This is a player modding guide and curated mod list for Skyrim Anniversary Edition. It covers:
- Software installation (including Mod Organizer 2. Vortex is not supported in this guide, but you can use it if you know how to "convert" what you're reading to Vortex-ese.)
- Preparatory work for adding mods
- A list of mods to install
- A final load order
- Gameplay tips and troubleshooting
Drastically altering Skyrim is not a quick and easy process. But it's a worthwhile process. This is a tinkerer's guide. Time and patience is part of the deal.
The menu on the left is meant to be followed in the order presented.
To see screen shots illustrating some of the visual items this guide modifies, see the Nexus Mods page for this guide: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/20289.
Guide Conventions
- Prerequisites have been taken care of. Mods on the Nexus may have prerequisite popups, but as long as you are following this guide, you do not need to follow up on those. Prerequisites are listed in this guide in advance of the mods that require them.
- When you are instructed to start a new game, literally do that. Don't load an existing Alternate Start dungeon save. And don't spend more than a minute on it. Get out of the dungeon, look around real quick, and quit. You're not testing the game itself. You're just making sure that what you just did doesn't crash the game. That way, if it does crash, you can stop right there and figure out what went wrong before proceeding.
- For AKF mods, download the file (you'll need an account - it's free and totally worth it) and use the "Install From File" button in the upper right of the Vortex Mods panel.
- When installing mods, if there are no instructions under the link to that mod, install only the main file on the linked mod page.
