SE or AE? 2025 Edition

[Nymra]

My Situation:
I m starting from nothing.

I have a very complex and heavily modified modlist/build for LE. 

I own SE.
I did not buy AE (yet). 

 

I have not downloaded any ONE mod yet for SE. So before torturing myself the following weeks with this process, I want to make the SE or AE decision before.... 

 

Note: I stayed on LE for long time because I was afraid of the SE update problems, so reliablity is a big point for me. 

 

 

AE or SE?

Starting from zero, what are the pros and cons?

Will SE be obsolete soon?

Will AE make me rage with updates that ruin my mod list?

Is it work the trouble or is SE "enough"?

Is SE or AE better for Loverslab mods?

 

AE light? 

What the hell is that now?
 

World/Graphic based Modpack?

I dont like Modpacks with any Camera, Bodymod and combat mods in them.

Is there something that only changes the world/cities/textures etc.? 

 

EDIT: I see already the latest guide here is only for AE.... so SE guides already just worthless? Or still worthwhile following them through? 

Edited March 12, 2025 by Nymra

[Hotoke]

I would say AE is more likely to be the standard for new mods and latest updates, and if relibablity is an issue you can always disable updates on steam once your mods are all set up.

[Gukahn]

15 minutes ago, Nymra said:

Will SE be obsolete soon?

Not with BEES. AE and Se are technically the same games, the only difference is content and a header functional only for the AE update.

(Also you don't have to buy anything. in fact, from what I read the price is outragious for what little you get.)

 

16 minutes ago, Nymra said:

Will AE make me rage with updates that ruin my mod list?

So will SE as it is, what steam concerns, AE. You'll have to first get the AE update and downgrade to classic SE which will take a little time. You'll have to go into the steam archives for that but the actual how to is easy to find with google and it's just chilling and waiting.

Afterwards disable auto updates

 

18 minutes ago, Nymra said:

Is SE or AE better for Loverslab mods?

Doesn't matter

 

18 minutes ago, Nymra said:

Is it work the trouble or is SE "enough"?

Depence if you want the free AE content or use money on the priced stuff.

 

19 minutes ago, Nymra said:

What the hell is that now?

"Probably" The free AE version I was talking about

 

19 minutes ago, Nymra said:

World/Graphic based Modpack?

Avoid modpacks like the plague

Go the extra mile and make your own even if just for texture mods Srly most of these idiots uploading modpacks to some weird bullshit with them, the amount of people using one and asking for troubleshooting advice here is insane.  Modding SE is almost exactly the same as it is for LE only that you don't need to merge mods as there are a ton of light plugins and the number of those you can have is so high, you'll never reach that limit unless you're a lunatic.

 

20 minutes ago, Nymra said:

EDIT: I see already the latest guide here is only for AE.... so SE guides already just worthless? Or still worthwhile following them through? 

The latest" Guide" is just a step by step installation and it's 1 to 1 usable with SE when you're using BEES, exclude the mods that rely on CC content ect. Also you do not plan on copying it exactly. I mean why would you want to play another persons vision o skyrim if you have your own? 🤔 

It's a nice blueprint to use as a guide tho.

 

Long story short:
Starting from scratch, keep in mind you will want to have specific versions of certain mods and SKSE:
People using the free AE content are happy with it from what I hear. People like me who mod SE from memory are better served staing classic. So by all means, go AE but don't buy shit

[Inquizit0r]

The "AE" is universally referred to Skyrim version 1.6+, so, even if you do not own the "Anniversary Upgrade DLC" it still is regarded as AE, rather than "SE".
SE is until version of 1.5.97, which is last known and most stable version 90% of the mods were made for. Some mods works exclusively for AE, some only for SE. Aaaand the situation with the Unofficial Patch is also quite unfortunate (author refusing to let people get the previous versions).

SE or AE? Im gonna say SE, but there are some ppl that would say the AE, just because its more recent, but not all most recent things are the better ones. Even I have refused to give up LE for a very long time even after SE came out.

[Elvenlover]

I'd highly suggest buying skyrim again on GOG. I got it on sale for like 10 euros and you can easily just turn off updates. I mean, it is possible on steam aswell, but i guess it's easier on gog since it's an actual option there.

Worldwise i can definitly suggest Northern Roads, Ryn's Farms and JK's Skyrim (and all their other stuff really). Nature of the Wild Lands is a really nice tree mod.

Edit: If you're going for an "older" AE version, make sure to get BEES (Backported Extended ESL Support)

Edited March 12, 2025 by Elvenlover

[pinky6225]

I'm on SE (game version 1.5.97.0) but i wasn't starting from scratch as i already had it installed when new updates started appearing

 

AE or SE?

Starting from zero, what are the pros and cons? - Assumption is you need to download from steam, as such you will not get SE (game ver 1.5.97) you will get AE, you would have to actually download a mod to downgrade from AE to SE

Will SE be obsolete soon? - Doubtful, only way i see that happening is if there is some amazing new SKSE function that doesn't go in the SE version of SKSE

Will AE make me rage with updates that ruin my mod list? - Possible, i've not heard of further skyrim updates since AE but there is no guarentee Beth won't push out a new version "tomorrow" so you would potentially still want to protect your current version by setting read only the appmanifest/amending the appmanifest/only running skyrim in offline mode

Is it work the trouble or is SE "enough"? - The recompile of skyrim was meant to bring some benefit but nobody seems to have measured that, so in theory AE should run "better" but whether when you stick in a shed ton of mods that is noticable is going to be a "your mileage may very"

Is SE or AE better for Loverslab mods? - Doesn't greatly matter far as i'm aware as its only mods with a .DLL file that really need updating for the SE/AE divide except for the increased .ESL support although that has also been backported to SE so is available ( https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/106441?tab=description )

 

So if i was starting today from nothing where i have to download from steam i'd go with the current game version of 1.6.1170 (i think) as there is a SKSE version available and all mods i'm aware of that come with a .DLL that i'd want to use have a version for that

 

You'd still want to take steps to stop steam pushing an update to you though in case Beth do decide its time for 1.6.1171

[CaptainJ03]

49 minutes ago, Nymra said:

I own SE.
I did not buy AE (yet). 

Did you already download an SE version and disabled automatic updates? If not - congrats, you'll get AE from Steam and have to downgrade to SE yourself.

[Nymra]

14 minutes ago, CaptainJ03 said:

Did you already download an SE version and disabled automatic updates? If not - congrats, you'll get AE from Steam and have to downgrade to SE yourself.

 

ah, nice.... I bought it years ago but not downloaded it since then ^^ 
guess I m in for the whole fun then

[Nymra]

allright.... 

 

thank you all, that really clarified some things and now I have a roadmap to follow. Helps alot.

 

Now I ll go on the long road of getting 2000+ outfit ESL mods. 
Farewell! 

 

 

[Nymra]

51 minutes ago, Elvenlover said:

I'd highly suggest buying skyrim again on GOG. I got it on sale for like 10 euros and you can easily just turn off updates. I mean, it is possible on steam aswell, but i guess it's easier on gog since it's an actual option there.

Worldwise i can definitly suggest Northern Roads, Ryn's Farms and JK's Skyrim (and all their other stuff really). Nature of the Wild Lands is a really nice tree mod.

Edit: If you're going for an "older" AE version, make sure to get BEES (Backported Extended ESL Support)

 

I read about how GOG has different folder structure?
Just asked because that popped up elsewhere. I own SE on steam and from what I read here downloading that now will get me the "AE" version anyway in some sense (nvm me I just cut corners here term-wise since I at least know which guides to follow now). 

 

 

[Elvenlover]

43 minutes ago, Nymra said:

 

I read about how GOG has different folder structure?
Just asked because that popped up elsewhere. I own SE on steam and from what I read here downloading that now will get me the "AE" version anyway in some sense (nvm me I just cut corners here term-wise since I at least know which guides to follow now). 

 

 

From my experience the only difference is the folder beeing named "gog" at the end. But i never got any issues from that. The only thing to be aware of is, that certain plugins or mods require a seperate special mod version. But the mod page usually clearly states that or makes it clearly visible on the download page. PapyrusUtil is a good example.

Other than that, everything runs fine on my end.

I am not sure if you are able to downgrade / select an older version on gog, though. But you can easily pick the option to turn off automatic updates. So, once you got your modlist, you are 100% safe from any bethesda fuckups. I'm still on 1.6.659, which runs perfectly fine with mods made for the newer version. All you need is the Backported Extended ESL Support mod. Although, you probably wouldn't need that if you start to mod the newest skyrim version.

Edited March 12, 2025 by Elvenlover

[travelmedic]

I just made the leap from LE to SE/AE a few months ago and am finally about done building a new load order (it's normal for me to spend months setting up a new game).  I was in the same boat, starting from scratch.

 

Forget SE vs. AE.  It's confusing people.  What you're probably referring to with SE is version 1.5.97 (I think) and with AE you're thinking of 1.6.1170.  If you download it today from Steam, you'd get 1170 with 4 Creation Club addons - fishing, survival, rare curios and saints and seducers.  Then there is what Steam calls the Anniversary Bundle which is another $20 and includes a bunch more "Creations."

 

If you wanted 1.5.97 you'd have to do some trickery to get the old archives, plus you'd probably need BEES (don't ask me to remember what it stands for) to let your old version of the game run with newer mods.  The Unofficial Patch requires 1170, and lots of mods require the Unofficial Patch, so that's a reason not to downgrade.  Plus, if your game ever automatically updated, you'd have to downgrade all over again.

 

So far, I have not found a single mod that I really wanted that would not run, or did not have the upgrades to run, on 1170.  Some mods I had to look harder than others, especially here on LL.  Some mods here upgrade files were posted by users in the support threads, but so far everything has worked if I took the time to find the updates.

 

Since you're starting from scratch like I did, I'd say go for 1170 ("AE") and not have to worry about backwards compatibility.

[Just Don't]

3 hours ago, travelmedic said:

Forget SE vs. AE.  It's confusing people.  What you're probably referring to with SE is version 1.5.97 (I think) and with AE you're thinking of 1.6.1170.  If you download it today from Steam, you'd get 1170 with 4 Creation Club addons - fishing, survival, rare curios and saints and seducers.  Then there is what Steam calls the Anniversary Bundle which is another $20 and includes a bunch more "Creations."

This is it. If you consider any 1.6+ versions of the game as AE then you'll be very confused when Steams lists it as "The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim Special Edition". AE is a paid DLC you absolutely don't need.

All you need to worry about is executable version. That's what determines which version of SKSE you get and which version of certain SKSE plugins (DLL mods) you can use.

Updates happen in any version regardless of what you want to call them (only exception would be GOG but that's an entirely different platform and there's some stuff that works but some other don't, it doesn't include CK like Steam does, but at least you get offline installer for older versions... sometimes, for a while, not guaranteed maybe? weird topic really, read about it before buying if you're interested). There are like 4 different methods to avoid automatic updates. So pick a preferred game version and do something to avoid automatic updates. Then keep in mind the version of your game when installing mods with a DLL.

Edited March 13, 2025 by Just Don't

[muhavaux33]

On 3/12/2025 at 1:24 PM, Nymra said:

My Situation:
I m starting from nothing.

I have a very complex and heavily modified modlist/build for LE. 

I own SE.
I did not buy AE (yet). 

 

I have not downloaded any ONE mod yet for SE. So before torturing myself the following weeks with this process, I want to make the SE or AE decision before.... 

 

Note: I stayed on LE for long time because I was afraid of the SE update problems, so reliablity is a big point for me. 

 

 

AE or SE?

Starting from zero, what are the pros and cons?

Will SE be obsolete soon?

Will AE make me rage with updates that ruin my mod list?

Is it work the trouble or is SE "enough"?

Is SE or AE better for Loverslab mods?

 

AE light? 

What the hell is that now?
 

World/Graphic based Modpack?

I dont like Modpacks with any Camera, Bodymod and combat mods in them.

Is there something that only changes the world/cities/textures etc.? 

 

EDIT: I see already the latest guide here is only for AE.... so SE guides already just worthless? Or still worthwhile following them through? 

I used to play 1.5.97 and recently I upgraded to 1.6.1170. I think the pros and cons are really simple:
1.5.97 pros: You'll have access to pretty much all mods.
cons: No updates for newer mods

1.6.1170 pros: You'll have access to almost all mods and newer mods such as sexlab p+ have been further developed only for this game version, rendering 1.5.97 obsolete for that mod.
Cons: a very few selection, sometimes essential mods, wont be compatible anymore.

In my opinion you should see it as an investment vs casual thing. 1.6.1170 is an investment whereas 1.5.97 is... well the most compatible. Its not to say that 1.6.1170 will have little mods available, in fact most mods have been updated to this version except for a very select few.

Seeing you have been playing Skyrim since your LE times and you still want to keep playing then I think 1.6.1170 is the better choice for you since that's what newer mods and content will most likely come out in.

[Nymra]

9 minutes ago, muhavaux33 said:

I used to play 1.5.97 and recently I upgraded to 1.6.1170. I think the pros and cons are really simple:
1.5.97 pros: You'll have access to pretty much all mods.
cons: No updates for newer mods

1.6.1170 pros: You'll have access to almost all mods and newer mods such as sexlab p+ have been further developed only for this game version, rendering 1.5.97 obsolete for that mod.
Cons: a very few selection, sometimes essential mods, wont be compatible anymore.

In my opinion you should see it as an investment vs casual thing. 1.6.1170 is an investment whereas 1.5.97 is... well the most compatible. Its not to say that 1.6.1170 will have little mods available, in fact most mods have been updated to this version except for a very select few.

Seeing you have been playing Skyrim since your LE times and you still want to keep playing then I think 1.6.1170 is the better choice for you since that's what newer mods and content will most likely come out in.

 

thx for the answer.

In the meantime I learned alot more (like SE basically beeing AE versionwise) and opted for the easiest route (I hate extra steps) and went for 1.6.1170
Until now I only had ONE mod that is not comptible (BB Hair from LE which uses HDT), but everything else is there or a suitable replacement for it.

I do not regret the change or the choice I made for 1.6.1170, to the contrary... I m now a week in working everyday for several hours on the new setup, time well invested instead of trying to get more out of an LE Skyrim which at this point seems to be just broken. 

 

 

[muhavaux33]

14 hours ago, Nymra said:

 

thx for the answer.

In the meantime I learned alot more (like SE basically beeing AE versionwise) and opted for the easiest route (I hate extra steps) and went for 1.6.1170
Until now I only had ONE mod that is not comptible (BB Hair from LE which uses HDT), but everything else is there or a suitable replacement for it.

I do not regret the change or the choice I made for 1.6.1170, to the contrary... I m now a week in working everyday for several hours on the new setup, time well invested instead of trying to get more out of an LE Skyrim which at this point seems to be just broken. 

 

 

Oh no yeah. Absolutely. The only mod I've seen that refuses to move on from LE is ZAZ but... ZAZ's current author is disappointing.

[Nymra]

19 minutes ago, muhavaux33 said:

Oh no yeah. Absolutely. The only mod I've seen that refuses to move on from LE is ZAZ but... ZAZ's current author is disappointing.

 

Zaz 8+ is the mod to get. It has been converted to SE and works well. Note, that nothing uses the scripts of ZAZ or the SL animations. Its mostly used as a resource for its Idle (Non Sexlab) Animations and the furnitures. I will take another decade or a similarly motivated author like ZAZ to ever get something similar. 

Nobody will ever work with Zaz 9, even when it would convert to SE. I see it as a giant modders resource and will most likely use some of its stuff if T.ara allows it. Some things are really nice and unique. 


 

[belegost]

Welcome to the world of mammals, Littlefoot! We are very happy you decided to finally evolve. Please, as a welcome gift, have this refreshing glass of milk, fresh from the mammary gland of the species of your choice.

 

Edited March 23, 2025 by belegost