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Concise Skyrim Modding Guide 2017
By Budget_Security
A performance-friendly step-by-step guide to modding (non-SE) Skyrim in 2017. Includes a well curated mod list.
   
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Created by
Budget_Security
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Category: Modding or Configuration
Languages: English
Posted
Updated
Jul 25, 2016 @ 1:25pm
Sep 1, 2018 @ 3:15am
1,554 Unique Visitors
60 Current Favorites
Guide Index
Overview
Introduction 
Preparing Skyrim for mods 
Installing mods general info 
Suggested mod list 
Screenshots 
Example AH-Hotkeys setup 
Comments
Introduction

(scroll down for better screenshots)

Note: a more up to date version of this guide can be found here on nexusmods[www.nexusmods.com]

This is a performance-friendly step-by-step guide to modding, based on over 800 hours of researching and playing mods.

I wrote this because (in my opinion) none of the other guides are clear or concise enough for the novice modder. Most other guides are only suitable for people with unlimited free time and very powerful PCs. Many are bloated with some poor mod recommendations (outdated, unbalanced, not lore friendly, script-hogs, and too much adult-only content etc). Some guides (like S.T.E.P. guide) are very comprehensive, but unnecessarily complex for most modders.

So I felt the need to write a better, simple guide for novice modders (including those who don't have very powerful PCs), or those who just want to save time.

To keep this guide simple and performance friendly, I will only cover the essentials, so no ENBs and no bashed patches etc. The mods listed in this guide improve the look and feel of Skyrim without the use of either. And you can always try ENBs and mods that need bashed patches later.

Prerequisites:
  • Skyrim and all DLC (or legendary edition) on Steam.
  • Your PC should be able to run vanilla Skyrim at max settings smoothly.
  • Windows 7 or higher with UAC disabled (if you keep UAC on for security reasons, you must install skyrim to a directory other than "program files")
  • nexusmods.com free account, for downloading mods.
  • large amount of free time and perseverance.
Preparing Skyrim for mods
Before installing mods you must follow these steps:

  • Download and install Skyrim Legendary Edition
  • (optional) Create a backup of the entire skyrim folder found in
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\
    if all fails, you can delete everything and uninstall in steam, then copy over the backup and reinstall in steam (without re-downloading)
  • (optional) delete the intro logo video in
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim\Data\Video
  • Run Skyrim once - select "Play" in the launcher and exit from the main menu. (this is so the engine generates ini files).
    (if the launcher did not auto select "ultra" graphics settings, your PC may not be powerful enough for propper Skyrim modding)
  • On the steam front page, do a search for "SKSE" (Skyrim Script Extender), and install it.
  • now enable the SKSE memory patch:
    go to steamapps/common/Skyrim/Data, and create folder "SKSE".
    in new skse folder create "skse.ini" file.
    open "skse.ini" with any text editor and add the following lines:

    [General]
    EnableDiagnostics=1
    ClearInvalidRegistrations=1

    [Memory]
    DefaultHeapInitialAllocMB=768
    ScrapHeapSizeMB=256

    save and close
  • create a folder where modding resources will be installed (outside of skyrim's directory but on same drive). An example: "C:\Skyrim Mod"
  • download and unzip Tes5Edit[www.nexusmods.com] to your modding folder.
  • clean "dirty edits" from Bethesda's master files (this makes skyrim more reliable):
    open tes5edit, double click on update.esm, in left pane right-click update esm and select [Apply Filter For Cleaning]
    wait till done, then right-click update.esm and select [Remove "Identical to Master" records], confirming "yes" when prompted
    wait till done, then right-click update.esm and select [Undelete and Disable References]
    wait till done, close tes5edit, at prompt select Update.esm and check backup, then press OK.
    do the same for Dawnguard.esm, and then do it AGAIN for Dawngurad.esm,
    do the same for Hearthfire.esm, and Dragonborn.esm (no need to do twice for these)
    (make sure the new cleaned (smaller filesize) esm files are in Skyrim\Data, the originals are in Data\TES5Edit Backups)
    You may want to backup these "cleaned" esm files so you don't need to do it again in future.
  • Note: before installing "Mod Organizer", I recommend you edit graphics settings in the default launcher to your liking, as once MO is installed, you will have to edit graphics setting inside MO using a much more complicated interface (tools menu > 'configurator'). Any changes made in the default launcher will not work when using MO.
  • install MO - "Mod Organizer"[www.nexusmods.com] in your modding folder.
    Also note: MO uses a virtual file directory system, so any utilities you may end up using must be run from within MO as shown with LOOT below. Also any ini file tweaks must be done inside MO as shown further down.
  • open MO, press the spanner "configure" button, select workaround tab and click "back date BSAs"
  • download and unzip LOOT[loot.github.io] - "Load Order Optimisation Tool" to your modding folder.
  • To integrate LOOT with MO, press the "modify executables" button in MO (looks like 2 cog-wheels). In the blank title field type "LOOT", in the binary field enter the full path to the LOOT executable. example: "C:\Skyrim Mod\LOOT.v0.8.1\LOOT.exe". Now press the "Add" button, then close that window.
  • In MO, select "LOOT" from the drop down menu next to "RUN", and press "RUN". In LOOT press "sort plugins" (the button looks like a cellphone reception coverage icon). Observe that no warnings show asking you to clean the master files using tes5edit, as you have already done that. Close LOOT.
  • From now on, you will always start skyrim from within MO by selecting "SKSE" , and pressing "Run". Note: if you do not start skyrim this way, any mods installed through MO will not work!
  • (optional) in MO, press "tools" button (looks like puzzle pieces) and select "ini editor". Edit/add the lines shown below. All of these are optional tweaks, but highly recommended. (be careful, any careless mistake or typo can cause severe problems)
    Note: the skyrim ini files in your "My docs" don't work with MO. Only edit these ini files in MO.

SKYRIM.INI:
[General]
fFlickeringLightDistance=8192
[Display]
fDecalLifetime=256.000
fDefaultWorldFOV=76
fDefault1stPersonFOV=76
fSunShadowUpdateTime=0.000
fSunUpdateThreshold=0.200
[Combat]
f1PArrowTiltUpAngle=0.7
f3PArrowTiltUpAngle=1.5
f1PBoltTiltUpAngle=0.7
f3PBoltTiltUpAngle=1.5
[VATS]
bVATSDisable = 1
[Weather]
fSunBaseSize=150
fSunGlareSize=150

SKYRIMPREFS.INI:
[General]
fDefaultFOV=76
[Display]
bDrawLandShadows=1
fMeshLODLevel1FadeTreeDistance=6144
fMeshLODLevel2FadeTreeDistance=4096
fTreesMidLODSwitchDist=8192
iMaxSkinDecalsPerFrame=100
iMaxDecalsPerFrame=250
[Controls]
bMouseAcceleration=0
[Trees]
uiMaxSkinnedTreesToRender=200
[Launcher]
bEnableFileSelection=1
[Water]
iWaterReflectHeight=1024
iWaterReflectWidth=1024
Installing mods general info
Remember to launch Skyrim from within MO by selecting "SKSE" and pressing "RUN".
(optional) You should first play vanilla skyrim till you exit the tutorial dungeon (Helgen), and then make a save. Use this save when testing new mods.
Most mods will be obtained from the nexusmods.com website. It is recommended you read up on mods before installing them.

The basic mod download and install process:
  • On a mod page, go to the download tab and click "download manually" for the file you wish to download. There is no need to "extract" or "unzip" the files.
  • In MO, press the "Install a new mod from an archive" button (first button top left of window).
  • Select the file you downloaded and press "open", then "OK".
  • Once all files have been copied over, find the mod in the left window of MO and click the check mark box to activate the mod.

Load order and conflict theory
Skyrim's game engine loads mods (plugins and other files) one by one in an order you control. If two mods edit the same thing, the mod loaded later will overwrite the change made by the other mod, thus taking priority. This is called a "mod conflict". As you install more mods, conflicts become inevitable. Most conflicts are harmless or only cause small problems, but some can cause serious problems, so you should be aware of them. Many problematic conflicts can be made harmless or "resolved" by changing the load order.
To avoid conflicts, try not to install mods that seem to do the same or very similar things, and always check the mod's description page on nexusmods.com for any "conflict", "compatibility" or "load order" information.

Automatic load order sorting:
After installing new mods, click the "sort" button in MO (above the right window). Alternatively you can launch LOOT (from within MO) and run the "sort" function in LOOT which is more up to date. Both methods will sort most mods correctly and ensure most conflicts are not problematic.

Manual load order sorting:
Sometimes the auto-sort function gets a few items wrong, so you may need to make adjustments manually afterwards.
In MO, the right window controls the order mod plugins are loaded. The left window controls the order other mod files are loaded. Mods at the top of a list are loaded first, those at the bottom last. Mods that only have a plugin file (.esp file) are sorted by the right side window. But a texture mod may not have a plugin, so it can only be sorted using the left window. Mods that have both plugins and other files are primarily sorted by the right window, but also the left sometimes. In MO you can see if a mod conflicts in the left window if it has a small yellow lightening bolt icon next to it. If you then select one of these mods, some other mods in that list light up as red or green. Red overwrites the selected mod, green is overwriten by the selected mod. (Note: This shows file overwrite conflicts but not other forms of conflicts). The official DLC (like dawnguard and dragonborn) tends to get overwriten, this is not a problem. Other overwrite conflicts are not always a problem, but you should be aware.

Manual sorting is done by dragging and dropping mods up or down.

Sometimes MO makes a left window sorting suggestion. It is usually best to follow it.

If this all sounds rather complicated, you're not alone. This is a fact of life for the Skyrim modder.

If you install the suggested mods listed later in this guide, I have listed some manual load order adjustments for you at the end, so you do not need to figure them out yourself.

Other notes:
If subscribing to steam workshop mods, first open the vanilla game launcher, wait for messages at the bottom to confirm mods are up to date, then close the launcher, and run MO to sort/activate if needed. Workshop mods in MO will show up as "Unmanaged:" and "Non-MO". This is fine, they will still usually work.

note: some mods need to be repacked before installing. If this happens, "unzip" the downloaded mod and remove any duplicate esp files from the download. Then put everything in a "data" folder and re-zip that. Install in MO from the new ziped file. (if this happens and you are unsure, google it)

In MO, some warning messages can be ignored, but if the large warning triangle in the top right corner lights up, pay attention!
note: after much activity, sometimes MO shows out of date warnings that can be resolved simply by quitting and restarting MO.

When in game, many mods have a MCM (mod configuration menu) that can be accessed from the game's system menu after loading a save.

Done! you are now ready to start installing mods.
Suggested mod list
I have used all these mods together for hundreds of hours of gameplay, without any major problems.

Mods are sorted below in an approximate install order. Start at the top.

To install first:

Quest mods (to install middle):

Other mods to install middle:

To install later:

To install even later:

To install last:


Load order tweaking:
Now run LOOT to sort your mods. Then make the following manual sorting tweaks. These are based on mod author instructions and my own testing.

ELFX (main esp) - before 3DNPC
3DNPC (interesting npc) - load before immersive citizens
Immersive citizens - after interesting npcs
ELFX enhancer - load after immersive citizens


Done!
You can now start playing (or install more mods).
Find Rumarin and Inigo (two of the best lore-friendly custom followers with the most unique dialogue) and start adventuring!
Screenshots
The mods listed in this guide focus on improving gameplay and immersion more than graphics. So, since there are no ENBs and no super high-res textures, the result is not as impressive. But, these visuals still look significantly better than vanilla, with nearly no performance loss.

Note: I am running 16x AF through the graphics card control panel, but this does not show up in the steam screenshots for some reason, so the ingame visuals are actually much sharper.

"ELFX Enhancer" mod improved interior lighting in Dawnguard Fortress:


"Realistic Waters 2" mod:


"ELFX Weathers" mod morning mist in Falkreath hold forests:


"ELFX Weathers" mod sunrise and "Enhanced Camera" 1st-person view horse riding:


Taverns filled up in the evening with "Interesting NPCs" and "Immersive Citizens" mods:


"ELFX Weathers" and "Detailed Cities" mods:


"Inigo" and multiple "Interesting NPCs" followers using the "Extensible Follower framework" mod (here you see them sandboxing around a campsite from a quest mod):



"ELFX Weathers" sunset over the sea in "The Hanging Gardens" quest mod:


"Interesting NPCs" bard songs played by player together with 2 bard NPCs:


"Immersive Citizens" improved NPC routines:
Example AH-Hotkeys setup
Here is a picture of the keyboard setup I am using, made possible by the powerful
AH Hotkeys[www.nexusmods.com] mod. Setting up hotkeys with this mod is quite complicated at first, but once you are familiar with it, you can set up just about any type of hotkey imaginable, including fancy cyclers and autocasters.
Note that some of the hotkeys shown in the picture come from the MCMs of other mods (like the "immersive horses" and "campfire" hotkeys).
Obviously this layout is just an example, if you want to setup advanced hotkeys too, you should customise your keyboard bind layout to you own needs.
Note that hotkeys controlled by AH Hotkeys have more lag (up to 1 second) than skyrim's default 1-8 hotkeys. So, you may want to bind things you need quickly (like weapons) using the default 1-8 keys, not with AH Hotkeys.

Click to enlarge, then in the pop out window click on the tiny symbol after the web address for the full size image.
7 Comments
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Budget_Security  [author] Jan 25, 2019 @ 8:58am 
Thanks for you kind comment!
Loken Jan 24, 2019 @ 11:35pm 
Thank you! I can't tell you how much this helped me to come back to Skyrim. The internet was a jumble of out of date info mixed with exhausting walls of text. You nailed it!
bubba Mar 11, 2018 @ 11:11pm 
Short but up-to the work! Thanks for this one!
Sidartha Jan 23, 2018 @ 7:51am 
I have spent days trying to mod out my Skyrim with 2 other guides and not had great luck. I think they were a bit outdated or something. Think I will try this one.
Sirius_Cynicism Dec 7, 2017 @ 6:45pm 
NOT for Skyrim Special Edition in case you missed that.
QueenKaje Nov 5, 2017 @ 4:17am 
Thank you very very much!
Quelian Aug 23, 2016 @ 4:52pm 
Thanks for this dude, really appreciated!