Guide: Installation on Linux 🐧

Generally, I think there are two good ways of setting it up: Either as a "Non-Steam Game" through Proton or with Bottles.

For the purpose of this guide, I'll install the mod manager in Bottles.

Step 1: Installing Bottles

1. Bottles is distributed as a flatpak. As such, please make sure to setup flatpak on your system: https://flatpak.org/setup/
   (If you're using Steam OS, it should be preinstalled)
2. Next, install Bottles. The easiest way is through the terminal: $ flatpak install com.usebottles.bottles
   (If you're asked to confirm something, read what changes and if you're okay with it, type 'y' and press Enter)

Step 2: Add and configure a bottle

By now, Bottles should show up in your app grid, or starter. If not, you can start it through the terminal: $ flatpak run com.usebottles.bottles

I recommend to start it through the terminal, so you can see the output.

Step 2.1: Create a new bottle

1. Start Bottles and let it finish the first time setup.
2. Switch to the Bottles tab and click on Create a new Bottle....
3. Enter a name for the new bottle (e.g. "Apps") and select Application. After clicking on Create, let it finish the setup.

Step 2.2: Configure the bottle

1. Open the bottle details:
   
2. Click on "Dependencies":
   
3. Install Mono:
   
4. Install Gecko:
   

It will appear as though it is freezing and might show errors, if you started it from the terminal. Grab a coffee and let it finish.

Step 3: Install the mod manager

1. Download the latest version of the mod manager (Setup *.exe): Download page
2. On the "Details" page, click on "Run Executable..."
   
3. Confirm the Sandbox warning.
4. Select the Setup_v1.x.x.exe file that you downloaded previously.
5. Follow the setup process as you would on Windows.

After the installer has finished, "Fo76ini" should appear in the Programs menu. From there, you can add it to your library or create a shortcut:

Step 4: Starting and configuring the mod manager

As you start the app, you'll be greeted with the usual first start popup:

Also, the app looks ugly as hell, but that's just cosmetics...

1. Choose Steam as your "Game Edition".
2. The path can be a bit tricky. Enter something like this: Z:\home\<username>\.local\share\Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 76\
3. Click OK
4. Next, click on the profile in the bottom left corner:
   
5. Then click Edit profile:
   
6. Check the advanced options:
   
7. Enter the path to your *.ini files. You have to enter something like this:
   • Z:\home\<username>\.local\share\Steam\steamapps\compatdata\1151340\pfx\c_drive\Users\steamuser\Documents\My Games\Fallout 76\
   • Z:\home\<username>\.steam\steam\steamapps\compatdata\1151340\pfx\drive_c\users\steamuser\Documents\My Games\Fallout 76\
     
     (Alternatively, if this should fail, you can make a symlink to the My Games\Fallout 76 folder and point to the symlink.
8. Click the link above to save the profile:
   

Troubleshooting

I can't access the game path from the app.

If you installed Bottles with Flatpak, you may need to grant Bottles permissions to access your file system.
The easiest way to do this is using Flatseal.

Close the app and bottles.
Then in Flatseal, select com.usebottles.bottles, scroll down to the filesystem section, and allow "filesystem=host" and "filesystem=home".
After starting bottles and the app again, it should show up.

"What's new" and "Tweaks → Info" don't load

If the page is blank, you might have forgotten to install "Wine Gecko" or installed a mismatched version of it.
Make sure to install the correct version of both the 32 bit and 64 bit MSIs according to this page: https://wiki.winehq.org/Gecko

Closing thoughts

If you followed the guide closely, you should now be able to configure Fallout 76 and install mods. However, the tool might be broken here or there. It might also run slower and the UI elements might take a while to load in.

But it works for the most part.

For quick access, you can rename it and add it to the library:

Or you could create a desktop shortcut.

That's it from me.

Happy hunting,
~ FelisDiligens