Essential Mods List - Next Gen 4.04 Guide - Brothers In Arms and Vanilla Plus

Important:

This is for Next Gen 4. 04. NOT for Remastered.

It will no longer receive any revision when the Remastered update is released.

Welcome to the Essential Mods List. The mod guide for Witcher 3 Complete Edition, Next Gen 4. 04. The goal is to enhance almost all aspects of the game to bring an enjoyable experience of the Game of the Year 2015.

• []Polish and fix the game[/]

  []Improve the gameplay[/]

  []Expand the immersion[/]

  []Rework the user interface[/]

  []Tweak the visual aspect[/]

  []Enhance the lore [/]

  This mod list was built around Brothers In Arms and HD Reworked Project, the must-have mods of the game, while being modular and having easy-to-install mods.

  The purpose is to enhance the vanilla experience and give you the possibility to readjust or expand that mod list. You’re free to take whatever mods here and then add whatever mods you like alongside them. This list simply shares the bare improvement of the vanilla.

  I tried my best to be as objective as I could for a “vanilla plus” playthrough. It may become redundant when Remastered obtains the best mods there. I promise, though, once we get many great mods, I’ll release Essential Mods List – Remastered, so any feedback is welcome.

  If you need any help, you may find me on Discord:

  Preparation

  Before we start modding, create a folder “Witcher 3 Modding” on your desktop. This is where we’ll put tools and downloaded mods. Then you will need the following tools:

  • []Relapse's Mod Manager Redux[/]

    []Script Merger Fresh Automated Edition + Script Merger FAE Add-On[/]

    []Menu Filelist Updater (“Executable”)[/]

  You also need Notepad++ as a text editor and 7-Zip or WinRAR as an extraction tool.

  Put all those tools in the “Witcher 3 Modding” folder. Inside it, create two folders:

  - “Manager Install”: Where you drag downloaded mods without extraction. The Mod Manager will always open this folder and add the mod, even if it’s a ZIP file.

  - “Mod Manual Install”: Where you can extract downloaded mods in an empty folder, making it easier to find the folder to drag and follow the instructions.

  Next, we need to locate your game’s directory for those tools. That depends on where you bought the game: Steam, GOG or Epic Games. Their path line could be like:

  C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Witcher 3

  C:\Program Files (x86)\GOG Galaxy\Games\The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt GOTY

  Once you find it, download Menu Filelist Updater (“Executable”) and dr

  🤖 AI-enhanced — based on mod data

  A curated list of essential mods for a Vanilla Plus playthrough of The Witcher 3, centered on Brothers In Arms and HD Reworked Project. With 415 endorsements and 10,950 downloads, it's a community-trusted starting point for players seeking a polished, enhanced vanilla experience.

  ✨ Key Features

  Curated selection of the best mods for a Vanilla Plus playthrough

  Highlights Brothers In Arms and HD Reworked Project as must-have mods

  Serves as a guide for players looking to enhance the game without overhauling it

  📊 Pros & Cons

  ✅ Pros

  • Community-approved with 415 endorsements and 10,950 downloads
  • Focuses on Vanilla Plus, perfect for purists who want enhancements without drastic changes
  • Highlights two well-known mods, Brothers In Arms and HD Reworked Project, as core picks

  ⚠️ Cons

  • No detailed list of included mods or installation instructions in the description
  • Last updated July 2026, but no compatibility notes for future game patches
  • As a guide, it may not include every essential mod, so you might need to supplement with your own research

  🎯 Is This For You?
  For Witcher 3 players who want a curated, community-vetted list of mods to enhance the vanilla experience without overhauling the game. Ideal for newcomers to modding who want a reliable starting point. Skip if you're looking for total conversion mods or gameplay overhauls.

  📦 Install:Easy· Under 1 minute to read the guide, but mod installation time varies per mod

  💡 Beginner Tips

  • Check the mod pages for Brothers In Arms and HD Reworked Project for specific install instructions and compatibility notes.
  • Use a mod manager like Vortex or Mod Organizer 2 to handle installations and load order easily.
  • Verify that your game version matches the mods' requirements, especially after updates.