Yet Another - How I made Skyrim a Completely Different Game, and You C

[jyujinkai]

Yet Another - How I made Skyrim a Completely Different Game, and You Can Too!

 

How I modded Skyrim into Awesome Sauce with nearly ZERO performance loss and a completely unrecognisable game experience. These mods focus on Game Play Enhancements, Bug Fixes, Immersion Improvements and Additional Content.

 

I mainly use NEXUS for all my mods. In fact all my mods are from Nexus apart from "TES Quest Series: "Mo Mercy" "Sorcery" "Sea of Ghosts" "And the Realms of Daedra" and The Bigger they are" These quest mods are good but are not hosted on the Nexus.

 

I have been playing this setup for while now, and had no problems. Everything is working together so far and I am 100+hours in.

 

Anyway... this took a lot of trial and error to get running and I am having a blast in game! Hope you like this or at least use it as a list of cool mods

 

========

= Notes =

========

 

The goal of this modding was to create a game play experience unlike anything I have played before in the vanilla and to enhance he role playing aspects of the game. The game is already large, but I wanted to make it so there was even more content to sculpt your player experience. Everything adds more, but only in a lore friendly way. The idea is that as you play you can not tell what is original content and what is additional and the game flows naturally in a organic manner. The additional content should mean that I have an incredible amount of freedom to peruse my own interests. You do not even need to be the Dragon Born in this setup, completely ignoring the original main quest line. With luck this should means that the role playing experience is far greater!

 

While there are graphical improvements here, the main goal is not to pimp it out completely. I wanted a high performance. Many mods add 4K+ textures, great for rendering awesome stills at 5 frames a second, in fact playing the game. When there is ever a choice I installed medium or "lite" versions of mods. I was aiming for no texture ot be ablve 2K. Skyrim has a 3GB hard limit that will crash the game NO MATTER WHAT YOUR SYSTEM. It is a limitation in the game engine itself. Smaller textures not only improve performance but also allow you to mod more. IMO, on a 1080p screen the difference is hardly noticeable at all.

 

If your computer can handle it, simply choose the 4K versions or "full" versions of mods.

 

==========================

= About Overpowered Mods =

==========================

Modding is about gameplay improvement, it is up to you to preserve your RPG experience. If you install find a spell or an armour or w/e and you think it is to powerful... Don't use it, it is that simple. I do not mean uninstall it all.. just do not use that one over powered spell. This is especially true with some of the spell additions. So use some forethought as to if you want to use some crazy new spell!

 

Duel Combat really dose upscale the dificulty at higher levels. Though it can make early levels a chore as you get 1 shot all the time. I recommed installing the default version of the mod. Then playing on Adept and slowly move to Master at your own pace. When you are happy there, install the "Hardcore" version. there is no doubt that if you play a long game and do a lot of exploering, then you will become over powered.. as far as I know there is no fix for this.

 

============

= Quest Mods =

============

 

To this end there is a TON of quests are added. The top 3 (imo) DLC quest mods. Moonpath, Falskarr and Wymstooth. In addition is a few quests extra quests here and there like the "Elder Scrolls Quest Series" here on steamworkshop. Also many of the additional items in other areas of the mod list add their own small quest lines.

 

Unfortunately there is a conflict between "Helgen Reborn" and "Fight Against the Thalmor". I hope these will be resolved soon so I can add them both, for now I chose Helgen. The other notably missing DLC mod is "Dark Brotherhood Resurrection". This mod while extremely appealing to me looks to be needing more work. The author has just finalised "Down the Rabbit Hole" and on his blog says that DB will be getting a new facelift!

 

Down the Rabbit Hole - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/34106/

Elder Scrolls Quest Series - http://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/?id=16345

Falskarr (DLC) - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/37994/

Helgen Reborn - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/35841/

Into the Depths - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23087/

Moonpath to Elsewere (DLC) - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/9782/

Tamrilic Lore: Chrysamere - http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=17642224

Undeath - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/40607/

Wrath of Nature - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/31485/

Wyrmstooth (DLC) - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25704

 

 

Notable Missing DLC Worth Checking out!

Dark Brotherhood resurrection - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25941

 

Fight Agaist the Thalmor Part 1 -> 4 + Recruit More Blades

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33108

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33164

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33261

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33323

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/11750

 

==================

= Before you Start =

==================

 

Use a Fresh Install

1) Delete Skyrim

2) Go to My Documents / My Games and Delete the Skyrim Dir there.

3) Install Skyrim

4) Run Skyrim form Steam and let it detect settings and write the INI. Select your settings and LAUNCH the game. You may quit after you see the main menu.

 

It might be a good idea to run the SteamBack up now. So if you ever need to reinstall you do not need to download everything again.

 

Then Download the Skyrim Script Extender - http://skse.silverlock.org/

Place the files form the archive in the root of your skyrim dir. There is a installer version that has a install wizard if you do not know what this means!

 

Then Download and install NEXUS MOD MANAGER - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/modmanager/

I used NMM for most of this. There is a problem with TREND MICRO anti virus ... so turn that off if you are using it. In fact if NMM gives you any trouble, disable your virus software for a bit.

 

Then Grab BOSS (better-oblivion-sorting-software) - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/6/?

Run this every time you install a mod. MUST HAVE.

 

Also, make sure you go to the "download page" yourself and read the options. Some mods require you to grab compatibility patches. I'll not list them all here, just make sure you get them. Also modders tend to place the "best" version first. If like me you are looking for performance options,, well you find the lower size texture versions of the mods on the download page. DO NOT just click the big green download button on the top right of the page!

 

Finally.. installing in this order worked for me.. but there was some trial and error for me. This order should work, but if any mod has its own installer that has a tick box for another mod, just cancel and install the other mod it was talking about. This is how I did it. but I think I have the order correct. Also just to repeate.. make sure you download any patched for the mods from the mod download page.

 

==========

= Patches =

==========

Appropriately Attired Jarls - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23793/

Argonian Decapitation Fix - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/22624/

Auto Unequip Ammo - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10753/

Bowlegged Jump Animation Fix - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/7416/

Consistent Older People - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19730/

Archery - Spinning Arrows - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/29086/

Double Cursor Fix - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/36125/

Dead Body Collision Fix - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/30947/

Fast Travel Timescale Fix - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19389/

SKSE -Elys- AltF4 - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/17202/

Fuz Ro D-oh - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14884/

(Must be installed Manually - Many mods use this MUST HAVE)

Nitpick - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19556/

(Must be installed Manually - Many mods use this MUST HAVE)

Guard Dialogue Overhaul - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23390/

Skyrim Project Optimization - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/32505/

Argonian Sneak Tail Twist Fix - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/32949/

Trade and Barter - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/34612/

Distant Decal Fix - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/31982/

Automatic Variants - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21377/

Follower Trap Safety - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/11609/

Move it Dammit for NPC Companions and Followers - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/4020/

Killable Children - No Race Menu - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/6450/

No Sneak Attack Sound - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/11085/

Bring Out Your Dead - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14178/

Predator Vision - Vampire Werewolf and Khajiit - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/22274/

Run For Your Lives - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23906/

When Vampires Attack - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/28235/

Unlimited Bookshelves - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10891/

Unofficial Skyrim Patch - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19/

Unofficial Hearthfire Patch - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25127/

Unofficial Dawnguard Patch - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23491/

Unofficial Dragonborn Patch - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/31083/

Player Headtracking - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23600/

 

===============

= User Interface =

===============

 

SkyUI - MUST HAVE - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3863/

SkyUI-Away - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/29440/

(I do not run this, only install if you do not like the new UI Menus of SkyUI.. you MUST have SkyUI regardless of if you want the menu system)

Immersive HUD - iHUD - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3222/

A Quality World Map - With Roads - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/4929/

(I only use "main roads". It adds some exploration feeling as you play.

Atlas Map Markers with Dragonborn Dawnguard and Blackreach Addons - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14976/

Achieve That - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/30212/

Unread Book Glow - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10012/

Better Message Box Controls - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/28170/

Better Dialogue Controls - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27371/

A Matter of Time - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/44091/

IMAGINATOR - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/13049/

(may not be necessary, this is a way to adjust colours on screen with no effect to fps. To much red? Use this.)

More HotKeys Please - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23416/

RaceMenu - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/29624/

Even Better Quest Objectives - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/32695/

(This mod installer detects other mods.. install near the end)

 

==========================================

= SkyRE + Other Major Gameplay Adjustments =

==========================================

 

Skyrim -Community- Uncapper - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/1175/

T3nd0s Skyrim Redone - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/9286/

(Do not install STONES, COMBAT or AI - they are handled elsewhere. I also do not install the zone based level system)

ReProccer - Automated SkyRe patch generator - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/28467/

Balbor and Steelsouls SkyRe ReProccer Project - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27092/

Frostfall - Hypothermia Camping Survival - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/11163/

Realistic Needs and Diseases - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/26228/

Drinking Fountains of Skyrim - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/24282/

Cooking Expanded - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/1409/

Hunterborn - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33201/

 

 

============

= Overhauls =

============

Random Alternate Start - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25404/

Character Creation Overhaul - Races - Birthsigns - Classes - Skills - Specializations - Attributes - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21587/

Lock Pick Overhaul - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/29979/

The Dance of Death - A Killmove Mod - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10906/

Harvest Overhaul - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16553/

Perseids Inns and Taverns - Realistic Room Rental Enhanced - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25029/

SkyTEST - Realistic Animals and Predators - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10175

Moonlight Tales - Werewolf and Werebear Overhaul - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/35470/

Extensible Follower Framework - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/12933/

Convenient Horses - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14950/

Inconsequential NPCs - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/36334/

 

==========

= Combat =

==========

Deadly Dragons - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3829/

(select Vanilla in options for compatibility)

Dragon Combat Overhaul - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/32597

Duel - Combat Realism - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/2700

(I use normal, then upgrade to hardcore once I get higher level)

 

==========

= Lighting =

==========

Climates Of Tamriel - Weather - Lighting - Audio http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/17802

(Nights 2 / Everything else Vanilla - Make sure you install the sounds!)

Enhanced Lights and FX - http://www.skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27043/

(All of it, I use this for the stuff we didn't tick in CoT)

Lanterns of Skyrim - All In One - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/18916

(Get x2 brighter Patch)

Wearable Lanterns - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/17416

Lanterns for Guards - Wearable Lanterns Add-On - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/24568/

Lanterns for Caravans - Wearable Lanterns Add-On - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23017/

Candle Lanterns of the North - Wearable Lanterns Add-On - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/22986/

 

===============

= Make it Pretty =

===============

Better Dynamic Snow - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10383/

Ruins Clutter Improved - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14227/

Ultimate HD Fire Effects - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/28642/

Static Mesh Improvement Mod - SMIM - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/8655/

Bethesda Hi-Res DLC Optimized - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/9080/

Enhanced Blood Textures - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/60/

Lockpicking interface retex - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/2845/

Skyrim HD - 2K Textures (Lite All versions) - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/607

Skyrim Sunglare V4 - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/116/

WATER - Water And Terrain Enhancement Redux - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/13268/

Dawnguard Rewritten - Arvak - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/24019/

 

==========

= Sex it up =

==========

ApachiiSkyHair - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10168/

ApachiiSkyHair natural Retexture - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/35092/

DIMONIZED UNP female body - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/6709/

UNP BLESSED BODY- UNPB REDUX PROJECT - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/37900/ (Install Static!)

Better males - Beautiful nudes and faces - New hairstyles - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/2488/

All in One Face for Dawnguard Vampire and Vanilla Races - UNP - CBBEv3 - Vanilla - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/17704/

Natural Eyes - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3589/

Underworld Dawnguard - Vampire and Werewolf Eyes - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/22619/

Vampire Lord Retexture - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23775/

True Daughters of Skyrim - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/45453/

(Manual Install - UPN Main + UPN 4096)

No More Ugly Bronze Shine - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/29791/

 

==================

= Random Cool s*** =

==================

Wet and Cold - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27563/

Wet and Cold - Ashes - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/31968/

Footprints - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/22745/

Splash of Rain - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/37873/

Rayeks End - Mini Hideout - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16028/

Bandolier - Bags and Pouches - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16438/

 

============

= Animation =

============

XP32 Maximum Skeleton -XPMS - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/26800/

(Also make sure you install "Back Hip Dagger n Back 1H Sword" option!)

Realistic Ragdolls and Force - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/601/

No Spinning Death Animation - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/17214/

Immersive Animations - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/34950/

Fores New Idles in Skyrim - FNIS - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/11811/

(Get Spell Addon)

Dual Sheath Redux - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/34155/

 

======================

= Armour and Weapons =

======================

aMidianBorn Book of Silence - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/24909/

(Get All)

Immersive Armors - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19733/

Immersive Weapons - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27644/

Skyforge Weapons - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/36815/

Skyforge Shields - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/26344/

Winter Is Coming - Cloaks - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/13486/

Cloaks of Skyrim - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/12092/

Mage Backpack by Tumbajamba - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/31191/

 

========

= Audio =

========

Additional Music Project - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/28951/

Audio Overhaul for Skyrim - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/43773/

Better Animal Footsteps - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/24805/

Heart of the Beast - Werewolf Sound and Texture Overhaul - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/13779/

Improved Combat Sounds - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/5289/

Sounds of Skyrim - Civilization - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/20193/

Sounds of Skyrim - The Dungeons - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/8601/

Sounds of Skyrim - The Wilds - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10886/

Unofficial Sounds of Skyrim and Enhanced Lights and FX Patches - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/37955/

Sounds of Skyrim - Volume Sliders - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/36312/

 

*Make sure you install all the Sounds of Skyrim Compatibility Patches you need! They are a manual install

 

=====================

= Magic, Magic, Magic =

=====================

Burn Freeze Shock Effects - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14692/

Acquisitive Soul Gems - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/5312/

Alternate Summoning Visuals - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/44782/

Apocalypse Spell Package - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16225/

Midas Magic - Spells in Skyrim - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3413/

Sharlikrans Compatibility Patches - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/26230/

(Midas)

Aurora Doomstone Package - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/29311/

Dwemerverse - Dwemer Magic Package - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/37420/

Thunderchild - Epic Shout Package - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/41376/

Smart Cast - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/43123/

True Bound Armors - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/30462/

 

======

= ENB =

======

 

These are greatly part of personal preference. I have selected a light weight ENB that keeps "realism" but also has hardly any noticeable FPS hit. All these must be manually installed! He has written a great install document.. follow it and your good. You do NOT need ENB BOOST.. it is included.

 

Phinix Natural ENB - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/24235/

 

==============

= Last Touches =

==============

 

Finally download the TEXTURE OPTIMISER -http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/12801/

 

This will check the files and make sure they are all properly compressed and of a reasonable size. If the game runs fine as is.. no need to do it.. but for better performance and (imo) no noticeable change... then run this. This is still in development and the BSA support is limited, I do not recommend using it for now.. soon it will also handy sounds and a lot of other stuff.

 

For now, run the app, select MAXIMUM, tick both the resize options and set to 16x16 and 2048K.

 

=====================

= Run the Java Patches =

=====================

 

Some of the mods require dynamic patches that are created by a Java Program. You will need JAVA installed.. you most likely already have.. try running them, if they fail.. go install it ... -

Java - https://java.com/en/download/index.jsp

 

1) Run BOSS (you should really do this now and then during the entire process)

2) Go to your skyrim dir... it is in the directory you installed steam. If you can not find it right click on your steam icon in your star bar and go properties, then click OPEN FILE LOCATION.

3) Go into this directory (Steam Dir)\SteamApps\common\Skyrim\Data\SkyProc Patchers\ (You will see 3 directories)

4) Go into Automatic Variants and run: Automatic Variants.jar - Click PATCH BUTTON

5) Go into T3nd0_ReProccer and run: ReProccer.jar - Click PATCH BUTTON

6) Go into Dual Sheath Redux Patch and run: Dual Sheath Redux Patch.jar - Click PATCH BUTTON

 

- You need to run these patches EVERY TIME you install or remove a mod! -

 

7) Go to this directory - (Steam Dir)\SteamApps\common\Skyrim\Data\tools\GenerateFNIS_for_Users

:cool: Run GenerateFNISforUsers.exe

9) Make sure "Skeleton Arm Fix" is ticked in the patch section... click the update button

 

- You need to run this patches EVERY TIME you install or remove a mod ANIMATION / SKELETON mod! -

 

WOW... that is it!! Your good to go!.. I do not recommend adding anything more.. it took me ages to get this stable. It will still crash now and then, but rarely. Sometimes, It may crash opening a door, for example, but reload try again.. no problem. This is about as stable as I can get, as I said I am 100+ hours in and still going.

 

Have fun guys!

 

BIG THANKS TO MOD COMMUNITY.. YOU ARE ALL AMAZING PEOPLE AND I AM IN LOVE WITH YOU, WHEN i AM NOT HATING YOU FOR YOUR TALENT!

Edited November 4, 2013 by jyujinkai

[Shadeybladey]

Some screen shots would be nice.

[jyujinkai]

I'll take some, remember this isn't all about making it LOOK awesome, but PLAY awesome.

[Miguelr23]

you have a lot of script mods dont you get script lag?

[arykalin]

AOS+SOS? Realy?

[Shadeybladey]

You should try Real Shelter (from TES Alliance) to go with these:

 

Wet and Cold

Footprints

Splash of Rain

[EnaiSiaion]

+1 for Aurora, didn't think I'd ever see it listed. :D

[jyujinkai]

you have a lot of script mods dont you get script lag?

 

Not that I notice. There is this good bit of info I dug up once... Some info on Adjusting Papyrus allocation. I use a slightly larger value than in this post... maybe that is why? Also there is this thread...

 

You should try Real Shelter (from TES Alliance) to go with these:

 

Wet and Cold

Footprints

Splash of Rain

 

This sounds cool, I'll look into it! Thanks. Pity it dosn't cover portable tents :sad:

 

+1 for Aurora, didn't think I'd ever see it listed. :D

 

heh, I realy like that mod. The diffrent Stones compleatly change your game style. If you use pernement stones in creation kit you the charicter you make using a diffrent stone will be NOTHING like one you made last time. I am not using it though. I mainly use "The Lady". That blood mana ability is really cool imo.

 

AOS+SOS? Realy?

 

Yes!

Edited November 4, 2013 by jyujinkai

[bender1011]

Is the order you listed it in your load order?