Page 1: Modding Skyrim ‐ The 7 Principles - TheOneAndOnlyJ3w3ls/Skyrim-Modding-Tutorials GitHub Wiki

COMMANDMENTS OF SKYRIM MODDING

1. DON'T ADD/REMOVE/UPDATE MODS MID-PLAYTHROUGH

1.1 Best Practice

Never do any change to your modlist, that is the safest way.

You can, and should create new saves everytime you make a change. If you just want to test something, you can also type coc riverwood in the console from the main menu, before loading a save or creating a new one, it will place you directly on the map with a default character.

1.2 Mods unsafe to change mid-playthrough

Mid-playthrough, avoid:

  • any mod with scripts like the plague, unless explicitely confirmed by the mod author to be safe. Even so, be cautious.
  • Updating any mod than changed from ESP to ESL or ESP-flagged-ESL (ESPFE): If you had a mod that was ESP loaded in your save, you cannot make it ESL/ESPFE and load that save. Make sure to ESLify mods before you add them.

1.3 Mods safer to change mid-playthrough

There are some types of mods that are generally safe to add/remove/update mid-playthrough

  • MESHES & TEXTURES
  • ANIMATION (if not scripted): DAR-OAR based mods for example are safe to add and remove at any time
  • Most SKSE DLL mods (read mod pages to confirm! The mod author should explicitely say when their mod cannot be installed mid playthrough)
  • Weapons & Armour mods (when they don't have a scripted distribution)

1.4 FALLRIM TOOLS IS NOT MAGIC, IT IS A LAST RESORT

Fallrim tools Resaver can recover a save, but it is a destructive process that can break saves permanently. It should only be used as a last resort to clean the save.

You can however have a look in your saves with it, it could show potential script bloat building up, you may be able to take corrective actions before it gets too bad.

2. READ MOD PAGES

This is a no-brainer. Don't be lazy, read the mod pages, specifically all there is to do with requirements, installation and compatibility. You may want to have a look in the Posts or Bugs sections, before you install a mod.

Most issues can be avoided by simply doing that.

3. USE MOD ORGANISER 2

Anyone who knows how to mod will recommend Mod Organiser 2 (MO2) over Vortex for Skyrim. If you are still on NMM (Nexus Mod Manager), swap as soon as possible.

While Vortex has collections going for it, its flaws become more and more apparent the more mods you add. It's fine if you have 100 mods or less, but the more you add, the more you'll regret not swapping to MO2.

MO2 can also be fully integrated with the nexus, allowing you to download mods directly in its download folder, and then installing.

Good news, moving from Vortex to MO2 can be simplified greatly using this new tool! Nexus mod page

There are several reasons why MO2 is better:

3.0 Does Not Touch Your Skyrim Folders

MO2 does not place files directly in your Skyrim Data folder. As such, you will NEVER have to reinstall Skyrim because of a mod messing up in there.

Tutorial by Gamerpoet

3.1 Easier Conflict Resolution

It allows for a more granular control over conflicts. It provides a clear interface for conflicts management, much clearer than Vortex's quite frankly very confusing visual map... It also allows hiding/deleting specific conflicting files in mods, which Vortex does not allow.

3.2 Mods Have a Priority

MO2 allows you to sort by priority, which allows a clearer understanding of which mod would potentially win conflicts, giving a clearer view on your entire list.

3.3 More Filtering Options

MO2 provides a lot of easily accessible options to filter your mod list, including filtering out by mods containing SKSE plugins, etc You

3.4 Easy Exporting of Your Modlist and Load Order

MO2 has an export function for your modlist. You can then use this in modwatchto share that when needed: https://modwat.ch/

3.5 Has a Number of Helpful Plugins

MO2 has some very neat plugins to help on your modding journey.

  • Grass precache: see No Grass in Objects mod page Nexus mod page
  • Root Builder: manage files in your skyrim root folder within MO2. That includes SKSE, ENB, Reshade, ... Nexus mod page
  • Crash Log Viewer (only for Crash Logger, not .Net Script Framework): easily access your crash logger logs Nexus mod page
  • Conflict Deleter: Remove all overridden files from your modlist, to gain space Github page
  • Set CPU Affinity: Automatically calculates and sets the CPU affinity for Skyrim Priority SE AE Nexus mod page
  • Nexus Collections Downloader: allows downloading nexus collections inside MO2! Nexus mod page

3.6 You can move your installation path easily

It is actually possible to move where you have your mods (to another drive, even), with just a few simple steps.

  1. Make a backup of modlist and load order using the buttons above each respectively
  2. Open MO2 Settings > Paths, Open that base path folder in Windows Explorer. It should contain Downloads, Mods, Webcache, Profiles and Overwrite folders.
  3. Move those 5 folders above to another path of your choice, preferably close to the root of the drive (C:/Modding/MO2 for example)
  4. Change the base path in MO2 to the new base path, apply, close MO2
  5. Reopen MO2, if your mods and plugins are all disabled, don't panic, simply restore the backups you made in step 1 using the button above each respectively

4. STAY ORGANISED

4.1 Use Separators

Check this mod: Completely Organized Separators for MO2 - Order and Structure (COSMOS) https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/96582

4.2 Avoid merging when installing

When you install mods that have several files, it is advisable to install each as a separate mod, for easier tracking. Of course, feel free to select Merge on the popup if you are fine with grouping them all into one mod... Be careful of updates though!

4.3 Create Output Mods for your Tools

Nemesis should be setup in a certain way in MO2, see this https://github.com/TheOneAndOnlyJ3w3ls/Nemesis-tutorial/wiki/How-to-setup-Nemesis-properly-in-MO2

Apply the same logic as above for all of your tools, the goal is to declutter your overwrite folder. Ideally each tool that outputs files should get its own Output mod. That applies to SSEEdit, Wrye Bash, Bodyslide, Mator Smash...

4.4 Keep Your Overwrite Clean

This goes in tandem with the previous point. Your overwrite folder should be empty or near empty. You can create an output mod for all mod settings or MCM config files that are generated at runtime (those will appear in overwrite too).

5. USE LOOT TO SORT PLUGINS (WITH CUSTOM RULES)

Use LOOT for proper sorting of plugins.

Here is a very good guide for it: Youtube tutorial by Gamerpoet

However, do note that LOOT will make a few mistakes, especially if your plugins list goes up in the few hundreds/in the thousands.

You will have to learn how to create custom rules, so that LOOT sorts some specific stuff properly (for example: Northern Road patches). Always double-check the load order after sorting with LOOT. If you see mods sorted incorrectly, you can force plugins to get sorted correctly

6. LEARN THE TOOLS OF THE TRADE

This will help you immensely in conflict resolution and debugging your game.

6.1 xEdit/SSEEdit

This is one of the most useful tool you will need. Download link

Here is Gamerpoet's Tutorial: https://moddingmyway.com/xedit/

Installation and setup: Youtube tutorial by Gamerpoet

6.2 Wrye Bash

Here is a full tutorial on the tool: https://stepmodifications.org/wiki/Guide:Wrye_Bash

I would recommend using it mainly, even exclusively, for the leveled lists.

6.3 Cathedral Asset optimizer (CAO)

Nexus mod page

An automation tool used to optimize BSAs, meshes, textures and animations. It is a very helpful tool, here is an extract of the mod page on its features:

General : All optimization options can be performed on just a single mod or multiple mods at once You can convert, optimize, and pack your entire mod install into BSAs with a single click! Each option is independently configurable

BSAs : Backup and extract old BSAs before processing, preserving existing loose files Existing loose assets can be added to the archives during repack Delete backups to save space

Textures : Convert unsupported TGA files to DDS format Ddetect and convert unsupported DDS formats to useable ones Convert uncompressed DDS files to BC7, the highest quality compression Skyrim utilizes

Meshes : Optimize both normal and headpart meshes Detect headparts and automatically apply the correct settings

Animations : Convert Skyrim Legendary Edition animations to work with Special Edition

6.4 BSA Extractor

Nexus mod page

A Bethesda Softworks Archive (BSA) file is a compressed file (like a ZIP) that bbethesda games use to store assets. This tool can allow you to unpack those files.

Note that MO2 has a built-in way to do that:

image

enabling this will enable a prompt upon installing mods with BSAs to extract them.

6.5 BethINI

Nexus mod page

Bethini is used to open and read Skyrim ini files which are the configuration files of the game. It provides a user friendly interface to read and modify all the game parameters.

Here is a great guide to set it up: https://stepmodifications.org/wiki/SkyrimSE:2.2.0#BethINI_Setup

6.6 Bodyslide and Outfit Studio

Nexus mod page

An easy to use tool for customizing bodies and outfits, creating new bodies and outfits, and converting outfits between body types. This tool is mainly used to conform armours to your character's body shape.

Here is the official wiki for it: Official WIKI

6.7 EasyNPC

Nexus mod page

Painlessly mix, merge, and resolve conflicts and compatibility issues for all of your NPC overhauls. The best tool there is to fix/prevent the infamous blackface issues.

Here is its wiki detailing how to use it: Official WIKI

6.8 DynDOLOD

Nexus mod page

The best tool to enhance your long distance visuals. Note: it has an impact on your FPS.

Here is the official manual for DynDOLOD: https://dyndolod.info/

Here is a great video guide: Youtube tutorial by Gamerpoet

Here is a link to the S.T.E.P. Guide which details different optimized parameters for DynDOLOD. STEP Guide

6.7 Synthesis

One of the greatest tools, it can patch your entire modlist.

A basic guide on using Synthesis is available here

Or join the Synthesis/Mutagen discord

6.7 Nemesis

This is the main tool you'll use for animation and behaviour patching.

Nexus mod page

Here are instructions on how to install it: Tutorial: How to setup Nemesis properly in MO2

7. RESPECT MOD AUTHORS (AND HELPFUL PEOPLE)

One very annoying and quite appalling trend is the entitlement and rudeness of mod users towards mod authors. You are NOT entitled to any support, you are NOT entitled to a second of their time. If a mod does not work as you expect, be kind, be polite, and be helpful towards the mod author. Treat them with respect, as they often have put a lot of hours into creating mods, and shared them with you, most of the time free of charge. That comment also applies to paywalled mods! If you're unhappy, you have the option not to use said mod.

When asking for help on the various places where help is offered, stay respectful and patient. Help is offered free of charge, out of the kindness of their hearts. People are taking time out of their schedules for you. Don't be rude or disrespectful. Be grateful.