The Elder Scrolls Trekker

Here are a few tweaking guides for Oblivion that helped me squeeze some performance from this game:

Optimizing Oblivion v3.0: Into Modblivion (atomic pc)

Oblivion Tweak Guide

Note: 'over tweaking' the oblivion.ini file can result in degraded performance. Especially if you switched to the 1.2 version of the game (either with the official patch or through Shivering Isle).

If you did upgrade, it is recommended to rename your 'oblivion.ini' file,  let Oblivion create a new default copy and then, use a file compare utility (such as beyonCompare) to bring in some of your old tweaks back into the new file.

Version 1.2 of the game is relying on several changes to the configuration file that you may be missing or altered with an older tweaked file. 

For a few lists of graphical improvements :

Better Oblivion: Graphical improvements

After a few months dealing with a multitude of mods for Oblivion, here are a few rules I have come to follow:

- Save a copy of the original archive of every mod you care about (zip, rar, 7z files).

I ran into a few situations where a new version of a mod introduced issues or features that I didn't like. I was glad to be able to return to a previous version of these mods, as the earlier files were not available for download.

- Make backups of your Oblivion folder

Once you are satisfied with a particular combination of mods, SAVE a copy of your Oblivion folder, along with a copy of your 'My Games/Oblivion' folder. If things get seriously messed up after installing a mod (and sometimes they do), you will be glad to have a working copy of the game to return to.

- Install new mods with extreme care

Use a separate folder to unwrap archive files (I use 'Oblivion/data/install'). Once the files are in that folder, review the readme files for special installation instructions and move the readme / screenshots / documentation files to a special folder ('Oblivion/Data/Readme')  to reduce the clutter in your main Data folder.

- When upgrading existing mods, if possible, use Clean Saves.

1. Start Oblivion - Save.
2. Run Oblivion Mods Manager - disable the mods you want to upgrade
3. Start Oblivion - Save again
4. Run Oblivion Mods Manager - activate the new versions, and move them to the same load order as the old versions
5. Run Oblivion - Save again
6. Quit Oblivion

You should be able to minimize conflicts and save games corruptions doing things this way.

Be careful though, as you will loose any item acquired through any mod you are upgrading with this method.

- If clean saves are not possible, upgrade using the same name for the esp files (rename if necessary) and the same load order.

Keep a separate copy of your load order as a text file for future reference. 

- The first time after adding new mods, run Oblivion in Windowed mode.

It will make it easier to kill it or recover from a crash in case the game gets stuck on the first Loading screen (usually a sympthom of a bad load order).

- Keep older copies of mods you no longer want to use or special versions of esp files.

Some mods come with different esp files with specific settings. You usually have to chose one of them and discard the others. Do not delete them ... simply copy them in another folder (I use 'Oblivion / Data/ unused'). You will be happy to have them later if you change your mind.

Managing mods cleanly in Oblivion (or Morrowind for that matter) requires some level of organization, but it pay offs greatly in prevented frustrations and enjoyable game time. 

Making this mod coexist with several other mods can be tricky as it incorporates versions of existing mods and flat out conflicts with others. The changes are so extensive that it is almost impossible to preserve a saved game after installing it. The only solution left is a fresh start with a new character.

As I said above, for all this trouble you will be rewarded with a more difficult and challenging game. Expect to come across all sorts of creatures, including Trolls and Minotaurs Lords, even at level 1.

So, before you rush into downloading this gem, make sure you read the notes on the official website.

In case someone needs an example of load order for several mods after installing OOO 1.3, here is the current order of the mods I am using.

The rule of thumb is to put before OOO all mods that can safely be altered by OOO and place after, all mods that you want to make sure will work as advertised (even if it means they will alter OOO). 

I tried to group mods in this list by categories. In order of appearance :

• Mods from the Unique Landscape project
  
• Official plugins and related mods (unofficial oblivion patch)
  
• Mods introducing major changes in game content and gameplay or recommended to put at the top of the load order.
  
• Cosmetic mods
• Mods introducing new objects, armors and weapons
• Living Economy
• Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul
• Weather and atmospheric modifications
  
• Magic and spells modifications
• Gameplay modifications to complement OOO
• Mods introducing unique items, armors and weapons to complement OOO
• Mods introducing new quests, companions
• Mods that are recommended to place at the end of the load order
  

Use Oblivion Mod Manager to change your load order more easily, and good luck...