What are the recommended mods for a first install?

*Nightwynd* · October 2, 2013

So, I got skyrim for the PC as a present and I think I will finally give a try to the world of modded Skyrim so my question is; What are the best mods to install?

I already played Skyrim on the 360 I'd love to have something equivalent to Oblivion's FCOM/Armamentium/Artifacts. More enemies, more weapons, more everything, plus any other "essential" mods. Soooo, suggestions?

Thulas · October 2, 2013

The big question is, what exactly do you want to see, what are you hoping to find?

Immersive Weapons and Immersive Armors are definitely a good start though.

*Nightwynd* · October 2, 2013

The big question is, what exactly do you want to see, what are you hoping to find?

Immersive Weapons and Immersive Armors are definitely a good start though.

I already had my eye on these two! but if I were to put it on points...

1) I'd like a greater variety of weapons and armor, but hopefully on leveled lists like FCOM does. IMO it kinda breaks the immersion to have a hundred containers with new armor you can take for free. Also, hopefully more varied creatures and hostile NPCs.

2) Any decent texture replacers.

3) A cute race.

4) any combat tweak mods. Something like Unnecessary Violence would be great but something less complicated would be good too.

I guess anything improves/expands the original gameplay

Thulas · October 2, 2013

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25869//?

This may fit your needs to 1 and 4, but you'd have to decide that yourself.

2) http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33017//? Totally breaks immersion, but it is really, really beautiful; I personally love it though.

3) Define "cute". A child? A catgirl? A demon?

dTd · October 2, 2013

My Mod List, I consider the body and armors essential, the rest for fun:

GameMode=Skyrim

Skyrim.esm=1
Update.esm=1
Dawnguard.esm=1
Dragonborn.esm=1
HearthFires.esm=1
Skyrim Project Optimization - Full Version.esm=1
hdtHighHeel.esm=1
SPIKE.esm=1
ApachiiHair.esm=1
ApachiiHairFemales.esm=1
OBlHairFinal.esm=1
SGHairPackBase.esm=1
SG Hair 220 AllinTwo.esp=1
SGEyebrows.esp=1
all hair colors for all races.esp=1
TheEyesOfBeauty.esp=1
Beards.esp=1
HighResTexturePack01.esp=0
HighResTexturePack02.esp=0
HighResTexturePack03.esp=0
unofficial skyrim patch.esp=1
unofficial dawnguard patch.esp=1
unofficial dragonborn patch.esp=1
unofficial hearthfire patch.esp=1
unofficial high resolution patch.esp=0
Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Major City Interiors.esp=1
Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Major City Exteriors.esp=1
Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Minor Cities and Town Interiors.esp=1
Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Dungeons.esp=1
Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Dawnguard Interiors.esp=1
RLO - Adaptive Interiors Vanilla Weathers Patch.esp=1
WATER.esp=1
WATER Plants.esp=1
WATER DB.esp=1
WATER DG.esp=1
HFFF.esp=1
circlethelms.esp=1
circlethelmsdragonborn.esp=1
StereoFix_AllDlc.esp=1
diversepriests.esp=1
Guard Dialogue Overhaul.esp=1
ElderOutfit.esp=1
Correct Bandits.esp=1
YngolBarrowButtonFix.esp=1
point the way.esp=1
unreadbooksglow.esp=1
AmazingFollowerTweaks.esp=1
avandra_npc.esp=1
Alayna.esp=1
Kitiara.esp=1
AKElvenTeenies.esp=1
ESFAela.esp=1
SkyUI.esp=1
RaceMenu.esp=1
RaceMenuPlugin.esp=1
RaceMenuOverlays.esp=1
CharGen ECE Morphs.esp=1
Headtracking.esp=1
TimingIsEverything.esp=1
Project Ultimatum.esp=1
SkyrimSpeeds.esp=1
ESFCompanions.esp=1
Civil War Overhaul.esp=1
DragonCombatOverhaulDragonborn.esp=1
ERSO 30 - Better Enemy AI Dawnguard&Dragonborn.esp=1
The Dance of Death - Ultimate Edition.esp=1
dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Medium.esp=1
LostLongSwords.esp=1
Cyrodilic Steel Dagger.esp=1
Insanity's Steel Shortsword.esp=1
Shields of Jorrvaskr by Hothtrooper44.esp=1
HentaiMaxiArmor.esp=1
SleekSteel_StandAlone.esp=1
UNP High Heels.esp=1
DG Leather Clothes.esp=1
R18Pn - Inner Wear Set.esp=1
UNP Simply Clothes.esp=1
UNP Jewelry.esp=1
DemonHunterV2armor.esp=1
DemonHunter_Scarf.esp=1
DemonHunterArmor.esp=1
Neo's Devilmaid2.esp=1
EldgammelArmorforDreamGirl.esp=1
Neo's Kitten.esp=1
Weapons & Armor Fixes_Remade.esp=1
WeaponsArmorFixes_GuardDialogueOverhaul_Patch.esp=1
Smithing Perks Overhaul_Remade.esp=1
Smithing Perks Overhaul_Dawnguard.esp=1
Smithing Perks Overhaul_Dragonborn.esp=1
CorrectGenderAnimations.esp=1
CorrectGenderAnimations-DG.esp=1
CorrectGenderAnimations-DB.esp=1
Auto Unequip Ammo.esp=1
Auto Unequip Helmet.esp=1
Auto Unequip Shield.esp=1
LPSleep.esp=1
Brawl Bugs CE.esp=1

Mods you can't see since they are textures or models or utilities:

skse

ultimate lighting overhaul plus - enhanced version

Dream Girl body replament

Sg texture renewal

dream girl body textures by neovinci

sg brows

proper length arrows by madcat221

hi res legible road signs

better makeup for skse
More freckles by zhoken

xpms maximum skeleton

xp32 new animations pack

castanistic high elf idle v5

That's about it, I like to play Skyrim ... pretty obvious, I have logged 1646 hours according to steam

*Nightwynd* · October 2, 2013

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25869//?

This may fit your needs to 1 and 4, but you'd have to decide that yourself.

2) http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33017//? Totally breaks immersion, but it is really, really beautiful; I personally love it though.

3) Define "cute". A child? A catgirl? A demon?

That sounds -exactly- like what I wanted!

As for race, something similar to my beloved Diablo elves would be great

http://www.loverslab.com/topic/15199-everyones-characters/?p=521809

My Mod List, I consider the body and armors essential, the rest for fun:

GameMode=Skyrim

Skyrim.esm=1

Update.esm=1

Dawnguard.esm=1

Dragonborn.esm=1

HearthFires.esm=1

Skyrim Project Optimization - Full Version.esm=1

hdtHighHeel.esm=1

SPIKE.esm=1

ApachiiHair.esm=1

ApachiiHairFemales.esm=1

OBlHairFinal.esm=1

SGHairPackBase.esm=1

SG Hair 220 AllinTwo.esp=1

SGEyebrows.esp=1

all hair colors for all races.esp=1

TheEyesOfBeauty.esp=1

Beards.esp=1

HighResTexturePack01.esp=0

HighResTexturePack02.esp=0

HighResTexturePack03.esp=0

unofficial skyrim patch.esp=1

unofficial dawnguard patch.esp=1

unofficial dragonborn patch.esp=1

unofficial hearthfire patch.esp=1

unofficial high resolution patch.esp=0

Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Major City Interiors.esp=1

Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Major City Exteriors.esp=1

Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Minor Cities and Town Interiors.esp=1

Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Dungeons.esp=1

Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Dawnguard Interiors.esp=1

RLO - Adaptive Interiors Vanilla Weathers Patch.esp=1

WATER.esp=1

WATER Plants.esp=1

WATER DB.esp=1

WATER DG.esp=1

HFFF.esp=1

circlethelms.esp=1

circlethelmsdragonborn.esp=1

StereoFix_AllDlc.esp=1

diversepriests.esp=1

Guard Dialogue Overhaul.esp=1

ElderOutfit.esp=1

Correct Bandits.esp=1

YngolBarrowButtonFix.esp=1

point the way.esp=1

unreadbooksglow.esp=1

AmazingFollowerTweaks.esp=1

avandra_npc.esp=1

Alayna.esp=1

Kitiara.esp=1

AKElvenTeenies.esp=1

ESFAela.esp=1

SkyUI.esp=1

RaceMenu.esp=1

RaceMenuPlugin.esp=1

RaceMenuOverlays.esp=1

CharGen ECE Morphs.esp=1

Headtracking.esp=1

TimingIsEverything.esp=1

Project Ultimatum.esp=1

SkyrimSpeeds.esp=1

ESFCompanions.esp=1

Civil War Overhaul.esp=1

DragonCombatOverhaulDragonborn.esp=1

ERSO 30 - Better Enemy AI Dawnguard&Dragonborn.esp=1

The Dance of Death - Ultimate Edition.esp=1

dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Medium.esp=1

LostLongSwords.esp=1

Cyrodilic Steel Dagger.esp=1

Insanity's Steel Shortsword.esp=1

Shields of Jorrvaskr by Hothtrooper44.esp=1

HentaiMaxiArmor.esp=1

SleekSteel_StandAlone.esp=1

UNP High Heels.esp=1

DG Leather Clothes.esp=1

R18Pn - Inner Wear Set.esp=1

UNP Simply Clothes.esp=1

UNP Jewelry.esp=1

DemonHunterV2armor.esp=1

DemonHunter_Scarf.esp=1

DemonHunterArmor.esp=1

Neo's Devilmaid2.esp=1

EldgammelArmorforDreamGirl.esp=1

Neo's Kitten.esp=1

Weapons & Armor Fixes_Remade.esp=1

WeaponsArmorFixes_GuardDialogueOverhaul_Patch.esp=1

Smithing Perks Overhaul_Remade.esp=1

Smithing Perks Overhaul_Dawnguard.esp=1

Smithing Perks Overhaul_Dragonborn.esp=1

CorrectGenderAnimations.esp=1

CorrectGenderAnimations-DG.esp=1

CorrectGenderAnimations-DB.esp=1

Auto Unequip Ammo.esp=1

Auto Unequip Helmet.esp=1

Auto Unequip Shield.esp=1

LPSleep.esp=1

Brawl Bugs CE.esp=1

Mods you can't see since they are textures or models or utilities:

skse

ultimate lighting overhaul plus - enhanced version

Dream Girl body replament

Sg texture renewal

dream girl body textures by neovinci

sg brows

proper length arrows by madcat221

hi res legible road signs

better makeup for skse

More freckles by zhoken

xpms maximum skeleton

xp32 new animations pack

castanistic high elf idle v5

That's about it, I like to play Skyrim ... pretty obvious, I have logged 1646 hours according to steam

Thanks, I'll check them out in the nexus!

DrN · October 2, 2013

Since you have already played vanilla Skyrim,here are some suggestions:

1.Skyrim Redone http://skyrim.nexusm...mods/9286/?.Top stuff

2.Deadly dragons http://skyrim.nexusm...com/mods/3829/?

3.Monster wars http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/18997/?

4.Skyrim monster mod http://skyrim.nexusm...m/mods/35631//?

5.Tytanis http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/1601//?

6.Complete Crafting Overhaul http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/8003//?

7.Skyrim Witcher Experience http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/9198//?

8.E.R.S.O. – Erkeil’s Real Skyrim Overhaul http://erkeilmods.al...g/skyrim/r-s-o/

9.WARZONES - Civil Unrest http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/9494//?

10.Deadly Combat http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/5485//?

11.ACE - Combat Skills http://skyrim.nexusm...m/mods/10037//?

12.Isilmeriel LOTR Weapons Collection http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/5727//?

And ofc the 2 mentioned above by Thulas are great.

I'll stop here,there are literally 1000s of mods out there,I believe these are a good core pack.Hope I was helpful.

Ps PLEASE dont stop modding Oblivion!and PLEASE make Forbidden armor/Thone armor for Skyrim!

*Nightwynd* · October 2, 2013

Since you have already played vanilla Skyrim,here are some suggestions:

1.Skyrim Redone http://skyrim.nexusm...mods/9286/?.Top stuff

2.Deadly dragons http://skyrim.nexusm...com/mods/3829/?

3.Monster wars http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/18997/?

4.Skyrim monster mod http://skyrim.nexusm...m/mods/35631//?

5.Tytanis http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/1601//?

6.Complete Crafting Overhaul http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/8003//?

7.Skyrim Witcher Experience http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/9198//?

8.E.R.S.O. – Erkeil’s Real Skyrim Overhaul http://erkeilmods.al...g/skyrim/r-s-o/

9.WARZONES - Civil Unrest http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/9494//?

10.Deadly Combat http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/5485//?

11.ACE - Combat Skills http://skyrim.nexusm...m/mods/10037//?

12.Isilmeriel LOTR Weapons Collection http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/5727//?

And ofc the 2 mentioned above by Thulas are great.

I'll stop here,there are literally 1000s of mods out there,I believe these are a good core pack.Hope I was helpful.

Ps PLEASE dont stop modding Oblivion!and PLEASE make Forbidden armor/Thone armor for Skyrim!

Thanks!

And I don't think I could ever give up on Oblivion I enjoy the Lovers mods too much ;P

Oh I forgot to ask. What is a good body replacer?

GodSmack · October 2, 2013

Since you have already played vanilla Skyrim,here are some suggestions:

1.Skyrim Redone http://skyrim.nexusm...mods/9286/?.Top stuff

2.Deadly dragons http://skyrim.nexusm...com/mods/3829/?

3.Monster wars http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/18997/?

4.Skyrim monster mod http://skyrim.nexusm...m/mods/35631//?

5.Tytanis http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/1601//?

6.Complete Crafting Overhaul http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/8003//?

7.Skyrim Witcher Experience http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/9198//?

8.E.R.S.O. – Erkeil’s Real Skyrim Overhaul http://erkeilmods.al...g/skyrim/r-s-o/

9.WARZONES - Civil Unrest http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/9494//?

10.Deadly Combat http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/5485//?

11.ACE - Combat Skills http://skyrim.nexusm...m/mods/10037//?

12.Isilmeriel LOTR Weapons Collection http://skyrim.nexusm...om/mods/5727//?

And ofc the 2 mentioned above by Thulas are great.

I'll stop here,there are literally 1000s of mods out there,I believe these are a good core pack.Hope I was helpful.

Ps PLEASE dont stop modding Oblivion!and PLEASE make Forbidden armor/Thone armor for Skyrim!

Thanks!

And I don't think I could ever give up on Oblivion I enjoy the Lovers mods too much ;P

Oh I forgot to ask. What is a good body replacer?

that depends on your personal preferences, unp is more natural ive heard, cbbe has an awesome bodyslide that can mimic most body slides, and its tbbp compatible, there's also adec, a pretty awesome bodyslide that someone in LL made but i forgot the name.

DrN · October 2, 2013

CBBE http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/2666/?

UNP http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/6709/? ( I dont like it,although it's very polular,just personal taste)

CHSBHC http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/4888/? my personal fav,looks like oversized DMRA in a way

ADEC http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/5390/?

Koko.Hekmatyar · October 2, 2013

honestly there is way to many body mods out there.

UNPB, Sevenbase, Dreamgirl etc. etc.

UNPB Redux

Duoleb The Chosen · October 3, 2013

here's the manly List of equipment and bodies

Immersive Armors and Immersive Weapons

Omegared's Pack

Jojjo's Dread Knight Weapons and Demon Hunter Armor(silverlight and lich king's armor optional)

Caliente's Body(i use a frankenstein version, thus its the more popular, it sucks that Cali has RL so he's MIA even here)

UNPB(the most loved one for old farts and its more popular than CBBE)

Immersive Animations

DSPOB and Dual Sheath Redux(better used with the mod above)

Xp32's Skeleton

Midas Magic

Moonlight Tales Lycanthropy Overhaul: work with the mod below, also he unfortunatelly removes the Savior's Hide from Ring of Hircine quest, meaning that you cant get both items at the end of "i'll Met You by the Moonlight", also it ads random encounters, you will see werebears stalking you at full moon and Vigillants along with Silver Hand Mooks in your ass if you become infected, and they are tough.

and most importantly ASIS!: you will see bandits with fur armor, mages in full cloth and draugr being more tougher and moar in number than bugs in macragge in 745.M41, use him if you really want to play vanilla or any overhaul in hard mode(hard its means thay they will insta kill you with no problems)

Taskmaster · October 3, 2013

Skyrim Immersive Creatures

Skyrim Monster Mod

Way of the Dovahkiin Sands of Time

These are three good ones.

SkyRe amazing overhaul, the perks and race changes are the greatest part about the overhaul.

Apocalypse Spells, the best spell pack for me, as it adds spells that do more than just damage, many of them have strategic use and SkyRe recommended.

Duoleb The Chosen · October 3, 2013

Skyrim Immersive Creatures

Skyrim Monster Mod

Way of the Dovahkiin Sands of Time

These are three good ones.

SkyRe amazing overhaul, the perks and race changes are the greatest part about the overhaul.

Apocalypse Spells, the best spell pack for me, as it adds spells that do more than just damage, many of them have strategic use and SkyRe recommended.

Requiem is a good one too for those who wants a ol RPG way of playing

Taskmaster · October 3, 2013

Skyrim Immersive Creatures

Skyrim Monster Mod

Way of the Dovahkiin Sands of Time

These are three good ones.

SkyRe amazing overhaul, the perks and race changes are the greatest part about the overhaul.

Apocalypse Spells, the best spell pack for me, as it adds spells that do more than just damage, many of them have strategic use and SkyRe recommended.

Requiem is a good one too for those who wants a ol RPG way of playing

I've considered installing Requiem, but the only reason I haven't is because of what SkyRe does to the perks and races.

Maybe over time Skyrim will get the FCOM/TCOM treatment and both of these overhauls will be mashed together, hehe.

Duoleb The Chosen · October 3, 2013

in my humble opinion, i think that skyre's perks are boring, some are profitable but the rest.... rather prefer the vanilla

also im still playing vanilla way of lvling

i'll make a requiem run next month

Spyder Arachnid · October 3, 2013

WELL, let's get some basic suggestions that take care of the little things since everyone else has got most of the big stuff covered.

-SkyUI (way better interface than vanilla)

-IPHud (Has multiple setups that make your hud look much more cleaner and nicer)

-Showracemenu Precache Killer (this is a must have. Don't question it, just get it)

-SKSE (obvious of course)

-A Quality World Map (gorgeous map mod that shows roads!)

-Bookshelves Script SKSE (this will help with arranging books on bookshelves and fix those little bugs in books)

-Hearthfire Display Case Fix (pretty self explanitory. No more dropping weapons in cases)

-Localized Thieves Guild Jobs (this will save you a lot of frustration and time. It let's you choose where you want to do jobs)

Don't forget the Unofficial Patches for all the games (Skyrim, Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn). They will fix a lot of the bugs so you can rest easy.

Those are just some ideas for you for more helpful mods than cosmetic mods. I could go on and on with cosmetic stuff, but figured I'd toss some regular stuff your way to take care of the little things. Hope that helps.

Taskmaster · October 3, 2013

in my humble opinion, i think that skyre's perks are boring, some are profitable but the rest.... rather prefer the vanilla

also im still playing vanilla way of lvling

i'll make a requiem run next month

I don't get it...

They expanded on vanilla.

What does profitable mean in your context?

Uno · October 3, 2013

Oh come one, there's people recommending WARZONES, what a scam. If you want to know if it's gonna be good or bad for your game just take a look at the comments on the nexus. You've been warned.

Now, I recommend "DUEL-combat realism" for better figthing experience without be too extreme and fancy. "Face to face conversation" for a more oblivion-like camera feeling ( add "customizable camera" to that combo and enjoy) and Skyrim immersive creatures+ Deadly dragons+ Dragon combat overhaul for decent creatures to fight.

Shizune · October 3, 2013

Niiiighhttwwyyyyyyyyyynnnnddddd :3

Actually if it comes to race Skyrim is more flexible than Oblivion. You don't need special races like the XEO mod, because the character creation lies totally in CharGen. I mean you can make an Elf out Nord easily, even adjust skin tone to your liking (and I'm talking about changing it to red or blue).

Besides I recommend Enhanced Blood Textures. Not only the mod itself improves textures, but comes with an SKSE support and lots of useful sliders such as bleeding intensity, amount of blood covering your blade etc.

Can create some interesting situations

Crowzer · October 3, 2013

About Enhanced Blood textures, I got mass freezes during combats. Use it carefully.

Duoleb The Chosen · October 3, 2013

about enhanced blood textures, i suggest using the 512 version or 1024x

*Nightwynd* · October 4, 2013

Amoooooooooooooox :3

Okay, I am donwloading all the suggested mods, but I a not sure yet about which body slider to use which one has the best armor replacers? I am a little too used to Nephenee's DMRA replacer and I'd like something similar.

Spyder Arachnid · October 4, 2013

Amoooooooooooooox :3

Okay, I am donwloading all the suggested mods, but I a not sure yet about which body slider to use which one has the best armor replacers? I am a little too used to Nephenee's DMRA replacer and I'd like something similar.

If you like DMRA, go with CHSBHC or CB++. Even Manga, but Manga doesn't have a lot of support.

With CB++ you can create your own body to a tee, but I'm not sure how much support it has for vanilla armor replacers. I know there are a few armor mods for it, but I don't think there is much. Though CBBE stuff works for it just fine, you'd just lose your body shape when wearing regular CBBE stuff.

CHSBHC is close to DMRA, just a bit more on the chubby side. I believe there is full armor replacers for it, even several armor conversions of popular armors. There is some threads here even for it for armor replacers.

I personally use UNPB, so I'm not too familiar on how CHSBHC, CB++, and Manga are doing. But those are the closest to DMRA. Hopefully someone more knowledgable with those bodies can help ya out.