing the contents of the current folder, then repeating the installation steps[thebestoftimes.moddinglinked.com]

The following mods, unlike most others, need to be installed directly into the game's Root folder,

not through Mod Organizer 2.

Use the Manual Download and follow the instructions provided for each mod.


http://New Vegas Script Extender (NVSE xNVSE)

This is an updated version of the original NVSE, which extends the scripting capabilities of the game.

Installation instructions

Main Files - New Vegas Script Extender (xNVSE)

Open the downloaded archive and move everything to the game's Root folder.

If you do not know what the Root folder is, read the Key Terminology.

Despite its name, nvse_steam_loader.dll is still needed with non-Steam versions of the game.

After proper install, your Root folder should look like this:


Game Patchers

Each version of the game requires a different patcher to work with xNVSE.
These patchers allow the game to use up to 4GB of RAM and automatically load xNVSE.

Select one of the following patchers based on your game version.


4GB Patcher[www.nexusmods.com]

Main Files - 4GB Patcher

Open the downloaded archive and move the executable file to the game's Root folder.

Double-click on FNVpatch.exe to run it.

A command prompt window will open and it should say:

FalloutNV.exe patched!

Close the command prompt and a file named FalloutNV_backup.exe should appear in the game's Root folder.

Epic Games

Epic Games Patcher[www.nexusmods.com]

Main Files - Epic Games Patcher

Open the downloaded archive and move everything to the game's Root folder.
Double-click on Patcher.exe to run it.

A command prompt window will open and after processing it should say:

Press any key to continue...

Close the command prompt and a file named FalloutNV_backup.exe should appear in the game's Root folder.

Managed

From now on, select Mod Manager Download to download mods - this will make the file appear in MO2's Downloads tab, ready to be installed according to the instructions earlier in the guide.


Right-click the empty space in the left pane of MO2 and select Create separator.

Name the separator Utilities.

ROOGNVSE Plugin[www.nexusmods.com]

xNVSE plugin fixing bugs & adding new functions; hard requirement for TTW.

Installation instructions

Main Files - ROOGNVSE

JIP LN NVSE Plugin

NVSE extension with new functions and many engine bug fixes.

Installation instructions

Main Files - JIP LN NVSE Plugin

Main Files - JIP LN Settings INI

JohnnyGuitar NVSE[www.nexusmods.com]
Another NVSE extension similar to JIP LN.

Installation instructions

Main Files - JohnnyGuitar NVSE

JohnnyGuitar NVSE - INI Presets[www.nexusmods.com]

Main Files - JohnnyGuitar NVSE - All Tweaks Preset

ShowOff xNVSE Plugin[www.nexusmods.com]

NVSE plugin adding new functions and engine-level tweaks & bugfixes.

Installation instructions

Main Files - ShowOff NVSE

Optional Files - ShowOff INI

NVTF - New Vegas Tick Fix[www.nexusmods.com]

Fixes micro-stuttering, performance and allows playing at higher framerates (up to a safe maximum of ~120).

Installation instructions

Main Files - NVTF

Main Files - NVTF - INI

lStewieAl's Tweaks and Engine Fixes[www.nexusmods.com]

Collection of many configurable quality of life improvements and bug fixes.

Settings can be further enabled/disabled/tweaked in the new Tweaks section added to the main menu.

Installation instructions

Main Files - Stewie Tweaks

Stewie Tweaks - VNV INI[github.com]

Download the mod, then install it manually by pressing the MO2 archive button button at the top of MO2 and selecting the file you just downloaded.

lStewieAl's Engine Optimizations[www.nexusmods.com]

Rewrites various slow functions in the game to decrease loading/saving time and improve general performance.

Installation instructions

Main Files - Engine Optimizations

Combat Lag Fix (NVSE)[www.nexusmods.com]

Improves framerate in combat by fixing an engine bug that lowered framerate while attacking an enemy with a health-bar visible.

Installation instructions

Main Files - Fast Weapon Lag Fix

VATS Lag Fix[www.nexusmods.com]

Fixes an issue that caused the game to wait around 1-2 seconds before showing hit percentages in some cases.

Installation instructions

Main Files - VATS Lag Fix

ActorCause Save Bloat Fix[www.nexusmods.com]

Fixes a save bloating issue related to actors detecting the player, improving save/load speed and decreasing the size of save files by 15-30%.

Installation instructions

Main Files - ActorCause Save Bloat Fix

kNVSE Animation Plugin[www.nexusmods.com]

Resource for expanding and improving the game's limited animation system.

Installation instructions

Main Files - kNVSE

UIO - User Interface Organizer[www.nexusmods.com]

Automatically ensures that multiple HUD extensions work together, as well as fixing many bugs and improving performance.

Installation instructions

Main Files - UIO - User Interface Organizer

Linux users!

Proton 8.0-5 crashes with UIO! Please use Proton 8-25 or newer.

FNV Mod Limit Fix[www.nexusmods.com]

Raises the game's file handles limit and improves performance/loading times, even if you are far below it.

Installation instructions

Main Files - MLF

Yvile's Crash Logger[www.nexusmods.com]

A DLL that logs raw crash data.

Installation instructions

Main Files - Crash Logger

Improved Console (NVSE)[www.nexusmods.com]

Enhances the console's abilities to be able to execute and print results from all available script commands.

Full scripting support inside console, including creating variables and evaluating NVSE expressions (arrays, strings) for easy mod development and prototyping.

Mouse wheel scrolling included too.

Installation instructions

Main Files - Improved Console

Console Paste Support[www.nexusmods.com]

Adds Ctrl+V as a hotkey to paste into the in-game console, along with a few other helpful shortcuts.

Installation instructions

Main Files - Console Paste

In this step we will take advantage of JIP LN NVSE's FalloutCustom.ini feature to improve performance and stability without affecting the main INIs.

FalloutCustom.ini is a special settings file that overrides all other game INIs.

This INI is exclusive to the user, meaning that the game or its launcher cannot change it.

This allows you to change settings without the fear of being overwritten, and removes the need of tracking which settings go into which file.

Click the Tools drop-down button at the top of MO2 and select INI Editor.

Select the FalloutCustom.ini tab, which should be blank. In case it's not, clear the file.

If you don't see the FalloutCustom.ini tab:

Click the MO2 profile settings button button at the top of MO2.

Enable all options.

Paste in the following:

; Value types (prefixes):
; i = integer (whole number)
; f = float (decimal number)
; s = string (text)
; b = boolean (0 = Off, 1 = On)

[Audio]
; Enables additional worker thread for minor performance improvement
bMultiThreadAudio=1

; Disables unnecessary copy operations performed on sound data
bUseAudioDebugInformation=0

; Increase audio file cache size to reduce loading stutter
iAudioCacheSize=16384
iMaxSizeForCachedSound=2048

[BackgroundLoad]
; Forces cell unload on fast travel to lessen memory usage
bSelectivePurgeUnusedOnFastTravel=1

; Reduces stutter when loading multiple NPCs
bBackgroundLoadLipFiles=1

[Controls]
; Disables mouse acceleration in menus
; Game does not have mouse acceleration for the camera
fForegroundMouseAccelBase=0
fForegroundMouseAccelTop=0
fForegroundMouseBase=0
fForegroundMouseMult=0

[Display]
; Enables Fullscreen mode for the best performance in D3D9
; Refer to the Performance Guide for more info
bFull Screen=1

; Use this for V-Sync control (the Launcher setting doesn't work)
; 0 = Off, 1 = On, Higher values toggle fractional V-Sync (not recommended, very laggy and disables Variable Refresh Rate)
iPresentInterval=1

; Forces highest texture quality so textures won't break if you had it set to anything lower
iTexMipMapSkip=0

; Disables actor shadows due to their low visual impact and high performance cost
bDrawShadows=0
iActorShadowCountInt=0
iActorShadowCountExt=0

; Camera FOV
fDefaultWorldFOV=75.0000
; Viewmodel FOV
fDefault1stPersonFOV=55.0000
; Pip-Boy and terminal FOV
fPipboy1stPersonFOV=47.0

[General]
; Forces faster cell unload to lessen memory usage
bPreemptivelyUnloadCells=1

; Spreads AI and game logic updates across 2 threads for better performance
; Values above 3 don't change anything, and the setting has nothing to do with the number of CPU cores
iNumHWThreads=3

; Tale of Two Wastelands specific
; Sets TTW's starting quest
SCharGenQuest=001FFFF8
; Disables FNV intro movie
SIntroMovie=

[Grass]
; Increases grass draw distance
fGrassStartFadeDistance=11200

; Ensures that 3.0 Vertex Shader is used.
; Allows drawing more grass with better performance
b30GrassVS=1

[Water]
; Disables full scene reflections for a massive performance boost
; Water will use reflect LOD instead of drawing the entire world twice
bForceHighDetailReflections=0

[PipBoy]
; Fixes flicker when opening Pip-Boy when its light is on
fLightEffectFadeDuration=400


It is highly recommended to avoid changing any other INI settings not in the guide, and to avoid using tools like Bethini. You will realistically not need any other tweaks than the ones already in the guide.


Restart your PC (otherwise some plugins might fail to load).

Install the ML Utilities Checker with Mod Organizer 2, just like the previous mods.

Launch the game using the Tale of Two Wastelands option in MO2 (not NVSE).


Launching the game

Once the game has reached the main menu, wait a few seconds and you will see a message box from the Utilities Checker.

If any check fails and the comment doesn't help you find a solution, open a support thread in the ModdingLinked Discord server.[discord.gg]

Close the game and disable the ML Utilities Checker.

Due to the way Mod Organizer 2 works, running programs through it is a requirement in order to load mods.

This is done in the top-right corner of the manager, where the program to run is chosen.

Here, select Tale of Two Wastelands.

For the sake of convenience you may also create a shortcut (right below the Run button) so that you won't have to manually open MO2 each time before playing.

If it doesnt work, you can check the actual official guide to find any mistakes or look through this one for any.

https://thebestoftimes.moddinglinked.com/index.html

Anyway, hope you have fun with a more stable Fallout 3.