The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - MODS & TWEAKS

[Paul_cz]

Yeah I am not using it, I disliked it from the pictures I have seen of it . Changes the art direction way too much for my taste.

 

[yashiro]

I prefer the bottom set of shots. Both sets are un-natural in many ways but it's great to be a PC owner and have this flexibility.

 

[Mr Krugga]

So basically most of them. I just go for the main mods - things like "Realistic paper" have too little impact on gameplay. Plus, the more mods installed, the greater the risk of instability and it takes much longer to track down the problem.

Currently downloading the Skyrim HD update.

Texture mods won't cause instabilities. (like 99% of the time)

Best shader mod is still ENB http://enbdev.com/download_en.htm

It doesn't just change the colours like the other shader mods do. Rather than simply adding or changing Skyrim's post effects, it completely replaces it. You now get better shaders (especially for skin), some sweet sky effects and a sort of fog that increases the sense of depth wherever you go (just like how artists use lighter colours and less contrast in the mid and far ground).

The most noticeable change though is colour. This one brings out the colours of all the textures. It's quite glaring at first because it makes the game much more colourful, but in reality it's more realistic and the game becomes more interesting to look at.

ENB is still largely in beta and they are way better shader mods out there (that implement ENB mod nonetheless):

SKYRIM ENHANCED SHADERS
iCCC ENB


BTW, I've just realised Serious HD Retexture Landscape Skyrim looks terrible in game.

Just compare these images:

BEFORE:



AFTER:



BEFORE:



AFTER:

 

[Pighardia]

Texture mods won't cause instabilities. (like 99% of the time)

This really should be in big, bold letters in the OP tbh Loads of people saying they aren't using textures because they do not want to ruin the game.

BTW, I've just realised Serious HD Retexture Landscape Skyrim looks terrible in game.

I think it looks brilliant, i really notice a positive difference.

 

[Paul_cz]

AAARGH, my EYES! GET THAT OUT!

 

[Mr Krugga]

AAARGH, my EYES! GET THAT OUT!

What is wrong with your eyes, want me to recommend you an optician?

I think it looks brilliant, i really notice a positive difference.

Just look at the screenshots comparison above, see how the distant textures look like.


Also, Tytanis - The Ultimate Mod makes crafting way too easy at higher levels, it amuses me especially that people download this mod despite having complained about smithing being OP.

 

[Pighardia]

Just look at the screenshots comparison above, see how the distant textures look like.

I do see it looks terrible in your screenshots, but i do not see it in game, maybe i just don't notice it. Screenshots really do not do this game justice.


btw, that combat mod doesn't work for me, not too bothered as i only wanted it so that backstab had 100% chance of a finishing move.

 

[Mark A]

Got to agree on that Serious HD Retexture Landscape Skyrim mod. I haven't even tried it as a lot of the comments were saying it looked bad in game. Looks like they don't blend in very well and you can notice the texture repetitions.

It's a shame as they looked awesome in the close-up side by side comparisons on skyrimnexus.

 

[Mr Krugga]

I do see it looks terrible in your screenshots, but i do not see it in game, maybe i just don't notice it. Screenshots really do not do this game justice.


btw, that combat mod doesn't work for me, not too bothered as i only wanted it so that backstab had 100% chance of a finishing move.

These are NOT my screenshots.

These are official screenshots from the latest version of the mod taken by its Author.

Check them out in the mod's thread.

The screenshots are supposed to show the difference between vanilla ground textures and the modded ones, that's exactly what they do and you can clearly see the mod fails at mid to far distance.

 

[Mr Krugga]

STEP has a pretty comprehensive list of what works and what doesn't in the game. I've hardly ever disagreed on any of his suggestions and he updates his mod list daily.

Other landscape mods to compare are:

2K HD Textures (good overall textures, some ground textures need replacement, brilliant alternative mountains)
http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=679 (mainly snow textures)
Landscape Texture Pack (great textures but somehow suffer from the same issue as Serious Retexture mod - they don't blend well)

 

[Inazuma]

@Mr_Krugga
I've literally spent hours testing out the different shader "enhancements" and even tweaking the various settings of them. All the ones on nexus simply change the levels (ie the contrast of light and dark), change the colours a bit and use a post-sharpening effect, which I dislike because it makes the text jagged and brings out the alias if you haven't got AA enabled. ENB 0.099 actually changes the shaders completely and the game no longer has this ridged feel to it. Note ENB 0.099 is a lot different to the previous versions, which had generally only served to make the game more stable rather than change the look.

 

[Fanatic]

ENB made everything look shiny and wet and killed my FPS.

 

[DisrupTor75]

Your textures look terrible, you must not be using SKYRIM HD Mod

+1

On a different note. Anyone that hasnt yet got the Midas Magic mod on nexus and tried out some of the spells do so. Especially Midas Force. As ill demonstrate here

And mod is here.

http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3413

It's still in alpha and, as you can see, The force is a teeny bit OP but he's going to tweak them and make them quest related / rewards which would be better.

 

[Mr Krugga]

I don't see the point of an overpowered mod adding spells that would replace the awesomeness of shouts.

 

[malthus]

yer that force is a bit too op think i will just stick to the texture and graphics mods

 

[Neil79]

If there are any mods that people wanted added to op i'll do so

But they must be tested, worthwhile and have good feedback from others

 

[Evilsod]

It's still in alpha and, as you can see, The force is a teeny bit OP but he's going to tweak them and make them quest related / rewards which would be better.

I thought Midas Magic was always the very definition of OP. If I recall it was in Oblivion too, see no reason it won't be here either. Though Conjure Pickaxe would be very useful ><

 

[Mr Krugga]

CBBE - way better than Nude Females IMO.

ThuuMic - sounds like enormous fun, haven't tested it myself yet

Also remove all Xenius' mods since there is a compilation out already.

Better Landscape Textures - snow textures better than the ones in the OP.

Get rid of Serious HD Retexture Landscape Skyrim, they're not worth it at the moment. Or just leave it as an option but see screenshots above for comparison.

You need to sort out installing order too, otherwise mods will overwrite each other in a bad way.

I also consider Arrowsmith (crafting arrows) and Lost Art of Blacksmith (not OP) essential if you're into crafting. More Craftables and Vals Crafting Meltdown might also take your fancy.

Skyrim Compass Tuner is a must if you want to fix the immersion breaking features of the default compass.

Silly Level of Details - Potions and Poisons is a great little enhancer for the roleplaying thieves and assassins.

Whiterun HTQP - the best city mod to date.

And a number of others that I can't be bothered to list.

Check the STEP's list of recommended mods (section 4 of the guide) and TOP 100 of the mods on Skyrim Nexus.

I'm still put off by the way that Nexus Mod Manager works, it doesn't allow you for easy customisation therefore anyone with a number of mods should consider installing them manually.

 

[Neil79]

Cheers Krugga!

HD Skyrim Textures is top notch, so doubtful i'll remove that but i'll add yours as a second option

 

[Mr Krugga]

Cheers Krugga!

HD Skyrim Textures is top notch, so doubtful i'll remove that but i'll add yours as a second option

I just use a mix of Skyrim HD - 2K Textures and snow textures from Better Landscapes.

I only complained about this mod - Serious HD Retexture Landscape Skyrim - not blending well into environment - see my previous post with screenshots.

I think you confused the two.