Helpful Links And References

[smr1957]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2161237390
INTRODUCTION
A listing of discussions and guides that I find useful to refer to when helping others on the forum - but which are of help even if the only one you are helping is yourself.


ARE YOU IN THE RIGHT FORUM?
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/3481868187519146885/


IMPORTANT NOTE: Anyone who uses a pirated game, or who is using a modpack known to contain pirated works or materials, or is using Moddrop, will not receive any help should they encounter problems with their game
Why We Can't Help:
"You do not have official version of the game and you can't use proper unofficial patches to fix issues from the game.
We can't parse your game, due to it not being a legal version that could be validated from the server. We can't give any reliable recommendations to fixes either, due to your game not using up to date and intact executable.
At the top of that, anyone helping you would risk getting banned from the forum by supporting a pirated game.
I can't see how anyone could help you here." Ilja
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/846956740639650936/?ctp=81#c1488861734119106802

THE GOLDEN RULE OF MODDING:
"No matter how good a mod may look or sound, no matter how much you may really want a mod, if the mod does not work as it should, causes issues in your game, or even seems to have the potential to cause issues, dump the mod. A game that does not work is no game at all." - smr1957

NOTE REGARDING AFK MOD SITE:
As regards Arthmoor's AFK site, the proper address is https://www.afkmods.com . Any link which has the old address ( https://afkmods.iguanadons.net/ ), just replace afkmods.iguanadons.net with www.afkmods.com so that it reads https://www.afkmods.com and that will take you to the proper page

NOTICE REGARDING THE USE OF xEdit WHEN CHECKING FOR ERRORS
Due to the insufficiencies of the Check for Error function in xEdit 4 series, and the fact that its Autoclean function does not offer options as to what should be cleaned, it is recommended that for these specific things, individuals use xEdit version 3.2, which may be downloaded here:

For xEdit 3.2, see here:
https://github.com/TES5Edit/TES5Edit/releases/tag/xedit-3.2.2

scroll to bottom of page and click this:
SSEEdit_3_2_2.zip 5.32 MB

The reasons for this have been documented in this thread:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/4198997399063021490/

Pictures have been posted showing exactly what the issue is. All these things are easily reproducible to anyone who wishes to see for themself with their own eyes on their own machine.

For all other editing functions, xEdit 4 series is still the premier tool available and no one should have any doubt or hesitation in using it. This is an issue regarding one specific feature. Unfortunately this specific feature concerns items and errors that may lead to games suffering CTDs or missing worldspace sections. As such, I personally strongly recommend that individuals use the above alternative.


CONTENTS:
1) GENERAL INFORMATION
2) MEMORY
3) TOOLS, LOAD ORDER, AND MOD CLEANING
4) MODDING THE GAME
5) GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING
6) MISCELLANEOUS


1) GENERAL INFORMATION

WHERE TO FIND ORIGINAL SKYRIM AND DLC PAGES
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/1692669912384122796/
NOTE - I have checked other reputable sites for keys, and they are apparently no longer available for the original version, so you are pretty much stuck with buying it all from Steam.

For general info regarding the game, walkthrough of quests, known bugs and possible solutions, this is an invaluable resource:
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Skyrim

A general guide:
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:First_Time_Players

And:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1868336179
(Good for original Skyrim, as well)


Excellent advice regarding modding Skyrim (essay written by PeggleFrank):
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/343787920127409994/#c343787920127583150

Player and Modding Resources by Ilja https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/594821545176386165/
VERY IMPORTANT if you wish to successfully mod your game

General Discussion and Tutorial Pages by cfs111 https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/485622866435280490/

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=500687692

New (and experienced) Players: You must install the Unofficial Skyrim Patch - by Nazenn [Updated by smr1957]
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/2793873675753710542/
(includes what's been fixed by the Unofficial Patch, and why)

Masterlist : Dangerous, Outdated and Superseded Mods by Nazenn
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/523890681422555089/

Regarding Use of Steam Workshop - NOT Recommended
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/5299051083535748692

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=788384548


2) MEMORY

SKSE, memory and skse.ini by Ilja - https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/540740500921363665/

Advanced Tips : Memory, .Ini's and Myth Busting (v2.6) by Nazenn - https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/619573787397876592/

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=839312113

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=653119731

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=865156803

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=815662314


3) TOOLS, LOAD ORDER, AND MOD CLEANING

Vortex is the main mod manager for Nexus Mods, replacing the older NMM

Vortex download link:
https://www.nexusmods.com/site/mods/1

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1977191236

Vortex
Wiki regarding the usage of Nexus Mods Vortex - Official Nexus page
https://wiki.nexusmods.com/index.php/Category:Vortex

Gopher's tutorial series for Vortex (YouTube Playlist):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE7DlYarj-DfYgxma5znKGYEqAHDU_WU-

Gophers video tutorial guide for NMM:
Nexus Mod Manager: Beginner's Guide (YouTube playlist) by Gopher
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE7DlYarj-DdGbu7-Chui4ZQuZZCGbpWl
NOTE: NMM IS OFFICIALLY RETIRED BY NEXUS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PLAYERS MOVE TO VORTEX OR MOD ORGANIZER 2
SEE:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2195541138

Gopher Video: Mod Organizor
https://youtu.be/j4ZQpzf_iAE

GamerPoets video tutorial series for Mod Organizer 2.
Mod Organizer 2 | Official Series by GamerPoets
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlN8weLk86Xh3ue76x2ibqtmMramwQmHB

Load order and resource priority basics by Ilja
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/523890681419356033/

LOOT Advisory Re: Cleaning Mods
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/1692669912400841662/

What are dirty edits and what are their consequences - a post by Nazenn
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/485622866435280490/?ctp=11#c353915309341216776

Proper Placement Of Immersive Armors .esps and How to Change Metadata in LOOT (also applicable to other mods)
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/1290691937715809215/
(Includes step by step instructions on how to change mod Metadata in LOOT - applicable to other mods, as well.)
SEE NOTE AT BOTTOM OF DISCUSSION POST.

ADVISORY WARNING!!!
Wrye Bash is extremely faulty when used to make a Bashed Patch! DO NOT USE WRYE BASH WITHOUT CHECKING THE RESULTS IN xEDIT!!! Wrye Bash will exclude records from the patch that should be included, and items represented by those records will not appear in your game! Also, when using Wrye Bash to make the Bashed Patch, ensure that ONLY the Leveled List box is checked in the options - DO NOT check any other boxes! See the linked post below for more information.

Advisory Regarding Using Wrye Bash To Make A Bashed Patch - https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/3127163422370679678/

The below information regarding Wrye Bash has been temporarily left in as a reference.

Using Wrye Bash to check for missing mods
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/1495615865205745360/#c1495615865206204032

A Guide for Cleaning Skyrim Master Files
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=700525972

Skyrim Master File Cleaning Guide, by Avrie:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=818230170

How to Use FNIS SE & LE | w/ MO2 & Vortex by GamerPoets
https://youtu.be/sYEAnTdZb-s

GamerPoets video tutorial on using xEdit:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlN8weLk86XiGXJI4DaRa1QIq1zhDpD8V

Tome of xEdit - by Miax
A Comprehensive Guide to using ElminsterAU's xEdit
https://tes5edit.github.io/docs/index.html

Bodyslide: Guide and Tutorial
https://wiki.nexusmods.com/index.php/Bodyslide:_Guide_and_Tutorial

A Quick Guide To Using Bodyslide by Avrie
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/154643795211522292/?ctp=1345#c5755024051047623261


4) MODDING THE GAME

VORTEX - Beginner's Guide #7 : Script Extenders UPDATED
https://youtu.be/0prWgeGGnp8

Small list of little big mods for Skyrim by Ilja
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/34094415774892758/

Modded Skyrim v 10.7.2.0 by cfs111
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=647933000

Basic Modding Guide for a General game - By Clever Monkey
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=743730361

[Guide] Converting Mods from Original to Special Edition By Rider
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=799206374

bchick3 Guide to Porting skyrim LE mods to SSE (just read the description page) - https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/16413?

Merging Plugins
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/2263565850578451380/

Editing In xEdit by smr1957
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2660673605

"Reliable" Workshop Use - By Arvyn
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=941851599


5) GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING

Checklist: CTD after Bethesda screen by Ilja
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=375836621

Also:
crash to desktop after bethesda logo with solution (CTD after logo) by AytaL [Internet fix]:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/1729837292637971259/?

[Community] Troubleshooting SKSE with MO2 by Ilja
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/1768133742951475239/

Troubleshooting Your Load Order
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/3108016336246499761/

FPS Cannot Exceed 60
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/3195866872030068939/

Regarding Use of Console Commands
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/1739968490572445043/

To remove unwanted spell effects:
https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/872861-tutorial-removing-unwanted-magic-effects-from-the-player/

Validating master files by Ilja - https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/535150948617437868/

Resetting Skyrim to Vanilla or A Clean Reinstall by grimus - https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/357285562484690267/

Shadow Striping Fix by cfs111
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/487876568242719535/

You CANNOT Remove Mods Mid-Playthrough - https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/1495615865205745360/

Troubleshooting Skyrim (WIP)
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=925392527


6) MISCELLANEOUS

Scams and How To Avoid Them by Ilja
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/1482109512314623696/?ctp=6#c3418808280401221518

SAVES PLEASE READ by alexander_dougherty
For all the new players out there, Save your game Often, make them manual saves (aka hard saves), because you ARE going to run into issues.

"The best policy is to not use quicksaves or auto saves at all - just manual ones.

Do not use autosaves, only use manual ones, as there are issues with auto and quicksaving. It is entirely possible that when you autosave or quick save, information is being lost, and then when you do make a manual save, that info is still missing - and that can create problems. Also, having autosaves enabled can tend to result in long load times, so that's another reason we recommend turning them off. But, you then have to remember to save often - but eventually that becomes second nature. Save before load doors, save before crafting or enchanting or making potions, save before any crucial event, and save often during your play session - but just don't use auto or quick saves.

Also, from Posts section, Fallrim Tools:
markdf (creator of Fallrim Tools)
04 June 2021, 9:42PM
"My number one tip: DON'T AUTOSAVE. Don't try to sneak around that one using CASM. Autosaves and quicksaves are inherently broken and can never be fixed ever, not even with lasers.

There is no difference between a quicksave, an autosave, and a "hard save". The actual files are identical. The problem is WHEN the saves are made. If you don't open the menu (or console) to make your savefile, you're going to end up f--ked."

markdf
premium1,688 posts 222 kudos
05 June 2021, 10:34AM
"The important part is opening the menu (and by extension pausing the game). "
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/5031/?tab=posts " - smr1957

With a manual save you can have as many as you like, and you will want a lot of them. This is because a number of bugs do not show any signs until several hours after they develop, and a few several weeks after they develop. So having lots of saves means you can go back far enough to reload a save from before the bug.

You will also want to make a hard save from before you install a mod, because once a mod is installed it embeds it's data into every save you make, and if you then remove it it will cause bugs and CTDs. On a related note; save cleaners DO NOT clean saves, despite what their creators claim, and are generally not worth using (in my opinion).
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/4085282327476657208/

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - All Achievement guide (Inc. DLC) By ThePugHybrid
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1312394765

Best Short Skyrim Video I've Ever Seen (smr1957):
When Someone Knew You and You Didn't Get Time To Know Him (posted by FuJitSu) - https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/1635291505034862690/

Best Long Skyrim Video I've Ever Seen (20 minutes, but well worth watching - smr1957)
Skyrim Trailer ...after 1000 mods & 1000 hrs of playing (posted by Reignworld)
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/3492004456603899965/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlnTtV5NLkw

Skyrim - TES: History - Lore - News by Vlad 254
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2456651059
Associated thread: All things Skyrim History and News - https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/5047948127390529887/

EXPLANATION OF STEAM AND DRM USAGE by IIAnnaBananaII -
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/2916598577630540927/?tscn=1598788274#c2916598577632227283


RELIABLE FORUM REGULARS

What follows is just a list of people (in alphabetical order) who over the years have consistently given reliable and accurate help. There are some newer people (or infrequent posters) not on the list who are also posting good and valuable advice, and if they maintain a presence in the forum, they, too, will be added to the list. As such, it is just an attempt to make it somewhat easier for those new to the forum or to those not as familiar with it to discriminate between the numerous comments made by many diverse individuals - it is NOT some sort of command as to whom you should or should not listen to. Remember, there are many who are knowledgeable and have information to impart who may not be frequent posters in the forum, the below listed have just proven themselves to be reliable over time - no slight is intended to those who help and are not on the list.

Okay, so you keep seeing "...unless told (or instructed) to do so by a reliable forum regular." Or, with all the different people giving you advice, sometimes varying widely in what they say, who should you listen to? Exactly - "reliable forum regulars." So just who are these people? Well, first and foremost, obviously, are the authors of the pinned topics - the advice given by them should, just about, trump anyone else's. These people have thousands of hours just researching and studying the game and its mechanics (not to mention gameplay time) and keep up to date on any developments and news - and usually know enough to know when they don't know something. That aside, though, for other individuals, the best and quickest way to determine their reliability is to view their profile and their post history. Though it is not all inclusive by any means, if the individual has over 1000 hours in game, and a significantly large number of posts in the Skyrim forums (we are talking thousands of posts) the advice given should, usually, be deemed reliable.

To sum up, if you were to add up the hours of experience of all the regular helpers here - the "reliable forum regulars" - you are speaking of well over 100,000 hours total experience. And, while we may disagree among ourselves on some relatively minor issues, we totally agree on probably 99% of everything else - and 100% on the really major issues.


Alex
alexander_dougherty
Alucard
Arthmoor
Avrie
Grimus
cfs111
Chef
Crosstown Traffic
Docsprock
Eternie
Falro the Great
FauxPas
Iceira
Ilja
JDaremo Fireheart
JohnnySparta
jreese46
Kelvy
Limbo
Master Talon
Mephitic
mikk011
mpd1958
Mr. Sheffield (AKA: m0k)
Rez Elwin
Rider
SHADOW2KK
Silent Protagonist
slayor3000
smr1957
SpeedFreak1972
tramper
Trehek
Uncle64
Vlad 254

I may have missed some, but it was not intentional.


OFFICIAL CONTACT INFORMATION

PSA - CONTACT INFORMATION FOR BETHESDA AND VALVE
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/1729837292626455348/

[smr1957]

People seriously need to read this:

Regarding Use of Console Commands
http://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/1700542332341394328/?tscn=1518656453#c2860219962080103952

From GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING section

[smr1957]

And don't forget to clean those Master files:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=700525972
From TOOLS, LOAD ORDER, AND MOD CLEANING section

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by Avrie:

Can anyone help me?

What have you tried so far?

[smr1957]

Make sure none of your mods are listed here:

Masterlist : Dangerous, Outdated and Superseded Mods by Nazenn
http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/523890681422555089/

[Uncle64]

Oh my steam works as my PC :)

[smr1957]

I get steamed just broswing through the forums!

[smr1957]

Okay - that's it for me for today - someone else's turn to mind the funny farm

[smr1957]

They took me away - then returned me because I was a bad influence

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by smr1957:

They took me away - then returned me because I was a bad influence

Speak of the devil and he will appear, or something along those lines.

[alexander_dougherty]

Slipped off Page one, how will struggling newbies find the useful links in this thread?

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by Avrie:

by reading of course... page 1 is still there

I meant page one of the forum.

[smr1957]

For those new to modding, see:
Excellent advice regarding modding Skyrim (essay written by PeggleFrank - written for original Skyrim, but basic principles apply to SSE, as well) http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/343787920127409994/#c343787920127583150

Player spreadsheet - Player and Modding Resources by Ilja http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/594821545176386165/
VERY IMPORTANT if you wish to successfully mod your game

And if you have crash at startup - then see this:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=375836621

[smr1957]

Ah, alas for witty repartee!

[Black Album]

Originally posted by smr1957:

Ah, alas for witty repartee!

I'm sorry Steve ... but no-one comes to the "Helpful Links and References" club for witty repartee ..
Not even Ilja ...

Consider changing the name to "FREE BEER" ... the place will be packed

[Ilja]

I am feeling lonely at Fallout 4 side, so I will just keep spamming Coffee Shelter with snippets of data. :p

(+ I fixed the PreVis note in the new tutorial post. I have been busy today - seeing that it is 02:10 at morning here in Finland.)