[Top 15] Fallout 4 Best Mods For a New Playthrough

Let's start a new game of Fallout 4; this time, without the bugs.
We are less than a month away from Fallout 4’s 6th anniversary as of the writing of this article. I still remember that day back in 2015’s Bethesda E3 showcase when Todd Howard, the man, the myth, the legend, announced the release date of Fallout 4 and how spectacular the crowd reaction was. The presentation and the way he hypes up the crowd is one of his many qualities that garners huge support from a large portion of the gaming community.
Fallout 4 was set up to be one of the best games ever made.
Fast forward a few years and the sparkles of this brand new game start to diminish. We now see it for what it truly is. A fairly decent game, nothing too special, with a whole lot of bugs and a lot less of everything. No role-play value, no end-game, no smart AI, restrictions everywhere and plain, bad game design and story-telling.
Fortunately, while Bethesda doesn’t care too much to fix Fallout 4 (since they just started development on Fallout 76), the modding community has taken it upon themselves to do it themselves. For the past six years, many mods have come out to help enhance the gameplay in every way possible.
If you’re starting a new playthrough of Fallout 4 in 2021, you might as well install these mods and get a better experience than playing the vanilla base game.
15. Unofficial Fallout 4 Patch
Unofficial patch because Bethesda can't be bothered releasing an official one.
The name of the mod says it all. It’s a patch for the game that’s unofficial because Bethesda doesn’t bother making the official one. This mod pretty much does what it claims to do, and that is to fix all (or at least most) of the bugs and tiny inconsistencies that plague the game.
The mod author, Arthmoor, and his team of modders have worked extensively to rectify the hundreds of bugs and issues that are present in every aspect of the game, including gameplay, quests, NPCs, and even in-game texts.
Despite the extensive fixes, the mod does not change any of the core elements of the game, so if you’re worried that this mod will change anything regarding the story, you can be rest assured. Just install and play; no need to think too hard about it.
Why this mod is great:
- Fixes the little bugs and problems the game has
- Compatible with a lot of other mods
Get the mod here
14. Load Accelerator
Accelerate the load time significantly with this simple mod.
There is a common issue when it comes to a modded Fallout 4 game in that the loading screen simply becomes way too long. There have been moments where I waited for a solid 2-3 minutes on the loading screen as I was coming out of a building to the Commonwealth. And before you ask, yes, I am using an SSD.
Thankfully, this mod by chairo_hippo managed to reduce my load time from 3 minutes to only 15 seconds. As it turns out, Fallout 4’s loading screen is tied to your FPS, so if you had limited your FPS to 60, the game would only load at that speed.
Load Accelerator tweaks the game files so that the FPS is not limited on the loading screen, so your frames can go all the way to 300+ FPS during loading screens, significantly speeding up the loading process. If you’re gonna be playing a modded Fallout 4, then you need this mod. What an absolute godsend.
Why this mod is great:
- Decreases load times by a mile
- Simple and easy to activate
Get the mod here
13. Immersive HUD - iHUD
Immerse yourself in the game without the HUD
Now here’s a mod that I can no longer live without. Ever since I installed this mod, it’s been the one thing that has been consistent in my mod list.
The clean UI it provides is just so essential to the Fallout experience. Being able to witness the ruins of Boston, the derelict wasteland of the Commonwealth, and the decrepit state of the glowing sea without a bright green HUD in the way is such a breathtaking experience.
Immersive HUD by Gopher can also be adjusted to your liking. If you want to keep everything hidden except for the sneaking indicator, you can. The modular nature of this mod is why I believe it is one of the best mods to install and play Fallout 4 with. No question.
Why this mod is great:
- Increases immersion
- Set up your own HUD and when it appears
Get the mod here
12. Faster Terminal Displays
They really need more RAM in this terminal.
One of the biggest annoyances in Fallout 4 is undoubtedly the god-awful slow terminal. I swear, even my grandma’s 10-year-old laptop filled with viruses galore is faster than the normal Fallout terminal.
Thankfully, this simple mod by Old Nick fixes this issue and spared all of us from having to buy a second monitor. The mod itself comes with a few different speed variations so you can install a different speed if you think the default is still too slow or way too fast.
There’s nothing else to say about this. Save yourself from a migraine and install this mod.
Why this mod is great:
- Faster access to terminals
- Quick transition from terminal to gameplay
Get the mod here
11. Lowered Weapons
Practice gun discipline always.
To be honest, this is one of those nitpicks that you just can’t unsee after you see it. For some reason, in first-person camera, the sole survivor will point their gun forward no matter if they're in combat or out of it.
Lowered Weapons by lesma666 is a simple but essential mod that helps you stay immersed in the apocalyptic world. Nothing breaks your immersion more than when your character is pointing the barrel of a gun at anything in front of them. Maybe the sole survivor needs some gun safety lessons after being frozen for so long.
This is also a no-brainer mod. Just install and don’t think about it too much.
Why this mod is great:
- Increases immersion
- Respects basic firearm safety
Get the mod here
10. Everyone’s Best Friend
Who says you can't bring your good boy along on the trip?
The ultimate mod for the doggo.
Did you know? Fallout 4 has more companions other than Dogmeat. The more you know.
But in all seriousness, the companion system in Fallout 4 is a bit of a mixed bag. It’s decent enough to use, but most of them are just not worth taking in your adventures compared to your loyal canine friend. The fact that you have to trade your dog to travel with other people is one of the biggest deal-breakers to me.
But, as it turns out, Bethesda originally planned for you to be able to take Dogmeat and one other companion with you. Unfortunately, they took it out of the game. But fortunately, mod author valdacil decided to bring it back.
If you want to take a companion with you and still have Dogmeat around cause he’s a good boy, then this mod is perfect for you.
Why this mod is great:
- Have a companion and Dogmeat at the same time
- No need to part with the goodest of bois.
Get the mod here
9. See Through Scopes
Looking through a scope improves combat dynamic.
See the mod in action.
Do you like realism? Do you not like how you are transported to the shadow realm whenever you look down a scope? Well, I’ve got just the mod for you.
See Through Scopes makes it so that you can, well, see through a scope. Instead of having only a circular view from the scope surrounded by darkness, this mod makes it so that you can still see the surroundings of the scope. This allows for more dynamic combat and unlike the vanilla version, this one does not take you out of combat whenever you look through a scope.
The mod by henkspamadres also comes with a few variations of custom scopes that are craftable on the workbench. I highly recommend getting this mod for how better it makes the combat.
Why this mod is great:
- Dynamic combat
- Better and more realistic view from a scope
Get the mod here
8. Classic Holstered Weapon System (CHW)
Stop pulling your gun out of the pocket dimension.
See how this simple mod enhances immersion.
I don’t understand why Bethesda decided to take out the holstered weapons from the previous games in Fallout 4. Some theorize it’s because of the addition of layered armor and wanting to avoid clipping issues. I get that, but to be honest who cares.
This mod by shavkacagarikia brings back the good ol’ holster system from the previous games. Now the sole survivor will no longer pull a rifle from a separate dimension. From my experience, while clipping issues exist, it is not so bad that you would take the whole thing out of the game.
In my opinion, seeing your heavily modded weapon strapped on your back (or side) is cool enough that I’d tolerate clipping just to have it. If you agree, get the mod.
Why this mod is great:
- Showcase the weapon you worked hard to upgrade
- Improves realism
Get the mod here
7. Extended Dialogue Interface
To hell with the weird four-choice system. Bring back the old interface!
See how good it looks with the old-school Fallout dialogue interface?
The 4 dialogue system from the vanilla Fallout 4 is so bad, I couldn’t believe someone in Bethesda even had the idea in the first place. It’s like they saw the game title and thought, “let’s limit player choice to 4 choices hurr durr”. Not only that, the choices are so vague that you won’t know what you’re saying until the sole survivor says it.
That’s why I’m so happy that mod author registrator2000 made this mod to fix the issue. The mod brings back the old Fallout dialogue style where you’d have boxes instead of the D-pad, and it even shows what the sole survivor would say!
This mod is also pretty mod-friendly as it does not limit other mod authors to 4 dialogue choices. If you’re going to be downloading more mods, eventually you’re gonna need this.
Why this mod is great:
- Shows the full dialogue of the sole survivor
- Mod-friendly and allows for limitless dialogue options
Get the mod here
6. Start Me Up - Alternate Start and Dialogue Overhaul
Don't wanna be father? You don't have to be!
Plenty of options to start your journey in the Commonwealth.
If you’re going into your 2nd playthrough, you might not need this as much, but if you’re like me and already on your 14th run of the game, this mod is what will keep you sane.
Start Me Up is a great mod by TinyManticore that allows you to pretty much skip the entire beginning portion of the game. Y’know, the one where you have to wait for the Vault-tec rep, calm your baby, run to the vault, walk slowly to the pod, get frozen, watch your spouse get murdered, get frozen again, fight some roaches, wait for an elevator, THEN get out?
Yeah, this mod skips all that. It also lets you have an alternate start, so you won’t have to be a parent looking for your child if you don’t want to. Great mod. Install it.
Why this mod is great:
- Skips the beginning portion
- Potential for role-playing
Get the mod here
5. True Storms - Wasteland Edition
Experience the best weather effects in a single mod.
Enhance your gameplay with an amazing ambiance.
Fallout 4 can be a bit bland in the weather department. You’ll maybe get some fog here, a drizzle there, and the occasional radstorm. But that’s it, to be honest.
True Storms by fadingsignal is one of the best weather mods around. It adds so much in terms of atmosphere and ambiance that it’s a wonder how Bethesda didn’t do this from the beginning.
If you want to experience a weather system that is not a total wash, then True Storms is what you want to install.
Why this mod is great:
- Better weather and atmosphere
- Variations of weather sound for dynamic ambiance
Get the mod here
4. Better Settlers
Better settlers, better settlements.
Your settlers are no longer useless and feel like survivors.
One of the best things Fallout 4 added is the settlement building mechanic. Some like it, some don’t care for it, but it’s still a great addition that contributes to dozens of hours of playtime.
Unfortunately, it always feels like you’re the only one that’s supposed to defend each settlement. The settlers are just too weak to handle raider attacks and it keeps distracting you from exploring the world.
This mod by thom293 makes the settlers better in every way. Stronger, tougher, and can take care of themselves against raiders. It also gives some variations to the settlers in settlements so you don’t get the same ol’ Joe every time you recruit someone.
Why this mod is great:
- Makes settlers more capable
- Adds 240 more settler variations
Get the mod here: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/4772
3. Place Everywhere
Don't let the game limit your freedom.
Build it anywhere. And I mean, anywhere.
Red lines. The bane of every settlement builder. The game not allowing you to build something at a specific place will always be something I despise about it.
The mod Place Everywhere does pretty much what it says, it allows you to place any item anywhere without limitations. If you want, you can build a house floating above the ground or build a house inside another house. The sky's the limit. No really, you can’t build after a certain height.
If you’re big on settlement building and want to make a place that looks like a home, you shouldn’t be limited by some red lines. Install this mod if you don’t want to follow Bethesda’s weird rule of where you can and can’t build.
Why this mod is great:
- Place items anywhere in your settlement
- Allows for deeper and more concise builds
Get the mod here
2. Survival Options
Wanna play survival mode, but the no saving and fast travel is a huge turn-off?
Just turn off anything you don't like about the mode!
Survival mode has been my go-to difficulty ever since it was released. The addition of new mechanics like thirst, hunger, tiredness, disease, and adrenaline makes the wasteland seem more dangerous and more realistic. It even makes some of the less useful things in Fallout like food and water matter a lot more.
But the addition that grinds my gears are the inconveniences that make you waste time more than it enhance my experience. While no saving unless you sleep and no fast travel make it seem more realistic somewhat, it makes things much more frustrating especially considering how easy it is to die and how frequently you find strong enemies during your travels.
Survival Options mod by Jekod is a simple mod that allows you to tweak some of the things enabled by survival mode. You can disable hunger and thirst or even enable saving and fast travel. This way, you can adjust the game mode to fit your playstyle and get the best experience from it.
Why this mod is great:
- Enable certain features that are disabled by survival mode
- Adjust the way you want to play survival
Get the mod here
1. Horizon
Quite possibly the biggest and best change to Fallout 4.
See how the mod overhauls everything about the game.
So far we’ve talked a lot about the quality of life mods which are essential when starting a new playthrough. But, when it comes to gameplay, there’s only one mod that truly enhances the way you play.
Horizon by zawinul is a gameplay overhaul mod that changes so much of the game to make it more challenging, more rewarding, more fun, and more immersive. It adds a ton of new systems, additions, and rebalances that it almost feels like playing a new game. The AI is smarter, settlements are better, and the skill system has never been more intuitive.
If you’re looking for a new playthrough of Fallout 4 and want to experience it in a new, more exciting way, I highly recommend Horizon be installed in your mod list.
Why this mod is great:
- Rebalances everything about the game to make it fresh
- Adds a ton cool of features
Get the mod here
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