Recommended Mods

September 27th, 2013

You might also like mods that add NPC's to the world so it's not so empty. All of these are excellent and do more than just add random people.

Immersive Patrols,

Interesting NPC's (huge download)

Inconsequential NPC's

This my current load order, but I'm going to be making some changes and a new character soon. Most of the mods won't change, it's mainly a few little ones and survival stuff which is heavily scripted, among other things, that's coming out.

Active Mod Files:

spoiler:

MasterAub · September 27th, 2013

Thanks Maigrets,

Your list is certainly one to pick from...

for sharing it with me.

I've just checked "Immersive Patrols" and it's definitely on my list. The mod is script free and customizable (everything I like)...So this one is in.
I will probably add Skyfalls & SkyMills which provide animated Waterfalls and Mills from a far as well as The Skyrim Distant Overhaul LOD Improvment.

Thanks again

PS: Oh and I checked Interesting NPC's which is quite interesting indeed...I am putting it on the list...

Fessels · September 28th, 2013

MasterAub wrote:Thanks mate you’re a man of your word
Here is what I take from you and some more research…

Please let me know which set of textures you're using so I can make up my mind on "Skyrim HD 2K Texture"
I’ll drop dynavision: not sure what it will bring to the table anyway…and as DeNiro in Heat would say: “when there’s doubt then there is no doubt.”
I’ll drop Project Parallax Remastered as there is incompatibility issue
Immersive Creature seems to be the recommended creature mod around so I’ll look in it very closely and decide
I’ll get rid of “When Vampires attack”
I’ll drop Frostfall Hypotermia-Camping-Survival
I need to mature my thinking about Deadly Dragons vs. Enhanced Mighty Dragons & the Dragon Combat Overhaul you mentioned. I was not aware of the latest. Red about it and it sounds very interesting and compatible with Deadly Dragons…My main complaint about Skyrim is the spawning frequency of Dragons. I would like fewer dragons but more powerful ones and I am not sure Deadly Dragons provides this feature or works with a mod that provides it…

Thanks for your help I will keep on refining the list until the long awaiting date. (D – 89)

Here is the list as it stands today

Graphics
• Pure Water or W.A.T.E.R
• Skyrim HD 2K Texture
• Skyrim Flora Overhaul
• Imaginator
• HD Enhance Terrain

Gameplay
• SkyUI
• Climate of Tamriel
• The Dance of Death Kill Move
• Auto Unequipped Amo
• AFT
• Move it dammit for NPC Companions & Followers
• Immersive creature
• Wearable Lanterns
• Saber Gear Back Pack & Travel Back Pack & Bandoliers
• Convenient Horses
• Birds of Skyrim+Skybirds+Birds & Flocks
• 83 Willow 101 Bugs
• My Home is your Home
• Player Headtracking
• Ultimate Combat (remains to be checked thoroughly)
• Race Menu
• Unofficial Skyrim Patch / Dawnguard Patch / Dragonborn Patch
• Achieve that
• Run for your Lives
• Item Recycling
• Wet and Cold
• Deadly Dragons alongside Dragon Combat Overhaul
• Dragon Soul Relinquishment

Well i use a lot of texture replacer, and i pick and choose from a lot of them things i like and discard the rest. And listing all of the texture replacers that i use would take a long...long time. So instead i will place some screenshots of the Models and Textures list in NMM, maybe it will still be of some use to you. ( Because it is possible i renamed a few or that it is no longer available on the Nexus for whatever reason. )

Hopefully it will still be of use to you in this manner.

September 29th, 2013

, at this point it would be worth mentioning the Optimizer Textures App as it's for people with high end PC's as well as the rest of us.
There are a couple of other apps that do a similar job, but are not as user friendly. I get good results from this one.

There's been a lot of talk about the 3.1GB game engine memory limit due to it being a 32bit application and no relation to how much of a beast one's PC is, or isn't. In case you haven't seen it here's a run down from S.T.E.P.
Link:
http://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/ ... d-modding/

Another option you might be interested in are the various SKSE plugins. Some that I use are:
- Smart Souls....so soul gems always get the correct size soul. No more Petty souls in Grand gems.
- SKSE_Elys_Uncapper....better option IMHO than the vanilla Legendary skill addition.
- ShowRaceMenu_PreCacheKiller....prevents crashes when using the ShowRacemenu,
- Fuz Ro D'oh Silent Voice....for mods without voiced dialogue so the text doesn't fly by too fast.

There are a couple of others mainly to do with character generation and depending on how much you care about your character's looks,

, there are ini tweaks for SKSE to force the game to use better textures. Face paint, better facial hair, brows etc.

MasterAub · September 29th, 2013

Well

mates...at this point I am pretty overwhelm. I am not aware of most of what you are talking about. Need to research most of it to make my own judgment on it.

Thanks, I'll get back to you...

EDIT: Below the latest list. I've thrown in Armors Weapons, Companions & Quests mods as well

Graphics
1. WATER - Water & Terrain enhancement Redux
2. Enhance Distant Terrain
3. Skyfalls & SkyMills
4. Lightning during Thunder Storm
5. Real Ice - all in one
6. Skyrim HD 2K Texture
7. Skyrim Flora Overhaul
8. Imaginator
9. Better Dynamic Snow (to be checked)

Gameplay
1. SkyUI
2. A quality World Map with roads
3. Climate of Tamriel
4. The Dance of Death Kill Move
5. Auto Unequipped Amo
6. AFT
7. Move it dammit for NPC Companions & Followers
8. Immersive creature
9. Wearable Lanterns
10. Convenient Horses
11. Birds of Skyrim
12. Skybirds
13. Birds & Flocks Hearthfire Edition
14. 83 Willow 101 Bugs
15. My Home is your Home
16. Ultimate Combat (remains to be checked thoroughly)
17. Race Menu
18. Unofficial Skyrim Patch / Dawnguard Patch / Dragonborn Patch
19. Achieve that
20. Run for your Lives
21. Item Recycling
22. Wet and Cold
23. Deadly Dragons alongside Dragon Combat Overhaul
24. Dragon Soul Relinquishment
25. Immersive Patrol
26. Interesting NPCs

Armors, Clothing & Weapons
1. Immersive Armors
2. aMidianborn Book of Silence
3. Aesir Armor
4. Einherjar Armor
5. Fur Hoods HD
6. Bosmer Armor Pack
7. Nordic Ranger Outfit
8. Mantle of the silver Hand
9. Wanderer Cuirass by Frank & Cabal
10. Cloaks of Skyrim
11. Winter is coming
12. Sabre Gear Backpack
13. Travel Backpack
14. Mage Backpack
15. Bandoliers
16. Immersive Weapons
17. Jaysus Swords
18. Isilmeriel LOTR Weapons Collection

Companions
1. Companion Valfar
2. Companion Hoth
3. Inigo

Quests
1. Hyborian Age
2. Falskaar

Gekko64 · October 2nd, 2013

here you go, see if there's anything you like

Active Mod Files:

spoiler:

MasterAub · October 3rd, 2013

Thanks mate,

I've already spotted 3 mods to research: Skyrim Project Opitization & SkyMoMod & SkyRe. The latest appears in a lot of mod list. I need to fully comprehend what it brings to the table.

Thanks again for your help

EDIT:

Ok here is my take.
SlyRe is definitely an intresting mod but it seems a heavy one too. And I fear of compatibility issues down the road. However I understand it is modular so I will probably investigate further on which module are intresting for me.
SkyMoMod is the Skyrim Monster Mod I used to have before the crash of my video card: it's a fine mod. But it is either this one or the Immersive Creature mod. The latest seems more lore friendly and less heavy, simpler. Plus I am not sure what are the compatibility issues, especially with Deadly Dragons and Dragon Combat Overhaul. So I might go with Immersive instead.
I haven't check on Skyrim Optimization Project yet but I will revert to the board to provide my opinion on it.

Fessels · October 3rd, 2013

Well SkyRe is a great mod, i have used it for a long time in the past, and if you want to use SkyRe then i suggest to also use Reproccer from the same author.

Reproccer

But personally i have grown very fond of Combat Remastered. ( Hey it was only a matter of time before i would suggest it.

)

Combat Remastered

On the Readme Tab of the mod you can read about what it can do, and like SkyRe it is Modular.

Fessels · October 3rd, 2013

Just saw this mod on the Nexus, and although i will not be using it with my current character it looks like a very useful mod none the less.

Smart Cast

MasterAub · October 3rd, 2013

Fessels wrote:Just saw this mod on the Nexus, and although i will not be using it with my current character it looks like a very useful mod none the less. Smart Cast

I'll look into this.

Otherwise I checked combat mods and 4 seems intresting:
Combat Remastered
Duel Combat Realism
Deadly Combat
Ultimate Combat

Not sure which one to get, Deadly Combat seems great...Look in detail to these and will make a decision. If one of you have tried several please provide me with your opinion.

Thanks my list is approaching the final stage I guess

EDIT1: Oh and I checked on Skyrim Optimization Project...It seems to be a must have harmless mod. This one goes straight on my list

EDIT2: I am also including two harmless mods to improve books and boozes:
Unique Booze Bottles HD
Book Covers Skyrim

October 3rd, 2013

Fessels wrote:Just saw this mod on the Nexus, and although i will not be using it with my current character it looks like a very useful mod none the less.

Smart Cast

That indeed looks like an excellent mod. I must have missed that in my daily scroll through the new listings...downloaded.

Even though I mainly play as a warrior I still routinely use Oakflesh, Fast Healing and a few other spells, like summoning a wolf pack for example as shown in his/her screenshots, so that would be very handy.

I'm waiting to see if the update for Immersive armours is released soon before I redo all my mods and start over. New Vegas has me entranced at the moment though.

@ MasterAub

I'm pretty sure Einherjar Armour is included in Immersive armours, so that would be one you could drop for something else...

.

Book Covers and Unique Booze Bottles and Potions is also very good. It's the extra things like those that add so much to the game besides the big mods.

With regard to SkyRe...if you ever played Oblivion with OOO or FCOM then SkyRe is a bit like that, but with more optional choices.

MasterAub · October 4th, 2013

Thanks a lot to all of you.

@ Maigrets I used to use OOO and really could not play without...Skyre for this regards looks amazing. I fear compatibility issues down the road. But I will probably do a run through without and then installing it afterwards.

@ Fessels Yup this mod seems terrific and "handy". Most of my characters are magicians so by the time I've got my computer back on track the mod will probably appear on my list. Thanks mate.

I think I've nailed my ideal list,

to all of you. The only remaing thing will be to decide on the combat system. Will keep on researching and I'll let you know. Of course they will be brand new terrific mods before Christmas and so they'll probably end up in my list. I'll keep you posted anyway.

Graphics
1. WATER - Water & Terrain enhancement Redux
2. Skyrim Project Opitization
3. RLO (realistic Lighting Overall for interior 1 Town exterior only), I'll go with CoT for exterior
4. Enhance Distant Terrain
5. Skyfalls & SkyMills
6. Lightning during Thunder Storm
7. Real Ice - all in one
8. Skyrim HR Texture Pack Free DLC (+ unofficial Skyrim HR Texture patch)
9. Skyrim HD 2K Texture
10. Skyrim Flora Overhaul
11. Imaginator
12. Better Dynamic Snow (to be checked)
13. Unique Booze Bottles HD
14. Book Covers Skyrim

Gameplay
1. SkyUI
2. A quality World Map with roads
3. Skyrim Community Uncapper
4. Climate of Tamriel
5. The Dance of Death Kill Move
6. Auto Unequipped Amo
7. AFT
8. Move it dammit for NPC Companions & Followers
9. Immersive creature
10. Wearable Lanterns
11. Convenient Horses
12. Birds of Skyrim
13. Skybirds
14. Birds & Flocks Hearthfire Edition
15. 83 Willow 101 Bugs
16. My Home is your Home
17. Race Menu
18. Unofficial Skyrim Patch / Dawnguard Patch / Dragonborn Patch
19. Achieve that
20. Run for your Lives
21. Item Recycling
22. Wet and Cold
23. Deadly Dragons alongside Dragon Combat Overhaul
24. Dragon Soul Relinquishment
25. Immersive Patrol
26. Interesting NPCs
27. Smart Cast

Armors, Clothing & Weapons
1. Immersive Armors
2. aMidianborn Book of Silence
3. Aesir Armor
4. Fur Hoods HD
5. Bosmer Armor Pack
6. Nordic Ranger Outfit
7. Mantle of the silver Hand
8. Wanderer Cuirass by Frank & Cabal
9. Cloaks of Skyrim
10. Winter is coming
11. Sabre Gear Backpack
12. Travel Backpack
13. Mage Backpack
14. Bandoliers
15. Immersive Weapons
16. Jaysus Swords
17. Isilmeriel LOTR Weapons Collection

Companions
1. Companion Valfar
2. Companion Hoth
3. Companion Inigo

Quests
1. Hyborian Age
2. Falskaar

EDIT: new mods that make the final list will be in color

Gekko64 · October 4th, 2013

you can use Skymomod and SIC together without problems, just use a bashed patch. there's an "immersive" version of the monster mod available with the more extravagat creatures removed

Fessels · October 4th, 2013

MasterAub wrote:I think I've nailed my ideal list, to all of you. The only remaining thing will be to decide on the combat system. Will keep on researching and I'll let you know. Of course they will be brand new terrific mods before Christmas and so they'll probably end up in my list. I'll keep you posted anyway.

That looks like a good mod list to me, and it is indeed good to take your time when it comes to the combat mods.

Any way this is my new current load order.

Active Mod Files:

spoiler:

October 6th, 2013

SkyRe is compatible with just about everything. To make armours an d weapons work properly with it you only need to run the RecProccer which is easy enough. Like the Bashed Patch which you will need anyway, you need to run this again if you add new mods, especially weapons and armour.
Download link just in case.

Looks like you have a great selection and I bet you can't wait to get started.

Fessels · October 8th, 2013

Those of you who have used the mod Sound Propagation Overhaul and like it, should take a look at this mod...or better yet try it out.

Audio Overhaul for Skyrim

So far i am really impressed with its effect ingame.

October 8th, 2013

Fessels wrote:Those of you who have used the mod Sound Propagation Overhaul and like it, should take a look at this mod...or better yet try it out.

Audio Overhaul for Skyrim

So far i am really impressed with its effect ingame.

Never used SPO myself so I can't comment on that, but I'm taking a look at the new one you linked. I won't be using it though until he uploads the patch for Climates of Tamriel. It says it is compatible in the Readme, but the comments say otherwise, which he has acknowledged.

Hopefully it will satisfactorily negate the need for the other sound replacers I already use so only one mod is needed.

Fessels · October 8th, 2013

Maigrets wrote:Never used SPO myself so I can't comment on that, but I'm taking a look at the new one you linked. I won't be using it though until he uploads the patch for Climates of Tamriel. It says it is compatible in the Readme, but the comments say otherwise, which he has acknowledged.

Hopefully it will satisfactorily negate the need for the other sound replacers I already use so only one mod is needed.

Well as you may have seen i use CoT and i have not noticed or heard anything weird so far, then again i do not use the sounds part of CoT so that may be the patch he will make. ( In which case you do have to wait...Duhh.

)

EDIT:
Hmm just saw the post you probably mean, that one was not there yet when i posted the link to AOS. Still i will keep an eye on it in game for the moment, although i might not have noticed anything so far because i have the esp for COT winter edition loaded after AOS?

Also i found a mod that has been out for a longtime now and i never knew about it, i will give that one a try this evening. I will not name it yet or place a link, i first want to see whether it is as good looking as the screenshots. If it is it might replace Imaginator.

EDIT 2:

Here are the links for the mod(s) i used in the latest screenshots i placed.

Active Mod Files:

spoiler:

Enhanced Lights and FX

Dragon Warrior Effexts 15

Dragon Warrior Effects 15 is not as easy to use as Imaginator and switching cells requires getting used to but despite that fact i already like it a whole lot more then Imaginator at the moment.

October 9th, 2013

Well as you may have seen i use CoT and i have not noticed or heard anything weird so far, then again i do not use the sounds part of CoT so that may be the patch he will make. ( In which case you do have to wait...Duhh. )

EDIT:
Hmm just saw the post you probably mean, that one was not there yet when i posted the link to AOS. Still i will keep an eye on it in game for the moment, although i might not have noticed anything so far because i have the esp for COT winter edition loaded after AOS?

I just downloaded it and listened to the sounds in the video on the main page. I would like a modular version also as some people are asking for, but I guess it's just as easy to delete unwanted sounds. I don't like the archery and dialogue reverb at all as well as some of the magic sounds. Just by listening to the video, talking to someone sounds like you're in a huge echoing cave and not realistic in any way. Many of the footsteps sound out of place...eg the barefoot sounds. Someone running or walking barefoot on any surface shouldn't sound like they're wearing boots.

Obviously, the best way to evaluate it is in game but I don't know when that will be. It's a step in the right direction though so by the time I get around to trying it those complaints (mine and others...

) may be addressed.

Also i found a mod that has been out for a longtime now and i never knew about it, i will give that one a try this evening. I will not name it yet or place a link, i first want to see whether it is as good looking as the screenshots. If it is it might replace Imaginator.

EDIT 2:

Enhanced Lights and FX

I actually like Enhanced Lights and FX a lot more than Realistic Lighting, but I had to remove it as it causes my game to stutter more than usual, especially indoors. I'd like to give it another try though.

Dragon Warrior Effexts 15

Dragon Warrior Effects 15 is not as easy to use as Imaginator and switching cells requires getting used to but despite that fact i already like it a whole lot more then Imaginator at the moment.

Interesting....

I'm all for user friendly these days but I will read through it more later.

Fessels · October 9th, 2013

Maigrets wrote:I just downloaded it and listened to the sounds in the video on the main page. I would like a modular version also as some people are asking for, but I guess it's just as easy to delete unwanted sounds. I don't like the archery and dialogue reverb at all as well as some of the magic sounds. Just by listening to the video, talking to someone sounds like you're in a huge echoing cave and not realistic in any way. Many of the footsteps sound out of place...eg the barefoot sounds. Someone running or walking barefoot on any surface shouldn't sound like they're wearing boots.

Obviously, the best way to evaluate it is in game but I don't know when that will be. It's a step in the right direction though so by the time I get around to trying it those complaints (mine and others...) may be addressed.

Well the reverb was even more present in the first version, i believe the author mentioned that he tried to fix it but is at the moment limited by the CK. So he lowered the reverb a bit for the moment. I realize mods like this are not for every one ( Well actually, every mod can be seen that way. ) but after having used SPO for so long i did not think i would find a mod that does what ASO does, so i was quit surprised how it all sounds in game.

And you are right, the best way to get an opinion on a mod is to use it and look/listen what and how it works in game.

Maigrets wrote:I actually like Enhanced Lights and FX a lot more than Realistic Lighting, but I had to remove it as it causes my game to stutter more than usual, especially indoors. I'd like to give it another try though.

I hat the same problem with an older version of ELFX so i was hesitant to use the latest version, but it turns out that with the latest version of ELFX i have less stutter then with the Latest version of RLO.