Vanilla or Modded: Which is a better introduction to Skyrim Survival Mode?

[Gamer_Auto]

I've done some research, and from what I can tell:

 

Vanilla Survival is just Food, Drink, and Warmth as necessities, no Fast Travel (unless you take a cart/fly on Odaving to Skuldaffen), gimped carry weight, and needing to sleep to level up.

-VS-

Modded Survival which has everything Vanilla has and more with iNeed, Frostfall, Last Seed, Wet & Cold, Campfire, Immersive Travel, Skytweak, Sleep to Gain Experience, and hundreds more.

 

So the point of my question is: Which is best for someone about to play Survival for the first time? Should I step into the knee-deep shallows to test the water, or should I immediately fling myself into the deep end for the real deal?

[Guest]

15 hours ago, Gamer_Auto said:

I've done some research, and from what I can tell:

 

Vanilla Survival is just Food, Drink, and Warmth as necessities, no Fast Travel (unless you take a cart/fly on Odaving to Skuldaffen), gimped carry weight, and needing to sleep to level up.

-VS-

Modded Survival which has everything Vanilla has and more with iNeed, Frostfall, Last Seed, Wet & Cold, Campfire, Immersive Travel, Skytweak, Sleep to Gain Experience, and hundreds more.

 

So the point of my question is: Which is best for someone about to play Survival for the first time? Should I step into the knee-deep shallows to test the water, or should I immediately fling myself into the deep end for the real deal?

Here is my view.  1st, Fast travel is simply required for my game.  Not always used but as an available option.  And I don't ride horses.  90% of my game is on foot or carriage but having the option for those tiny back and forth quests is nice.  2nd, dying in cold water is not for me.  Debuffs?  Yes.  I use Starfrost.  Cold and sleep are the only things monitored and you get debuffs.  Extremely slow movement speeds, and lose stamina for cold.  Example.  To fast travel I use Journeyman.  Have to have a Travel Pack in your inventory or no fast travel.  These can be crafted or bought.  

 

Would I like a hunger mechanic also?  Yes - but Starfrost removed it.  I use all of the SimonMagus suite of mods so going with it for now.  Only on my 2nd playthrough using any kind of survival mod.  I like that I have to sleep. (use Campfire) And have to be aware of the temperature.  I use Seasons so I stay away from the snow during Wiinter when I can and do not travel at night in the cold.  Crawl speed in my game.

 

Does limit carry weight as well (use a mod that gives me unlimited so no issue for me in my game)

 

Just a tiny opinion but I probably won't go back to vanilla on these game mechanics.  It has made the game more immersive for me.  Mostly having to sleep which you have to every single day like real life.    In the middle of a large lengthy dungeon? I pull out my tent and sleep in the middle somewhere.  T

Edited January 9, 2024 by Miss Tee