Favorite Mods

I spent way too much time modding Skyrim, more time than actually playing! It may seem silly, but for the most part I like to keep as much of the original Skyrim as possible; I don't add a lot into the game (like homes) or make drastic changes. I'm a minimal sort of gal, and my mod choice reflects this as well.

It should be noted that, with some exceptions (landscape textures), most texture mods can be used from original Skyrim to SE without any issues.


I'd have to say that my very favorite overall texture mod is Noble Skyrim. There are original and SE versions. It's also one of the more complete packs, and is still being updated and worked on. I supplement with misc things from other packs, but for the most part I love the whole thing, especially the landscape.

Skyrim Flora Overhaul, along with Realistic Aspen Trees (love these).

Realistic Lighting Overhaul, along with Climates of Tamriel.

Ruins Clutter Improved. (I don't use Static Mesh Improvement Mod with this because it's just too huge and changes things I don't want, but I do rip out the farm house wood edits and install those manually.)

I use several of Gamwich's mods (RUSTIC Clothing, Cooking, Clutter, Children, etc).

For males I use SkySight Skins. I don't need to see dicks in my game, so the vanilla body mesh is fine.
For females I use a custom compilation from WICO, along with a normal map from Battle Hardened Body Mod to add muscle definition to women.
(I like both men and women to look rugged, hard, and like they actually fit in with the environment that Skyrim is trying to have. I don't use any custom body models.)

For armor and weapons, my main mod is the Book of Silence. Since it's not complete, I supplement with smaller packs found elsewhere.

I have a bunch of other little mods I won't clutter the thread with, but I do want to list some quality of life mods.

Better Dialogue Controls and Better MessageBox Controls are absolutely essential to navigate menus and dialogues properly. I found that the original Skyrim ones worked just fine in SE, but there are SE versions as well.

Because SkyUI isn't completely functional in SE, I had been using QD Inventory. I know there are some SkyUI hacks around, but I'm actually liking this more minimal mod. It does what I need it to do.

The Choice Is Yours, to reduce quest clutter.

A Quality World Map and Solstheim Map - With Roads. I prefer the appearance of the original Skyrim version over the SE one, and found it works just fine in SE.


That's pretty much it for my base mods. There is a bunch more stuff for things here and there, but the thread doesn't really need those. If someone wants a suggestion for Skyrim food or something, feel free to ask.

I think most of the mods I use have been mentioned already, but... here's a few more.   I also don't like adding mods that add too much to the game - I prefer to use ones that improve what's already there in a seamless way. I don't like feeling like I'm playing a mod, if that makes sense.

Quest improvements:
Not So Fast Mage Guild: Slows down the mage guild questline by adding timers, so you have to wait a few days between events. Makes the progression feel a lot more natural. The mod author made a main quest version too, but I think it strays too far from the game's original intent, unlike this one, which simply improves on what's already there.
Enhanced Skyrim Factions - The Companions Guild: Similar to the above, but with the Companions questline. Slows it down by making you do more radiant quests before the main events trigger - and it's customizable! I use the "requirements only" version. There's another version that adds more dialogue and such, but it's unvoiced, so I don't use it. I like this and the above mod because they make me feel like I actually earned the position of Archmage/Harbinger.
Timing Is Everything: Let's you choose when certain quests and DLC will trigger, to you're not inundated with quests in your journal you're not quite ready for. I like to multiply the default minimum levels by 1.5.
The Choice is Yours: Quests no longer turn up automatically in your journal just because you happen to overhear something or get told about someone's lost helmet or whatever. Lets you turn down quests, and, in some cases, approach them in new ways to complete them.
Opening Scene Overhaul: Just what it says. If you like the vanilla intro, but think it could be better, this mod's a must have. Restores unused dialogue, re-voices Hadvar with a new (and really good) voice actor so he has more to say, and restores the option to escape with Ralof and Ulfric. And some other tweaks and fixes to the cinematics. How the game's beginning should've been to begin with.

NPCs:
Relationship Dialogue Overhaul: Gives vanilla followers more to say, and improves their reactivity, so they comment on locations and such. Also restores a bunch of cut conversations and ambient dialogue and adds more dialogue through creative audio splicing. Gives characters a bit more personality. Also makes some vanilla NPCs followers that originally weren't.
Immersive Citizens: Adds new AI packages to NPCs so they seem more alive. They talk to each other, move from place to place, do chores, sleep, and so on. It's a bit of a resource hog, but if your PC can handle newer games like DAI or MEA you should be fine. Really adds a lot to the game's atmosphere.
Inconsequential NPCs: I typically wouldn't bother with NPC addon mods that stick generic people in the game just to populate the world, but this one does it really well. All the characters are voiced (some with re-used vanilla dialogue, and some with custom voice acting), and blend in really well.
Interesting NPCs: I've recommended this one before - it definitely breaks my 'it can't feel like a mod' rule, because the NPCs do stick out from the vanilla ones. And the voice acting and writing ranges in quality. I don't use it every playthrough. But, it's a lot of fun, especially if you've replayed the game a million times and want a fresh take on it. New NPCs with unique backstories, followers with a ton of personality, some nice romance options (and LGBT representation! - characters are straight/bi/gay, not playersexual, and there's a cute lesbian couple you meet as ambient NPCs), and some really well done lore-friendly quests. A fantastic mod I can't recommend enough. (Note: if you use it with Immersive NPCS, ignore the author of that mod and put Interesting NPCs lower in your load order. Or they might behave strangely or not be where they're supposed to.)

For the hardcore:
iNeed: A customizable needs mod with some nice features. Makes it so you have to eat/sleep/drink. Does some other stuff too, but I prefer to keep it simple so I just have to do those, and I cut the requirements in half so I don't have to micromanage my inventory so much. Gives me a reason to actually buy, cook, or steal food and rent inn rooms.
YASH: The best overhaul mod most people have never heard of. Well, my favorite one anyway. I actually lower the game difficulty when I use it because I'm a wimp.  Even then the game kicks my ass. Makes Skyrim very reminiscent of old-school RPGs. Enemies are stronger and smarter, your character is weaker, but leveling up is super rewarding as a result and your character builds actually feel unique. Un-levels enemies and loot so the game is less predictable. Another one of those mods I only use for certain playthroughs. Definitely not for everyone, but I recommend it if you want a fresh, challenging take on Skyrim's gameplay.

These mods all look awesome! Definitely going to play Skyrim again during the upcoming week with some of these mods. Have to feel what is was like to play a good free-roaming rpg again hehe.

Let's see *opens mod manager*

Most important for me
Skyrim Redone (SkyRe) - Overhaul of perks, armor/weapons/potions and combat
SkyJubs Invisible Helmets - No Helmet Mod - Hide Helmet Mod + SkyRe Helmless warrior - Invisible helmets and makes helmets not required for armor set bonuses
Better Vampires - Tweaks to being a vampire and customization of powers/weaknesses
Scaling novice destruction spells - adds aditional ranks to Flames/Frostbite/Sparks so they don't become uselessPC head tracking and voice type + Ciri voice addon - Your character now turns their head towards whoever is speaking and becomes fem!SnarkyHawke (or well, Ciri )
Dimonized UNP body + UNP female armors - Better body and adapts vanilla armor to said body


Misc - stuff I just found and am using it
Open Cities Skyrim - places all cities into Skyrim world space, so no more loading screens on city entrance making the game that much more...immersiveFeminine Running + Pretty combat animations with all their requirements - Nicer animations (I found these because I was searching for better casting animations to go with my build)
Souds of Skyrim - no links because I'm too lazy - better background sounds
Immersive Sounds compendium - better combat, walking/running and overall sounds
VioLens - a killmove mod - mostly to make me immune to killmoves and disable first person killmove camera (yes, I play in third person)
Enhanced 3rd person camera - allows you to modify 3rd person camera anchors


And ton of other mods, but I'm too lazy to list them all

So has anyone else here played Enderal? Or, well, heard of it?

If you haven't, it's a total conversion of Skyrim that takes the game's assets and engine and builds an entirely new game from them. As in, if you install it, Skyrim no longer exists, period. (Though there is way to have two Skyrim installs on one computer, in case you want to be able to play both). It's still a medieval Europe based fantasy, but it has it's own areas, lore, NPCs, and story.

I just started playing it and it's really cool! I'm not very far in, and I just started over because I rushed through the first hours since I wasn't sure I'd like it, and felt like I missed a lot and wanted a redo. But it kinda gives me a Bioware vibe, with the more linear story and environments (it's open world, but more like Fallout New Vegas, where you're encouraged to move in a certain direction, versus an open sandbox like Skyrim), the heavy use of cinematic cutscenes, and the fleshed out characters and followers.

And, it has romance! There's only two options - one male and one female. Both are bisexual. I've only met the male one, Jespar, and started to really like him... right before I decided to start over, anyway. Hopefully I continue to do so. If not, maybe the female character will be awesome enough to encourage me to do my first f/f game romance. We shall see!

Also of note, since this gets mentioned a lot in threads about LGBT issues in games - Jespar is actually openly bisexual. As in, he casually mentioned his attraction to men to my female character. Without going all Zevran on me and making sure I'm okay with it. I mean, it's still early so there's no romance yet, but, it's something! And, I've had a couple opportunities now in dialogue, with Jespar and another NPC, to express my character's orientation - or not. And while I see a lot of medieval Europe in the game's culture (what with the female prostitutes and prejudice toward certain races and such), and the subject matter gets pretty dark in general, homophobia doesn't seem to have made the cut. I haven't gotten the impression so far that being gay or bi or whatever is a big deal here. Again, I'm not far in so that could change. But I though it was worth a mention.

You can use any mod that doesn't directly reference actual in game stuff or require the DLC as masters. I'm using a bunch of retextures, a body replacer, KS Hairdos (to add more hair), Eyes of Beauty (to add eyes), RaceMenu, the Better Controls mods you mentioned, FNIS and some animation replacers. SkyUI and MCM are included with Enderal. There's also some Enderal specific mods on the Nexus. Mods that actually add stuff to the game world are trickier - even armor mods will have race records that no longer exist, so they'll only work if you know how to patch them yourself (and add them via console since vanilla leveled lists don't exist either).

But yes, you do start at level 1, as a brand new character you get to customize. There's four races - three human and one elven. You can still play a thief/warrior/mage though the leveling and perks work very differently. It's for the original Skyrim, not the Special Edition. I don't think the DLC are required at all.

I love anything that improves the beast races because I'm a fan of anthropomorphic lizards and cats.

Interesting. I'll be sure to try that one day!

I looked through the thread, so I'll try not to repeat any. Here are some of my favorites. Some of these just get rid of personal annoyances. (Note: I'm just about to download the Special Edition after not playing for awhile, so I'll probably need a new list anyway.  I'm not sure if all of these are compatible or not.)

NPCs:
-Run For Your Lives - makes NPCs run and hide inside during dragon attacks (instead of fighting them with their bare hands and brooms or whatever).
-When Vampires Attack - makes the NPCs run and hide inside during a vampire attack.
-No NPC Greetings - Do you get to the Cloud District very often? Oh, what am I saying, of course you don't.
-Guard Dialogue Overhaul - because guards' repetitive dialogue gets old fast.
-Move it Dammit for NPC Companions and Followers - increases the distance that companions move when they are "bumped", so they don't block doorways, etc.
-Immersive Armors - adds many new and lore-friendly armors on NPCs as they generate.

Roleplaying:
-The Paarthurnax Dilemma - tell Delphine to stfu when she gives that ultimatum.
-Alternate Start - Live Another Life - alternate starts for the game outside of Helgen (including in factions, and race-specific ones).
-Better Vampires / DVA Dynamic Vampire Appearance - works well with Dawnguard. More immersive vampire experience. You can go through and customize cycles, and watch your vampire change appearance depending on how hungry they are.
-Moonlight Tales - Werewolf and Werebear Overhaul - overhaul of being a werewolf. Allows customization of werewolf appearance, control of transformation, spread the werewolf germs, and more.
-Heart of the Beast - cooler werewolf sounds and textures.

The Sexy (armors - I use UNP):
-Lustmord Vampire Armor
-The Black Sacrament
-ESO Altmer Armor
-Sadistic Magician Mash-Up Outfit for UNP
-Crimson Twilight Armor / Al Dahna Re-Tex
-Scarlet Dawn Armor