Skyrim Roleplay Enhancement Mod Guide for Special Edition

First Steps

Created and maintained by DrPharmDawg

Last Update: 22:12:46 15 May 2024 (GMT)

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SkyRem Home: Information about the SkyRem Guide.
Preparation: Start here to ensure proper installation, settings, and Tools are setup.
How Tos: Reference guides for utilizing tools.
Core Guide: This section focuses on Stability, Performance, Mechanics, and Content mods.
Extended Guide: This section contains optional mods that build on the core of SkyRem.
Visuals Guide: This section focuses on Aesthetic mods.
Final Steps: The final steps to complete, including in-game MCM Setup prior to starting your journey.
Discord: Discord Channel for all things SkyRem (Guide and Mods).
Patreon: Support SkyRem development via Patreon.
PayPal: Support with a one-time donation via PayPal.
Trello: See guide development progress on Trello.

START FRESH

Installation

The guide will begin with the assumption of a freshly installed, never modified Skyrim Special Edition.

It is always a good practice to start with a Clean Setup when starting or restarting any guide. Sometimes this is the only way to ensure there are no left over remnants from a previous modding experience gone awry. Unintended changes can happen to your base game files, no matter what you do to keep them untouched. If ever in doubt, start from scratch by removing, re-downloading, and re-installing. While this is a hassle to say the least, the last step in the First Steps section will be in anticipation of returning here at some point to start over.

Make sure Steam is not in your Program Files directory. If it is, move it. This can cause unexpected effects in the modding process. With a fresh install, create your INI files, turn off the Steam Overlay, and disable Automatic Updates in Steam as follows:

1. [Launch] Skyrim through Steam to complete setup of INI files.
2. [Exit] the Skyrim Launcher, but keep Steam open.
3. Click [Steam] and [Settings] in the tool bar.
4. Select the [In-Game] tab and untick the [Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game].
5. Right-click [Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition] and select [Properties].
6. Navigate to the [Updates] tab, and under [Automatic Updates], change the drop-down to [Only update this game when I launch it].
7. [Exit] Steam.

Creation Kit

For the purpose of this guide, the CK will be needed to properly convert mods from LE to SE. The CK can also be used to modify plugins, or create new mods from scratch. We will not be using it for these functions (therefore not covered in the SkyRem Guide). If you do not have the CK, or if you are starting with a fresh install:

1. Download and install Bethesda.net Launcher.
2. [Launch] Bethesda.net and [Click] the CK icon on the side bar.
3. [Launch] the CK - when asked to Extract scripts, click [YES]. This may take a few minutes.
4. Navigate to the Skyrim Folder - you should see the CreationKit.exe now. Create a new Text file and name it CreationKitCustom.ini.
5. Copy and paste the lines in the following box into the file, save, and exit.

[General]
bAllowMultipleMasterFiles=1
bAllowMultipleMasterLoads=1

[MESSAGES]
bBlockMessageBoxes=1

SSE CreationKit Fixes

Author: Nukem
Version: 2.1
TOOL

MAIN FILE: CK64Fixes Release 2.1

About: Various patches and bug fixes for the Creation Kit to make life easier.

Install: Manually download and extract the file into the Skyrim folder.

Folder Structure

Currently, you have a Steam folder that contains Steam and Skyrim SE. In preparation for the next few steps, complete the following to finish your folder structure.

1. Navigate to the folder in which your Steam folder is located.
2. Create three new folders and name them Tools, Mod Organizer 2, and Backup.

You should have a folder (root) that looks something like this:

This PC > Game (E:)
  Mod Organizer 2
  Steam
  Tools

TOOLS

LOOT

Author: WrinklyRobot
Version: v0.14.5
TOOL

MAIN FILE: LOOT.Installer.exe

About: Load Order Optimization Tool.

Install: Manually download and run the installer. Install to the Tools folder.

SSEEdit

Author: ElminsterAU and the xEdit team
Version: 4.0.2
TOOL

MAIN FILE: SSEEdit 4_0_2

About: SSEEdit is the Skyrim: Special Edition version of xEdit. xEdit is an advanced graphical module viewer/editor and conflict detector.

Install: Manually download and extract the file into the Tools folder under SSEEdit.

MXPF - Mator's xEdit Patching Framework

Author: Mator
Version: 1.1.0
TOOL

MAIN FILE: MXPF-a

About: This is an API framework for xEdit scripts for creating patches. MXPF offers a high performance solution that greatly simplifies creating xEdit scripts for patch generation. Even if you've never programmed before, you'll find the MXPF framework is easy to learn to and use.

Install: Manually download and extract the file into the SSEEdit folder in your Tools folder.

Wrye Bash

Author: Wrye Bash Team
Version: 307.beta3
TOOL

MAIN FILE: Wrye Bash 307 Beta3 - Standalone Executable

About: Wrye Bash is a multipurpose mod management and mod installation utility.

Install: Manually download and extract the file into the Tools folder under Wrye Bash.

Mator Smash

Author: Mator
Version: 1.0.2
TOOL

MAIN FILE: Mator Smash Hotfix 2

About: Mator 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.

Install: Manually download and extract the file into the Tools folder under Mator Smash.

Cathedral Assets Optimizer

Author: G_k
Version: 4.2.6
TOOL

MAIN FILE: Cathedral Assets Optimizer

About: An automation tool used to optimize BSAs, meshes, textures and animations. It allows quickly porting an Oldrim mod to Skyrim Special Edition..

Install: Manually download and extract the file into the Tools folder under Asset Optimizer.

zEdit

Author: matortheeternal
Version: v0.6.4
TOOL

MAIN FILE: zEdit_v0.6.4_-_Portable_x64.7z

About: Tool that will be used for merging, relinking, and patching.

Install: Manually download and extract the file into the Tools folder under zEdit.

Experience Mod zEdit Patcher

Author: mtreis86
Version: 1.1
TOOL

MAIN FILE: ExperiencePatcher

About: Adds compatibility to Experience so the kills function will work on all NPCs

Install: Manually download and extract the file into the zEdit/Modules folder in your Tools folder.

UPF NPC Enchant Fix Patcher

Author: Hishy
Version: 1.3
TOOL

MAIN FILE: hishyNpcEnchantFix

About: Simply a Unified Patching Framework (UPF) patcher that applies the NPC Enchant effect that ASIS included.

Install: Manually download and extract the file into the zEdit/Modules folder in your Tools folder.

UPF Cell Encounter Level in Name Patcher

Author: Hishy
Version: 2.0
TOOL

MAIN FILE: hishyCellEncounters

About: Simply a Unified Patching Framework(UPF) module that put the encounter zone level in the cell's name.

Install: Manually download and extract the file into the zEdit/Modules folder in your Tools folder.

UPF Khajiit Ears Show Patcher

Author: Hishy
Version: 1.0
TOOL

MAIN FILE: hishy-khajiit-ears-show

About: Simply a Unified Patching Framework(UPF) module that applies the Khajiit Ears Show effect.

Install: Manually download and extract the file into the zEdit/Modules folder in your Tools folder.

UPF No Dragon LODs Patcher

Author: Hishy
Version: 1.0
TOOL

MAIN FILE: hishy-no-dragon-lods

About: Simply a Unified Patching Framework(UPF) module that applies the No Dragon LODs effect.

Install: Manually download and extract the file into the zEdit/Modules folder in your Tools folder.

UPF Opposite Animation Disabler

Author: Hishy
Version: 1.1.1
TOOL

MAIN FILE: oppositeAnimationDisabler

About: A Unified Patching Framework (UPF) patcher that disables the 'Opposite Gender Anim' flag on all affected NPCs

Install: Manually download and extract the file into the zEdit/Modules folder in your Tools folder.

zEdit patchers warehouse

Author: Bystander
Version: 1.0.2
TOOL

MAIN FILE: zedit-potions-weights
MAIN FILE: zedit-spell-absorb-fix
MAIN FILE: zedit-visual-transfer
MAIN FILE: zedit-water-damage

About: A (hopefully) growing collection of zEdit patchers.

Install: Manually download and extract the files into the zEdit/Modules folder in your Tools folder.

MOD ORGANIZER

Mod Organizer 2

Author: Tannin-MO2 Team
Version: 2.2.0
TOOL

MAIN FILE: Mod Organizer 2 (Archive)

About: Mod Organizer (MO) is a tool for managing mod collections of arbitrary size. It is specifically designed for people who like to experiment with mods and thus need an easy and reliable way to install and uninstall them.

Install: Manually download and extract to the Mod Organizer 2 folder. Run MO2, selecting [Portable] when prompted. Choose [Skyrim Special Edition] and [Yes] to allowing MO2 to handle Nexus links.

Setup: Once in MO2, complete the following:
  1. Click the [Configure settings and workarounds] icon (last icon in tool bar; wrench + driver). 
  2. Under [Paths], change the Downloads if you want downloads going to a different drive/folder.
  3. Enter your login information under the [Nexus] and [Steam] tabs and click [OK].
  4. Click the [Configure Profiles] icon (ID Card).
  5. Click [Create] and name the new profile Vanilla.
  6. Create a second profile, naming it SkyRem, and exit the [Configure Profiles] function.
  7. Change the current [Profile] by selecting Vanilla in the adjacent drop-down box. You can now delete the Default profile.

Executables: Setup the tools installed earlier so they can run through MO2 (and utilize MO2s VFS).
  1. Click the [Configure the executables that can be started through Mod Organizer] icon (two gears).
  2. In the title field, enter LOOT.
  3. Point the binary field to the Loot executable file (use the [...]).
  4. Click [Add].
  5. Repeat Steps 2-4 for: Creation Kit, Wrye Bash, Mator Smash, and zEdit.
  6. Repeat Steps 2-4 for the executable SSEEdit64.exe for SSEEdit.
  7. Repeat Steps 2-4 for the executable SSEEditQuickAutoClean.exe for SSEEdit QuickAutoClean, but include -quickautoclean in the Argument field.

Merge Plugins Hide

Author: deorder
Version:
TOOL

MAIN FILE: Merge Plugins Hide

About: Hide / unhide plugins that were merged using Merge Plugins or zMerge

Install: Copy all files except LICENSE and README.md inside your Mod Organizer 2 plugins directory. The plugin will be added to the Tools (icon with puzzle pieces) menu.

SKYRIM SCRIPT EXTENDER

Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE)

Author: Ian Patterson, Stephen Abel, Paul Connelly, and Brendan Borthwick (ianpatt, behippo, scruggsywuggsy the ferret, and purple lunchbox)
Version: 2.0.16
TOOL

MAIN FILE: Current SE build 2.0.16 (runtime 1.5.80)

About: Script Extender for Skyrim SE.

Install: Extract the files and move the following to your Skyrim folder:
  skse64_1_5_73.dll
  skse64_loader.exe
  skse64_steam_loader.dll

Install: Return to the extracted files and Archive the Data folder. Install this as a new mod through MO2 (second icon in the menu bar). Name the mod SKSE Scripts.

CLEANED MASTERS

The following procedure will clean your master files (or other files that require cleaning). This process will be used several times through the modding process. Typically, you will not need to back up anything, but for the purpose of keeping your Skyrim folder as clean (and vanilla) as possible, we will be doing this here.

1. Copy and paste to the desktop the Update.ESM, Dawnguard.ESM, Hearthfire.ESM, and Dragonborn.ESM files in the Skyrim/Data folder (this is temporary).
2. In MO, use the Executables drop-box to select [SSEEdit QuickAutoClean] and and click [Run].
3. Select ONLY the Update.ESM and click [Run].
4. Once you see the message Quick Clean mode finished, you can exit.
5. Restart [SSEEdit QuickAutoClean] and repeat for each of the remaining 3 ESMs above. Complete one at a time.
6. Navigate to the Data folder with the files you just cleaned. Select these 4 files and create an archive.
7. In MO2, click [Install a new mod from an archive] icon (second icon), and open the archive you just created. Name the mod Cleaned Masters.
8. Move the backup files back to your Data folder (overwrite), and delete the archive in the Data folder.

If you open MO2 now, you should see the Cleaned Masters and the SKSE Scripts mods in the left pane. There is one more step to complete as part of the First Steps section: INIs.

INI SETTINGS

BethINI

Author: DoubleYou
Version: 3.2
TOOL

MAIN FILE: BethINI Standalone Version

About: Bethesda's INI configuration files are a mess. BethINI optimizes the game for increased graphical fidelity and performance.

Install: Install in the Tools folder.

Setup: Do NOT run BethINI instide MO (do not setup an executable). MO should be completely closed before running BethINI. Under the first tab (Setup), make sure the correct profile is selected under INI Path. If not, select the one you want to work on and allow BethINI to reload before moving on to the steps below.

  1. Basic: Click [Default].
  2. After the Default settings load, click [Medium].
  3. After the Medium settings load, select BethINI Presets and check the Recommended Tweaks.
  4. Set the remaining tabs up as the pictures below.
  5. Once done, return to the Basic tab and click Save and Exit.

BethINI1.PNG
BethINI2.PNG
BethINI3.PNG
BethINI4.PNG
BethINI5.PNG
BethINI6.PNG
BethINI7.PNG

With the base Skyrim.INI and SkyrimPrefs.INI set, navigate to the Skyrim folder. Create a new file and name it SKSE.INI. Copy and past the following into the new file, save and close.

[Display]
ClearInvalidRegistrations=1

[General]
iTintTextureResolution=2048

BACKUP

To prevent having to restart from scratch [again], this is a good time to create a complete backup of everything up to this point. If something goes wrong, this will be your restore point. Backup the entire /Steam/SteamApps/Common/Skyrim Special Edition/ folder, and place the archive in your Backup folder, naming it Skyrim Vanilla Backup.

Once this is done, it is time to move on to the Core Guide.

User:DrPharmDawg/SkyRem Guide Preparation

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