Modding Guide for Max Immersion and Graphics *Non-Adult*

Massive list of mods, how to install them, what order to load them, and tips for running the game as smooth as possible.

Overview

Welcome to the guide.
Here, I will explain what mods should be used, how to install them, what to overwrite (if any), and the order to install them.

Requires Nexus Mod Manager!

These mods will make your game look better, while adding immersion, new weapons, armour, animations, and even a questing overhaul.

If you are not comfortable modding your game to the max, this guide isn't for you. While NMM might help you install a lot of things easily, certain mods require INI editing, and 3rd party patchers.

Disclaimer

This guide is only valid for the Skyrim Legendary edition. Notes displaying vanilla are there for reference only.
All mods are named by their actual names, not the ESM name.
This guide is intended for the best looking, non-adult Skyrim, while adding mods that affect the core gameplay. For an adult version, please consider using another guide.
It is HIGHLY recommended to do a fresh install of Skyrim.
It is also highly recommended (if using Nexus Mod Manager) to deactive a previous mods, and uninstall them. (Right click the mod, hover over "Uninstall or delete", click "Uninstall from all profiles)
This is not a comprehensive list. Keep in mind this is also personal preference, geared towards a high end gaming rig.

SKSE is REQUIRED. Don't even think about installing most of these mods without it.

Default load order for Vanilla

Initial load orders

Your first ESM will always be "Skyrim.esm". This cannot be changed, or modified. This is the base game data file, that Skyrim requires to even start.
Your second, third, and fourth ESM's will be the DLCs. While there is no preferable order for these, to keep things simple, it should be
1. Skyrim.esm
2. Dawnguard.esm
3. Dragonborn.esm
4. Hearthfire.esm

Starting the mods and load orders

5. Unofficial Skyrim Legendary Edition Patch
This patch should generally go directly after the DLCs, for both ease of use, and compatibility
issues. This patch fixes bugs still present in Legendary Edition of the game, that Bethesda didn't get to.
6. SkyUI
This UI mod basically makes everything interface wise much cleaner and easier to use on PC.
This goes after the patch for compatibility reasons. Can really go anywhere after the DLC though.
Texture Replacers!
7. Skyrim Complete 2K
This mod replaces almost every texture in the game with a higher definition version. While there is a 4K version, I found it increasingly harder to get a higher framerate when you have a high draw distance, so we went with 2K. This goes 7th as it will act as a base for all other texture replacement mods.
8. Static Mesh Improvement Mod
This mod replaces all the static, nonanimated textures in the game, such as ropes, signs, and the like. It goes directly after the 2K mod as it will replace some of the textures 2K installed.
When installing, it will ask you which version to install. You MUST click the second option, or you will lose Dragonborn textures in HD.
Prerequites!
This is where the list gets interesting. Many of these will interact with each other, and require a lot of clicking around.
9. Fores New Idles in Skyrim - FNIS Behavior V6_2
This is a base mod that does nothing by itself, but provides the groundwork for other mods.
10. HDT Physics Extension
This enables animations to use the Havok Physics Engine in Skyrim. Moving hair, moving skirts, bouncing breasts, etc.
11. Immersive Animations
Install instructions
Main files should have the Main Module, and optionally, the Sneaking Module.
Use the optional files as you wish, though you should only select "Strafe", "Normal Sprint", "Greatsword Sprint", and "Female Walk Fix", as we will be installing the others through other mods.
12. XP32 Maximum Skeleton Extended
This adds 2 new skeletons to the game, as a base for many other mods.
Select the first HDT option upon installing, and just click next on the next screens. When coming to the custom animations, just choose the ones you like, then click next. Be aware some of these options require certain mods not covered in this guide, so unless you don't install any of these options, I can't help you.
Next page, just click next, then finish.
More texture replacers
13. 101 Bugs by Willow
This mod adds multiple new species of bugs and animals to the game.
14. Bellyache's Animal And Creature Pack
This mod adds even more creatures to the game, with high resolution textures.
Choose either default, or bellyaches choice. Both are good looking.
**WARNING**
Bellyache's New Dragon Species appears to have the invisible dragon bug. Until I find a workaround, I don't recommend installing it.
**WARNING**
15. Bellyache's New Dragon Species
Add a lot more dragons to the game, in HD.
16. Birds of Skyrim
Adds many new species of birds, along with ambient sounds for them.
17. Monster Mod V4
Adds literally hundreds of new creatures to Skyrim, all in HD.
18. Pets of Skyrim
A small mod that removes some annoying dialogue, adds HD textures to some animals, and even gives you a cat.
Heavy Immersion Mods!
19. Skyrim Immersive Creatures
Adds dozens of new monsters to the game, while be lore friendly.
When installing, just click the 2 main mod files, and no compatibility patches.
20. Immersive Armours v8
This adds many new armours to Skyrim, all in HD, and very lore friendly.
Do not click the UNP body mod option as we are not installing adult themed mods here (You can if you wish to add those though)
21. Immersive Weapons
Adds a massive amount of new weapons to the game, all in HD, and lore friendly.
22. Immersive Settlements
This mod makes small towns feel more "alive". Adds new NPCs, new houses, and hundreds of items. Lore friendly.
23. Enhanced Lights and FX
REQUIRED for the mod after next, and it makes everything look better.
Select Enhancers and Exterior modules.
Do not select Moonpath (unless you have the NEXUS version. This will crash with the Steam version), and don't select Breezehome as we aren't installing any mod that does this.
24. Ultimate Follower Overhaul
Adds many new options to followers, and even adds marriage to a few unmarriable NPCs.
25. Immersive Citizens AI Overhaul
Overhauls the entirety of the AI citizens in the game. Select "Patch ELFX_E", then click finish.
**WARNING**
It has come to my attention that there is currently a bug with Immersive Sounds, also called the Immersive Sounds Compendium, that removes most sounds in the game. Until I can find a fix for this, skip the install of it
**WARNING**
26. Immersive Sounds
Adds hundreds of new sounds to the game. Select the options on the next few pages to your own desire. On the final page, make sure to select "Enhanced Blood Textures".
27. Enhanced Blood Textures
Adds new blood splatters to the game. You must select "MMv4-IC-DG-DB".
Choose whatever Blood Sized, and the wound size as you like, and on the next pages.
28. Skyrim Flora Overhaul
Adds, and changes, many of the plants in the game. All in HD, lore friendly.
29. Sounds of Skyrim
Adds many new sounds to Skyrim, and replaces a few we have already installed with better versions.
30. Ultimate HD Fire Effects
Revamps the games default fire particles and animations with HD versions, with better animations.
31. Pure Waters Legendary
Changes all water in the game to be more realistic, and adds a few sounds. HD.
32. A quality world map and Solstheim Map - With roads
Does exactly as the title says. Revamps the map to be much higher quality.
Select "Quality Map (For high res meshes) Install all roads", and Solstheim, and Clear Map.
33. Book Covers of Skyrim 3.4
Adds HD book covers that actually display what the book is. Lore friendly.
34. Detailed Rugs
A mod that makes all rugs much higher quality, and more fitting to the Skyrim lore.
Misc mods
35. Realistic Ragdolls and Force
Does as the title implies. Replaces all ragdolls with much more realistic versions, and adds the groundwork for more mods.
36. No Spinning Death Animation
Changes the boring death animation to something more realistic.
37. SG Textures Renewal
Adds/ replaces new textures into Skyrim. HD, lore friendly
38. Alternate Start - Live another life
Adds multiple new starting scenes, including Vanilla if you like it.
39. Enhanced Character Edit
Allows fully custom characters, with dedicated sliders and zoom. Groundwork for other mods. Must select ONE of the "Realistic Ragdolls" skeleton options. Select the tweaks as you see fit.
40. Even Better Quest Objectives
Changes the objective description and location to better reflect where, and what, you actually have to do. Alternate start, and Ultimate Follower Overhaul should already be selected. Select the optional file if you wish.
Final mods
**WARNING**
Cloaks of Skyrim appears to have a bug, where the texture isn't installed properly. You can try reinstalling, but if that doesn't work, I recommend uninstalling for now until I find a workaround.
**WARNING**
41. Cloaks of Skyrim
Literally adds cloaks to everyone, and randomly in areas.
**OPTIONAL. May cause problems**
**42. Climates of Tamriel V
This mod adds many weather effects to the game, but it has a habit of crashing the game, and messing with other mods. Not recommended for first time modders to install unless you know how to fix it.

Troubleshooting

Congradulations. You installed every mod listed here, and not a single mod asked to overwrite another one. But there will be a few of you who's game won't start. Here's how to fix it:

Deactivate every mod, then slowly reactive them until you find the mod causing the crash
If that doesn't work, verify Skyrim through steam.

Make sure your computer can handle the graphical stress of all these mods. I recommend at least 8gb of ram, and at least a 2gb graphics card. 1gb can work though. A quad core CPU is highly recommended.

SKSE is giving errors, but Google doesn't give you anything: PM me and I will work with you.

Any other problems would relate to a corrupted download, and the guide not being followed correctly.

Final Words

Guide stats
Creation Date: 4/5/2016
Skyrim Version: Legendary Edition (STEAM)
Guide Version: 1.0

Please report any false information, typos, etc, either in the comments, or to me directly, and I will handle it.

Questions:
Will you provide links to SKSE, Mod X, etc?
No. Most modders know about Nexus, and those that don't will discover it during this guide

Will this guide be updated with more mods?
YES! But only if it cooperates with all the other mods on the list. I will not add something that directly conflicts with this list unless there are very specific instructions on how to make them cooperate.

Will you give me premium on Nexus?
No. Go buy your own subscription and support the mod developers.

What if skyrim gets an update and these mods break?
If Skyrim ever gets officially updated again, I will rework and test the mods again, with an updated load order and list.

What if I have a "Less than legal" copy of Skyrim?
I can't help you. Go support Bethesda.

My hard drive was wiped help me!
That has nothing to do with this guide. Don't ask me to fix things that are caused by user error not relating to this guide.

Will you marry me?
I'm married to Mjoll the Lionness. Sorry.

[Richard]

Instructions not clear; got ♥♥♥♥ stuck in washing machine