Returning after long break - what mods are right for me?

[stimresp]

Hi,

 

I'm coming back to Skyrim after a break of several months. I bought the game on day one and played perhaps 70 hours on PC Vanilla version.

At the time I was a tad disappointed with several aspects fo the game, and I decided to leave it and come back when better mods were available. That time has come :) and I see that indeed there seem to be many excellent mods to improve the gameplay look and experience. However I feel overwhelmed and so need some advice on which mods to choose for my situation.

 

First of all I'm more interested in the gameplay experience that having perfect graphics. Indeed I was using less than optimal graphics first tie to ensure I was getting a smooth gameplay experience. I am running on a i7 laptop, 4Gb ram, ATI Mobility Radeon 1gb. I'm not saying no to better graphics, but they are not the priority atm.

 

Things I wanted improved from first time-round:

 

1. More character interactions! I found Skyrim largely empty with most character interaction quite meaningless. Not really interested in companions but rather meeting new characters that enhance the story arc or add new and interesting quests. Also, are there more factions and adventures available yet?

2. Combat - I found this quite clunky and difficult to control. Are there any worthwhile combat overhauls?

3. Creatures - I think it's a feature of TES games that creature randomly attack. I prefer hunting. Any good hunting mods?

4. Better inventory management - a nightmare the first time! I had bought a house yet storing my gear in all the different containers, sorting it, etc was a a big time sucker. I preferred the system in Oblivion - anything improved for Skyrim?

5. Controls. I want to use a combination of xbox gamepad and the keyboard, and be able to select different weapon/spell combos with a single keypress. Is skyUI the best?

6. Any truly essential mods I should use?

 

You may say I shoud just try the mods and see what I like - I agree, but I work 60hours a week and I'd like to come home and play rather than spend all my time fiddling with mods. I'm prepared to put in some legwork, but I need a direction. Any suggestions would be deeply appreciated.

 

Thanks :)

[PsxMeUP]

1. More character interactions

Live Another Life: Gives you an alternate beginning.

 

Amazing Follower: Lets you do a lot of stuff with your followers like level ups, learn magic, manage inventory, poses, etc. Better than UFO, the other Companion mod.

 

Travellers of Skyrim: Not much interaction with them, but you can meet alchemists, healers, etc., in the wilderness.

 

2. Combat

No decent combat mods...

 

3. Creatures

Skyrim Monster Mod: Adds more types of monsters like Cyclopses (different type of Trolls), Minotaurs, Mutants, more Giant variety, etc.

 

PISE: Harder enemies, more of them, less leveled, etc.

 

Deadly Dragons: Harder dragons

 

Random Encounters: Encounter more creatures and bandits.

 

4. Inventory

Headbomb's Better Sorting: Better sorting, like Ore, Arrows, Ingots, etc, all sorted alphabetically. Why this wasn't in vanilla is beyond logic.

 

QD Inventory: Why this wasn't in vanilla is beyond logic

 

5. Controls

No decent control mods...

 

6. Essentials

Pretty much everything above. There are some nice magic mods:

Spell Force Lightning

PJs Spell Compendium

Phenderix Magic Evolved

Drow Race

Edited May 18, 2012 by PsxMeUP

[stimresp]

@ PsxMeUP

 

This is great! Thank you so much. Just the start I need....

 

x :)

[vertex23]

Combat:

Duel

Crimson Tide

Realistic Ragdoll

Deadly Spell Impacts

Dance of Death

Midas

Apocalypse Spells

 

Creatures:

Warzones (If your computer can handle it.)

Occupy Skyrim

 

Inventory / UI:

Sky ui

Immersive HUD

Edited May 18, 2012 by vertex23

[MightyZ0G]

for creatures I would go with SkyTEST - Realistic Animals and Predators or Real Wildlife - Skyrim

 

use either in conjunction with Glorious Grasses, Lush Grass and Skyrim Flora Overhaul to make hunting more challenging and a bit riskier (wolves can get pretty close before you see them and, with skytest, they attack in packs)

[Dubnoman]

What type of character are you going to play? That can help us determine better which mods to recommend when it comes to weapons and armors mods, spell mods, skill mods, and some other mods.

 

Also, if you want a hunger/thirst/sleep mod, there is Imp's More Complex needs for if you want a real involving mod of this type, or Basic Human Needs is another one, and one I prefer. It is less intrusive. You don't become hungrier, thirstier, or more tired from using up stamina, there is less little details you have to keep track of and there is less micromanaging of details, I believe it is harder to die from this mod (due to hunger, thirst, and sleep deprivation) compared to the first mod. I'm quite happy with this mod, as it requires you to eat, sleep, and drink, but it doesn't go overboard. If you want a more involving mod of this type, go with the first one I mentioned. Here is the link to the one I prefer: http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=10958

Edited May 18, 2012 by Dubnoman

[MightyZ0G]

if you add in a hunger/thirst/sleep mod you will also find something like Camping Lite quite useful.

[Dubnoman]

You might like this mod: http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=9534

 

It is an ethereal horse that you can summon. And it can go really fast for a horse and has unlimited sprinting. I just tried out this mod, and I like it.

Edited May 19, 2012 by Dubnoman

[ghimel]

My must-haves:

 

Catagorized Favorites Menu

Crimson Tide - Blood

Dynamic Time Scale

Neutral Hjerim :P

Skyrim Redone (seriously, check this one out!)

Sounds of Skyrim

Smithing Perks Overhaul

Complete Crafting Overhaul

Weapons and Armor fixes

Hypothermia

Live Another Life

The Secret of Steel

 

Expanded Winterhold is top quality and makes the city fall right in line with what the lore says happened to it. Also contains a tough quest.

Ash Pile Expiration and Bag of Trash are two mods that significantly reduce your saved games size.

Optimized Textures is the most underrated Skyrim Utility there is. It's amazing what it will do for your performance.

 

My guilty pleasure mods:

Enhanced Horse Skins

Essential Horses

High Resolution Scars

Jaysus Swords

Dwemer Goggles and Scouter

Kenmod Lockpick Pro (lockpicking was fun the first time through... and that's it. Turn off when going full immersion).

Drow Beta

Realistic Crime Radius

Sabre Gear Backpack

The Asteria

[stimresp]

Guys you are amazing. Thank you all. There is enough here to keep me bus\y for a very long time.

 

Respect all round.

 

:)