Just started skyrim.. should I play modded or not

[DAprojectTurtle]

I bought the special edition. Not my first time playing, first was on ps3 when it came out just never finished.

I'm just curious as to what if any mods you guys might recommend and why?

Thanks I'm going to start looking into mods via YouTube just thought I'd ask y'all also.

[Seddrick]

I'd say get the most out of what the game has to offer BEFORE attempting to mod. Mods can have some nasty consequences for your save file if you end up having too many. Plus if you want mods, personally I would recommend staying away from the paid mod stuff ( even if Bethesda says its mini DLC instead of paid mod, but Im getting off topic and thats a WHOLE different topic to talk about.)

Over all, stay fresh because once you drive into mods, your experiance with the main game will... in all honesty, never be the same again.

[Kasane Randell MFer]

Play the game first. Then mod what you would like to add/change to the game.

[zeratulcraft]

Absolutely install the Unofficial Patch. It fixes things that Bethesda knew about before the switch to SE, but simply chose not to incorporate. These are things like quest fixes so that they actually function.

[Cavaleiro FVerde (BR)]

Originally posted by MOXHATKA_TBOEU_MAMKU:

Well, I prefer only official mods. Since I prefer to play lorewise game and more official mods will come later so I guess they could be incompatible with some unofficial stuff

What is " official mods " and "unofficial stuff ", just a doubt.

Originally posted by DAprojectTurtle:

I bought the special edition. Not my first time playing, first was on ps3 when it came out just never finished.

I'm just curious as to what if any mods you guys might recommend and why?

Thanks I'm going to start looking into mods via YouTube just thought I'd ask y'all also.

I recommend use of mods because you add new things and "fix" broken things but if you not know how to install go to youtube and learn to install correctly.

[Kblocks]

seem like a smart guy.. screw youtube.. just take a look at the most popular mods and make your own decisions..

unofficial patch
diverse dragons
enhanced blood

bunch of visual mods making it more immersive and script mods to let the fishtank feel more chaotic like 'immersive patrols' ie adding ai to roam around and fight eachother that you can intervene in

[JoJo]

You can/should use mods, but to preserve the original look and feel use only lore-friendly, gameplay-improvements (like easier to navigate menus) and graphics improvements.

Some examples:
• Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch
• QD Inventory SSE
• Qwix Favorite Menu All vanilla plus DLC
• Cutting Room Floor
• Realistic Lighting Overhaul
• Static Mesh Improvement Mod
• Improved Vanilla Water
• Osmodius Texture Mod
• Skyrim Flora Overhaul
• Quality World Map
• Footprints
• Better Dialogue Controls
• Bring out your dead
• Ducks and Swans for Skyrim
• Man those borders
• Joy of Perspective
• Run for your Lives

These are easy to install, don't require SKSE and should not impact performance too much (if this is even an issue).

You can also install "Immersive Citizens", however it will change the behaviour of NPC, so if you want to experience the vanilla you probably should avoid it.

If you want to add a bit more "flair" you can install the village mods of author "Arthmoor" which will expand cities and villages in a vanilla-friendly way, like Dawnstar, Dragon Bridge, Helarchen Hall, Whistling Mine, Soljund's Sinkhole and so on.

I recommend using "NMM" (Nexus Mod Manager) to download and install from nexusmods.com and then use LOOT to optimize load order.

[Kasane Randell MFer]

Originally posted by Kblocks:

seem like a smart guy.. screw youtube.. just take a look at the most popular mods and make your own decisions..

unofficial patch
diverse dragons
enhanced blood

bunch of visual mods making it more immersive and script mods to let the fishtank feel more chaotic like 'immersive patrols' ie adding ai to roam around and fight eachother that you can intervene in

immersive patrols is fun. I think it's hilarious that thalmor patrol help me if I need it. Even though I'm secretly a stormcloak sympathizer.

[smr1957]

Before modding anything, you need to read the following. The first was written for original Skyrim, but its overall message applies to the modding of any game. The second is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL!

Excellent advice regarding modding Skyrim (essay written by PeggleFrank) http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/343787920127409994/#c343787920127583150

Skyrim SE: Guides and Resources by Ilja
http://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/340412122413706606/
VERY IMPORTANT if you wish to successfully mod your game

And, it is highly recommended that you play the game vaniilla first (with only the Unofficial patch added: Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch by Unofficial Patch Project Team - http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266/? - fixes literally THOUSANDS of bugs), so that you will at least have an idea of what things you would like to see changed.

[JoJo]

Yes, read these 500 page manuals and watch 3 hours of video before you touch anything. And always remember: Modding is fun. LoL.

TL;DR:
1) Use Nexus Mod Manager to download and manage mods (duh)
2) Use LOOT to optimize load order.

• Avoid SKSE (for now) and any mods that require it.
• As a beginner stick to proven and well-known mods, read the notes.
• Don't mess around with any files, avoid mods which tell you to do so.
• Try not to change (especially remove) mods during a playthrough. If you absolutely have to, create a "hard save" (not quicksave) beforehand.

[DAprojectTurtle]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll leave it vanilla for a while.

[Shahadem]

I prefer only unofficial mods. Normal unmodded Skyrim looks like poop, especially the characters.

SKSE works perfectly fine and a lot of mods need it.

Mods that are absolutely necessary:
Alternate Start
Enhanced Character Edit
Caliente's CBBE and Bodyslide/Studio
aMidian Born's oldrim Armors for CBBE
Total Makeover (male only)
Invested Magic
Moonlight Tales
Better Vampires
Realistic Lighting Overhual
Dragon Mod
Unlimited Weapon Charges
Unlimited Leveling Mod
100% base pickpocket mod
Sky UI
iNeed/Realistic Needs and Diseases
Campire
Frostfall
La Femme Lycana (for female werewolf model)
Thunderchild
Full Magic Scaling
Better Unique Weapons
No Leveled Items

[thesnowfox84]

If nothing else Sky UI it replaces the basic UI with a way better one that just feels better when playing on a PC easy to navigate it will become the mod you can't play without and last I checked it's on steam so all you have to do is sub to it also Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch to help with the bugs even if your going to play vanilla pick these two up it will make playing the game way better

[Tx12001]

Originally posted by MOXHATKA_TBOEU_MAMKU:

Well, I prefer only official mods. Since I prefer to play lorewise game and more official mods will come later so I guess they could be incompatible with some unofficial stuff

The vanilla game isnt lore-accurate so mods can actually it more lore-friendly.

For instance Skyrim isnt 2 miles wide in the lore.

[❤𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒆]

Originally posted by Tx12001:

Originally posted by MOXHATKA_TBOEU_MAMKU:

Well, I prefer only official mods. Since I prefer to play lorewise game and more official mods will come later so I guess they could be incompatible with some unofficial stuff

The vanilla game isnt lore-accurate so mods can actually it more lore-friendly.

For instance Skyrim isnt 2 miles wide in the lore.

How big is it in lore?

[Fairy]

Play through the game without mods first and get a taste of vanilla skyrim.