ARGONIANANON'S MOD GUIDE: OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING, AND LOVE SKYRIM MODS
My Modwatch list:
https://modwat.ch/u/ArgonianAnon/modlist
Some general tips for Skyrim (SE) modding:
- Stop Skyrim from autoupdating.
-Steam > Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition > Properties > Updates > Change the setting to: "Only update this game when I launch it." And set "Never Background Download" in the tab below.
-Always launch modded skyrim via SKSE's EXE. You can add SKSE through Mod Organizer; Through Modify Executables. - Get the essentials below before getting the gameplay-related mods. As a foundation.
- Use mod organizer backup for any little changes. And to revert to a stable mod list. (To the left of the Active mod counter)
- Install mods you want at 10 mod install basis, and start the game (via SKSE/ModOrganizer) to check if it crashes. So when encountering problems, you can manually trouble-shoot easier; what mods are acting up.
- Read all mod page descriptions, for required mods, warnings, installation instructions and compatibility.
- Play test, and take notes on issues and bugs. Use Elephant's Script Latency Tester (Which you should have already, before starting the game up), to check scripts.
80ms or Below: Good range to be in for script latency.
120-140ms: Fine, but can encounter minor script lag.
<140: Script lag is very noticable.
<200ms: Very unstable script range. - Be cautious of: Sexlab mods, mods that add too many NPC/Patrol mods, or too many management mods. Often can CTD, if not reading carefully. Or can be too much for the engine.
- Use autotester after loading up mods, to check if CTDs occur; or how stable the mod list is.
- .Net Framework can make a log file for Autotest to showcase what mods CTD. Refer to it in the Autotest folder.
- Keep in mind of the 255 plugin stability limit for Skyrim. Mods have ESP Plugins from time to time. Basically, its a master file for the mod. HOWEVER, ESL/ESL-flagged mods have no limit, and do not count towards the ESP limit. 4,096 ESL files = 1 ESP space.
- Skyrim SE Stability Guide (Crash Fixes & More) by Mern - https://youtu.be/5LlmQlGW5do
- xEdit || How to Clean Mods & DLC || Tutorial Tuesday - https://youtu.be/ucJkYLyRMso
- Synthesis (Better Zedit patcher) Guide By Mern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7luh0hMMAU
- Usefully for large load order patching
- Wrye Bash : Bashed Patch - Mod Organizer by GamerPoets. - https://youtu.be/W1Es06MtAZM
- BASHED Patch generator. Helps with crashes. Make sure to do this after mod order is tested to be stable! Or generally testing a load order.
- DynDOLOD || Basics || MO2 & Vortex || Skyrim Mods by GamerPoets- https://youtu.be/encZYHEeQrQ
- Better LOD for Environments
- .NET Script Framework's Common Crashes and Fixes - https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/49130
ESSENTIALS: WHAT TO GET FIRST
Get modorganizer 2. And use the backup button for any small changes: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/6194
Downgrade skyrim to 1.5.97 for compatibiity. Skyrim SE is now at 1.6.640, since its still getting updates/content. And is techinally a softupgrade to AE. Which breaks mods. (And the tool also get the DLC, like dawnguard for SE 1.5) via this tool: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/57618
Get SKSE: https://skse.silverlock.org/
Get ENB from ENBdev: http://enbdev.com/download.html
Get Address Library for SKSE Plugins: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/32444
Get powerofthree's Tweaks: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/51073
Get powerofthree's Papyrus Extender: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/22854
Get FileAccess Interface for Skyrim SE Scripts - FISSES: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/13956
Get Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (LINK IS THE 1.5.97 VERS): https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=209150
Get SSE Fixes: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/10547
Get Bug Fixes SSE: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/33261
Get SSE Engine Fixes (skse64 plugin): https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/17230
Get SSE Display Tweaks: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266
Get MCM Helper: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/53000
Get DLL Plugin Loader: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/10546?tab=files
Get Spell Perk Item Distributor (SPID): https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/36869
Get .NET Script Framework: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/21294?tab=files
Get ConsoleUtilSSE: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/24858
Get powerofthree's Tweaks: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/51073
Get powerofthree's Papyrus Extender: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/22854
Get RaceCompatibility for Skyrim Special Edition: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2853
Get NL_MCM - A Modular MCM Framework: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/49127
Get Elephant's Script Latency Tester: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/24124
Get Synthesis: https://github.com/Mutagen-Modding/Synthesis
Get Wrye Bash: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/6837
Get Autotest: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/42520
IMPORTANT MOD ORGANIZER UTILITIES
-LOOT (LOOT checks for load order errors (such as incompatibilities and missing requirements) and notifies you of any issues that it detects. It also provides thousands of plugin-specific messages, such as usage notes and bug warnings, to help keep your game healthy.): https://loot.github.io/ & https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1918
- BethINI: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/4875
- (Setting ini/Graphics setter)
- SSEEdit: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/164
- (Skyrim: Special Edition version of xEdit. CLEANING MASTER FILES & DLC)
- SSEEdit guide: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/articles/2388
- FallrimTools: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/5031
- (RESAVER IS IN THIS)
- Project New Reign - Nemesis Unlimited Behavior Engine: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/60033
- (Animation generator/loader. USE ANY TIME AN ANIMATION MOD IS ACTIVE, TO LOAD IT)
- BodySlide and Outfit Studio: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/201
- (use for customizing bodies and outfits, creating new bodies and outfits, and converting outfits between body types.)
- DynDOLOD: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/68518
- (Generate a comprehensive LOD mod for the entire load order for drastically enhanced and better matching tree LOD and object LOD plus optional dynamic LOD, glow LOD, grass LOD, occlusion data and terrain underside)
- DynDOLOD DLL: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/57264
- DynDOLOD Resources SE 3: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/52897
PERFORMANCE MODS
- Free FPS: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/51229?tab=files
- Guide that lists a large majoritiy of performance mods for skyrim
Get Recursion Monitor: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/76867?tab=files
Get Skyrim Priority SE AE - skse plugin: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/50129
Get Vanilla Script (micro)Optimizations: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/54061
Cleaned Skyrim SE Textures - Performance Optimized: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/68055?tab=description
Get Lightened Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/50755?tab=files
Get Insignificant Object Remover: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/3354
Get efps: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/54907
Get efps with patches as well: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/70176
Get Skyrim Project Optimization SE (FOR INTERIORS): https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/14084
Get Shadow Boost: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/73133
Get NVIDIA Reflex Support: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/74498
Get Flickering Meshes Fix: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/53957
Get FSMP - Faster HDT-SMP (PHYS MOD): https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/57339
- Guide that lists a large majoritiy of performance mods for skyrim
UI MODS
Get SkyUI: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/12604
Get Wider MCM Menu for SkyUI: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/22825
Get Infinity UI: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/74483
Get Nordic UI (Good starter UI overhaul, and Had Flash Game Saves, and Wider MCM; in it already.)
QUESTS/DLC Sized Mods
ENVIRONMENT Mods
City Overhaul MODS
CHARACTER/NPC VISUAL MODS
- SEXLAB/VECTORPLUX