SE/AE.

[Blinkybubs]

Do I need to let the beth server update me to AE to be 1.6.640? and when I dl mods from nexus do I then use SE mods?

[vee-kay]

Most mods are working fine now with AE 1.6.1170.0, so you can let the game update to it.

When downloading mods, go to Skyrim Special Edition NexusMods, and wherever mod files say AE 1.6+, use them. Many SE versions of mods can work in AE, but not if depending on old versions of plugin mods (but most plugin mods - especially SKSE, Address Library and Payload Interpreter - are already updated to latest AE 1.6.1170.0).

[Sairek Ceareste]

You don't need creations for mods unless they specifically say they do as a requirement. The only time they will need that requirement is if the mods rely on those creations themselves.

You don't need AE specifically for anything. SE/AE are both one and the same. The only difference is those creations which can still be installed like any other mod on SE. I don't have AE, but I do have those creations installed.

[Fear2288]

The use of “SE” and “AE” in relation to mods is predominantly a way to differentiate between game version 1.5.97 (“SE”) and whatever the latest game version is (“AE”).

This started back in November 2021 when the Anniversary Upgrade DLC released and the game transitioned from version 1.5.97 to 1.6xx for the first time. As many people at the time chose to prevent the update or rollback their game, mod makers catered to these people and began uploading two different versions of their mod: one for 1.5.97 and one for 1.6xx which they labeled as “SE” and “AE” respectively.

Side note, to be clear, the use of “AE” in relation to mods does not pertain to owning the Upgrade DLC - it relates solely to game version.

As time has gone on, the number of people still using 1.5.97 has dwindled, but they’re still around and many mod makers continue to appease them and their opposition to updating to the current version.

Having recently come back to the game, I’ve noticed that the “SE” and “AE” distinctions still remain, but now we’ve also got versions of mods specifically for 1.6.640 (pre-Creations update) as well.

This is because - just like back in 2021 - there’s a population of players who have chosen to not update and have kept their game version at 1.6.640.

In short, if you’re using the latest version of the game - you want “AE”.

If you see different files for different game versions, you want 1.6.1170.

If a mod has a file version that just says “AE” or gives a version number that is below 1.6.1170 - even if it has a “+” - check the date of the mod’s last update (usually listed in the banner under the mod’s title, on the description page, or on the actual file download on the “Files” page).

If the mod was last updated BEFORE January 17th 2024, it may not function with 1.6.1170. Check the “Posts” and “Bugs” pages of the mod and look to see if there’s people complaining about it not working with 1.6.1170 or asking for an update.

[vee-kay]

I think IF Bethesda can stop releasing unnecessary updates to the game exe, then modders can simply settle down to supporting the latest AE 1.6.1170.0. That's a big IF though, as we know Bethesda does its own thing without caring adequately about the modding community that keeps its games alive.

The Creation Club is fairly basic as a mods gallery, but it's sufficient for noobs, and I appreciate that most CC mods are free,

Gamers still stuck with old versions of the game, should simply spend a bit of money finally to buy the AE, so that modding community can move away from supporting all these old versions.

It would be better if Bethesda offered AE as a free update, but we all know that's never gonna happen.

Bethesda (God Todd) will continue to milk Skyrim until Bethesda ceases to exist (and going by how they are behaving in recent years by refusing to release TES-VI and FO5, but unleashing duds like Starfield, while ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ on modding community with unnecessary updates -- Beth seems to be headed to oblivion (pun intended) anyway).

[Fear2288]

@vee-kay

Ownership of the Anniversary Upgrade DLC has nothing to do with it.

It’s all about game version number.

As I explained above, the mod making community chose to use “SE” and “AE” to distinguish between game version 1.5.97 and game version 1.6 and all the updates which followed (currently now 1.6.1170).

When the Anniversary Upgrade DLC released in November 2021, the game itself was updated to 1.6.

This update affected everyone, regardless of whether or not they bought the DLC because it was a game update. This was the update that added Fishing, Rare Curios, Saints and Seducers, and Survival Mode for everybody - free of charge.

Purchasing and installing the DLC does not change your game version number.

The only exception to this would be if you’re someone who has taken the steps to not allow your game version to be updated past 1.5.97. Presumably, if you’re at 1.5.97 and you buy and install the DLC - it will automatically update your game version to the current version (1.6.1170) due to the DLC being made for 1.6+

In order for mod makers to stop making SE and AE versions of their mods they either need to consciously make the choice to stop catering to the 1.5.97 crowd, or the 1.5.97 crowd needs to finally let their game update to the current version.

[Altbert]

Why don't we stop differentiating between SE and AE and just focus on the game version.
The 64-bit version of the game is SE (Special Edition from version 1.1.x to 1.6.x). AE (Anniversary Edition) is just a marketing idea from Beth and only refers to the CC content, either from the update (4 CC mods) or the upgrade (the other CC mods). AE only refers to CC content, the AE DLCs. Only thing important is the game version!

[Fear2288]

Originally posted by Altbert:

Why don't we stop differentiating between SE and AE and just focus on the game version.
The 64-bit version of the game is SE (Special Edition from version 1.1.x to 1.6.x). AE (Anniversary Edition) is just a marketing idea from Beth and only refers to the CC content, either from the update (4 CC mods) or the upgrade (the other CC mods). AE only refers to CC content, the AE DLCs. Only thing important is the game version!

…because there are still people who refuse to update from 1.5.97, and they expect to be catered to which a number of mod makers have chosen to do by creating a 1.5.97 version of their mod alongside a current version.

They needed a way to differentiate between the two, and the majority of mod makers decided to refer to 1.5.97 as “SE” and 1.6+ as “AE”.

When it comes to mods, you’re just gonna have to accept it because it doesn’t look like it’s gonna change. Too many mod makers use this naming convention and it’s been going on for years already.

When you or certain other long time forum members come swooping into these threads to tell us about how there’s no such thing as AE it actually doesn’t help.

To be clear: I’m not saying you’re wrong - you’re absolutely right.

But telling anyone who’s already confused about which version (SE or AE) of a mod to use that AE doesn’t exist and/or that the game is just SE is only gonna get more confused and will likely download/install the wrong version because they’ll think that “AE” = owning the Anniversary Upgrade DLC.

[Altbert]

Originally posted by Fear2288:

They needed a way to differentiate between the two, and the majority of mod makers decided to refer to 1.5.97 as “SE” and 1.6+ as “AE”.

Yes, but it was really a pretty stupid marketing decision! There is a big difference between the pre-1.6.640, the 1.6.640, 1.6.1130 and 1.6.1170 versions of the Special Edition and the GOG equavalents. Mod authors should mention for which version their mod is intended for and not just SE or AE. Some do and some don't. Some also just mention AE is required, but just forget to mention which CC content is required, all of the update (4 free CC mods) or the upgrade (other paid CC mods), or just one or a few, as the AE only refers to available CC mods. Stick to SE version plus required AE DLCs and prevent useless help requests.
I am very well capable of adjusting a mod to my version of the game, but not everybody will. Skryim Special Edition is 1.6.x whichever version. Stick to it and provide proper info as a mod author!

[vee-kay]

Folks, ELI5 (explain like I'm 5)..

Why are we blaming modders for Bethesda's repeated deliberate "mistakes" that modding community ends up having to fix?