Noob

[CallumUchiha]

Hi! Sorry but i'm new to modding skyrim. I have messed around a little bit before but never to any real success and i was hoping a more experienced modder might be able to reccomend a list of mods to make my skyrim as beautiful as possible with my pc.

My specs:

Intel I7-4790, 16gb ddr4 ram, Nvidia GTX 970 4gb vram.

thanks in advance :)

[FrankFamily]

It really depends on your tastes... start here: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/top/?

[SkyTaylor21]

You should look at Stakado CinemaScope ENB and that will really improve the graphics without destroying you frame rate

[laiilaiiheii]

Theres a lot you should know. these vids help you in the right direction. Watch these in this order and you will know everything you want. including a graphics tutorial. Be sure to watch the others first though.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulryk7IjzBo

 

 

Be careful with this if you plan to add more mods on top (as described in the first video)

[MrStoob]

Specifically and beyond ENBs/SweetFX/etc, I'd recommend for improving the quality of the look of the game:

 

Static Mesh Improvement Mod

aMidianborn texture replacers

Vivid Landscapes texture replacers

Rustic <thing> texture replacers

Verdant Grass

 

And if you see a thing in the game that offends your aesthetic sensibilities, replace it - there will almost certainly already be a mod. Most have tweaked and improved game assets over quite a long period, trying to do so overnight would be a slog. What you have from this thread is plenty to be getting on with anyway!

 

Good luck on your adventures.

[Percephere]

If there's anything I say below that you don't understand, just Google it. The info is pretty straightforward and readily available. These are just optomizations for FPS and power management.

 

• I have your same video card and I would highly, and I mean highly, suggest setting Skyrim and ENB's vsync to OFF. Instead use your graphics card's hardware vsync. This improved my load times by over a minute and my FPS by 20.
• I would use SKSE's memory patcher (SKSE.ini) and set ENB's "ExpandSystemMemoryx64" setting to false.
• You should, however, set "ReservedMemorySizeMb" to either 128 or 256. I suggest 128, but if you get stuttering (when using large texture mods like I do), use 256.

 

Next up, mods management. If you think you'll be using a lot of mods and will switch them out often, possibly also test and modify files, I suggest Mod Organizer (it can be confusing though). If you want to keep things simple, all your mods and all your files in one place, use the Nexus Mod Manager. The only notable difference between the two is that Mod Organizer does not actually touch your Skyrim installation and instead creates individual files in the MO directory which is then magically used when running through the MO program.

 

Finally, if you run any mods, you need to know the following:

• Load order is important. Use LOOT if you can't be bothered.
• Crashing is inevitable with Skyrim, but there are some things you can do to prevent it. Use SKSE.ini, the Crash Fixes mod in the Nexus, and clean your Master plugins through TES5Edit.
• The Nexus community can be harsh sometimes, but we rather enjoy helping [in our own, tough-love sort of way].

 

Now then, you asked for a set of mods? Oh boy, do I have a list for you. I also suggest downloading and installing these mods in the order below. Please bear in mind that Skyrim has a limit of 255 plugins.

 

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Resources: Just things you need before we start.

 

 

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1. NetImmerse Override.
2. Female Facial Animations. Yes, really.
3. Better Dialogue Controls and Better MessageBox Controls.
4. Fuz Ro D-oh. Prevents a bunch of crashes when there are no sound files for an event, like dialogue.
5. JContainers. Just a resource for other mods.
6. Crash Fixes. I mentioned this earlier.
7. SKSE.ini - also aforementioned.
8. PapyrusUtil
9. ENB v0.305. This is famous, not only for it's speed-hacks but also for it's aesthetic improvements. You'll also want the Particle Patch.
10. The Brawl Bug Patch.
11. FISS.
12. Quick Loot! Not actually required, but it's an awesome add-on.
13. OneTweak. Some people have problems with this. Try it out and see how it does.
14. Wiseman's Flora Fixes is a must.
15. The Grimy Plugin. I don't know why it's called that, but I hope it isn't contagious.
16. SMAA injector. I can explain how to use it since there aren't that many tutorials for it.
17. No Menu Smoke. Strange as it may sound, ENB does not always play nice with Skyrim's menu smoke for some reason.
18. Insignificant Object Remover. Not really necessary but it can potentially improve FPS. Also, it saves energy by removing things you don't actually look at.
19. Save Game Script Cleaner. This will help you keep your save from bloating and possibly revive it after uninstalling something.
20. Wrye Bash. You'll need this to generate Bashed patches. More on that if you need me to elaborate.

 

 

 

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Mods:

 

 

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• Use SKSE. Yes, it is mandatory. This must be manually installed. Run the installer or unpack as a zip, whichever you are more comfortable with.
• Install SkyUI. This is also mandatory as a huge number of mods rely on it. You can use SkyUI-Away to get rid of the poorly-made craftingmenu.swf and Warning Remover if you do.
• Here is RaceMenu. It's just much nicer than the vanilla system and has more customization.
• This one is Skyrim Enhanced Camera. It allows you to see your own feet. It's a little clippy sometimes but a worthwhile improvement.
• This is Customizable Camera. I don't always play in 3^rd person view, but when I do, it's with this mod.
• MoreHUD adds some new HUD elements. Look at the page for more.
• Extended UI improves a few of the UI interfaces that SkyUI does not.
• EFF will let you have more than one follower and keep track of them. This also includes UIExtentions, but it may be outdated.
• Immersive Horses is a simple, and tangible, improvement upon the horse system. FULL changes the looks of horses, LITE does not.
• To go along with Immersive Horses is Craftable Horse Bardings. It adds horse armors, saddles, and all that.
• This bit is the Archery Gameplay Overhaul. I'm not fond of ranged battles, but this mod makes it both fun and challenging.
• Realistic Ragdolls and Force. A must-have.
• Enhanced Blood Textures. Get ready for realistic amounts of blood.
• This is XP32's enhanced skeleton for the player and creatures. Not only does this improve animations, it also includes auto-swapping animations for weapons on back. It's great. It does require FNIS though, which you'll need one way or the other.
• To go along with your shiny new skeleton is Dual Sheath Redux. This will place shields on your back and allow your off-hand weapons to be displayed on your character. It's a must IMO.
• I recommend using the HDT physics plugin. It allows you to have, well, physics applied to a number of things. Hair, equipment, boobs. It's great.
• Install USKP or USLEEP. Use USLEEP if you have all of Skyrim's DLC (Dawnguard, Hearthfires, Dragonborn - in that order). This fixes an enormous amount of bugs and makes a lot of balances.
• No NPC Greeting. This is self-explanatory.
• You'll need TES5Edit to clean your Master files. Here's how.
• I personally suggest using CBBE. I know, the page has nudity, but you can install it without. It just looks better. This also goes hand-in-hand with Bodyslide.
• HD Scars. It looks much better.
• I personally suggest using both Immersive Armors and Immersive Weapons. Please bear in mind that these cannot be used with Requiem. More on that below. Don't forget to check out CaBaL's textures for this.
• For HD textures, first install Skyrim HD. It simply covers more textures than most. If you would like things like parallax or other flavors, install them after, overwriting this one where needed.
• TROLL. Simply a much better texture set.
• After that, go grab A Quality World Map. It's customizable and has it's own installer for such.
• Ramccoid and hishutup's LITTLE THINGS is a very nice improvement to a few things in-game.
• The Ruffled Feather includes a few decent improvements, including reeds in rivers, a very green and compatible Whiterun add-on, and some drop-dead gorgeous lily pads.
• This one's a must for users. Ruins Clutter Improved does exactly what it sounds like it does.
• Here's that SMIM mod that MrStoob mentioned. It adds high-poly meshes to the world where they were needed the most. Don't worry too much about FPS loss with this. I lose next to nothing with it installed at full. Just don't use any 4K textures on things you don't actually look at. With it however, you should also download the cart Havok fix for SMIM located here. It's the same mesh but plays nicely with Skyrim's physics.
• This mod is called Wet and Cold. It simply adds face covers, cloaks and what-have-you. It's more on the immersion end of things and not really necessary. I just like it and it doesn't hurt anything to include it.
• Realistic Water Two simply enhances the looks of water. It's very realistic with just a pickle-pee and a pump-a-rum of fantasy.
• Literally everything by CaBaL120. Okay, maybe not everything, but this guy is a legend in my book. He's made tons of HD textures at top-quality.
• If you get tired of killed skelies, draugr, bandits, trolls and wolves, use Immerse Creatures to spic things up. It's not so outlandish and adds some items as well.
• You should also consider using Skysan's Transparent and refracting Glass, Stalhrim, and ice mods. The glass page also has some options for textures and other add-ons.
• This here is LeanWolf's Better Shaped Weapons. Because swords are not supposed to be paddles.
• Vivid Weathers is a gorgeous improvements to Skyrim's weather systems. Not only that, but it also enhances the graphics a good bit and has it's own, lightweight, ENB setting to go with it. Use them both. Trust me.\
• DynDOLOD. It can be a bit confusing to use and be a huge pain to actually run. Only run this after you have finished installing all of the landscape textures you like. Just read the mod description. You'll also need TES5LODGen.
• This should really be installed last due to the way it looks and all; Enhanced Landscapes. It's about the same tier as SFO but without the weird incompatibilities and crashing. Do avoid installing any other mods that change trees, however.
• Unique Uniques. This adds new models for unique weapons.
• AOS2. This adds things like echoing and directional sounds and reverb. This needs a compatibility patch for Unique Uniques, included in the installer.
• Immersive Sounds Compendium. This mostly adds additional sounds and improves existing ones. This need a compatibility patch for AOS2, included in the installer.
• Everything you fancy from our good friend crazylion. He is an artist of the highest caliber.
• This here is JK's Skyrim. It's an aesthetic overhaul of Skyrim's towns and cities. If you don't like that much, there's also Expanded Towns and Cities. Whichever you like.
• Elianora's Breezehome. Unsurprisingly compatible with JK's Skyrim.
• Immersive Music is a rather large mod that adds a huge collection of music to Skyrim.
• Rustic Clothing is a more recent mod released that overhauls the textures of clothing to be slightly darker and more, well, rustic. The results are spectacular.
• Here is Bellyache's HD Dragon textures. It's a must, if you ask me.
• Whether you use this one or not depends on your idea of dragons and immersion. Chaos Dragons adds in quite a few new dragons and they are quite awe-inspiring.
• Speaking of dragons, you should grab this too: a Dragon Animation Replacer. Dragons now hold their heads high.
• There is also RS Children Overhaul. It's a bit old, but there's nothing like it. It comes with a USKP patch, but here is one for USLEEP, and one for Requiem.
• Rustic Windows. I love this mod. 2K is big enough, but 1K still looks great.
• Better-shaped Female Creatures. Why not?
• Dramatic Alduin Retexture. He is the World Eater, he should look the part.
• Improved Dragon Aspect. Fancy!

 

Now, where combat and some other overhauls are concerned, it depends on your personal preference. There is Requiem, the roleplaying overhaul. Requiem favors difficulty and realism, but is a bit script-heavy and has a few incompatibilities. If you want just one mod to do all of your overhauling needs while increasing the difficulty of Skyrim by removing the leveled list, Requiem is the one for you. Do remember that you cannot use Immersive Weapons and Armors with this - Requiem already has them. Don't forget to stop by the Requiem Patch Central.

 

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Now, should you decide not to use Requiem, here are some mods of that ilk that I suggest

 

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• Ultimate Combat. Overhauls combat. If you want a realistic challenge, enable hardcore damage via MCM.
• Weapon Parry Standalone. Allows you, and NPCs, to "parry" attacks by attacking at the same time.
• SPERG. This overhauls perks and skills, while balancing spells and powers.

 

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Additional Mods

 

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• TTYM. Changes text like "you are encumbered" to "I'm carrying too much!"
• Mikan Eyes. Some nice new eyes. There is also New Mikan Eyes which is somewhat more updated. Probably use one or the other.
• Improved Daedric Armor. I mention this mostly for the textures.
• Dragon Carved Set. A very nice, HD, and well-made armor mod.
• INIGO - the best a most underrated follower mod in existence.
• Fair Skin Complexion for CBBE. Expect high-detail skin and pretty faces.
• The Paarthurnax Dilemma - because the Blades serve the Dragonborn.
• JS Dragon Claws. A recent favorite of mine.
• HD Fire Effects.
• Superior Lore-friendly Hair. Just HD vanilla hair.
• Wearable Lanterns. The ultimate alternative to torches.
• Dark Nemesis - ENHANCED EDITION. An HD retexture for ebony.
• Reshaped Ebony Helmet. This is really fantastic.
• Feminine Running and New Dash Animation - just some feminine animations for females.
• Feminine Argonian Textures for CBBE
• Feminine Khajiit Textures for CBBE
• Better Males - I use it for the SFW face and body textures. Go with the top GenoxFaces and Underwear - Default files.
• Masculine Argonian Textures
• Masculine Khajiit Textures

 

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Okay, I think I've covered the obvious and the essential. Anything else?

Edited May 8, 2016 by Percephere