how to use a mod

[erix999]

hey i've never mod before and i don't know how to put it in skyrim can you guy tell me how you do it or use it

[IsharaMeradin]

This is how I deal with or dealt with 90% of my mods

 

1. Download & Install Nexus Mod Manager

2. Read up on & decide on a mod you would like to use

3. Download with the green Download Now button on the appropriate file (always check the files tab for specific file options)

4. It will download into NMM

5. When finished, press the Activate Mod button (or something like that is shown on mouse over) on the left while in the Mods tab

6. After it is activate, check the Plugins tab to make sure the mod is checked as active.

7. Ensure that bEnableFileSelection= is set to 1 under [Launcher] in you SkyrimPrefs.ini file located in your Documents > My Games > Skyrim directory

8. Play the game & check out the new mod content.

 

Note that some mods have multiple options in the downloaded archive and you need to pay attention to any associated documentation so that you don't end up with 10 active esp files when you need only one.

 

There are other methods to installing & setting up mods. Nexus Mod Manager is probably the easiest to get the hang of for someone starting out. Until you learn the game's folder structure and how mods actually work, I would avoid trying to install mods manually.

 

Making a mod is a different story all together....

[Trucidation]

Agreed, and I can't emphasise enough on step 2. A particular mod might sound like a good idea, until you read its comment thread and discover people complaining about it not being updated, nasty bugs, compatibility issues with popular mods, etc.

 

Some other tips:

 

 

Imho it's a good idea to list down all the mods you'd like to have before you even start playing. Judging from the huge amount of people having trouble with exactly this kind of thing (adding and removing mods in an existing game), you're really better off planning for what mods you want before you start. Took me several evenings after work just to look all the mods up, but the end result was a problem-free install and a smooth game.

 

To start off, here's a handy guide of mods by category: "Skyrim G.E.M.S." ( http://skyrimgems.com/ ). Have fun!

 

 

 

[thomriis]

Also make sure not to use to many mods that add new locations like player homes,dungeons,castles,cities and new lands (be sure to read the comments on them as they often interfer with

other locations and make you go CTD.

 

If you want a manual explanation on how to install mods just ask :)

 

And check the description if there is any mention about the load order of the mods, you can use the NMM manager or the skyrim launcher to manage the load order.

[Riprock]

hey i've never mod before and i don't know how to put it in skyrim can you guy tell me how you do it or use it

 

 

Download manager is cool

 

But knowing something about the file structure of the game may help

 

Open steam and click 'play' for Skyrim. See the option 'Data files'? That's where your mods roughly 'live', in general, and you can turn them on or off here

 

But also knowing the files in general, in the PC is useful. Go to wherever you installed Steam, probably the C: drive. open 'steam apps', then 'common files', and then 'Skyrim'. The mods themselves are in 'data' (just like the option at the game launcher is called 'data files', get it?)

 

if you install a mod, it goes to 'data'. Some files may go into 'meshes'. Mod files are .esps and easy to spot

 

usually mods have good instructions for manual install. I feel it's good to know how to manually install; it takes the mystery out of what's happening