Maximum efficiency minimal modding.

[Nixonator]

After the latest update ruined my 600 mod Skyrim, I decided to take a new approach. I decided that less can be more. I would just have to resist the urge to mod every last aspect of the game. The challenge is to mod your Skyrim with no more than 45 mods. I would like to see what people think is essential for their Skyrim experience.

+Improved Closedfaced Helmets Patches
+SkyUI SE - Flashing Savegames Fix
+Inigo Riding Patch
+Relationship Dialogue Overhaul - RDO SE
+Nether's Follower Framework
+Fuz Ro D-oh - Silent Voice
+ELFX Shadows
+Enhanced Lights and FX
+Mists of Tamriel
+Enhanced Volumetric Lighting and Shadows (EVLaS)
+Bijin Skin - CBBE
+Tempered Skins for Males
+Modpocalypse NPCs - Interesting NPCs - 3DNPC
+Modpocalypse NPCs - All Vanilla NPCs
+Modpocalypse NPCs - Resources
+Skald's Mail - A Courier Alternative
+Convenient Horses
+INIGO
+Interesting NPCs SE (3DNPC)
+Triumvirate - Mage Archetypes
+Odin and Vokrii Ice Spike Crash Fix
+Odin - Vokrii Compatibility Patch
+Odin - Skyrim Magic Overhaul
+ODIN spells for NPCS
+Vokrii - Minimalistic Perks of Skyrim
+Enemy (R)Evolution of Skyrim - EEOS
+Improved closefaced helmets
+RUSTIC CLOTHING - Special Edition
+Cathedral - Armory
+Majestic Mountains Darkside
+Skyrim Flora Overhaul SE
+SMIM - Noble Skyrim Patch
+Static Mesh Improvement Mod
+Noble Skyrim Mod HD-2K
+Audio Overhaul - Immersive Sounds Integration
+Immersive Sounds - Compendium
+Audio Overhaul for Skyrim (4.1.2)
+Sound Record Distributor
+SKSE
+Spell Perk Item Distributor
+powerofthree's Tweaks
+Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch - USSEP
+SkyUI
+SSE Engine Fixes (skse64 plugin)
+Address Library for SKSE Plugins

[theo]

Inigo and Holidays that's it

[Riverdusk]

If you really want to go minimal go with only non-skse ones as well. At that point 99% of the time updates won't even affect you. I had about 50 mods once with no skse mods.

I know a lot can't stand the controller UI though, no SkyUI is probably the biggest missed one with that approach.

[TAGma]

The problem with Skyrim updates is that they break SKSE and any mods that require it (SkyUI, SSE Engine Fixes, Fuz ro doh, Spell Perk Item Distributor, etc).
Mods that don't require SKSE are fine, go nuts, 45 mods, 200 mods, 500 mods...

[theo]

Exactly.
I always avoid 3rd party stuff as it's so easily broken. Use mods the way Bethesda intended them to be used and you're safe

[Nixonator]

The point is to just see what you can live with and not let your mod list go crazy.