User:Neovalen/Custom STEP

Template:TOCRight Template:Warning Important: This page will be used to document my personal installation of STEP. I will NOT be doing a full installation of STEP v2.1.1b as it was designed for Skyrim v1.5 and is not 100% to my tastes. If that is what you are expecting, please stop reading.

This is my personal configuration based on the currently available STEP with the current Skyrim v1.7 BETA and I am taking the time to share in case anyone wishes to read.

My Philosophy

In keeping with the original idea of STEP, I am trying to enhance the Vanilla experience with minimal edits/scripts. I feel some of the changes in the current STEP guide are unnecessary and as such I will be installing a sub-set of the mods in the guide.
This installation is NOT a complete picture without looking at my Personal Mods which I have installed over it.

Prerequisites

Tools Used

BOSS (Video)
Wrye Bash v299 Standalone (Guide)

Mod Installation (In Order)

I tend to install in category groups when possible rather than a set order with the following priority:
Base Mods -> World Meshes -> World Textures -> Effects -> Sound -> UI -> Actor Meshes -> Actor Textures -> Animations -> Equipment Meshes -> Equipment Textures -> 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 v1.0

Category: ALL
Notes:Always #1 on my installation list after official content. With the dialog bug fixed with Skyrim 1.7, I am once again using v1.0 that includes all the dialog fixes until Arthmoor releases a non stripped down version(v1.05c removes all dialog fixes).

Static Mesh Improvement Mod v1.23

Category: World Meshes, World Textures, World Edit(ESP)
BAIN Sub Packages:

00 Core
01 Furniture
02 Vanilla Barrel Textures
03 Farmhouse 3D Ropes No Fade (Best)
05 Food
06 Signs 3D Rings
07 Whiterun 3D Rings and Doors
08 Pull Lever 3D Rings Small Rings
09 Dwemer Clutter
10 Clothing Fixes

Notes: Always #2 on my installation order, I find it easier this way rather than selecting individual textures to not install as in the current STEP guide.

Skyrim Realistic Overhaul v1.3

Category: World Textures
Notes: Always #3 on my installation order, Skyrim Realistic Overhaul is my base texture pack. I do NOT use Skyrim HD - 2K Textures as I personally find them too different from Vanilla in some areas.

World Meshes / World Textures

Thats Ice (Glacier Mesh Pack) v1.11

Category: World Meshes
Notes: Glacier Mesh Pack Only For Now!

High Quality LODs (Meshes) v2.1

Category: World Meshes
Notes: Meshes Only For Now!

Lush Grass v1.4.1

Category: World Meshes
Notes: None.

Vibrant Auroras v1.1

Category: World Meshes
Notes: None.

Ruins Clutter Improvement HD v2.1

Category: World Meshes, World Textures
Notes: None.

Skyrim Flora Overhaul v1.1.0

Category: World Meshes, World Textures
Notes: None.

HiRes Legible Road Signs v3.0

Category: World Meshes, World Textures
Notes: None.

WATER - Water And Terrain Enhancement Redux v1.4c

Category: World Meshes, World Textures, World Edit(ESP), Scripts
BAIN Sub Packages:

00 Core
10 WATER - Get Wet
30 WATER - Extra Wet Rocks

Notes: None.

101 Bugs HD v4.1

Category: World Meshes, World Textures, Content(ESP - Added Alchemical Ingredients, New Bugs/Spawn Points)
Notes: None.

Pilgrims Delight - High Hrothgar Shrine Retextures v1.1

Category: World Meshes, World Textures, World Edit(ESP)
Notes: Use the "Zul Do Dov" version, it includes more lore-friendly dragon runes for the inscriptions.