Lampros' torrent of (near-) total newb questions

[Lampros]

Hi, I have not played in 6-7 years, and I have yet to touch the SE version that I somehow automatically own. As a result, I might as well be a total beginner, and I am already running into a lot of problems even trying to play the vanilla version to get myself re-acquainted. So I thought to consolidate those questions here, as I expect more will be coming.

So problems I had running literally from the opening scene:

1. I tend to turn off the volume when I play games, because most sound effects represent distractions more than anything useful in PC games for me. But the issue with doing this is that I seem to be missing the necessary instructions that NPCs are giving me as well.

So is there an option to follow dialogue in text rather than in voice? I recall there was such an option in LE, but my memory is hazy, as I am getting older.

[Solved:

Subtitles can be activated on Settings -> Display.

Credit: Ihateeverybody.]

2. It appears that I have accidentally re-bound the "exit" or "escape" shortcut, so I cannot get back to the main menu while in-game. Likewise, I can only turn off the game manually using the Task Manager - rather than doing it in-game. Further, I cannot find the options menu to re-bind shortcuts anywhere.

Uh, so what should I do? I assume I need to wipe out my own accidental re-binding of shortcuts and restore the default shortcuts. But as I have said, I cannot find even the options menu to do so. Thus, I am totally stuck. (In addition to being unable to exit the game from in-game, I obviously cannot do anything else such as read my quests, etc., without the ability to do anything in-game other than just continue to play.)

[Solved:

Delete both ini files located in Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition.

Credit: Iija and Ihateeverybody.]

3. I am getting about 45-50ish FPS after the game automatically calibrated my graphics setting; and there is also some stutter.

Now, given that 1) my rig is not exactly state-of-the-art, and 2) I plan on heavily modding my game, do I need to throttle down the graphics setting manually, rather than accept the game's own estimates? Or is 45-50 in the opening sequence (just right out of the cave) sufficient, even in graphics heavy areas with 50-plus mods in the future?

Thanks much in advance!

Addendum:

PC sepcs as requested:

Processor: Intel i7-6700 CPU 3.40GHZ
Ram: 16GB
System type: 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Display Adapters: NVDIA GeForce GTX 960

4. Where can I find character build guides that are in text form?

I am a habitual min-maxer who tend to always play at the highest difficulty, as well as someone who cannot tolerate failing too frequently. Yet, in spite of the fact that there are so many guides on Steam, not a single one seems to be about individual character builds. And the ones I encounter outside of Steam almost universally seems in video form - which, again, I do not like.

[Solved:

Good ole, reliable Gamefaqs contains a ton of guides - including build guides.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/191477-the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-special-edition/faqs ]

5. Is there an in-game key function or a mod that better highlights interactable objects?

[Solved (temporarily):

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/6986?tab=description ]

-to be continued-

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by Lampros:

Originally posted by Black Album:

Could you say what mod manager you’re using … or plan to use?
Vortex or MO2 ?

I am not set yet but leaning toward Vortex, since people say it's easier for new users. What would be your recommendation?

Try one and see if it suits you.

Vortex has a wider range of games that it can mod, but MO2 is optimised for Skyrim, and some modders say that for more complicated builds you need MO2...

But pick one and see if it suits you, if not you can always try the other one.

[Ilja]

To clarify: MO2 is not just for BGS games. It is optimized for them, but it supports quite wide variety of games these days.

[BarbarianHeart]

Skyrim is the sort of game where you may want to consider leaving the sound on. You are losing a lot of immersion otherwise. The music is very beautiful and is soft by default, not distracting at all. Also some enemies make sounds that can give you a heads up on their presence. For instance, if you hear wolves howling you had better start looking around for them. Even if they sound far away they can run up on you fast, and a pack of them can be a problem for a low level player. The same goes for bears. You can sometimes hear bandits talking to one another before they detect you as well.

[smr1957]

30 fps is definitely playable - it was what the game was originally released at for consoles. I fact, that is actual a better setting than 60 because of that - 60 FPS is really just a psychological thing - the same way 4K textures are all the thing - when in Oldrim, people strived for 2k and considered that to be the ideal. Also, there is drift even with 60 FPS - and by drift I mean that after a sufficient time playing, you will see schedules starting to be very slightly off. Though while people aim for 60, it is not really necessary - it is just the maximum that the FPS can be set at before everything that is tied to FPS goes completely haywire.

By the way, I have my build set to 30 - but that is because I want to give Papyrus the maximum amount of time possible to run all the required scripts - and with the size of my game, every little bit helps; but I see no different in game play - because it stays at 30 all the time without deviating even a single FPS.

[smr1957]

You definitely want to keep the sound on. The only things would be to turn off the music that is always playing if you feel that is too unrealistic ;. I use a mod called Kill The Orchestra which allows you to choose what music you hear - if any - via a FOMOD. You can get it here:
https://www.afkmods.com/index.php?/files/file/1264-kill-the-orchestra/
Highly recommended - and this way all the other sounds are there - so it is not like you are playing as someone who is deaf.

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by Ilja:

To clarify: MO2 is not just for BGS games. It is optimized for them, but it supports quite wide variety of games these days.

Oh yes, I wasn't saying it's skyrim only, just optimised for it.

[Lampros]

Originally posted by BarbarianHeart:

Skyrim is the sort of game where you may want to consider leaving the sound on. You are losing a lot of immersion otherwise. The music is very beautiful and is soft by default, not distracting at all. Also some enemies make sounds that can give you a heads up on their presence. For instance, if you hear wolves howling you had better start looking around for them. Even if they sound far away they can run up on you fast, and a pack of them can be a problem for a low level player. The same goes for bears. You can sometimes hear bandits talking to one another before they detect you as well.

Hmm, okay; I will keep it on in that case. I cannot compromise on music though - so no music! ;)

Originally posted by smr1957:

30 fps is definitely playable - it was what the game was originally released at for consoles. I fact, that is actual a better setting than 60 because of that - 60 FPS is really just a psychological thing - the same way 4K textures are all the thing - when in Oldrim, people strived for 2k and considered that to be the ideal. Also, there is drift even with 60 FPS - and by drift I mean that after a sufficient time playing, you will see schedules starting to be very slightly off. Though while people aim for 60, it is not really necessary - it is just the maximum that the FPS can be set at before everything that is tied to FPS goes completely haywire.

By the way, I have my build set to 30 - but that is because I want to give Papyrus the maximum amount of time possible to run all the required scripts - and with the size of my game, every little bit helps; but I see no different in game play - because it stays at 30 all the time without deviating even a single FPS.

I see; so would you then recommend I set FPS at 30, if I am only getting 45-50 even on "quiet" scenes like the post-cave one?

[Lampros]

Gah, Steam formatting is painful. Sorry, everyone! ;)

[smr1957]

Originally posted by Lampros:

- snip -
I see; so would you then recommend I set FPS at 30, if I am only getting 45-50 even on "quiet" scenes like the post-cave one?

If there is little variation in the FPS - lets say no more than 5, then there is no real need to do so - I just prefer to have a locked cap to prevent regional fluctuations and minor stutterings at times. Really a coin toss if you are not seeing any issues.

The deviations from schedule at 60 FPS literally take hundreds of hours to develop, and then are relatively minor - schedules off by an hour or so - but the do occur - just not something most people will ever encounter (unlike when you exceed 60).

But, to give a direct answer - if it were my game I would cap it at 30.

[Lampros]

4. Where can I find character build guides that are in text form?

I am a habitual min-maxer who tend to always play at the highest difficulty, as well as someone who cannot tolerate failing too frequently. Yet, in spite of the fact that there are so many guides on Steam, not a single one seems to be about individual character builds. And the ones I encounter outside of Steam almost universally seems in video form - which, again, I do not like.

[Lampros]

*updating this thread with new questions and some answers (including the ones I've found myself*

5. Is there an in-game key function or a mod that better highlights interactable objects?

[Solved (temporarily):

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/6986?tab=description ]

[Lampros]

6. How do I decrease mouse sensitivity in Skyrim? I cannot move the mouse without my perspective flying all over the place.

[Black Album]

There’s a setting in the “options” (or settings) from the in-game menu that allows you to adjust the mouse sensitivity.
Although … good luck with that …
I use a controller and can’t get it set correctly … as an archer I’m always … “ a little bit to the left … a little bit to the right … bugger he’s moved … more to the left … sod it … call up a follower”

[Lampros]

Originally posted by Black Album:

There’s a setting in the “options” (or settings) from the in-game menu that allows you to adjust the mouse sensitivity.
Although … good luck with that …
I use a controller and can’t get it set correctly … as an archer I’m always … “ a little bit to the left … a little bit to the right … bugger he’s moved … more to the left … sod it … call up a follower”

"Look sensitivity"? I tried that - and cranked it to the left most - and yet it did not do much. I also tried some ini.preference page adjustments suggested online, and it didn't work. I also turned mouse acceleration within Windows, and that too did nothing. Darn it; I don't remember LE having these issues when I played it 6-7 years ago (different PC and mouse, of course).

[Black Album]

One of the others ..who use a mouse .. will be along to help before too long.