Template:TOCRight
Important: This is my personal configuration based on the currently available STEP with Skyrim v1.7.7.0 / Dawnguard 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.
This installation is NOT a complete picture without looking at my Personal Mods which I have installed over it. My personal mods section is also where I will include any ini tweaks or driver settings as those vary from user to user.
Prerequisites
Tools Used
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/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 v1.1
Description: Crushes a great many of the bugs from vanilla skyrim.
Notes: A few very minor incompatibilities with Dawnguard but nothing game breaking. Will be fixed with the Unofficial Dawnguard Patch coming soon.
Texture Pack Combiner v1.52
Description: Combines many of the large texture packs and combines them into one. The author took a long time and selected textures that matched well together.
Notes: Author is currently out due to RL, but his work remains. I use all available options. This version combines the following mods into one:
- Skyrim HD - 2K Textures by NebuLa
- Serious HD Retexture Skyrim by Z4G4
- Skyrim Realistic Overhaul by Starac
- AOF Detailed Mountains by AnOldFriend
- AOF Farmhouses by AnOldFriend
- Better Rocks and Mountains by Four Leaf Clover
- Detailed Chests by Clintmich
- Enhanced Distant Terrain by OpticShooter
- HD Misc by Calav3ra
- HD Ore And Ingots by BioProd
- HD Sacks Retexture by Mazarin
- High Quality Food and Ingredients by Iraito
- High Quality LODs by Ethatron
- Hybrids HD Plants and Herbs Retexture by Gabriel "Mystikhybrid" Gullbergh
- Lush Grass by OpticShooter
- Lush Trees by OpticShooter
- Project Parallax by Osmodius
- Realistic Instruments by InwardScreams
- Realistic Smoke and Embers by Isoku
- Ruins Clutter Improvement HD by Raiserfx
- Septim HD by Crypton
- Skyrim Flora Overhaul by Vurt
- Static Mesh Improvement Mod (SMIM) by Brumbek
- Tobes Highres Textures by Mr Bravo aka Tobe
- Trees HD Skyrim Variation by Namotep
- Visible Windows by Isoku
World Meshes / World Textures
Thats Ice (Glacier Mesh Pack) v1.11
Notes: Glacier Mesh Pack Only For Now!
Vibrant Auroras v1.1
Notes: None.
New Thinner Torch v1.1
Notes: None.
Fixed Mannquins
Notes: None.
High Quality 3D Map (Meshes and Normals) v2.0
Notes: None.
HiRes Legible Road Signs v3.0
Notes: None.
WATER - Water And Terrain Enhancement Redux v1.5a
BAIN Sub Packages:
- 00 Core
- 10 WATER - Get Wet
- 30 WATER - Extra Wet Rocks
Notes: None.
101 Bugs HD v4.1
Notes: None.
Pilgrims Delight - High Hrothgar Shrine Retextures v1.1
Notes: Use the "Zul Do Dov" version, it includes more lore-friendly dragon runes for the inscriptions.
Fhaarkas Softer Animal Fur v1.2
Notes: None.
Riften HQ Textures v1.84
Notes: None.
Bellyaches Animal and Creature Pack v1.7
Notes: Download "Bellyache's Choice Zip", remove Textures\effects\critterdragonfly*.dds files to prevent overwrite of 101Bugs.
Dragon Glyphs HD v2.0
Notes: Download "Dragon Smooth" version.
Skyrim Realistic Overhaul v1.3
Notes: Only textures/landscape/fallforest*.dds files to overwrite Riften HQ Textures.
Psychosteves Golden Gods Shrines v1.1
Notes: Default install.
Soul Gems Differ - Full and Empty v1.4
Category: World Textures
BAIN Sub Packages:
- 00 Main
- 01 ESP - English
- 02 Black Soul - Bloody - Black - Full
- 02 Black Soul - with hints of red - Black - Empty
- 02 Blue - Aura - Common - Full
- 02 Blue - Aura - Grand - Full
- 02 Blue - Aura - Greater - Full
- 02 Blue - Ice - Common - Empty
- 02 Blue - Ice - Grand - Empty
- 02 Blue - Ice - Greater - Empty
- 02 Purple - All Purple - Lesser - Full
- 02 Purple - All Purple - Petty - Full
- 02 Purple - Sparkle - Lesser - Empty
- 02 Purple - Sparkle - Petty - Empty
- 03 Glow - Blue - Common - Empty
- 03 Glow - Blue - Common - Full
- 03 Glow - Blue - Grand - Empty
- 03 Glow - Blue - Grand - Full
- 03 Glow - Blue - Greater - Empty
- 03 Glow - Blue - Greater - Full
- 03 Glow - Normal - Lesser - Empty
- 03 Glow - Normal - Lesser - Full
- 03 Glow - Normal - Petty - Empty
- 03 Glow - Normal - Petty - Full
- 03 Glow - Red - Black - Empty
- 03 Glow - Red - Black - Full
- 04 Optional - Soul Fragments
Notes: Selections based on personal choice.
Thats Ice v1.11
BAIN Sub Packages:
- 00 Core
- 01 Color - White
- 02 Normal Map - Standard
Notes: None.
Intricate Spider Webs v1.3
Category: World Textures
Notes: None.
Skyrim Redesigned v1.0
Category: World Textures
Notes: Install only: Bloody Rags, Money Bags, Buckets, Hasgraven Claws, Barenziah Jewelry Box, Salmon, Skeleton Key, Spider Eggs, Tankards and Plates.
Ash Pile Retex v2.0
Notes: None.
Better Bedrolls v1.0
Notes: None.
Better Circlets HQ v1.1
Notes: None.
Celtic and Braided Rugs v1.0
Notes: None.
Dramatic Clouds v1.3
Notes: None.
Enhanced Night Skyrim v0.4
Notes: Install Medium Stars version.
Finer Dust v1.0
Notes: None.
HD Baskets Retex v1.1
Notes: None.
HD Cinematic Fire v1.0
Notes: None.
HD Linens v1.0
Notes: None.
High Quality College of Winterhold v2.0
Notes: None.
High Quality Milky Way Galaxy v1
Notes: None.
High Quality Skyrim Map v2.0
Notes: None.
Improved Torches Textures v2.0
Notes: None.
Lockpicking Interface Retex v1.2
Notes: Install "No Wings" Version.
Not Really HD Display Case v0.9a
Notes: Use the "Smudged Glass" version.
Not Really HD Keys v0.9a
Notes: Use the "with Normal Maps" version.
Pond Fish Retexture v1.0
Notes: None.
Quality Snowflakes v2.0
Notes: None.
Realistic Paper v0.21a
Notes: Install Dark Version.
Sweet Mother - the Night Mother Improvement v2.0
Notes: None.
HD Imperial Tower v1.0
Notes: None.
Yuril Rings HQ v1.0
Notes: Use "Gold Circle" version.
HD Rabbits Plus v6
Notes: None.
A Quality World Map v8.0
BAIN Sub Packages:
- Map Standard All Roads - HiRes
- Optional Clear Map
Notes: None.
Effects
Enhanced Blood Textures v2.0c
Notes: Use Dawnguard Patch.
Burn Freeze Shock Effects v3.2b
Notes: Use Dawnguard Patch.
Deadly Spell Impacts v1.5.2
BAIN Sub Packages:
- 00 Data - Required
Notes: None.
Realistic Ragdolls and Force v1.8
Notes: None.
Projectile Soul Trap with Visible Impact Effect v1.1
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.
FSS - Better Bards v1.0
Notes: None.
Immersive Skyrim Thunder v5.0
Notes: None.
Improved Combat Sounds v2.1
Notes: None.
Realistic Weapon Swing Sounds v1.0
Notes: No Longer Available On The Nexus.
Smooth Blade Draw and Sheathe SFX v1.0
Notes: None.
Sounds of Nature Redux - Water and Fire v1.0
Notes: None.
UI
Main Font Replacement v2.0
Notes: Use Centaur Font.
Main Menu Spinning Skyrim Emblem v1.01
Notes: Use Average Speed.
Skill Interface Retexture v4.0.0
BAIN Sub Packages:
- 10 Star Background - Real (More) Stars
- 20 Perk Lines - Option 4
- 30 Constellations - Option 2
- 40 Perk Stars - Enhanced Default
- 50 Nebula - HDR Nebula - Real (More) Stars Version
Notes: None.
SkyUI v2.2
BAIN Sub Packages:
- 00 Core
- 01 Icons - Celtic, by GreatClone
Notes: Use Wizard For INI Tweak. I suggest small font and permanent weight/value column.
Better Quest Objectives v1.5
Notes: None.
Actor Meshes / Textures
New Children v2
Notes: None.
More Realistic Hair v1.0
Notes: None.
AOF Believable Hair v1.3.2
Notes: None.
Natural Eyes v1.3
Notes: None.
Better Freckles v1.01
Notes: None.
Eyebrows Match Hair v1.1
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.
Equipment Meshes / Textures
Ancient Nord Armor 1st Person Fix
Notes: None.
Linwe Armor First Person Fix
Notes: None.
Daedric Armor and Weapon Improvement v2.5.5
Notes: Select the Blood Lite version.
Vanilla Tweaks - Arrow Pickup Fix v1.1
Notes: None.
Deadly Serious Shrouded Armor v2.6
Notes: None.
Millenia Weapon Retexture Project v0.10a
Notes: None.
Accingite Vos - Shields HQ Retextures v1
Notes: Delete data/textures/armor/glass folder to prevent conflict with Glass Armor and Weapons Retex.
2X Clothing Re-Mix v2.2b
Notes: Use "Kobayashis Mix" version.
HD Dragon Priest Mask and Main Logo v1.2
Notes: None.
Glass Armor and Weapons Retex v2.1
Notes: Use "Improved Green" Version.
Hvergelmirs Shield Retexture v1.2a
Notes: None.
Hvergelmirs Armor Retexture v1.7b
Notes: None.
Remade Hi-Res Ancient Nord Armor v1.0
Notes: None.
Nightingale Prime v1.1
Notes: Hosted Outside Nexus.
Not Really HD Mask of Clavicus Vile v0.9a
Notes: Use "Corrected Wrecked" version.
Shield of Ysgramor v1.0
Notes: Be sure to correct the texture path for proper install.
Gameplay Changes
Non-Essential Killable Children v9
Notes: None.
Skyrim Community Uncapper v1.13.3.0 BETA
Notes: None.
Invincible Hawk Fix
Notes: Not hosted on the Nexus.
Ars Metallica - Smithing Enhancement v1.0.2
Notes: Personally, modified my esp to remove arrow recipes since they were added with Dawnguard but not necessary. Athmoor will eventually update.
Realistic Crime Radius v1.0
Notes: None.
Back Off Barbas! v1.2
Notes: None.
No NPC Greetings v1.1
Notes: Use the slightly reduced distance version.
Smart Souls v7.0
Notes: None.
Auto Unequip Ammo v4.1
Notes: None.
Content Mods
Bring Out Your Dead v1.1
Notes: None.
Skyrim Coin Replacer v1.7
Notes: None.
Lanterns of Skyrim v1.2
Notes: I currently use the default version.
Every City Have Various Guard Outfits v1.2
Notes: None.
More Village Animals v1.6
Notes: None.
Clams Drop Pearls v1.0
Notes: None.
Light up the Night - People Have Torches v1.2
Notes: Do not use unless you modify the TorchTokenScript as follows and compile using the creation kit:
akActor.RemoveItem(TorchToken) Utility.Wait(1) If GetItemCount(Torch01) == 0 akActor.AddItem(Torch01) EndIf
Mods Not Compatible But Will Be Added Once Updated
Categorized Favorites Menu
Category: UI
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 is as follows:
- Skyrim.esm
- Update.esm
- Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - Main.esm
- HighResTexturePack01.esp
- HighResTexturePack02.esp
- Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp
- Improved Combat Sounds v2.1.esp
- StaticMeshImprovementMod.esp
- 83Willows_101BUGS_V4_HighRes.esp
- Ars Metallica.esp
- Back off, Barbas!.esp
- Bring Out Your Dead.esp
- ClamsDropPearls.esp
- dD - Enhanced Blood Main.esp
- Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - Default.esp
- MoreVillageAnimals.esp
- People Have Torches.esp
- PilgrimsDelight.esp
- RabbitsPlus.esp
- Auto Unequip Ammo.esp
- daedric_phelm.esp
- SkyrimCoinReplacer.esp
- BetterQuestObjectives.esp
- NonEssentialChilds.esp
- Soul Gems Differ - E.esp
- VariousGuardReplacer.esp
- dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Realistic.esp
- BFSEffects.esp
- DeadlySpellImpacts.esp
- More Visible Soul Trap Effect.esp
- Realistic crime report radius.esp
- Slightly Reduced Distance NPC Greetings.esp
- WATER.esp
- WATER - Get Wet.esp
- dD-Dawnguard EBT Patch.esp
- Bashed Patch, 0.esp
Step 2: Activate ESPs / Create Bashed Patch
Start Wrye Bash once more and on the Mods tab, make sure all your mods have a green checkmark next to them, if not, click the box to activate them. If you ran step 1, they should already be in the correct order. Next, right click Bashed Patch, 0.esp and select "Rebuild Patch", then click Build Patch. Let that complete and close the window, the correct options should already be checked by default. This merges 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.
