User:Neovalen/Custom STEP

Template:TOCRight Template:Notice Important: This is my personal configuration based on the currently available STEP with Dawnguard. I am taking the time to share in case anyone is interested in reading. It is designed to work with my Personal Mods so you will want to take a peek!

Prerequisites

• Skyrim v1.7 with fresh ini files
• Official Hi-Res DLC
• Dawnguard DLC
• SKSE 1.05.11
• (Recommended-Advanced Users Only)Optimize Vanilla Textures with DDSOpt v0.8.0Pre3. (Make sure you do NOT run DDSOpt on the .png files in the books folders and transfer those manually)
• (Recommended-Advanced Users Only)Fix and Optimize the Official Hi-Res DLC with DDSOpt v0.8.0Pre3. (Procedure)

Tools Used

• Mod Organizer v0.11.7 (Guide) - Manages, Tracks, and Sorts my mods.
• Wrye Bash v300 Standalone (Guide) - Creates Bash Patches.
• BOSS v2.1.0 (Video) - Orders Mods Properly.
• DDSOpt v0.8.0Pre3 (Settings) - Optimizes textures and extracts BSAs.

Selected ENB

Countervibe ENB

Notes: Also install "Further Dark Dungeons for ENB" Ice version and "Revamped Exterior Fog", links are in the description.

Mod Installation (In Order)

I tend to install in category groups when possible rather than a set order with the following priority:
Base Mods -> Utilities -> World Meshes/Textures -> Effects -> Sound -> UI -> Actor Meshes/Textures -> Animations -> Equipment Meshes/Textures -> Gameplay Changes -> Content
Obviously, these categories are not always exclusive (textures included with meshes, etc). All mods are in LOOSE file format rather than BSA where available.

Base Mods

Unofficial Skyrim Patch v1.2

Notes: None.

Unofficial Dawnguard Patch v1.0

Notes: None.

Texture Pack Combiner v1.7

Notes: This version combines the following mods into one, I use ALL optionals:

• (Required) Skyrim HD - 2K Textures by NebuLa
• (Required) Serious HD Retexture Skyrim by Z4G4
• (Required) Skyrim Realistic Overhaul by Starac
• (Optional) AOF Detailed Mountains by AnOldFriend
• (Optional) AOF Farmhouses by AnOldFriend
• (Optional) Better Dynamic Snow by OpticShooter and Brumbek
• (Optional) Better Rocks and Mountains by Four Leaf Clover
• (Optional) Detailed Chests by Clintmich
• (Optional) Enhanced Distant Terrain by OpticShooter
• (Optional) Enhanced Night Skyrim by CptJoker
• (Optional) HD Linens by rivybeast
• (Optional) HD Misc by Calav3ra
• (Optional) HD Ore And Ingots by BioProd
• (Optional) HD Sacks Retexture by Mazarin
• (Optional) High Quality LODs by Ethatron
• (Optional) High Quality Food and Ingredients by Iraito
• (Optional) HQ Milky Way Galaxy by Manesse
• (Optional) HQ Skyrim Map V2 by Grace Darkling and Paddyy
• (Optional) Hybrids HD Plants and Herbs Retexture by Gabriel "Mystikhybrid" Gullbergh
• (Optional) Intricate Spider Webs by isoku
• (Optional) Lush Grass by OpticShooter
• (Optional) Lush Trees by OpticShooter
• (Optional) Project Parallax Solitude, Whiterun, Windhelm by Osmodius (HD2K Version)
• (Optional) Project Parallax Solitude, Whiterun, Windhelm by Osmodius (SRO Version)
• (Optional) Project Parallax Markath by Osmodius
• (Optional) Realistic Instruments by InwardScreams
• (Optional) Realistic Smoke and Embers by Isoku
• (Optional) Re-Defined Dungeons WIP by Gizmo
• (Optional) Ruins Clutter Improvement HD by Raiserfx
• (Optional) Septim HD by Crypton
• (Optional) Skyrim Redesigned WIP by Dracomies
• (Optional) Skyrim Sunglare V4 by Laast
• (Optional) Static Mesh Improvement Mod (SMIM) by Brumbek
• (Optional) Tobes Highres Textures by Mr Bravo aka Tobe
• (Optional) TreesHD Skyrim Variation by Namotep
• (Optional) Whiterun Trellis Redesigned and HQ by Toby S
• (Optional) Visible Windows by Isoku
• (Optional) Skyrim Flora Overhaul by Vurt
• (Optional) Bellyaches Animal and Creature Pack by Bellyache
• (Optional) Designs of the Nords by KEBW1144
• (Optional) Radiant and Unique Potions and Poisons HD (with booze) by XRC
• (Optional) Silly Level of Detail - Potions and Poisons by Narmix
• (Optional) Snow and Rocks Textures HD (caves only) by Darevix
• (Optional) Super Realistic Ore Textures by Kman420
• (Optional) Ash Pile Retex by Valstein0
• (Optional) Soul Gems Differ - Full and Empty by Utopolyst

I also recommend to DDSOpt the entire package before use. Due to irregularly sized textures, exclude all soulgem textures from processing or you will have transparency issues.

Utilities

Nitpick v4.0

Notes: None.

Fus Ro D'oh v4.0

Notes: None.

World Meshes / World Textures

Blacksmithforge Water Fix v0.6

Notes: None.

Dragon Glyphs HD v2.0

Notes: Use "Dragon Smooth" version. DDSOpt these before use to save VRAM.

Illuminated Tree LOD v1.0

Notes: Use "ENB" Version.

Psychosteves Golden Gods Shrines v1.1

Notes: Use "Default" install options.

Thats Ice v1.11

Notes: Use "Default" install options. Additionally install mesh pack.

WATER - Water And Terrain Enhancement Redux v1.5a

Notes: Use "Get Wet" and "Reduced Splash" optional.

Quality Snowflakes v2.0

Notes: Use "Alternative" version.

Better Bones v1.0

Notes: None.

Better Shadowmarks v0.5

Notes: None.

HD Cinematic Fire v1.0

Notes: None.

Skyrim Distant Detail v1.0

Notes: None.

Finer Dust v1.0

Notes: None.

HD Baskets Retex v1.1

Notes: None.

Improved Torches Textures v2.0

Notes: None.

HiRes Legible Road Signs v3.0

Notes: Use "Worn" version.

New Thinner Torch v1.1

Notes: None.

Not Really HD Display Case v0.9a

Notes: Use "Smudged Glass" version.

Not Really HD Keys v0.9a

Notes: Use "with Normal Maps" version.

Pilgrims Delight - High Hrothgar Shrine Retextures v1.1

Notes: Use "Zul Do Dov" version.

Pond Fish Retexture v1.0

Notes: None.

HD Rabbits Plus v6

Notes: None.

Real Effect Candle v1.0

Notes: Use "Real" version.

Realistic Paper v0.21a

Notes: Use "Dark" version.

Sweet Mother - the Night Mother Improvement v2.0

Notes: None.

Vibrant Auroras v1.1

Notes: None.

High Quality 3D Map v2.0

Notes: Install both "Meshes" and "Normals".

A Quality World Map v8.0

Notes: Use "High Res All Roads" install option.

Lockpicking Interface Retex v1.2

Notes: Use "No Wings" version.

Effects

Animated Weapon Enchants v1.14

Notes: None.

Enchantment Effect Replacer v1.1

Notes: Use "Combined" version.

Burn Freeze Shock Effects v3.2c

Notes: Use "Dawnguard" version.

Deadly Spell Impacts v1.6

Notes: Use "Default" install option.

Enhanced Blood Textures v2.0d

Notes: Use Dawnguard patch.

Improved Weapon Impact Effects v1

Notes: None.

Projectile Soul Trap with Visible Impact Effect v1.1

Notes: None.

Realistic Ragdolls and Force v1.8

Notes: None.

Warmer Magic Lights v2

Notes: None.

Sounds

Activate Fail Noise Removal v1.0

Notes: None.

Ambient Seagulls v1.0

Notes: None.

Better Horse Pain Sounds v1.0

Notes: None.

Better Weapon Swing Sounds v1.1

Notes: None.

FSS - Better Bards v1.0

Notes: None.

Immersive Skyrim Thunder v5.0

Notes: None.

Improved Combat Sounds v2.1

Notes: None.

Roosters At Dawn v1.0

Notes: None.

Smooth Blade Draw and Sheathe SFX v1.0

Notes: None.

Sounds of Nature Redux - Water and Fire v1.0

Notes: None.

Waterbreathing Breathless Emerge v1.1

Notes: None.

UI

BLESSINGS - Altar Descriptions v1.0

Notes: None.

Better Skill and Quest book Names v1.0

Notes: None.

The Cartographers Map Markers v1.0

Notes: None.

Categorized Favorites Menu v0.1.15

Notes: None.

Categorized Favorites Menu - Oni Edition v1.4

Notes: Use "Small Font" version.

Colored Map Markers Updated v1.5.2

Notes: None.

Dungeon Quest Awareness v1.0

Notes: None.

Lore Based Loading Screens v1.0

Notes: None.

Main Font Replacement v2.0

Notes: Use "Centaur" version.

No Menu and Loading Smoke v1.0

Notes: None.

Skill Interface Retexture v4.0.0

Notes: Use "Real (More) Stars" for starfield and galaxy. Use constellations option 2. Use perk lines option 4. Use "Enhanced Default" perk stars.

SkyUI v2.2

Notes: Use Small Font, Permanent Weight/Value Column, and Celtic Icons.

Smaller Cursor v1.0

Notes: None.

Main Menu Spinning Skyrim Emblem v1.01

Notes: Use "Average" version.

KenMOD - Time on Loading Screen v5

Notes: None.

Dark Brotherhood Forever Moved To Misc v1.0

Notes: None.

Actor Meshes / Textures

Better Beast Races v2.0

Notes: None.

Xenius Character Enhancement v1.13

Notes: None.

Coverkhajiits (Female) v1.0

Notes: Use both male and female.

More Realistic Hair v1.0

Notes: None.

AOF Believable Hair v1.3.2

Notes: None.

The Eyes of Beauty v7.2

Notes: Install NPC, Player, and Dawnguard Vampire eyes.

Better Freckles v1.01

Notes: None.

Eyebrows Match Hair v1.1

Notes: None.

High Quality Beards v1.1

Notes: Use "Light" version.

RANs Eye Reflection Extender v1.0

Notes: None.

New Children v2

Notes: None.

Animations

Better Turn Animation - Only One Pose v1.1

Notes: Make sure to grab the update file!

Bowlegged Jump Animation Fix v1.1

Notes: None.

Running with your Bow Replacer v1.0

Notes: None.

NoMaaM Breathing Idles v0.1

Notes: Use "Female BBB and Male Breathing Idles" version.

No Spinning Death Animation v1.0

Notes: Use the optional dragon death animation as well.

Equipment Meshes / Textures

Linwe Armor First Person Fix

Notes: None.

Ancient Nord Armor 1st Person Fix

Notes: None.

Closer Quivers and Longer Arrows v3

Notes: Install also Dawnguard Arrows and Closer Crossbow Bolts.

Better Circlets HQ v1.1

Notes: None.

Yuril Rings HQ v1.0

Notes: Use "Gold Circle" version.

Elemental Staffs v1.10

Notes: None.

Improved Foot Wraps for Females v1.0

Notes: None.

Lockpick Inventory Remodel v1.0

Notes: None.

Not Really HD Mask of Clavicus Vile v0.9a

Notes: Use "Corrected Wrecked" version.

Thinner Weapon Blades v1.0.4

Notes: None.

Gameplay Changes

Ars Metallica - Smithing Enhancement v1.1

Notes: None.

Auto Unequip Ammo v4.1

Notes: None.

Convenient Horses v4.2

Notes: None.

Death Cam Duration Options v1.11

Notes: None.

Drop Lit Torches v1.4

Notes: None.

Dynamic Fires v03

Notes: None.

Invincible Hawk Fix

Notes: Not hosted on the Nexus.

Less Annoying Barbas v1.1.0

Notes: None.

More Interactive Items - Grab Movable Statics v1.1

Notes: None.

Move it Damnit for NPC Companions and Followers v1.01

Notes: Use "Less Wait Time" version.

No NPC Greetings v1.1

Notes: Use "Slightly Reduced Distance" version.

Non-Essential Killable Children v9

Notes: None.

Realistic Crime Radius v1.0

Notes: None.

Smart Souls v7.0

Notes: None.

Wearable Lanterns v2.2

Notes: Also install "Lanterns for Guards" add-on.

Content Mods

AIMP - Antz in my Pantz v1.01

Notes: None.

Birds and Flocks v2.4

Notes: None.

Bring Out Your Dead v1.1

Notes: None.

Chimneys for Skyrim v1.2

Notes: None.

Clams Drop Pearls v1.0

Notes: None.

Gildergreen Regrown v1.2.1

Notes: None.

Lanterns of Skyrim - All in One v1.2

Notes: Use default preset.

Moon Size Tweaks v3

Notes: Use 0.5x Masser/Secunda esps only.

More Salt Please v1.0

Notes: None.

More Village Animals v1.6

Notes: None.

Skyrim Coin Replacer v1.7

Notes: None.

The Paarthurnax Dilemma v1.2.1

Notes: None.

Yngol Barrow Button Fix v1.0

Notes: None.

STEP Mods Not Used (And Why)

High Res DLC Optimized

Notes: I DDSOpt my own textures and use High Res DLC Fixed instead. (Thread)

Better Bedrolls

Notes: TPC texture is superior.

Skyrim Performance Plus

Notes: I simply don't need it, already get solid 60fps.

Climates of Tamriel

Notes: Incompatible with Dawnguard.

Better Quest Objectives

Notes: Possible conflicts with USKP, UDGP, and Dawnguard.

Deja Vu - I Already Read It

Notes: It just didn't work for me.

Follower Trap Safety v1.1

Notes: Used later in load order, moved to personal mods page.

Final Steps

Now that mod installation is completed, we only have a few steps left to do.

Step 1: Run BOSS

This will order your esp/esm files properly to run in the game. My load order from BOSS (moved unrecognized above bash patch) is as follows:

• Skyrim.esm
• Update.esm
• Dawnguard.esm
• More Interactive Items.ESM
• Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - Main.esm
• HighResTexturePack01.esp
• HighResTexturePack02.esp
• Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp
• Unofficial Dawnguard Patch.esp
• BWS.esp
• Improved Combat Sounds v2.1.esp
• Rooster At Dawn v1.0.esp
• Further Dark Dungeons for ENB.esp
• Warmer Magic Lights v2.esp
• StaticMeshImprovementMod.esp
• Ars Metallica.esp
• Ars Metallica - Dawnguard.esp
• Better Skill and Quest Books Names.esp
• BLESSINGS - Altar Descriptions.esp
• Bring Out Your Dead.esp
• Chesko_WearableLantern.esp
• Chesko_WearableLantern_Guards.esp
• ClamsDropPearls.esp
• Convenient Horses.esp
• dbmisc.esp
• dD - Enhanced Blood Main.esp
• Death Cam Duration Options.esp
• DungeonQuestAwareness.esp
• Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - Default.esp
• morevillageanimals.esp
• PilgrimsDelight.esp
• RabbitsPlus.esp
• Radiant and Unique Potions Poisons and Booze.esp
• Skyrim Flora Overhaul.esp
• SMDropLitTorch.esp
• YngolBarrowButtonFix.esp
• Auto Unequip Ammo.esp
• Chesko_LoreBasedLoadingScreens.esp
• Elemental Staves.esp
• Gildergreen Regrown.esp
• SkyrimChimneysRW.esp
• The Paarthurnax Dilemma.esp
• SkyrimCoinReplacer.esp
• Waterbreathing Breathless Emerge.esp
• Better Dynamic Snow.esp
• BlockSparkles.esp
• dynamic fires.esp
• masser Size x0.5.esp
• More Salt Please.esp
• dD-No Spinning Death Animation.esp
• dD-No Twitching Dragon Death Animation.esp
• NonEssentialChilds.esp
• Distant Detail.esp
• secunda Size x0.5.esp
• Soul Gems Differ - E.esp
• AIMP - Antz in my Pantz.esp
• dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Realistic.esp
• BFSEffects.esp
• DeadlySpellImpacts.esp
• More Visible Soul Trap Effect.esp
• Realistic crime report radius.esp
• TheEyesOfBeauty.esp
• Slightly Reduced Distance NPC Greetings.esp
• moveitLWT.esp
• Animated Weapon Enchants.esp
• WATER.esp
• WATER - Get Wet.esp
• Blacksmithforge water fix.esp
• Cartographers Map Markers.esp
• dD-Dawnguard-EBT Patch.esp
• BarbasLessAnnoying.esp
• Bashed Patch, 0.esp

Step 2: Create Bashed Patch

Start Wrye Bash and right click on the Bashed Patch, 0.esp and select "Rebuild Patch". Click skip for any pop ups calling to deactivate mods. Make sure only the Leveled Lists check box is checked, do NOT merge Patches or Alias Mod Names. This will merge the leveled lists from the installed mods so there are no conflicts.

Step 3: Enjoy!

Your done, have fun! Remember this is my custom install so there are important pieces missing(Upgraded Actor Textures, etc) unless you also view my Personal Mods collection.