Mod more? or play more?

[fifteenspades]

So how many of you like me spend more time modding skyrim, breaking said modded skyrim, fixing broken skyrim. and doing it all over again, even though you know how much you hate doing it but can't stop yourself ( almost like an addiction at this point~)

My friend said it's a 2nd game, the entire process of that is just another game that is designed so you can't win :C

[Georgiegril]

I generally set up a game, get it stable and then enjoy months of playing before I quit because I want a new character or there is some mod that I think is worth the trouble of rebuilding me game around.

If you are spending as much time fixing broken games as you are playing, you are probably not taking the time to set your game up to be stable in the first place, are trying to push your game beyond the limits of your computer or the game engine, or are compulsively adding/removing mods, thus causing all kinds of script errors.

 

Of course, everyone is free to approach their game however they like, but if you would like to duplicate my typically trouble-free experience, you might consider the following method:

 

First I recommend that you start with a clean vanilla game (see STEP Guide for how to do this without reinstalling everything)

Then, read every word available on any mod your are considering, including the readme, installation, discussion, absolutely everything. When considering a mod, think about the other mods you will be playing with, what your hardware limitations are, etc. Pay attention to what sorts of problems are reported in the discussion thread and whether they are likely related to a similar computer setup or to mod compatibility with mods you also want to use. Choose the proper version of the mod to accommodate your computer resources, DLCs and other mods. Do not add any mod you are not fairly certain you want and will work with your resources. If it turns out you need to remove it, the only way to completely remove the mod is to return to a save from before you first added the mod.

 

Do not add any mods until you exit Helgen (or use an alternate start mod)/

 

Make all changes to your game only 1 or 2 at a time. This includes graphics adjustments, ini file changes as well as mod additions. Run BOSS after every mod addition, read the log and address all of the messages it gives you, including proper hand placement of mods BOSS doesn't recognize. To find this, revisit the mod page. Then, play the game to make sure it is running smoothly. If you run across any, stop everything and address the problem. If fixing it requires removal of the mod, follow the mod author's de-installation instructions exactly, then revert to a save from before you added that mod to ensure you will not have problems with orphaned scripts. Once your are sure your additions are stable, move on to the next mod or tweak, and repeat the process.

 

After you have your game set up the way you want it, *stop.* Avoid updating mods, play offline from steam. When you see an awesome new mod you think you can't live without, ask yourself "is it worth starting a brand new game for?" Because anything you change will greatly increase the chance that you will end up having to start over. Likewise, if a problem suddenly appears, do not keep playing and trying to ignore it. Often the easiest solution is simply to revert to a save from before the problem appeared, which is much more difficult and painful if you've got 50 hours of play built up after you first noticed the problem. Also, approach any problem carefully and thoughtfully. Mass deactivation of all of your mods is more likely to cause your game to break then it is to help you fix it. If you are not sure what to do, politely post a question with relevant details and someone can probably help.

 

My point is that your friend is quite mistaken-- it is hardly a process designed for failure. But it does take a certain amount of effort on the part of the person wanting to add mods, to learn about their computer, the mods in question, and to take the time to properly set up their game.

 

Hope this helps!

[fifteenspades]

Hmm well i guess the 9th time i had to fix it this month was putting my system to its limits. 200 mods n all. But none really enhanced anything, just added new content with barley any new scripts.

 

So learned from that, But i mean my system "should" be able to handle well anything, it could use some more RAM but otherwise it's pretty much high end.

 

But relatively new to skyrim modding itself so i wasn't aware how "wonderful" Payprus is until the 6th or 7th time i broke skyrim and it's "lovely" way of looking for things that don't exist

Some questions though~

 

1. When using tes5edit how do you know if it's safe to clean files? that aren't the masterfiles. Like i know BOSS tells you this could use some cleaning, but in some cases cleaning them could actually break the mod. some mod authors state if it doesn't need it, some don't. So anyway to accurately or logically guess which need cleaning and which don't?

 

2. One thing i found frustrating is how resources are allocated in skyrim. I can't tell if some things are using my VRAM or my CPU. have a quad core am3 3.0ghz, not the strongest but still good. So when i enhance certain things thinking well those should be using VRAM they don't and it causes issues.

 

3. Yeh, not removing mods after you install them no matter what once you get it stable does seem to be the best way. But are mods that just add content and in no way "enhance" skyrim, can those really cause so many problems? also ones that don't add scripts.

 

Thank you for your reply ^^ wasn't "complaining really" Its more like, I enjoy the process and at the same time really... really hate it. Self learning is fun n all~

 

Funny Note : I think my latest try i had around 160 mods and it was stable, never CTD, nice and smooth. Then random blue screen, Graphics card uninstalls itself. So reinstall it, and well... why that broke skyrim idk.. but after spending hours altering things trying to fix. gave up and reinstalled~ and yes i did try everything :S. Its like a force is saying no skyrim for you hehe

Edited July 16, 2013 by fifteenspades

[Georgiegril]

1. I don't automatically clean everything listed by BOSS. Only if I suspect that the uncleaned mod is causing a specific problem in my game, which is to say, maybe twice ever. Some people will tell you to clean everything, some less than me. If you decide to clean I suggest you follow the mod author's instructions on the matter over that of BOSS, unless you do notice a specific problem.

 

2. Generally speaking, the treatment of shadows is somewhat unusual in skyrim, in that they are handled by the CPU. For people with decent computers (not mine), the main limitation on the game is neither their CPU or GPU, but rather the game engine and it's limitations. If you are looking for some info on how various tweaks affect performance, you might check out the Geforce tweak guide--it is old and a few of the references are dated/made irrelevant by patches, but overall the info is still quite useful. The STEP Guide also has a lot of well-tested strategies and can help you build a stable game, even if you don't follow it religiously.

 

3. I am not sure what you mean by adding content yet not enhancing skyrim? Mods that do not include scripts are less of a risk to remove, however, even mods that simply add textures, or objects like weapons can still be problematic. For example, if you load a mod that adds swords and then remove it, and your save depends on these, it might not load. Or if you remove textures but do not replace them with anything you could find purple areas, missing areas,etc. Often, mod authors can give instructions on how to properly remove mods so that you can play on, but the safest way to increase the chance that you will not experience lasting effects of the mod after it is removed it to revert to a save prior to having added the mod.

 

Something I forgot to mention, maybe it applies to you or not-- I stopped using the workshop for mods, because it forces updates and also will remove mods from your game if a mod author removes them from the workshop. Either of these scenarios can break your game. The nice thing about NMM is that it gives you control over what happens and when.

 

Sorry about your driver...hope you got that taken care of!

[thenobody0]

Yeah, I've spent all last week just modding instead of playing because I switched over from NMM to Mod Organizer and did a full clean install. It's an easy trap to fall into. Browsing mods is like going to a candystore where everything is free. I think it's important to remember you actually have to play the game instead of continually fantasizing about working towards the ultimate Skyrim.

Edited July 16, 2013 by thenobody0

[Mushashi7]

A game like Skyrim appeals to something in some of us.

In my case I was surprised how many thing you could do and change. Also by modding or using other peoples mods. The huge maps make you feel free in a total different world. A world where you can make a lot of things happen. Magic and exploring. This makes me want more. It is not enough. You get hungry for even more.

Every time you change something the game looks different. Not just the what your eyes see but what happens inside your self. It is actually you who change. But the game gives you the opportunity to change and discover new things from new angles.

The mods have been extremely inspiring for me. It made me play much longer than I would have done without them. I even began experimenting with modding my characters in NPC Editor (I know, but the CK is for nerds who has a lot more feel about this than I have. It is probably not so complicated when you get to know it...).

 

I bought Skyrim before christmas and have now played about 1100 hours. I just started a new game yesterday.

But I really would like to have more DLC's. Skyrim gives you the feeling of a large world, so I was disappointed when they told us there would be no more DLC's. Skyrim suddenly became smaller. Let's hope their next game in this series will be at least twice as big.

[fifteenspades]

1. hmm okay, so would it be safe to say, If i am not entirely sure if i should clean it or not. Not cleaning it is probably safer?

 

2. Ooo GeForce guide is something i haven't seen yet. Thank you ^^

 

3. So like an ENB it allows skyrim to Enhance its visuals, but i guess it also adds things that allow you to even do that so not a great example. a Better one would be Re-textures, mods that make everything lookin just freakin wow but consume a lot of Memory, and with that Memory cap this becomes an issue. So lets say i DL some textures that are standalone and don't mess with anything Vanilla, In that case would removing them and continue playing potentially cause problems.. Even though they are stand alone? Or say i DL some textures that replaces the originals. If i remove the mod, and just then replace those textures with the original vallina ones would that work?

 

And yeh workshop caused a lot of my issues for a long time, auto updating without me knowing and causing other mods to fail. +1 steam :P

 

@nobody Yeh,.... that's what my skyrim has become lately a "Wish a Skyrim" i wish i could play skyrim with x or y hahaha

 

Edit : Here's an example this mod here http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/20700//? BOSS says it's esp ( DarkbroSanctuary1.0.0.esp ) has 648 UDR but on his site he list that he did an ITM clean. So... idk if i should clean it or not, 648 sure does sound like alot.

Edited July 16, 2013 by fifteenspades