Welcome to Sim Settlements! SS overhauls Fallout 4's settlements, marrying Maxis mechanics with Bethesda's environmental storytelling. As I've introduced friends and family to the mod, I've noticed a few stumbling blocks. The answers are spread all over, so I wanted to put the important bits in one place. I also want to indulge my inner Prima Guide writer, so here we are
Who is this guide for?
Complete beginners, and players easing back in, will get the most out of my guide. I'll be walking through things as we meet them - starting at Sanctuary, with a fresh new game.
Only SS is required. However I strongly recommend [IR] Industrial Revolution. It helps solve power, water, and other resource bottlenecks. It improves your settlement gameplay. It's included in the three-in-one pack.
SS doesn't come with martial plots. You'll need [IR] or an addon.
This guide assumes you're playing Conqueror [CQ] peacefully, if you have it. I will also assume you are playing at maximum SS difficulty - you chose the hardest option when activating the mod.
I will not cover details. To learn more, I recommend kinggath's youtube channel. For Rise of the Commonwealth [RC] and aggressive [CQ] try his quick starts. Other SS builders, contributors, and youtubers have created guides and LPs. Find tips and tricks, how-to's, and other playstyles in the forum. Finally, if you have any questions, ask away! The SS community is one of the most constructive and helpful online groups I've had the pleasure of joining.
Anyway, on with the guide!
Recommended Mods
None of these [Mod] mods are required. However, they all improve the SS experience (and are great mods):
Also, some personal recommendations:
Who is this guide for?
Complete beginners, and players easing back in, will get the most out of my guide. I'll be walking through things as we meet them - starting at Sanctuary, with a fresh new game.
Only SS is required. However I strongly recommend [IR] Industrial Revolution. It helps solve power, water, and other resource bottlenecks. It improves your settlement gameplay. It's included in the three-in-one pack.
SS doesn't come with martial plots. You'll need [IR] or an addon.
[Mod] Brae's Defences adds powerful late-game martial plots.
This guide assumes you're playing Conqueror [CQ] peacefully, if you have it. I will also assume you are playing at maximum SS difficulty - you chose the hardest option when activating the mod.
I will not cover details. To learn more, I recommend kinggath's youtube channel. For Rise of the Commonwealth [RC] and aggressive [CQ] try his quick starts. Other SS builders, contributors, and youtubers have created guides and LPs. Find tips and tricks, how-to's, and other playstyles in the forum. Finally, if you have any questions, ask away! The SS community is one of the most constructive and helpful online groups I've had the pleasure of joining.
Anyway, on with the guide!
Recommended Mods
None of these [Mod] mods are required. However, they all improve the SS experience (and are great mods):
- HUDFramework - with SS, adds bars so you see settlement needs at a glance. Almost a necessity, but you can make do with city planner reports.
- Mod Configuration Menu - settings holotapes are so pre-War, darling!
- Quieter Settlements - upgraded plots need lots of generators. This dampens the noise.
- Settlement Menu Manager - organises the workshop build menu.
- Workshop Framework - more performance, more stability. Required for Conqueror.
Also, some personal recommendations:
- Addon Packs - as many as your drive can store! So many admirable plots, secrets, mechanics, city plans and more to discover. Nearly all can be installed mid-game.
- Better Settlers - adds some immersive variety to your SSims Grab the no lollygagging addon for snappier town meetings.
- BS Defence - settlements win offscreen raids if defence is high enough.
- FO4 Hotkeys - hotkeying SS tools beats Pip-boy diving.
- Insignificant Object Remover - choose to get rid of grass growing through floors.
- Place Everywhere - need I say more?
- Unofficial Fallout 4 Patch - need I?
- Anything by Lystraeus - great guy. Weird sense of humour, though.
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