Important Information to those that playing a MODDED Skyrim Special Edition !

[TheSwede]

As most of you probably know Bethesda is soon adding a new installment of Skyrim, the Anniversary Edition, which is due to be released on the 11th November, 2021. (Source: The Elder Scrolls wiki)

One thing that most might not be aware of though is that it wont be a free standing game, but as a PATCH to the existing Special Edition installations ! And this is the reason you have to be aware of this:

The reason for this is that as part of the AE update, Bethesda has decided to update the compiler used to build the 64-bit version of Skyrim from Visual Studio 2015 to Visual Studio 2019. This changes the way that the code is generated in a way that forces mod developers to start from scratch finding functions and writing hooks.

Source: [PC SSE] An important PSA regarding Skyrim: Anniversary Edition, SKSE, and other native code mods by one of the SKSE Developer

So basically, once this patch comes out there going to be a lot of mods that wont be working all of sudden, especially older mods whos mod author might have moved on and not around any longer to update their mods. Hence do the following as suggested by both Gopher in the video below and from the reddit article:

Files to back up to be probably safe:

• SkyrimSE.exe
  

Files to back up to be 99% safe:

• SkyrimSE.exe
  
  
• Data/Skyrim.esm
  
  
• Data/Update.esm
  
  
• Data/Skyrim - Interface.bsa
  
  
• Data/Skyrim - Misc.bsa
  
  
• Data/Skyrim - Patch.bsa
  

Files to back up to be 100% safe: your entire folder. I cannot fully predict what they will change.

TLDR edit: Scary things incoming if you use SKSE plugins. Change Skyrim SE's update settings in Steam to only update when launched. Never launch Skyrim SE via Steam, only via your mod manager or skse64_loader.

Here is also a video from Gopher about it all:

Reason I post a separate thread about this is it might not be noticed in the Skyrim Mod thread so I hope the Moderators are alright with this.

 

[Mint8]

Whilst I dont necessarily disagree with you - and there doesnt seem to be a store listing for the AE - people (and news sites) still seem to be suggesting it is a standalone release - not a patch for the SE version.

 

[Malevolence]

And if you have already played it, you're not being left out, as the Anniversary Edition will be available as an upgrade for the Special Edition as well.

https://www.pcgamer.com/skyrim-is-g...nd-a-new-anniversary-edition-later-this-year/

 

[KompuKare]

This kind of thing is why I'm tempted to get all the TES games on GOG as they become on offer.

Currently only really able to play Morrowind and Oblivion due to being stuck with my 1GB Radeon 260X, once I have a mod set working (mostly via Wabbajack) with a DRM free GOG version I could backup the whole thing.

Eventually SKSE will get upgraded and most mods should be fine after that but that could be months away.

 

[Blackjack Davy]

Its SKSE that will be broken and anything that relies on that (scripts) won't work until its updated. Skse plugins (.dll mods) are more serious and until new address libraries are compiled then things will remain broken for longer and devs say there will be pre-AE and post-AE versions. Some will never be updated.

Regular non-skse mods ought to work fine as per normal.

ENB is unclear at this point.

 

[I kill Bunnies]

Is this new version of Skyrim going to look considerably better than the original SE version?

 

[TheSwede]

Whilst I dont necessarily disagree with you - and there doesnt seem to be a store listing for the AE - people (and news sites) still seem to be suggesting it is a standalone release - not a patch for the SE version.

Considering the author to the post over at reddit is one of the SKSE developers I think I rely more to what they have to say then news sites. And as Blackjack Davy mentioned two posts above this, it is the SKSE plugins that will be broken due to the new way Bethesda is making the Anniversary Edition. Normal mods shouldn't be affected from what I understand. GamerPoets just confirmed as well during his stream that AE wont be a new game but a patch for SE.

Is this new version of Skyrim going to look considerably better than the original SE version?

Well, it's still Bethesda so I doubt it going to look better without mods

 

[I kill Bunnies]

Looks like the cheeky sods are charging £15.99 if you own SE and around £45 if not. Unless it's a hell of an upgrade on the best modded SE then I don't think I will fork out for this.

 

[loftie]

Looks like the cheeky sods are charging £15.99 if you own SE and around £45 if not. Unless it's a hell of an upgrade on the best modded SE then I don't think I will fork out for this.

Afaik, all the purchase adds is the creation club content (some of which you get anyway), and SE gets the rest of the update too.

 

[TheSwede]

Looks like the cheeky sods are charging £15.99 if you own SE and around £45 if not. Unless it's a hell of an upgrade on the best modded SE then I don't think I will fork out for this.

Afaik, all the purchase adds is the creation club content (some of which you get anyway), and SE gets the rest of the update too.

From what articles says, anyone with SSE will be getting these:

...four free creations that will also be available to Special Editions owners, including Saints and Seducers, Rare Curios, Survival Mode, and Fishing.

If you do not have SSE then you be getting the above and the below content. If you already have SEE you can buy the upgrade which would give you the below content.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition will be released on November 11, 2021, and it includes all previously-released Creation Club content, new creations like Ghosts of the Tribunal and The Cause

Source: IGN The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition and New Creations Detailed

Also, found this article from reddit if anyone want to be absolute sure to protect their SSE folder, although have not tired it myself !

So, I decided to fiddle around with my Mod Organizer and Skyrim folders to see if I could circumvent the update entirely.

It was a success! All you need to do is rename your Skyrim Special Edition folder! Steam stops recognizing the game entirely once the name is changed, and will let you "reinstall" SSE. Doing so will just give you a new 'Skyrim Special Edition' folder and thus a second copy of the game, meaning you'll be able to play your own modded game or the Anniversary Edition at your leisure.

To do this, just go to your "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition" folder and rename "Skyrim Special Edition" to whatever you'd like! I simply made it "Skyrim Special Edition (Pre-Anniversary)".

You will need to remap the file paths in Mod Organizer, including the "Start In" folder, otherwise you won't be able to launch anything from MO. Any external programs you have like SSEEdit or DynDOLOD should be checked accordingly.

 

[loftie]

From what articles says, anyone with SSE will be getting these:



If you do not have SSE then you be getting the above and the below content. If you already have SEE you can buy the upgrade which would give you the below content.



Source: IGN The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition and New Creations Detailed

Also, found this article from reddit if anyone want to be absolute sure to protect their SSE folder, although have not tired it myself !

Ta! Noticed a 4GB patch this evening so renamed it.

 

[shamus21]

Looks like the cheeky sods are charging £15.99 if you own SE and around £45 if not. Unless it's a hell of an upgrade on the best modded SE then I don't think I will fork out for this.

Yes lets see if we can milk gamers for more money from what is a very old game now. It`s about time they got of their lazy backsides and get Elder Scrolls VI finished

 

[Iron Man]

I played a heavily modded VR run of Skyrim so hopefully my play through is not destroyed.

 

[Kelt]

And still no ultrawide support, after the umpteenth re-release.

Todd needs to do the walk of shame.

 

[Rezident]

Will be replaying this. Have not played it in 5 years or so, excited to go back. What mods will I need?

 

[loftie]

Can't help with your question Rezident, but you've reminded me to post this

https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/this-mod...sary-edition-to-special-edition-version-1597/

YMMV.

 

[TheSwede]

Will be replaying this. Have not played it in 5 years or so, excited to go back. What mods will I need?

That can be a very long list. Although if you update Skyrim to the Anniversary Edition then you might not be able to use all the bigger mods, since most have not yet been updated to the AE version. Best would be if you go to your Steam page and make sure it set for *Only update this game when I launch it* in the properties setting under Updates. That way you still have the Special Edition and can go mod galore if you so wish. If on the other hand you already are on the AE version and want to downgrade, then as loftie said, there is a mod for it.

Unoffical Skyrim Special Edition Downgrade Patcher over at Nexus will revert it back, and I have used it so can confirm that it does work.

Now, depending if you want to pick your own mods or follow a mod guide, well that's up to you. If modding it yourself these mods are more or less essential and they are all for SE version, but first, you need to decide if you want to use Mod Orginizer 2 or Nexus own mod manager, Vortex (personally I am using Mod Organizer as I'm finding it a bit easier but it is a personal opinion once again):

SSEEdit - This is described as a advanced graphical module viewer/editor and conflict detector. It's needed to clean the official DLC's since if you moddig the game extensively there might be conflicting issues otherwise.
Unoffical Skyrim Special Edition - Fixes a lot of bugs that Bethesda never bothered fixing themself. Do not update it though, since the updated version only works on AE. Version I linked to is for SE.
SKSE - Without it many mods wont work. Pick Current SE Build 2.0.20 (runtime 1.5.97)
LOOT - Load Order Optimisation Tool - Helps to make sure mods are in right order, and sometimes points out if you missing something too.
SSE Engine Fixes (skse64 plugin) - Needed for many other mods to be working.
Address Library for SKSE Plugin - Same as above
Papyrusutil SE - Modders Scriptiong Utility Functions - Another mod that is needed for other mods to function
SkyUI Interface Mod - For me absolutely necessary as the original UI is awful in my opinion ! (and if you search Nexus you can find different face lifts of it all depending how you want it to look)

I could go on but since it is down to personal reference I would suggest you browse through Nexus, although if you want a mod list, there is these.

Lexy's Legacy of the Dragonborn: Special Edition - The list is maintained and constantly updated from what it says but the guide is designed for more experienced modders but you can have a look through it and see if it is for you.

Then you have something called Wabbajack, which is a Automated Modlist Installer although you still have to do some work but other have put together a modded game and in what order, but it is mores streamlined then Lexy's Legacy which you have to do all the work yourself. If you want to see what Wabbajack has to offer for Special Edition, click here then use the drop down menu and pick Skyrim Special Edition.

Here is two youtube guide collections from GamerPoet which might give a better insight into as what to do to get a stable modded Skyrim then what I can explain. He also explain why most of the above utilities are needed when modding Skyrim.

Modding Skyrim: Start to Finish

How to mod Skyrim SE

Hopefully the above will set you of in the right direction and not scare you off !

 

[Rezident]

Wow thank you for that. I got the full AE version so even SKSE does not work with it yet. I just fired it up for a quick look on a break from work yesterday afternoon. Player models are dated but even without mods the scenery and gameworld are still impressive. Couldn't help exploring a little...and then it was nearly 2am and I have work in the morning

Like finding better armour, weapons and a golden claw. So good to be back. Can't wait to see what it's like when I eventually get Mods working! Starting with the carry capacity one This is exciting

 

[TheSwede]

Wow thank you for that. I got the full AE version so even SKSE does not work with it yet.

Actually, SKSE does work with the AE version. Just pick the Preliminary AE build 2.1.2 (runtime 1.6.318) and you be good there, there is several different SKSE builds on the silverlock website, so just make sure to pick the right one. It's just that quiet a few mods have not yet been updated to work with the new AE version, i.e. SKSE and USSEP, although both the SKSE and the Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch if you picking the latest version, does work. The one I linked to above is for the SE version and hidden, hence a direct link to the download incase you wanted to downgrade.

Since I don't have the AE version I can't guarantee this but I think most Texture mods and building mods should not be a problem to use with AE. Just read the mods description and see if the mod author mention anything about it.

Good luck and have fun !

 

[Rezident]

I did try that first. SKSE site says:

Current SE build 2.0.20 (runtime 1.5.97): 7z archive

This is a preliminary build of SKSE64 with support for Skyrim SE 1.6.318, aka the Anniversary Edition.

But when I try and launch skse64_loader it says

You are using a newer version of Skyrim that this version of SKSE64 supports.

But it is definitely v. 1.6.318 (AE). I had hundreds of mods years ago but this is a clean install of AE. Not working with AE now though. I've watched the videos etc. not sure why it is not working. Might just have to downgrade.