Fallout #4 vanilla versus versions with DLCs when they're already set up.
Fallout #4 vanilla versus versions with DLCs when they're already set up.
The game loads these entries as if they were part of the main install, not just grayed out. This means their content is added to the overall experience. There seems to be no straightforward way to disable them and play only vanilla, so you might want to avoid Nuka Word and Far Harbor if you prefer a more traditional feel. After trying Fallout #3, Fallout: New Vegas, and experimenting with mods, I found the story paths satisfying. So you could try repeating that approach if it suits you.
Consider removing them or using Mod Organizer 2 to turn off the .esm plugins for DLCs. This will make them appear as if they aren't there when you launch through MO2. You might also want to disable Nuka World and Far Harbor if you're aiming for a vanilla launch experience. If you're after a full FO4 simulation, disabling the Automatron DLC would be necessary.
The official DLC should be seen as "vanilla." On Steam, you can simply uncheck them in the library page.
For me vanilla serves as the basic essential, since most DLCs or mods that go beyond GUI/HUD/menus/inventory and keybindings alter the game by introducing story elements, characters, items, and locations. I enjoy playing a game similar to Fallout in its original clean version at a challenging difficulty, focusing mainly on the main quest. If I find it engaging enough, I revisit it in its expanded form, making it difficult to surpass through any means. I also want to explore everything within it to fully understand what I encounter. I can't just skip these options because the single EXE installs everything automatically without asking about DLCs.
Well, from my first vanilla-focused playthrough it became clear that skipping Far Harbor and Nuka-World wasn't enough. I spent time on early quests within the main area or map, not realizing I was engaging with content from those places. I also noticed things like the 7.62 rounds, which I can't use since I don't have weapons that require them. Additionally, I accidentally stumbled into Automatron by assisting Ada.