Optimising Oblivion v3.0: Into Modblivion

Levelling mods
Like American Express and Mastercard, all these mods are priceless and no gamer should leave their game without one.

[ thread : download ] - Osucro's Oblivion Overhaul - UPDATED
Creature + Item. Aims to fix everything from creature and item levelled lists to general gameplay balance through a wholistic approach. Read the README.

[ thread : thread : download ] - Sagerbliv's Creature Balance + G_'s Loot Mod - UPDATED
Creature + Item. Now integrated, these two massive works fix Oblivion's greatest gameplay faults. Also integrates Combat Behaviour, Wilderness Creatures and more.

[ thread : download ] - Francesco's levelled creatures and items - UPDATED
Creature + Item. Modular balance changes and fixes designed by Francesco, who appears to be a mathematic genius. Now multi-language!

[ thread : download ] - Adventurers - UPDATED
Creature + Item. In the vein of Adventurers for Morrowind, Adam has returned to turn his balancing talents to Oblivion.

[ thread : download ] - Auryn's Levelling mod - UPDATED
Player. The most well developed and comprehensive player levelling mod to date.

[ thread : download ] - DigiZen's Smooth Levelling system
Player. Digizen's simple but effective player levelling system.

[ thread : download ] - Kobu's Character Advancement System - UPDATED
Player. Kobu's is a highly respected alternative to Auryn's.

A note on these mods: Mods that address both level lists are mutually exclusive. Install Osucro's Oblivion Overhaul OR Sagerbliv's Creature Balance + G_'s Loot Mod. Similarly, if you find you like Tom Servo's Rare Items over G_'s Loot Mod, use one or the other. Just let common sense prevail and you'll be set.

Clicky clicky note: It's highly recommended to click on the 'thread' links for these mods to learn more about them.

Essential mods
Every Oblivion player needs these installed! No, seriously. This list covers mods in all categories.

[ thread : download ] - Jarrod's texture replacements
Essential. Vastly superior lanscape textures. Be sure to grab the 'complete' download.

[ no thread : download ] - Shaja's landscape LOD replacements
Essential. Replaces the distant land 'soup' with much better looking, higher-resolution textures.

[ thread : download ] - Bluesteel's Landscape normal map fix
Essential. Much improved normal map detail for better landscape visuals with no impact on performance. Jarrod's + Shaja's + Bluesteel's work perfectly together to create a vastly improved visual experience.

[ thread : download : patch ] - Qarl's texture replacements, 1024x1024 - NEW
Essential. As with Jarrod's, vastly improved textures. Higher resolution than Jarrod's, but uses entirely new textures in some places which may be to taste.

[ thread : download : patch ] - Qarl's texture replacements, 2048x2048 - NEW
Essential. As above, as the insanely high quality 2048x2048 version. This will max and surpass 500M of video memory, even before tweaking with uGridsToLoad.

[ thread : download ] - Level Rates Modified
Essential. An enhanced and superseding version of Level Slow. Slows the ridicuously fast rate of skill learning and allows you to enjoy your game.

[ thread : thread download ] - Darnified BTMod configs - UPDATED
Essential. Go now, and download all the modules at once.

[ thread : homepage : download ] - BTMod
Essential. Every PC gamer needs this vastly improved UI upgrade.

[ thread : download ] - Advanced Water Modification
Essential. Water as it should have been from the start.

[ thread : download ] - Natural Environments
Essential. Makes the world of Oblivion a far more stunning place.

[ no thread : download ] - Seasonal Weather for More Sky Climates
Essential. Includes all the new weather types from More Sky Climates (found below), and makes them transitional by seasons.

[ thread : download ] - Hunters mod
Essential. Balances and improves all wildlife spawning and AI as well as their drops. Now includes Natural Wildlife (found seperately in the Must-have category).

[ thread : download ] - No Psychic Guards
Essential. Stops guards from seemingly knowing what you do and when you do it.

[ thread : download ] - Combat Behaviour
Essential. Vastly improved AI for NPC combat. Note: now included in both Sagerbliv's Creature Balance and Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul.

[ thread : download ] - TF_Timemod
Essential. One of the first mods and one of the best. Alters the speed at which days pass. So necessary most levelling mods include a form of this.

[ thread : download : patch ] - Illumination Within - NEW
Essential. ModMan's Window Lights from Morrowind have returned for Oblivion. Has to be seen to be believed! Check the thread for screenshots.

[ thread : download ] - Foxmaiden's Rebalancing - NEW
Great and comprehensive mod for rebalancing of combat, melee, magic and items.

Next, Must-have mods!