Fallout 4 introduced settlement building, and with those mechanics gave us all the opportunity to rebuild the Commonwealth however we saw fit. Either as part of the Minutemen questline or under your own steam, you can set off into the wasteland to clear away the ruins and build something new and wonderful. However, this is far easier for some, with others struggling with the settlement system’s frustrating mechanics, and others left in search of inspiration. Luckily, there are some wonderful mods that can make building new settlements less of a chore.
Mods can breathe new life into any game, and there are some Fallout 4 mods I can’t live without. Modding should always be done carefully, and the requirements for each mod should be double-checked to avoid conflicts and crashes. However, once you’ve got the basics down, there are so many amazing settlement-specific mods to choose from. From adding new items to make settlement more unique and UI overhauls to quality of life improvements, here are just a few of my favorites.
10
Quieter Settlements Helps With Unwanted Noise
Reduce The Volume Of Noisy Machines
Sometimes it can be the small things that just make life a little better, and Quieter Settlements by Lemures does just that. As the name suggests, the mod aims to make living in settlements a little more peaceful by changing the amount of noise generated by certain items. Quieter Settlements reduces the volume of generators, turrets, and water purifiers, along with various machines added by the Contraptions Workshop DLC.
I swear by this mod, especially in smaller settlements where the noise level of generators and turrets is much more noticeable. I’ve found that this really opens up where you can place noisier objects, which in turn helps with wiring. The mod can be configured to your own liking when you install it to further tweak the volume, with options of 50%, 25% and 10% reduction available.
9
Better Vendor Stalls For Making Realistic Markets
Small Stores With Amazing Clutter Details
One of the keys to a thriving settlement is having vendor stalls to build a market. These stalls will not only generate caps, but you’ll be able to buy gear and supplies from them, with the higher-ranking stalls having some great options. However, the design of the stalls is a little lacking, consisting of bare wooden stalls with large signs above them.
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Better Vendor Stalls by kellogsfrostedflakes changes all that, firstly by lowering the signs above each store to hang under the counter. This small change makes it far easier to place the stalls under ceilings to create indoor markets. However, my favorite aspect of this mod is the clutter it adds to each tier of all the stalls, to help make the stores look more realistic and, in turn, make the settlement feel more alive.
8
Move That Workbench Works Fantastically With Custom Settlements
Lets You Move The Workbench Anywhere Within The Build Zone
Workbenches are the key part of the settlement building system in Fallout 4 that allows you to access the build menu initially, as well as store items needed to create the settlement of your dreams. Each settlement will have its workshop in a different place, with some not entirely convenient when trying to plan effective layouts. Thankfully, SkjoldBjorn created the Move that Workbench mod, which allows you to move the main red workbench of any settlement within the borders of the build zone.
This is a mod that works really well when used with other mods that create new versions of vanilla settlements. By allowing the workbench to be moved, you’re able to shift it to a more convenient location, such as moving it out of the shack at Starlight Drive In or away from the house in Sanctuary. This is fantastic with some of the larger settlements, as I like to collect all the workbenches in one area to make life easier for myself.
7
Functional Displays Lets You Show Off Your Loot
A Must Have To Help Organize Settlements
While exploring the Commonwealth, there is an impressive amount of loot that can be gathered by the Sole Survivor. From weapons and Power Armor to magazines and bobbleheads, it’s hard not to be tempted to grab everything in sight. However, despite there being some great vanilla display options in Fallout 4, they aren’t always usable, but Functional Displays by SecretAgent99 changes that.
I’ve found it best not to display weapons in settlements with settlers and instead keep them at a secure player base. This is because when the settlement is under attack, settlers will often make a beeline for anything better than they are currently equipped with.
As the name suggests, the mod adds a ton of working displays to the game, letting you craft everything from wall-mounted weapon racks to mannequins and even pool tables. There are some lovely new collectible models included in the mod too, such as mini deathclaws, mirelurks, and spaceships. Needless to say, given how much I tend to horde during any given playthrough, this mod has a permanent place in my load order.
6
Place Everywhere Opens Up Build Options
Perfect For Crafting Intricate Settlements
There are times when building a settlement, where the only limit is your imagination. However, other times, the only thing holding you back is the restrictions on what items can be placed where. Place Everywhere by TheLich is a must-have for anyone who loves to craft their settlements by hand, by allowing them the most freedom possible by removing those build restrictions.
With Place Everywhere, you’ll not only have more options when it comes to building, including moving all scrapable objects, the workbench, and even Power Armor. This mod allows for much more precise rotation of items, which in turn lets you create much more intricate builds. Another great feature is that the mod allows you to undo your last 10 actions, which is a fantastic time saver.
5
Scrap Everything Is Perfect For Cleaning Up Settlements
Remove Unwanted Bushes, Debris & More
There is nothing more annoying when finding a new settlement than discovering that it’s littered with lots of objects that you can’t scrap. From skeletons and dirt mounds to trash and bushes, these obstacles must be built around. Scrap Everything by shadowslasher410 changes all of that by increasing the number of scrapable objects to let you clear your settlements completely.
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I tend to use Scrap Everything to get rid of little details that are bugging me or are in the way when I try to build, such as the gas pumps at Red Rocket. However, the mod can also be used to strip a settlement back to dirt, allowing for much greater control and creative freedom when building. Just be careful when scrapping, as there is no undo feature, so remember to save frequently when using this excellent mod.
4
Settlement Supplies Expanded Adds 100s Of Objects
Tons Of Decorative Objects To Make Settlements Feel Like Home
Although Fallout 4 and its various DLCs come with lots of items to decorate and fill settlements in there are still some gaps in what is available. While there are plenty of excellent mods that add lots of objects for settlements, I like to use Settlement Supplies Expanded by Troy Irving. This mod adds hundreds of new items, as well as making some in game assets available for crafting.
Along with new beds, chairs, and desks, this mod includes new fence sets such as a chainlink fence and my personal favorite, which looks like Covenant’s walls. There are also plenty of decorative objects to craft, such as cars, trees, and even tanks. This really opens up how settlements can be decorated, allowing for themed communities and much more unique homes.
3
Workshop Plus Adds Needed Quality Of Life Improvements
Hotkeys, Layers & God Mode For Building
I’ve made no secret of my feelings about Fallout 4‘s settlement building mechanics which one of my big issues being the limitations due to the first-person perspective. Workshop Plus by kinggath is a great way around some of this, as it transforms the build interface into a true creative tool to help with settlement building. Workshop Plus allows for much greater freedom of movement, letting you essentially fly around as you build, moving quicker and without the worry of taking damage.
The mod also adds hotkeys for greater functionality, with the ability to clone items and a much-needed undo feature. For hardcore builders, there is also the layers feature, which lets you craft in a very similar way to Photoshop, grouping objects to make copies or delete them. Workshop Plus is a must-have mod for any serious settlement builders, and so helpful for anyone who gets frustrated with the default workshop mode, like myself.
2
Transfer Settlements – Shareable Settlement Blueprints
Create & Use Blueprints To Craft Settlements
While there are plenty of people who love creating their own settlements in Fallout 4, there are those who don’t have the skills or the inclination to craft each settlement from scratch each playthrough. This is why Transfer Settlements – Shareable Settlement Blueprints by CDante is fantastic, as this utility mod allows you to import other people’s settlement builds into your game. It also allows you to export your builds to share with others or across multiple saves.
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We’ve all been there, having crafted a settlement that we’re so proud of in one save file, only to realize that if we want to use it again for another playthrough, we’d have to start from scratch. Transfer Settlements help so much by creating essentially presets for settlements that can be easily recalled. The mod comes with fantastic in game instructions via holotape to walk you through the process, and there is a thriving community online creating blueprints for you to try.
1
Sim Settlements 2 Takes Away The Frustration Of Building
Fun Characters, Interesting Storyline & Tons Of Packs
Finally, to create unique settlements with minimal fuss then I highly recommend downloading Sim Settlements 2 by the Sim Settlements Team. This mod completely overhauls the existing settlement building system in favor of a new faction and storyline that guides you through the mod’s features. The basic premise of Sim Settlements 2 is that it allows the settlers to build their own settlements, freeing you up to go find Shaun or find more bobbleheads.
With this fantastic Fallout 4 mod, you create zones within the settlement before assigning settlers to work on the area to craft buildings while you’re away. With tons of building plans to choose from, you can create whatever kind of settlement you want and have it look exactly how you like. Settlers themselves even get an upgrade with new backstories, side quests, and SPECIAL stats, which can be improved.
Source: Lemures, kellogsfrostedflakes, SkjoldBjorn, SecretAgent99, TheLich, shadowslasher410, Troy Irving, kinggath, CDante, Sim Settlements Team
Fallout 4
Systems
- Released
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November 10, 2015
- ESRB
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M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS
