Alternate Start - Live Another Life or Skyrim Unbound?

[Essexkiwi]

I must admit I've used Live Another Life for so long now, I'd find it hard to go back to the vanilla start. I really enjoy more slow-burn starts without kicking off the main storyline, one reason why I also like mods that slow XP gain.
I'm tempted to try out Skyrim Unbound for the sole reason that you can play through the civil war to its end with no need to start the main quest at all.
Anyone used both and can share comment on which you prefer and why?

[Altbert]

Yes, I used both, but ditched Live Another Life. Instead I am using Skyrim Unbound, which is highly configurable through the MCM. E.g. I have prosponed dragons to appear at word walls until I'm level 25 and random attacks of dragons (in villages) until I'm level 80, but you can set any desirable value. Upon killing your first dragon you will receive the first word of the Unrelenting Force shout and be summoned by the Greybeards. You can configure where and how you want to start your game. Skyrim Unbound skips the first four quests of the main questline.

[jancawa55]

Thanks Altbert, I may try thay next time I restart.

[Altbert]

Originally posted by jancawa55:

Thanks Altbert, I may try thay next time I restart.

Have you figured out your level progress yet?

[ralphtobybob]

The biggest difference is that you know where you'll start with Alternate, unless you choose the 'surprise me' option. Unbound starts you off in a random location.
There's also Alternate Perspectives which is similar to Unbound's enhanced character creation but starts you out in a pre-dragon attack Helgen. The only way you'll know if they fit your playstyle is to actually use them.
I've tried them all, but for some mods that are level based, I use an old save. Some are vanilla others began with Alternate Start. I only add A.S. to them to keep the save from complaining about a missing mod.

[Altbert]

Originally posted by ralphtobybob:

The biggest difference is that you know where you'll start with Alternate, unless you choose the 'surprise me' option. Unbound starts you off in a random location.
There's also Alternate Perspectives which is similar to Unbound's enhanced character creation but starts you out in a pre-dragon attack Helgen. The only way you'll know if they fit your playstyle is to actually use them.
I've tried them all, but for some mods that are level based, I use an old save. Some are vanilla others began with Alternate Start. I only add A.S. to them to keep the save from complaining about a missing mod.

Skyrim Unboud doesn't start you in a random location. In the MCM you can choose from a large variety of locations, although you can choose to be surprised. Most of the time I choose Whiterun as my starting location.

[Vlad 254]

They are both excellent mods. You really can't go wrong with either one. I use Alternate Start LAL but that is mostly due to habit and I have other mods that control other aspects of the game like when I'll see dragons or even the civil war. Unbound is a very good all-in-one if you will. Best way to decide, especially since you've used LAL for so long is to try Unbound and see how you like it. One thing for sure is that it works as advertised.

[theo]

Unbound is more like a standalone interface, you use it like you would use console commands or a trainer. Live another life is more seamless, immersive and streamlined, more aesthetically pleasing overall

[Essexkiwi]

Thanks for the replies all.

[wicked lester]

I'm playing AS right now due to its integration with Legacy of the Dragonborn.

[SpeedFreak1972]

Yea the guild master start gives you a headstart (explorers recruited, guild house build, etc) If I use LOTD I also go that way otherwise it doesn't matter really

[LSD Paradox]

non of the alternate life mods are working i tried everything.

yes i have a legal copy of the game 1.6.640

[HazakTheMad]

They are all working for me, you might need some help, I suggest putting as much information about how you installed those mods in that other thread of yours.

[Cookie]

Each mod has its own features the other lacks. I prefer Skyrim Unbound because it wasn't made by a despicable person, but as far as mod features, well... it kind of wins there too. The whole see dragon at Helgen -> warn the Jarl -> run Bleak Falls Barrow is so tiring after 11 years. Finding out I'm Dragonborn via a random dragon encounter at a customizable level gate is much more interesting and dynamic.

[LSD Paradox]

Originally posted by HazakTheMad:

They are all working for me, you might need some help, I suggest putting as much information about how you installed those mods in that other thread of yours.

SKSE is not even running correctly, not even showing custom alduin skin either idk whats going on modding was never hard for me

[Vlad 254]

Originally posted by LSD Paradox:

non of the alternate life mods are working i tried everything.

yes i have a legal copy of the game 1.6.640

Originally posted by LSD Paradox:

Originally posted by HazakTheMad:

They are all working for me, you might need some help, I suggest putting as much information about how you installed those mods in that other thread of yours.

SKSE is not even running correctly, not even showing custom alduin skin either idk whats going on modding was never hard for me

Best way to get help is to start yourself a thread here in the forums. I'd list your load order as well. LOOT keeps a text copy and so does Vortex.

From LOOT go up top, select "Game" then find then select "copy load order"

From Vortex go up top while in the Mods section of Vortex - You'll see a folder icon, select the dropdown then select "Open Game Application Data Folder" then select loadorder.txt
OR
Vortex keeps that copy here: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Skyrim Special Edition