SkyrimSE:2.0.0/changelog

< All SkyrimSE changelogs | SkyrimSE:2.0.0 Guide

WARNING

This guide is not current! It may contain information that is incorrect or not in line with the current state of the game!
View the current changelog instead

Post-Release Changes

Any changes made to the current version of the live guide.

Cleaning Vanilla Master Plugins

Revised these complex instructions to hopefully be clearer.

BethINI Setup

Added sun size tweaks to reduce the sun size for optimization for use with ENB.

Post-Processing Config

Added instructions to disable lens flare and SSAO and to decrease sun size if ENB is used. Also added a note to the BethINI setup Display section about this.

Performance Tuning

Added instruction to set EnableTearing=true in SSE Display Tweaks config in order to unlimit FPS properly for all.

LOD Generation

Updated xLODGen terrain LOD instructions to increase resolution for LOD32 to 2048.
Updated xLODGen terrain LOD instructions for A Clear Map of Skyrim and Other Worlds update to use ACMOS Road Generator tool on the output.

Mod-Level Changes

Updated Aspens Ablaze Add-On - DynDOLOD 3 mod instructions | We are now recommending the Performance LOD models.
Updated DROPS mod instructions to hide some meshes in favor of meshes from Particle Patch. See the explanation for details.
Moved Skyrim Landscape and Water Fixes to 04-Foundation due to revelations learned from this post.
Created DynDOLOD 3 Alpha mod page and moved version-specific instructions from DynDOLOD SE
Updated Cathedral Weathers and Seasons mod instructions (the update file is really only necessary for those using ENB).
Updated Static Mesh Improvement Mod Improvement Mod mod instructions
Updated Particle Patch mod instructions
Updated Embers XD mod instructions
Updated Waterbreathing Breathless Emerge SSE mod instructions
Updated A Clear Map of Skyrim and Other Worlds mod instructions
Updated Fixed Mesh Lighting mod instructions
Updated Skyrim Landscape and Water Fixes mod instructions to hide meshes\landscape\ice\icepilem02.nif
Updated RUSTIC ANIMATED POTIONS and POISONS mod instructions to hide meshes.
Updated Armor and Clothing Extension mod instructions for v2.0+

What's New

Optional ENBSeries Support

The SkyrimSE Guide is the first Step Guide that officially supports ENBSeries. ENBSeries is an optional component of the Guide and with its support come a few new features:

A new ENB flag on the mod tables indicated by a blue vertical bar to the left of a mod listing indicating mods that include ENB instructions
A new '21-Post-Processing' ModGroup added listing mods that support and enhance ENBSeries
Three custom ENBseries preset with various performance options made specifically for this build

DynDOLOD 3 Support

Step has been working closely with sheson to establish evidence-based LODGen instructions, including new support for DynDOLOD 3.

Improved Guide Workflow

The workflow of mod-build guides has been revised to both reduce page length of guide pages and to facilitate simper updating from version to version. A great deal of consideration was given to the user experience. Step's updated mod-build guides require much less off-guide navigation, because mod installation instructions now make use of collapsible elements within the 'ModGroup' tables themselves.

New 'ModGroup' Tables

Mods are grouped together based on standardized, logical categories called 'ModGroups' that maximize differentiation while minimizing conflicts. These ModGroups are the same across all game-specific mod-build guides. This improves mod list organization while also reducing the need to hide individual mod assets; thus, improving workflow and reducing the potential for user error from missed steps.

Table Flags Updated

The flags (colored vertical bars) found at the front of a mod listing have been updated to use Step's color flow. Going forward, a red vertical bar indicates that the mod is required by the Step Patch - Conflict Resolution, a yellow bar indicates that the mod is required by the Step L&W Patch, and a blue bar indicates the mod supports or otherwise relates to ENBSeries.

Guide-Level Changes

The below changes have happened between v1.0.0 and v2.0.0.

LOD Generation

Updated xLODGen settings to clean up most the z-fighting (flickering) along the banks and shores in the distance
DynDOLOD 3 has been adopted, and corresponding instructions have been updated.
TexGen 3 settings instructions updated corresponding to best practice
Grass LOD has been introduced as an optional component supported by DynDOLOD 3.

Miscellaneous

The additional following changes were made:

A general review and further cleanup of the Guide has been completed (formatting, grammar, clarifications, etc.)
With the additional features, the Recommended System Requirement for CPU has been updated to support the need of a slightly more powerful processor.
Likewise, the Minimum System Requirement for CPU has been updated to support a slightly more modern generation of processors.
Reworked instructions for cleaning the vanilla master files to include the Creation Club addons.
BethINI instructions updated to reflect latest-known optimizations for performance/quality ratio
Added a Game Launch Test section after 02-Extenders to verify that the user has so far installed everything correctly.
Added a Mod List Cleanup & Performance Check section after 20-Patches to allow users to verify their performance before deciding to install Lighting/ENB/LOD options.
Added new guidance in Introduction and Step 4 for optional ModGroup installation and moved Step Patches description from Step 3 to Step 4

Mod-Level Changes

Legend

Added | new mod added (add these mods)
Moved | mod was moved to a new ModGroup (move these mods)
Updated | mod instructions updated
Incorporated | mod is included in the Step Patch - Conflict Resolution (remove these mods)
Dropped / Replaced | mod was removed (remove these mods)

01-Tools

Tool Installation section and associated content has been relocated to the System Setup Guide.: Once two Guides were set up and running, we saw that this information was essentially being duplicated. Part of the v3.0 release was to streamline this type of information, therefore, removing it from the Guides and placing it on the Setup Guide was a decision to continue the v3.0 streamlining. The Guides now only include Tool Setup because the setup steps will differ from game to game.

xEdit Output mod from the Beta version has been reintroduced.: This is to capture and support xEdit Cache files, as well as, plugin backups. This change affects the MO Profile Setup and Tool Setup instructions.

BethINI setup at the beginning of the Guide has been reworked to be a visual installation.: This is easier to follow and condenses all required changes. Simply match the screenshots provided! Several settings have been tweaked, so be sure to revisit this section.

02-Extenders

Added

Dropped

Scaleform Translation++ | The mod that required this (Whose Quest Is It Anyway) is incompatible with the latest 1.6.x runtime, so this mod is no longer required.
.NET Script Framework | Not compatible with the latest 1.6.x runtime.

03-Resources

Added

Grass Cache Fixes
MCM Helper
Spell Perk Item Distributor
xLODGen Resource - SSE Terrain Tamriel | Created mod page and added to guide. This was previously acquired from the forum thread via instructions in the Step guide. Those instructions were modified accordingly.

Moved

PapyrusUtil SE | Reclassified and moved to 02-Extenders
SkyUI | Reclassified and moved to 16-Interface

04-Foundation

Added

Assorted Mesh Fixes
DynDOLOD Resources SE 3
Enhanced Lights and FX | Meshes only
ELFX Fixes | Meshes only
ELFX - Exteriors Fixes
Flickering Meshes Fix
Mesh Patch for Various Mods | This is installed in separate pieces 04-Foundation (final postion(s) TBD)
Static Mesh Improvement Mod - SMIM - Quality_Addon
Static Mesh Improvement Mod Improvement Mod

Dropped

DynDOLOD Resources SE | This was dropped to migrate to DynDOLOD v3

Updated

Majestic Mountains | Updated instructions to install the DynDOLOD v3 Pack and merge it
Skyrim Realistic Overhaul | Updated instructions to hide a texture file

05-Animation and Physics

Updated

Realistic Boat Bobbing SE | Updated for latest version of the mod.
Run Sprint and Jump SE | The mod was renamed. Previous name was Smooth Running Animations.
XP32 Maximum Skeleton SE | Added a "safe-for-work" download link.

06-Models and Textures

Added

Dropped / Replaced

Embers HD | Replaced by Embers XD
Gold Septim - Coins Retex | Dropped. Textures aren't a good fit for Guide.
Greatsword Sheaths and Scabbards Redux SE | Only 7 files remained from this mod; therefore, it has been dropped
Inferno - Fire Effects Redux | Replaced by Embers XD
New Thinner Torch | Replaced by Embers XD
Ren's HD Shrines | Replaced by Enhanced Vanilla Textures - Shrines
RUSTIC NORDIC MURALS | 100% redundant with RUSTIC RELIEFS
Ultimate HD Torch | Replaced by Embers XD

Updated

AMidianBorn Book of Silence | Removed Creatures file from the instructions as it's now fully covered by other mods.
Bellyaches Animal and Creature Pack | Re-added Deer to the installation since MM Elks never made the official release.
Dark Brotherhood Tenets Restored | The mod download link erroneously pointed to the wrong mod. It now points to the intended mod.
Dragonbone Mastery | Updated instructions to better fit with Better Shaped Weapons.
Enhanced Vanilla Trees SE | Updated instructions to reflect the new version on Nexus, which has fixed/improved LOD models.
ETHEREAL CLOUDS | Removed instructions (all users should install this mod)
Frankly HD Dragonbone and Dragonscale | Moved to sort alphabetically in ModGroup.
Realistic Water Two SE | Updated instructions for latest version.

07-Sounds and Music

Added

Guard Dialogue Overhaul - UHDAP Patch

08-Character Appearance

Added

Lore Corrected Races

Updated

Lucien Lachance AE | The mod was renamed. Previous name was Immersive Spectral Assassin.
Tempered Skins for Females | Added a "safe-for-work" download link. Installer is still NSFW.
Tempered Skins for Males | Added a "safe-for-work" download link. Installer is still NSFW.

09-Fixes

Added

Updated

Skyrim Landscape and Water Fixes | Updated for latest version of mod; now installing additional patches.

Moved

SSE Engine Fixes | Reclassified and moved to 02-Extenders

Dropped / Replaced

1st Person Candlelight Fix | Replaced by Battle-Ready Candlelight Fixes.
Bug Fixes SSE | Not compatible with the latest 1.6.x runtime.
Enchantment Reload Fix SE | Not compatible with the latest 1.6.x runtime.
Modern Brawl Bug Fix | Included in Vokrii - Minimalistic Perks of Skyrim.
NPC AI Process Position Fix - SSE | Not compatible with the latest 1.6.x runtime.
Stay At The System Page | Not compatible with the latest 1.6.x runtime.
Skyrim Skill Uncapper | Not compatible with the latest 1.6.x runtime.

10-Gameplay-General

Updated

Complete Alchemy and Cooking Overhaul | Updated installation instructions.

11-Gameplay-AI and Combat

Added

Simple Offence Suppression

Updated

Faction Fixes SE | Updated installation instructions.

12-Gameplay-Economy

Moved

Weapons Armor Clothing and Clutter Fixes | Relocated to 10-Gameplay-General for better categorization.

13-Gameplay-Immersion

Added

Dropped / Replaced

Convenient Horses | Replaced by Simplest Horses.
Relationship Dialogue Overhaul - RDO SE | Replaced by Relationship Dialogue Overhaul Lite.

14-Gameplay-Quests

Updated

Alternate Start - Live Another Life - SSE | Page relinked to AFK Mods page since the Nexus link doesn't receive the latest updates.
The Paarthurnax Dilemma | Page relinked to AFK Mods page since the Nexus link doesn't receive the latest updates.

15-Gameplay-Skills and Perks

Added

Dropped / Replaced

Smithing Perks Overhaul SE | Replaced by Odin - Skyrim Magic Overhaul

16-Interface

Added

Updated

Font Overhaul | Updated for latest version of the mod

Dropped

Whose Quest Is It Anyway | Not compatible with the latest 1.6.x runtime.

17-Locations

Added

Snowy Landscapes in Snowy Regions

Updated

Cutting Room Floor - SSE | Page relinked to AFK Mods page since the Nexus link doesn't receive the latest updates.
Farmhouse Chimneys SE | Updated instructions to latest version of the mod.

Dropped / Replaced

Snowy Roads for Snowy Regions | Replaced by Snowy Landscapes in Snowy Regions.

18-Lighting and Weather

Added

Updated

Relighting Skyrim - SSE | added instructions for ENB users

19-Utilities

Added

Nemesis Unlimited Behavior Engine

Dropped / Replaced

Fores New Idles in Skyrim SE | Replaced by Nemesis Unlimited Behavior Engine.

20-Patches

Added

Dropped

Useless Patches Collection | Necessary edits incorporated into Step Patches.
Realistic Water Two SE Patch Hub | Dropped. Patch is no longer required.

Updated

Kryptopyrs Patch Hub | Updated mod instructions
Step Patch - Conflict Resolution | Renamed for consistency. Also incorporated the following:
- General conflict resolution completed for mod updates.
- Included pregenerated grass cache files.
- Included custom DynDOLOD rules.
Step Patch - Lighting and Weather | Renamed for consistency. Also incorporated the following:
- Fixed white lights from Lanterns of Skyrim.

21-Post-Processing

Added