Skyrim SE mods you can't play without? (Must haves)

[HadToRegister]

Whenever I reinstall a Bethesda game, the very first thing I look at is the TOP FILES list for that game.

That's my "Go-To" source.
Then, after that I check my "TRACKING LIST", for any mods I TRACKED and used in previous playthroughs.

 

That's the only things you need.

[fftfan]

Whenever I reinstall a Bethesda game, the very first thing I look at is the TOP FILES list for that game. That's my "Go-To" source. Then, after that I check my "TRACKING LIST", for any mods I TRACKED and used in previous playthroughs. That's the only things you need.

All true though I have not previously installed Skyrim on this PC. On my previous PC I haven't played since 2012, I was well below minimum specs so I beat the MQ/guilds and left. And when I used Skyrim Nexus I don't know if tracking list was around. Or perhaps I just simply was unaware of it and never made use of it? I started extensively using my Tracking List for Fallout 4.

 

Top Files is the first go to resource for essentials. However there are a lot gems that fly under the radar. I've noticed this from daily visits on Fallout 4 Nexus, there is a lot of stuff that I love but won't ever be Top Files. Maybe their file is only several months old? Even if such a file might be better than an equivalent in Top Files, it won't surpass it in the rankings due to many of the Top Files being well into the thousands or even tens of thousands of endorsements. For instance in Fallout 4, there's stuff in the Top Files that may have been surpassed or maybe in the future could be surpassed but will always remain on top due to being available since November 2015 with the launch rush. I think it's useful to point out nice but missable files that aren't in the Top Files. If I get a lot of fantastic missables brought up, I could edit the OP to include a list like below:

 

Quick list of finds brought up so far, that may not be found in Top Files:

Nordic Ruins textures

Rustic Daedra

Death Hound & Gargoyles

Rustic Mountains

Draugr

Fanmade and NORDIC Exploration and Combat Music

RimStats

Acquisitive Soulgems Multithreaded

Windhelm HD Retexture. 4K option

Profiles containing many good mods, 55 textures mods

Gamwich's profile, containing 19 SSE texture mods

Kajuan's profile, containing 11 texture mods

mahty's profile, containing 10 dwarven tech mods

Luxor's profile, containing 25 texture mods

 

With textures for instance, everybody upgrades their hardware over time so better textures will tend to get made in later years. Some of the popular texture mods for SSE may get redone at a later time in 4K when the existing popular version may be 2K

[QuagaarWarrior]

Had a quick look at my load order for Blackreach textures.

Right at the top of my graphics mods I have Skyrim Realistic Overhaul. It retextures a HUGE amount of skyrim including a few areas that not many mods touch. It's not available on nexus, just google for it. It includes a Blackreach road retexture.

The reason I put it at the top is that I tend to prefer other retexture packs like Noble Skyrim so I let everything over ride it.

 

I also have the UHD Blackreach Mushrooms & HD Crystals mod.

[QuagaarWarrior]

In regards to other of my favourite graphics mods try the following authors:

 

T4TR34UM3R

Luxor8071

LupusHegemonia

 

I used stuff made by these modders quite extensively when retexturing skyrim. I really love T4TR34UMR's work and his mods are all designed to be used together along with Fluffy Snow.

[fftfan]

In regards to other of my favourite graphics mods try the following authors:

 

T4gtr34um3r

Luxor8071

LupusHegemonia

 

I used stuff made by these modders quite extensively when retexturing skyrim. I really love T4GTR34UM3Rs work and his mods are all designed to be used together along with Fluffy Snow.

Some solid gold information, thanks so much! It'll help us be better able to get into the game, which is great since Skyrim seems to remain quite active to this day so it alongside Fallout 4 can be reliable go-to games or mainstays for years to come.

 

(Note: Edited quote contents to correct T4GTR34UM3R's username in order to give it correct spelling for general ease of searching. And hyperlinks for easier access)

 

I just edited the opening post to contain useful information from the topic! Will try to include hyperlink to everything mentioned, as I get around to looking at them.

[dimondtrident]

I personally dont have alot of mods and i would live without most but one mod i think for myself is one i would always have to use. Beyond Skyrim Bruma. This is the first in a series of mods to add the holds of Cyridal to Skyrim. It adds in alot of new quests, new items, creatures, and is made to in know way conflict with the base game therefore not mess up any other mods.

[fftfan]

I personally don't have a lot of mods and i would live without most but one mod i think for myself is one i would always have to use. Beyond Skyrim Bruma. This is the first in a series of mods to add the holds of Cyrodiil to Skyrim. It adds in a lot of new quests, new items, creatures, and is made to in know way conflict with the base game therefore not mess up any other mods.

I suggest to check through the spoiler tags in the first post, I've tried to summarize suggestions from the topic as well as some I found that are really good but not in the top files.

 

Beyond Skyrim Bruma. This is the first in a series of mods to add the holds of Cyrodiil to Skyrim. It adds in a lot of new quests, new items, creatures, and is made to in know way conflict with the base game therefore not mess up any other mods.

That's a great point, though I definitely have heard of it in the past I had forgotten about it. Though I haven't gotten around to checking all categories thoroughly. It is no doubt in top files but probably worth mentioning anyways, along with The Forgotten City.