Guide:Morrowind

Guide: A modern Morrowind

Help support STEP! ALL donations are applied to operating expenses.

The STEP Solution
One can spend hundreds of hours just searching for mods before actually getting down to the business of installing them.
As mods increase in number and complexity and mod creators produce more and more mods that alter game play, interface and settings,
the probability of game-crashing conflicts increases. The STEP project takes care of the heavy lifting associated with sifting through thousands of mods
and selecting the ones that significantly enhance and improve the vanilla experience without detracting from it
with as little cost as possible in terms of performance. Users are able to follow detailed, step-by-STEP manual-installation instructions
and be confident that all components have been individually tested by the community and the results verified.
This cuts down on a vast amount of time and headache dealing with sampling, testing and troubleshooting.

1. Install & Utilities

1.B Install Utilities

Utility	Format	Notes
7-Zip	.EXE	Install 64-bit version, only use 32-bit if 64-bit doesn't work

1.C Install MCP & MGE

Patch name	OpenMW	Notes
Morrowind Code Patch	No	Includes 4GB patch
MGE XE	No

1.D About MGE and downloading shaders

The latest Morrowind graphic extender enables higher resolutions, better shaders, bump-mapping, and much more.
All extra shaders and settings can be downloaded here.
After install, adjust the resolution to what the system is using(for example 1920 x 1080).

1.E System Requirements

This is the minimum specifications for a good gaming experience, anything more powerful than this will run fine.
OpenMW is an performance friendly and cross-platform alternative to MGE, but requires avoiding certain mods, many cannot
be easily deactivated after installing them. OpenMW does not support shaders.

Base Game	Build with OpenMW	Build with MGE XE
500 MHz Intel PIII, Celeron, or AMD Athlon	Anything	Any modern Intel or 2+ Ghz AMD processor
256MB RAM	2GB RAM	4GB RAM
GeForce2 GTS, Radeon 7500	Anything	GTX 950, R7 370

1.F Installing Mods

All files except .EXEs(they go into the game folder), needs to be placed in the data folder. From the MW Modding Wiki:

"The Data Files folder (or just data folder) is where all of the data that the game uses is stored. 

That's the music, textures, meshes, etc. This is also where all mods are installed, and where their data (again the meshes, textures, music, etc) is stored. 

To find the data folder, first make sure that you are looking at the game folder. From here you should see a folder called Data Files. 

That's the folder we need, open it up and you should see more folders marked as Meshes, Textures, etc. 

Though don't worry if you don't. You should also see some files called Morrowind.esm, Tribunal.esm, and Bloodmoon.esm. 

These are master files. Mods are similar to these, but would end with .esp. These are called plugin files." 

Install the mods in the same order as listed, and always let the files overwrite.

2. Mods

Note: If you want a simpler setup try BasicMW instead.
The guide is meant to be installed in order from top to bottom. Read the notes carefully!

2.A Fixes & patches

Note on OpenMW compatibility: This requires selecting the non-bump mapped versions of mods.

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes
Morrowind Optimization Patch	Yes	Optimised Meshes
Correct Meshes	Yes	Fixes misc. Meshes
Detailed Correct UV Rocks	Yes	Better rocks. Download WIP Detailed Correct UV Rocks.
Correct UV Trees	Yes	Fixes UV for trees
Correct UV Mudcrabs	Yes	Fixes Mudcrab UV
Patch for Purists	Yes	Replaces UMP and countless of mesh fixes

2.B Meshes

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes
Ingredients Mesh Replacer	Yes	Meshes for ingredients
Dunmer Lanterns Replacer	Yes	Meshes for lanterns
Mesh Improvements Optimized	Yes
RR Mod Series - Better Meshes	Yes	Download all files
Better Meshes plus Optimization	Yes
PikachunoTMs Mesh Artifact Improvements	Yes	Use No Extra Changes.esp for Bloodskal Blade
MOAR Mesh Replacers	Yes	Delete furn_basket_01.nif

2.C Objects & Clutter

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes
Wood Furniture	Yes	Base Replacer for wood furniture
AOF Containers	Yes	New barrels, kegstand, wooden bucket, and sacks.
Detailed Tapestries	Yes	Sharper tapestries
Detailed Rugs v2	Yes	Sharper rugs
AST Beds Remastered	Yes	Replacer for beds
Better Kegstands	Yes	Replacer for kegstands
Arukinns Better Books and Scrolls	Yes	Replacer for books and scrolls
Guar Skin Banners	Yes	Hires banners. Use only the Main or the optional file.
Improved Kwama Eggs and Egg Sacs	No	Replaces Kwama eggs & sac
One True Faith - Saints and Frescoes Retexture	Yes	Hires frescoes, "HQ" recommended
Dunmeri Urns - Aestetika of Vvardenfell	Yes	"HQ bump mapped" is only for MGE. Choose one.
Long Live The Limeware	Yes	Limeware replacer
Long Live The Glassware	Yes	Glassware replacer
Long Live The Plates	Yes	Replacer for plates
Better Skulls	Yes	Replacer for skulls
Apel's Various Things - Signs	No	New tavern signs
R-Zero's Random Retextures - Dwemer Coin & Quill	Yes	Download quill & dwemer coins retextures
EKM Vanilla-Based Paper Lanterns	Yes	Paper lanterns retextured
Ket's Potions and Beverages Retexture	Yes	Potions and beverages retextured
Ket's Swirlwood Furniture retexture	Yes	Retexture for the fine dunmer furniture
Signposts Retextured	Yes	Readable signpost textures. Download one main file.
Well Lit Lanterns	Yes	Replaces Travel Lanterns with models that look like bright lights

2.D Architecture

Mod Name	Mod Format	Notes	Alternatives
Nature Unification Compilation	No	Base Replacer for Architecture, Flora and Landscape. Don't install the .esm
Apel's Lighthouse Retexture	Yes	The lighthouse remade. Download one main file.
Imperial Houses and Forts Retexture - Ordo Arkitektora	Yes	Replaces imperial housing	1 2 3
Bump-mapped AOFs Imperial Housing with optional Vanilla-Friendly Retexture	Yes	Only download Vanilla-Friendly Retexture without any bump-map
Telvanni - Arkitektora of Vvardenfell	Yes	Download one main file, the update and this 1
Shacks Docks and Ships - Arkitektora of Vvardenfell	Yes	Replaces docks, shacks & boats	1 2 3
Velothi Retexture	Yes	Download one main file.	1 2 3 4
Daedric Ruins Retexture	Yes	Base replacer for daedric ruins. We want it for the statues.
Daedric Ruins - Arkitektora of Vvardenfell	Yes	Replacer for daedric ruins. If you like Daedric Ruins retexture skip this.	1
Sewers - Arkitektora of Vvardenfell	Yes	Retexture of sewers. Only download the main file.
Hlaalu Normal Mapped for OpenMW	Yes	OpenMW not required. Download the main file.	1 2 3
Redoran Bump mapped	No	Replacer for Redoran housing	1
HD Architecture Meshes	Yes	Only download HAM Skar (2048/4096). For higher resolution textures install 8k from this on top.
Dwemer Mesh Improvement	Yes	Remesh of dwemer towers
Full Dwemer Retexture	Yes	All things dwemer retextured. Download one main file.
Ultimate Dunmer Strongholds v1.2	Yes	Stronghold retexture. Download v1.2.
Mournhold Overhaul v21	Yes	Download v2.1 and don't activate the .ESP	1 2 3
Hires Town Road Markers	Yes	Retexture of town markers
High-res Skaal Retex	Yes	Retexture of Skaal buildings. Download only the main file.
Articus Old Mournhold and Sewers	Yes	Textures for Old Mournhold buildings and Sewers
Articus Old Stucco 2K Retexture	Yes	Textures for old Dunmer ruins and dwellings
Dragon Statue Replacer	Yes	Replacer for the dragon statue in Ebonheart. Option 1 recommended but choose as you like.	1

2.E NPCs

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes	Alternatives
Robert's bodies	Yes	Install only the main file	Races Redone Patch Continue from Animation Compilation below if you use this.
Westly's pluginless head replacer	Yes	Replacer for all Heads except for beast races. Install this on top.
Pluginless Khajiit Head Pack	Yes	Download the whiskers version
Argonian Head Replacer	Yes	Download "Argonians Revamp" from the files section	Improved Argonians
New Beast Bodies	Yes	Mature alternative
Animation Compilation	Yes	Updated animations
Divine Dagoths	Yes	Pluginless replacer for Dagoth Ur and his brothers

2.F Clothing

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes	Alternatives
Good clothes	No	Don't install any esp. Install this esp instead.	1
Robe Overhaul	Yes	Use the basic version
Mage Robes	Yes	More robes. Install the contents from 0-Data Files. If you intend to use any of the mods in the 1-Add-Ons folder get the corresponding .esp as well.
New Gondolier Helm	Yes	Retexture of gondolier helmets
Unique Finery Replacer UFR	Yes	Install "no robes"-.ESP

2.G Weapons

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes
Unification Compilation: Armory	No	skip .esp
Ice Blade of the Monarch PBR	Yes	Lore-friendly replacer
Mehrunes' Razor PBR	Yes	PBR prototype not required. Install Vanilla Plus
Correct Iron Warhammer	Yes	Brings the warhammer closer to lore
Volendrung	Yes	Vanilla-friendly replacer
Fang of Haynekhtnamet Replacer	Yes	Unique replacer for Fang of Haynekhtnamet
Bonemold Bow Replacer	Yes	Vanilla-friendly Replacer. Only install the main file.

2.H Armor

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes
HiRez Armors- Native Styles	Yes	Download these 3 updates: Update 1 2
Armors Retexture - Outlander Styles	Yes	Armor textures. Download one main file and the update.
Less Bulky Pauldrons	Yes	Install both included patches
Colovian helm and heavy leather boots retexture	Yes	The link is correct, see under "files"
Royalguard better armor	Yes	Replacer for royal guards in Tribunal
Daedric Lord Armor Morrowind Edition	Yes	Extra helmet
Orcish Retexture v1.2	Yes	Parts of orcish armor redone. Download v1.2
More Realisitc Dwemer Armor	Yes	Use this if Skyrim style is preferred
Bear Armor Replacer	Yes	Replacer for Bear Armor. Download the english version.

2.I Creatures

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes
Darknut's Creature Textures	Yes	Retexture of creatures
Darknut's Creature Textures addendum	Yes	Retexture of more creatures
Netch Bump mapped	No	Retexture of netch. Download the main file.
Kwama forager bump mapped	No	Link is correct, see under "files"
Cliffracer Replacer	Yes	Retexture of cliffracers
Nix-Hound Replacer	Yes	Retexture of nixhound
Guars replacer - Aendemika of Vvardenfell	Yes	Retexture of guars
Kagouti replacer - Aendemika of Vvardenfell	Yes	Retexture of kagouti
Alit replacer - Aendemika of Vvardenfell	Yes	Retexture of alit
Better Spriggans	Yes	Spriggan replacer with glow maps
Better Scamps	Yes	Scamps redone
Silt Strider Replacer	Yes	New meshes and textures

2.J Flora & Landscape

Mod Name	Mod Format	Notes	Alternatives
Tyddy's Landscape Retexture	Yes	"HQ" version recommended. Don't install tx_gl_dirt_grass_01.dds and tx_gl_dirt_grass_02.dds Also install this fix.	1 2
Caverns Bump mapped	No	New cave textures. Download the main and optional file.
Apel's Asura Coast and Sheogorath Region Retexture	Yes	Download only the main file. Don't install Terrain_rock_AC_01-12.nif from the meshes\f folder.
Hackle-lo Fixed	Yes	New mesh & texture
Apels Ascadian Isles Retex	Yes	Texture replacer for the Ascadian isles region
Remiros' Ascadian Isles Trees 2	Yes	Trees for the Ascadian isles region
Mournhold Flora Redux	Yes	Download the main- and optional files.	1 2
Vanilla-friendly West Gash Tree Replacer	Yes	Both a model and texture replacer for the West Gash trees
Vurts Bitter Coast Trees II	Yes	Download the main file.
Rebirth optional files	Yes	Only install the bitter coast textures	1
Bitter Coast Redux II	Yes	Download Flora and Vurt trees
Telvanni Bump Maps	No	Download the main file.
Vurts Grazelands Trees	Yes	Tree Replacer for the Grazelands
Vurts Ashlands Overhaul	Yes	Install the Vanilla Style Trees
Vurts Solstheim Tree Replacer II	Yes	Download Solstheim Tree Replacer, Collision fix and this
Comberry Bush and Ingredient Replacer	Yes	Download the main file. Install the Vanilla textures.
Articus Blossoms - Potted Plant and Vines	Yes
Articus Ivy and Bush II	Yes
Articus Gold Kanet Improved	Yes	Download the main file.
Bungler's Bane and Hypha Facia HD	Yes
Minor Fixes for Step	Yes
Ozzy's Grass Merged	Yes	Only activate .esp in distant land generation. Don't activate it in the launcher/ Mod Organizer.	1 2

Then delete the following files: flora_chokeweed_01.nif, flora_roobush_01.nif if they are found in your data files.

2.K User Interface

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes	Alternatives
HD Concept-art splash screen and main menu	Yes	Hires main menu & splash screens
Better Dialogue Font	Yes	Hires UI font
Chocolate UI	Yes	Retextured UI. Also install this.	1 2
HD Intro Cinematic - English	Yes	Must be enabled in MCP. Download your aspect ratio.
Ultimate Icon Replacer	Yes	New icons. Download v1. Don't install tx_warhammer_iron.dds.

2.L Optional gameplay changes

Mod Name	Mod Format	Notes	Alternatives
Delayed DB Attack V2	.ESP	No more early attacks from DB	1
Illy's Solsteim Rumour Fix v1.0	esp	Reduces the amount of people that know about Solstheim
The Publicans	esp	More beds for rent
Diseases Restored	esp	New ways to die
Movement Fatigue Halved	esp	Better alternative to "always hit"-mods
Holidays Across Tamriel - Vvardenfell	esp	Enable only Holidays Across Tamriel - Vvardenfell.esp
Purist Friendly Magicka Regen	esp	Adds magicka regeneration to the game
Official Add-Ons Patched	esp & folder	Bethesda-made mods
Subtle Magic Glow	folder	New texture
Bloodmoon Rebalance	esp	This mod rebalances Bloodmoon as if it shipped with Morrowind

2.M Optional Immersion

Mod Name	Mod Format	Notes
Distant Mournhold	.ESP	Makes Temple visible from any part of Mournhold
RR Mod Series - Telvanni Lighthouse Tel Vos	.ESP & .BSA	.INI edit required, instructions here
RR Mod Series - Holamayan Monastery Replacer	.ESP, .BSA & Folder	.INI edit required, instructions here
Concept Art Ghostfence Replacer	.ESP & Folder	New Ghostfence
Morrowind Acoustic Overhaul	.ESM & Folder	Follow the readme closely
Cavern Of The Incarnate Overhaul	.ESP & Folder	.ESP optional
Caldera Mine Expanded	.ESP & Folder	Enhances the Caldera Mine area
Yet Another Guard Diversity	.ESP	Varied guards.
Windoors Glow	.BSA .ESP & Folder	Windows/doors glow during night, register BSA, Patch

3. Setup & Tweaking

3.A Graphics Card Settings

Turn off antialiasing and anisotropic filtering in the graphics driver. Set the GPU to full performance if possible.

3.B Plugins

1. Open the launcher and activate all plugins except those noted.
2. Run Mlox to sort your plugins.
3. Check that the game, starts, if not, deactivate plugins until it starts.

3.C MGE XE

1. Start MGE XE Gui.
2. Set AA to "4" and AF to "8".
3. Check that resolution and refresh rate matches the monitor settings. Turn Vsync off for now.
4. Generate distant land with all plugins that isn't gameplay-related. Set grass density to 60%.
5. Install the STEP shaders if you haven't already, copy the settings too.
6. That's it! Check game performance and tweak until acceptable FPS is achieved. Vsync may be turned on after this.

Note: If you have good FPS, but still experience stutter, see Texture optimization.
Very low FPS? Consider using Morrowind FPs Optimizer with MGE.
Lastly, install MLOX if you're adding more mods after this guide, it will help sort the plugins for you.

3.D Shader library for MGE XE

With additional shaders the game graphics can be further enhanced and customized.

Mod Name	Sample	Notes
Adaptive HDR by Seventyfour	Sample	Alternate HDR
FXAA by J.Bottcher	Sample	Low-cost AA and softening
Film Grain by wrinklyninja	Sample	Simulates analog film noise
Watercolor	Sample	Enhanced colors and bleed
Bloom by Seventyfour	Sample	Better Bloom
Water by Seventyfour (fixed by Ket Golosov)	Sample	Green water shader, place in \Morrowind\Data Files\shaders
Old Photo by Zilav	Sample	Desaturate, sepia, and vignette in one
Sky Bloom by peachykeen	Sample	Alternate Bloom
Fog-linked DOF	Sample	Distance blur
Lumasharpen by CeeJay.dk	Sample	Sharpens textures
Bokeh by Various	Sample	Bokeh DOF
Gamma Correction by Apel	No sample yet	Adjusts gamma and luminance
Depth of Field by Vtastek	No sample yet	Included fog-blur
Water shader by Vtastek	Sample	Put in \Morrowind\Data Files\shaders

4. Troubleshooting

4.A Plugin master file dependency fix

If you see this error, follow this tutorial.

File:Plugin master file dependency fix.jpeg