User:Traugdor

Template:TOC right Getting started with modding for the very beginning user.

Skyrim HD Realism Project My personal modset

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traugdor's Guides to a complete TESV: Skyrim Legendary Edition modding experience

To begin modding Skyrim, the very first thing you must do is abandon the Steam Workshop. As tempting as it is to use Workshop mods and as convenient as they are, the Workshop limits the size of the mods that can be uploaded, thereby reducing the capabilities of the mods. Workshop mods cannot be designed to work with external programs such as Skyrim Script Extender and they are limited in what you can fit into an ESP or BSA file. If you do not know what those types of files are, the ESP is an plugin that activates some content, and a BSA is an archive that usually contains files that the ESP needs to run the mod properly. Both the Skyrim HD Realism Project and my personal modset use Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE) and so they cannot rely on the Steam Workshop for downloading and installing mods.

If you do not wish to abandon any Workshop mods you currently have installed, then my guides are not for you. If you are currently using Steam Workshop mods and would like to expand into the unknown, then my guides are definitely for you. If you are an experienced modder and simply wish to recreate an experience I have taken the time to craft, then simply skip to the mod list, download the mods listed, and install them using the notes I provide with each mod.

NOTE: For each of my guides, I will list my personal experience with it and what you can expect to achieve in terms of performance and stability.

Mod Organizer

So, you've made it this far. It's my best guess, you're ready to start modding Skyrim the way the die-hard modders do it. You may click on the Mod Organizer link here, or follow my directions to get started.

But first, why use Mod Organizer (MO)? I personally use it for several reasons

1. MO has a simple interface and all the tools you need to install Skyrim Mods are only a button click or two away.
2. MO has a profile system that allows you to customize your experience without having to make a backup of your Skyrim game folder. (with limitations)
3. MO uses a virtualized folder structure so absolutely NO changes are made to your game until you're ready to play with your mods.

But, you may ask, when I go to download a mod, I'm asked if I want to use something called Vortex. What is that? Clicking on the Vortex button just tells Mod Organizer to download your mod for you. It's pretty easy once you get it set up.

Installing Mod Organizer

(to be continued...)