Hinaloth's Immersive and Lore Friendly Modding List
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About this mod
A comprehensive list of mods used to create the basis upon which Hinaloth's vision of Skyrim is built.
- Permissions and credits
Hinaloth's Immersive and Lore-Friendly Modlist
This is my personal list in mods that I find add to the immersion and follow the canon of the lore/universe. Some of you may want to add or remove mods to the list. This should be considered a WIP for now as I figure out what is and isn't fully and easily compatible, as wall as the formatting to make it readable. Please bear with me.
After years of fighting with my modlist every reinstallation, I've decided to make myself a basic systematic install guide to make the process quicker. Maybe then it won't take me three days of modding before I start playing.
0: Tools
Before the wheel, there was the tool. Not the kind you want to smack about, but the kind that actually has a use. These are them. Get those before even starting.
Spoiler:
Show
- Some people prefer to use Mod Organizer 2, some prefer Vortex, some just do it by hand. That last one is not only time consuming but also fairly risky. I recommend one of the first two, one has more safety to use, making it easier to uninstall and find faults in the installation. The other has an easier time installing and keeping track of your mods, as well as keeping them updated without breaking the files for another mod. Pick your own favorite.
- SSE EDIT. Modders will sometimes forget that they touched something in the game they didn't actually change. Use this to fix that. Diminishes your chances of crashes and instabilities due to incompatible data.
- Wrye Bash. Yes, leveled lists are still a thing, and thus Wrye Bash still is needed. Run it once before launching the game once everything is installed, and again should you install new items mods, or update old ones to add new stuff if you want to find them all without problem.
- LOOT is without a doubt the best tool to keep your mod order organized. Basically run it after each step of installation. It keeps track of what you need to clean through SSE EDIT and of necessary patches you may miss.
- DynDoLOD. Run it once all your mods are installed. Pray it works.
- ReShade. I do NOT use ENB. I find it entirely pointless, and usually ugly to boot. But I understand that tastes are a thing that people differ, thus I won't judge you too harshly if you decide to use one. Just know I won't be putting any patches for its use. Always check the mod pages to see if they offer patches or details about use along an ENB. I also won't offer any ENB settings, as I prefer the game's visual balance as it is. Look for one that you enjoy.
1: Engine Fixes, Requirements and Basic Functionality Mods
1.0 Run the game once.
It creates the .ini files we will edit as needed. Use the regular launcher, change the options therein to match your computer configurations, launch the game, then close it.
OPTIONAL: Install any Creation Club item you may own/want. An optional patch will be given for them should you own them, as well as warnings for incompatibility if any should arise.
1.1: Fixing Everything.
Skyrim is known to be a buggy mess. SE at least fixed some of that for x64 users, but so many bugs were left that we need to start with the basics: fixing everything. These come in no specific order (unless indented with their dependency coming first), but count on all of them as needed to even run the game past the title screen.
Spoiler:
TAKE NOTE OF VERSION, ONLY USE MODS WITH MATCHING VERSIONS (2.0.17 (runtime 1.5.97) as of writing)
Makes most DLL plugins (not mods themselves) using SKSE ignore the SKSE version you use, allowing you to use deprecated DLL plugins as needed.
- Scaleform Translation Plus Plus
Needed for some mods later.
- SSE Display Tweaks
Fixes more display bugs and framerate issues.
As the banner says, it's Skyrim. This fixes most of the more important bugs in the engine, making the game run with moderately less crashing and stuttering.
- PrivateProfileRedirector SE
Makes the game start and load faster. All hail!
Requirement for a few fixes to some annoying bugs left over by the big patches.
- Bug Fixes SSE
Fixes more bugs in the engine itself.
- Actor Limit Fix
Fixes a situation you will rarely encounter, where the game would encounter various problems (and likely end up crashing) should too many NPC exist at once.
Needed to make some textures possess a parallax effect.
Just in case some mod scripting requires it.
Requirement for some mods.
Required to make some mods happen.
More requirements!
Because nothing is quite as boring as the vanilla game. At least now you'll be able to gain those pointless achievements whilst using a modded game.
Makes it possible to sprint AND jump. How crazy is that, mechanics that make sense.
Show
- - SKSE
TAKE NOTE OF VERSION, ONLY USE MODS WITH MATCHING VERSIONS (2.0.17 (runtime 1.5.97) as of writing)
Makes most DLL plugins (not mods themselves) using SKSE ignore the SKSE version you use, allowing you to use deprecated DLL plugins as needed.
- Scaleform Translation Plus Plus
Needed for some mods later.
- SSE Display Tweaks
Fixes more display bugs and framerate issues.
As the banner says, it's Skyrim. This fixes most of the more important bugs in the engine, making the game run with moderately less crashing and stuttering.
- PrivateProfileRedirector SE
Makes the game start and load faster. All hail!
- - SSE Fixes
Requirement for a few fixes to some annoying bugs left over by the big patches.
- Bug Fixes SSE
Fixes more bugs in the engine itself.
- Actor Limit Fix
Fixes a situation you will rarely encounter, where the game would encounter various problems (and likely end up crashing) should too many NPC exist at once.
Needed to make some textures possess a parallax effect.
Just in case some mod scripting requires it.
Requirement for some mods.
Required to make some mods happen.
More requirements!
Because nothing is quite as boring as the vanilla game. At least now you'll be able to gain those pointless achievements whilst using a modded game.
Makes it possible to sprint AND jump. How crazy is that, mechanics that make sense.
- - OPTIONAL: Keyboard Shortcuts Fix
1.2: The Welcome Upgrades
Skyrim has a lot of things that it could do better, just at a simple engine level (or almost). These mods aren't fixes per-say, but they might as well be.
Spoiler:
- SkyUI SE - Flashing Savegames Fix
A simple fix to a simple bug.
- Fix Note icon for SkyUI
Makes notes have a note icon. How something so simple never got done by the devs is beyond me.
- Wider MCM Menu for SkyUI
Makes the MCM menus larger, fewer chances of text clipping becoming unreadable.
Tired of having to confirm your every move in triplicate? Get this.
Too lazy to reach for the mouse? You can now navigate message boxes with the keys.
Fallout 4 brought the quick loot system that many enjoyed. No more having to delve into menus to loot chests. Instead, you can go through them quickly in a real-time perspective. Frankly a welcome upgrade to the system.
Stops items you've just unlocked from activating. Pick that door without having it swing in your face, letting you prepare.
You're having a nice chat with some NPC and suddenly you just start being pushed to the side by some random passerby? How rude! Not anymore.
Not every mod has voice over. Required if you want to still be able to read their dialogue.
Makes dialogue menus easier to navigate.
All those quest items cluttering your inventory and no way to know what keeps them there. Now you can know.
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- - SKYUI
- SkyUI SE - Flashing Savegames Fix
A simple fix to a simple bug.
- Fix Note icon for SkyUI
Makes notes have a note icon. How something so simple never got done by the devs is beyond me.
- Wider MCM Menu for SkyUI
Makes the MCM menus larger, fewer chances of text clipping becoming unreadable.
Tired of having to confirm your every move in triplicate? Get this.
Too lazy to reach for the mouse? You can now navigate message boxes with the keys.
Fallout 4 brought the quick loot system that many enjoyed. No more having to delve into menus to loot chests. Instead, you can go through them quickly in a real-time perspective. Frankly a welcome upgrade to the system.
Stops items you've just unlocked from activating. Pick that door without having it swing in your face, letting you prepare.
You're having a nice chat with some NPC and suddenly you just start being pushed to the side by some random passerby? How rude! Not anymore.
Not every mod has voice over. Required if you want to still be able to read their dialogue.
Makes dialogue menus easier to navigate.
All those quest items cluttering your inventory and no way to know what keeps them there. Now you can know.
- - OPTIONAL: Alternate Conversation Camera
2: Essential Patches and Basic QOL
2.1: The Truly Essential
Simply, this makes Skyrim a less buggy game, at least, a better game at best.
Spoiler:
The one mod that you need. Everything else is optional by comparison.
Whereas USSEP fixes items and dialogues and somesuch, this fixes the world itself.
Fixes many small details in the models of items, weapons and armors. Basically the last bit needed to complete USSEP.
Adds missing NPCs and cut places and items. Fleshes out the original game we should have had.
Yes, guards have more than two or three sentences in the game. This makes them feel more like actual living members of society than simple annoyances for the player to circumvent.
One of the best mods for immersion. Finally gives the NPCs more to talk about than simply directing you to the next quest or being cardboard cut-outs. Also happens to fix some dialogue bugs missed by USSEP. DO NOT FORGET TO GET THE PATCHS FOR CRF AND USSEP.
Notice how everyone basically wears the same clothes, no matter what part of the supposedly huge and diverse country they're from? Not anymore. This makes everyone wear clothes that fit them, not random articles.
Another fix that touches most crafting items, whilst also rebalancing most of the crafting system.
This time we fix all foods and ingredients, all the while also rebalancing that aspect of the game.
Show
The one mod that you need. Everything else is optional by comparison.
Whereas USSEP fixes items and dialogues and somesuch, this fixes the world itself.
Fixes many small details in the models of items, weapons and armors. Basically the last bit needed to complete USSEP.
Adds missing NPCs and cut places and items. Fleshes out the original game we should have had.
Yes, guards have more than two or three sentences in the game. This makes them feel more like actual living members of society than simple annoyances for the player to circumvent.
One of the best mods for immersion. Finally gives the NPCs more to talk about than simply directing you to the next quest or being cardboard cut-outs. Also happens to fix some dialogue bugs missed by USSEP. DO NOT FORGET TO GET THE PATCHS FOR CRF AND USSEP.
Notice how everyone basically wears the same clothes, no matter what part of the supposedly huge and diverse country they're from? Not anymore. This makes everyone wear clothes that fit them, not random articles.
Another fix that touches most crafting items, whilst also rebalancing most of the crafting system.
This time we fix all foods and ingredients, all the while also rebalancing that aspect of the game.
- - OPTIONAL: Font Overhaul - Natural Typefaces for Skyrim
2.2: The Fix-Me Graphical Errors
Not a full-on texture update (those come later), these mods fix graphical details that can break your immersion.
Spoiler:
Better looking clutter, simple stuff that makes it so that you're not completely taken out of the game when looking at some random bits in the background.
Fixes some missing mesh bits. Even SMIM doesn't fix those.
Fixes some more of the larger objects in the game so the UV-Map (the thing that says what can be shadowed and transparent) gets a more logical. It doesn't change any texture per say so don't worry. Install the SMIM compatible version!
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Better looking clutter, simple stuff that makes it so that you're not completely taken out of the game when looking at some random bits in the background.
Fixes some missing mesh bits. Even SMIM doesn't fix those.
Fixes some more of the larger objects in the game so the UV-Map (the thing that says what can be shadowed and transparent) gets a more logical. It doesn't change any texture per say so don't worry. Install the SMIM compatible version!
2.3: The Fix-Me Sound Errors
Again, not quite sound upgrades or the likes, but simple sound fixes, making the game simply sound less strange.
Spoiler:
Just when you thought random noises wouldn't break your immersion, here comes Bethesda.
Makes it so you hear the right footstep sound when you step on different objects more often. Fixes what USSEP missed.
Because hooves make different sounds when hitting different surfaces.
No, you are not dreaming. Bethesda thought that giving SKELETONS BREATHING SOUNDS. Here comes the Picard facepalm.
Ooh, ooh, guess what? They also gave breathing sounds to the local zombies. This removes that absurdity. Next!
Something referred to in the opening of the game, and they couldn't even make it a thing in the battle against him? Sounds about right for Bethesda.
Show
Just when you thought random noises wouldn't break your immersion, here comes Bethesda.
Makes it so you hear the right footstep sound when you step on different objects more often. Fixes what USSEP missed.
Because hooves make different sounds when hitting different surfaces.
No, you are not dreaming. Bethesda thought that giving SKELETONS BREATHING SOUNDS. Here comes the Picard facepalm.
Ooh, ooh, guess what? They also gave breathing sounds to the local zombies. This removes that absurdity. Next!
Something referred to in the opening of the game, and they couldn't even make it a thing in the battle against him? Sounds about right for Bethesda.
- - OPTIONAL: Unofficial High Definition Audio Project
2.4: The VERY Welcome Quality-Of-Life
These, while they are not the most needed mods in the universe, give a visible enough upgrade to the immersion and gameplay of the game to make them almost indispensable.
Spoiler:
Makes the world map more interesting to look at. Pick your favorite version. Clear Sky versions are highly recommended.
Remember that stone column on the side of the road half a day walk back? This mod makes it so the game does remember. Much as a dutiful adventurer would take note of all the strange notable landscape bits they encounter.
Want to know if you've already read that book without picking it up? If you know that enchantment off that weapon? Detailed info on any and all item you might encounter? This is for you. A must-have.
- moreHUD Inventory Edition
What the first one does, but inside your inventory as well.
No more guards named "Guard" or dragons without names! Really helps the world feel like a living place instead of a cookie-cutter theme park.
This one and the next will appear very secondary at best, and yet...
... You'll soon find yourself surprised to find butterflies in some seemingly more random places. Let it bring you beauty and whimsy across all of Skyrim. Get the CACO patch.
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Makes the world map more interesting to look at. Pick your favorite version. Clear Sky versions are highly recommended.
Remember that stone column on the side of the road half a day walk back? This mod makes it so the game does remember. Much as a dutiful adventurer would take note of all the strange notable landscape bits they encounter.
Want to know if you've already read that book without picking it up? If you know that enchantment off that weapon? Detailed info on any and all item you might encounter? This is for you. A must-have.
- moreHUD Inventory Edition
What the first one does, but inside your inventory as well.
No more guards named "Guard" or dragons without names! Really helps the world feel like a living place instead of a cookie-cutter theme park.
This one and the next will appear very secondary at best, and yet...
... You'll soon find yourself surprised to find butterflies in some seemingly more random places. Let it bring you beauty and whimsy across all of Skyrim. Get the CACO patch.
3: Run LOOT to fix your load order and TEST YOUR GAME.
Should anything not appeal to you, uninstall the culprit mod, try a new configuration if possible, or find a replacement. Should the game crash, start deactivating mods one by one until you find the culprit(s). Check the mod pages and forums for compatibility patches as needed.
4: Non-essential Patches and Advanced QOL
4.1: Still More Quality-Of-life!
More stuff to help the game be more fun and immersive. Not quite as important to have as the previous ones but still, good enough to warrant installation almost every time.
Spoiler:
Tired of having to retread your way through Helgen for the thousandth time this month? Want to roleplay as something more than the prisoner to Alduin's king? Get this.
- New Beginnings - Live Another Life Extension SSE
Let's get more options in here, because choice is the sauce of life.
Makes all interaction more immersive by getting rid of the video-gamy texts.
Another way to mark the passage of time across the months, the regrowth of the tree in the middle of Skyrim's most visited town is a great way to make it felt.
Those little scribbled scratchings on every building have meaning, yet the houses you buy don't. Fix that.
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- - RaceMenu
Tired of having to retread your way through Helgen for the thousandth time this month? Want to roleplay as something more than the prisoner to Alduin's king? Get this.
- New Beginnings - Live Another Life Extension SSE
Let's get more options in here, because choice is the sauce of life.
Makes all interaction more immersive by getting rid of the video-gamy texts.
Another way to mark the passage of time across the months, the regrowth of the tree in the middle of Skyrim's most visited town is a great way to make it felt.
Those little scribbled scratchings on every building have meaning, yet the houses you buy don't. Fix that.
- - OPTIONAL: Holidays
- - OPTIONAL: A Matter of Time
- - OPTIONAL: Floating Damage
4.2: Basic Graphical Updates
It's not full upgrade time yet, but these will make any game already look more polished, even without installing Gigs of texture packs.
Spoiler:
You will spend a LOT of time in those ruins. Might as well they look less... 2011 lowres. Makes the meshes of the clutter found there less ugly to look at.
- Ruins Clutter Improved - Fixes
In their zeal to make the game better, the creators of RCI fucked a tiny thing up. This fixes it.
Brings some meshes into the world of modern quality.
- Unofficial Material Fix
Fixes some of the material bugs on the stuff HPP reworks.
Gives a much cleaner definition to the meshes of the various roads throughout Skyrim. If you plan on adding custom textures later on, check the compatibility list.
Replaces the pixel sticks they call grass with nicely defined grass and plants. Superior to SFO but if you prefer to have everything in one mod, avoid this one.
- OPTIONAL: ET3D - Every Tree 3D Different
Immersion is a funny thing. If you tend to look at trees very very very closely, you will notice that they all use the same models. This makes the textures on those more random, giving the illusion of uniqueness. Really depends on your own observational skills whether or not you need this mod.
Snow tends to do things in real life that Bethesda never really understood. This helps it fall a bit more realistically.
- Better Dynamic Snow - Patches
Fixes some of the bugs BDS tended to have. Windhelm is a matter of taste.
BDS, but for Solstheim's ash. Vvardenfell can only be erupting for 200 years without letting SOME ash fall on its neighbor island.
Adds simple details that only bring the immersion up, without any gameplay advantage. Yet, just standing outside watching a meteor shower or enjoying a simple rainbow can bring a halt to your monster-slaying long enough to remind you, this is supposed to be a world of mystery and wonder. Eh, guess the name was well earned.
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- - Footprints
You will spend a LOT of time in those ruins. Might as well they look less... 2011 lowres. Makes the meshes of the clutter found there less ugly to look at.
- Ruins Clutter Improved - Fixes
In their zeal to make the game better, the creators of RCI fucked a tiny thing up. This fixes it.
- - OPTIONAL: Real 3D Walls
Brings some meshes into the world of modern quality.
- Unofficial Material Fix
Fixes some of the material bugs on the stuff HPP reworks.
Gives a much cleaner definition to the meshes of the various roads throughout Skyrim. If you plan on adding custom textures later on, check the compatibility list.
Replaces the pixel sticks they call grass with nicely defined grass and plants. Superior to SFO but if you prefer to have everything in one mod, avoid this one.
- - EITHER: Skyrim Flora Overhaul SE
- - OR: Skyrim 3D Trees and Plants
- OPTIONAL: ET3D - Every Tree 3D Different
Immersion is a funny thing. If you tend to look at trees very very very closely, you will notice that they all use the same models. This makes the textures on those more random, giving the illusion of uniqueness. Really depends on your own observational skills whether or not you need this mod.
Snow tends to do things in real life that Bethesda never really understood. This helps it fall a bit more realistically.
- Better Dynamic Snow - Patches
Fixes some of the bugs BDS tended to have. Windhelm is a matter of taste.
BDS, but for Solstheim's ash. Vvardenfell can only be erupting for 200 years without letting SOME ash fall on its neighbor island.
Adds simple details that only bring the immersion up, without any gameplay advantage. Yet, just standing outside watching a meteor shower or enjoying a simple rainbow can bring a halt to your monster-slaying long enough to remind you, this is supposed to be a world of mystery and wonder. Eh, guess the name was well earned.
4.3: Weather
Skyrim has a surprisingly large selection of weather mods. I always will love the clear sky and clean design of the weather of the original game. So rather than install something that'll change it from A to Z, I've picked my favorite ensemble. Should you prefer another, go for it, and remember to be careful with the patching, weather mods are highly incompatible with each other.
NOTE: IF YOU WANT MY PERSONAL FAVORITE SETUP, INSTALL ALL MODS IN A ROW AND THEN INSTALL KYNE'S WEATHER TRUE STORM PATCH.
Spoiler:
Simple and yet clear, doesn't add so many new weather patterns that you never notice the sky anymore.
Keeping close to the original design, yet giving it a more variation.
A retouch of OWS, bringing more custom works from other weather mods whilst keeping the clean design of the original mod.
One of the best known, oldest weather mods out there. It was one of the pioneers in bringing a different atmosphere to the game. Too cloudy of its own for my tastes, but with the right companion mods...
Adds clouds at ground level, giving a feeling of mist staying deeper in the valley. Compatible with other weather mods. Unlike Morrowind's fog, it does not hide distant objects to reduce power consumption, so it will not help your game run.
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Simple and yet clear, doesn't add so many new weather patterns that you never notice the sky anymore.
Keeping close to the original design, yet giving it a more variation.
A retouch of OWS, bringing more custom works from other weather mods whilst keeping the clean design of the original mod.
One of the best known, oldest weather mods out there. It was one of the pioneers in bringing a different atmosphere to the game. Too cloudy of its own for my tastes, but with the right companion mods...
REMINDER: If you want to make them all work together, download the main file from Obsidian Weathers, then Wander 2.0 (install only the Main Edition) and the main file from True Storms, then the patch in Kyne's page.
Adds clouds at ground level, giving a feeling of mist staying deeper in the valley. Compatible with other weather mods. Unlike Morrowind's fog, it does not hide distant objects to reduce power consumption, so it will not help your game run.
5: Run LOOT to fix your load order and TEST YOUR GAME.
Should anything not appeal to you, uninstall the culprit mod, try a new configuration if possible, or find a replacement. Should the game crash, start deactivating mods one by one until you find the culprit(s). Check the mod pages and forums for compatibility patches as needed.
6: Visual and Sound Upgrades
6.1: Textures
Skyrim shows its age and intended console market with its textures. Glorious blur-o-vision, begone through the application of these mods and texture packs. Keep in mind that all these are my personal taste. Your mileage may vary, so if you prefer some other texture pack or graphical mod (that does not add items), now is the time to install them. I tend to not go for 8K textures or the likes, as I prefer my computer unroasted. Always keep in mind that some textures may conflict, depending on your installation method you may have to choose file-by-file, or mod-by-mod. Try to keep to the give order, as some mods will overwrite the previous with superior textures.
Spoiler:
The largest HD pack out there. It is a bit hit and miss but overall keeps close to the original design enough to not be as jarring as some others. We will use it as a background upon which we will install other mods, so as to avoid having any ugly old vanilla texture, as much as possible.
Random bits of very high-quality textures.
Landscape textures of once again high quality. These will replace 90% of Skyrim HD SE. Don't be afraid.
Covers some of Pfuscher's previous works with better quality still, and adds parallax to the textures, which allows textures to "pop" as though they were meshes.
Fireplaces look really ugly without that.
Gives some parallax to the ice caves walls, making them appear semi-translucent and shimmering. Gives a lot of character to those forgettable places.
I was born and raised in the mountains. I always found Skyrim's hilarious. Yet I can never find a mod that truly renders justice to the majesty of a peak like those Skyrim supposedly holds. This is as close as I found, and even then, it just feels... small. Darkside recommended for a darker rock, striking in contrast to the snow that covers it.
- Better Dynamic Majestic Mountains
Some fixes so the snow looks better on the mountainside.
Remember when the books described the grueling climb across thousands of steps to get to the mountaintop before the game came out? Well, at least now we'll see the steps better, even if the number doesn't match the lore.
Makes rocks look like rocks, rather than very basic polygons.
The same, but with those rocks in the water. Makes fording through rapids easier.
Adds pebbles to the shores of most lakes and other water bodies. Can have an impact on performance.
Holy pebbles batman! Stones that are actually rounded by erosion and actually look like they belong? Whoever imagined that? Might also have an impact on performance.
Having lived in snow all my life, I never got how Bethesda thought that their flat white texture looked anything like it. This makes snow be... snow. Remember to check the patches for Blended Roads.
Those floating bits of ice that look oh-so ugly now at least have some height, feeling like actual chunks of ice instead of flat textures floating about.
Makes those icicles actually be made out of ice. The rest can be skipped.
Speaking of unbearably ugly, the icy puddles looked like some pixelly splat leftover from Arena's time. Not anymore.
The default blood textures were... poor to say the least. Since you'll be spilling so much of it, might as well have something more decent to look at.
Upgrades the definition of most, if not all cloths items in the game.
Books are awesome. Good looking, easily distinguishable books that have unique covers and spine? Even more awesome!
Who's a good furball? You are! Yes you are!
One of Skyrim's best monster gets reworked to look even more eerily beautiful. Did you know that most of the time it will not attack you if you do not bother it?
What even are those? Be careful, they may look nicer now but they're still territorial!
Turns out, worshiping flying lizards may give you badass powers, but won't help you look good after a few thousand years. At least now they'll look better... in a horrifying way.
Makes the food items actually look edible. I mean, it's not FFVX yet but at least you're not COMING UP WITH A NEW RECIPE!
And this one makes the blacksmithing areas actually worth a look, rather than a low-quality eyesore.
No, it doesn't help guess what Ysolda will do with hers, but at least it'll look good while she does it!
Another forgotten few items that will look very ugly without this.
Show
- - OPTIONAL: Unofficial Performance Optimized Textures
The largest HD pack out there. It is a bit hit and miss but overall keeps close to the original design enough to not be as jarring as some others. We will use it as a background upon which we will install other mods, so as to avoid having any ugly old vanilla texture, as much as possible.
Random bits of very high-quality textures.
Landscape textures of once again high quality. These will replace 90% of Skyrim HD SE. Don't be afraid.
Covers some of Pfuscher's previous works with better quality still, and adds parallax to the textures, which allows textures to "pop" as though they were meshes.
Fireplaces look really ugly without that.
Gives some parallax to the ice caves walls, making them appear semi-translucent and shimmering. Gives a lot of character to those forgettable places.
I was born and raised in the mountains. I always found Skyrim's hilarious. Yet I can never find a mod that truly renders justice to the majesty of a peak like those Skyrim supposedly holds. This is as close as I found, and even then, it just feels... small. Darkside recommended for a darker rock, striking in contrast to the snow that covers it.
- Better Dynamic Majestic Mountains
Some fixes so the snow looks better on the mountainside.
Remember when the books described the grueling climb across thousands of steps to get to the mountaintop before the game came out? Well, at least now we'll see the steps better, even if the number doesn't match the lore.
Makes rocks look like rocks, rather than very basic polygons.
The same, but with those rocks in the water. Makes fording through rapids easier.
Adds pebbles to the shores of most lakes and other water bodies. Can have an impact on performance.
Holy pebbles batman! Stones that are actually rounded by erosion and actually look like they belong? Whoever imagined that? Might also have an impact on performance.
Having lived in snow all my life, I never got how Bethesda thought that their flat white texture looked anything like it. This makes snow be... snow. Remember to check the patches for Blended Roads.
Those floating bits of ice that look oh-so ugly now at least have some height, feeling like actual chunks of ice instead of flat textures floating about.
- - Just Ice
Makes those icicles actually be made out of ice. The rest can be skipped.
Speaking of unbearably ugly, the icy puddles looked like some pixelly splat leftover from Arena's time. Not anymore.
The default blood textures were... poor to say the least. Since you'll be spilling so much of it, might as well have something more decent to look at.
Upgrades the definition of most, if not all cloths items in the game.
- - RUGNAROK
Books are awesome. Good looking, easily distinguishable books that have unique covers and spine? Even more awesome!
Who's a good furball? You are! Yes you are!
- - Skeleton
- - Falmer
- - Hagraven
One of Skyrim's best monster gets reworked to look even more eerily beautiful. Did you know that most of the time it will not attack you if you do not bother it?
- - Mammoth
- - Sabercat
What even are those? Be careful, they may look nicer now but they're still territorial!
- - Giant
- - Troll
- - Draugr
Turns out, worshiping flying lizards may give you badass powers, but won't help you look good after a few thousand years. At least now they'll look better... in a horrifying way.
Makes the food items actually look edible. I mean, it's not FFVX yet but at least you're not COMING UP WITH A NEW RECIPE!
And this one makes the blacksmithing areas actually worth a look, rather than a low-quality eyesore.
No, it doesn't help guess what Ysolda will do with hers, but at least it'll look good while she does it!
Another forgotten few items that will look very ugly without this.
- - GORECAP
- - OPTIONAL: Visual Animated Enchants
6.2: Sound
We fixed most audio bugs before, now let's see about enhancing it so to make it more unique sounding.
Spoiler:
This adds, rather than fix, but also makes the game that much more immersive.
In many ways a companion for the previous mod, where it added new sounds to the world, this remasters most of the soundscape of the game to make it that much more immersive. They work together beautifully.
What AOS and SSC didn't cover, this will. Everything will sound actually good now.
- Extensive AOS - ISC Patch
Use this patch rather than the regular one. It allows AOS and ISC to work together to make the sound collection truly complete.
If you like it when the bass gives that satisfying counter to the simple sounds of the game, this is for you.
Show
This adds, rather than fix, but also makes the game that much more immersive.
In many ways a companion for the previous mod, where it added new sounds to the world, this remasters most of the soundscape of the game to make it that much more immersive. They work together beautifully.
What AOS and SSC didn't cover, this will. Everything will sound actually good now.
- Extensive AOS - ISC Patch
Use this patch rather than the regular one. It allows AOS and ISC to work together to make the sound collection truly complete.
If you like it when the bass gives that satisfying counter to the simple sounds of the game, this is for you.
- - OPTIONAL: Music of Tamriel
7: Run LOOT to fix your load order and TEST YOUR GAME.
Should anything not appeal to you, uninstall the culprit mod, try a new configuration if possible, or find a replacement. Should the game crash, start deactivating mods one by one until you find the culprit(s). Check the mod pages and forums for compatibility patches as needed.
8: Gameplay Upgrades
8.1: General Tweaks
Before we delve in specific aspects of the gameplay, let's change larger sweeping aspects of the game to make it more immersive and interesting.
Spoiler:
Brings back the old stats system from previous TES. A matter of taste but a requirement for me.
A comprehensive mod that adds so many lore-friendly details to the races that ensure any new game with a new race will be different from the previous one.
Tweaks every single character in the game to look much more lore-friendly. Also happens to be compatible with Imperious, which means you can have fun and look good doing it!
Makes children look like children, not very short adults.
- RS Children Patch Compendium
Patches patches patches!
The quintessential perks revamp. Make clear builds possible with a specific theme to your character.
- Sacrosanct - Vampires of Skyrim
Whilst it doesn't require Ordinator per se, it just makes more sense together. Perk up your vampires with flair!
- Growl - Werebeasts of Skyrim
And with this, turn the very boring werewolf gameplay into more fun. Also, werebears! Now all we need is the werecrocs!
Makes those standing stones actually worth the bother.
Without a doubt one of the simplest yet best mods to roleplay the power of faith in the TES universe in Skyrim. Immersion like few other mods can give.
Say Bob, is that a dragon coming at us spewing fire? Sure thing Mark, sure thing. Let's just stand there watching or try to fight it with our bare fists and random tools. Or... you know, run.
Turns the economy of the game into a real economy, based on more than your own speech skill. Another reason to keep track of the season, and of what happens in your area.
Makes people of faith a reliable source of healing. In need of a potion or scroll to heal your wounds? Pay your local priest and get some healin'.
Let's get some dragons up in there!
Correction, let's get EVEN MORE dragons up in here. It's why we even come to Skyrim after all.
Speaking of dragons, let's get this fella some colors. He needs some vacation in the sun, and he'll be right as rain, ready to try and conquer the world again!
Your deeds are recognized and your rewards are looted, but what did you learn from all your questing? This gives you perks upon completing diverse quests that show you didn't come home empty-handed.
Courrier mail is a fun little throwback to Daggerfall's way of telling you it had quests. This makes it easier for the courier to find you and give you jobs. Or lets him be a mailman and drop it at your house.
Bandits, those copy-pasted nameless cannon-fodder for early level adventurers. Well, no more. This makes bandits an actually interesting threat to handle with some care.
- OBIS Loot
Gives those bandits even more stuff to loot, making raids on their camps worth it even at higher levels.
Annoyed at having old quest rewards become pointless despite being technically artifact level items? Bothered that you got them earlier than their last leveled item could get? No more, they'll just match your level!
Skyrim may be the home of the Nords, but it is still important enough to have visits from many other races, even in these troubled times.
A well-known mod that adds to those random encounters you get from time to time. Maybe this time you'll see more than another prisoner escorted by Thalmors/Stormcloaks.
Do you know what Skyrim needs? More reading material. Let's bring back the good old lore, good and bad, deep and shallow, any and all.
Remember the Black Horse Courier from Oblivion? This is that, but for Skyrim.
Show
Brings back the old stats system from previous TES. A matter of taste but a requirement for me.
A comprehensive mod that adds so many lore-friendly details to the races that ensure any new game with a new race will be different from the previous one.
Tweaks every single character in the game to look much more lore-friendly. Also happens to be compatible with Imperious, which means you can have fun and look good doing it!
Makes children look like children, not very short adults.
- RS Children Patch Compendium
Patches patches patches!
The quintessential perks revamp. Make clear builds possible with a specific theme to your character.
- Sacrosanct - Vampires of Skyrim
Whilst it doesn't require Ordinator per se, it just makes more sense together. Perk up your vampires with flair!
- Growl - Werebeasts of Skyrim
And with this, turn the very boring werewolf gameplay into more fun. Also, werebears! Now all we need is the werecrocs!
Makes those standing stones actually worth the bother.
Without a doubt one of the simplest yet best mods to roleplay the power of faith in the TES universe in Skyrim. Immersion like few other mods can give.
Say Bob, is that a dragon coming at us spewing fire? Sure thing Mark, sure thing. Let's just stand there watching or try to fight it with our bare fists and random tools. Or... you know, run.
Turns the economy of the game into a real economy, based on more than your own speech skill. Another reason to keep track of the season, and of what happens in your area.
Makes people of faith a reliable source of healing. In need of a potion or scroll to heal your wounds? Pay your local priest and get some healin'.
Let's get some dragons up in there!
Correction, let's get EVEN MORE dragons up in here. It's why we even come to Skyrim after all.
Speaking of dragons, let's get this fella some colors. He needs some vacation in the sun, and he'll be right as rain, ready to try and conquer the world again!
Your deeds are recognized and your rewards are looted, but what did you learn from all your questing? This gives you perks upon completing diverse quests that show you didn't come home empty-handed.
Courrier mail is a fun little throwback to Daggerfall's way of telling you it had quests. This makes it easier for the courier to find you and give you jobs. Or lets him be a mailman and drop it at your house.
Bandits, those copy-pasted nameless cannon-fodder for early level adventurers. Well, no more. This makes bandits an actually interesting threat to handle with some care.
- OBIS Loot
Gives those bandits even more stuff to loot, making raids on their camps worth it even at higher levels.
Annoyed at having old quest rewards become pointless despite being technically artifact level items? Bothered that you got them earlier than their last leveled item could get? No more, they'll just match your level!
Skyrim may be the home of the Nords, but it is still important enough to have visits from many other races, even in these troubled times.
A well-known mod that adds to those random encounters you get from time to time. Maybe this time you'll see more than another prisoner escorted by Thalmors/Stormcloaks.
Do you know what Skyrim needs? More reading material. Let's bring back the good old lore, good and bad, deep and shallow, any and all.
Remember the Black Horse Courier from Oblivion? This is that, but for Skyrim.
- - OPTIONAL: Smilodon - Combat of Skyrim
8.2: Stealth and Crime Upgrades
Every adventurer dabbles in sneak thievery at some time or other. The question is whether it'll stick. These mods will change that aspect of gameplay in some manner, making it more immersive and/or fun.
Spoiler:
Criminal activities are barely a thing in Skyrim, even the criminal factions don't require you to do much that is actually criminal. And even if you get caught, nothing really matters anyway. Let's make it a bit more punishing to commit crimes in the holds of Nords.
- OBIS and Crime Overhaul Expanded Patch
Lets both mods cohabit in peace, so you can bring the LAW to that bandit menace and feel like a real hero.
In the other hand, let's make sneaking about actually fun, with some mechanics inspired by the best thieving simulator, Thief Gold and Thief Deadly Shadows.
Tired of having to find that exact, almost correct pixel to put your lockpick in that master locked chest? That'll cut the work.
Makes using poisons easier with a quicker use through hotkeys/favorites.
Show
Criminal activities are barely a thing in Skyrim, even the criminal factions don't require you to do much that is actually criminal. And even if you get caught, nothing really matters anyway. Let's make it a bit more punishing to commit crimes in the holds of Nords.
- OBIS and Crime Overhaul Expanded Patch
Lets both mods cohabit in peace, so you can bring the LAW to that bandit menace and feel like a real hero.
In the other hand, let's make sneaking about actually fun, with some mechanics inspired by the best thieving simulator, Thief Gold and Thief Deadly Shadows.
Tired of having to find that exact, almost correct pixel to put your lockpick in that master locked chest? That'll cut the work.
Makes using poisons easier with a quicker use through hotkeys/favorites.
- - Incognito
8.3: Magic
The true thread of creation, Magnus' power, magic binds all that happens in the dreamsleeve. Let's make it more fun than the vanilla bore-fest!
Spoiler:
How come every mage in the universe has to spend years studying and the hero can always pick everything and become a master of spellcraft in mere seconds? Let's make sure our hero has to spend some time cramming before their exams as well, fair is fair.
- Better Spell Learning - Patches
MANY, and I mean MANY magic mods are covered by this. Once you installed a magic mod, check here to see if its spell list is covered and get the relative patch.
While it adds spells (get the BSL patch for it), it also revamps the whole vanilla magical system, giving it its place here.
- Mysticism - Cutting Room Floor Patch (SSE)
We'll add the OP stuff later, for now let's keep it all under one line.
- Mysticism - A Magic Overhaul - Restored Master Spell Animations
The Master Spell animation is one of those cool vanilla animations that give some life to the game. This restores it to most Master level spells.
Not quite magic, yet more magic than most spells. This mod tweaks the whole Thu'um system making them more interesting, letting you create a Dragonborn that will use more than two shouts in their whole life.
An interesting take on perks that works with any perk overhaul. Adds quite a few interesting perks for mages.
Lets you write your own scrolls to use. Maybe now you'll dare use all those pieces of parchment you've been hoarding?
Let's you skip the boring process of hoarding soul gems. You might keep a few handy for those tough spots that won't let you get some downtime to recharge though.
Speaking of soul gems, those things tended to just be full of trash souls. This fixes that, makes it easier to fill larger soul gems.
Wards are one of those interesting side effect of bringing the game into a more action-focused design. Too bad they never really got a use besides annoying you when an NPC uses one. Let's rework them!
LORE UNFRIENDLY. It is established that the Invisibility spells break when the caster does anything but move. This makes it so that you may also pick up an item or open doors without breaking the spell.
LORE UNFRIENDLY. Same effect as the previous one, the difference is that the Ethereal Form was meant to show the LDB become a ghost of sort.
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How come every mage in the universe has to spend years studying and the hero can always pick everything and become a master of spellcraft in mere seconds? Let's make sure our hero has to spend some time cramming before their exams as well, fair is fair.
- Better Spell Learning - Patches
MANY, and I mean MANY magic mods are covered by this. Once you installed a magic mod, check here to see if its spell list is covered and get the relative patch.
While it adds spells (get the BSL patch for it), it also revamps the whole vanilla magical system, giving it its place here.
- Mysticism - Cutting Room Floor Patch (SSE)
We'll add the OP stuff later, for now let's keep it all under one line.
- Mysticism - A Magic Overhaul - Restored Master Spell Animations
The Master Spell animation is one of those cool vanilla animations that give some life to the game. This restores it to most Master level spells.
Not quite magic, yet more magic than most spells. This mod tweaks the whole Thu'um system making them more interesting, letting you create a Dragonborn that will use more than two shouts in their whole life.
An interesting take on perks that works with any perk overhaul. Adds quite a few interesting perks for mages.
Lets you write your own scrolls to use. Maybe now you'll dare use all those pieces of parchment you've been hoarding?
Let's you skip the boring process of hoarding soul gems. You might keep a few handy for those tough spots that won't let you get some downtime to recharge though.
Speaking of soul gems, those things tended to just be full of trash souls. This fixes that, makes it easier to fill larger soul gems.
Wards are one of those interesting side effect of bringing the game into a more action-focused design. Too bad they never really got a use besides annoying you when an NPC uses one. Let's rework them!
LORE UNFRIENDLY. It is established that the Invisibility spells break when the caster does anything but move. This makes it so that you may also pick up an item or open doors without breaking the spell.
LORE UNFRIENDLY. Same effect as the previous one, the difference is that the Ethereal Form was meant to show the LDB become a ghost of sort.
8.4: Retooled Places
Cities with only four houses? Towns so empty you might think it was just a western Hollywood set? Let's fix that and pretty up the place! Sit tight, that's gonna cover a lot. Keep in mind that this is also the messiest part of it all. Some, if not most of all of the following mods are fairly incompatible with one another. It'll take a number of patches to make half of them look decent with one another, and most of those patches are not even a thing.
8.4.1: Villages and towns
Those smaller villages found across the land. Basically, any settlement that isn't a hold capital.
Spoiler:
A simple Arena village that gives the weight of civilization to the oldest human land of Tamriel. Turns a one hut settlement back into a small village it was supposed to be.
Darkwater is one of those little villages that most people forget they even visited, despite how pretty and well placed it is. At least now it'll look good while forgotten by the masses.
Let's get this town the respect its lore deserves.
Another forgotten village, both by the players and by Bethesda. Seriously.
One of the rare exceptions of soldierofwar's work, a mod compatible with another without a patch! Enjoy Soljund's Sinkhole with a better village next to it.
Who builds a mine that requires half a day to get to from the nearest town without any housing for the people working there. Seriously Bethesda, who?
The town that supposedly separates the land of Solitude and the rest of the world. At least now it will have some impact.
Get the patch for Arthmoor's mod, we'll get the mod itself later.
And now the doozy. Don't worry about the many incompatibilities yet, patches come later.
Show
A simple Arena village that gives the weight of civilization to the oldest human land of Tamriel. Turns a one hut settlement back into a small village it was supposed to be.
Darkwater is one of those little villages that most people forget they even visited, despite how pretty and well placed it is. At least now it'll look good while forgotten by the masses.
- - Ivarstead
Let's get this town the respect its lore deserves.
- - Karthwasten
- - Kynesgrove
- - Shor's Stone
Another forgotten village, both by the players and by Bethesda. Seriously.
One of the rare exceptions of soldierofwar's work, a mod compatible with another without a patch! Enjoy Soljund's Sinkhole with a better village next to it.
Who builds a mine that requires half a day to get to from the nearest town without any housing for the people working there. Seriously Bethesda, who?
The town that supposedly separates the land of Solitude and the rest of the world. At least now it will have some impact.
Get the patch for Arthmoor's mod, we'll get the mod itself later.
And now the doozy. Don't worry about the many incompatibilities yet, patches come later.
8.4.2: Wilderness
The grounds between those pockets of civilization.
Spoiler:
ESO brought its own tidbits to the lore. What happened to those massive anchor points built throughout the land? Some must remain even thousands of years later. Go find them all.
Not all oblivion gates were opened in the cities. Let's get some landmarks out there in the wild!
This adds not only shiny fancy rocks across the land, but also an unstated quest to find them all and become more powerful than ever before.
How are they all making mead without any bees? Do they summon the honey straight from Oblivion?
Okay, so you're a big bad adventurer that doesn't mind crossing dangerous wilds to get to places. But what about your spouse, or children? Going to groceries or school shouldn't be that dangerous. At least give them a road to follow!
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ESO brought its own tidbits to the lore. What happened to those massive anchor points built throughout the land? Some must remain even thousands of years later. Go find them all.
Not all oblivion gates were opened in the cities. Let's get some landmarks out there in the wild!
This adds not only shiny fancy rocks across the land, but also an unstated quest to find them all and become more powerful than ever before.
How are they all making mead without any bees? Do they summon the honey straight from Oblivion?
Okay, so you're a big bad adventurer that doesn't mind crossing dangerous wilds to get to places. But what about your spouse, or children? Going to groceries or school shouldn't be that dangerous. At least give them a road to follow!
- - OPTIONAL: Point The Way
8.4.3: Larger Cities
And the largest cities. If it is supposed to be big, it goes there. Even if the vanilla game only gave it four dilapidated houses.
Spoiler:
Another love letter to Dawnstar.
- Cities of the North - Dawnstar Patch Collection
Some patching required.
Makes Morthal look eery and cold, as it should.
- Cities of the North - Morthal Patch Collection
Get them patches!
And now to tie them all together! Makes JK's Skyrim, City of the North and Great Cities (as well as Great Town Ivarstead) all fixed up together.
Oblivion had those pesky gates open and swamp the place with Daedra. The local sturdy Nords may have kicked them back into the inferno they came from, but those rocky doorways to the nether realms make for great landmarks to show that Nirn will not give ground to its neighbors.
Castles always looked so... bare. You never felt the weight of rule in any of them. This fixes that, giving those places gravitas and lore-friendly designs. Check the patches.
Show
- - JK's Skyrim
- - Dawnstar
Another love letter to Dawnstar.
- Cities of the North - Dawnstar Patch Collection
Some patching required.
Makes Morthal look eery and cold, as it should.
- Cities of the North - Morthal Patch Collection
Get them patches!
And now to tie them all together! Makes JK's Skyrim, City of the North and Great Cities (as well as Great Town Ivarstead) all fixed up together.
- - Falkreath
Oblivion had those pesky gates open and swamp the place with Daedra. The local sturdy Nords may have kicked them back into the inferno they came from, but those rocky doorways to the nether realms make for great landmarks to show that Nirn will not give ground to its neighbors.
Castles always looked so... bare. You never felt the weight of rule in any of them. This fixes that, giving those places gravitas and lore-friendly designs. Check the patches.
9: Run LOOT to fix your load order and TEST YOUR GAME.
Should anything not appeal to you, uninstall the culprit mod, try a new configuration if possible, or find a replacement. Should the game crash, start deactivating mods one by one until you find the culprit(s). Check the mod pages and forums for compatibility patches as needed.
10: New Content
10.1: New Locations
Skyrim is the smallest TES main title. And yet it also feels amongst the most empty, and not in a fun way. Let's fix that by adding more stuff to it! Let's start by adding locations and lands!
Spoiler:
I don't have to tell you about Bruma is, right? The produce of many many months of work from an awesome team that brought us back a piece of Oblivion's land, updated to Skyrim's engine and looks.
- Alternate Start Options for Beyond Skyrim - Bruma SE
Why not start in Bruma and make your way into Skyrim?
- Beyond Skyrim - Bruma -Texture Patches
Fixes some texture problems with the mod.
- Bruma Signs SMIM patch - SE
Brings Bruma's signs to par with the rest of the SMIM ones.
Let's visit High Rock! Get on your boat and sail to the land of knights and magic!
- Alternate Start Extension for Haafstad and the Border of High Rock
Simply adds options to start near the mod.
Cross the border to Cyrodiil to a previously unseen part of the country high up in the mountains bordering Morrowind.
- Alternate Start Extension for Nyhus and the Border of Cyrodiil
I mean, why not?
And finally head to the true Reach and beyond, to the lands of Hammerfell.
- Alternate Start Extension for Folkstead and the Border of Hammerfell
Why not start near Hammerfell?
- Haafstad Nyhus Folkstead - Unofficial Patch
One patch for all three mods.
Another town from the time of Arena, a welcome stop between Dawnstar and Winterhold.
Not only the return of a simple town from Arena's time, but one that gives gravitas to the threat of Alduin's return. Observe what happens when a dragon rises from its grave.
Arena had a minor dungeon that housed a clue to the local piece of the Staff of Chaos. Now, it can serve as a house for the Dragonborn.
A good island mod for you to explore and enjoy. Not strictly a part of the lore, but there are enough islands between Skyrim, Atmora and Akavir to handwave it easily.
Dungeons of varying size but beautiful design. All have a story for you to discover like a true adventurer.
So many dungeons, all carved in a way that is unique and adds to the world and the exploration. Expect many a radiant quest to send you there!
Show
I don't have to tell you about Bruma is, right? The produce of many many months of work from an awesome team that brought us back a piece of Oblivion's land, updated to Skyrim's engine and looks.
- Alternate Start Options for Beyond Skyrim - Bruma SE
Why not start in Bruma and make your way into Skyrim?
- Beyond Skyrim - Bruma -Texture Patches
Fixes some texture problems with the mod.
- Bruma Signs SMIM patch - SE
Brings Bruma's signs to par with the rest of the SMIM ones.
Let's visit High Rock! Get on your boat and sail to the land of knights and magic!
- Alternate Start Extension for Haafstad and the Border of High Rock
Simply adds options to start near the mod.
Cross the border to Cyrodiil to a previously unseen part of the country high up in the mountains bordering Morrowind.
- Alternate Start Extension for Nyhus and the Border of Cyrodiil
I mean, why not?
And finally head to the true Reach and beyond, to the lands of Hammerfell.
- Alternate Start Extension for Folkstead and the Border of Hammerfell
Why not start near Hammerfell?
- Haafstad Nyhus Folkstead - Unofficial Patch
One patch for all three mods.
- - Oakwood
Another town from the time of Arena, a welcome stop between Dawnstar and Winterhold.
Not only the return of a simple town from Arena's time, but one that gives gravitas to the threat of Alduin's return. Observe what happens when a dragon rises from its grave.
Arena had a minor dungeon that housed a clue to the local piece of the Staff of Chaos. Now, it can serve as a house for the Dragonborn.
A good island mod for you to explore and enjoy. Not strictly a part of the lore, but there are enough islands between Skyrim, Atmora and Akavir to handwave it easily.
Dungeons of varying size but beautiful design. All have a story for you to discover like a true adventurer.
So many dungeons, all carved in a way that is unique and adds to the world and the exploration. Expect many a radiant quest to send you there!
10.2: New Magics
Spell me some magic spells baby! The magic system may be reworked earlier, but let's face it, you can't ever have too many spells.
Spoiler:
Reworks the whole enchantments system, making it fun and complex, with interesting effects that will bring fun back to your life!
Spells galore! Balanced with Ordinator (through a patch you need).
- More Apocalypse - An expansion for Apocalypse - Magic of Skyrim
Some more weird spells for you to muck about with.
Spectraverse was a very messy mod. Fitting the wacky parts of the deep lore it touched. But the spells were fun and unique. Let's get them back!
Because there are more elements than fire, frost and thunder.
- Imperious-Elemental Destruction Magic Patch
Adds elemental resistances to certain races.
- Elemental Destruction Magic - Ordinator Patch
Folds the new elements in the Ordinator perk system.
More spells for you to exterminate your foes with.
- Forgotten Magic Redone - Ordinator Compatibility Patch
Bringing the spells more in line with the rest.
Ooh, look, more spells to enjoy!
Repository of the weirdest conceptual spells out there in my opinion. Some of those will work great, some will leave you baffled and some will have unplanned effects that will leave you in stitches.
Some very interesting looking spells in there.
- Arcanum - A New Age of Magic - Deleted Navmesh and CTD Fix
Fixes a nasty bug.
Amongst the cleanest spells, very in line with the kind of spells found in previous games and the lore.
- Better Spell Learning - The Elder Scrolls - Tomebound - Lore Spell Additions Patch
Patches in Tomebound into the BSL system.
- Apocalypse and Tomebound Duplicate Spells Patch - Lore Magic of Skyrim
Those two mods have some duplicated spells, this patch selects the best of each and removes the others.
Show
Reworks the whole enchantments system, making it fun and complex, with interesting effects that will bring fun back to your life!
Spells galore! Balanced with Ordinator (through a patch you need).
- More Apocalypse - An expansion for Apocalypse - Magic of Skyrim
Some more weird spells for you to muck about with.
Spectraverse was a very messy mod. Fitting the wacky parts of the deep lore it touched. But the spells were fun and unique. Let's get them back!
Because there are more elements than fire, frost and thunder.
- Imperious-Elemental Destruction Magic Patch
Adds elemental resistances to certain races.
- Elemental Destruction Magic - Ordinator Patch
Folds the new elements in the Ordinator perk system.
More spells for you to exterminate your foes with.
- Forgotten Magic Redone - Ordinator Compatibility Patch
Bringing the spells more in line with the rest.
Ooh, look, more spells to enjoy!
Repository of the weirdest conceptual spells out there in my opinion. Some of those will work great, some will leave you baffled and some will have unplanned effects that will leave you in stitches.
Some very interesting looking spells in there.
- Arcanum - A New Age of Magic - Deleted Navmesh and CTD Fix
Fixes a nasty bug.
Amongst the cleanest spells, very in line with the kind of spells found in previous games and the lore.
- Better Spell Learning - The Elder Scrolls - Tomebound - Lore Spell Additions Patch
Patches in Tomebound into the BSL system.
- Apocalypse and Tomebound Duplicate Spells Patch - Lore Magic of Skyrim
Those two mods have some duplicated spells, this patch selects the best of each and removes the others.
- - OPTIONAL: Calling of the Conjurer
10.3: New Quests
More stuff for you to deal with? Check.
Spoiler:
I am tempted to put it in the general fix section, as this is without a doubt one of the most needed mods out there. It doesn't add quests per se, but changes so much of the post-game main quest that it might as well be a new quest, really.
In the same vein, whilst this does not add a new quest, it does expend greatly upon a regular one, making it have a deeper impact. You saved the world and all you can do is recruit three peons to your own faction?
Skyrim is a world that waits for you to come along to throw quests at you. But sometimes you want to have time to push them back. Now you can. Choose what triggers what quest/DLC.
The world may wait for you, but who assured it you would pick up its every problem? You can now refuse quests with lore-friendly dialogue.
Some mods add quests. Maybe a whole storyline of them. Others offer you as many quests as you want. This uses the radiant quest system to generate an infinite number of quests for you to enjoy. Ignore the main quest for as long as you desire, you got some real adventuring to do!
- The Notice Board - Better Solstheim Quests
Remasters the notice quests of Solstheim to fit the environment better. Simply a great immersion detail to fix.
- OPTIONAL: The Notice Board SE MCM
Adding back in the MCM configuration options to make the mod rewards as large or small you think fits.
- JK's Skyrim and Missives Compatibility Patch
Makes Missive boards compatible with the city overhauls.
Possibly the first mod to give a hint of how grand things could get. Not quite DLC sized, but it gets close, if a bit light in content. Is it buggy and messy at times? Yes. Is it atmospheric and close enough to the lore that you can just enjoy it? Yes. Don't expect a deep story that affects the dreamsleeve's meaning itself. Just enjoy the simple romp through an island hunting a dragon. It's one true problem? The number of patches it requires.
- Wyrmstooth Thunderchild Patch
Speaking of, let's start. This makes it so Wyrmstooth and Thunderchild work together without conflict.
- Wyrmstooth - Notice Board Patch
This makes it so Notice Boards appear on the island, so you can add some missions to your counter while you hunt some dragon there.
Now the fun begins, with a lore-friendly mod that adds so much content you'll remember you had a world to save and just shrug it off halfway through an hours-long dungeon.
- Project AHO - Spell Crafting Patches
So many patches for so many magic mods.
The Arena. Another name for Tamriel, where lives are cheap and survival a constant struggle. Now you too can personify this struggle by joining the local Arena team and become a pit fighter in search of gold and glory, and a way to survive another day. Don't forget to grab its Add-On, which lets you fight across all of Tamriel's bloody soil.
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I am tempted to put it in the general fix section, as this is without a doubt one of the most needed mods out there. It doesn't add quests per se, but changes so much of the post-game main quest that it might as well be a new quest, really.
In the same vein, whilst this does not add a new quest, it does expend greatly upon a regular one, making it have a deeper impact. You saved the world and all you can do is recruit three peons to your own faction?
Skyrim is a world that waits for you to come along to throw quests at you. But sometimes you want to have time to push them back. Now you can. Choose what triggers what quest/DLC.
The world may wait for you, but who assured it you would pick up its every problem? You can now refuse quests with lore-friendly dialogue.
Some mods add quests. Maybe a whole storyline of them. Others offer you as many quests as you want. This uses the radiant quest system to generate an infinite number of quests for you to enjoy. Ignore the main quest for as long as you desire, you got some real adventuring to do!
- The Notice Board - Better Solstheim Quests
Remasters the notice quests of Solstheim to fit the environment better. Simply a great immersion detail to fix.
- OPTIONAL: The Notice Board SE MCM
Adding back in the MCM configuration options to make the mod rewards as large or small you think fits.
- - Missives
- JK's Skyrim and Missives Compatibility Patch
Makes Missive boards compatible with the city overhauls.
Possibly the first mod to give a hint of how grand things could get. Not quite DLC sized, but it gets close, if a bit light in content. Is it buggy and messy at times? Yes. Is it atmospheric and close enough to the lore that you can just enjoy it? Yes. Don't expect a deep story that affects the dreamsleeve's meaning itself. Just enjoy the simple romp through an island hunting a dragon. It's one true problem? The number of patches it requires.
- Wyrmstooth Thunderchild Patch
Speaking of, let's start. This makes it so Wyrmstooth and Thunderchild work together without conflict.
- Wyrmstooth - Notice Board Patch
This makes it so Notice Boards appear on the island, so you can add some missions to your counter while you hunt some dragon there.
Now the fun begins, with a lore-friendly mod that adds so much content you'll remember you had a world to save and just shrug it off halfway through an hours-long dungeon.
- - Project AHO
- Project AHO - Spell Crafting Patches
So many patches for so many magic mods.
- - Carved Brink
The Arena. Another name for Tamriel, where lives are cheap and survival a constant struggle. Now you too can personify this struggle by joining the local Arena team and become a pit fighter in search of gold and glory, and a way to survive another day. Don't forget to grab its Add-On, which lets you fight across all of Tamriel's bloody soil.
- - OPTIONAL: Amorous Adventures
10.4: New NPC
More to interact with, the life of the party.
Spoiler:
In some ways, this might be one of the most important mods of the whole list. It populates the world with pure nuggets of characters that give so much to the immersion factor. Remember to check for patches for any place you have modified.
Not NPCs per se, but certainly a lot of content for you to slay on your way to the loot.
- Skyrim Immersive Creatures - Official Patch and Patch Central
Bug fixes the bugs and monsters.
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In some ways, this might be one of the most important mods of the whole list. It populates the world with pure nuggets of characters that give so much to the immersion factor. Remember to check for patches for any place you have modified.
Not NPCs per se, but certainly a lot of content for you to slay on your way to the loot.
- Skyrim Immersive Creatures - Official Patch and Patch Central
Bug fixes the bugs and monsters.
- - A NOTE ON MIHAIL'S MONSTER MODS: I have not put any of Mihail's uncountable mods on the list, for multiple reasons. One is, they would double the list's length. But more importantly, these mods were all fairly buggy for me. I understand that others might have their own experience that is more positive with them. I can easily encourage you to try them out as needed, but I will not support them until they are repacked under one roof, patched to bug less and not destroy the enemy AI and brought along the baseline of the rest of the game. A shame, really, as some of those monsters and critters are amongst my favorite to see around. Get your Chub Loons!
10.5: New Armors
Wear new threads, stay safe and protected with shiny fancy new armors.
Spoiler:
Without a doubt one of the cornerstones of Skyrim modding, these armors came out to show how good you could make things look in Skyrim when all we had were poor recolor replacements for regular armors. They remain to this day some of the best armors in the game, easy to use to create your own themed character.
The best Steel Armor of all TES history is back, looking mighty medieval and heroic.
Skyrim's jewelry is basic at best, fuggly at the most. This not only fixes that, but also adds a ton of new fancy jewel wear for you to fancy and style yourself in.
- Summermyst X Immersive Jewelry
Makes Summermyst enchantments work with Immersive Jewelry, so you can look fancy and still kick magical ass.
Frankly one of the most useful equipment pieces you'll find out there, especially for rogues and sneak thieves. And considering what we know of the dwemers, I am not even going to say this is lore unfriendly.
A very well known mod that adds items that simply make sense within Skyrim. Cloaks to keep you warm, capes to remember Arena and Daggerfall.
- Cloaks and Capes Fixes
Fixes some bugs with the mod.
- Cloaks and Capes Distribution Patch
Fixes the odd leftover bug and gives compatibility with some important mods.
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Without a doubt one of the cornerstones of Skyrim modding, these armors came out to show how good you could make things look in Skyrim when all we had were poor recolor replacements for regular armors. They remain to this day some of the best armors in the game, easy to use to create your own themed character.
The best Steel Armor of all TES history is back, looking mighty medieval and heroic.
Skyrim's jewelry is basic at best, fuggly at the most. This not only fixes that, but also adds a ton of new fancy jewel wear for you to fancy and style yourself in.
- Summermyst X Immersive Jewelry
Makes Summermyst enchantments work with Immersive Jewelry, so you can look fancy and still kick magical ass.
Frankly one of the most useful equipment pieces you'll find out there, especially for rogues and sneak thieves. And considering what we know of the dwemers, I am not even going to say this is lore unfriendly.
A very well known mod that adds items that simply make sense within Skyrim. Cloaks to keep you warm, capes to remember Arena and Daggerfall.
- Cloaks and Capes Fixes
Fixes some bugs with the mod.
- Cloaks and Capes Distribution Patch
Fixes the odd leftover bug and gives compatibility with some important mods.
10.6: New Weapons
New sticks to stick your enemies with.
Spoiler:
Lore friendly, numerous and beautiful. This weapon pack ensures you will always have new toys to skewer monsters with.
- Keyword and Animation Fixes for Immersive Weapons
Makes the spears use the greatswords animations rather than the battleax. Makes more sense that way.
Weapons galore. Remember to get the NPC version so they will be added to the leveled lists which we will merge before playing.
Another pack of way too many new tools for murder. Whilst it is designed around real-world weapons, it still fits largely in the logic of what can be found on Nirn.
All staves of Skyrim look the same. Let's change this around with some cool looking staves and wands! Do not forget the patches for Ordinator, Arcanum and Palaces and Castles Enhanced.
- Fulcimentum - Elemental Destruction Patch
Oh and this patch to add some cross-compatibility.
More strange and dangerous toys! Remember to maim responsibly.
- Heavy Armory Enchanted
Adds enchantments on the weapons added by the mod. Summermyst supported, for extra funkiness.
Uniques usually look like every single other piece of equipment. Let's fix that.
What the previous mod didn't cover gets fixed in this one, with many new additions so that every leader has something worthy of their status.
The game's artifacts are all fairly boring, leaving little to nothing of interest for characters capable of forging their own over powered stuff and enchanting it with their own spells. This tries to bring it back in line with the idea that these items are the stuff of myths, capable of breaking the fabric of reality.
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Lore friendly, numerous and beautiful. This weapon pack ensures you will always have new toys to skewer monsters with.
- Keyword and Animation Fixes for Immersive Weapons
Makes the spears use the greatswords animations rather than the battleax. Makes more sense that way.
Weapons galore. Remember to get the NPC version so they will be added to the leveled lists which we will merge before playing.
Another pack of way too many new tools for murder. Whilst it is designed around real-world weapons, it still fits largely in the logic of what can be found on Nirn.
All staves of Skyrim look the same. Let's change this around with some cool looking staves and wands! Do not forget the patches for Ordinator, Arcanum and Palaces and Castles Enhanced.
- Fulcimentum - Elemental Destruction Patch
Oh and this patch to add some cross-compatibility.
More strange and dangerous toys! Remember to maim responsibly.
- Heavy Armory Enchanted
Adds enchantments on the weapons added by the mod. Summermyst supported, for extra funkiness.
Uniques usually look like every single other piece of equipment. Let's fix that.
What the previous mod didn't cover gets fixed in this one, with many new additions so that every leader has something worthy of their status.
The game's artifacts are all fairly boring, leaving little to nothing of interest for characters capable of forging their own over powered stuff and enchanting it with their own spells. This tries to bring it back in line with the idea that these items are the stuff of myths, capable of breaking the fabric of reality.
10.7: New Items
Not everything has to be about combat equipment.
Spoiler:
A simple mod that adds over a thousand random object for you to find across your adventures. Sell them, keep them, stash them or display them, or abandon them in their crates.
All those interesting items the DLCs added that you never see once out of the DLC area? They now feed into the normal leveled lists throughout Skyrim.
An assortment of many different items, weapons, clothes, armors, ingredients and clutter.
- The Great Cities - Wares of Tamriel Patch
Let's you get to the ship to buy the items even if you use TGC Dawnstar.
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A simple mod that adds over a thousand random object for you to find across your adventures. Sell them, keep them, stash them or display them, or abandon them in their crates.
All those interesting items the DLCs added that you never see once out of the DLC area? They now feed into the normal leveled lists throughout Skyrim.
An assortment of many different items, weapons, clothes, armors, ingredients and clutter.
- The Great Cities - Wares of Tamriel Patch
Let's you get to the ship to buy the items even if you use TGC Dawnstar.
11: Patches.
Frankly this one is a bit difficult. Take note as you install mods of their patch options and DL/install the ones you know you'll need, or go back to get them once you've got all you need.
11.1: Creation Club Patching
I mean, those mods, if you own them, require some serious patching. Let's get that done and move on.
Spoiler:
Whilst I do not mind the quests starting in mass as soon as the game launches, they prefer a more immersive approach. They also fix most of the numerous bugs in the CC mods.
- Creation Club - Crossbow Integration
Brings the CC crossbows into the regular game's leveled lists.
- Creation Club Integration - Armours
Does the same with the armor sets.
- Creation Club - Misc Patches
Brings the CCs to level with the rest of the game. Really needed.
Now you'll be able to see what might (but won't) save you from frostbite.
Makes Survival more balanced.
- Beyond Skyrim Bruma - Conner's Survival Mode Patch
Ensures Bruma items work with Survival.
Not only does it add some synergy between the goblins types, it also adds a very welcome secret way into the country.
Adds the CC armors from Oblivion to the leveled lists of Bruma. Should you use this, you can skip the Bruma Texture Patch.
Once again homogenizes the content between CC and Bruma.
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Whilst I do not mind the quests starting in mass as soon as the game launches, they prefer a more immersive approach. They also fix most of the numerous bugs in the CC mods.
- Creation Club - Crossbow Integration
Brings the CC crossbows into the regular game's leveled lists.
- Creation Club Integration - Armours
Does the same with the armor sets.
- Creation Club - Misc Patches
Brings the CCs to level with the rest of the game. Really needed.
Now you'll be able to see what might (but won't) save you from frostbite.
Makes Survival more balanced.
- Beyond Skyrim Bruma - Conner's Survival Mode Patch
Ensures Bruma items work with Survival.
Not only does it add some synergy between the goblins types, it also adds a very welcome secret way into the country.
Adds the CC armors from Oblivion to the leveled lists of Bruma. Should you use this, you can skip the Bruma Texture Patch.
Once again homogenizes the content between CC and Bruma.
11.2: All The Rest!
If you missed some patches, now is the time. Check those to see if anything pops up to fix any problems you might encounter.
Spoiler:
Covers some of the major fixes and their more common contenders.
Another well known unified patcher that detects what you got an applies the patches it has accordingly.
Again, some patches that will be installed accordingly.
This one will be a doozy. If you want, look up which mod you have and make a list, then find the corresponding item needed in this giant list.
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Covers some of the major fixes and their more common contenders.
Another well known unified patcher that detects what you got an applies the patches it has accordingly.
Again, some patches that will be installed accordingly.
This one will be a doozy. If you want, look up which mod you have and make a list, then find the corresponding item needed in this giant list.
12: Run LOOT. Run DynDoLOD. Run Wrye Bash's merger. You should be good. If anything bugs out, check if you missed any compatibility patches. If it still doesn't want to run, uninstall the likeliest culprits till you find what does it. Go back from there. And if all else fails, just reinstall everything clean.