Best Fallout 4 mods

Welcome, Wasteland Conquerors! The Amazon series has become so popular that fans of the franchise have decided to dive back into the post-apocalyptic world. Online activity in the series' games is hitting new records, with Fallout 4 emerging as the leader. This project, once an outcast, has become one of the franchise's beloved installments, thanks largely to its mods.

Fans have transformed the game into a masterpiece by modifying it with hundreds of files, but among the thousands of mods, there are some without which Fallout 4 simply cannot exist. Whether you're trying this project for the first time after watching the series, or returning to the game after a long break, a small upgrade is definitely worthwhile.

Image: nexusmods.com

In this collection, we will only include the very best Fallout 4 mods necessary for comfortable engaging gameplay. We've spent hundreds of hours in the virtual Wastelands and can confidently call these modifications the foundation of any setup.

New interface

Image: nexusmods.com

We begin by addressing the biggest problem of all Bethesda projects — a terrible, inconvenient interface. This annoying flaw is corrected by DEF_UI. The new interface is not only incredibly convenient but also offers fine adjustments. Through MCM, players can configure window placement and various filters, making gameplay as comfortable as possible.

Advanced character creation

Image: nexusmods.com

As with any RPG, players create characters with unique traits and personalities here. The standard character editor is not bad, but it can be improved. Looks Menu greatly expands the editor's settings, allowing players to create a unique hero. For instance, tattoos from Skyrim have been added. Yes, all Bethesda projects share the same core.

Survival settings

Image: nexusmods.com

The Wasteland truly comes to life in survival mode, where players have needs for food, water, sleep, medicine. Opponents become stronger, making the game world more interesting and dangerous. However, standard settings are quite primitive. Survival Options helps tailor the survival mode to your preferences.

Players can decide for themselves how much damage they inflict/receive, choose the levels of needs. It is also possible to enable/disable quick save and quick move.

Advanced building, cities, new quests

Image: nexusmods.com

Sim Settlements 2 is a massive mod for Fallout 4 that completely changes the gameplay. Most players did not like the original settlement construction because it felt meaningless to have a personal town. This mod fundamentally changes that. Now, you can build your own city. It actually matters!

Construction has become much more interesting. Residents can now build buildings themselves, and not just houses. The game now includes facilities for resource extraction, food stations, hospitals, and even an entertainment center. Residents are now useful and INDEPENDENT. Yes, they have learned to think!

In addition, several settlements will be added to the game world, along with new storylines! Believe it, you won't be able to imagine this game without Sim Settlements 2 anymore.

Weather effects

Image: nexusmods.com

Weather effects greatly influence the atmosphere of the game. Unfortunately, the vanilla version does not boast excellent refinement of this aspect. Wandering the Wastelands, we didn't feel a sense of presence—it felt like a walk in the park! True Storms will make the game world truly atmospheric, beautiful, and dangerous.

The mod completely overhauls the game's weather phenomena and their sound accompaniment. Players may encounter thick fog, heavy rain, scorching sun, or hurricanes. New dangerous phenomena have also appeared, as this is post-apocalypse, not a barbecue trip! Radioactive fallout and acid rain will keep you on your toes!

Full dialogues

Image: nexusmods.com

Fallout 4 received most of its criticism for its clumsy dialogue system. Every choice of phrase could lead to unexpected consequences because the player could not see the text their character would say. The "Sarcasm" option even became a symbol of this problem on the internet.

The Full Dialogue Interface mod makes interaction with NPCs similar to that in previous installments of the series, and this fundamentally changes the gameplay.

Armor tuning

Image: nexusmods.com

A major advantage of the fourth part of the franchise is the advanced crafting. It is very interesting to create and improve clothes on the workbench, so it is worth collecting various junk at the locations. The Armorsmith Extended mod elevates armor crafting to a whole new level.

Users will receive new enhancements for all equipment from original game + DLC, including painting all elements of clothing. Additionally, the characteristics of items and their resources have been revised, but that's not all. You can now combine any elements of clothing without restrictions and create your own style: it’s even possible to create stealth armor at the workbench!

HD textures

Image: nexusmods.com

Let's be honest, the game was quite beautiful at its release. However, it's now 2024, and the graphics are hopelessly outdated. Fallout 4 HD Overhaul will convert all textures to HD quality without overloading the PC. The quality level can be chosen individually, so everyone can adjust the mod to their own requirements. It also supports LOD, which significantly improves performance.

Global graphics improvement

Image: nexusmods.com

If you're fully tuning Fallout 4, you can't do without Vivid Fallout - All in One. Here, textures are not just converted to HD quality; they are completely replaced. The changes will be immediately visible, and the entire world will be transformed. Players will see a new landscape, materials, many small details, and reworked lighting. This is an astounding mod that's hard to imagine modern Fallout without.

Lighting effects

Image: nexusmods.com

We've installed new textures, but something important is still missing. Of course, it's the lighting because light, like weather, greatly affects immersion in the game. The Enhanced Lights and FX mod completely redesigns the effects from all light sources. It might seem like a small thing, but all locations will change completely! It's a great reason to reinstall Fallout 4.

The dog is always around

Image: nexusmods.com

Everyone's Best Friend is our personal pick. In the Wastelands, various companions will accompany the hero, each with their own character. However, to choose a companion, you must give up the dog. This is an incredibly tough decision! The dog will be the first to meet you in the harsh world, and it’s impossible not to get attached, as the author of this mod believes. A small file allows you to keep the dog forever and take another companion with him!

Detailed Map

Image: nexusmods.com

The standard map in Fallout 4 lacks information and is inconvenient, making it hard to navigate the terrain. FallUI Map fixes this shortcoming by turning it into a detailed and clear map. It now shows not only the main roads but also trails, rivers, lakes, and hills, making traveling across the Wasteland much more convenient.

In addition to visual improvements, the mod adds useful features: text search on the map, a favorites list for quick travel, colored markers, and flexible zooming. Thanks to these changes, exploring the world becomes easier and more enjoyable.

Convenient and Intuitive Inventory

Image: nexusmods.com

Finding the right item in the standard inventory is a real challenge. The menu is cluttered, navigation is awkward, and the sorting leaves much to be desired. FallUI Inventory brings order to this chaos by adding handy filters, categories, and a search bar. Items get icons, and the interface becomes compact and intuitive.

Thanks to integration with the Mod Configuration Menu, you can flexibly adjust the inventory’s appearance and element placement so that the interface fully matches your preferences.

Fast and Convenient Lockpicking

Image: nexusmods.com

The lockpicking mechanic in Fallout 4 is decent, but over time it becomes repetitive, especially in multiple playthroughs. Constantly searching for the right angle, risking breaking a bobby pin—while not difficult, it’s tedious and only slows down the gameplay.

If the mini-game has gotten boring, Easy Lockpicking solves the problem. Now locks open with a single key press, without needing to adjust the bobby pin. However, you’ll still need the appropriate skill to pick complex doors and containers. The mod saves time but keeps character progression an important part of the experience.

Jetpack

Image: nexusmods.com

Travel in Fallout 4 is often restricted by narrow roads, ruined buildings, and uneven terrain, forcing you to take detours to reach your destination. But what if, instead of wandering through the rubble, you could just fly there?

CROSS Jetpack lets you soar above ruins, fly over obstacles, and even attack enemies from above. It’s installed like a standard weapon modification, but it requires careful use—fuel is not unlimited, and the jetpack’s height and flight duration depend on its characteristics.

Increasing Carry Weight

Image: nexusmods.com

Carrying capacity in Fallout 4 has always been a headache. Your inventory quickly fills up with weapons, armor, and junk, and being over-encumbered stops you from moving on. You end up having to decide: throw away valuable items or return to a settlement again to unload.

Carry Weight Modifications lets you adjust this parameter. You can slightly increase the limit, make it depend on Strength, or remove restrictions entirely if you don’t want to worry about being over-encumbered.

Changing Appearance Anytime

Image: nexusmods.com

Character creation in Fallout 4 is an important part of the game, but a single misplaced detail can ruin the overall look. The vanilla version suggests visiting the surgeon in Diamond City, which isn’t always convenient. Now there’s an easier way.

With Looks Mirror, you can change your appearance at any time. Just find a mirror in any house or settlement to adjust facial features, hairstyle, eye color, and other details. The mod is fully compatible with LooksMenu, so it supports extensive customization settings.

Crafting Ammo at the Workbench

Image: nexusmods.com

Ammo in the game is worth its weight in gold. It’s not always easy to find, and buying from merchants can be expensive. It’s ironic that in a world full of workbenches and tools, the character can’t even craft the simplest ammunition.

Craftable Ammo fixes this oversight by adding the ability to craft ammo at the workbench. Now you can make any kind of ammunition, including rare calibers, using found resources. The system fits seamlessly into the weapon upgrade mechanics and stays balanced, preventing your character from becoming a walking arsenal.

Building Without Limits

Image: nexusmods.com

The building system in the game allows you to create settlements, but with many restrictions. You can only place objects in strictly designated spots, and any unevenness in the terrain can derail your initial design idea.

Place Everywhere removes these artificial boundaries. With it, you can place items anywhere—no grid snapping or obstacles. Want to build a house on the water, put furniture on the roof, or suspend structures in midair? Now nothing stops you from designing a settlement exactly how you want.

Clearing Out Junk

Image: nexusmods.com

Even if you can build in the spot you want, piles of debris, broken fences, and building fragments that can’t be removed with standard tools can still get in the way. They clutter the area and prevent you from turning the settlement into a comfortable, well-thought-out space.

Scrap Everything lets you remove all the unnecessary stuff and convert it into useful resources. With it, you can clear any zone to the ground, as if creating a settlement on a blank canvas.

Expanded Building Limit

Image: nexusmods.com

Even if you’ve cleared the area and planned out every detail, construction may suddenly stop. The game strictly limits the number of objects, and once you’ve hit that cap, you can’t add anything new. This becomes a major problem, especially if you want to build a large-scale settlement.

With Higher Settlement Budget, you can remove these limitations and continue building. It raises the available limit, allowing you to place more structures, furniture, decor, and defensive installations.

Wanderers on the Roads

Image: nexusmods.com

While traveling the Wasteland, you rarely meet anyone on the roads—most NPCs are tied to specific locations, and random events don’t happen very often. Because of that, the world feels static, and moving between cities quickly becomes repetitive and predictable.

NPCs Travel breathes life into the game by adding 300 new characters who freely roam the map, making it more lively and dynamic. They include hunters, mercenaries, doctors, patrols, raiders, and even mutants. Some appear right away; others come into play as the story progresses, making your travels less predictable.

Getting into Locked Buildings

Image: nexusmods.com

As you roam the Wasteland, you’ll encounter many buildings, but most remain locked or are just empty shells. Broken windows, boarded-up doors, and invisible walls keep you from looking inside, even though there might be something interesting there.

Beantown Interiors Project opens up access to new locations. It adds hundreds of previously inaccessible interiors, turning lifeless structures into fully explorable areas. Inside, you can find valuable resources, notes telling stories of the past, and even run into unexpected guests.

A Robot to Defend Settlements

Image: nexusmods.com

Settlement defense is crucial, but standard turrets and guards don’t always hold off raiders. Raiders, mutants, and other threats can easily break in if your defenses are weak. In such moments, you want something more reliable than stationary machine guns and slow settlers.

Robot Home Defence boosts your security by allowing you to create and customize combat robots to patrol the area and repel attacks. The arsenal includes Protectrons, Mister Gutsy, Assaultrons, and even massive Sentry Bots. You can leave them in a settlement or take them with you into the Wasteland to feel safe in any situation.

More Caps for Merchants

Image: nexusmods.com

After long journeys through the Wasteland, it’s great to sell off your accumulated loot for some honest earnings, but there’s one problem: merchants don’t have many caps. If your inventory is full of valuable items, you have to wait for their stock to refresh or look for another buyer, which costs time.

Rich Merchants helps you save effort by increasing merchants’ cap reserves, letting you offload more loot in a single transaction. You can choose how much to modify it—anything from a small capital increase to large sums that ensure merchants never complain about lack of funds again.

Cover in Combat

Image: nexusmods.com

Gunfights in the Wasteland require speed and accuracy, but the standard combat system doesn’t allow full use of cover. The player can hide behind obstacles, but can’t shoot from behind them or crouch automatically. As a result, even a cautious approach can turn into a straightforward shootout.

Take Cover adds realism by introducing a cover mechanic that lets you hide behind objects, peek around corners, and fire without fully exposing yourself. Now you can use tactics, plan attacks, and avoid rushing headlong into every fight.

Multiple Companions at Once

Image: nexusmods.com

Choosing a single companion can be difficult. Each has a unique personality, dialogue, and skills, but standard restrictions allow you to bring only one along. If you want to form a whole team, you have to keep swapping allies or leave someone behind at a settlement.

Unlimited Followers removes that limit, letting you travel with multiple companions at once. Now you can assemble your own group of survivors, form a squad of fighters, or even bring all companions along at the same time, turning the game into a true team adventure.

Companions Can Sneak

Image: nexusmods.com

Stealth in the game can be effective, but only if you act alone. Once you have a companion, sneaking becomes useless. Allies don’t crouch or try to avoid enemies; they often start a fight on their own, ruining any carefully planned approach.

Companions Can Sneak fixes that by making companions stop revealing you—now they move more cautiously, crouch along with the hero, and don’t charge into combat without orders. Stealth missions are finally possible even if you’re not alone.

Faster Loading

Image: nexusmods.com

Transitioning between locations sometimes takes too long. After each building entrance or fast travel, you’re stuck looking at a loading screen. The more mods you have installed, the longer you wait, which is frustrating and disrupts the game flow.

You can reduce wait times with Load Accelerator. It optimizes the loading process, cutting its duration by adjusting VSync settings and making better use of the CPU. The effect is especially noticeable when the game is installed on an SSD—loading screens become almost instantaneous.

Radial Menu

Image: nexusmods.com

The in-game menu is done in a classic style, but it often requires extra steps. To switch weapons, use an item, or give a command to a companion, you have to open the interface and scroll through lists, which slows down gameplay. During combat or fast-paced scenes, this is especially inconvenient.

Wheel Menu FallUIified makes controls simpler and more intuitive. It adds a radial menu where all important commands and items are placed in handy sectors. You can quickly choose weapons, use medical supplies, or interact with companions without unnecessary clicks. The mod fully integrates with FallUI, so you can customize the menu to suit your play style.

Even years after its release, Fallout 4 continues to receive new modifications. They can completely transform the game—improving graphics, refining mechanics, and adding new possibilities. Large-scale projects like Fallout: London create entire new worlds with their own storylines and quests.

These 30 Fallout 4 mods will become the foundation for tuning the game. Experiment and set out to conquer entirely new Wastelands!

Main image: wall.alphacoders.com