Mod Organizer

If you are not using Mod Organizer, then you probably shouldn't attempt to install more than a small handful of mods, because otherwise
debugging your load order will be a nightmare. I highly recommend using it... you will save a lot of time in the long run.
The STEP guide can be found here: http://wiki.step-project.com/Guide:Mod_Organizer
Gopher also has a great tutorial on it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4ZQpzf_iAE&list=PLE7DlYarj-DcLS9LyjEqOJwFUQIIQewcK


Introduction

This is my attempt to find a combination of mods that makes combat feel more like Dark Souls, while still being fun, stable, and balanced.
This is intended to be played on Adept difficulty. If you want a greater challenge, instead of increasing the difficulty slider, I recommend adding mods that make enemies stronger (such as Advanced Adversary Encounters or High Level Enemies).

Red mods are required. This list doesn't really work without them.
Orange mods are required, but only if you chose the optional mods that need them.
Yellow mods are strongly recommended. They serve a specific purpose, but you might be able to replace them with a different mod.
Cyan mods are optional. I personally use these mods, but it is entirely up to user preference.

The files should be installed in the order they appear below.
To keep it simple, I keep the mods installed in the left window of Mod Organizer in the exact same order as the ESP files on the right.


Part 1: Base Requirements

(Required) Dawnguard
(Required) Hearthfires
(Required) Dragonborn
(Required) USLEEP ~ Unofficial Skyrim Legendary Edition Patch
(Required) SKSE ~ Current build 1.7.3
(Required) Skyrim -Community- Uncapper ~ Skyrim -Community- Uncapper v1_15_2_0


Part 2: User Interface and Utilities

(Required) SkyUI ~ SkyUI_5_1
(Required) Extended UI ~ Extended UI
(Required) UIExtensions ~ UIExtensions v1-2-0
(Required) FileAccess Interface for Skyrim Script - FISS ~ FileAccess Interface for Skyrim Scripts - FISS
(Optional) SkyrimSouls - Unpaused Game Menus(SKSE Plugin) ~ SkyrimSouls - Unpaused Game Menus
(Optional) Unlocked Grip ~ Unlocked Grip
(Optional) Unlocked Grip ~ 0.8 Hotfix
(Unlocked Grip won't work with items added by mods, and has some minor bugs, but overall it works well.)
(Optional) Souls Quick Menu ~ Souls Quick Menu V1.20
(Optional) Lock-On - lock on mechanism ~ Lock-On
(Optional) Customizable UI Replacer ~ Customizable UI Replacer Optionals ~ Lock on Texture and Souls Quick Menu Texture*
(The main mod for Customizable UI Replacer has a lot of features I didn't include that you might like.)
(Optional) SXP (Redone) - Skyrim Experience Mod ~ SXP (Redone)


Part 3: Combat Animations

(Required) FNIS ~ FNIS Behavior V7_0
(Required) FNIS ~ FNIS Spells V5_0_1 -- ADD-ON for the spells
(Recommended) Realistic Ragdolls and Force ~ Realistic Force
(Recommended) D13 Faster GET UP STAND UP animation vanilla friendly ~ D13 Faster Get up Stand up animation front and back fixed
(Optional) YY Anim Replacer - Mystic Knight ~ YYAnimReplacerMysticKnight_v1_1_0 ~ All Options
(Optional) YY Anim Replacer - Zweihander ~ YYAnimReplacerZweihander_v0_6_8_male
(Optional) Dual Wield Improved Animation ~ Dual Wield v1.8
(Recommended) Kick Bash ~ Kick Bash Faster animations
(Recommended) Kick Bash ~ SpartaKick
(Recommended) Pseudo parry animation ~ Pseudo parry animation mod v1_3
(Recommended) VioLens - A Killmove Mod ~ VioLens - A Killmove Mod 2.11


Part 4: Perks and Spells

*Later in this guide we will run ASIS, which distributes Perks and Spells to NPCs. If you use  anything else, make sure it is compatible first.
(Recommended) Ordinator - Perks of Skyrim ~ Ordinator v926
(Recommended) Apocalypse - Magic of Skyrim ~ Apocalypse v945
(Recommended) Apocalypse - Magic of Skyrim ~ Apocalypse - Ordinator Compatibility Patch
(Optional) Lost Grimoire of Skyrim ~ Lost Grimoire v1.5
(Optional) Thunderchild - Epic Shouts and Immersion ~ Thunderchild v411
(Optional) Imperious - Races of Skyrim ~ Imperious v724
(Optional) Aurora - Standing Stones of Skyrim ~ Aurora v307
(Optional) Sacrosanct - Vampires of Skyrim ~ Sacrosanct v403
(Optional) Moonlight Tales - Werewolf and Werebear Essentials ~ Moonlight Tales - Essentials - Version 2_51


Part 5: Weapons, Armor, Loot and Encounter Zones

(Required) Weapons and Armor Fixes Remade ~ Weapons and Armor Fixes Remade ~ Legendary, All Options
(Required) Clothing and Clutter Fixes ~ Clothing and Clutter Fixes
(Required) Complete Crafting Overhaul Remade ~ Complete Crafting Overhaul
(Required) Complete Crafting Overhaul Remade ~ CCO Compatibility Patch for WAF True Weapons
(At least for now, we are skipping Complete Alchemy and Cooking Overhaul, because it is incompatible with Potions Animated Fix.)
(Recommended) MorrowLoot Ultimate ~ MorrowLoot Ultimate
(Recommended) MorrowLoot Ultimate ~ MorrowLoot Ultimate Patches ~ Ordinator Patch, plus whatever else you need.
(Optional) MorrowLoot Ultimate ~ MLU - Static PermaZONES
(Optional) Summermyst - Enchantments of Skyrim ~ Summermyst v304
(Optional) Summermyst - TrueWeapons and LvlLists ~ Summermyst - TrueWeapons and LvlLists
(Optional) Summermyst-Morrowloot Ultimate-MUS Patch ~ Summermyst-MLU or MUS patch
(Optional) Heavy Armory - New Weapons ~ Heavy Armory V3.3
(Optional) Heavy Armory - New Weapons ~ Heavy Armory V3.3 - True Weapons
(Optional) MLU Community Patches ~ Heavy Armory patch
(I realize there is an original Skyrim patch for this, but it doesn't fix the leveled lists. Many of the other patches on that SSE page work fine in Oldrim.)
(Optional) Zim's Immersive Artifacts ~ Zim's Immersive Artifacts V1.4
(Optional) Zim's Immersive Artifacts-Morrowloot Ultimate-Morrowloot Ultimate Simplified Patch ~ Zim's Immersive Artifacts-Morrowloot Ultimate-Morrowloot Ultimate Simplified Patch


Part 6: Combat Overhauls

(Required) Vigor - Combat and Injuries ~ Vigor - Combat and Injuries*
(The link points to the Special Edition version on purpose. It is different than the Oldrim version, so you need the SSE version for the patches to work.)
(Recommended) Athletik Combat - Realistic Movement and Dodging ~ Athletik Combat
(Recommended) Spells Cost Stamina - Spell Learning Requirements ~ Spells Cost Stamina
(Recommended) Awakened Magicka ~ Awakened Magicka ~ USLEEP version
(Required) Ultimate Combat ~ Ultimate Combat
(Optional) Ultimate Dragons ~ Ultimate Dragons
(Required) TK Dodge ~ TK Dodge 3.0
(Optional) TK Dodge ~ Replace to Step Dodge
(Recommended) TK HitStop ~ TK HitStop
(Required) Blocking combat behavior improvement for Skyrim ~ Skyrim Combat Behavior
(Required) Combat Evolved ~ Combat Evolved - Modular ~ Core File Only*
(While I normally like the full version of Combat Evolved, it does not pair well with the other mods we are using.)
(Recommended) Combat Evolved ~ Guards Attack Hostiles
(Required) Mortal Enemies - De-aimbot Your Foes ~ Mortal Enemies v1.4
(Required) Potions Animated Fix ~ Potions Animated fix 2.1.0 EN
(Required) ASIS ~ ASIS Patcher 1-42-5 Hacked
(Required) ASIS Improved INI Files ~ ASIS Improved INI Files
(Required) Dark Souls Combat Guide ~ Dark Souls Combat Guide - Patches and Settings
(Optional) Dark Souls Combat Guide ~ Dark Souls Combat Guide - SKSE_Elys_Uncapper.ini for ORD-MLU-SXP


Part 7: Run Executable Files

Run FNIS. Everything not listed is optional depending on what else you are using.
(Required) GENDER Specific Animations
(Required) SKELETON Arm Fix
(Required) Blocking Combat Behavior Improved
(Required) TK Dodge / Ultimate Combat

Run ASIS. Only select the following.
(Required) Automatic Perks
(Optional) Automatic Spells
(Required) NPC Potions ~ I recommend increasing the drop rate (5 potions * 20% chance each or higher).
(Required) NPC Enchant Fix


How do I install a Special Edition mod in Legendary Edition?

1) Instead of clicking "download with manager" click on "download manually" instead. Save it anywhere on your PC.
2) In mod organizer, click the top left button, select the zipped mod file you just downloaded, and click open.
3) Here is a video tutorial by GamerPoets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCGVO2kpliQ
(If you don't use Mod Organizer, try googling it.)


What does the patch in the download section do?

Contains an ESP replacer for Vigor that does the following:
- Disables many of the settings, including injuries, bandages, fatigue, and potions.
- Health no longer regenerates. Since enemies now use ASIS potions and drop them when they die, the impact on gameplay is reduced.
- Added one new feature: when a follower falls in combat, they will stay down for much longer before getting back up.
(if you want any of the features I disabled, there are plenty of standalone mods like Wounds that can add them back in)

Modified some of the .ini files for ASIS to make them compatible with other mods on the list.

Changes the default MCM menu options for the following mods so that you do not need to manually change them when you start a new game.
- Potions Animated Fix
- ExtendedUI


Feedback / Suggestions

These are still many combinations of mods that I have not had the time to experiment with.
If anyone discovers something they think is an improvement (meaning it was actually tested, not just an idea), please let me know.