TES3MP Quickstart

A step-by-step guide to setting up TES3MP from scratch with recommended mods.

Introduction

• This is intended as a very quick guide for experienced users.
• It is heavily based on the I Heart Vanilla mod list.
• For a more detailed guide, see my TES3MP Guide and OpenMW Mod Management guide.

TES3MP Setup

1. Install Morrowind and expansions, and run the game once.
2. Download and extract TES3MP.
3. Run openmw-wizard.exe and point it at your Morrowind directory.

Recommended Mods

Essential Fixes & Official Plugins

1. Patch for Purists
2. Unofficial Morrowind Official Plugins Patched - just the UMOPP Merged optional file
3. Jammings Off - simple version (only Xnif files)

Performance

1. Morrowind Optimization Patch
2. Project Atlas

Vanilla-Friendly Graphical Upgrades

1. Enhanced Textures - main file, interface and main menu, and MET 6 Atlas textures
2. Familiar Faces
3. Big Icons
4. Vanilla Style HD Icons for Attributes and Skills - 256x256 version
5. Cantons on the Global Map
6. Loading Screens Diversified
7. Alternative TrueType Fonts

Nice to Have Graphical Mods

1. Glow in the Dahrk
2. Nords shut your windows
3. OpenMW Containers Animated
4. Weapon Sheathing
5. Weapon Sheathing Additions

Gameplay

1. Graphic Herbalism
2. Expansion Delay
3. All Boat Ports
4. All Silt Strider Ports
5. All Gondola Ports

Music

1. The Epic Soundtrack
2. Resdayn Suite (€5)
3. Northern Dreams (€3)

Mod Installation

Mod Organizer 2

1. Download and extract Mod Organizer 2.

2. Install all downloaded mods using Mod Organiser 2.

   • Installing a mod will bring up a menu with additional options.
   • Some mods have multiple options but often it's just personal preference.
   • Sometimes MO2 doesn't understand the structure of a mod archive, but it will give you the option to rearrange it. Normally it's just a case of dragging folders to the top level (under <data files>).
   • Project Atlas: Be sure to choose "Morrowind Enhanced Textures" and enable the "Glow in the Dahrk" and "Graphic Herbalism" patches.
   • Familiar Faces Click "Manual" and drag the contents of the optional folder to the top level.

The final list should look something like this:

Run External Tools

At this point, ideally you should run some external tools to clean and sort mods, and merge objects and levelled lists, as described here. However, if you are lucky then your friendly server host will provide you with the correct load order and Merged Objects plugin ;)

Exporting to OpenMW

1. Download ModOrganizer-to-OpenMW and put OpenMWExport.py and openmw.ico in your Mod Organizer plugins directory.

2. Export mod configuration to OpenMW via the plugin:

   

Final Tweaks

Fonts

To use the new fonts from Alternative TrueType Fonts, add these lines to your %USERPROFILE%/Documents/My Games/OpenMW/openmw.cfg file:

fallback=Fonts_Font_0,pelagiad
fallback=Fonts_Font_2,OMWAyembedt

Weapon Sheathing

To enable weapon sheaths, add these lines to your %USERPROFILE%/Documents/My Games/OpenMW/settings.cfg file:

[Game]
shield sheathing = true
weapon sheathing = true
use additional anim sources = true

Other Recommended Settings

Add these lines to your %USERPROFILE%/Documents/My Games/OpenMW/settings.cfg file:

[Shaders]
antialias alpha test = true

[GUI]
color topic enable = true
stretch menu background = true

[General]
anisotropy = 16
texture mipmap = linear

Launcher Options

Run openmw-launcher.exe and tweak the settings there according to your preferences.

Server Admin

1. Use Tes3MpPluginHelper to populate server/data/requiredDataFiles.json.
2. After CharGen, edit server/data/player/PlayerName.json and change staffRank to 2.
3. Type /runstartup in the chat window (F2).
4. Type /setconsole <pid> on in the chat window to enable the console for a player (/list to see players).
5. Be ready to encounter a few issues during gameplay!

Play!

1. Edit tes3mp-client-default.json in the TES3MP directory to specify the server address, port and password (if needed).
2. Run tes3mp.exe to launch the game!
3. From the in-game video settings, enable the Water Shader (and optionally Refraction).
4. Press F2 to show/hide the chat, and press Y to enter chat messages.
5. Enjoy multiplayer Morrowind!

Published 2026/04/23

Last updated 2026/04/24