I'm not understanding how to get MO + OBSE to work with the Steam Version

[Toosdey]

OK, so I'm not understanding at all what they mean by "For Oblivion (Steam version) players: You have to activate "Script Extender" as the load mechanism and unfortunately you can't start the game from inside MO. Use MO to configure your mods, then quit and start Oblivion through Steam like you would without MO." I set MO to OBSE with the little dropdown next to the Run button, and then start the game through steam and literally non of the mods work. I figure I am misunderstanding what they mean here. Can some explain in more detail what needs to be done for MO to work with Oblivion?

Edited November 3, 2016 by Toosdey

[DanimalTwo]

I am assuming that Oblivion Script Extender (OBSE) works similar to or the same as Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE) and that the installation with Mod Organizer (MO) is the same.  Caveat, I have not modded of played Oblivion so I don't know if my previous statement is true.  However, if the first statement is true try these instructions:

 

https://forum.step-project.com/topic/4482-skse-install-detailed-instructions/?p=71594

[GSDFan]

No you do not run OBSE. Go into the MO settings and in the Workarounds tab set the "Load Mechanism" to Script Extender. Click Ok and restart MO to make sure it copies required files to the proper place. You now run the game from Steam. If I remember, mods in MO will not show up in the launcher if you check the data files.

[Toosdey]

Oh OK. Thank you, I wasn't aware of that option in the menu. Follow up question, in terms of making sure it copies files to the proper place, how do I do that? I noticed after doing the work around the mods Blockhead and Oblivion character Overhaul seem to partially work, but have some messed up parts, so I'm thinking I have more to do in order for it to work.

[hishutup]

because of how MO hooks, any and all .dlls in the mo install will not hook.

The only way around this is to stick them in the real folder.

 

Yes there are a few potential workarounds but as far as I know, none exist, all of which are pretty hackish.

[GSDFan]

Follow up question, in terms of making sure it copies files to the proper place, how do I do that? I noticed after doing the work around the mods Blockhead and Oblivion character Overhaul seem to partially work, but have some messed up parts, so I'm thinking I have more to do in order for it to work.

MO should do it automaticaly, copy the files, when the option is selected. The restart is just safe practice to do in MO to update things.

 

Different people get different results when using MO with Oblivion. You have to try things until you get the results you want.

[Grubbermeister]

Hello! Thought that I would share my experience in regards of having MO, OBSE, and Steam play nicely, which they seem to do (for me, at least). I am utilizing Mod Organizer v1.3.11 and the latest OBSE files (v0021 and obse_loader; installed directly into the Oblivion directory). Followed GSDFan's advice for running Steam through MO (https://forum.step-project.com/topic/3560-obse-will-not-load-when-launching-with-mo/?p=59014), though I incorporated hishutup's suggestion of entering the directory path for Oblivion in the "Start In" field (https://forum.step-project.com/topic/3560-obse-will-not-load-when-launching-with-mo/?p=178155). Under MO's Workarounds, the load mechanism is set to use Mod Organizer and "Force-enable game files" is unchecked. MO is also managing the archives, and automatic archive invalidation has been selected for my profile. I also have the Steam overlay enabled for Oblivion. Running Steam from MO works, bringing up the Oblivion Launcher without issue (even the mods installed via MO are showing up and are enabled when I open "Data Files" in the launcher). The game started fine, indicating the Unofficial Patches have loaded (the only mods besides Blockhead that I have currently installed through MO). The OBSE plugin Blockhead seemed to be working, as well. Created a save, closed the game, and checked the save location (My Games/Oblivion/Saves) which had both .ess and .obse files associated with it.

Besides setting the OBSE loader, Oblivion, and Oblivion Launcher to run as administrator, I believe these are all of the steps that I have taken to get MO, OBSE, and Steam to work together for me. Hope this helps!

Edited November 29, 2016 by Grubbermeister

[Grubbermeister]

The OBSE plugin Blockhead seemed to be working, as well.

Oops. Scratch that. As reported by many others, the OBSE plugins do not work when installed with MO and must be directly added in the Oblivion directory (been quite a while since I played Oblivion and forgot that the Blockhead error message that appears on the character's face during creation will show up if trying to utilize Oblivion Character Overhaul/Oblivion Character Overhaul v2... which I did not have installed at the time when I made my prior post). Other than that, seems to be working hunky dory. Many thanks to GSDFan, hishutup, and everyone else who have looked into this matter!