Should I play Skyrim without mods for my first playthrough?

[NVY]

I want to experience it in the most classic way possible, but there may be certain mods that maintain the essence while significantly improving the game's quality.

Thanks o/

[Sep]

You only need this for your first playthrough and nothing else.

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?

There might be more QOL mod, but I cannot think of any right now.

Cause this mod only fix bug and nothing else.

[ralphtobybob]

Once you start playing with mods, you'll be glad you have vanilla saves to work with instead of having to level up each time you try out a mod.
Some mods don't kick in until your character reaches a certain level.
Do use the official patch though. Some game content is glitched to the point that adding the patch later doesn't resolve the existing problems.
I made saves before choosing a branching path, such as choosing a side for the Civil War. That allowed me to play both sides without having to level up all over again.

[smr1957]

As has already been posted, just use the Unofficial Patch for your first playthrough. I would suggest that while playing, if you see something that you think you would want to change in the game, write it down in some notes - that way, after you have played for a while, you will have a list of things that you can refer to and see if there are any mods which improve those things.

Good luck and have fun!

[smr1957]

Also, once you are ready to start modding, ask in the forum again, there are many knowledgeable people ready to help - also, refer to the pinned topics, especially this:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2888888400

[NVY]

Thanks for the help !

[Azor]

If you're not searching the internet for solutions then you're not experiencing true vanilla Skyrim.

[𝑲]

I recommend playing without mods (apart from the suggested patch). There are other patches and improvements to the engine you can make, but you can spend too many hours learning when you want to play the game. It can all come later if you like the game and want to improve it.
If it's just that one mod, you could install it manually (stick in the data folder) and not even worry about using a mod manager.

[Rez Elwin]

I agree with the above, play with the patch and nothing else. I would add to take notes on what you feel the game is lacking in.

Then when you start modding you can take a look at your notes and find things that alleviate the problems you had.

[Vlad 254]

Originally posted by NVY:

I want to experience it in the most classic way possible, but there may be certain mods that maintain the essence while significantly improving the game's quality.

Thanks o/

Yes. And I would use the USSEP as others have said. Just know that with mods you won't receive Achievements if that matters to you. But, once you start modding there is a great mod that improves the games performance that also re-enables the ability to earn achievements as you normally would.

Enjoy and any questions just ask.

[TGC> The Games Collector]

The only mods I'd recommend for a first playthrough is textures and meshes.
And other visual improvements like ENB and Reshade.

Just add in later what you think is missing from the main game.

[sdack]

If you truly want to experience the game in its most vanilla state then, sure, you should play it completely without mods.

But not every mod alters the game in a significant way. So do some patch bugs or only make it run better. There are mods that fix several known causes for crashes (CTDs), bring improved support for ultrawide screen monitors, improve performance, etc..

You do not have to choose game-changing mods, but you are not missing out on the vanilla experience by choosing your mods smartly. Ask for recommended mods or search for so called "must have"-mods, which is a common topic and you can get a first idea of what is out there.

[D1Z4STR]

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/85018

[psychotron666]

Originally posted by Sep:

You only need this for your first playthrough and nothing else.

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?

There might be more QOL mod, but I cannot think of any right now.

Cause this mod only fix bug and nothing else.

It's not only bug fixes though. It changes many things in the game that the mod makers decided should be changed.

Calling the nerevarine a "he" isn't a bug, for example. And the mod removes that.

[smr1957]

Your best bet as far as information on the Unofficial Patch is concerned is to read the PINNED TOPIC regarding it - much better than going by hearsay, much of which is based upon personal likes or dislikes or is outright misinformation:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2909719179

And as far as the best and most informed advice is concerned, see this from the PINNED TOPIC Helpful Links and References:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2898569762

[peppermint hollows]

Originally posted by psychotron666:

Calling the nerevarine a "he" isn't a bug, for example. And the mod removes that.

🙄