New to modding

[Xjon1600]

Hey all,

 

So i've never modded a game before, and i would like to try it with skyrim. are there any standard mods / mod packs that are expected to be downloaded to make the game more functional with mods? and if not, what would be a good lineup of starter mods? biggest thing i'm looking for is a mod that will prevent me from filling big soul gems with little souls, and additional armor types.

 

any thoughts?

[HareDeLune]

How new to modding are you, exactly?

I still consider myself new to it, but I've been doing it for some months now. I am still learning, and finding my way around.

If you are completely new to it, and don't know anything about it whatsoever, then I can tell you right now that it's not a plug-and-play kind of endeavor.

As you have surmised: Some mods do rely on other mods to work; also, a lot of mods rely on a program called the Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE for short) that let them affect the game.

I don't mean to scare you off. If I can do it, then anyone with an interest in doing it can do it.

If you are completely new, then I strongly recommend going over to YouTube and looking up Gophersvids: https://www.youtube.com/user/GophersVids

He also has his own website now: www.gophersvids.com

Gopher is a mod author on the Nexus, and has an excellent series of videos on learning to mod Skyrim, as well as lots of mod reviews and even 'Let's Play' videos. Disclaimer: Watching those videos is what got me started modding. :blush:

I recommend the series called 'Beginners Guide to Modding Skyrim'. Some of the information in some of the videos is a little outdated, but these videos will get you off to a good start.

If you are a little familiar with modding already, then I would still recommend checking them out, as well as his guides to modding Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas. Even if you don't play those games, there's still some good general supplimentary advice there.

Watching those videos will give you some of the same information in a relatively short time that you might spend quite a bit more time trying to search for on the forums.

Having said all that, I am still relatively new to modding myself, so someone else may be able to give you better, or more specific advice about what you're looking for as far as mods go. I'm just trying to help you avoid a bad first experience. :smile:

Hope this helps!

 

P.S.: I just remembered these sites, which you also may find useful:

 

How To Install Mods - Khettienna's Elder Scrolls Homepage

 

Setting Up Oblivion For Mod Use - Khettienna's Elder Scrolls Homepage <- Just look this over. It's written for Oblivion (the game that I'm modding), but a lot of the stuff here is the same for Skyrim. Also, it's a good idea to defrag your hard drive, both before and after installing the game, and also after installing any mods with large file sizes (re-texture overhauls, for example), or if you install a lot of mods in a short time.

 

http://www.tweakguides.com/ <- This guy is an off-the-hook Ultra Nerd. He's a professional. Way more information than you probably want to know, and he knows what he's talking about. Check out the 'Game Guides' link near the top of his page.

This is his guide to modding Skyrim: http://www.geforce.com/whats-new/guides/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-tweak-guide#1 Although it's more focused on getting performance from your machine than installing mods per-se.

 

Also, you might like these: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/5312/?

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/19733/?

 

There you go!

Edited March 10, 2014 by HareDeLune

[Urwy]

-snip-

 

There you go!

 

HareDeLune is right. Modding is not something you will be picking up overnight.

And i'm wondering, what kind of mods do you wish to make eventually? Because some mods are made entirely using vanilla game assets and just have their stats altered by using the Creation kit. (Basically a "Skyrim editor" that is provided by bethesda)

 

Other mods just add new models that overwrite the vanilla ones. For these you'll need to know your way around 3d modeling software like 3ds Max or Blender. (and a photo manipulation program like Photoshop or GIMP will come in handy too)

 

Either way, it is best that you start simple. I've been modding skyrim for nearly 2 years now and i'm still learning new stuff when it comes to Blender... And can barely find my way around the Creation Kit.. :laugh:

[bben46]

Modding is an ambiguous term - the old timers use it to mean creating mods while the n00bs use it to mean using mods made by someone eles in a game. I believe you are likely in the second category.

 

Using mods is NOT like just playing a game - But we are trying to make it simpler with the Nexus own Nexus Mod manager - (abbreviated NMM) It is not required, but does make it easier. Get it here http://www.nexusmods.com/oblivion/mods/modmanager/?

 

As already said, some mods do require something else to work - we try to warn you with a new feature in NMM when you download a mod that does need something else - but it isn't always perfect.

 

One thing that a lot of more complex mods do require is SKSE ( Skyrim Script Extender) - it is not a mod and does not install like a mod, so be sure to read the instructions first - http://skse.silverlock.org/

 

Don't make the n00b mistake of trying to add a lot of mods all at once - the time you think you will save will be lost trying to find which mod is causing problems and crashing your game - one or two mods at a time, and test each time.

 

Another very handy program that will help is called BOSS ( originally Better Oblivion Sorting Software - but it works for Skyrim and some other games as well) http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/6/? you won't need this one until you have more than a few mods in your game.

 

Also - a little more advanced Wrye Bash - http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/1840/? Save this one for after you have learned the basics.

 

That should be more than enough to get started. :thumbsup:

[HareDeLune]

Edited, to prevent thread hi-jacking. Please ignore.

Edited March 10, 2014 by HareDeLune