WHAT IS THIS ?

 
This is a mod set. It gathers all the mods you need to create a better, stable, balanced and lore-friendly Skyrim for you to play. It encompasses all aspects of the game, so no matter how you play you will see a huge enhancement in your gaming experience.
Thousands of mods have been tested, and those featured in the set survived a truly draconian selection, evaluating not only their intrinsic quality, but also their ability to combine with other mods flawlessly.
The goal is to make the result feel like what Bethesda would do if they tried to make the game of the year 2012 the game of the year 2015. And beyond.

REQUIREMENTS

 

Software : only the latest Skyrim, no DLC needed. Third party softwares are covered in the installation guide.
Hardware : the set was made with performance in mind so any average PC should do. Works good on a 8GB memory PC with a Nvidia GTX 760, a i5-3450 CPU, and a 64bits windows 8 OS.

• STABILITY. Understandably, most modders tend to be more into creativity and fun, than into extensive, boring bugfixing. Instabilities add up, and wreck the gaming experience. With this set, you should not experience CTD, freeze or infinite load screens.
  

• BALANCE. The simple fact of adding a useful item to your inventory or placing an active map marker upon installation is enough for the mod to not qualify for the set. Many features do exceed the vanilla cap, but you'll have to deserve them through ingame performance.
• COMPATIBILITY. Many mods use the same assets and are therefore mutually exclusive.
• REQUIREMENTS. Since the set is to be usable without any DLC, any mod that needs them to operate was disqualified. On the other hand, mods that require a free third party software to function properly do qualify.
• REDUNDANCE. The set does not focus on a play style, it tries to add the best mod of each kind : best dragon mod, best hunting mod,... However, some features such as houses or animals do require several mods to actually make the experience noticeably better.
• PERFORMANCE. Combining high resolution textures, quality visual effects, numerous NPCs, and so on, can and will kill the fun. The set was developped with this in mind all the time, and compromise is unfortunately not an option.
  

INSTALLATION GUIDE

Note : always overwrite when asked, unless the installation guide tells you otherwise.

Uninstall skyrim :

• go to steam, right-clic on skyrim, clic on « delete local content »
• go to my documents --> my games --> skyrim, and delete all but saves
• go to c:/programfiles (x86)/steam/steamapps/common/skyrim and delete all the content
  
  

Install vanilla game :

• go to steam, right clic on skyrim, clic on install
  

Install the most recent versions of these softwares :

• S.K.S.E. (mandatory for many mods)
• L.O.O.T. (to sort your load order utomatically)
• N.M.M. (for a one-clic mod installation)
  
  
  

The set was split into modules for easier and more comprehensive installation. The textures module is by far the longest to deal with ; it's roughly half the whole job. Remember that textures will impact every moment of your experience and it makes the process totally worth it. Quality costs.

1. Appearance modules

1.1 Textures module

Install the official free Bethesda High Resolution DLC from Steam, then the Bethesda High Res DLC Optimized and the Unofficial High Resolution Patch, it will fill a few gaps left by the Texture Pack Combiner. Use NMM to download and install S.M.I.M., Skyrim Flora Overhaul, W.A.T.E.R., Bellyaches Animal and Creature Pack, and Real Ice All-in-one, in that order. When installing W.A.T.E.R., select these options : improved splash, animated through water, plants, row boats, and Falskaar. When installing Real Ice, select the classic+parallax option.

Download the Texture Pack Combiner and follow instructions on the description page to fill in its folders :

• download manually the first two required texture mods : Skyrim HD–2K Textures and Serious HD Retexture Skyrim
• the third required mod, Skyrim Realistic Overhaul, is no longer available on the nexus. I advise googling it to get a torrent link (posting a link here or in comments is not allowed). If you can't or don't want to find it, it should be no big deal.
• manually download all optional files except : Bellyaches Animal and Creature Pack, Dwemer Metal Retexture, Enhanced Night Skyrim, HD Ore and Textures, High Realistic Tundra Moss, No Stretching, Real Ice All-in-one, Skyrim Flora Overhaul, Skyrim Sunglare, Skyrim Ultra HD Texture Pack, Snow and Rocks Textures, Static Mesh Improvement Mod, Superior Rock Textures, Tobes High Res Textures, Visible Windows, W.A.T.E.R.
  

Extract content from those files and place the needed files in the corresponding Texture Pack Combiner folders. Use the combiner .bat file to create a data folder, then compress it into a .rar or .7z file. You just created a texture megamod.

Last step is to add it to NMM with the« add mod from file » button, and activate it. Do not overwrite files, except those from the Bethesda High Res Pack (use the "yes to mod" and "no to mod" buttons)
Now download and install ProjectParallax Remastered with NMM. Do not try to launch the game yet, parallax maps need the enb, and W.A.T.E.R. needs Falskaar.

1.2 ENB module

We'll now install Project Enb. First download the latest binary files (v0.265 at the moment), extract the d3d9.dll file from the wrapper folder, and put it in your skyrim directory (the folder with the executables such as TESV.exe, not the data folder). Then follow instructions from the Project Enb description page, skip the optional instructions. Don't forget to disable your AA (anti-aliasing) in the launcher as requested.

Download the EnBoost mod manually, and pick the enblocal.ini matching your video card in its folder. Overwrite the current enblocal.ini with it in your skyrim folder. Open it and set parameter UsePatchSpeedhackWithoutGraphics=false and UseDefferedRendering=true.

Now download my ini files from the download page, extract and manually place them : Skyrim.ini and SkyrimPrefs.ini go to c:/mydocuments/mygames/skyrim ;enbseries.ini goes to your skyrim folder (c:/programfiles(x86)/steam/steamapps/common/skyrim, where TESV.exe is). Overwrite.

Then download and install Climates ofTamriel with NMM.When installing, choose these options : dungeons and caves = hazardous, interiors = warm, nights = default.



1.3  Distance module

Enhanced Distant Terrain (1024 classic option)
The Skyrim Distance Overhaul (select only the first and the last option)
Skyfalls and Skymills - Basic
Skyfalls and Skymills - SkyrimDistance Overhaul patch

1.4 Polish module

Unofficial Skyrim Patch
Better Torches – Brighter Torchlight
Light up the Night – People haveTorches
Ultimate HD Fire Effect Ultra
Fire and Ice Overhaul (select the « with lit fire » option when asked)
Enhanced Blood Textures
Bloody Facials
Footprints
Splash of Rain
Real Shelter (use « real shelter 1.2 with compatibility patches » in old versions ; choose the CoT/Supreme Storms option upon installation)

      1.5 Interface module

SkyUI
Immersive HUD
A Quality World Map (any version with roads)


2. Structures modules

2.1 Land mass module

Falskaar
Moonpath to Elsweyr
Wyrmstooth

2.2 Buildings & homes module

Falkreath Skyscraper
Hunters Cabin of Riverwood
Deus Mons
Caranthir Tower
Gypsy Eyes Caravan

2.3 Cities module

JK's Falkreath
JK's Dawnstar
JK's Markarth
JK's Morthal
Towns and Villages Enhanced -Riverwood
Towns and Villages Enhanced -Whiterun
Towns and Villages Enhanced -Solitude
Towns and Villages Enhanced -Windhelm
Towns and Villages Enhanced -Riften
Immersive College of Winterhold (also download the SKSE.ini file from optional downloads and place it in your skyrim/data/SKSE folder. Upon installation, choose the CWI core files, Skyrim Distant Overhaul patch, Caranthir Tower patch, and CWI Improved NPCs options)


Use LOOT to sort your plugins loadorder.

You may now check what your game looks like : turn ingame brightness to minimum, some visual effects will kick in after a minute on first launch, wait 24 ingame hours for Climates of Tamriel to start.


3. Life Modules

3.1 Character Design module

Superior Lore Friendly Hair 2k
The eyes of beauty
Racemenu v3
Better Females

3.2 Population module

Populated Forts Towers Places
Interesting NPCs
Inconsequential NPCs
Immersive Patrols (choose the battles,mercenaries and travelers options only)

3.3 Special NPCs module

Vilja in Skyrim
Inigo
Dice Game in Taverns

3.4 Animals module

83 Willow 101 Bugs HD
Pets of Skyrim
Birds of Skyrim
Birds and Flocks
Convenient Horses
Ultimate Dragons

3.5 Behaviors module

Multiple Floors Sandboxing
Run for your Lives


 4. Action modules

4.1 Weapons module

Immersive Weapons
JaySus Swords
Liliths Sickle
Unique Bows Collection
The Huntsman

4.2 Projectiles module

Torch Arrows
Throwing weapons – Death from Afar

4.3 Armors module

The Secret of the Spellbreaker (pick the « stronger – less complicated » download)
Immersive Armors
Immersive Armors for NPCs
Tribunal Robes and Masks
Armor of Boethiah
Avatar of Balthazar

4.4 Magic module

Apocalypse – Magic of Skyrim
Midas Magic
Wintermyst – Enchantments of Skyrim (pick the version that matches your DLCs)

4.5 Challenge module

Spellblade (both the main file and the version update)
The Dark Brotherhood Resurrection
Helgen Reborn
Gersonia
The Bottomless Pit

4.6 Combat module

Duel – Combat Realism
Dance of Death – A Killmove Mod (select the version that matches your DLCs)


5. Miscellanous module

Audio Overhaul for Skyrim 2
Harvest Overhaul
Wearable Lanterns
Hunting in Skyrim – The Hunting Guild (pick the no perk version) 
Better Vampires
Moonlight Tales – Werewolf and Werebear Overhaul
Gromits Cooking Recipes – Food Drink Overhaul
Expanded Jewelry Crafting
Bandolier – Bags and Pouches
Destructible Bottles Extended
Auto-Unequip Ammo
Unlimited Bookshelves


The download is in english, if your game is in another language, modify it in Skyrim.ini sLanguage=[insert yours].
Also set your graphic card's ID in SkyrimPrefs.ini under sD3DDevice= "[insert graphic card's ID]".





Once you start, be aware that :

• you have to turn brightness to the minimum in options
• some visual effects will take a minute or so to kick in
• Climates Of Tamriel will take about 24 ingame hours to fully start
• you'll have to read the Bloody Facials book in your inventory to start that mod
• you can tweak the experience by configurating some of the mods (esc → mod configuration)
• you can disable the depth of field blurry effect by opening your enbseries.ini file in your skyrim folder and setting EnableDepthOfField=false.
• you should not alt+tab the game
• launch the game with S.K.S.E.
  
  

Optional modules :

Roleplay module

Frostfall
iNeed
Real Shelter – Frostfall Tents

Second playthrough module

Familiar Faces
JContainer (ressource for FamiliarFaces)
Alternate Start – Live Another Life




Troubleshooting :

Here are a few problems (and solutions) encountered by some users. Please understand that every PC is different, and a full mod set triggers complex mecanisms. I personnaly did not encounter any of those, and you probably won't. So just in case :
- if the camera spins on start, add this to your Skyrim.ini
[Camera]
bReturnTo1stPersonFromVanity=1
bDisableAutoVanityMode=1
fAutoVanityModeDelay=600000.0
- if something is wrong with the weather :
uninstall and reinstall Climates of Tamriel, then use L.O.O.T.


F.A.Q. :

Q. : Did you basically just add your favorite mods ?
A. : No, let me explain how mods were chosen with the example of houses. My favorite house mods have always been Haven Bag, Alchemist's Hidden Shack, and Deux Mons. When it came to adding house mods to the set, I needed one starter house and two endgame houses with different styles and features. Vanilla houses in towns would provide the middle-game homes players need.
I could not use the Haven Bag because it gives too much too soon and isn't lore-friendly. I couldn't use Alchemist's Hidden Shack because it gives an easily accessible map marker and also has unbalanced features for low level characters, like summonable storage.
Deus Mons, on the other hand, was just what was needed for a level 30+ warlord capable of slaying the dragon that swallowed the key. It fits in perfectly, so I added it. It's like hiring someone for a job : if a good friend of yours doesn't have the skills, don't hire him. But if he does, don't have second thoughts about the morality of networking and give him the job.
For a more magic oriented character, or in case of a second playthrough, another high end house was needed, and after testing many, I picked Caranthir Tower, which is definitely the best place for alchemists and enchanters. It is also balanced as it requires a key to get in.
The Hunters Cabin of Riverwood is to houses what Faendel is to followers : a quick and simple reward for those who have just exited Helgen, and took time to wander around a bit instead of rushing to Whiterun.
The Gypsy Eyes Caravan was also added because it offers a truely unique experience, costs a fair 1k gold, doesn't give a map marquer from start, and is great for roleplay (with the optional module), or semi-roleplay (without the optional module).
Some adventure mods may also provide a house as a reward, but obviously you'll have to deserve them by completing these adventures.
With house mods, as with other mods, only one question was on my mind : what would Bethesda do ?

Q. : Is it really stable ? Like how stable ?
A. : In my personal experience with this set (100+ hours), I didn't experience any crash to desktop, freeze or infinite load screen. When reading reports from L.O.O.T., you'll see that some mods in this set do conflict. However, it doesn't mean you'll crash. In this case, it mostly means that a mod's feature might not appear because another mod's feature took its place and overwrote it. That's the kind of conflict that you won't even notice ingame. If, despite all my efforts, such a thing happens and it does show up ingame, it isn't a big deal. This happened to me twice, with a couple chairs not on level with the ground in Solitude's Inn, and a floating moss near the bards' college. Just open the console and use the disable command on the out-of-place items.
This set, just like any set, could use a patch to make mods even more compatible with each other. What matters is that with this set conflicts happen below the surface 99% of the time and don't affect the gaming experience, while the other 1% will just take a few seconds to handle, and not crash the game anyway. Many, many mods were ruled out because of the instability they caused, and the set is as stable as I could make it. It isn't bug-free, but it's roughly as bug free as vanilla Skyrim, or at least it was in my playthrough. Keep in mind situation may vary depending on your PC specs.

Q. : How about performance ?
A. : This set was tested on a 64bits windows 8 operating system, with 8GB memory, a Nvidia gtx 760 video card, and a i5-3450 CPU. That is an average setup in early 2015. It did return a bit of lag in two circumstances : large fights in very dense vegetation, and large fights in JK's towns. Still playable though and therefore not really a concern. Be aware that there is one cell in Wyrmstooth with so many NPCs and action that you'll probably lag a bit harder there. It's the only cell with that problem I came across.
I tried to freeze the game with several stress tests, and couldn't. Example : fighting the whole JK's Dawnstar Town, while setting the town on fire with the Fire and Ice Overhaul lit fires that spread and last long. FPS obviously dropped, but no freeze occured.
I wouldn't advise playing this mod set on a low-end computer, but if you try please tell me yours specs and how it went.
Playing it on a true gamer's PC would probably return a constant 60 FPS, but that is still to be tested.



Credits :
Bethesda for the vanilla game
Boris Vorontsov for the ENB
Ian Patterson, Stephen Abel and Paul Connelly for SKSE
The Nexus team for the hub and NMM
The 150+ modders involved in the set
And me.



Permissions :
Do whatever you want with it as long as you tell me. However if you monetize this, share with all the people in the credits or we're going to court. Please note that you still need to get all other creditors' authorization to use their respective work.