Hi. I've just started playing Sims 2 and I want to use some mods. What are the most important and must-have mods? Like, Is there any mod to increase draw distance?

Check my signature first, specifically the link about neighborhood corruption (there will be links there for essential mods, and check the last link about npcs and playing them.

Congratulations on starting to play the best computer game in the world!

There have been a few threads on this topic, but the only one I can find at the moment is here. The mods that are really essential are the ones that guard against 'hood corruption (the biggest pain in the Sims 2). These are mostly on MATY (More Awesome Than You). The ones I think are most essential are NoUnlinkOnDelete and NoCorruptDeath. The batbox (ffsdebugger) is also very useful for getting you out of fixes (and other things).

I don't think you need a mod for this: I think what you need is Game Options / Lot View Options / View Distance and Fade Distance.

Here you find all sorts of mods that can help you prevend trouble in Sim paradise: http://wikka.moreawesomethanyou.com...irector%27s_Cut

There are threads about this here and here.

I do not think there is an "essential" mod. This game will corrupt if you do not follow essential rules that the game makers never told us. Mostly rules around never deleting a living sims.

Or dead ones!

NEVER delete graves or urns containing ashes of dead Sims.

You should also find the file "objects.package" in the install folder (not the My Documents folder) for the most recently released expansion pack/stuff pack you own and set it to read-only, because there are certain things that will cause that file to become corrupt which will force you to reinstall your game to fix it, making it read only will protect it.

I would suggest to any "New Comer" to the Sims game, to first learn the in and out of the game. The "Original Sims 2 Prima Official game Guide" is good for that. Or there is lots of information right here on this Site Mod The Sims.
That way you will not be playing blindly and know what to expect, what objects are use for and when to use them, the Sims aspirations and what they stand for and just the daily interactions of the Sims.
Once you learn the ends and out of the game then you can maybe add "Mods" to only be use for things you may want to change in some Sims interactions of the game that you do not like.

Sometime when we are new at playing the Sims and start using Mods too fast you really miss out on the interactions the game offers to the players. I would say just play the game "Learn it" first before adding any mods..
But one thing I can tell you right now you may see some Sims you do not like in the already made neighborhoods or in the Sims Bin ( DO NOT DELETE ) any Sims that the first thing to learn.

Pescado's Mods. Especially the ones that fix and prevent corruption. TwoJeffs and Cyjon are also good modders to consult.

As much as I love my mods and would go insane trying to play without them, I have to agree with this. I'm quite glad that I didn't discover mods for a little while after I started playing TS2, because it's sometimes more fun to play the game as it is at first, before you start messing around with it and changing it to your liking.

I would say that you should definitely read up on neighbourhood/game corruption and get essential mods such as nounlinkondelete first though.

Some mods you try and then drag out again, because you weary of them. I dragged out the zombi apocalypse, because it was ruining my neighborhood, and the fight club, because the fights went on and on and on. I could not play without the simblender and Autonomous Casual Romance, but inteen I can do without.

I've never heard of this, but if it helps ward off corruption-Yeah! However, how do you get to the 'install folder" to find the 'objects.package"?

if you used the default installation options the install folder will be in Program Files (or program files x86 on Windows 7)/EA Games/and then it will have the folders for your various expansions, go to the one for the most recent release, and then to find the objects.package you go to TSData/Res/Objects.

But those are not 'essential mods' Essential mods are those that fix and possibly save your hoods from imploding. Things that everyone should have. Mods such as zombi apocalypse are game style mods that someone might want or not.

Nocoruptdeath http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/s...hp?topic=2368.0
Nounlinkondelete http://wikka.moreawesomethanyou.com...ounlinkondelete
No Sim Loaded http://www.leefish.nl/mybb/thread-1665.html
Bat Box http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/s....php?topic=72.0
Creature Fixes (If you ever plan to play a vampire) http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/s...hp?topic=1482.0
sim blender http://www.simbology.com/smf/index.php?topic=20.0 (not as essential)

Do not delete sims/urns/graves
Do not place urns on Open For Buisness shelves
Do not place an occupied house into the house bin(including one with graves)
Do not download and install an occupied House
Do not move sims between hoods
Do not make selectable a universal character. EG Grim, Crumplebottom. If the sim does not have a full range of options check the safe to marry? thread.

Do make your object file in your latest and maybe in every expansion read only.

Jo, you listed "don't put urns on OFB shelves", do you as to sell them? Or just placement?

I mean don't place urns on OFB shelves at all. I myself haven't done this but I have been told it can give you duplicate urns.

Yes, it's best to make every objects.package read-only.

Sorry to be dense, but again where would one go to find program files??? I don't see anything under EA Games.

Your program or installation files are on whatever drive you installed your game to. This would be C drive for most people unless you told it otherwise. The path on mine (Windows 7 64 bit) is Computer/ D Drive/ Program Files (x86)/EA Games/ Latest EP/ TSData/Res/Objects. I'm guessing all sp's should be made read only as well. Mine came read only. Not sure if that is a feature on Windows 7.

Making everything in program files read only is a "feature" of Windows 7. Personally, I hate it with a passion.

Well poop...I'm going to have to clear out a mausoleum of those shelves then. Glad I hadn't actually put any urns there yet.
Thank you for the info Jo!

Phew, glad you hadn't!

Wow! Thank you all for the fast response!
AndrewGloria: I can't find that option in my game. There is no such thing.
Guys I've installed only the base game and I'm trying to install packs but I can't! I'm trying to install them through my hard drive because my DVD drive doesn't work. And when I try to install a pack, it installs just fine but when it comes to the end it doesn't update because it tells me to insert CD 4 but I don't have any disc 4! And when I click cancel it uninstalls the game. Please I'd be grateful if you helped me install packs.
And a question: How do you know that you have installed a pack while in-game?

I think when it asks you to insert disc 4, it means disc 4 of the base game. If your base game only has one disc then insert that instead.