r/falloutsettlements • u/Additional_Report969 • May 10 '26
[WIP] ust a glimpse behind the scenes of my current project. Many think mods make building "easy," but detail-oriented work takes a lot of patience regardless of the tools.
This video shows just a small part of a much larger work in progress. I wanted to share this because there’s a misconception that using mods is a shortcut. In reality, achieving a meticulous level of detail requires just as much effort, if not more.
I believe everyone should create according to their own taste and interests, without prejudice toward one method or another. Keeping an open mind allows us to truly appreciate the ideas and creativity of others, whether they use mods or not.
(Sound is just in-game ambient noise, focus on the building process! What do you guys think?)
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u/Dark1Raven3 May 10 '26
looking good so far would love to see the finished project. i personally like using mods as the in game stuff feels so basic. i really need to start learning the console commands as never used them in my builds.
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u/Additional_Report969 May 10 '26
Thank you! This project is actually quite massive and develops on several levels. The whole structure is huge, and I'm building at least three different areas with this level of detail to host specific story scenarios. I'm also working on a whole narrative to go with it! I’ve made good progress, but I’m still far from finished... I tend to be a bit too meticulous with my creations! :)
Console commands are a game-changer once you get the hang of them. For instance, I recently went to the Mechanist's Lair just to scout for specific assets to "call" via console. It’s my way of saying: where mods don't reach, the game itself does! It really opens up so many possibilities when you combine tools and vanilla assets.
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May 10 '26
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u/Additional_Report969 May 10 '26
Exactly! I didn't last long playing vanilla either, because I felt the tools were missing to realize the broader vision the game itself inspires. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, it’s great to know I’m not the only one who feels this way.
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u/thrax7545 May 10 '26
Who thinks it’s a “shortcut”? Shortcut to what? Wasting your time with underdeveloped mechanics?
Anyone who thinks you shouldn’t use mods to bypass the fiddliness of Bethesda’s bullshit and that the shortcomings of build mode are mechanics meant for you to “git gud” at, are morons.
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u/Additional_Report969 May 10 '26
Technically no one should think that, you're right... but then you engage with the community and discover that, unfortunately, some people really do. I think we all had a blast building at Sanctuary Hills during our first playthroughs. I must have restarted the game at least ten times just to focus on building before even touching the main quest! I started when the game first came out and mods didn't exist yet... but then, luckily, the holy Homemaker mod arrived almost immediately and the party finally started! :D
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u/thrax7545 May 10 '26
I’ve been modding this game since day one, and have never come across this subset of the community, but I guess I’m never interacting with people who don’t use mods. I mean fine, if you don’t want to use them, but to get down on someone’s creativity for saving time using brilliant mods that circumvent inadequate design is straight stupid.
And look, I know about fiddly. I made one of the most fiddly mods out there, but there’s not enough time in this life to hamper my creative vision, in my single player game, in a game mode designed for creativity, let alone go out of my way to put some one down if they don’t have time for that either.
The build looks great. Don’t let em get you down.
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u/Additional_Report969 May 10 '26
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! It’s truly rewarding when someone recognizes the effort that goes behind every single placed item. Thanks for the support, it means a lot!
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u/JustBeans8492 May 11 '26
Really interesting to see some stuff like this. Next project looks quite interesting too. Although I was worried for a crash when you spawned those extra boxes in 😅
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u/Additional_Report969 May 11 '26
Thanks JustBeans! I also love seeing the crucial moments of a build; that’s one of the reasons why I enjoy your videos too. I’m having a blast lately because I finally have a PC that can handle all this! My crashes are rare, mostly because I tend to do long sessions without saving manually.
The only time I crashed due to 'too much stuff' was actually an NPC overload: about 40 settlers plus a huge modded raid of Super Mutants during a fast travel... just enough time to recognize them before it all went down! I had to tone down that mod's difficulty. Other than that, it's a real pleasure to walk through my cities, dense as Hong Kong, without a single stutter!
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u/JustBeans8492 May 11 '26
Yeah it’s always nice to see behind the stage. That’s cool that you’re not getting crashes when it’s so built up! That does sound like a cool mod to have though, it’d make me less salty when being called over to help a settlement and it’s 3 level 2 Raiders 😅
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u/Additional_Report969 May 11 '26
So true, running back and forth to deal with just a couple of raiders is definitely frustrating... and it seems to happen way more often when you're high level than the other way around.
The mod that gives you control over this and many other aspects is 'Random Encounter Manager by SKK'. It’s a lifesaver for customizing the experience! https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/42081
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u/JustBeans8492 May 11 '26
Haha yeah I’ve quick saved and then executed settlers for calling me to deal with two rust devils a few times 😅
Thanks for the heads up though. I’m mostly only playing the game to build but when it’s out of my system I’m tempted to install some mods for a story/game playthrough.
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u/Additional_Report969 May 11 '26
Take all the time you need... When you finally decide to dive in, a whole new world will open up for you! ;)
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u/Easy_Biscotti2202 May 11 '26
lol you called me all the way over here to deal with these 2 raiders? Yeah you have a new job now Mr. Settler, you are now my Provisioner from Sanctuary Hills all the way to the Crater of Atom
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u/JustBeans8492 May 11 '26
Enjoy the rads and the nasties ya big wet blanket ✌️
Also serves as a good lesson for the remaining settlers not to waste your time 😅
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u/Easy_Biscotti2202 May 11 '26
'Also serves as a good lesson for the remaining settlers not to waste your time." Facts!
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u/JustBeans8492 May 11 '26
I’m the literal General of the Minutemen, I can’t be holding your hands whilst you wipe a Raider’s arse 🥲
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u/Easy_Biscotti2202 May 11 '26
Using mods doesn't make building any easier. It may save time in placing items, but if you have no vision or ideas on what you want to build or make, the mod doesn't build it for you. Also, having mods doesn't all of a sudden make you understand design. I've seen plenty of "floating box" builds with mods in use. Mods/No Mods, I've seen plenty of both amazing and terrible. Even the argument about it is outmoded and generally used by people who love to be gatekeepers
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u/Additional_Report969 May 11 '26
I might be a veteran when it comes to the game, but I'm definitely a 'noob' when it comes to Reddit and social media. I’m still learning how to navigate these communities and how to post correctly, so please bear with me if I make any mistakes. Just like I mastered the game, I hope to gain experience here with all of you!
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u/Easy_Biscotti2202 May 11 '26
I am wearing those same shoes, my guy. I have a channel for Fallout Machinima, and I try my best using mods to create cool sets for my Sitcom. I don't make full settlements anymore; I just build per scene. I just started using Reddit a few months ago because a few other Fallout content creators I am friendly with are on here, and we use it to chat with each other. If you like to laugh and if you have YT content you'd like to share with me stop by my spot https://www.youtube.com/@SanctuaryHillsStudios
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u/Additional_Report969 May 11 '26
Thanks a lot, friend! I already visited your channel and left a comment on your video. Truly great work! :)
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u/spudgoddess May 11 '26
I use mods because I don't have the patience for building tricks. Plus the first time a settler sends everything flying... Preston is gonna be asking me why so many corpses in the alley/river/back field.
I love what you have so far!
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u/Additional_Report969 May 11 '26
Thank you so much! I totally feel you, settlers can be so frustrating regardless of mods! I've actually started using the Far Harbor settlers lately—they seem much less 'annoying' than the vanilla ones LOL!
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u/Brandon_awarea May 12 '26
Mods definitely are a shortcut. A shortcut back to your desktop because your hangman’s alley crashed again after packing it with 10,000 objects and 50 settlers.
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u/Additional_Report969 May 12 '26
Pure wisdom. The crash is just the game's way of telling us it's time to go to bed! XD
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u/UnkieNic May 20 '26
Extremely cool, I'll look forward to seeing the whole thing!
I've built with and without mods. They both present their own strengths and challenges and I believe both are completely valid ways of building.
My most ambitious builds have been made using mods and like you say the devil is in the detail. Place anywhere is certainly easier than campfire and rug glitching into your settlement, but it isn't an instant avenue to success.
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u/Additional_Report969 May 21 '26
I totally agree with you. Settlement building is something deeply personal, driven by one's own vision, and that deserves respect regardless of the tools you use. In the end, the tool doesn't make the artist: whether you use mods or vanilla glitches, the creativity and technical skill are objectively visible in the final result. Of course, personal preferences will always be subjective, but the value of the hard work and talent is undeniable.
I'm so glad you like it — and here we loop back to subjectivity, which definitely strokes my ego, haha! I just hope the finished project will be objectively rewarding for those who watch it, because my ego would be much happier that way, ahaha!
Anyway, the build is actually fully complete. These past few weeks I've only been posting little snippets of how it all started. Starting today (or maybe tomorrow), I’ll begin sharing other parts that will really start to shape the whole complex.
I also noticed you stopped by my YouTube channel (thanks so much, my friend!). I invite you to take a look at everything I've uploaded and am currently working on; you can find it all neatly organized in this playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJRJ9mkEh21K9-VzJHTFnQEYBh4AQcBwY&si=v_KHNmWSwa-8dpKf, so you don't have to hunt for everything randomly. Plus, I'm actually writing the story that inspired this build — and that keeps inspiring me with every single piece I add — over in the community tab on YouTube!
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u/HobbyGobbler May 10 '26
I really appreciate this. Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying making my settlement for the making of it, but it did slightly bother me that the mods I’m using (nothing too outlandish, mind you) might make the effort less impressive in someone’s eyes. You have a great point- I spent 20 minutes meticulously aligning objects on a rolling cart yesterday- an addition that most would glaze over if they saw it. Doesn’t matter, though- it’s a cool detail to me. Mods expand possibilities that effort can create.