vulcanrvn90 Posted June 13, 2018 Share Posted June 13, 2018 (edited) Hello, I want to setup a stable Skyrim SE install but need some help/clarification. I'd like to merge and install my mods based off of categories, but I'm having a difficult time trying to decide what category each mod goes into. I can figure most out but some I'm not sure about. And I have another issue I'm not 100% sure on how to set up my load order properly, I found a post online and it said this; "One general rule of thumb is to organize your mods into "categories" and to place larger mods that affect more assets/aspects of the game ABOVE smaller mods within the same "category" that affect less assets/aspects of the game. Keeping that in mind, here is a general guide/list to organizing your mod load-order." Patches and bug fixes Big mods and overhauls that affect the entire game Quest mods (big or small) Environments/weather Overhauls Large add-ons that add cities/towns/land masses Adds buildings to current cities/towns Plants and foliage mods for the entire game Gameplay changes/tweaks/add-ons such as combat/magic/perks/etc Changes/add-ons to NPCs Visual/textural/atmospheric changes Sound/audio/FX alterations Sorting, menu, and player & NPC inventory Cheat items Character model replacements Weapons/armor/clothing add-ons/additions Crafting related mods Misc. items, as well as small scale foliage Weapon/armor/clothing alterations Specific mods that need to be loaded at the bottom as directed by the mod author Mods that remove graphical effects, like disabling godrays, to improve performance - this goes last to ensure that all mod added effects get disabled too. With that being said, I'm currently installing the SEPTIM guide https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2846/ for Skyrim SE as a few YouTube use this guide as a starting point and I like the way their games look so I figured I might as well start there as well. Needless to say, I tried installing SEPTIM then my own personal mod touches, then merging them based on what categories I felt they belonged to, all I ended up with was missing textures, dark faces, and CTD when launching the game haha. I guess the point I'm getting to all this is I see it as I have three choice and I want to know what you think would be best to do in my situation for the most stable/beautiful Skyrim that I desire. 1. Install the SEPTIM guide to the letter then merge all the SEPTIM mods that I can based on categories, once that is complete install my own personal mods following the same install order and categories as the guide, then merge those based by category. Finally create a bashed patch and see what happens? Essentially have two sets of merged plugins, SEPTIM and Personal.2. Install the SEPTIM guide mods in the order they are in the guide, then install my personal mods according to the install order/categories that are in the guide, then merge by category, bash and play? So having one set of merged plugins according to the SEPTIM install guide.3. Install all the mods, both SEPTIM and my personal ones by category, according to the load order guide above, then merge each category, then create a bashed patch and play?Sorry for such a long post, I look forward to any information that any of you have to give. Thank You Edited June 13, 2018 by vulcanrvn90 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcanrvn90 Posted June 13, 2018 Author Share Posted June 13, 2018 I have one more question as well. What is the best way to go about merging mods? Load all the mods that are of the same category and in the correct order you wantUnpack any BSA'sCreate a bashed patchFinally, build the merged mod with all the mods plus the patch into a single file? Should I included a bashed patch or no when merging? Not sure if I forgot anything, Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algabar Posted June 14, 2018 Share Posted June 14, 2018 Should I included a bashed patch or no when merging? Yep. Create a bashed patch for the mods you want to merge, make sure it is loaded after the plugins you want to merge, then add the bashed patch to the merge. In many cases, you will get away without a bashed patch, but in some others, e.g. if merged mods contain leveled lists entries, a bashed patch is almost mandatory. For future merging maybe a little advice - though it kinda contradicts the elaborate concepts with nice categories and whatnot you cited above: In general, only create merges if you really need them (i.e. when you're near the limit of 255 plugins). Every merge is a source of potential problems. Experience taught me to take a rather "simplistic" approach: Merge simple weapons and armors/clothing mods, merge generic followers (NOT complex mods like "Inigo"!), maybe merge mods containing rather small tweaks (e.g. essential NPCs, more gold for merchants, small scale changes to crafting....). Be very careful with merging anything that contains scripts. If in doubt, DON'T merge. TBH, I'd never merge complex quest mods or overhauls. Just my 2 septims... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcanrvn90 Posted June 16, 2018 Author Share Posted June 16, 2018 Thank you for the clarification. Yeah, I have to agree with you on the not merging mods with scripts, I had to learn that one the hard way lol. It has taken me a few tries to get the whole process down but after an hour or two I finally have to merge for the most part down. As you said, trying to keep them as simple as possible really is the key, for the most part just merging patches alone has freed up so much space for me to install my other mods with. Thanks again for reinforcing what I learned and letting me know I'm not mental haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts