With 100+ hours in Fallout 4, Waleed knows the game’s ins and outs. You can trust what he says about Fallout 4 because he’s spent a lot of time playing it.
ENB, short for Enhanced Natural Beauty, serves as a graphics enhancement mod. It’s developed by Boris Vorontsov, a dedicated graphical modder, who continues to update it. Notably, ENB is also accessible for other popular titles like Skyrim, Oblivion, and GTA V.
This mod introduces presets that override the game’s lighting, shadow, and post-processing configurations. This allows players to unlock a more realistic and challenging visual experience. Some ENB presets even amplify atmospheric elements like fog or rain, heightening the difficulty as players battle hordes of feral Ghouls.
It’s important to note that ENB mods are exclusive to PC gaming. A robust computer setup is required to ensure smooth gameplay when running ENB configurations.
Similar Read: Fallout 4 Best Weather Mods
Key Takeaways
- Vivid ENB: Enhances colors and sunlight, offering control over SSAA, Depth of Field, and SweetFX for detailed visuals.
- Dawn ENB: Focuses on fine details and their interaction with the player.
- Shadow of the Commonwealth: Enhances shadows and lighting, particularly in foliage-rich areas.
- Vanilla ENB: Improves graphics without compromising performance, adjusting Color Correction, Fog, and Depth of Field.
- Ghost ENB: Creates a vibrant atmosphere with bright sunlight.
- Apex ENB: Adds moisture to the environment, making it more dynamic after rain, with increased dangers.
- Phoenix Cinematic ENB: Offers various cinematic presets for different character builds.
- NAC X ENB: Allows climate and weather management, enhancing immersion.
- Photorealistic Commonwealth ENB: Focuses on realism and detailed graphics, hardware-intensive for top-quality results.
- Vogue ENB: Enhances textures and colors for a vibrant, less “corny” appearance.
ENB Installed
1. Vivid ENB
Best for Enhanced Colors.
Vivid ENB
Why Did I Choose Vivid ENB? Vivid ENB allows you to play your favorite game with enhanced graphics and richer colors, as well as greater detailing.
Vivid ENB tops the list, drawing players back to the Commonwealth wasteland with its renown. What sets it apart is its natural color palette and the addition of vegetation that maintains a non-cartoonish look. Every aspect of the game world becomes more immersive, with rain and wind affecting trees and objects on the ground.
Addressing concerns about soft and hazy colors, Vivid ENB bolsters colors and sunlight, enhancing cloud and weather detail when combined with Vivid Weathers.
Notably, while many mods limit configuration and detail, Vivid ENB offers flexibility. Players can fine-tune SSAA, Depth of Field, and Sweet FX settings to match their system’s capabilities, ensuring optimal performance without sacrificing detail.
2. Dawn ENB
Best for Player Engagement.
Why Did I Choose Dawn ENB? Dawn ENB allows you to bring the graphics to new-age standards and focuses more on detailing and player engagement.
Another best ENB that will make your experience current-gen is Dawn ENB. Dawn ENB is all about the detail of objects and their engagement with players.
The environment might look a little dull in color. But that fits the nuclear-battered world of Commonwealth, Boston.
There are rusty signs, potholes in the road, and dense shadows in the vegetation hiding grounds for feral ghouls. The overall weather seems like Autumn with occasional climates that you can install from Nexus Mods.
The hazy sunlight and darker nights will challenge players. The dynamic range of view and shadows make the threats more prominent.
Dawn ENB is a heavy addition to your game. The code optimization and available configuration option will not affect the gaming performance of your system.
3. Shadow of the Commonwealth
Best for Darker Environment.
Why Did I Choose Shadow of the Commonwealth? Shadow of the Commonwealth is a stellar option if you are used to playing games with a darker undertone and dim graphics.
If grim and darker looks are your forte, then Shadow of the Commonwealth is the perfect choice to go for. As the name implies, this mod focuses on darker locations and lightings that can pass through vegetation.
Most of the sites are dark and burnt. But that still enhances the level of detail for a game like Fallout 4.
You will be able to enjoy the sunlight rays, burnt grasses, and haze that covers the swamps. Above all, it fits the storyline, thus making the perfect ENB addition for a unique playthrough.
Some may notice it looks a little like Fallout 3 remastered. If you loved Fallout 3, you could gain a similar experience once again.
4. Vanilla ENB
Best for Optimized Performance.
Vanilla ENB
Why Did I Choose Vanilla ENB? If you have a low-end PC that doesn’t allow you to make use of other, relatively heavier ENBs, then Vanilla ENB is just what you need.
For players with system limitations, Vanilla ENB offers a solution. It maintains gaming performance while subtly enhancing the base game’s visuals, achieving what many other ENB presets may not.
Vanilla ENB brings improvements to Color Correction, Fog, and Depth of Field, reducing the cartoonish appearance and increasing detail for contemporary systems.
It strikes a balance between overhauling game aesthetics and preserving performance, avoiding extreme darkness or brightness. Players can fine-tune the ENB through the in-game mod menu.
5. Ghost ENB
Best for Realistic Gameplay.
Why Did I Choose Ghost ENB? Ghost ENB provides you with spectacular realism and helps in making the game look less cartoon-like.
Ghost ENB is the most realistic and detailed ENB preset that you can play right now. This mod is available for NAC, Natural, and Atmospheric Commonwealth weather.
But you can also combine it with Vivid Weathers and True Storms to unlock the true potential of the ENB.
Unlike other mods, Ghost ENB does not have a darker outlook. However, the atmosphere in the ENB looks more natural with a higher depth of field and vibrant elements. Even the nights give a hazy reddish environment that does not seem darker for the post-apocalyptic world.
Ghost ENB is highly stimulating, with intense sunlight highlighting anything in the mile. Everything is peaceful, making combat even more fun and fitting for the world destroyed in a nuclear war.
6. Apex ENB
Best for Bright and Vivid Gameplay.
Apex ENB
Why Did I Choose Apex ENB? Apex ENB brings out the colors and brightness of different weather in the landscape, allowing you to experience greater detailing.
Apex ENB, compatible with NAC, Vivid, and True Storms weather mods, imparts a Fallout 76-esque visual style. Notably, it emphasizes exceptionally bright sunlight and deep, eerie shadows, resulting in vivid skies that showcase the expansive in-game landscapes.
However, it’s crucial to note that Apex ENB is highly demanding on hardware resources. Despite this, the level of detail it introduces to the world enhances gameplay significantly.
The rainy weather, in particular, stands out, with an intensified grain effect that leaves everything drenched. Post-rain, potholes fill with water, and enemies become more active, heightening the threats faced by your character.
7. Phoenix Cinematic ENB
Best for Cinematic Effect.
Phoenix Cinematic ENB
Why Did I Choose Phoenix Cinematic ENB? Phoenix Cinematic, as the name suggests, gives Fallout 4 a richer and more cinematic appearance that brings out the scenery and allows you to explore the surroundings.
Another less hardware demanding ENB is Phoenix Cinematic, which combines visuals and cinematic looks. Players who love to capture the peaceful scenery while taking the day off from killing must consider Phoenix Cinematic ENB.
These preset overhaul the visuals in a subtle manner. You will mostly see filmy grains on the screen, but that is the radiated outlook of the wasteland.
The cherry on top is that the Phoenix Cinematic ENB contains multiple cinematic sequences that you can choose and apply to your play style. In short, these presets are ideal for different character builds and playstyles you are seeking.
All players must note the important thing: never mix it with color correction presets that you can download from modding websites. Phoenix Cinematic ENB already has reshaded colors that will disturb the overall contrast and break the game.
So make sure to delete any other presets before installing the Phoenix Cinematic ENB.
8. NAC X ENB
Best for NAC X Weathers.
NAC X ENB
Why Did I Choose NAC X ENB? If you are a fan of NAC X Weathers and are looking for an ENB mod to help you apply it smoothly, NAC X ENB is the solution.
NAC X ENB presets enhance Fallout 4 graphics alongside NAC X weathers. They offer user-friendly, engaging options for cinematic shots and roleplay series. Key benefits:
- Improved Performance: Low-end PCs benefit, surpassing the base game’s performance.
- Customization: High customizability allows varied settings across locations.
- Weather Control: NAC X weathers enable weather and climate control in-game.
- Immersive Sound: Sound designs overhaul game elements for enhanced immersion.
9. Photorealistic Commonwealth ENB
Best Hardware-Intensive ENB.
Why Did I Choose Photorealistic Commonwealth ENB? Photorealistic Commonwealth ENB may be heavy on your PC, but it provides you with unparalleled realism and maximized performance.
As the name implies, this is the most realistic and hardware-intensive ENB mod. This mod is the successor of NAC X ENB and is focused on utilizing the hardware to maximize the results.
For that instance, you must have a decent PC build to meet the optimal settings for Photorealistic Commonwealth ENB.
Photorealistic Commonwealth ENB allows players to achieve massively realistic visuals and details that were not possible in the original game. The level of photorealism also surpasses the graphics of the latest Fallout 76.
Thanks to the over 5000 cinematic looks, the presets stand out among others to offer the best gameplay experience for all kinds of players.
10. Vogue ENB
Best for Immersive Gameplay.
Vogue ENB
Why Did I Choose Vogue ENB? Vogue ENB is one of the best ENB mods you can find for Fallout 4, and it focuses more on providing immersive and engaging gameplay than enhancing graphics.
Last but not least, Vogue ENB sets the stage for players. This preset prioritizes the gameplay by offering the best optimization for players no matter what type of system they have. The higher level of configuration option to select the settings also gives players an edge to create their ideal environment in the game.
Vogue ENB looks more detailed on textures than purely on the weather and grain effect. The fogs are now denser, and the colours are alive as compared to the sweet and corny colours of the Fallout 4 vanilla version.
Playing the game on a higher resolution is recommended to gain the best immersion experience.
How to Install Fallout 4 ENB?
Installing an ENB can become a little tricky. Especially working around the game library is the riskiest and most challenging part. But it does not necessarily have to be complicated. All you need to do is follow these steps to install your ENB mod without crashing the game quickly. First things first, you will need Winrar or 7zip installed on your PC to avoid installation problems. Once you confirm this installation software, you can proceed further.
Install Mod Organizer 2
The first thing you are going to do is install Mod Organizer 2, the latest version of the mod organizer. This software is essential to organize all the mods and addons you will push into your base game. Plus, it will help you identify which mods are currently installed in your game.
Adding Fallout 4 to Mod Organizer 2
To add Fallout 4 to Mod Organizer 2 and prepare it for ENB installation, follow these steps:
- Open the Instance Manager from the Mod Organizer 2 menu.
- In the Instance Manager, select “Create a Global Instance.”
- In the next pop-up window, you will see a list of games installed on your system. Select “Fallout 4” from the list and click “Next” to add the base game to Mod Organizer 2 and prepare it for ENB.
- Once you have created the Global Instance for Fallout 4, you will see the game library within Mod Organizer 2, and it will be ready for further modding, including the installation of Fallout 4 ENB.
- If you haven’t already, consider creating a Nexus Mods account. Nexus Mods is a popular platform for downloading and managing mods for various games, including Fallout 4. Having an account will make it easier to download and install mods, including ENB presets, for Fallout 4.
Installing ENB
To download and install ENB for Fallout 4, follow these steps:
- Download the latest version of ENB from the official website. Here’s the link: ENB Official Website. As of now, the latest version is v0.468.
- Once downloaded, you’ll receive a zip folder. Do not open it yet.
- Visit the Nexus Mods website and download the ENB preset you want to use in Fallout 4. The ENB you downloaded from the official website is the main file, and the mod you’ll download from Nexus Mods is the preset that will run through the ENB software. Make sure to select the right ENB preset for Fallout 4.
- After downloading the ENB presets, confirm the download and extract the files.
- You’ll now have two folders: one containing the ENB binaries you downloaded from the official website and the other containing the ENB presets for Fallout 4.
- Open your Fallout 4 game folder. You can find it by navigating to Steam/steamapps/common/Fallout 4.
- In your Fallout 4 folder, extract the “enbseries_fallout4_v0468” folder, which contains the ENB binaries.
- After extraction, you’ll see different folders and files. Open the “WrapperVersion” folder and select the files named “d3d11.dll” and “d3dcompiler_46e.dll.”
- Drag and drop these selected files into your Fallout 4 folder. You may receive a “Replace the Files” pop-up; choose to replace the files to complete the transfer.
- Now that the ENB Binaries are in your Fallout 4 folder, extract the ENB presets you downloaded from Nexus Mods. Select all the extracted files and transfer them to your Fallout 4 folder.
- You have now successfully installed ENB for Fallout 4. To confirm, run the Mod Organizer 2 and launch the Fallout 4 launcher. If you see the version of ENB displayed in the top-left corner of the game, you have successfully installed ENB and can explore different ENB presets.
Accessing ENB Settings
To open the ENB menu in Fallout 4, follow these steps:
- Press the ‘~’ key (tilde key) on your keyboard. This key should open the ENB menu in-game, allowing you to configure the mod’s settings without leaving the game.
- If the tilde key doesn’t work for you, you can try pressing SHIFT+Enter. This key combination may also open the ENB menu.
- Once the ENB menu is open, you will find various settings and configuration options that allow you to customize the features of the ENB preset you have installed.
- To close the ENB menu, press the same key again.
How to Uninstall ENB in Fallout 4?
Once you’ve installed an ENB preset in Fallout 4, you may want to uninstall it at some point. Uninstalling an ENB can be a bit tricky, but there are two methods you can use to remove it from your game.
The first method is a manual approach, which involves deleting the specific files associated with the ENB preset you installed. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the folder where you extracted the ENB files when you initially installed it.
- Copy all the files from this folder.
- Navigate to your Fallout 4 game folder. You can usually find it in the Steam directory, under “Steam/steamapps/common/Fallout 4.”
- Paste the copied files into your Fallout 4 folder.
- A pop-up will appear, asking if you want to replace the files in the folder. Select “Replace the files in the destination.”
- All the files related to the ENB preset will be highlighted. Hit the “Delete” key on your keyboard to remove them from your game folder.
This manual method requires you to track and delete each file associated with the ENB preset individually.
Alternatively, you can use the second method, which involves using an ENB and ReShade remover tool to automatically remove all ENB files from your Fallout 4 game. This method simplifies the process and ensures you don’t miss any files. Here are the steps:
- Download an ENB and ReShade remover tool from a reputable source. You can find such tools on modding websites.
- Run the .bat file included with the remover tool.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to remove all ENB and ReShade files from your game.
Why Others Were Not Chosen
There are several other ENB mods for Fallout 4, and here are some that I chose not to include in my list:
- Subtle ENB: Doesn’t do much to make the graphics current-gen.
- Decent ENB: Causes longer loading times and a slower frame rate.
- Visceral ENB: Works pretty well, but hasn’t been updated for a long time.
- Reactor ENB: Only works well with NAC X.
- The Enhancer ENB: Deals a -5 FPS hit.
- Decent Plus ENB: Photographic gameplay, but doesn’t do well in terms of lighting.
My Recommendation
My personal favorite is Dawn ENB, since not only is it light on the system requirements, but also allows for stellar graphics and immersive gameplay. But overall these all were my recommended options for ENB. It all depends on the hardware capabilities and your choice of setting for playthrough in the game.
If you have more questions, share them with me in the comments section below and I will answer them for you.
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I’m an avid gamer turned content writer, my hobbies include but are not limited to different forms of content creation. Not a complicated person, I play games and write about them. Currently attending university for Data Sciences. My favorite past-time is trying to different challange runs of Soulsborne and Souls-like games in the goofiest way possible for my own amusement. You can check my Gaming Profile on Steam And Xbox!
