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IMPORTANT:
Everything in this guide is written down for a reason! It is vital to read everything!
You can NOT skip any paragraphs/instructions and expect your game to function as it should.

Wabbajack

What Is Wabbajack?

Wabbajack is an automated modlist installer, it will allow you to install the entirety of Viva New Vegas Extended in a matter of minutes and with extras such as better LOD and decompressed plugins.

Introduction And Setup

Read the Introduction first, then proceed to the Setup page. Once you're done, keep following this page.

IMPORTANT:
Only Steam (Global) and GOG copies of the game are supported!

Installation

  1. Download the latest Wabbajack.
  2. Create a new folder anywhere outside of any default Windows folders, and the game folder itself.
    Example: C:\Modding\Wabbajack
  3. Place the downloaded Wabbajack.exe in this folder, then run it.
  4. Click Browse Modlists, then locate Viva New Vegas in the gallery and click the download button in the corner.
  5. In Installation Location select an empty folder that is NOT the following:
    • The Steam folder,
    • Any default Windows folders,
    • The game folder,
    • The folder where you put Wabbajack.exe.
    Example: C:\Modding\Viva New Vegas
  6. Begin the installation.
  7. Accept the Nexus Mods API request.
  8. If you are not a Premium user you will need to manually click download for each mod.
  9. Once complete, the installation will show a green Installation Complete screen.
    • If you see a red Installation Failed screen, try log-in again through the Wabbajack settings, then reinstall the list to the same folder. If that doesn't work please join the ModdingLinked Discord server for support.

Post-Install Steps

Exclusions

This operation is required because Windows can block MO2 and mod files from loading due to how MO2's virtualized filesystem works. It's not part of the manual guide because exclusions are handled by the MO2 installer, which Wabbajack doesn't use.
  1. Open Windows Security.
  2. Open Virus & threat protection.
  3. Click Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.
  4. Scroll down and click Add or remove exclusions under Exclusions.
  5. Add a Folder exclusion and point it to the Installation Location folder.

If you are using a third-party antivirus, you will need to find the exclusions menu and add one to the same folder.

Root Mods

  1. In your Installation Location, open the Root Mods folder.
  2. Copy everything to the game's Root folder.
  3. Still in the game's Root folder, double-click on FNVpatch.exe to run it.
  4. A command prompt window will open and it should say:
    FalloutNV.exe patched!
  5. Close the command prompt and a file named FalloutNV_backup.exe should appear in the game's Root folder.

BSA Decompressor

Decompresses the vanilla BSA files to reduce loading times and stuttering. Can also fix certain sound effects not playing.
  1. In your Installation Location, open the BSA Decompressor folder.
  2. Run FNV BSA Decompressor.exe.
  3. The Fallout: New Vegas and Decompressed Archives paths should be filled by default (Root folder and Data folder respectively).
    If they aren't, close the program and re-run your game launcher to generate the required registry key,
  4. Click Decompress, wait for the process the finish, then exit the program once finished.

Mod Organizer 2 Setup

  1. Launch ModOrganizer.exe from your Installation Location.
  2. If you see a pop-up called FalloutNV_lang.esp was found, select Yes.
  3. If you see a pop-up called Register?, select Yes.

Game Settings

  1. Open the game launcher using the Fallout Launcher option in MO2.
  2. Run the launcher through MO2
  3. Inside the launcher, click Options and do the following:
    1. Select Ultra Preset.

      If you have a very weak PC, you can select Medium Preset instead.

    2. Set Resolution to your monitor's native resolution.

      If you can't find the right resolution in the launcher's list, do the following:

      1. Click the MO2 INI button button at the top of MO2 and select INI Editor.
      2. Select the FalloutPrefs.ini tab.
      3. Change the following settings in the Display section:
        iSize W = your screen width
        iSize H = your screen height

  4. Close the launcher.

In-depth guide on how to fix the game's lackluster performance, display issues and alt-tabbing. Covers topics such as DXVK, framerate limiting, display modes, lag and HDR.

Launching The Game

Go to the modlist's Installation Location folder you chose at the beggining and run ModOrganizer.exe.

If you intend on playing Viva New Vegas without the Extended section, now is the time to switch profile by using the drop-down menu on the top of your modlist.

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 New Vegas.

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.
Launching the game

Q: Aren't you supposed to launch through NVSE?

A: The 4GB Patcher and the Epic Games Patcher both allow the game's main executable to automatically load the script extender.


Refer to the FAQ section for more information and solutions to possible problems you might encounter at this stage of the guide.

Testing Utilities

  1. 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.

  2. Close the game and disable the ML Utilities Checker under the Utilities separator (left pane).

You have now installed the Viva New Vegas Wabbajack list. If you don't want to mod your game further, you can now start playing. Have fun!

Finishing Notes

Adding mods independently and without the help of a guide is only recommended after you have learned the required information and workflow. These range from general technicalities about the game, to solving conflicts with xEdit through The Method.

You can find sources for all this information and more in the Resources section. You should also be aware of the Tools and Mods to Avoid.

We may not provide support for setups that have added mods, especially if you went overboard!

Modlist Update

Updating The List

Whenever a new version of the list is released, you can update your current installation by following these steps:
  1. If you added any mods to the list after installation, add the [NoDelete] prefix to their name in the left pane.
  2. Verify files on Steam or GOG Galaxy.
  3. Reinstall the list from Wabbajack with the "Overwrite Installation" checkbox enabled.
  4. Re-run the 4GB Patcher, then optionally run the BSA Decompressor as well (instructions for both are provided above).

Make sure that the update is marked as Safe Mid-Game before playing with the same character!