Modding Skyrim SE on linux

This is a quick simple guide on how to mod skyrim se on linux easily.

Prerequisites

You will need to install your distros versions of these packages and configure them before you start.
This part will not be covered by this guide.

• Steam run-time
  
• Skyrim via steam
  
• Lutris
  
• Wine
  
• Optionally, sandbox them with apparmor and firejail

Following this guide I'll cover how to install:

• Proton-4.15-GE
  
• SKSE64
  
• Vortex Mod Manager via Lutris

Once everything is installed and configured you should be able to meet most of your modding needs via NexusMods[www.nexusmods.com] or similar sites.

Proton-4.15-GE-1

Download Proton-4.15-GE-1 [github.com]

Unfortunately Proton versions later than this - at least for now - break SKSE64 compatibility, while some may "sort of work" many of the mods will be broken, and it will hurt performance.

After you've downloaded Proton-4.15-GE-1 open your terminal or your file manager and go too:

• ~/.steam/root/compatibilitytools.d/ for regular Steam
  
• ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/compatibilitytools.d/ for flatpak

If /compatibilitytools.d dose not exist, then create it. You will then need to move Proton-4.15-GE-1 too /compatibilitytools.d and extract its contents there.

From in steam you then go: Library > Skyrim > Properties

• Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool
  
• Proton-4.15-GE-1

At this point launch skyrim from steam so that it is set up for the right proton version before continuing.

Proton-4.15.GE-1 additionally:

• Fixes the audio issues
  
• Allows the launch from SKSE64 from lutris or steam
  
• Various other fixes and QA

So you don't have to go in and change any of the launch commands or fix things.

SKSE64

Go to https://skse.silverlock.org/ and download SKSE64.

Extract its files, Then move all but the /src folder to your skyrim game folder:

~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Skyrim Special Edition/

If you then go to steam or Lurtis and try to launch skyrim with Proton-4.15.GE-1 being used it should ask you if you'd like to launch the game using SKSE64. Go ahead an launch it if you want.

If you don't get that option go back and make sure you've followed the previous section properly.

Vortex

Vortex will be installed via Lutris, so make sure you have it installed properly along with wine first.

To install Vortex mod manager go to here[github.com] and download the latest stable release. For this guide we want the vortex.yml, however the author also provides other scripts related to skyrim as well.

Once downloaded find the absolute path to the vortex.yml, then run it:

lutris -i /path/to/vortex.yml

During its install it will throw some errors, this normal so give it a chance before assuming its broken. Eventually it will show a warning prompt asking you to disable automatic updates in vortex.

• At this point disable your internet connection before continuing the installer.
  
• Do NOT enable it again until after vortex is installed and exited the first time.

Once Vortex appears disable auto updates under :

• Settings > Vortex > Update > No automatic updates

Vortex should see your games if there at the default install location, if their not seen then go to:

• Settings > Games > Add search directory
  
• ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/<your game files here>
  
• Then go Games > Scan > Scan: Full
  
• Then scroll down Games and click on your games to add them to be managed

Under vortex it already has LOOT built in, allowing you to optimize your mods load order. FNIS also works including the vortex integration if downloaded.

Additionally these should work if downloaded:

• SSEdit
  
• Wrye Bash
  
• BodySlide

From this point you can manually download mods from sites such as NexusMods[www.nexusmods.com] and drag and drop then into vortex to manage them.

After thoughts

Make sure to test your mods as you install them. Even though everything is now properly installed some mods themselves aren't well maintained and can bork the game even on windows.

For users of AMD gpus you may want to turn off godrays, I haven't had a issue with them under proton but their known to harm performance.

ENB's can be used but they are - currently - outside the scope of this guide and may require additional configuration under proton. However alot can be gained with fairly low overhead using regular mods now, which improve the textures, environmental effects, lighting effects, animations, and poly count. Try those out first before you start worrying about Enb's.

As a Final note I highly suggest you launch your games from Lutris. Lutris has GUI tools that can enable features on a per game level such as game mode without you needing to add to the launch command.

[Otter Guardian]

You can try to edit 'vortex.yml' and replace 'lutris-5.2-x86_64' at the end of the file by 'lutris-7.2-2-x86_64'.

[smitty_the_smith]

Lutris does not install Vorex Error 256

[ASLok]

ItalosMafiozos, use Loot linux version, it work fine

[ItalosMafiozos]

MO2 is Great, but i have a major problem (the only i see) through Lutris. It cannot run Loot. If someone knows how to run Loot with MO2 through Lutris, i would be thoroughly grateful.

[tutubarão]

Thank you man. But I tried MO2, as you mentioned in the comments, and it is working great for me. It's just very simple.
Install Skyrim, force use of Proton 5.0
Install MO2 with Lutris 0.5.7 (the current version 0.5.8 is having issues), from this project: https://github.com/rockerbacon/lutris-skyrimse-installers/issues/194
And then you're done. This MO2 install already comes with SKSE so you don't need to worry about it.

[Nate]

Fantastic guide, love it. Hope to hear how your efforts with MO2 go as that would be amazing. The only issue I have is the mods don't activate. Vortex puts them into the Skyrim folder and says they are activated on the Vortex side, but they aren't enabled in Skyrim. Looking for a solution now.

[Meta]

I'll be updating this guide later to cover using MO2 since it is reported to be better supported than vortex. I'm still testing it.

[Houtworm]

Very nice, Thank you for the clear and detailed guide :)