S.E.P.T.I.M. Future Updates

[LostLuggage]

Hello, all. I've been looking into following the S.E.P.T.I.M. installation, but, being essentially a novice modder, I'm unsure of something regarding future updates to this series of mods. Say I follow the guide, installing everything, or most everything, as instructed. I know the order of mod installation is important because of load order and compatibility, so, upon an update to the list, adding one, or a handful of mods, that are added at different points throughout the guide, how does one go about adding just those mods, other than, first, completely dismantling their setup from the bottom up to that point, installing the newly-suggested mod, and then re-installing everything afterwards? Or is that the only way to properly do it?

Thank you for your time.

Edited January 8, 2017 by LostLuggage

[Mavkiel]

Not a simple question, it depends somewhat on what new mods you are adding. Is it also in a bsa or loose files? That can also impact on what is loaded. Finally, if you use NMM you can pick and choose what loose files are overwritten. So if you find a new rock texture, just overwrite that older file and tell it to skip everything else.

 

Now if you are just installing armor/quest whatever mods, you should never have to re-install everything. -- I'd suggest using LOOT to give you a good starting point as to what your load order should look like. But by no means just blindly accept it, you may need to tweak it. For example, I need to manually adjust WICO and Bijin AIO, in my load order to avoid blackface.

[LostLuggage]

Right, so, provided the mod that needs to be added, and the textures it's overwriting, are in the form of loose files, rather than .bsa's, which are, essentially, packaged archives OF other files, as I understand it (correct me if I'm wrong), it COULD be as simple as installing the mod and choosing which files to overwrite. I think I understand.

The author of the guide has a list of mods in compatibility testing, at the moment, including Aurora, Open Cities Skyrim, Wet and Cold, and Reverb and Ambiance Overhaul (full list of the mods currently being tested is at the bottom of the guide, here). Most of the mods in the guide are focused on visuals and mechanical stuff in the game, but it does include mods of pretty much every kind, and the process for installing them is very specific in exactly which files to overwrite and which settings to choose. Very intimidating, to say the least.

I do use LOOT and it is a very useful tool, although I do know that, like all tools, it doesn't do the job perfectly, on its own. I have a basic knowledge of load order and I know to make sure more than one mod isn't trying to alter the same thing. Still, I don't know anything compared to some people's knowledge of how to work the files to achieve one's desired results.