Legendary Edition Body+Physics+Skin Recs Requested

[AstrellaLunari]

Hi guys,

 

I've been trying to get a working combination of bodies+physics+skin to work for hours- could you let me know what you're using nowadays (plus what you're bodysliding/any settings)?  I think that some of the guides may be outdated, or maybe I'm just not looking at the right ones. 

 

I'm just looking to get as easy as possible in terms of "lining things up" as well as realistic movement, both for the player character as well as npcs.  I know that some tweaking of the animations will be required, but is there some body+skin+physics combo that just works quite well by default?  I've definitely seen varying levels of ease as I've tried different mods.  Mostly, I seem to have problems finding skins that won't have weird gaps between the feet, hands, head, and rest of the body, even after fully uninstalling and reinstalling, running Bodyslide, and running FNIS.

 

I hadn't ventured into the world of SMP yet, seemed like it would be too performance-heavy, but I guess I will if I have to?  But, I figured there should be some of the older stuff around... hopefully? x)   

 

Thanks much!

[Aki K]

My advice below. I'm far from an expert so there are people who probably know more than me who can correct me. Just telling you my setup and what I've been led to believe through my own conversations on this site.

 

 

I like to use CBBE body +demoniac skin+ SMP (because its glossy and I'm a sucker for gloss). I also use this mod because sometimes physics mods do not themselves add physics to the body https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/59416.

 

 

IMO the best skin textures I've seen for LE are:

• Demoniac (my personal favorite)
• Bijin
• Fair Skin
• The pure Skin

Side note: When using CBBE+demoniac combo I noticed the argonians weren't quite right, so I also added Flawn's Argonians with a CBBE patch. Not sure if that would be needed for others as I've never tried it.

 

UNP body is another common body type. And as far as I know, most skin textures exist for both or have patches that let you apply a skin texture to the desired body.

 

On 2/15/2024 at 10:52 PM, AstrellaLunari said:

 

I hadn't ventured into the world of SMP yet, seemed like it would be too performance-heavy, but I guess I will if I have to?  But, I figured there should be some of the older stuff around... hopefully? x)   

 

Thanks much!

To my knowledge, SMP just barely exists for LE. SMP is mostly an SE thing. There is, however, a version of SMP for LE that is basically just like HDT physics with some extra stuff.

 

When it comes down to it, your options are going to be either HDT or SMP for LE. I'm not aware of any other physics systems for LE. I recommend getting a simple SMP because, at least for LE, it can handle every mod that requires HDT and can do a few mods that require more. From my own experiences, all SMP does for legendary edition is allow for hair physics and some clothes physics like capes and skirts. Its otherwise mostly the same thing.

 

The tough part is finding an SMP that's already set up or learning how to set it up yourself. You can try this one (https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/77445).

 

If that doesn't work I have an archived copy of the one I use, which is as close to normal HDT physics as things get (virtually no difference).

 

 

As a heads up, because this happened to me once, if you experience a CTD when npcs (not the player, only NPCs) change from werewolf to human form, it can sometimes be caused by HDT/SMP on legendary edition. The fix is easy and you can feel free to reach out to me if you encounter that. Otherwise, for now I'd just say get stuff working.

 

 

• CBBE https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/2666
• Demoniac Skin Texture https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/70834

 

 

For male bodies, I recommend a combination of SOS and HIMBO. For their skin texture I used https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/99623.

 

For both male and female I used the "Pretty Faces" mod as well. It works well and has minimal seams in my experience.