Must I load the game from NMM?

[lonegreywolf20]

With the mods that I am putting into teh game, do I need to load the game from the manager itself under the custom Skyrim option or can I use the normal .exe?

[danshive]

I believe the .esp files just need to be in your data folder. You would then select "data files" before starting a game and make sure the ones you want are checked. If I understand correctly, the NMM will add stability assistance in the form of allowing you to manually set the load order and help you keep your mods up to date, but it shouldn't be a requirement.

 

If you are referring to re-texturing mods and alternate models, you should just have to have them in the right places in your data folder. Most descriptions for such mods tell you what you need to do.

 

EDIT: Just be sure not to uncheck Skryim.esm. You NEED Skyrim.esm. That's basically the game itself right there ^^:

Edited December 13, 2011 by danshive

[lonegreywolf20]

I believe the .esp files just need to be in your data folder. You would then select "data files" before starting a game and make sure the ones you want are checked. If I understand correctly, the NMM will add stability assistance in the form of allowing you to manually set the load order and help you keep your mods up to date, but it shouldn't be a requirement.

 

If you are referring to re-texturing mods and alternate models, you should just have to have them in the right places in your data folder. Most descriptions for such mods tell you what you need to do.

 

EDIT: Just be sure not to uncheck Skryim.esm. You NEED Skyrim.esm. That's basically the game itself right there ^^:

 

I am mainly talking about the retexturing mods that I am am using the mod manager to install them into the game folder.

 

Maybe I didn't see anything because I just continued instead of making a new character?

[danshive]

No, if they're in the right places in your data folder, they should load regardless. I would manually check to make sure everything is where it should be. I've heard people complain about people uploading mods with the folder structure done in a way that doesn't play nice with the NMM, and it's possible they're just not in the right places because of that.