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Completely new to mods - Please help?


Ahrimanian

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Please skip to the most recent comment to quickly see what is more or less current. Thank you.

 

Introduction

So hi I guess. Please forgive any mannerisms or cluelessness as my people skills are not great and I do have some personal issues to say the least. Also sorry if this is in the wrong area.

I'm also very new to modding, like the only things I recall doing was maybe 3 or 4 things for minecraft a long time ago.

Besides that, all I've done recently is just use the .ini trick for Skyrim because that arrow range was annoying.

 

EDIT: However, now I am finally starting the process of installing the needed tools and then any mods I desire. This thread discussion will serve as my HQ for this adventure and will likely be edited to better serve numerous areas. Hopefully things will go okay but I will need help, please could anyone assist me to anything I'm currently facing which will be a new comment. Some things I will leave intact from this Main comment and as such would appreciate any response to that as well if needed.

 

What do I have to work with?

I think I'll write something here just to give an idea what I have.

 

I will be using Steam and I have the standard edition of Skyrim Installed with DLC which is confirmed to be the Legendary Edition from the Anthalogy.

I moved my documents from my C: drive onto my D: drive within the last year I think simply because my C: drive was filling up. I also have most if not all of my game related stuff on the D: drive, I did use a game save manager at one point to help locate files but that was a long time ago.

I would like to keep everything on my D: Drive if possible as I have more understanding and freedom of it's contents then what I do with C: drive, I'm no where near as tech savvy as I thought I was / use to be.

At the time of writing I have 105GB free on there but that is and will change at some point depending on what else I play, want to play or complete.

 

In terms of system and specs I am using Windows 10 with the following hardware below:

  • 8GB ram
  • AMD FX 6300 six core processor with 3.50Ghz
  • System type is 64 bit operating system
  • Nvidia Geforce GTX 1060 3GB

That's all the relative information needed right? I also believe that I'm running things on ultra or at least high if that helps.

I'm assuming that some things would need some leeway outside of Skyrims default suggested systems in relation to whats running it; like changes to the way the game looks or how well things would perform.

 

 

I think that's the gist of things but if you would need to know more please just ask as I want to try and help you to help me as much as possible because I REALLY do feel lost.

 

What is currently installed? (Updated 11/08/17)

  • Nexus Mod Manager 0.63.14
  • Loot 0.11.0
  • SKSE 1.7.3
  • Unofficial Patches (Legendary Edition and Hi res)
  • TES5EDIT 3.2 with Cleaned Master files from Bethesda
  • Skyui 5.1
  • A Quality World Map 8.4 Classic but using 9.0 No Clouds Add On (As advised on page).
  • Skyrim HD 2k Textures Full 1.7.
  • SMIM 2.04 Custom Options (Only a few different and the extreme options not chosen such as 4k x 4k and some of the more optionals that had huge polygon counts).
  • Realistic Waters Two Main File 1.11 Downloaded into NMM but not activated because I noticed the Realistic Needs And Diseases stuff which has revealed an ever growing chain of things I'm going to need and some that I want.
  • Installed The Creation Kit from Steam but not opened yet.
  • Installed the latest SUM (Skyproc unified manager 1.3.2)
  • Downloaded software for CPU Parking and Timer Resolution.

What are my next steps?

  • EDIT 11/08/17: After browsing potential Mods I discovered that there were essential or deemed needed Tools / Utilities in order for things to fully function and get their benefits. It's proving to be quite the task to say the least but it is NEEDED. I've written my most up to date plan of action in the most recent comment I made from today.
  • Refresh self with some of the mods used in Gopher's tutorials because there was some that I personally liked.
  • Install Mods one at a time as advised and to then test if it's working in game. I will be sure to maintain load order as I go along using LOOT and the info on the Mods page.

 

 

Closing questions - Might be common sense or self explained but maybe not for me

 

  1. How safe is modding your system and desired game? (My paranoia is still a little shaky)
  2. If something goes wrong, how easy is it to resolve?
  3. How long does it take to fully feel comfortable doing this sort of thing?
  4. Everything should work okay with steam and vice versa?
  5. If this takes off and I end up getting comfortable with mods, what would happen if I get a new computer or this one breaks?

 

Conclusion

Currently working on modding my Skyrim after watching Gopher's videos and collecting information. Working in conjunction with the sources that have been gathered and any input from readers.

And seriously, thank you for reading all that if you did.

 

Cheers,

Ahrimanian

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Unofficial Patches is certainly the best place to start. The version needed depends upon which skyrim you are using: Original Skyriim only or with only some of the DLCs separate, Skyrim Legendary (everything included in one package), or Skyrim Special Addition (which is free to all who have original skyrim but, right now, does not have as many mods).

 

You also need to assess the capacity of you PC: Your processor, GPU, and even system RAM. Best to try out one mod at a time, rather than installing several at once. It is a big learning process and you read and learn as you go. Here are links to the Patches: choose one according to the skyrim version you have.

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/71214/?

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/19/?

This one requires addon for which ever DLCs you own, if applicable.

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266/?

 

This mod author also provides additional add-ons to the patches such as patches for the high resolution add-ons of the game. Search his profile for those addons.

 

You should also probably get a mod sorter that will help you to load the correct load order for your mods. Such as this one:

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1918/?

 

Use a simple mod manager, unless you feel comfortable installing mods on your own. Nexus provides one here:

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/modmanager/?

 

That should get you started.

 

 

 

 

 

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I would definitely advise taking a look at Gopher's guide's on his Youtube channel.
He gives some real good guidance to people trying to get into modding, from basic mod installing to third party tools and such.

His channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/GophersVids/featured

Beginner's Guide to Modding Skyrim playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE7DlYarj-DdhDG41roBVJfNCqvO5MmKP

This series will teach you the basics of modding and get you started on the path :)

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Unofficial Patches is certainly the best place to start. The version needed depends upon which skyrim you are using: Original Skyriim only or with only some of the DLCs separate, Skyrim Legendary (everything included in one package), or Skyrim Special Addition (which is free to all who have original skyrim but, right now, does not have as many mods).

 

You also need to assess the capacity of you PC: Your processor, GPU, and even system RAM. Best to try out one mod at a time, rather than installing several at once. It is a big learning process and you read and learn as you go. Here are links to the Patches: choose one according to the skyrim version you have.

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/71214/?

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/19/?

This one requires addon for which ever DLCs you own, if applicable.

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266/?

 

This mod author also provides additional add-ons to the patches such as patches for the high resolution add-ons of the game. Search his profile for those addons.

 

You should also probably get a mod sorter that will help you to load the correct load order for your mods. Such as this one:

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1918/?

 

Use a simple mod manager, unless you feel comfortable installing mods on your own. Nexus provides one here:

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/modmanager/?

 

That should get you started.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just checked the physical copy from the Anthology as I wasn't sure what version my Skyrim technically is.

It does say on the disc Legendary Edition so I assume I would be safe going straight for the patch that covers Legendary Edition (The first link) and disregard the second. I don't think I'll be installing the special edition yet as I'm more then content with the version I'm using but thank you for sharing that link also.

 

I have heard of Loot so I'm glad you suggested that so I know that it's current (A lot of things I found and read seemed quite old).

And daaaaamn the mod manager for the nexus has had 20m downloads O.O I'm genuinely amazed by that figure.

 

Looking at those last two just jogged my memory of another thing I saw in previous reads, something called Skyrim Script Extender that I think is abbreviated down to SSE? What is that for and is it needed with the two listed above?

 

I forgot to ask about doing mods 1 at a time. What do you mean by the capacity? Also as I'm new I have no idea if this next thing I'm about to say exists, but what about mod bundles or packages that consist of at least a few mods. Should I steer clear of those if they exist and go 1 by 1?

I'm guessing doing it all one at a time would be a clear indication of what would cause any issues.

Edited by Ahrimanian
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I would definitely advise taking a look at Gopher's guide's on his Youtube channel.

He gives some real good guidance to people trying to get into modding, from basic mod installing to third party tools and such.

 

His channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/GophersVids/featured

 

Beginner's Guide to Modding Skyrim playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE7DlYarj-DdhDG41roBVJfNCqvO5MmKP

 

This series will teach you the basics of modding and get you started on the path :smile:

 

 

 

Thank you so much this suggestion, I just watched his introduction and I will probably be using that in conjunction with anything else I could try and learn.

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SKSE will apply only to Original Skyrim at this point. The team makers are working on the SSE version. It is a vital tool and is used by a great many of the more complex mods where scripting is used. http://skse.silverlock.org/

Mods that use them will list SKSE as a requirement and the mod will not work property without it.

 

As pointed out by NithoggValkrian above, Gopher is an excellent source for learning.

 

Stongly recommend SKYUI as well. Can't live without this one anymore and it does require SKSE. http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/3863/?

 

GamerPoets, at https://www.youtube.com/user/gamerpoets/playlists?sort=dd&view=50&shelf_id=21

provides extensive modding tutorials that are detailed and very user-friendly. If you look at Gopher's and GPs vids, you will be well on your way to modding skryim. But, you are right, keep in mind the dated-ness of info and do a bit of research.

 

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Just posting an update that I'm still interested in all this. I've just been watching the listed video series and there's still lots left to watch. I'm not working alongside each video yet as I just want to watch them to try and process the information in creating a general understanding of how this all works before doing it myself.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Just finished watching all if not most of the guides and beginner information that Gopher did.

I hope to maybe start the process of modding next week if I feel able to do so at the time.

 

Before I do anything I wondered about the integrity of my current saved games. If I wanted to create a back up point that is 100% vanilla, I just find the location of the save games folder. Copy and then paste that to another folder safe from changes. Then should I feel the need to revert back to that point then all I would have to do is delete the current contents in that save game folder and just paste the back up into it. Is that correct?

When it comes to installing and testing various things I imagine I would just make a new character first before loading up my current one that I'm dedicated to.

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I will also likely keep everything in this thread discussion so I don't end up cluttering the mod forum board.

By this I would probably list what I'm doing and keep any questions within this. Some editing would need to be done for the sake of convenience so that will need to happen in due course.

However if the magnitude or scope of something is far to great I will use the proper channels in order to resolve what ever occurs.

 

Thank you for your time and patience.

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Before I do anything I wondered about the integrity of my current saved games. If I wanted to create a back up point that is 100% vanilla, I just find the location of the save games folder. Copy and then paste that to another folder safe from changes. Then should I feel the need to revert back to that point then all I would have to do is delete the current contents in that save game folder and just paste the back up into it. Is that correct?

When it comes to installing and testing various things I imagine I would just make a new character first before loading up my current one that I'm dedicated to.

Save games are located in in your MyGames Directory, then the specific game subdirectory, such as Skyrim, then user Saves folder. Hard save a vanilla save, then, when adding a mod, hard save in another slot. You don't need to always test on a new game. Mod authors will give instruction to that if it is necessary and obviously some mods do either benefit or require a new game start. It is best not not be uninstalling mods on a current gamesave that has mod data attached to that save.

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