Steam proton/deck runs ENB SkyrimSe/Fallout4 vortex-mod-manager next gen. ːsteamsaltyː

ENB, PROTON, VORTEX, LINUX.
And then there's the fact that you can run 10 vortex's AT ONCE.
Now you all have no reason to not run mods and make 10 copies to figure out which mod is killin ya.
This guide will LIKELY work for any game that experimental proton works with.
This guide shows you how to make Vortex work with, and MOD skyrimse in linux (proton)
Guide verified working for SkyrimSe(AE) and Fallout4 12/29/2024.

How this process works.

THIS GUIDE VERIFIED FULLY WORKING 12/29/2024
I also factory reset my DECK to make sure it will run the guide, it still does.
(you don't need to factory reset, i just did it to test)
(I am running the beta steam deck updates, likely you do NOT need to.)

VERIFIED WORKING: FOR SKYRIMSE(AE) AND FALLOUT4
(latest versions for both)
(change names and pathways if you are doing fallout4 modding)

What are we doing here:

First of all let me say that the STEAM DECK needs games to have a 80+ fov.
I run at 120 when games let me, and it feels much better for the deck.
For that most games need a camera mod of some sort.

If you have a steam deck you will want to be in desktop mode for this,
you will be using the file browser.
A keyboard and mouse would make it much easier, so get a
steam deck dock dude.

It has 3 usb ports for your usb keyboard and mouse.
You can use the 3rd port for a large usb external solid state drive,
then you can put all your mod DOWNLOADS on it.
Which you don't need access to once you install them in vortex,
and they won't take up your steam deck space or your sdcard space.

0. Run the game and play as far as you can to get legit achievements BEFORE YOU MOD.
You will royally screw up your achievements if you mod.
My SkyrimSe has mastered vampire. I always play as a paladin, i think I once tried giving myself everything using the "manipulator" mod, forgot i was online, and now my profile says I mastered vampirism, lol. I have never played as a vampire in the game skyrimse.

But it was worth it for all the other mods I learned about that are wonderful like "customizable camera"
Can you believe the limited camera controls these new games have,
LIKE ELDEN RING. Was that game made in 1990?

0.a Fouk it, I want mods to be computer god, with fly i tv, and synthetic sealing blood.
Well you still need to play the game and get to a point
that you can save, for all games before doing modding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djZqBtQBr68

ONWARD!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3sMjm9Eloo

1. We create a new non-steam link in steam, which creates a unique virtual windows environment, by installing vortex.

2. We copy the original games virtual windows environment and paste it over the new one we just created.

This previous step is what makes enb work, it copies steams working game environment that works with enb, and overwrites the environment we just created with the stuff we need to make enb work.

3. Then we install and setup vortex again to repair the broken install from overwriting.
Then we mod and deploy.

4. We install any environment dll's/programs/tools.

5. We run vortex and run the tools and games using its toolbar and primary tool.
In this case its skse for skyrimse.

If you run the game outside vortex,
you will run the games environment and that won't have the mods.

Why this guide sucks.

Currently this guide is in development and may be wrong,
also steam may change things that make it fail.

So far, if you keep the vortex, game, and staging folders in COMMON.
the proton pfx updates don't matter much.

This is an old nexus link to vortex forum that was where i have the testing into while i developed this process, you don't need to visit it.
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/videos/27969

Repairing your installs if you PUCK them up.

I suggest you do this first so you can start fresh,
if you mod a previously modded copy of skyrimse, YOU ARE DOOMED.
You need to erase BOTH the game folder and game environment folder,
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/compatdata/489830/
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/Skyrim Special Edition/
Get them back by validating your games files, steam will download the original ones.




So nothing is working or you want to get your files back to original state.
This deletes ALL YOUR GAME SAVES, unless they are backed up in the steam cloud.

Just delete entire skyrimse environment folder
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/compatdata/489830/

This will remove the skyrimse environment,
and you can get the proper one back by validating your games files,
steam will download the original one.
I would zip up this folder as a backup so when mods mess it up you can start new with the backup.


You can do that with the game files if your mods or skse installs went bad.
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/Skyrim Special Edition/
This will remove the skyrimse game,
and you can get the proper one back by validating your games files,
steam will download the original one.
I would zip up this folder as a backup so when mods mess it up you can start new with the backup.

I will delete both once in a while to get back to modding from a fresh 0.
And restore them from my zip backups.
To validate guides like this and get any stuck mods out of the system.
(mods will stay in skyrimse even when uninstalled and purged from vortex sometimes)

You can also delete the vortexskyrimse non-steam application
in your steam library to erase the environment that was created with it.
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/compatdata/vortexskyrimsefoldernumber/
I can't remember if steam also removes the actual folder on the drive, i would think so.


I back the game folder up by zipping it up once i install skse and enb and run it once.
I then do a full backup of the skyrimse game folder by making a zip of it.

When you mod, its actually easier to uninstall ALL your mods and delete the skyrimse game folder and start fresh.
Then extract your zip of skyrimse with enb and skse installed already,
than to spend DAYS messing around with why something no longer works.

Skse install.

Install the latest version of skse as instructed.
Some collections include this as a mod, but it messes up vortex,
so I install it manually before I even start to mod anything.
That way if a collection installs skse, and you remove it,
the skse you installed gets put back by vortex.
To test the install: the game should run by running skse_loader.exe.
If not, you didn't install skse properly. Skse should run with no mods.

Enb installs.

Latest enb should work if you follow its install instructions,
nothing special is needed at this point,
except setting some things in the -enblocal.ini- and -enbseries.ini- files.

I use the enb settings from eso-ui.com
https://eso-ui.com/ultimate-immersion-se-enb/

However ALL enb presets need to be modified to work on linux,
and the steam decks gpu/drivers.
If you cannot find a setting in a specific section,
you need to ADD it to that section.
-
-
open the enblocal.ini
Add this to the section:
[GLOBAL]
LinuxVersion=true
(this whole guide is for linux, windows doesn't need it at all)
-
-
open the enblocal.ini
Add this to the section:
[PERFORMANCE]
ENBLITE=true

(this is needed on the steam deck/AMD compatibility drivers)
(you can try ENBLITE=false if you think amd/steam fixed drivers.)
(nvidia can use the full ENBLITE=false)
-
-
open the enblocal.ini
Add this to the section:
[GUI]
OpenOnStartup=true

( no hotkey in linux, so you must force it on at start)
Once you tweak or don't need to tweak enb, you can turn this off. OpenOnStartup=false.
-
-
ENB is DARK on the deck!!!!

open the enbseries.ini
SET:

Brightness=2.75 (if you use the eso-ui presets, keep this to what they have)
GammaCurve=1.0 (if you use the eso-ui presets, keep this to what they have)

Skyrimse brightness and gamma work for nothing if using enb.

Adjust to your liking.

Skyrimse should run with enb installed and no mods.
You can see it load up first thing when running skyrimse in steam
or using skse_loader.exe.
Enb should work for both.

Installing vortex in steam.

ALWAYS RUN VORTEX IN experimental proton,
thats what I use and it works PERFECT.
YOU can try proton 9 or whatever if you want, i will not be doing that.
I also set the game im modding to run the same experimental proton,
although both probably work on proton 9.


You have to go download vortex at nexusmods .com.
https://www.nexusmods.com/about/vortex/

Copy the symlink STEAM ALREADY CREATED:
/home/deck/.steam/steam
(its the steam folder inside .steam, that is actually a symlink)
copy it to
/home/deck/
this gives us

/home/deck/steam/
This is the path you will use for everything, do not use /.steam/

So you SEE the path to all the games in VORTEX, vortex can't see /.steam/

Creating the non steam vortex application link in steam.
By clicking Add a Game at the bottom, then click add non-steam game.

Create a New link in steam to
"/home/deck/Downloads/Vortex-1-1-13-3-1733831062.exe"
Likely the file number revision will change so you will need to adjust that.
Make it match whatever revision file you downloaded.

BUT WE NAME THE LINK VortexSkyrimSE, or whatever you want.
BUT, NEVER CHANGE THIS LINK NAME, once you save it.
If you must change it, delete it, and make a new one.
(If your game is different use what ever name you want, but never change it once its created)
(you can change the path anytime you want, and you will, to install dll's and stuff)
NEVER CHANGE THE LINK NAME, IT WILL CREATE A NEW LINK AND COMPATDATA FOLDER
---
(each game and modset REALLY should have a different copy of vortex)
So I run the core collection on nexus from eso-ui on my steam deck.
I named my steam link name for my deck: EsoUiCoreVortexSkyrimSE
I run the highend collection on my pc and its steam link name is: EsoUiVortexSkyrimSE
And I have other games with vortex modded non-steam links,
like: ModedVortexFallout4
---

Then we run the VortexSkyrimSE non-steam install application, in steam.
It will ask you to put it in the default c drive program files, DO NOT.
Put it in the steam common folder, in its own vortex folder.
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/vortexesoui
(otherwise you will have permission issues)
I use vortexesoui as the vortex folder name because I use muliple modsets for skyrim and I want to use a different copy of vortex for each one.

This will install vortex.
Once the install is done make sure to run all updates and let vortex restart itself for that purpose.

Exit vortex.

Open the /home/deck/steam/steamapps/compatdata/ folder.
Write the VortexSkyrimSE /home/deck/steam/steamapps/compatdata/vortexskyrimsefoldernumber/,
down.
You can verify you have the right one by looking here:
"/home/deck/steam/steamapps/compatdata/vortexskyrimsefoldernumber/pfx/drive_c/ProgramData/vortex"
If you find the vortex folder in that path using the vortexskyrimsefoldernumber that you think is the right compatdata folder, it is, unless you have multiple vortex installs in steam like I do.... Then it gets tricky to make sure you are working with the correct compatdata folder.
I suggest you make a table of what game goes with what compatdata folder.
It will likely be the newest one. Every time you create a new non-steam link in steam.
But be careful, steam could update some WHILE you are doing this.
So if you want to be sure they don't, turnoff your internet/wifi.

It will look something like this:
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/compatdata/93349587307345/
I will refer to it using:
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/compatdata/vortexskyrimsefoldernumber/

Copy all files and folders from:
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/compatdata/489830/
or your games original compatdata folder

To YOUR NEW VortexSkyrimSE:
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/compatdata/vortexskyrimsefoldernumber/

Overwrite everything.

Run VortexSkyrimSe again, to install vortex all over again.
Make sure to use the same location we changed earlier.
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/vortexesoui
This will repair the vortex install we broke by copying all the game data.
Once done reinstalling vortex, exit vortex

Change the VortexSkyrimSe link PATH (NOT THE NAME) to:
"/home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/vortexesoui/vortex.exe"

Steam links REQUIRE QUOTES around the executable file path.
(never ever change the non steam application link name,
only modify the path to an executable)
Once you change the PATH to point to vortex.exe, exit steam.

In this steam link we DO NOT USE the hidden path to vortex. (.steam)
I had problems with vortex when I used the /.steam/steam path (every mod redundant)
Make sure you use the /home/deck/steam/steamapps/ path, and NEVER the .steam path in everything related to vortex.

To create multiple vortex installs, you need to start with a vortex install file that has a different name than the first one you used.
So we used "/home/deck/Downloads/Vortex-1-1-13-3-1733831062.exe" as the first install. To add another, I MUST rename file Vortex-1-1-13-3-1733831062.exe to anything else, like Vortex2.exe. Then steam will think its a new program and let you install a second copy, if you keep the vortex install file the same file name, steam will do nothing thinking you have added the same file twice.

Setup Vortex.

Setting up linux paths and folders for vortex to use:

Every folder vortex works with needs permission in linux.
What I do is create a "moddownloads" and a "stagingfolder" folder in /home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/moddownloads/
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/stagingfolder/

Now you can start steam and run the VortexSkyrimSe non-steam application.

Point the downloads folder in vortex to the downloads folder we already created:
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/moddownloads/{game}

If you have an external usb storage for the downloads (recommended) (>500gig)
plug it in and mount it. (if you format it with the steam utility adding it to your library, it will automount at boot. if you disconnect the usb drive, you need to reboot)
You should create a moddownloads folder in your usb storage and give it permissions.
Your download folder will look like this.
/run/media/deck/YOUWILLFINDYOURUSBSTORAGENAMEISHERE/moddownloads/{game}

Point the staging folder in vortex to the staging folder we already created:
This MUST be on the steam deck storage.
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/stagingfolder/{game}

Notice I am NOT using the .steam path.

The {game} part lets VORTEX create the subfolders this is IMPORTANT so it gets proper permissions. This is why you need to set the moddownloads and stagingfolder permissions so vortex has permission to create subfolders and files in them.

Once the staging and download folders are set in vortex and work, restart vortex.
Now you can download and install mods and deploy them.

You will need to manually "manage" (add) your game manually in vortex.
Every time you run vortex, you are running vortex in a proton windows virtual environment and many things don't work the same as they do in windows.

Do not trust the game path that vortex suggests, manually navigate through the /home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/skyrim special edition/ path to select the game folder.

If you have problems deploying try this:
I would suggest you COPY the /home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/skyrim special edition/
game to:
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/skyrim special edition1/
Then you use this copy of the game in vortex when you specify the games folder.
That way if steam changes the game or updates it your modded copy won't get updated.
Also I have have more success deploying to a folder that STEAM doesn't monitor and modify. Sometimes I have had nothing but problems working with the default skyrimse game folder and deploying mods. (they all end up redundant or won't install/uninstall or enable/disable, etc, all these issues seem related to permissions)
Other times I can deploy to the main game folder fine.

If you install VORTEX to any of the pfx folders you are DOOMED.
Think about it, all games run from the COMMON folder.
And your applications should also.
This means all installed tools should also get their own COMMON subfolder,
unless they are a mod installed by vortex, like nemesis. And even still nemesis sits inside skrimse's mod folder which is inside skyrimse folder which is in common.

Getting Mods into vortex.

Web links won't work so use the download tab in vortex.

At the bottom of the download tab is a way to manually enter a link,
enter
https://nexusmods.com
download it,
and it will ask you to browse using the vortex browser.

Now all vortex download links will work if you use that method.
You must use the browser inside vortex to make these links work since vortex is running in a proton virtual environment.

Once you are done installing all mods, and you have deployed.
Run the game INSIDE VORTEX,
in this case we are using skse as the default tool when launching the game.

I use this modset with the steam deck.
You can just copy the url and paste it (use ctrl+v) into the download section in vortex,
url entry at the bottom. You will need an account with nexusmods.com to do it.
https://next.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/collections/ivp17m/

Or you can browse other collections that don't need an account:
Careful, the steam deck is not a super gpu, its limited, so choose a LIGHT collection.
https://next.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/collections?gameVersion=1.6.1170.0
Any collection that says adult requires you to login.

And now the reason why modding exists:
TO FIX THE EFFING BROKEN GAMES,
THAT THE EFFING GAME MAKERS REFUSE TO FIX,
THAT YOU DO NOTHING ABOUT, STEAM,
WHILE YOU SHOVEL MONEY AT THEM, STEAM.

The only reason to stop a game from being modded is...
To SELL you the fixes as; upgrades, dlc or mods.
https://rumble.com/v3jt2h4-we-want-your-soul.html
There i said it. WE WANT OUR MODS, at least to fix the damn games.

This collection contains lots of fixes and tools that are useful for the game.
https://next.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/collections/xk05aw/mods

And the camera controls on these games, horrible.
Fixed yet again, with a..... SAY IT.....
EFFING SAY IT.....
SAY IT,......
A MOD.....
Thats right steam, A MOD.
FIXED BY A MOD.
A EFFING MOD.
YOU GET IT?
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/12201

Now I can activate my FLY ITV CAMERA mode to do some PHOTOGAMMETRY.
Because all these 4k mods are making my fps about 2.
(PS, DO NOT PUT 4k mods on the steam deck.)
I can't get no, v ram action...

Misc program/tools/dlls installs.

Getting dll files and other OS updates/drivers/mod programs into the virtual windows proton environment:

You can install any mod/dll file /program you want by simply changing the VortexSkyrimSE steam link PATH from "vortex.exe" to your programs installer.

Never change the steam link NAME.

Then you run the VortexSkyrimSe link in steam to run the installer.

Then once the install(s) are done change the VortexSkyrimSE link PATH back to "/home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/vortexesoui/vortex.exe"

You can run the VortexSkyrimSe now to get back into vortex and launch the game.

If you ever launch the game outside vortex, it will be missing the mod files.

Steam deck issues.

The steam deck will crash skyrimse if you open the steam keyboard using STEAM+X
This will happen EVERYTIME if you are in desktop mode, never PLAY the game in steam deck desktop mode.

In steam deck game mode:

To get around this you must CREATE A NEW GAME EVERY TIME YOU RUN SKYRIMSE,
and then load your game by backing out to the main menu when it lets you and load your game. I just use alternate start and keep my junk name of prisoner, and then I just delete all the prisoner save games in vortex.

The other better way is to turn creation club mod menu back on in the main skyrimse menu, and open it as the FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU RUN SKYRIMSE and do a search so the keyboard pops up, then load your game and all subsequent keyboard popups will NOT crash the game.

STEAM, FIX THIS virtual KEYBOARD?

Moar to be added.

Most of this guide needs to be done in desktop mode on the deck, with a keyboard and mouse, (get a usb C hub and keyboard and mouse if you don't own a steam dock)

Then you will need to file browse and copy and all that, so just run desktop mode.

Vortex locks up without a frame rate limiter set to 30fps, so get used to crashing vortex and restarting it or set your max fps to 30 for ALL applications, until you are done working in vortex. Steam deck uses mangohud to accomplish this, and you should also if you are running on a linux pc.

There is very little information about using the steam decks mangohud in desktop mode.
I wish I could use it there because vortex hates me(freezes) for not frame limiting it in desktop mode.

Once I changed the vortex install folder to be a folder under /home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/Vortex/
and NOT
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/COMPATDATA/
(DO NOT INSTALL ANY PROGRAMS INTO COMPATDATA)
(if you are installing to c:\program files\, you are installing it into COMPATDATA.)
(THAT IS BAD DO NOT DO THAT)

All my freezing and error issues went away, and the program has been smooth since using common folder.

Steam deck info.

The steam deck is a full linux computer.
And it IS awesome for being that small but powerful.
Contained. Isolated.
And it runs lots of good new games in pretty good quality.

Thats why its battery oled only lasts a few hours in full tilt mode.

A dock is very nice, and if you use its ethernet those steam downloads docked are zippy.

The deck-oled-1g with steam dock and a usb keyboard/mouse is all you need to get to gift someone. 'bout 800$

-SteamOS 3.6.21
-KDE Plasma 5.27
-X11
-Window manager: kwin
-Amd custom apu 0932 3.5ghz 4core
-14.5 gig ram
-AMD radeonsi gpu
1 gig vram
vangogh Compatibility driver v 4.6 mesa 24.0.5 (limited enb=lite)
-oled touchscreen 1280x800 10:16 antiglare
-Linux already full installed, found using desktop mode, in the power off menu.
-Avx2 cpu instructions supported.

Nemesis setup.

You need to edit the nemesis.ini file by right clicking the mod in vortex and choose open in file manager. Open the nemesis engine folder and then open the nemesis.ini file.
Change
MaxAnimation=800000


Add the nemesis tool to the vortex dashboard tools list.
home\deck\steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition\Data\Nemesis_Engine\Nemesis Unlimited Behavior Engine.exe

Run it and choose update engine, after that finishes,
click Launch nemesis behavior engine.
If it crashes or gives you an error, close the program and run it all again.
If it errors again, restart it again and try again.
If it still errors, uninstall it in vortex, reinstall it, and re-edit the nemesis.ini file, and then deploy and try to run it again.
Eventually it should complete properly and you can exit and play the game.

BethINI setup.

Download bethini
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/4875?tab=files
and when it asks where to install it into:
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/bethini

Create a new vortex dashboard tool, and point it to
/home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/bethini/bethini.exe

Run the bethini tool and choose high settings,
(high settings work great when in game mode on the deck,
but its slow in desktop mode, i never PLAY the game in desktop mode)
(or whatever you want for higher/lower FPS)
and check the recommended tweaks box, click save and exit.(high settings work great when in game mode on the deck)

When you are done modding.

MANDITORY IF YOU WANT TO GET PAST THE CHARACTER/NAME SCREEN CRASH.
The game will CRASH if you are in desktop mode when at the character/name screen.

There is no need to run VORTEX once you have modded and run all the tools, nemesis, bethini, and you deployed and ran using the skse tool in vortex, and all things work.

Then you can change the non-steam link PATH to point to skse_loader.exe directly.
"/home/deck/steam/steamapps/common/Skyrim Special Edition/skse_loader.exe"


This lets you NOT run vortex but just run the modded game, so then you can disconnect your dock and vortex will not complain about your download folder missing.

When the non-steam link is pointed to skse, its easier to run when in gaming mode.
(and the recommended way to run a modded skyrimse.)

If you disconnect your dock and you try to open vortex, you will get an error if you put your downloads on an external drive via the usb C plug. You need to restart the steam deck every time you reconnect a usb drive.

Sometimes the steam dock needs to be POWER CYCLED.
I have had a steam dock plugged into a usb drive and its own power, but not plugged into the deck.
When I plugged it into the deck the usb drive malfunctioned until I power cycled the dock, its rare, but it has happened.