climates of tamriel mod opinion?

[Overkill_Alaric]

i just downloaded the mod, started a new game and going to try it out. want to see what others think about the mod

[Anvar]

Its a good weather mod, I use either COT of Vivid Weather, COT is a bit lighter weight than VW however I find I need to install mods like True Storms (with patches to make them work together) to get the full range of VW.

When choosing I generally look at the Colour Palettes (as both look different) they use and decide which I want for my current play through

[Overkill_Alaric]

i have got a small fog, a huge thunderstorm so far :) the thunderstorm was nice. even heard the rain and thunder when i was inside a building. was abit scary at first when i noticed it. didnt think i could hear sound from the outside at all

[lupus_hegemonia]

First of all... try (all) to understand it... in graphics... in weather... in light fx... in EVERYTHING... if you want the BEST result, it's not a matter of one-two mods, but a combination OF MANY mods.

Now... since we understanding that (I hope), let's see your issue (weather). Here are (to me) the three options you have (I'm copying text from the SUPERB guide "Skyrim Septim" in Nexus:

You have a choice to make. Vivid weathers, or Climates of Tamriel or Natural and Atmospheric Tamriel. The first two are both incredible over-arching lighting and weather mods, and we need one of them, but can't have both. Or, we can go rogue and choose Natural and Atmospheric.

Why you should use Vivid Weathers:

PROS: The Snows , Fogs, and Rain weather types and lighting are in my view vastly superior to CoT. The game has a more modern feel, with realistic shadowing and clarity. Using the in-game book, you can configure the look of bloom , set the color saturation, and brightness settings for nights and interiors - all on the fly, in game.

CONS: It doesn't handle the new Godray system very well outside of fogs. It can lose details in the shadows, and sometimes the overall darkness of the lighting at mid to long ranges in shadows can darken the entire scene. Sometimes handles sunset and sunrise poorly from a lighting perspective. The sun looks odd. The clarity is a plus, but highlights the inherent flaws that skyrim has at distance if you dont run DoF (Depth of Field). Lighting was a little inconsistant, but a recent patch seemed to decrease this.

Why you should use Climates of Tamriel:

PROS: Gives a look and feel more like Oldrim. Handles godrays very well. Brings out details in shadow similar to vanilla in SE, giving an atmospheric result. Handles night lighting with better clarity, as well as textures in those situations feel more colorful and rich. Users who like fantasy looks will find this drastically superior to Vivid. Usually sunset and nearly always sunrise are handled perfectly, and are stunning. Lighting is extremely consistant.

CONS: Can feel washed out, sometimes extremely badly washed out at times. Fog is weaker. Rain looks thin and somewhat cartoony. It simply fails to have the same depth as far as fog, snow, and rain as vivid. Lods at distance can look flat due to lighting. Characters look a little more 'digital' due to the lighting when outside. The 'haze' that creates the atmosphere is sometimes too blue, and breaks my immersion. I feel the weather transitions are somewhat more jarring than vivid, probably just due to the more atmospheric lighting.

Why you should Choose Natural and Atmospheric Tamriel

PROS: The lighting is highly realistic, much stronger on realism than either of the other two options. Sunset and Sunrise are beyond absolutely amazing. If you like clarity and realism, this will beat out the other two options with ease. If you like a lighter game, this will also suit your tastes more: Nights are quite a bit brighter, and interiors are a little brighter - nearly perfect interior darkness in dungeons in my eyes. The orange thing that Skryim SE now does at sunrise and sunset is blended out perfectly, especially with the reshade. God rays are realistic and good.

CONS: It's not as feature rich as Vivid. Rain was good, had the same thinish fogs close up as Climates of Tamriel. In a few hours of testing, either the weathers were more similar, or didn't stand out as much as Vivid or CoT - Felt more like vanilla, a little less impressive on the variety, or at least the variety that you tend to notice. Full sunlight in clear conditions felt overexposed a little. Sometimes Aurora's at night were too bright as well, and made the game look a touch unrealistic.

[lupus_hegemonia]

Now... after I tested ALMOST ANYTHING on Nexus,... and I followed (to a point) this amazing guide "Skyrim Septim", I made my own guide mod-setup ("BOSS"). In my guide, here are the (quite some!) mods I'm using for weather & light fx (EXACTLY with this order, you need to download and install them):

1. Climates of Tamriel SE - Main file. DO NOT INSTALL any extras! Choose Interiors-Warm and Darkness to 2. (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2237/?)

2. True Storms - Main file. (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2472/?)

3. TSCoT Compatibility Patch - A patch for CoT working together with True Storms. (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/4198/?)

4. Real Rain SE - Main file. Obviously you're choosing "CoT" during the "fomod". (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2022/?)

5. [ΟPTIONAL] Lightning During Storms Sse (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/8778/?)

6. ETHEREAL CLOUDS by Gamwitch - "Must have"! Choose 1Κ version. (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2393/?)

7. ETHEREAL COSMOS - Special Edition - Another"Must have" mod! I recommending the 3rd main file "Twinkle Subdued". (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/5728/?)

8. Enhanced Lights and Effects - ELFX - Another "Must have" mod! During "fomod" you're choosing: In the first screen "elfx enhancer" & "Enhanced Ice". DO NOT choose "weathers". On the second screen, just the SMIM optionals. On the third press "Install". (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2424/?)

9. Realistic Water Two - Choose any res you like and any watercolor you like. DO NOT the optional "flowing lakes" & "ambiance"! (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2182/?)

10. Skyrim SE re-engaged ReShade - Probably THE MOST IMPORTANT MOD of all, the one that PUTS TOGETHER ALL to work all... Choose the "ENB" version... After that, choose the optional file Sun-Sunflare Optional Add-On, a superb sun retexturing... (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1089/?)

[lupus_hegemonia]

If you want help for TOTAL TEXTURES overhaul, let me know...

[Overkill_Alaric]

its ok babe im going to play with climates of tamriel mod for a while and then test the others

[lupus_hegemonia]

Υou won't see MANY with only CoT (which is the BEST weather mod, for my flavor & opinion).
You need the rest too.

CoT is very bad with STORMS & RAIN. So, you need to add the rest I placed and combo them with CoT.

And you need the ELFX too (very much you need it), and of course the ENB last mod - the MOST important mod. Trust me and don't be lazy, put them all.

[Mark]

Just wanted to reply to this older thread with many thanks.

Lupus, your list is simply brilliant, I love it! I tested all of the weather mods, ENBs and such, and this is the best overall experience for my setup at the moment. Thanks!

[lupus_hegemonia]

Hahahaha... No prob, mate!
I KNEW you gonna loved them!

My entire guide is brilliant, because I made it after I tested ALL - and I MEAN IT... ALL! - the mods available on Nexus site! After... 40+ (!!!!!!!!) installations and formats and re-installations, after sooooo many testing... I have a guide list with 230+ mods (plus 60-70+ "oldrim" mods), that making Skyrim completely OTHER GAME than the vanilla one.

And as you said... without ENB... is like you got yourself the lady ready for "action"... and you forgot the wallet to your house and you can't get her to the hotel!!!!!!

ENB is a MUST to Skyrim.

Glad I helped, I'm not arrogant to have a good copy and not sharing to the others...

Btw... I'm... re-installing (again??????) the Skyrim SE and I made (again????) new entries and new changes to many things... But as far as we're talking about weather and light, I'm stick on these, I'm not changing them, no matter what others saying...

VIVID WEATHER is a brilliant alternative weather mod, so great as CoT is. But... it makes the game VERY "NATURAL", like you walking in a real park during your adventures in Tamriel.
Which I DON'T LIKE THAT, I love that "fantasy-RPG-Medieval" feeling, the CoT gives you (especially combining CoT with ENB preset)!