Damage mods for first playthrough?

I've started FNV a couple times, never made it too far, maybe level 15-20 or so, so I've never beaten the game or anything. I enjoy some challenge inc games so I'm planning on playing on very hard hardcore mode, because I also like the immersion hardcore gives, but very hard just makes enemies bullet sponges. I think I would have more fun if everyone was more like a glass cannon. Is it worth installing this sort of mod (I've seen some mentioned here for exactly this, but I can't remember what they are called) for my first every completed playthrough? Or should I just play vanilla very hard hardcore? Thank you!