Mod manager / organizer?

[Lamadi]

I'm rather new to this. I've yet to play adult mods on any videogame as big as Skyrim. I posted a topic a couple days ago about what mods were recommended, and so far I've got a good idea about what mods I want to play with, although still figuring out what animation packs I'd like to use.

Still, one of the guides I read for installing Sexlab described step-by-step how to install the mods manually, while several mods, including a couple related to Devious Devices, discouraged manual installs strongly and instead recommended the use of some sort of mod manager.

So what I wonder is, what mod-manager is most commonly used here?

I'm kinda confused about this issue because the guide for Sexlab installation didn't seem to even mention the use of a mod manager, so I'm led to believe there is a downside to using one, or a limitation that I'm not aware of.

So, once again I'm turning to the community for help.

 

EDIT: Also, will I be able to play the core Sexlab and Deviousdevices mods even if I only have the core Skyrim game? I haven't decided yet wether to invest in the DLC or not. I'm thinking I'll grab them during the next Bethesda sale.

 

 

EDIT2: Putting the bottom question in the OP:

 

Okay, so I've bought the Legendary edition off the Humble store, and I'm trying to get the mods up and running. Only problem is that there are some comflicting mods among the core ones. For instance 'HDT Physics Extensions' seem to get some files overwritten by 'Bodyslide', and 'XP32 Maximum Skeleton Extended' is overwritten by 'Realistic Force', and 'Zaz Animation pack' is overwritten by 'Captured Dreams'

Also the DLCs themselves seem to have some files overwritten by the mods, but I guess that's only to be expected.

 

Additionally, the character creation seems to be the same as in the vanilla game. Any change I try to make that has to do with modding does nothing. Body type is also the same as vanilla despite UUNP being activated in Bodyslide.

[Alter Native]

Everyone uses a mod manager and ModOrganizer is far superior to the Nexus Mod Manger, but a bit harder to get into as a newcomer. It really depends on how serious you want to mod. NNM is fine for a couple of mods, but MO is the way to go if you want to do things right.

[lewd123]

I'm rather new to this. I've yet to play adult mods on any videogame as big as Skyrim. I posted a topic a couple days ago about what mods were recommended, and so far I've got a good idea about what mods I want to play with, although still figuring out what animation packs I'd like to use.

Still, one of the guides I read for installing Sexlab described step-by-step how to install the mods manually, while several mods, including a couple related to Devious Devices, discouraged manual installs strongly and instead recommended the use of some sort of mod manager.

So what I wonder is, what mod-manager is most commonly used here?

I'm kinda confused about this issue because the guide for Sexlab installation didn't seem to even mention the use of a mod manager, so I'm led to believe there is a downside to using one, or a limitation that I'm not aware of.

So, once again I'm turning to the community for help.

 

EDIT: Also, will I be able to play the core Sexlab and Deviousdevices mods even if I only have the core Skyrim game? I haven't decided yet wether to invest in the DLC or not. I'm thinking I'll grab them during the next Bethesda sale.

In my opinion, Mod Organizer is currently your best bet, but switch to Vortex (NMM's successor/replacer) when that gets released and proves solid. Nexus Mod Manager is a dinosaur, but I guess you could use it if you're really, really concerned about having 100% external tool compatibility rather than 99.9%, and are okay with everything taking 10 times as long.

As for your edit question, pick out the mods you want, get yourself a copy of LOOT, add it to MO's tool list, run it, and then buy whatever it says you need. Unfortunately, the DLC never goes on sale anymore (as far as I know), because Bethesda wants to push the Special Edition (which is quickly approaching the modabiity of the original, but isn't there yet).

[Lamadi]

 

In my opinion, Mod Organizer is currently your best bet, but switch to Vortex (NMM's successor/replacer) when that gets released and proves solid. Nexus Mod Manager is a dinosaur, but I guess you could use it if you're really, really concerned about having 100% external tool compatibility rather than 99.9%, and are okay with everything taking 10 times as long.

As for your edit question, pick out the mods you want, get yourself a copy of LOOT, add it to MO's tool list, run it, and then buy whatever it says you need. Unfortunately, the DLC never goes on sale anymore (as far as I know), because Bethesda wants to push the Special Edition (which is quickly approaching the modabiity of the original, but isn't there yet).

 

So I need to spend money on the DLC or on whatever programs I need to run the game without the DLC? Damnit.

 

I read up about the Vortex. Sounds really promising. I don't suppose we have an ETA on it yet, or is this another 'When it's done' kind of thing?

[Varithina]

 

I read up about the Vortex. Sounds really promising. I don't suppose we have an ETA on it yet, or is this another 'When it's done' kind of thing?

 

 

My guesstimate would be possibly early next year, though mid to end would more likely, though it does depend on just how much they can crib from the current nmm/mo builds and just how much they change the goal posts in what they want during initial development.

 

No matter what though, this is not a small project, and those things take time, even with a group working on it.

[Reesewow]

 

 

So I need to spend money on the DLC or on whatever programs I need to run the game without the DLC? Damnit.

 

 

He doesn't mean you need to buy tools to run the DLC, he's saying that LOOT (a free program) can tell you if the mods you want to play need the offical DLCs and can also automatically sort mods.  The mods will all list what they need in their requirements however (and you should always check all the requirements of any mod you download so you aren't confused when your game instantly crashes due to a missing master file).

 

Fair warning - at this point many mods require at least Dawnguard and/or Dragonborn, and a few require Hearthfires.  This late into the game's life it isn't really worth it for mod authors to restrict themselves or program around whether or not people have the major DLCs as anyone serious about the game owns them already.  If you don't mind restricting your options or resetting your progress to install the DLCs down the road you may not require them right at the start.

[Lamadi]

 

 

He doesn't mean you need to buy tools to run the DLC, he's saying that LOOT (a free program) can tell you if the mods you want to play need the offical DLCs and can also automatically sort mods.  The mods will all list what they need in their requirements however (and you should always check all the requirements of any mod you download so you aren't confused when your game instantly crashes due to a missing master file).

 

Fair warning - at this point many mods require at least Dawnguard and/or Dragonborn, and a few require Hearthfires.  This late into the game's life it isn't really worth it for mod authors to restrict themselves or program around whether or not people have the major DLCs as anyone serious about the game owns them already.  If you don't mind restricting your options or resetting your progress to install the DLCs down the road you may not require them right at the start.

 

Oh.

 

Seems I'm gonna have to make the investment after all then. Hearthfire ain't that expensive, so I'm not worried about that one at all.

 

Would you recommend buying Skyrim Special edition, or the DLCs separately? At this rate they're roughly the same price anyway.

[Reesewow]

 

 

 

Seems I'm gonna have to make the investment after all then. Hearthfire ain't that expensive, so I'm not worried about that one at all.

 

Would you recommend buying Skyrim Special edition, or the DLCs separately? At this rate they're roughly the same price anyway.

 

 

You don't want Skyrim Special Edition for playing mods because that's an updated version of the game and is not compatible with most mods from the original (which means it doesn't work with most adult mods yet).  You either just want to buy the DLCs separately or buy the whole game over with Legendary Edition, just compare prices IMO.

[Varithina]

 

You don't want Skyrim Special Edition for playing mods because that's an updated version of the game and is not compatible with most mods from the original (which means it doesn't work with most adult mods yet).  You either just want to buy the DLCs separately or buy the whole game over with Legendary Edition, just compare prices IMO.

 

 

If it is like most of the other games with dlc it will be cheaper to buy the legendary edition rather than get the dlc separate, I have found that out quite a few times, with other games.

[lewd123]

 

 

You don't want Skyrim Special Edition for playing mods because that's an updated version of the game and is not compatible with most mods from the original (which means it doesn't work with most adult mods yet).  You either just want to buy the DLCs separately or buy the whole game over with Legendary Edition, just compare prices IMO.

 

 

If it is like most of the other games with dlc it will be cheaper to buy the legendary edition rather than get the dlc separate, I have found that out quite a few times, with other games.

 

The Legendary Edition bundle isn't available on PC anymore. Bethesda removed it from Steam to push the Special Edition. You can still buy Skyrim and all of its DLC separately, but there is no one-click "I now have everything for slightly cheaper" option. And the DLC doesn't go on sale anymore either. Basically, Legendary Edition is 25 bucks more than Special Edition now, and that gap is going to increase as Special Edition gets cheaper.

It's honestly hard to recommend either one right now. Special Edition is fast-approaching the level of modability in the original, is more stable, and is 25 dollars cheaper. Legendary Edition is already at that level of modability, will not have the Creation Club, and can be almost as stable, but is more expensive. Hindsight is 20/20, but the best thing to have done would be to have already had Legendary Edition when Special Edition released to get in on the free "upgrade" deal. That way, you'd have both now.

[Lamadi]

Okay, so I've bought the Legendary edition off the Humble store, and I'm trying to get the mods up and running. Only problem is that there are some comflicting mods among the core ones. For instance 'HDT Physics Extensions' seem to get some files overwritten by 'Bodyslide', and 'XP32 Maximum Skeleton Extended' is overwritten by 'Realistic Force', and 'Zaz Animation pack' is overwritten by 'Captured Dreams'

Also the DLCs themselves seem to have some files overwritten by the mods, but I guess that's only to be expected.

 

Additionally, the character creation seems to be the same as in the vanilla game. Any change I try to make that has to do with modding does nothing. Body type is also the same as vanilla despite UUNP being activated in Bodyslide.

[Varithina]

 

Okay, so I've bought the Legendary edition off the Humble store, and I'm trying to get the mods up and running. Only problem is that there are some comflicting mods among the core ones. For instance 'HDT Physics Extensions' seem to get some files overwritten by 'Bodyslide', and 'XP32 Maximum Skeleton Extended' is overwritten by 'Realistic Force', and 'Zaz Animation pack' is overwritten by 'Captured Dreams'

Also the DLCs themselves seem to have some files overwritten by the mods, but I guess that's only to be expected.

 

Additionally, the character creation seems to be the same as in the vanilla game. Any change I try to make that has to do with modding does nothing. Body type is also the same as vanilla despite UUNP being activated in Bodyslide.

 

 

Hmm, was not realistic force included into xp32 extended around version 2ish?  Yup it has take a look at the very bottom of this page https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/68000/?tab=12&navtag=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nexusmods.com%2Fskyrim%2Fajax%2Fmodchangelog%2F%3Fid%3D68000%26v%3D&pUp=1

 

The way I read it is that the realistic force mod is now no longer needed if you use xp32mse, though that could be just the way I am reading things.

[lewd123]

 

Okay, so I've bought the Legendary edition off the Humble store, and I'm trying to get the mods up and running. Only problem is that there are some comflicting mods among the core ones. For instance 'HDT Physics Extensions' seem to get some files overwritten by 'Bodyslide', and 'XP32 Maximum Skeleton Extended' is overwritten by 'Realistic Force', and 'Zaz Animation pack' is overwritten by 'Captured Dreams'

Also the DLCs themselves seem to have some files overwritten by the mods, but I guess that's only to be expected.

 

Additionally, the character creation seems to be the same as in the vanilla game. Any change I try to make that has to do with modding does nothing. Body type is also the same as vanilla despite UUNP being activated in Bodyslide.

 

Your dedicated skeleton mod (That's XP32) should provide the final copies of its files. That said, I recommend XPMSE.

Most overwrites are just common sense. Certain Bodyslide configurations require HDT, so Bodyslide should win those overwrites. Captured Dreams requires Devious Devices, which requires ZaZ, so Captured Dreams should win those overwrites. Character creation can be enhanced with RaceMenu or Enhanced Character Edit. RaceMenu is what I've always used.

[Lamadi]

 

Your dedicated skeleton mod (That's XP32) should provide the final copies of its files. That said, I recommend XPMSE.

 

Most overwrites are just common sense. Certain Bodyslide configurations require HDT, so Bodyslide should win those overwrites. Captured Dreams requires Devious Devices, which requires ZaZ, so Captured Dreams should win those overwrites. Character creation can be enhanced with RaceMenu or Enhanced Character Edit. RaceMenu is what I've always used.

 

I've attached a screenshot displaying roughly how my Mod organizer looks right now. Bear in mind I took this screenshot before I read your comment. Can you spot anything wrong with it? I've disabled Realistic force as per instructed by Varithina above.

Something I find weird is also that when I begin the game, I don't see from the perspective I usually do during the intro. Instead the camera is clipped partially into the wagon. When I zoom in completely the camera seems to be placed right between the feet/legs of the rider.

[LazyBoot]

 

 

Okay, so I've bought the Legendary edition off the Humble store, and I'm trying to get the mods up and running. Only problem is that there are some comflicting mods among the core ones. For instance 'HDT Physics Extensions' seem to get some files overwritten by 'Bodyslide', and 'XP32 Maximum Skeleton Extended' is overwritten by 'Realistic Force', and 'Zaz Animation pack' is overwritten by 'Captured Dreams'

Also the DLCs themselves seem to have some files overwritten by the mods, but I guess that's only to be expected.

 

Additionally, the character creation seems to be the same as in the vanilla game. Any change I try to make that has to do with modding does nothing. Body type is also the same as vanilla despite UUNP being activated in Bodyslide.

 

 

Hmm, was not realistic force included into xp32 extended around version 2ish?  Yup it has take a look at the very bottom of this page https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/68000/?tab=12&navtag=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nexusmods.com%2Fskyrim%2Fajax%2Fmodchangelog%2F%3Fid%3D68000%26v%3D&pUp=1

 

The way I read it is that the realistic force mod is now no longer needed if you use xp32mse, though that could be just the way I am reading things.

 

That's weird, because I noticed I had to install realistic ragdolls recently to fix an issue where I was unable to drag corpses.

Though that could be because I've disabled xpmse.esp, since I was told it just drains performance if not using the equip features.

 

Something I find weird is also that when I begin the game, I don't see from the perspective I usually do during the intro. Instead the camera is clipped partially into the wagon. When I zoom in completely the camera seems to be placed right between the feet/legs of the rider.

 

The normal intro will frequently glitch out in a modded game, it's usually recomended to use something like Live Another Life. (https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/9557/?)