C Stew’s Skyrim SE Modlist v1.1
Version v1.2 v0.3 is in development!
Don’t like the way Third Person Play works? Not Anymore.
Foreword
If you are updating from an earlier version and ARE NOT reinstalling from scratch, follow the changelog instead!
This page serves as a complete guide to use the same mods I do, beginning from a vanilla (un-modded) Skyrim SE Installation. It covers everything from downloading mods to optimizing load order to increasing stability, and is designed to be followed by those with zero previous modding experience.
This mod list uses the now outdated 1.5.97 version of Skyrim SE. If you have updated to or are using the Anniversary Edition, use this mod to downgrade to the compatible SE version. It is also incompatible with Skyrim: Legendary Edition, the original game with all DLC Add-ons, and Skyrim VR, the Virtual Reality version of Skyrim SE, due to many mods not supporting those versions of the game.
This mod list uses ESO & UI’s SKYRIM SE MICRO MOD LIST – V1.2 as a base. However, my list includes several changes to exclude certain mod features and incorporate compatibility patches. I also include some personal favorites to replace a few excluded features, annoyances, and to improve aspects their list doesn’t cover. Their install instructions are also lacking, that is to say non-exsistent, making it impossibly difficult to match their settings. This mod list also incorporates ENB, a post-processing program that enhances visuals drastically. If you experience performance issues or are running on a low-end system, test with ENB off. Certain mods rely on ENB being present, and they will need to be removed if ENB is not in use.
LOOT will be used periodically to optimize load order and solve override issues, as Vortex doesn’t do the best job of this. If your deploy/load order is shuffled while installing mods, don’t worry. LOOT can pretty easily resolve many load order issues.
Any mods containing NSFW content/additions will not be included.
System Requirements* (and AMD equivalent):
- NVIDIA GTX 1050 | AMD HD 7870
- Intel i3 | Ryzen 3
- 8GB DDR3
My System Specifications (and AMD equivalent):
- NVIDIA GTX 1660-Ti | AMD RX 5600-XT
- Intel i5-10300H | Ryzen 5 4600H
- 16GB DDR4-2933MHz
Storage Requirements:
- 12.5GB for Archives + 17.3GB for Mod Files + Skyrim SE (Approx. 13GB Base, 30.5GB after Mods)
- Total Space Requirements comes out to be 60.3GB for Skyrim SE and all mod files. While this is a hefty number, it’s fairly standard for mod lists that replace the majority of the game’s textures and sounds.
*According to ESO & UI’s SKYRIM SE MOD LISTS page
At 1080p with Graphics set to High and ENB enabled, I generally get 60+fps indoors and 40-55fps outdoors.
Pre-Installation
I use Vortex to install and manage mods. For a comprehensive usage and setup guide, Ultimate Immersion has an intuitive video here on setting up your Skyrim installation and Vortex to be mod-ready. It also covers installing SKSE64, a crucial plugin that requires manual installation. Make sure you download Legacy SE build 2.0.20 (runtime 1.5.97)
, NOT Latest AE Build!
When downloading mods, use the MOD MANAGER DOWNLOAD
button unless otherwise specified. Do note that Nexus limits Non-premium users to one 1-2MB/s download at a time, so patience is a must. If you get a pop-up in your browser asking to open a link with Vortex, select Open Vortex
. It will automatically begin downloading the mod within Vortex.
If Vortex shows any mod conflicts in the upper right corner, always load the mods in the order of this list. Mods downloaded first should be loaded before mods downloaded after them. This way features won’t be unintentionally overridden by other mods.
ESO & UI’s List (including patches)
When downloading mods, use the specified version unless replaced by a newer build! If no version is specified, download the latest Main File!
If a mod is no longer available, proceed without it as it will likely work anyway.
- SSE Engine Fixes
- Due to recent controversy, Aers’s Nexus Mods page is set to hidden, so it must be acquired from their GitHub instead.
- Download Part.1.SSE.Engine.Fixes.for.1.5.39-1.5.97.7z and Part.2.skse64.Preloader.TBB.Lib.7z from their latest release.
- Open Vortex, activate SSE, and select the Mods tab on the left side.
- Click the plus icon on the orange bar and select Part.1.SSE.Engine.Fixes.for.1.5.39-1.5.97.7z to automatically import the mod.
- Using File Explorer, cut or copy Part.2.skse64.Preloader.TBB.Lib.7z to your Skyrim SE installation (it should contain SkyrimSE.exe and SkyrimSELauncher.exe)
- Using 7-zip, right click Part.2.skse64.Preloader.TBB.Lib.7z, hover over
7-Zip >
, and selectExtract Here
.
- Address Library for SKSE Plugins
- Download All in one (Special Edition), NOT Anniversary Edition!
- Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch
- Arthmoor removed USSEP for 1.5.97 from Nexus, but it can still be acquired from the above link and installed manually.
- Once downloaded, install it the same way as Part.1.SSE.Engine.Fixes.for.1.5.39-1.5.97.7z.
- SkyUI
- Static Mesh Improvement Mod - SMIM
- When prompted, select
Skyrim 2016 Special Edition: Everything
- When prompted, select
- Water for ENB
- If you don’t plan to use ENB, do not install this mod.
- When prompted, select
Shades of Skyrim
andNo iNeed Support
, then Select LOD Brightness - Here, select
Default LOD Water
, then select Water Texture Resolution - This is up to preference, but I use
2K
. Select Waterfalls And Effects Add-On next. - Pick the same resolution as the previous selection, or None, then select Patches.
- Leave all boxes unchecked and select Finish.
- Vortex will now show a file conflict. Load SMIM BEFORE Water for ENB!
- Hit
Deploy
in the pop-up.
- Water for ENB USSEP and Location Patches
- If you don’t plan to use ENB, do not install this mod.
- Download WENB Shades USSEP Patch
- Noble Skyrim Mod HD-2K
- Download A. Noble Skyrim - FULL PACK_2K (recommended) or B. Noble Skyrim - FULL PACK_Performance Edition (recommended for low-end systems), and NSM - SMIM Patch
- This download will take a while, but do not skip it for later!
- Enhanced textures detail (UV-tweaks)
- Check
Install SMIM Conflicting Files
when prompted! - On the next page, select
I want it all!
and the above boxes unchecked. - On the next page, only check
Farmhouses with 3D Ropes
. - The next option is up to preference, but I use
None
. - On the next page, leave all boxes unchecked, and select Finish.
- Now we have many file conflicts!
- Load Noble Skyrim AFTER UV-tweaks
- Load Noble Skyrim BEFORE its SMIM Patch
- Load Noble Skyrim AFTER SMIM
- Load UV-tweaks BEFORE SMIM
- Load UV-tweaks BEFORE Water for ENB
- Load NSM SMIM Patch AFTER SMIM
- Hit
Deploy
- Check
- Fluffy Snow
- Download Fluffy Snow - 2K (recommended) or Fluffy Snow - 1K (slight performance boost), Fluffy Snow - Blended Roads Patch, Fluffy Snow for Majestic Mountains - 2K (MM1.8 and newer), and Fluffy Snow Windhelm Bridge and Street Fix.
- Load Noble Skyrim BEFORE Fluffy Snow
- Hit
Deploy
- Majestic Mountains
- When prompted, select
Snow Mountain New version ESL
andMoss Rocks ESL version
- Choose Sun Direction None if using ENB, and North or South without ENB.
- Finish the installation for this mod.
- Now even more unresolved file conflicts!
- Load Majestic Mountains AFTER SMIM
- Load Majestic Mountains AFTER UV-tweaks
- Load Majestic Mountains BEFORE Fluffy Snow
- Load Majestic Mountains AFTER Noble Skyrim
- Vortex will say Fluffy Snow for Majestic Mountains - 2K (MM1.8 and newer) is redundant. Ignore this warning, as it shouldn’t be the case.
- Hit
Deploy
- When prompted, select
- Immersive Citizens
- Options selected should be
Core
andNone
.
- Options selected should be
- DDCse
- Blended Roads
- When prompted, set both selections to
Blended Roads
.
- When prompted, set both selections to
- RS Children Overhaul
- When selecting patches, choose
USSEP
- In Extra Options, select
Bigger Heads
andFacial Animations
to prevent potential bugs. - For whatever reason, Blended Roads conflicts didn’t appear until now for me, so lets fix them!
- Load Noble Skyrim BEFORE Blended Roads
- Load Blended Roads AFTER SMIM
- Load Blended Roads AFTER UV-tweaks
- Load Blended Roads BEFORE Fluffy Snow
- Hit
Deploy
- When selecting patches, choose
- RS Children Patch Compendium
- Download RSC FOMOD Beta and RS Children and USSEP Aventus fix
- ONLY SELECT
Cutting Room Floor
and hit Finish- It will now display a
Missing Masters
warning, which will be resolved later
- It will now display a
- JK’s Skyrim
- Download JK’s Skyrim all in one and JK’s Skyrim - Arthmoor’s Patch Pack
- For Arthmoor’s Patch Pack, select
Individual Patches
, thenCutting Room Floor Patch
.
- RUGNAROK - Special Edition
- Download RUGNAROK - Special Edition - 2K (recommended) or RUGNAROK - Special Edition - 1K (recommended for low-end systems)
- Load Noble Skyrim BEFORE RUGNAROK
- Hit
Deploy
- Download RUGNAROK - Special Edition - 2K (recommended) or RUGNAROK - Special Edition - 1K (recommended for low-end systems)
- RUSTIC CLOTHING - Special Edition
- Download RUSTIC CLOTHING - Special Edition - 2K
- Load RUSIC CLOTHING AFTER SMIM
- Hit
Deploy
- Happy Little Trees
- When prompted, select
All Trees
andTree Size
- Load Happy Little Trees AFTER SMIM, UV-tweaks, and Noble Skyrim
- Hit
Deploy
- When prompted, select
- Folkvangr - Grass and Landscape Overhaul
- Load Folkvangr AFTER Noble Skyrim
- Hit
Deploy
- Aspens Ablaze
- Choose
Autumnal
orAutumnal Variety
(recommended) - Leave
Install
unchecked for LOD Assets - Load Aspens Ablaze AFTER Happy Little Trees
- Hit
Deploy
- Choose
- Enhanced Lights and FX
- Set Ambience to
None
and leave Exterior alone - Select both SMIM patches
- Check
Torches
in Optionals - Load ELFX AFTER SMIM
- Load ELFX AFTER RUGNAROK
- Load ELFX AFTER UV-tweaks
- Hit
Deploy
- Set Ambience to
- SFCO
- Download Snazzy Furniture and Clutter Overhaul SE and Snazzy Furniture and Clutter Overhaul SE - Patches
- Select Mix-n-Match Plugin - USSEP Version
- Choose
Standard
if not using ENB, chooseDe-saturated
if you are using ENB - For patches, select
Cutting Room Floor
,Enhanced Lights and FX
,Immersive Citizens
, and bothJK's
options. - Load SFCO AFTER SMIM
- Hit
Deploy
- The Missing Masters warning for SFCO and JK’s Skyrim should be ignoreable.
- PELTAPALOOZA
- Download PELTAPALOOZA Special Edition - FULL
- Load PELTAPALOOZA AFTER Noble Skyrim
- Hit
Deploy
- Enhanced Blood Textures
- Don’t download the LITE version!
- Leave settings on default, but use
Medium Distance
(recommended) for better performance or lower resolutions. - I use
High Res / Darker Color
but color can be left up to preference. - For Alt. Textures, leave as
None
(recommended) or make this setting match your last.
- Gemling Queen Jewelry SE
- Select all options except
Unobtainable
- Select
Gamwich - 512
(recommended) orGamwich - 1024
- Leave Optional Mesh Packs as
None
- Ring Texture is completely up to preference, I use
Combined - 1k
- Load Gemling Queen Jewelry SE AFTER SMIM
- Hit
Deploy
- Select all options except
- Immersive Sounds - Compendium
- Options are entirely up to preference. I use default settings with all Creature Options selected.
- Sounds of Skyrim Complete SE
- Choose
Light
for a lore-friendly experience (recommended). - The
Immersive Citizens
patch should already be selected, but also selectNatural Atmospheric Tamriel
, but not the ENB patch! - Make sure ELFX is set to only
ELFX
. - Check
I Understand
on the next page. It discusses potential conflicts with multiple weather/lighting mods.
- Choose
- Bellyaches Animal and Creature Pack SSE
- Choose
Default Replacement
- Load Bellyaches AFTER SMIM
- Hit
Deploy
- Choose
- Landscape Fixes For Grass Mods
- Download (there’s a lot) Landscape Fixes For Grass Mods, Immersive Citizens v0.4 Patch, JK’s Skyrim - Towns, Patches for Arthmoor’s Town add-ons, and Generic Grass Limiter (under Misc. Files)
- In Patches for Arthmoor’s Towns, select
Cutting Room Floor
- We’ll use LOOT later to make sure these load in the proper order (Folkvangr -> Base Mod -> Patches)
- Cutting Room Floor - SSE
- Smoking Torches and Candles
- Choose
Subtle
(recommended) orClassic
(not recommended) - Choose
Optimized
(recommended) orMax Quality
(not recommended for low-end systems) - Choose
ESPFE
- Load Smoking Torches BEFORE ELFX
- Load Smoking Torches AFTER SMIM
- Hit
Deploy
- Choose
- NAT - Natural and Atmospheric Tamriel
- Only download NAT Stand Alone
- NAT should be loaded after other lighting mods!
- We will fix this with LOOT later, as Vortex doesn’t notice lighting mod conflicts.
- Embers HD
- Choose
1K
(recommended) or1K Orange Cast
- Select
Fireplaces Add-On + Custom Fire Effect
- Select both Add-Ons
- Select the
Smoking Torches Patch
- Now for several file conflicts!
- Load EMBERS HD BEFORE ELFX
- Load EMBERS HD AFTER Smoking Torches
- Load EMBERS HD AFTER SMIM
- Hit
Deploy
- Choose
- Immersive Fallen Trees SSE
- aMidianBorn Book of Silence SE
- Download 1) aMidianBorn Book of Silence SE – COMPLETE
- This download will take a while, but do not skip it for later!
- RaceMenu
- Enable RaceMenu.esp if it shows as Disabled. The plugin is optional and can be disabled.
- Ruins Clutter Improved
- Download Ruins Clutter Improved SE Mod Manager
- Select
Install Everything
and hit Finish. - Once again, it conflicts with the other texture mods.
- Load Ruins Clutter Improved AFTER Noble Skyrim
- Load Ruins Clutter Improved AFTER SMIM
- Load Ruins Clutter Improved AFTER NSM SMIM Patch
- Load Ruins Clutter Improved AFTER UV-tweaks
- Load Ruins Clutter Improved BEFORE Smoking Torches
- Load Ruins Clutter Improved BEFORE ELFX
- Load Ruins Clutter Improved BEFORE Enhanced Blood Textures
- Load Ruins Clutter Improved BEFORE RUGNAROK
- Hit
Deploy
Congrats! The easy part of the modding process is finished! Next, the load order needs to be optimized so the game doesn’t instantly crash or have severe glitches.
LOOT/SSEEdit Part 1
As useful as Vortex’s sorting rules are, they are far from perfect. To remedy this, we can use LOOT: The Load Order Optimisation Tool. Below are full, in-depth instructions from downloading and installing LOOT to fixing Vortex’s shortcomings.
- Go to LOOT’s official website and click the blue
DOWNLOAD LOOT
button. This takes you to their GitHub releases page. - Download LOOT.Installer.exe from the latest release. Save it to a temporary location, such as your Downloads folder.
- After it downloads, run it by clicking it at the bottom of your browser or locating it in File Explorer and double-clicking it.
- Click
Yes
in the User Account Control Pop-up - Follow the installer instructions to install LOOT.
- Launch LOOT when you finish installing.
- Hit OK in the First Time window.
- SFCO - JK’s Whiterun Interiors Patch.esp will show the same warnings Vortex did, and they can be ignored.
- At the top of the window, hit the Sort Plugins (three lines) button.
- LOOT has now optimized the load order, and found several issues. Unlike Vortex, LOOT provides recommendations for fixing these, so let’s go through them!
- Locate NAT.esp, click the three dots on its card, and select Edit Metadata.
- Select the Load After tab, and select ADD NEW ROW
- For the Filename, enter
EnhancedLightsandFX.esp
- Select the Save Icon at the top of the NAT.esp tab.
- Next, navigate to Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch.esp
- It will have a notice about a compatibility patch that is not in use. Click Circlet USSEP Fixes here or in LOOT, and download Gemling Queen Jewelry SE USSEP Circlet Fix the same way as every other mod.
- In LOOT, click the three dots in the top right, and select Refresh Content.
- Now, navigate to GQJ_DG_vampireamuletfix.esp.
- LOOT recommends deleting this plugin. To do so, use File Explorer to open your Skyrim SE installation, and open the
Data
folder within it. - Find the plugin and delete it. Go back to Vortex’s Plugins menu
- Click
Deploy Now
at the top, and it will open and External Changes menu. Make sure it says **Save change (delete file) and clickConfirm
in the bottom right. - Refresh Content in LOOT as before.
- LOOT recommends deleting this plugin. To do so, use File Explorer to open your Skyrim SE installation, and open the
- Now, navigate to Landscape Fixes For Grass Mods.esp.
- Add a Load After rule with the Filename Folkvangr - Grass and Landscape Overhaul.esp.
- Locate NAT.esp, click the three dots on its card, and select Edit Metadata.
- Next, it’s time for more compatibility patches LOOT picked up on.
- Download these fixes are for ELFX: Here and Here
- Download the Flashing Savegames Fix and Immersive Fallen Trees Patch
- For ELFX Fixes, select
Sounds of Skyrim - Tonycubed version
and only if you plan to use ENB selectENB ELFX Meshes
. - Load ELFX Fixes AFTER all conflicting mods and hit
Deploy
. - For Flickering Meshes Fix, set all options to
No parallax version
,Farmhouses Without Parallax
, and enable patches for SMIM, Majestic Mountains, and, only if using ENB, Water for ENB. - Load Flickering Meshes Fix AFTER all conflicting mods EXCEPT WATER FOR ENB and hit
Deploy
. - Go back to Vortex and make sure fallenbridgesSSE-Patch.esp is enabled. If not, enable it using the down arrow next to
Disabled
and selectEnabled
.
- For ELFX Fixes, select
- At this time, Refresh Content in LOOT as before.
- If for some reason you see JKs Skyrim_Arthmoor All_Patch.esp, disable it within Vortex as it shouldn’t be there.
- Now, in LOOT, find JKs Skyrim.esp and enter its Edit Metadata menu.
- In the Load After tab, add a new row with
Cutting Room Floor.esp
and save it. - Do the same with JKs Skyrim_Cutting Room Floor_Patch.esp, but instead enter JKs Skyrim.esp in the rule and save it.
- In the Load After tab, add a new row with
- In LOOT, navigate to fallenbridgesSSE-Patch.esp and add a Load After rule for fallentreebridgesSSE.esp and save it.
- Now, refresh content and sort your load order again.
Due to Vortex being stubborn, these rules must also be added within Vortex.
- Go to the plugins menu
- Click Manage Rules on the orange bar at the top.
- Add the Load After rules as they were in LOOT.
- You should have 5 rules.
- landscape fixes for grass mods.esp needs to load after folkvangr - grass and landscape overhaul.esp
- jks skyrim_cutting room floor_patch.esp needs to load after jks skyrim.esp
- fallenbridgessse-patch.esp needs to load after fallentreebridgessse.esp
- nat.esp needs to load after enhancedlightsandfx.esp
- jks skyrim.esp needs to load after cutting room floor.esp
- You should have 5 rules.
- Click the Sort Now button on the orange bar at the top.
Leave LOOT open, as the next step is fixing all of those yellow warnings it showed using SSEEdit. While SSEEdit can be run through Vortex, it is easier not to.
Quick note before this step: Never clean Master Files, especially Base Game Files! These are marked with a Crown icon within LOOT, and cleaning them with SSEEdit can have irreversible, game-breaking consequences. Best practice is to only clean files with a yellow warning in LOOT that ARE NOT Master Files.
- Download the latest SSEEdit to somewhere memorable, such as your Desktop.
- Right-click the .7z file, then click
7-Zip >
,Extract Here
. - Open the folder and double-click
SSEEditQuickAutoClean.exe
. - Click
OK
andClose
in the next two windows that appear. - Now, keep a few things in mind:
- SSEEdit can only clean one file at a time. Selecting multiple will give an error, meaning the files must be cleaned one by one.
- We only want to clean the following files: EnhancedLightsandFX.esp, NAT.esp, RSChildren.esp, and Immersive Citizens - AI Overhaul.esp.
- Select an afrementioned plugin and click
OK
in the bottom right.- You may notice that some of the Base Game Files have a square in their checkbox when selecting a mod. This simply denotes what ESMs the selected file has data referencing, and is only cleaning the file with a checkmark.
- If a large
Cancel
button appears on-screen, do not click it! You can also ignore any other pop-up during the cleaning process. - Once it’s done, close SSEEdit, reopen the QuickAutoClean executable, and repeat for the other plugins.
Now, return to LOOT and Refresh Content. You should no longer see yellow boxes on anything except DLC and Update Master Files. If this is the case, close LOOT and Vortex for now.
Setting up ENB
If you don’t plan to use ENB, skip to the next section.
This process has two major steps: Installing the files for ENB, and installing the ENB Preset. First, install ENB for Skyrim SE:
- Go here and download the latest ENB for Skyrim SE.
- Ignore any links, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the icon to the left of
download
. - For ease of access, save the .zip to your Skyrim SE installation (the folder with SkyrimSE.exe and SkyrimSELauncher.exe).
- Ignore any links, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the icon to the left of
- Open the .zip, and within it open the Wrapper Version.
- In this folder, select the enbseries folder, both DLLs, enblocal.ini, and enbseries.ini. Copy these to the same folder as the Skyrim executables.
Next, download the ENB preset itself:
- Download Ultimate Immersion SE ENB by hitting the blue
Download Ultimate Immersion SE ENB v1.5
buttom halfway down the page.- Save this .zip to your Skyrim SE installation.
- Right-click Ultimate-Immersion-SE-ENB-v1.5.zip, then click
7-Zip >
,Extract Here
.- When it asks about conflicting files, select
Yes to All
.
- When it asks about conflicting files, select
ENB is now set up and ready to go! There are some settings that need changing once in-game for the intended result, but those come later.
My Additions
The following mods are some of my picks that cover aspects of the game the previous mods don’t by updating visuals and removing annoying occurrences. If you get an External Changes pop-up from Vortex, choose Use newer file
.
When downloading mods, use the specified version unless replaced by a newer build! If no version is specified, download the latest Main File!
If a mod is no longer available, proceed without it as it will likely work anyway.
- A Quality World Map
- Download 9.0.1 A Quality World Map - Vivid with Stone Roads and A Quality World Map - Clear Map Skies.
- Load A Quality World Map BEFORE Majestic Mountains
- Hit
Deploy
- Download 9.0.1 A Quality World Map - Vivid with Stone Roads and A Quality World Map - Clear Map Skies.
- Total Character Makeover
- Use
Manual Download
! DO NOT install with Vortex!- Download the .zip to the
Data
folder within your Skyrim SE installation - Right-click Total Character Makeover 1.2-1037-1-2.zip, then click
7-Zip >
,Extract Here
. - When it asks about conflicting files, select
Yes to All
.
- Download the .zip to the
- When using this mod, verifying files through Steam will revert its changes.
- Use
- LeanWolf’s Better-Shaped Weapons SE
- Download LeanWolfs Better-Shaped Weapons Installer v2.1.03 SE and LWs BSW Orcish Greatsword inventory fix - sheath.
- Select
Install Everything
- Check both Sheaths options
- Check
Scimitar Bling
- Select
Refractive Glass Weapons
- Select
Stalhrim with Refraction
- Select
Dawnbreaker Sheath Elf
- If using ENB, select
Dawnbreaker for ENB
, otherwise selectDawnbreaker No ENB
- Select
DragonBling Red
(or Green or Blue, if you prefer) - Select No Dual Sheath
- Load LeanWolf’s BEFORE its patch and Majestic Mountains
- Hit
Deploy
- Deadly Spell Impacts
- Select
Default
- Select
- Move it Dammit
- Select the first option
- Visual Animated Enchants
- Lanterns Of Skyrim II
- Download Lanterns Of Skyrim II - FOMOD and LoS II - JK’s Skyrim patch.
- Don’t select any addons, only the
SMIM patch
. - Only select
JK's Skyrim patch
. - Select patches for
Cutting Room Floor
,ELFX
, andSound of Skyrim
. - Leave the next patches page unchecked.
- Load LoS II BEFORE the standalone JK’s Skyrim patch.
- Hit
Deploy
- Point The Way
- CC’s HQ Roadsigns SSE
- Download the (2048x1024) version (the only one with a green checkmark).
- Select the
Cutting Room Floor
andPoint the Way
patches. - Load CC’s HQ Roadsigns AFTER Noble Skyrim
- Hit
Deploy
- ELFX - Exteriors Fixes
- If using ENB, download ELFX - Exteriors Fixes for ENB users, otherwise download ELFX - Exteriors Fixes.
- Load Exteriors Fixes BEFORE Flickering Meshes Fix
- Load Exteriors Fixes AFTER SMIM
- Hit
Deploy
- Run For Your Lives
- Hold Border Banners
- Download Hold Border Banners - No Text Version (recommended for immersion) or Hold Border Banners
- Improved Roads
- No Spinning Death Animation SE
- Download No Spinning Death Animation MERGED.
- Classic Sprinting Redone (SKSE64)
- Download Classic Sprinting Redone (Legacy SE).
- Better Jumping SE
- Download Better Jumping SE under Old Files.
- Dynamic Animation Replacer
- Download DynamicAnimationReplacer v1.1.0 for SkyrimSE under Old Files.
- Mfg Fix
- Download MfgFix SE.
- EVG Conditional Idles
- Select
Recommended
- Select
- EVG Animation Variance
- Select
Full Install
- Select
- Conditional Expressions
- DO NOT USE MOD MANAGER DOWNLOAD!
- Use MANUAL DOWNLOAD and install the same way as Total Character Makeover.
- In Vortex’s Plugins Menu, enable the plugin.
- DO NOT USE MOD MANAGER DOWNLOAD!
- First Person Combat Animations Overhaul 2.0
- Download FPCAO2 - SIZE MATTERS SE ALL-IN-ONE 2.01
- Enhanced 1stperson Parry Animation for SSE
- Select all except
Dual wield
- Select all except
- Finally First Person Magic Animation for SSE
- Download First Person Magic Animation for SSE under Old Files.
- Select
Variant 3
- Skyrim Is Windy
- Actor Limit Fix
- Clean Menu
- Download Clean Menu – All in One (30 FPS) as 60FPS menus can cause conflicts.
- Main Menu Spinning Skyrim Emblem
- Download the main file, despite its nomenclature.
- Select
Special Edition Steel - Average Speed
(recommended, but any works).
- ENB Helper SE
- For ENB users only
- Download ENB Helper SE 1.5 for SSE 1.5.97
- HD LODs Textures SE
- Download HD Lods Textures SE V9.0 512 - Performance friendly from Optional Files.
- Load HD LODs BEFORE Majestic Mountains
- Hit
Deploy
- Better Dialogue Controls
- Better Messagebox Controls
- Auto Hide Ammo
- SSE Display Tweaks
- D13 Faster GET UP
- Download D13 Faster Get Up Stand Up SSE
- NPC’s Run and Walk at Your Pace
- Lore-Based Loading Screens
- DLL Plugin Loader
- It is CRUCIAL you follow the below instructions, otherwise removing this mod makes the game unplayable!
- BEFORE DOWNLOADING, navigate to your Skyrim SE installation in File Explorer (the folder with SkyrimSE.exe).
- Rename binkw64.dll to binkw64_.dll by right-clicking the file and selecting
Rename
. - Download the .zip to the same folder as SkyrimSE.exe.
- Open DLL Plugin Loader v1-10546-1.zip and copy the .dll to the folder containing SkyrimSE.exe.
- .NET Script Framework
- 3rd Person Camera Overhaul
- *You can change the camera settings using the Mod Configuration Menu in-game.
- Simple Lock-On SE
- The Nexus version is too outdated to work, but the GitHub version works.
- Download Simple.Lock-On.v2.1.2.7z to your Skyrim SE installation (the folder with SkyrimSE.exe).
- Right-click it and select
7-Zip >
, thenExtract Here
- Now, open the
Data
folder, thenSKSE
, thenPlugins
. - Open SimpleLockOn.ini with your desired text editor.
- Here is where the hotkey for targeting is set.
- Use this link and find your desired keybind by using
CTRL+F
and typing it. - Once you find it, copy the Dec code (numerical value to the left of the name) and paste it in place of
42
in the INI file. - Save the file and close your text editor.
- Simple Lock-On SE Reticle Replacers
- Select
Circle with name
- Select
- Diverse Werewolves Collection SE
- Follower Trap Safety
- Smaller Vanilla Cursors SE
- 100% Optional
Right
is recommended
- Fences of Skyrim
- Download Fences of Skyrim
- Load Fences of Skyrim AFTER all conflicting files
- Hit
Deploy
- Realistic Boat Bobbing SE
- Download Realistic Boat Bobbing SE and RBB - SMIM Meshes (under Optional Files)
- Load the mod BEFORE the SMIM patch
- Hit
Deploy
- Skyrim Priority SE AE
- Download the Main File
- eFPS
- Also download its Official Patch Hub
- Leave first page unchecked
- Check
JK's Skyrim - Complete
- Leave all other pages unchecked
- Also download its Official Patch Hub
- First Person Sneak Strafe-Walk Stutter Fix
- Crime Overhaul
- Crime Overhaul Fixes
- Download Crime Overhaul Fixes and Crime Overhaul - Cutting Room Floor Patch (under Optional Files).
- Load Crime Overhaul BEFORE its fixes and Cutting Room Floor patch
- Hit
Deploy
- Crime Bounty Decay SE
- NARC Remade
- Select
NARC
- Leave patches unchecked
- Select
- BlockSteal
- Download Blocksteal_010_SKSE2017
- Serana’s Hood Fix
- Select
Realistic
- Select
- Dragon Souls to Perk Points
- Download the Main File
- Security Overhaul SKSE
- Select
2K Textures
(recommended) andSSE v1.5.97
- Select
- No Silly Physics Damage
- Bed Head
- Download Bed Head V.2.3 Brown Fabric
- If using ENB, also download the Normal Map Replacers from Optional Files.
- Load Bed Head BEFORE its Normal Map Replacer
- Hit
Deploy
- Rude Imperial Soldiers Escort Prisoner fix
- 360 Movement Behavior SE
Whew! Now we’re done downloading mods! Next, we’ll optimize these mods as we did before.
LOOT/SSEdit Part 2
As before, start by opening LOOT.
- Sort Plugins using the three lines icon at the top right.
- The following patches are only intended for those using ENB!
- Surprisingly, we missed only one compatibility patch available here, but that site lists an ENB fix for Word Walls as well. Download both through Vortex as normal.
- There may still be graphical issues for ENB users. Please report them to my issues page.
- Now, go back to LOOT and Refresh Content.
- Sort Plugins again as before.
- SFCO - JK’s Whiterun Interiors Patch.esp still shows missing masters, but it should not need them since the all-in-one version of JK’s Skyrim is in use.
- Crime Overhaul.esp has 3 ITM records that need cleaned.
- Realistic Boat Bobbing.esp has two notices about unused patches. These can be ignored. Close LOOT and open SSEEditQuickAutoClean.exe
- Find Crime Overhaul.esp and click its checkbox.
- Click
OK
in the bottom right. - Close SSEdit once it finishes.
That wasn’t too difficult! Now, close LOOT and restart Vortex. This will force Vortex to update its load order to match LOOT’s.
- Open Steam
- Run SKSE64 through Vortex
- If you get a Steam Pop-up about updating the game, IMMEDIATELY do the following:
- Click
View Updates
- On the far right, click the light blue Pause Icon, then click the
X
Icon of the same color. - Steam has now cancelled the update. It should not try again until Steam restarts, in which case you’ll have to cancel the update again.
- Click
- If you get a Steam Pop-up about updating the game, IMMEDIATELY do the following:
- If using ENB, the game may freeze while starting. If a pop-up appears, click Wait for the program to respond
Fixing Crashes
HURRAH! Skyrim didn’t crash! Before we can make any changes in-game, start a new file.
In-game Changes
Upon loading, NAT will inform you of new spell in your inventory. This is necessary for ENB Users, as we will need to change a few settings.
- After
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
dissappears, from your screen, hitESC
on your keyboard to open the pause menu and close the pop-up. - Notice the
Mod Configuration
tab. It isn’t needed for our mods, but you can use it to change settings for certain mods that support it. - The next settings are for ENB Users
- To open and close the ENB Menu, hold Shift and press Enter.
- Once you are unbound, open the magic menu and equip the NAT Settings spell.
- Cast the spell to open the NAT Configuration Menu.
- Click
Graphics Options
- Click
Sub-surface Scattering
,Dawn & Dusk Natural Lighting
, andWet Effects
so they sayEnable
. This disables them as Ultimate Immersion’s ENB implements them through ENB Shaders.
- Click
That’s It!
Thank you for using my mod list for your modded Skyrim SE adventures! If you encounter an issue while running these mods or have a suggestion for an update to this page, please create a new issue here. You can also submit an issue to suggest mod additions to the list.