So the biggest barrier to modding for Fallout 4 is the failed and useless update. I can not recommend enough that if you play on PC you should downgrade to 1.10.163.0.1 and for this purpose there are two things you need.
(get Vortex from nexus if you don't already have it)
Restore your game's mod compatibility with Fallout 4 Downgrader. Quickly revert Fallout 4 to its pre-next-gen version to continue using mods that uses F4SE and Buffout. Simple and automated. Now witho
www.nexusmods.com
Works a peach if you have steam... it does not log you steam account but rather is using that ability to distribute the prior 163 files legally. This will downgrade you to the most stable version of Fallout 4, it's idiot proof, and this is what 99% of mods were made to be used with.
the second must have is the Steam Next Gen update skip which modifies the steam acf file so steam does not autoupdate your Fallout 4 game again. It tricks it to think it's already updated. Youc an stil update at any time you choose however.
Use this acf file to trick steam into thinking your game is updated, so you can use your mods with peace of mind
www.nexusmods.com
Lastly if you want an update that actually WORKS and improves performance of Fallout then this mod and installing all the requirements will absoilutely have your game running actual next gen with no false promises.
"Buffout_FPS_CPU_BakaScrapHeap_MaxPapyrus Settings"
Simply script mods settings, since most play it 'safe', I upped their settings in various ways, for personal preference.I wanted relatively smooth 120 fps (or at least close) and to optimize scr
www.nexusmods.com
Again note requirements as you will need to install all of these for it to work:
Address Library for F4SE Plugins, Baka MaxPapyrusOps, Baka ScrapHeap - Script Memory Limit Expander, Buffout 4,
Disk Cache Enabler,Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE),Fallout Priority - CPU Performance FPS Optimizer, High FPS Physics Fix, NVIDIA Reflex Support,(Optional, NVIDIA GPUs only), Weapon Debris Crash Fix, xSE PluginPreloader F4.
These will make your game have super quick loadtime, usually near eliminate all CTD's and allow for insane FPS even with HD everything, and best of all give you a baseline that will allow a gaming PC to then run say 700 mod collection packs without hiccups. an ACTUAL Update. This is the update we SHOULD have gotten....if promises were real.