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Essentials
Welcome to the essential guide for Skyrim Special Edition. This guide is currently maintained by Snakestone and Baloney Pony with previous work done by "New Guy".
Use this tutorial on how to convert mods from LE to SE while I procrastinate on making a video tutorial on how to do it >>>Click Here<<<
NOTE: IF YOU RUN WRYE BASH AND IT COMPLAINS ABOUT "OLD/OUTDATED" FILES, AND SHOWS YOU A MOD ".ESP/.ESM", THAT MEANS THAT MOD HASN'T BEEN PORTED PROPERLY, OR IS A LEGENDARY EDITION MOD, IF SO, YOU NEED TO UPDATE THAT SHIT YOURSELF, AND GIVE THE MOD AUTHOR A STERN TALKING-TO.
Just follow the tutorial mentioned above to update the mod yourself, skip everything, and just re-save the ".esp" on the Creation Kit.
In this section, we will discuss:
-Mod Organizing
-Essential Mods
-Tools and Utilities
updated December 24th, 2022
Quick Questions
Q: Is is time to start playing SE yet?
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A: Depends on your priorities, check the main Special Edition page for a detailed breakdown.
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Q: I heard that VR uses the same mods as SE, is it true? Can I follow this guide?
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A: It is true that VR is built on top of SE, but as I don't have a VR headset, I wouldn't be able to tell you if the mods on this list won't crash and burn your game or your device. Check the SSE information page for a list of mods tested on VR.
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Q: I don't like this guide, are their any other guides that are similar to this one?
A: We have a list of various other modding sites with their own guides and mod lists. Click on the Skyrim Guide section to check them out! And while I wouldn't normally indicate a modding guide, I have to give a shoutout to the YASHed Guide, it is incredibly well organized, up-to-date and in-depth, I highly recommend anyone to check out their guide even if just for mod recommendations.
Q: I don't like guides like these, are there any overhauls that are quick and easy?
A: There's an automated modpack installer on the Nexus, never used it, don't think I ever will, check it out if you really don't want to mod the game yourself.
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Q: I don't like you, is there anything?
A: No.
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Q: I-is there anything, seriously?
A: No.
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Q: I don't like that, this game sucks!
A: Then go mod something else, like Kingdom Come Deliverance, I heard its a Skyrim-killer.
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Mod Organizing
Mod Organizer 2
Nothing has really changed from Legendary Edition, with a few exeptions.
Mod Organizer is now under new management and is being constantly updated, with some new features and a few missing, it is the best Mod Manager right now, everything mentioned on the Skyrim LE page still holds up, better organized interface, tons of options, conflict warnings, LOOT integration.
It also has features that are pretty much necessary if you want to make your own mod conversions if you want to delve into that, such as the built in BSA extractor.
Major missing feature: automatic .bsa management
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Nexus Mod Manager
If you want to torture yourself, feel free to use Nexus Mod Manager.
Again, everything said on the LE page still holds up, as the manager hasn't been updated since then, heck, even the Nexus people think the NMM isn't good, as they hired the original Mod Organizer programmer to work on a new Manager called Vortex.
NOTE: If you plan on porting mods for yourself, using NMM is just pure torture.
The Bethesda.net
It's something, I guess...
The only option available for console players, the Bethesda.net is built into the game, one could say a pro is easy access, but the cons are too numerous, it's basically the equivalent of Legendary Editions Steam Workshop, but with prettier interface.
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NOTE: A thing to keep in mind is the fact that there may be some mods that are on Bethesda.net and NOT on the Nexus. If you're looking for a mod and can't find on the Nexus, check Bethesda.net as there might be a slim chance of it being there.
Vortex
Vortex is the new manager developed by the Nexus people, who hired the original MO dev to do it. It has an Alpha release open to the public.
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Now, I'll be very sincere here, I was disappointed when I first saw and used Vortex.
It being developed by the same person as the original Mod Organizer gave me hope that we would be getting something equal if not better than Mod Organizer, but when I first used it, I realized that Vortex is just a re-skin of the Nexus Mod Manager.
Gopher has a video series where he explores all the features in Vortex.
Essential Mods
This is a list of mods that are a MUST HAVE for anyone. These mods don't go too in-depth and work with any kind of rig. You'll see some major and significant changes in your game because these mods fix a lot of things that Bethesda STILL left out or were too lazy to properly fix.
Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch
The Unofficial Patches are a MUST HAVE, no exceptions. This mod fixes plenty of bugs and conflicts in the game that will make you say to yourself, "How have I been playing Skyrim without these? And how the fuck do the PS4 and Switch owners do it?"
SkyUI
BONUS MODS TO GO WITH SKYUI
These mods fix a couple of issues that SkyUI has on SE:
Flashing Savegames Fix
Stay at the System page
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A complete overhaul of the UI in Skyrim. This changes the console like user interface into a clean and PC friendly one. This also overhauls the favorites and hotkeys with outfits and lists you can swap on the fly! It even includes MCM which many mods use now. MCM is a short for Mod Configuration Menu, this allows you to customize mods even more with an in-game menu that automatically changes your settings in an instant.
SkyUI SE has a bug on the save menu where is constantly selects and deselects your saves, it is known, just deal with it for now.
Another thing, if you try to install SkyUI with MO2, it might not work, if you don't see the MCM in-game, install it manually. Newer versions of MO2 should've fixed this tho, check to see if your MO2 installation is up-to-date.
If you don't use this mod, then I suggest you question your existence on this kalpa.
Mfg Fix
This mod fixes ModifyFaceGen(mfg) console command and adds some more fixes.
Main Font Replacement
Gives you a various amount of options to change your games font.
More Informative Console
Adds a lot of information to the Console, very useful if you know what you're looking for.
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Note: It does not have mfg functionality and does not work with opparco mfg mod linked above.
SSE Engine Fixes
Basically SE's version of Crash Fixes
This fixes multiple problems that other plugins fixed, making the others obsolete, install this and remove SSE Fixes and Double Perk Apply Fix, and for fucks sake READ THE MOD PAGE.
Tools and Utilities
These are programs that are not mod managers or anything of the sort, but required tools that are needed for some mods.
Now not all of these tools are "required" for the user, such as the save game cleaner, but we recommend you look at all of these.
 Papyrus TweaksMakes papyrus run better so your game gets less clogged by a million scripts trying to run at once! |  Recursion MonitorDetects broken papyrus scripts and will shut them down and let you know which ones are breaking. Very handy for script heavy loadorders! |  Payload InterpreterYet another framework mod used to build off of. No clue what this one does or why it's special but I forget to install it sometimes and it breaks my animations |
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 Simple Dual SheathMakes equipped left hand weapons and both staves visible on the player or NPCs. Works with any weapon. Lightweight SKSE64 plugin. No scripts, ESPs or additional meshes required. Includes shield on back option. |  DoodlezoidModder who makes really useful mods that help fix or improve the game. |  Disable Fast Travel SKSEDisables fast travel on a base level. Helpful for people with no impulse control. |
 Jaxonz RenamerRename any object or NPC to anything. Helpful for creating custom artifacts or renaming your horse! |  Jaxonz Map MarkersCreate quest markers for any object or NPC! Very useful with followers. |  Jaxonz PositionerThe best mod for adjusting objects in the world. Very useful if hearthfire is your thing |
 Vanilla Scripting EnhancementsEnhances Vanilla scripts using PO3's Script Extender further reducing script lag! |  Vanilla Script (micro) OptimizationsOptimizes vanilla scripts to bring down script lag |  Navigator - Navmesh FixesFixes issues with the navmesh in certains areas of the game. |
 Unofficial Skyrim Modder's Patch - USMP SEAn unofficial patch for inconsistencies that effect mods mostly. |  EVG Animated TraversalA newer framework, intended for use for dungeon mods to allow for new interactions with the environment! Like ladders! |  Landscape Fixes For Grass ModsFixes a lot of grass clipping with a lot of grass mods. |
 JContainersAnother framework many mods use |  MCM HelperRequired mod for some MCMs that adds several new features to SkyUI's MCM. |  Address Library for SKSE PluginsA framework to allow some plugins for SKSE to work on various versions. Results may vary however this mod is required for most SKSE mods anyways. |
 PapyrusUtil SE - Modders Scripting Utility FunctionsA framework used by several mods |  Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Downgrade PatcherWhenever SE updates and you don't want to deal with all you SKSE mods breaking, this tool will downgrade you to whatever version you were using. Works on the CK too! |  Bug Fixes SSEFixes some bugs with game code |
 ENB Grass CollisionsHoly crap, moving grass! |  CritterSpawn Congestion FixA fix for the bug spawner, clogging your script engine, causing stacks to be dumped and bugs to be spawned. |  Hearthfires Houses Building FixRestores proper models of some building parts and furniture in crafting menu. |
 Dragon Stalking FixDragon corpses will no longer follow you or fall out of the sky. |  Actor Limit FixFixes a bug where if you have more than 128 actors in the same place they start floating around weirdly. Also fixes bug where NPC lips stop moving when a lot of them are nearby. |  NPC AI Process Position FixA DLL plugin that fixes the vanilla game engine bug that NPCs AI process positions could not be updated after you waiting/ sleeping/ fast travel. |
 powerofthree's Papyrus ExtenderSKSE64/VR plugin that extends Papyrus script functionality, with over 220 new Papyrus functions, and 25 events |  Skyrim Priority SE - skse pluginMakes Skyrim always take most of CPU usage |  NemesisNemesis is the open-source successor to FNIS, also allows better custom animations and such. |
 Dynamic Animation ReplacerThis mod dynamically replaces the actors' animations depending on various conditions. Supports most actors, including creatures. Actors and animations added by mods are also supported. No ESP file. |  Mator SmashMator Smash is a tool that generates conflict resolution patches, similar to Wrye Bash's Bashed Patch. Smash is capable of handling conflicts in all record types. |  Skyrim Script Extender 64- SKSE64This is a handy little modder's resource that expands the scripting capabilities of Skyrim. It does so without modifying the executable files on disk, so there are no permanent side effects. Many complex mods use this and require it. Read the Readme for a step by step installation tutorial. |
 LOOTLOOT is designed to assist mod users in avoiding detrimental conflicts, by setting the correct load order for the plugins they have installed. Always run LOOT after you install new mods to make sure everything is in order and compatible. |  Cathedral Assets OptimizerAbsolute must-have tool for porting mods from LE to SE. An automated BSA extractor, mesh and texture cleaner and animation fixer. Simply point it to a mod you want to port and hit the run button, and you're done! Just don't try to port companions using it. |  Skyrim Community UncapperA little utility that\s required for many gameplay mods. The default settings of this plugin will unlock the skill level caps of 100 and push them to 10000. This allows you character to be able to level up almost forever. You will also get benefits from skills above level 100, up to level 199 including enchantment bonuses. |
 XP32 Maximum Skeleton Special ExtendA multi purpose skeleton for animation in Skyrim. Include new skeleton structure that many character editor mods use such as ECE and Racemenu and other animation mods. |  SSEEditSSEEdit is a great tool for those who strive for a game without crashes and for those who like their mods clean and without conflicts. What this tool does is clean esp and esm files of any "dirty edits". These are edits that are not supposed to be there and were probably left by the mod author by mistake. If you want to learn more, please check out the tutorial video for TES5Edit in the tutorial section as nothing has changed. A word of warning, do NOT clean the Unofficial patch. |  SSELODGenSimply put, it generates LOD textures of your game to be used along with DynDOLOD. |
 DynDOLOD (BETA)Starting with version 2.22 DynDOLOD supports Skyrim SE - as a beta for experienced users. |  FallrimTools - Script cleaner and moA nifty little program that cleans up scripts in your saved games. |  ENBMakes your game look really pretty. Click on the link to learn more! |
 ENB OrganizerAre you unsure of your ENB and like to see what the Grass is like on the other side without having the hassle of deleting files all the time? This is a neat tool that works like Mod Organizer where you can change ENB's at a whim without having to deal with the hassle. |  Multiple Floors SandboxingThis is a little tweak to change the global game settings GMST fSandboxCylinderTop from 150 to 576, and fSandboxCylinderBottom from -100 to -576. As a result, the NPC can detect things (markers for various actions) roughly 2 floors above and below during their sandboxing behavior within their sandbox radius, so they will go up or down the floors to use those things (furnitures, markers, etc.). *Note: Multiple Floors Sandboxing is rolled into NFF |  Mutagen-ModdingNewest alternative to old UPF based patches. |
Extra UI
SkyUI not enough for you? Try out these UI mods.
Conclusion
Use Mod Organizer 2, don't even think about using NMM, Vortex is bad and Bethesda.net is for consoles. Use Wrye bash to organize mods and make bashed patches, but doing things manually is the best way to learn faster. Manually install graphics mods and ENB. Download all of the essential mods and run them in LOOT. Run FNIS anytime you add a new animation mod. Always use SKSE to run and play your game. Use TES5Edit to fix dirty edits and clean old mods. Use DyndoLOD when you want to make your LODs look better. DO NOT INSTALL DOZENS OF MODS AT ONCE AND ASSUME THEY WILL ALL WORK TOGETHER. Install mods in small groups so you can test for any conflicts, requirements, or incompatibilities.
And that's all your basic needs for Skyrim Modding. Be sure to follow the rest of the guide or check out each individual section for something that interests you!
 Horse Stamina HUDAdds a stamina bar to your honse |  Casting BarAdds a bar indicating how long it takes to cast a spell |  Where Are You?Did you forget to put a tracker on your waifu and now have no clue where she is? Well this mod can help! |
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 A Matter of TimeHUD now displays the in game time and date in game. Helpful for Seasonal mods and Fertility Mode period tracking... or so I've been told... |  Compas Navigation OverhaulAn overhaul of the compass to add distance indicators and quest displays. Very customizable too! |  TESG Menu ReplacerA replacer for the main menu I created for Skyrim's 10th Anniversary! Comes with a bunch of new menu sounds from Zelda and a Navi the Fairy cursor replacer! |
 Outlander UIA retexture of the UI focused on being visible while still fitting the fantasy theme. Very customizable. |  Oblivion Interaction IconsAdds various interaction icons when you hover over objects. |  TrueHUDA huge overhaul to the HUD for Skyrim. Basically the new version of SkyHUD. |
 moreHUDAdds more HUD information when you hover over objects and look in your inventory. |  MinimapAdds a minimap with a ton of customization options. Use the INI generator to customize your minimap: https://minimapinigen.glitch.me/ |  Forget SpellAdds a hotkey to forget a spell. |
 MCM RecorderRecord MCM configurations so you don't have to reset everything every time you make a new save. |  UIExtensionsExtends UI functions. |  Use or Take SKSEAllows you to use/eat an item with a simple hotkey instead of picking it up and going into your inventory to use/eat it. |
 Read Or Take SKSEAdds a hotkey to automatically take a book without reading it. |  Menu Maid 2 - MCM managerDisable MCMs you don't use to easily find what you need to configure. |  Immersive HUD - iHUD Special EditionAdds a button to toggle the HUD |
 Contextual CrosshairMakes the crosshair fade in certain situations. |  CoMAP - Common Marker Addon ProjectCustom integrated map markers for the overworld map. |  Simple Activate SKSEStreamlines the activation prompts. |
 Sovngarde - A Nordic FontAdds a Nordic style font to the game instead of the base game font. |  Jaxonz Named SaveName your saves. Somewhat wonky with the new save menu. Be sure to load your named saves at least once before quick saving. |  Achievements Mods EnablerA mod to allow modded saves to get achievements. Very easy to cheat if you want to. |
 AddItemMenuAdds a menu for spawning in items without having to look up the item code. |  Custom Skills Menu - A Custom Skills Framework Unified MenuA menu integration for Custom Skills Menu. Needs to be patched for Vicn's mods, check the sticky posts for details. |  Detection MeterAdds the Ubisoft detection meter to Skyrim. |
 Quick Loot REAdds the Fallout 4 quickloot menu to Skyrim. |
FAQ
Q: Why isn't this or that mod in the guide?
A: Probably because it hasn't been ported to SE yet. If a mod has been ported to SE and isn't on this list, tell me on the general or send me a message (see contact page) and i'll see about adding it.
Q: Will you be adding more to these guides?
A: Of course! We'll try to keep all the guides up to date and will notify everyone if something has changed or has been added on. We also accept submissions if the mod is good enough!
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Q:Where is that tutorial on how to convert mods you said would be at the end of the page?
A: Here:
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PS: I removed my old guide as new tools have come out that make porting mods easier, instead I'll link to the YASHed Guide tutorial on how to port mods
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minor update: Well fuck, YASHed Guide went down for update and hasn't come back yet, changed the tutorial for now to Langeston Guide for Dummies
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HUGE FUCKING NOTE: CONVERT THE MODS FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL USE, DO NOT CONVERT THEM AND UPLOAD THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE WITHOUT THE ORIGINAL MODDER'S PERMISSION, THAT'S MOD THEFT, WHICH IS BAD HMMKAY?
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Q: Can I make Sexlab mods work using this tutorial?
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A: Yes, yes you can.
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