Latest version of Skyrim?

[Folgore]

I just bought a new computer. When I download Skyrim Special editon, is it giving the latest Skyrim Anniversary editon? Or do I have to download the updates as well?

[Alex]

Special edition is the base game, and the Anniversary edition is a pack containing a bunch of paid mods called creations. You don't really need that crap, stick with the standard Special edition.

[Quiniono]

anniversary addition is a "dlc" basically, and you only get a few questlines and items for the tradeoff of it breaking half your game, just use special edition

[smr1957]

When you download Skyrim Special Edition, yes, you get the latest version of the game (version 1.6.1170).

[DixonTheDirt]

Don't get AE unless you've been playing Skyrim this long without mods. SE works with all the mod packs from Wabbajack as well as ones from Nexus. $5 will allow you to download and install mod packs of hundreds of mods to completely revamp the game without worrying about load order or anything. AE broke a lot of mods and Bethesda keeps doing stupid updates specifically to break mod packs because there's now paid mods in the creation center they get a cut of.

[Silamon]

I think he might be wondering what exact version he has from just downloading the game, because certain mods are very dependent on a specific game version.

To OP, you will be getting the most recent patch (1.6.1170) that is considered by most mods to be the "AE" version, although there are now multiple different versions labelled as such... Some are specifically for pre 1.6.1130 because that made some changes that required updates.

You will NOT get the Anniversary Edition paid mod content, but that's mostly garbage that isn't really worth the money anyway IN MY OPINION. Most of the mods from it have alternatives that are as good or better.

Edit: Just realized this was an older post that had already been answered, well I'm still leaving it up anyway.

Second Edit:

Originally posted by DixonErHands:

Don't get AE unless you've been playing Skyrim this long without mods. SE works with all the mod packs from Wabbajack as well as ones from Nexus. $5 will allow you to download and install mod packs of hundreds of mods to completely revamp the game without worrying about load order or anything. AE broke a lot of mods and Bethesda keeps doing stupid updates specifically to break mod packs because there's now paid mods in the creation center they get a cut of.

While I agree wholeheartedly that a lot of the updates seem to be unneeded, IMO it is worth upgrading to current version now. Most of the good mods have been updated or patched for 1.6.1170 and there are some features older mods don't support.

But definitely turn off automatic updates, and only update if you are sure you are ready to do so...