Okay so here is my collection of absolutely essential mods for skyrim, well most of them. I will list the nexus mods properly when I am back at home base. Check below for the nexus mods links.

Wall of text alert! Sorry I just had to write some stuff about why this collection is good. People that don't like reading can just go ahead and subscribe to all and click on each link for the nexus mods. Also please rate and leave me any feedback or suggestions for this collection!

Whether you care about immersion or not, these mods will bring the most out of the game and give you the best skyrim experience. If you do care about immersion (which you should), then these will bring even more to the game for you. I should also mention that the majority of graphics mods I have included in this collection are a set I found in someone else's collection, so feel free to add or subtract mods to suit your needs and/or hardware limitations.

Side Notes:
Although I have been using Open Cities and highly recommend it, I have recently discovered the Dawn of <City> mods, of which there are 2-3 at this time, which improve the cities and towns in a small but much needed way. These mods however, are not compatible with Open Cities so again I will leave that to personal preference.

I have not added SKSE or SkyUI to the essentials as in my previous modding history I had trouble with CTD's at which point I fixed by going back to using the steam launcher. So I have been trying to avoid using it if possible. That said, I have nothing against SKSE and there are some gnarly mods out there that do require it.

Disclaimer: I did not create any of these mods or this wallpaper. My recommendations of these mods comes from my personal experience using them and you may experience different results from me. And I found the wallpaper/background on google. Not mine. This is my first "submission" to the workshop so I'm writing this to cover my anus.


Essential mods available on Nexus:

Immersive Armors - Adds a collection of different armor mods that bring new life into the repetitive vanilla sets. All sets are lore friendly and well made. All armors are available in crafting, balanced and spread throughout skyrim being worn by NPCs. http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/19733/?

Immersive Weapons - Adds a collection of different weapons that add a ton of new weapons and styles to the game that is just so needed. Includes the likes of katana, nodachi, eastern style swords, staves, spears, double axes, etc, also used by NPCs. http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/27644/?

Cloaks of Skyrim - Ever wonder why so many people in skyrim, a cold ass place, don't wear cloaks? Well there is no reason, so here is a cloaks mod. It adds craftable cloaks for you and anyone else to wear. They are also spread throughout the game, worn by NPCs and there are also a few unique cloaks. Compatible with Wet and Cold, and Winter is Coming. A DEFINITE must have! http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/12092/?

Winter is Coming - Adds a bunch of cloaks inspired by Game of Thrones and Viking Art. The cloaks are a bit more beefy and craftable, and the mod is compatible with Cloaks of Skyrim (tick the CoS patch when installing). http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/13486/?

A Quality World Map - With Roads - Pretty much does what the name suggests, adds the map with an overlay with roads, which makes map navigating a lot simpler when you can actually see where the road is. http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/4929/?

Run For Your Lives - This mod makes NPCs run indoors when a dragon attacks a town/settlement. http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/23906/?

Immersive Patrols - This mod adds new patrols, who may be imperials, stormcloaks, dawnguard, thalmor, vigilants, guards, anyone. If you have played the vanilla then you will know that the wilderness/roads not in a city is freaking deserted, which makes no sense and is boring a ♥♥♥♥. This mod not only increases the chance you will come across NPCs but also add small skirmishes and battles across skyrim involving imperials and stormcloaks, which again makes sense. MUST HAVE mod! http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/12977/?

Possessive Corpses - Pretty much stops your savegame from being cluttered by the bodies of your enemies. You will need this for the immersive patrols mod.
http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/4528/?

Immersive Sounds - Compendium - Adds and replaces a multitude of sounds in-game. Add some much needed umph to weapon attacks and spells making combat in any form much more compelling. http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/54387/?

Apocalypse - Magic of Skyrim - Boosts the spell pool of skyrims lacking magic system with creative and balance spells. These spells can be purchased from any court wizard or general goods merchant.
http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/16225/?

Masters of Death - Rise of the Brotherhood - This mod replaces the dark brotherhood armor set with something much more like something you would see in an Assassins Creed game which is craftable and also as a replacement from the vanilla armor set, which was simply atrocious. http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/9752/?

Actually Powerful Ranged Weapons - Adds some seroius damage to ranged weapons, which also makes sense.
http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/33970/?

Audio Overhaul for Skyrim 2 - It's a great audio mod.
http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/43773/?

D13 Faster Get Up and Stand - Vanilla getting up takes enough time to eat 2 huge arrows from APRW 2 mods up. You will need this.
http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/17491/?

Inconsequential NPCs - Adds some needed life into cities. If you have open cities you will need the compatible version of this mod.
http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/36334/?