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Is it safe to install and uninstall multiple lighting mods one at a time to see how they look?

norekp

By norekp
in Skyrim LE

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norekp Explorer

norekp

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If I installed one and opened an old save inside a Dwemer Ruin and saw how it looked, and then closed the game, uninstalled it and installed a different one and opened the same old save to see? It is the same character as my main save file but a save maybe 3-4 saves back. Not really sure how modding works but I have read plenty of times that you shouldn't uninstall mods if you can help it. So I figured I'd ask before trying. If this won't work, is there a simple way to go about doing this? Thanks!

Using SSE btw and Nexus Mod Manager.

 

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Algabar Mentor

Algabar

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In fact, you shouldn't change your load order during a playthrough. That's the basic rule. Esepcially removing mods might get you in trouble. Adding new ones isn't as critical. How "dangerous" removing mods is, depends on the type of mod: You can for example always change texture replacers, since textures don't affect your savegames. Adding smaller mods (e.g. a new armour or a new follower) is usually also fine. A big "nono" on the other hand is uninstalling large mods and generally mods containing scripts. Don't change your setup regarding these mods. Don't uninstall for example Overhauls like "Better Vampires" or "Hunterborn". ALso don't change follower frameworks like AFT or EFF...

 

Now, lighting mods are somewhere in between. Most od them don't rely heavily on scripts. They change the world space of course, but mostly do so by adding or moving light sources and changing lighting settings. From my experience, you CAN change lighting mods during a playthrough.

I'd recommend a procedure also known as "clean save" (although there really is no such thing): Save with the mod installed, then uninstall it. Now load your save, travel a bit, go in and out of buildings and dungeons, maybe "wait" some time. Now save again. You should also use a savegame cleaner. This should get MOST of the data from the mod out of your savegame. Again: Nothing's guaranteed, there's still a (in the case of lighting mods very minor) risk, that something may go wrong further down the line...

 

In other words: If you're unhappy with your current lighting mod, change it. There's a small chance you will ruin your savegame, but IMHO it's really small. On the other hand: What good is a savegame tied to mods you don't like and don't want to play with any more?

 

For "testing purposes" I'd simply take one savegame. Use it to test different mods. After you decided, which lighting mod suits you best, discard this "test game". Play on with a "clean save" as described above, that you made before starting your tests.

 

On a sidenote: Lighting mods are one part of ingame lighting. Another important aspects are ENBs and Reshades. Unlike mods, they don't influence your savegame. So ENBs and Reshades can be changed or adjusted at any given time. In fact, their impact on the game's visuals is very strong. If you're looking for ways to customize your lighting in game, testing different ENBs (and maybe adjusting them to your needs) might be the way to go.

 

For testing and switching ENBs or REshades, I'd recommend this tool: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/4143

It lets you save ENB or REshade configurations and switch between them within seconds. The perfect tool for testing - or if you want some variety.

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norekp Explorer

norekp

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Ah okay, thank you for the detailed response :)

 

Am I correct them to assume that if I just wanted to try out different lighting mods, I could just make a new save, use that to install them one by one (never actually saving but just looking around), then pick one and go back to my old save (which I didn't use during this) and that should be fine?

 

Also another side question, if you are having an issue and want to see the cause, is it okay to uninstall a mod to see if it is the cause and then just start a save, look to see, and then close the game without saving? Then after just turn the mod back on if it wasn't the cause?

I was told that it doesn't matter what you do if you don't save, just wanted to confirm that is true. Thanks!

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Algabar Mentor

Algabar

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Ah okay, thank you for the detailed response :smile:

 

Am I correct them to assume that if I just wanted to try out different lighting mods, I could just make a new save, use that to install them one by one (never actually saving but just looking around), then pick one and go back to my old save (which I didn't use during this) and that should be fine?

 

Sure. This will be okay.

 

 

Also another side question, if you are having an issue and want to see the cause, is it okay to uninstall a mod to see if it is the cause and then just start a save, look to see, and then close the game without saving? Then after just turn the mod back on if it wasn't the cause?

I was told that it doesn't matter what you do if you don't save, just wanted to confirm that is true. Thanks!

 

As you said: As long as you don't save, nothing bad will happen. :cool:

 

On a sidenote: It is often a good idea to use a new game (not an old save) for testing. This way you can rule out, that issues are caused by data baked into your savegame, not by the currently installed mods themselves.

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