Another SkyrimSE update can make your game crash and unplayable. Some of the important mods are currently compatible with game version 1.5.97 To prevent Steam from updating it and keep 1.5.97 version please:

1. Right-click your SkyrimSE entry in the Steam Library
2. Go to Properties
3. Got to Updates
4. Change and automatic updates set to "update only on startup"
5. Add the following:
-forcesteamloader
to your SKSE entry in Mod Organizer 2:

To downgrade your game to the version that works with the current mods you can use THIS guide by Sthaagg
You will need SKSE version skse64_2_00_017.7z available on the SKSE HOMEPAGE

For whom is this particular guide:
- Want to have a base with nice graphics, stability and performance fixes to build on!
- Want to have customized and "complicated" mod installations done correctly with Mod Organizer 2 - promote good modding practices.
- New to Mod Organizer 2 and want to learn how to use it
- New to modding games
- New to Skyrim Special Edition
- Want to mod the game, don't know where to start...
- Users experienced with Mod Organizer can do this list without watching the provided videos (but the videos are fun :D).

I am using this list and the resulting build in my current game playthrough and gameplay videos. This list has evolved over many months. I was adding mods as they were released, continued to play and my game save still works. A long time ago I had a bug with dragon remains following me and did a little VIDEO on how to resolve this if it happens to you. Apart from that there are currently no further bugs with this modlist.

This is my personal selection with a lot of suggestions from the TUCO Modding Team. It works well and some big and popular great mods are missing here. Not everything works well together... You might ask me in the comments if I recomend to add another mod to this build and I might have an answer.

In short: This list changes most of the textures, adds significant lighting/graphics improvements, adds the needed stability patches, it just works and is extensively tested by me, the TUCO Modding Team and hundreds of users. It is relatively short and precisely explained.

The aim is mainly graphics, stability and performance improvements, leaving the gameplay, perks, balance, combat and lore mostly faithful to the original, with one exception - Frostfall / Camping complete / iNeed - if you do not care about the realism and survival aspect modifications, ignore those. All credit goes to the authors of these fantastic game modifications (SEE CREDITS). I hope that creating this list will be a humble contribution to making their work more popular.

The tutorial aims at a high performance on the recommended system configuration. It should keep 60 FPS in most areas if installed correctly. It should play well on the minimum requirements with occasional performance dips. It is a balance between looks and speed, hence I included a cut down Skyrim Flora Overhaul (plants only) among others, in favor of Verdant Grass and Simply Bigger Trees (Tree Option 1). For powerful rigs Tree Option 2 can be considered.

Install the mods in the order of this tutorial, so the right textures and other assets will appear ingame. You can later move mods up or down in the mod priority list thanks to the great flexibility of Mod Organizer. Mod Organizer 2 is obligatory. For troubleshooting jump to the Troubleshooting section.

A. If you want to backup your existing game:
- Move My Games\Skyrim Special Edition to a separate location
- Move steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition to a separate location

A1. UNINSTALL/MAKE VANILLA:
- any mods installed with Nexus Mods Manager or Wrye Bash, then
- delete My Games\Skyrim Special Edition
- delete steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition
- delete C:\Users\[Your User Name]\AppData\Local\Skyrim Special Edition
- open Steam Library, right-click on the game and uninstall
- alternatively just get Skyrim SE to vanilla state if you know other solutions

Now Install Skyrim SE somewhere else than C:\Program Files - to prevent potential permissioning issues. It's a hard requirement for this guide to work as intended.

Another rule: Do not use quick-saves, they are not reliable.

Run the launcher and run the game once from the launcher, so that inis are created.


B. Install SSEEdit
- Unpack somewhere to a directory
- Clean the master files. Have the SSEEDIT tool handy for the future and remember to check for updates of SSEEDIT, because it will not be tracked for updated by Mod Organizer 2.

You do not need to start it from Mod Organizer for cleaning the Masters!

PREPARATIONS:
1. Add new executable to be started via Mod Organizer:
- In MO2 click this Icon:

- In the Title field enter SSEEdit QAC
- Navigate to where you isntalled SSEEdit and choose the SSEEditQuickAutoClean.exe
- Now you have shortcut do start the quick auto clean via MO2.

EXECUTION:
1. Select the SSEEdit QAC from the executables dropdown list
2. Tick Update.esm and confirm with OK
3. The process will happen. Wait until you see the two "finished" messages:

4. Close SSEEdit
5. Proceed with steps 1-4, this time tick only Dawnguard.esm. Then do the same for HearthFires.esm and Dragonborn.esm


B1. CreationKit:
1. Visit Bethesda.net and register/login
2. Install the Bethesda Launcher
3. Run Bethesda Launcher
4. Click this on the left pane and then hit "Install":
5. Get the file CK Custom ini HERE. Extract the file CreationKitCustom.ini to your main game directory (where SkyrimSE.exe is).
6. Download THIS REPLACER of CK to roll back to 1.5.30 version (needed to be able to use the next important mod).

B2. SSE Creation Kit Fixes

- Download the main "CK64Fixes Release" file to your SSE modding tools and manually extract the files to your main game directory (...\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition\)
- Track the mod on Nexus as it might be updated frequently and MO2 will not notify you as this one is installed manually

C. Get Mod Organizer 2 - get the latest Archive version, or get a development version from MO2 Discord - Changelog of development releases is HERE.
I recommend the latest development version (currently 2.2.2 RC5.1), it has some great improvements.

1. Download the file
2. Create a new folder in your steamapps\common\, name it SkyrimSE Mod Organizer 2. <-- CHANGED 2018 Jan 22, thanks MistakenMystic
3. Place the files from the archive in steamapps\common\SkyrimSE Mod Organizer 2 <-- CHANGED 2018 Jan 22, thanks MistakenMystic
4. It looks like this in my Steam Library folder:





- Choose Skyrim Special Edition
- Create a shortcut to the ModOrganizer.exe on your desktop
- Edit the path where to store your downloaded mod archives intended to be installed via Mod Organizer (I store them outside my SSD, on a mechanical drive, to save space on SSD), I call it "M O Installers":








D. BETHINI– A GUI for altering your Skyrim.ini and SkyrimPrefs.ini. Download and extract to a separate folder.

- Download the file INIS MODLIST AND LOADORDER from the Files section (tab) on this page
- After having downloaded the file you can later click the "Endorse" button for this guide
- Close Mod Organizer! (Cannot be active when using BethINI)
- Run BethINI
- From now on you can edit your ini files manually or using BethINI.
- In the first tab Setup disable "Make INIs Read-Only"
- Set the Mod Organizer path to where you have you ModOrganizer.exe
- Make sure your INI Path is set to your My Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition folder

- Switch to the Basic tab, choose the Ultra preset, untick Lock Frame Rate, then change everything based on the downloaded file with screenshots in all next tabs.

- Remember to select your desired screen resolution. It should me keyed in there in the format:
1920 X 1080

Now some more advice as to what to set up and what effect it will have:
- Shadow Quality - Medium (R9 390/ GTX 970) or high/ultra (better cards)
- Godrays Quality - your preference. Set a value and test later in game
- Shadows:
- Detailed Draw Distance - value 2000 (R9 390/ GTX 970) or higher values for better cards
- Exterior Draw Distance will have a big impact on performance.
- Particles - 3000 or higher values for better cards
- Field of view (FOV) - I recommend values from 90 to 100
- Flickering Light Distance – 8192
- Turn off TAA for performance and Reshade only presets, turn on TAA for ENBs (test game visuals for your prefered setting)
- Disable snow shaders all together.
- Do not make ini files read-only (works good for me, I also suggest manually making a backup of Skyrim.ini and SkyrimPrefs.ini somewhere from time to time just in case

E. FallrimTools
- Download and extract the archive to a new folder somewhere. Install the Java version needed (see mods description or click on the Java- link when prompted during the download)
- Also get the Java 64 bit version from here and install it: Java Downloads
- download "Windows x64" and "Windows x86 Offline" - the "exe" versions of the latest stable build and install it

Note from the author:
Warning: I don't use CreationClub mods and provide zero support for them. If you have CC mods installed and ReSaver opens your savefile AT ALL, consider it a miracle. I have nothing against paid mods, but so far they all seem terrible and worthless.

- Use ReSaver.exe on a weekly basis, cleaning option 1,2,5. Start it from Mod Organizer! Be careful with option 5 as it may reset a lot of mods. Do save your cleaned save file under a different name! If you notice mods restarting or any anomalies, go back to previous save.


H. LOOT
- always use LOOT after installing new mods and after disabling/deleting mods. Install it where you install all the other modding tools; not in Program Files. If you already use LOOT for other games, you don't need to install it again. Use it from Mod Organizer! In a while we will configure it to be started from Mod Organizer 2.

I. Wrye Bash

- Download the "Standalone Executable" Wrye Bash and extract the Mopy folder into your main game directory:


- Use Wrye Bash from Mod Organizer (we will configure it to be used from Mod Organizer in a moment in step J)

I1. SKSE64 - game version dependent - use correct version for your game runtime*



1. Get SKSE64 (into separate location) - get the skse64_2_00_16.7z version compatible with current game runtime 1.5.80
2. Extract from SKSE64 archive to your main game diectory (where SkyrimSE.exe is):

skse64_2_X_XX.dll
skse64_loader.exe
skse64_steam_loader.dll

3. Extract the Data folder from SKSE64 archive to SOMEWHERE ELSE and make a zip or 7z archive of it.

4. Install the SKSE64 Data
- Open MO2 and click
- Navigate to the SKSE64 Data archive you created previously
- Install the SKSE64 Data mod, move it to the top of your mod list in MO2, activate.

- SKSE64 is now installed. Start the game with skse64_loader.exe. In the main menu open the the console with ~, type GETSKSEVERSION and hit enter. If the SKSE version is displayed, it means it's working fine.

8. Now you can make an app shortcut in your MO2 to skse64_loader.exe and start the game with it.


J. Now open Mod Organizer and configure the various tools to be used from Mod Organizer:
- SSEEDIT,
- LOOT (should be already detected by default),
- ReSaver,
- Wrye Bash
- CreationKit.




K. Before you make changes to the game:

a. You will from now on start the game from Mod Organizer 2! Start the game from Mod Organizer, start a new game and finish the intro sequence in Helgen, so your hands are unbound.

b. Save in new slot after your hands are unbound.
c. After you installed Alternate Start (later), do not use this save anymore. Moreover, after you are completely finished modding, first then start a totally new game and play it. The safest approach is to avoid adding more mods while you are playing the game through, if you want to add some mere texture replacers, you should be fine though.

Now, after adding more and more mods, when you see this:
(instructions for later) ... run LOOT, Sort Plugins, Apply, run Wrye Bash, right-click Bashed Patch, choose Rebuild Bashed patch, load the game, see if you can run around, save in new slot. DON'T DO IT YET (no need to) - we will do it after Mod 9. Repeat after each couple of mods or when prompted by this guide. A short video will be provided the first time it happens! A new updated (Nov 2017) Bashed Patch procedure is presented after mod 9.

Default action for each mod below:

Visit mod page, go to Files section, click "MOD MANAGER DOWNLOAD". The mod should then appear on the downloads tab of MO2.



NOTE: MO2 is able to distinguish Skyrim LE mods (Oldrim) and Skyrim SE mods (SSE). It also shows "other game" labeled mods in the left pane using the green icon for Oldrim mods like here:



WHAT IS OVERWRITE?
There is no single step in the guide where you should leave files in the Overwrite folder and continue. Watch out for this icon, when it goes from grey to:


More info:

Now we will install all the mods, test often!

PapyrusUtil SE - game version dependent - use correct version for your game runtime - Modders Scripting Utility Functions
- Install the main file with Mod Organizer (like shown above: click the Mod Manager Download button and it'll appear in the downloads tab).

SSE Engine Fixes - game version dependent - use correct version for your game runtime
- download (Part 1) Engine Fixes 4.12 for SSE 1.5.97 - skse64 plugin
- download (Part 2) Engine Fixes - skse64 Preloader and TBB Lib manually. Then, extract it's files to the main game directory (not the data folder).
- it'll prompt you to overwrite two files. Overwrite them.
- Double-click the mod in left pane of MO, click on the INI Files tab
- In the left pane click on EngineFixes.ini
- Find the line with RegularQuicksaves = false, change false to true, save the ini and close the window.

Havok Fix (OPTIONAL, I don't use it)
- download and install the main file
- double click the mod in left pane of MO2, click on the INI Files tab
- in the left pane click on HavokFix.ini
- On the last line (MaxFPS), set the value to your monitor's refresh rate.
- if you happen to use RTSS, check this article.

Alternate Start - Live Another Life
- Download and install with Mod Organizer. This is quite mandatory. The opening sequence (especially the carriage ride and execution scene) will be broken with the entire mod selection here. With this mod you skip that scene. You can however choose the vanilla Helgen option at the start of the game.

Vanilla game start will be severely bugged after installing all the mods. Carriage might freak out completely and then there's a problem during the attempted execution scene.
- It lets you have an alternate start of the game, useful if you already played the vanilla start and want to start your adventure as someone else and somewhere else
- It is also particularly good to quickly start in another location for testing your modded game. I strongly encourage you to read the mod's description page to be fully aware of the changes come with the mod in the starting of the main quest.
- After installing Alt. Start you will need to start a new game (doesn't make sense to install it if you are already advanced in the story).

SkyUI
- Get SkyUI_5_2_SE (or newest version if there is another)
- If using a 21:9 monitor get also Complete Widescreen Fix for Vanilla and SkyUI 2.2 and 5.2 SE - the file "Complete Widescreen Fix for SkyUI 5.2 SE Alpha - 2560x1080" (Version 2.0 from Oct 5)
- Install the first or both with MO2


SkyUI SE - Flashing Savegames Fix
- If using a 21:9 monitor, also get the file SkyUI SE - Flashing Savegames FIx - Widescreen Fix from HERE and install afterterwards

Wider MCM For SkyUI
- Choose one of the main files (I, zDas, recommend the Fullscreen Option).
 - If using a 21:9 monitor, also get the file from HERE

Bashed Patch First Creation Procedure (Update April 2018):

Bashed Patch Rebuild (Update April 2018):

IMPORTANT!
If you rebuild the bashed patch later, already having a Bashed Patch rebuilt earlier, it's best to:
1. Activate all plugins first in the right pane of MO2, then
2. Then Sort with LOOT
3. Open Wrye Bash and rebuild the Bashed Patch
4. DO NOT reactivate any plugins that were deactivated by Wrye Bash. They were incorporated into the Bashed Patch.

This way the rebuild process will be made taking all mod relations into account and the plugins that get merged will be deactivated by Wrye Bash.



Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch
- download the Main File
- click on the "Downloads" tab on the right pane of Mod Organizer and double-click the downloaded file
- click "Manual" in the popup window
- right-click the correct folder in the structure and choose "Set Data directory", so that you see the message "Looks good" on the bottom of the window:

This will be the default check and action for all further mods installations!

Cutting Room Floor - SSE

Cutting Room Floor - Lighting Overhaul

Weapons Armor Clothing and Clutter Fixes
- install the Main File first
- choose 2K at least, bigger version for GPUs with 8+ GB VRAM, install and merge with Main File

Armor and Clothing Extension
- install the Main File first
- choose 2K at least, bigger version for GPUs with 8+ GB VRAM, install and merge with Main File

Armor and Clothing Extension (WACCF) - MCM Menu Fix

Skyrim Landscape and Water Fixes
In the FOMOD, pick ESM.

Falskaar

Falskaar - Addons and Patches
- Choose:

• Bug Fixes
• Boat Location Patch ESPLite
• Fast Travel Addon
• iNeed - Food Water and Sleep Patch ESPLite
• Beyond Skyrim - Bruma Patch ESPLite

NOTE: Plugins with missing masters don't cause CTDs, because they are disabled at the game startup, so don't worry if MO2 is saying that there are missing masters. For now.

performance optimized textures for SSE
- Get the 512x512 version and install with Mod Organizer.

[OPTIONAL]Beyond Skyrim - Bruma SE - this is a DLC-sized mod with voice acting and quests that adds a part of the Cyrodiil land from TES4 Oblivion to Skyrim
a. Download and install the following files with Mod Organizer:

a. Install "Beyond Skyrim Bruma SE 1.3.3"
b. Install "Beyond Skyrim DLC Integration Patch"
d. Drag the files below Unofficial SSE Patch mod in the left pane of MO2
e. Clean the mod with SSEEdit - load SSEEdit > select only BSHeartland.esm > clean same way as you cleaned the masters

Beyond Skyrim - Bruma Tree LOD Billboards

Imperial City LOD fix for custom lods (Beyond skyrim Bruma) - use this if you plan to use DynDoLOD, makes the Imperial City Tower appear on the map (highly recommended)

Beyond Skyrim - Bruma - Tweaks Enhancements and Patches SSE
Download and install the main file and the optional file. For the main file, install as follows:

• Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch ESPLite
• Cloaks Addon, Campfire and Immersive Armors Fur Patch, iNeed - Food Water and Sleep Patch, VioLens - a KillMove Mod SE Patch

You will need to reinstall the mod if in the future you choose to use one of the other mods listed above.[/center]

Static Mesh Improvement Mod - SMIM
- Choose the default option during installation

Bruma Signs SMIM patch - SE

a. Install "Bruma SE Signs SMIMmed" with Mod Organizer

No snow under the roof
NOTE: This mod's esp needs cleaning. Do it just like you did with the main ESMs.

No Snow Under The Roof - Hall of the Vigilant Fixes
Download the Main File. In the FOMOD, tick all the options.
NOTE: This mod's esps need cleaning. Do it just like you did with the Main ESMs for NSUTR_groundsnow_mesh_fixes.esp and NSUTR_improvements.esp.

Cutting Room Floor - No Snow Under The Roof

Better Dynamic Snow
Download the main file. In the FOMOD, make sure that SMIM and No Snow Under The Roof are selected.

Better Dynamic Snow - Patches
Download the Main File, Better Dynamic Snow - Beyond Skyrim, and Better Dynamic Snow - Experimental shader.

Better Dynamic Snow in New Worldspaces
Download Better Dynamic Snow in New Areas - ESL. In the FOMOD, pick Falskaar only.

iNeed - Food Water and Sleep - Continued
-During the FOMOD, pick only Full.

JContainers - game version dependent - use correct version for your game runtime

VioLens
- Choose Premade Profiles, do not choose JContainers and chose Loose Files

Noble Skyrim Mod HD-2K
- Download manually the file A. Noble Skyrim - FULL PACK_2K into your folder where you told Mod Organizer to keep it's downloads!
- and yes, it's 2.5 GB.
- Go to the Downloads tab on the right pane of Mod Organizer, double click on the "A. NSM..." mod, click Install.

Also, from same page get and install the file NSM - SMIM Patch
9a. SMIM - Noble Skyrim Patch - don't confuse with the upper mod, we need also this. It's a separate improvement.

Skyrim particle patch for ENB
- Download SPECIAL EDITION into your MO Installers and install with Mod Organizer
- Double click the mod, click on the Filetree tab and hide Particle Patch for ENB SSE.esp.

Unofficial Material Fix - download the Main File to MO Installers and install with Mod Organizer

[OPTIONAL]High Poly Project [FPS WARNING! - If your game lags too much and frames drop, disable that mod and test again. High number of polygons might be a performance killer for mid-range GPUs and CPUs.]
- install the main file.

[If using High Poly Project]Unofficial Material Fix High Poly Patch
- Download and install the patch after Unoff. Material Fix and High Poly Project, CAREFUL: Rename the mod to "Unofficial Material Fix High Poly Patch" during installation for it to be installed in a separate position and not overwrite the base mod!

[CHOICE] Now visit those mod pages and choose between, I use Vivid now.:

A. Vivid Landscapes - All in One - Special Edition
B. MystiriousDawn's HD Skyrim
C. Septentrional Landscapes + Northern Shores

- For A: Download and install the main file, then install the update file Vivid Landscapes - Special Edition - LOD correction, choose "Merge" when asked
- For B: Download and install either Landscape Textures - Highest Quality or Landscape Textures - Mid Quality and the two update files.
- For C: For Septentrional download and install one of the resolutions and the two updates; for Northern download and install one of the resolutions
NOTE: Don't worry about the requirement (Hyperborean Snow), it'll be installed later in the guide.

PELTAPALOOZA - Special Edition

Majestic Mountains

- Install the latest version, choose:
- Snow Mountain New version ESL
- Landscape Textures
- Moss Rocks ESL
- Sun Direction: None
- SMIM (tick)

- Also download and install the update file (ignore the requirement for Blended Roads, going to be installed later in the guide).

Better Dynamic Majestic Mountains
Download and install Better Dynamic Majestic Mountains - MM ESL Version.

HD LODs Textures SE
- Download and install the file HD Lods Textures SE 1K V9.2 - DynDOLOD ONLY VERSION if you intend to use xLODGen/DynDoLOD
- If you will NOT use xLODGen/DynDoLOD install this file instead: HD Lods Textures SE V9.2 1K
- MO2 let's you switch between both above configurations at will by just ticking/unticking the mods in the left pane of the program, so it's no big deal

Majestic Mountains LOD PACK - install the latest file "Majestic Mountains LOD Pack" during installation rename the file to "Majestic Mountains - LOD PACK", so that it doesn't get merged, like this:


[OPTIONAL CHOICE] Here are two mods that modify the look of Majestic Mountains, if you happen to not like the textures from the latest update like me (zDas):

A. Majestic Moutains - Northside
B. Darkside Mix for Majestic Mountains

- For A: Pick between Normal and Dark Northside; Default and Rough Normal Maps; Landscapes are Optional; Tweaked Wet Rock Meshes; Northside Tweaks ESL Version.
- For B: Download and install the main file.

Soul Cairn HD - take 4K version. 2K for >4GB GPUs, also install and Merge the update.

Sovngarde HD - get the Main File

Glorious Glaciers
- I chose "Fantasy" option during installation

Hyperborean Snow

Blended Roads - makes roads look much better. You can choose the "Really Blended Roads" for more 3D-looking bricks, at some more performance cost.
- Choose the corresponding SMIM patch during installation!

[OPTIONAL]Blended Roads Redone
- Download one of the resolutions. Grab one of the bridge files if you want to as well.

aMidianBorn Whiterun [OLDRIM!]

- After installation, double-click the mod on the left pane, go to Filetree, scroll to wrfieldgrass01_n.dds, right-click and "Hide"!! This will let a better blending in grass from NSM be visible ingame:

RUSTIC WINDOWS - Special Edition

Realistic Aspen Trees SE 4k - CHOOSE Vanilla for Tree LODs during the installation

TreesHD_Skyrim_Variation [OLDRIM!]
- Don't forget to fix the Data folder, so MO says "Looks good".

Simply Bigger Trees SE - (formerly SkySight SBT) SE

- Choose only the file "Simply Bigger Trees SE (Realistic Aspen Trees - Loose)"

- OPTIONAL: Install also the file "Optional HD Textures by Vurt (of SFO fame)", do not merge, but rename
(then you can switch between the option to have it installed or not by deactivating/activating this mod in Mod Organizer). A comparison GIF is linked HERE
I use it sometimes, sometimes not. Cannot decide which option I prefer :D.

4K Parallax Treebark [OLDRIM!]
- Download the file main file 4K manually and the file "SBT and RAT compatible patch"
- Double-click to install
- Click on "Manual" and navigate to treepineforestdead03.nif, disable it, then click "OK" to install:
- Install the file "SBT and RAT compatible patch".

Skyrim Flora Overhaul SE

IMPORTANT!! We are going to customize the SFO SE mod to install only the plants using Mod Organizer. We have the trees covered already and want to save some performance!

To achieve this we will do the following:

a. Download the main file
b. Initiate installation by double-clicking it in the Downloads tab on the right pane in Mod Organizer
c. Once the MO installer pops up, click "Manual" and edit the file structure like this:

d. Click OK and install.


Rudy HQ - Falling Leaves
For this Tree Overhaul, I, zDas, recommend Rudy HQ - Falling Leaves and Needles for ENB Intense SE

We only choose one tree option, this is how to install the second choice with Trees and Plants 3D:

Skyrim 3D Trees and Plants
Download and install the following files:

Skyrim 3D Trees & Plants
Skyrim 3D Trees Billboards
Skyrim 3D Trees UV Fixed Wood Log

[OPTIONAL]A Fantasy Forest Overhaul for Skyrim 3D Trees
Download and install the following files:

Fantasy Forest Overhaul 3D Trees 1.1 2019.zip
Fantasy Forest Overhaul 3D Trees 1.1 a Lod and TempleTree Patch 2019.zip
patch_templestrees.zip
[OPTIONAL] Blubbos_Rift_Addon_1_FantasyForestOverhaul.zip

Sort with LOOT

Run Wrye Bash and create Bashed Patch, rebuild it.
... and we are done. The Tree Overhaul Option 2 is installed. You can test the game and play it.

EVT - Enhanced Vanilla Trees
- Install the main file Enhanced Vanilla Trees SE v1.9.0 and choose the following options during installation:[/size]

• Enhanced Darker Meshes;
• Either Lush Trees or Custom Trees (I, zDas, usually choose Lush Trees (Large));
• Enhanced Tree Clutter, Firewood Textures, one of the SFO Branch Textures (I, zDas, usually choose 2), Realistic Aspen Trees, and SFO Snowy Pine Trees

EEKs Renthal Flora Collection or Skyrim 3D Plants (Miscellaneous Files)
- For EEK's Install the main file and update (you can install the choose the same mod name for the update and chose "Merge" so it becomes one)

Less Ugly Tundragrass
- Pick green if you have a green tundra, yellow if you have a brown/yellow-ish tundra.

Rudy HQ - Falling Leaves
For EVT, I, zDas, recommend Rudy HQ - Falling Leaves and Needles for ENB Intense SE

Myrkvior - The Flora of Skyrim - Trees - install the main file
Myrkvior has a lot of optional files for trees in different places. It's recommended that you check them to see if you like any. I, zDas, recommend the following:

• TFoS Cherry trees
• TFoS Large Juniper Trees in the Reach

Also, under the miscellaneous files you can find ESL versions of the addons.

EEKs Renthal Flora Collection or Skyrim 3D Plants (Miscellaneous Files)
- For EEK's Install the main file and update (you can install the choose the same mod name for the update and chose "Merge" so it becomes one)

Less Ugly Tundragrass
- Pick green if you have a green tundra, yellow if you have a brown/yellow-ish tundra.

Rudy HQ - Falling Leaves
For Myrkvior, I, zDas, recommend Rudy HQ - Falling Leaves and Needles for ENB Intense SE and Rudy HQ - Falling Leaves and Needles SE - Green Leaves Texture 1K

Later, if you do DynDoLOD, make sure to add to your \DynDOLOD\Edit Scripts\DynDOLOD\DynDOLOD_SSE.ini.

• TreeLOD=0
• TreeLODAverageColor=1
• TreeLODBackgroundTexture=none
• ObjectLODAlphaAverageColor=1

Apart from that, please follow the DynDoLOD instructions for Trees Option 2.

Underground - a dungeon texture overhaul
Download the main file.
On FOMOD, choose Install everything default color

Ruins Clutter Improved

Ruins Clutter Improved - Fixes

Rudy HQ - Nordic Ruins
Download and install:

• Rudy HQ - Nordic Ruins SE version
• 4K textures for the ruins chests urns and a wood
• Chests addon
• Pots addon SE version
• Ruin Levers addon SE version

You can merge them or install them separately.

Arri's Snow Elf Ruins Retexture

Gecko's Dwarven Ruins Textures

Enhanced Lights and FX
- Download and install the main file. In the FOMOD, pick:

• ELFX Enhancer
• ELFX - Exteriors
• SMIM Meshes, SMIM Lanterns

NOTE: EnhancedLightsandFX.esp needs to be cleaned + requires manual cleaning. Instructions below.
After running it through QuickAutoClean, expand its name, then expand Cell, then Block 7, then Sub-block 4, right click 0007C98B <ThalmorEmbassy01> and remove.
Then, still on EnhancedlightsandFX.esp, find FormID List, expand it, right click EnhancedLightsandFXForms, apply script, choose Remove invalid entries from lists.
After it's done, simply close SSEEdit, making sure you're saving the plugin.

Unofficial ELFX SMIM Patch

ELFX Fixes
Download ELFX Fixes ESL version

ELFX Fake Door Light Remover

ELFX - Exterior Fixes
Download ELFX - Exteriors Fixes for ENB users if you plan on using and ENB. If not, download the normal version.

Alternate Start ELFX Enhancer Patch
Download and install the main file.

ELFX Dwemer Floor Footsteps Fix

Realistic Water Two
- My choices for options (currently I don't use Watercolor, looks more nordic in my opinion:


Enhanced Blood Textures SE (my installer choices are HERE )

- In SkyrimPrefs.ini, under [Decals] section add the following line:
bDecalsOnSkinnedGeometry=1

Lucidity Sound FX SSE
Download and install the main file.

Audio Overhaul for Skyrim SE
Download and install both main files and the Immersive Sounds Compendium patch.
NOTE: this mod contains an outdated dll. Even though it's self-disabling, the warning on MO2 might get a bit annoying. So to hide it:
Double click the mod, click on Filetree > SKSE, right click the Plugins folder and click hide.

Immersive Sounds - Compendium (tick the right patches during install. I choose "Classic RPG" for healing and "Vanilla Nirnroot")

Immersive Sounds Compendium - PATCHES
- get and install the file "ISC Enhanced Blood Textures Patch"

Rally's Road Signs
Download and install the main file. In the FOMOD, pick: 2K, Bruma Patch 2K, Cutting Room Floor 2K.

Skyrim SE Improved Puddles

Bellyache's HD Dragon Replacer

Imprefvicticious Alduin
Download and install the FOMOD Version. In it, pick the color you want.

Verdant - A Skyrim Grass Plugin
- install main file
- install the 1.6.5. update file with the same mod name and choose "Merge" when asked!
- After installation double-click on the mod in the left pane of Mod Organizer, click on the INI-Files tab and remove the following lines from Verdant.ini:

[Display]
fGlobalContrastBoost=-0.2

- By removing these lines, you'll be removing the contrast boost reduction that Verdant adds.
- click the Save button on the bottom and close the mod window.
- iMinGrassSize can be set between 0 and 100. The lower the value, the more grass and less performance. I used 90 on the Radeon R9 390 and use 45 on GTX 1080 Ti.

The Elder Scrolls - Veydosebrom - Grass and Groundcover
Download and install the main file. In the FOMOD, pick:

• Loose
• Vanilla or Spring Season
• If you chose Spring, choose between Vanilla and Special Spring (read the description of the options to know the difference between them)
• If you chose Special Spring, pick between the Addons (the descriptions tell what they do)
• Pick one of the Densities (I, zDas, recommend either Performance or Ely's Cut)
• Dense Landscape
• One of the qualities (I, zDas, recommend Performance as the others are overkill and obliterate your fps)

Northern Grass SE
Simply download and install the main file.
Make sure your Grass Diversity (on BethINI) is at 15; Grass Density is up to you (remembering: the lower the density, the more grass you have; the higher the density, the less grass you have.)





For Obsidian:
Obsidian Weathers and Seasons

True Storms Special Edition

Obsidian Weathers - True Storms Patch
In the installer, pick:

• One of the Alternate Versions (Water's Edge Fix)
• Audio Overhaul Patch

NOTE: Don't use with Cathedral Weathers.

For NAT:
NAT - Natural and Atmospheric Tamriel

True Storms Special Edition

NAT - True Storms Patch
In the installer, pick:

• One of the Alternate Versions (Water's Edge Fix)
• Audio Overhaul Patch

NOTE: Don't use with Cathedral Weathers.

Obsidian Mountain Fogs

For Cathedral:

Cathedral Weathers and Seasons

Cathedral Weathers - Audio Overhaul Patch

Cathedral Weathers MCM

Improved Rain and Fog for Cathedral Weathers

Lucid Rain - for Cathedral Weathers

Obsidian Mountain Fogs



I'm sorry Phoenix, but the Sky section of your guide is so gorgeous that I had to include it here. I hope you don't change it in 3.0 :)

Skyrim Textures Redone - Enhanced Night Sky
During the FOMOD, pick

• 4K Stars
• 4K Big and Small Stars
• 2K Moons
• 4K Nebula
• 4K Aurora
• 4K Constellations

You can obviously pick lower resolutions

8K Night Skies - Stars and Galaxies - Cathedral Concept
Download and install Night Skies - Blue Lore (4K) - CP
After installing, double click the mod, go to the filetree tab, expand the textures folder, then the sky folder, the right click on skystars.dds and click hide.

Skygazer Moons - Masser and Secunda
Download and install one of the resolutions.

ETHEREAL CLOUDS
Download and install one of the resolutions.

RaceMenu - game version dependent - use correct version for your game runtime
- this mod might not be queried correctly by Mod Organizer. Do not query info and manually assign Nexus ID to 19080 after installation
- If you use UltraWide monitor, please also get the file "Race Menu SE - WIdescreen Fix" from HERE - install it in a separate mod below RaceMenu.

(OPTIONAL, I use it. - Removes head-bobbing and smoothens camera) Motion Sickness BE GONE
- get the Main File Motion Sickness BE GONE (Ultimate Edition) with 3rd Person FIX
- PROBLEM: no steps sound when sprinting. Investigation in place. Do not install if you want hear your sprinting for now.
Better Dialogue Controls
If you use UltraWide monitor, please also get the file appropriate "Widescreen Fix" from HERE

XP32 Maximum Skeleton
In the FOMOD, pick:
No Physics
Racemenu
None
None for Pretty Combat stuff
None for Magic
Tick Axes on Back, Swords on Back
Tick Axes on Back, Belt Fastened Quivers, Swords on Back
None for patches

Fores New Idles in Skyrim - FNIS
1. Install:
- Main file
- Creature Pack

2. Configure FNIS in Mod Organizer 2:

FNIS PCEA2 - Player Exclusive Animations (dynamic) SE

Dual Wield Improved Animation SSE

TK Dodge SE - game version dependent - use correct version for your game runtime - very insteresting mod giving new dodging mechanics with default hotkey ingame bein left Alt.

Ecotone Dual Sheath
During the FOMOD, pick the Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch




ApachiiSkyHair SSE
a) install main file ApachiiSkyHair_v_1_6_Full_optimized
b) install ApachiiSkyHairFemale_v_1_5_Optimized
c) install ApachiiSkyHairMale_v_1_2_Optimized

Total Character Makeover

Improved Eyes Skyrim

Northborn Scars

The Men of Winter SSE
Download the first main file. In the FOMOD, pick Miraak Hides His Face Just Like Vanilla and Don't Install Patches

Bijin:

Follow each link I present and get the files I mention in the text.
The screenshots may show mod files that I have renamed for them to make sense, as many are named like "High Res Textures" originally, causing even more confusion - so in my mod list in Mod Organizer I add to the name to show which freaking Bijin these High Res Textures are for. Install them in the order presented in the written instructions in the guide.

Install the following:
- Bijin Warmaidens SE
- install file Bijin Warmaidens SE v3.1.3+, choose CBBE during FOMOD + file "High-res skin textures for CBBE"
- Bijin NPC SE
- install file Bijin NPCs SE 1.2.1, choose CBBE during FOMOD + file "High-Res skin for CBBE"
- Bijin Wives SE
- install file Bijin Wives SE 1.1.2, choose CBBE during FOMOD + file "High-resolution skin textures for CBBE"

- Serana - Install version 1.6.2 from Miscellaneous Files, choose CBBE during FOMOD
- Valerica 1.7.2 + "Valerica High-res skin texture option" (you find it in the Optional Files), choose CBBE during FOMOD.
- Bijin All in One-SSE - get the file "Bijin AIO 2019 - Serana Valerica" and install it.

Now we will hide the 3 Bijin ESP plugins.
Double-click the Bijin Warmaidens mod. Click on "Optional ESPs", click once on the Bijin
Warmaidens.esp and click on the arrow to move it to Optional ESPs. Click"Close" at the end:



The result looks like this:

Now do the above for the mods:
Bijin Wifes
Bijin NPCs
Serana
Valerica

As result only the Bijin_AIO-SV 2018.esp will be visible in the (right pane) plugins load order of Mod Organizer.

Now add a LOOT user rule to sort the Bijin_AIO-SV 2018.esp after Bashed Patch, 0.esp:
1. Open LOOT, find Bijin_AIO-SV 2018.esp and click the 3 dots:

2. Choose "Edit Metadata"

3. Click "Load After
4. Hit "+"
5. Start entering the name Bashed Patch, click it when it's name is shown
6. Click the save icon

7. Set Bijin to be in group "Dynamic patches":

8. Do the same with The Men of Winter
9. Now sort the load order with LOOT

The Bijins should now look like this in the mod list (left pane):




****************************

RUSTIC CLOTHING - Special Edition
- 4K version for 8+ GB VRAM
- 4K/2K version gor GTX 1070 / Vega 56 / R9 390
- 2K for anything lower.

Immersive Armors [OPTIMIZE MESHES]
- Optimize the meshes for SSE (not optimized by default although found on Skyrim Special Edition Nexus):


Immersive Armours - SSE CBBE Bodyslide
Download and install the main file

aMidianBorn Book of Silence [OLDRIM!] - The following files were suggested by the TUCOGUIDE community and compiled by Guts390, thank you for your great help! They will contribute to swapping most if not all low quality vanilla armor textures to high/ultra quality work by Cabal (must-have addition).

From the above link will be Installing the files: Armors, Weapons, Uniques, and Dragonborn. Nothing else.

Armors
Run the fomod installer and choose "Custom". You can pick whatever options you prefer, but with two exceptions. Do not choose "Glass Variants" or "Ebony differently". These options should be explicitly described as a no go. Do not select them, as they use and require an esp. Without these two options, there are no esps to worry about. Here are my personal choices:


Weapons
Run the fomod installer and choose Custom. Choose everything but Skyforge.

Uniques
Run the fomod installer and choose Install everything. There are no esps to worry about

Dragonborn
Run the fomod installer and choose either Cabal’s cut or Custom. I recommend Cabal’s cut. There are no esps to worry about.

Then, download manually and install Bonemold Hotfix and Staff of Magnus Hotfix

aMidianBorn Blades Armor SSE Patch
Install as normal. Nothing fancy.

Skyforge Weapons SSE

The following mods are updates created by Cabal that were not ever included in the book of silence. Some are separate retextures that were never Included in the first place. A few I have excluded as I feel they are not entirely necessary. Also, the guide doesn't need all of that fluff. All of these are major improvements and absolutely essential.

aMidianBorn Iron and Banded Iron Armor [OLDRIM!]
Install Cabals Cut version from the main files in whatever resolution you find to be suitable. Install optional cubemap as well if you like. It is experimental and not perfect. It also only affects males. So, I advise against it.

aMidianBorn Steel Armor [OLDRIM!]
Install main file

Glorious Dwarven Metal
- Download and install the file "Glorious Dwarven Metal USSEP Safe"

aMidianBorn Dwarven Armor [OLDRIM!]
Install main file or optional higher resolution version

aMidianBorn Scaled Armor [OLDRIM!]
Install main file

aMidianBorn Hide and Studded Hide [OLDRIM!]
Install either main file

Daedric Armor and Weapons Improvement
Install only one file and only "Replacer" (I chose file name Replacer - Default Glow). You might go for Blood Glow or No Glow as well.

Frankly HD Dragonbone and Dragonscale - Armor and Weapons
- Get 4K only if you have 8GB or more VRAM
- Get also the Mesh patch from the update files, install it after installing the main file and choose "Merge" when asked

Frankly HD Dawnguard Armor and Weapons install the main file.
- If you use Ecotone Dual Sheath (recommended) install also the DSR Meshes file (can be installed separately under different name or merged).

Frankly HD Thieves Guild Armors

Frankly HD Shrouded Armor

Frankly HD Imperial Armor and Weapons

SkySight Skins - Ultra HD
Download the Main file. In the FOMOD, choose:

• Real Feet Meshes PLUS Less Shiny Body Meshes
• Hairy and Clean
• Reduced Veins
• Vanilla Age

Caliente's Beautiful Bodies Enhancer
Download the main file and CBBE ESL-flagged .esp
In the main file FOMOD, choose:

• Curvy, Underwear (or None if you prefer), Vanilla Outfits, Face Pack
• If you chose Underwear, Normal
• RaceMenu Morphs

BodySlide and Outfit Studio

WACCF - CBBE Patch
- Choose WACCF + ACE

[OPTIONAL]Bijin Skin CBBE
Download Bijin Skin CBBE. In the FOMOD, pick what you want.

Run For Your Lives

ConsoleUtilSSE - game version dependent - use correct version for your game runtime

Fuz Ro D-oh

Nether's Follower Framework
Download the Main File. In the FOMOD, choose:

• Skyrim Special Edition
• Followers Avoid Traps, Vanilla SkyHaven Temple

Campfire - Complete Camping System
IMPORTANT NOTE: After installing the mod, double click it, then go to the filetree tab, expand the SKSE folder, then expand plugins, find PapyrusUtil.dll, right click and Hide.

Frostfall - Hypothermia Camping Survival

When using Frostfall in the current state, do not use the Mod Configuration Menu to configure it yet. In your Powers menu there is a spell "Options - Frostfall" and you can configure everything there. Some people have reported problems using Frostfall in the current state. I noticed no problems extensively testing it with the mod selection presented here.

Campfire and Frostfall - Unofficial SSE Update
- If you use UltraWide monitor, please also get the file appropriate "Widescreen Fix" from HERE
- Now, on the next game test the Frostfall spell is gone and you can use the Mod Config Menu to configure your Frostfall.

Campfire Better Dynamic Snow Patch

Wet and Cold - Use the Mod Configuration Menu to set it up for breathing vapor and other options

Wet and Cold - Fur Hoods Fix

[OPTIONAL]Improved Wet and Cold Water Drips


True Storms - Wet and Cold Compatibility ( You need to reinstall this if you happen to change NAT to Obsidian Weathers or other way around. Also, don't use this if you're using Cathedral Weathers, as we don't use TS and Cathedral together).
- install the mod with the following options for Obsidian Weathers, For NAT only tick the "WetCold - Water's Edge Fix"):


The Paarthurnax Dilemma


Even Better Quest Objectives – EBQO
In the FOMOD, pick:

• Dark Brotherhood Forever to Miscellaneous Quests
• Alternate Start, Cutting Room Floor, and The Paarthurnax Dilemma (should be autoselected)

The Choice is Yours

kryptoppyr's Patch Hub
Download and install Cutting Room Floor __ TCIY

Immersive Patrols SE

Smoking Torches and Candles
In the FOMOD, pick:

• Smoking Torches (Classic)
• Optimized
• ESPFE

Embers HD
In the FOMOD, pick:

• Embers HD 2K
• Fireplaces Addon + Custom Fire Effects
• Forges Addon; Lava Crater Addon
• Campfire Patch; Smoking Torches Patch

Unofficial Material Fix - Embers HD Patch

KD - Realistic Fireplaces V3
In the FOMOD, pick:

• I have read it all!; Yellow wire
• ESP Version
• KD - Realistic Fireplaces 2K
• KD - Fire Glow
• Yes
• Sweet Spot
• Embers HD Patch
• I trust Kenan's taste.

Charred Logs for KD - Realistic Fireplaces
Download the 2K File.

Inferno - Fire Effects Redux
Download the Main File.
In the Main File FOMOD, pick:

• Ultra or Lite
• Brighter
• Style is up to you
• New
• Regular
• KD - Realistic Fireplaces + Ember HD
• Smoking Torches and Candles
• Flame Meshes Patch

Arctic - Frost Effects Redux
In the FOMOD, pick:

• Ultra
• Realistic Hue
• x1
• Transparent
• Frost Meshes Patch

Sovngarde - Mist's Font Replacer SE - I recommend the "Light" file, the default is too bold for me.



A Quality World Map - 9.0.1 A Quality World Map - [RESAVE IN CK]
- install file - Vivid with Flat Roads,
- keep at the end of the modlist, straight above Papyrus Util SE:


Breezehome Crafting Basement - this is totally optional - adds what the name says, read description for more info

Better MessageBox Controls
- If you use UltraWide monitor, please also get the file "Widescreen Fix" from HERE
- If you use UltraWide monitor, now drag the mod Complete Widescreen Fix for SkyUI 5.2 SE Alpha - 2560x1080 (we installed it straight after SkyUI) below the Better MessageBox Controls and it's Widescreen fix:


Hook Share SE - game version dependent - use correct version for your game runtime
- NOT game version 1.5.97 ready

Quick Loot RE - game version dependent - use correct version for your game runtime
- NOT game version 1.5.97 ready (it's dependent on HookShare SE, which needs updating)
- Edit the the following line in your \mods\Quick Loot RE\SKSE\Plugins\QuickLootRE.json file to look as follows:

"scale": 60.0,

This way you get 60% of the original Quick Loot window size. Enter different values to adjust size.
The syntax needs to be exactly like shown with the coma.

Better descriptions SSE - Install main file

Bellyaches Animal and Creature Pack SSE - install with the following option:



DRAUGR /4K-2K

DRAGON PRIEST /4K-2K

TROLL /4K-2K

GIANT

MAMMOTH
- version 4K.2K or version 2K for weaker GPUs

HAGRAVEN

RUGNAROK

Transparent and Refracting Icicle and Frost Atronach - Select Outdoor Refraction and 50% transparency, works nice with ENB.

Illuminated Atronachs -- Atronachs lumineux



Fences of Skyrim - No more flickering fences

RUSTIC CLUTTER COLLECTION - Special Edition

RUSTIC COOKING - Special Edition

Frankly HD Dragon Bones
- get the 8K file if you have 8GB or more VRAM. You might try with 6GB but remember that the memory budget gets depleted quickly with the size of the textures!

Stunning Statues of Skyrim

Install 4K versions for the big statues. If you have 6-8 GB VRAM, choose 4K for everything
Tested on Radeon R9 390, no performance impact.

Unofficial Material Fix - SSoS Patch
Download and install Unofficial Material Fix - Stunning Statues of Skyrim patch. In the installer choose the same option as the one you chose in the SSoS installer.

CC's HQ Caves
Download one of the main files. Pick the option you want in the installer.

CC's HQ Mines Redone

CC's Enhanced Ore Veins
In the FOMOD, pick:

• Color is up to you
• Brighter
• Install New Textures
• Up to you
• Install New Textures
• Hearthfire
• ESL

RUSTIC SOULGEMS - Special Edition
- Download and install "RUSTIC SOULGEMS - Special Edition - FOMOD - English Only"
In the FOMOD, pick:

• 2k textures
• Sorted + ESL

[OPTIONAL - if using ENB]Rudy HQ - More Light for ENB - Soul Gems
Download the main file and Rudy HQ - More Lights for ENB SE - Patch for Rustic Soulgems

Hunters Not Bandits

HD Lava for Dawnguard

Storm Lightning for SSE and VR (Minty Lightning 2019)

Dust Effects by HHaleyy

College of Winterhold Light Pillars FIX

Skyrim Better Roads (SkyBeRoads)
- Use file Skyrim Better Roads SE (FOMOD Installer), install "All the bridges" (road additions tested, too big performance hit for it to make sense for me on R9 390, not worth it).

Landscape Fixes For Grass Mods
Download the Main File, Alternate start- LAL Locations, Cutting Room Floor Locations, Tweaks for Verdant(if using Verdant), and z Vanilla Military Camps.


Rens HD Shrines by Rengel
- Install the main file and make your choices, note down your choices for the patch installation.

Unofficial Material Fix - Rens HD Shrines Patch
- Download and install the patch between Unoff. Material Fix and Rens Shrines.
CAREFUL: Rename the mod during installation to "Unofficial Material Fix Ren's HD Shrines patch" for it to be installed in a separate position and not overwrite the base mod!

Skyrim Landscape Overhaul - Stone Walls
In the FOMOD, choose:

• New Ivy, New Terrace Stone Walls
• Texture Variant 1 - High
• High
• High

Nordic Tents HD

Alternate Conversation Camera - game version dependent - use correct version for your game runtime
- Need to generate FNIS after adding this mod

Flora Respawn Fix SSE

Flora Respawn Fix SE for Beyond Skyrim
- if you use Beyond Skyrim Bruma

Wonders of Weather
- Choose Less Opaque splashes, they might be too bright, especially with ENB.

More Informative Console - game version dependent - use correct version for your game runtime

Unofficial High Definition Audio Project [OPTIONAL, read on!] - huge download, all together 6.5 GB! It can be installed later if you have a slow connection. You can do it when it's convenient for you.

On decent audio equipment the difference to the vanilla sound of music, dialogues and a ton of different sounds starts to be immense. If you are using the audio from your motherboard and 10$ headphones or low-end desk speakers it makes almost no sense. If crisp and clear sound is important to you, go for it.

- Get the 3 main files to your MO2 Downloads location, query info from MO2 Downloads tab
- Install with MO2, activate the mod
- Drag the mod in the left pane right below the DLCs (to the very very top).
- The plugins are ESL and will not count into the 255 plugin limit
- LOOT sorted the plugins for me to the correct position so I didn't need to make any special rules

JK's Skyrim
Download the Main file,
JK's Skyrim - Arthmoor's Patch Pack,
JK's Skyrim - Realistic Water Two Patch, and
JK's Skyrim - Skyrim 3D Trees Patch (if using Tree Overhaul Option 2).
In the Arthmoor's Patch Pack FOMOD, pick Individual Patches, then Cutting Room Floor.

Landscape Fixes for Grass Mods - JK's Skyrim Towns
Download and install JK's Skyrim - Towns

JK's Skyrim - No Snow Under The Roof
Download and install the main file.

JK's Skyrim - ELFX Ext Patch

JK's Skyrim - Riverwood Lite

Dawn of Skyrim (Director's Cut)
Download and install Director's Cut SSE 1.4 then Update by KorruptkSwades

JK's Skyrim - Dawn of Skyrim - Patch
Download and install the main file.

JK's Skyrim and Dawn of Skyrim - Riften Patch
Download and install the optional file

QUASIPC - Qwinn's Unified Automated Self Installing Patch Compendium
Download the main file. Just click next on the installer until you finish it. It is recommended that you reinstall this mod if you do any changes to your modded setup.

WiZkiD Patches Compendium
Download the first main file. Run through it just like QUASIPC. It is recommended that you reinstall this mod if you do any changes to your modded setup.


Create a "SSEEdit-Output" empty mod. Move any SSEdit Backups or Cache from Overwrite these folders appear in Overwrite after using SSEEdit. You can keep it at the bottom of the left pane list of MO.

This is all for the the mods for the basic TUCOGUIDE build. Further mods will be listed in the next section as additional. They can contribute to further lowering the performace even on "Recommended PC config". However they contribute to even better looks of the game. When installing the texture replacers, choose 4K textures if you have GTX 1060 6GB, R9 390 or better.

CHOOSE BETWEEN:
Skyrim SE Re-Engaged ReShade Only - see IIIa below
OR OrganicENB - see IIIb below
OR Nyclix’s ENB - see IIIc below
OR Natural View Tamriel ENB - see IIId below
OR Skyrim Re-Engaged ENB. - see IIIe below
OR PRT - PhotoRealistic Tamriel - see IIIf below
You can of course use any other great ENBs or ReShades - see IIIe below
OR any other ENB or Reshade

PRT ENB + Obsidian Weathers is my current choice as of TUCOGUIDE 3.2, GTX 1080 Ti onboard (mind, I use 3440X1440 resolution, for lower res you will not need so much GPU power). With that in mind I do not use Darker Nights and DO use Water's Edge Fix.

ReShade or ENB is optional. You can be fine with IMAGINATOR and Sun Lens Flares (instead of Sun Lens Flares you can also opt for the full Surreal Lighting mod giving beautiful colors to the game at virtually no performance cost). On lower-end hardware this might be the perfect choice.

The Re-Engage Reshade in color-correction-only mode has almost no impact on the performance of the game. The ENB is more demanding! OrganicENB is very soft. Nyclix’s ENB is sharper and draws even more performance, as it combines a ReShade and ENB!

IIIa. INSTALLATION OF RESHADE ONLY (very low performance hit):


IIIb. INSTALLATION OF ORGANIC ENB (medium performance hit):


IIIc. INSTALLATION OF NYCLIX'S ENB (high performance hit):


IIId. INSTALLATION OF NATURAL VIEW TAMRIEL ENB (very high performance hit):


IIIe. INSTALLATION OF Skyrim Re-Engaged ENB (very high performance hit):


IIIf. INSTALLATION OF PRT ENB - recommended for use with NAT weather mod, (medium to high performance hit):

Some Oldrim mods and also some mods for Skyrim Special Edition mentioned in this guide use a wrong data format known as FORM 43 and this might lead to problems/crashes/corrupted saves. To be completely sure and avoid those problems, you have two options: Either remove the affected mods or clean them of Form 43. This can be done after installing the mod.

List of affected mods in this guide:
A Quality World Map

Wrye Bash will inform you about affected mods you have upon opening the program via MO2:


UPDATE: Now, since we introduced CreationKit SSE Fixes (ESSENTIAL step B1) you can simply open any mod in CK and save it. This will change the Form to 44 and resolve the problem. You WILL NEED to get CreationKit.exe version 1.5.3.0 for this to work! A link to this version is provided in the CreationKit installation part at the beginning of the With this version you can use the instructions below.

So here is the procedure based on the example of Joy Of Perspective:

1. Open CreationKit via MO2
2. Click on the Load icon:


3. Find the plugin you want to resave, double-click it so it's ticked (1), click "Set as Active File" so it's indicated as Active File (2) and click OK (3):

4. Wait until it loads and then just hit the "Save" button:

5. Close CK. The plugin was resaved and upon opening Wrye Bash the plugin should not be reported as old form version.

Still in doubt if to use Surreal Lighting, ReShade or ENB? Let me put it this way: I would recommend the Organic ENB for R9 390 or GTX 970, Re-Engaged Reshade for lower-end GPUs and the Nyclix's ENB for GTX 980 or better.
If using the ENB, do not install the mods IMAGINATOR and Sun Lens Flares.

With the latest version of OrganicENB and Darker Nights mod installed with the "Lighter" option, no tuning of the ENB for night lighting is necessary. Currently testing interiors/dungeons.

If you find the performance is not satisfying, try out the following adjustments, help a ton with performace!

1. start with rising the iMinGrassSize= value in Verdant - A Skyrim Grass Plugin SSE Version.ini
- double-click the mod in left pane of MO2,
- click on the INIs tab, edit the iMinGrassSize= value
- the guide suggests to set it to 70. I use 45 currently, but on a overclocked Aorus GTX 1080 Ti. The performance should increase signifficanly in very grassy and forest areas (where it typically drops) if you set it to 90 or 100 (I used 90 on theR9 390 GPU)

2. When using TAA, disable FXAA - it will save some hardware ressources and also provides a little less "washed" image for those who don't use Reshade or ENB. You can change it in BethINI. Remember to close MO2 before running BethINI.

3. Objects view distance impacts perfomance a LOT!! For anyone having FPS problems, lower object view distance! (change it in BethINI). You might not notice it much as objects are mostly small. But the engine will render them in their full shape and all its details! This needs a lot of calculating power from both, the CPU and GPU.

4. Shadows look very good also on 2048 resolution. This helps for performance issues too (use BethINI to change).

*Thanks to dtrail for help with the performance tips.

The game currently undergoes quite frequent updates. The updates will occasionally render the game NOT even starting. If that happens to you, don't panic. In the future, when Bethesda leaves the game alone (like happened with the older Bethesda games) this problem will cease to exist. There are ways to automatically backup your current SkyrimSE.exe and I might explain this in the future. I don't use it and always get my game together manually after each game-breaking update using the troubleshooting methods described below.

I am informing about new game versions and the resulting need to update version-dependent mods in the Posts section.
Those mods include SKSE, SSE Engine Fixes, MCM, Papyrus Util SE, FreeFlyCam, Hook Share SE, RaceMenu, Quick Loot RE. Others might be affected too. If your game stops working, make sure these mods are up-to-date!
Other recommended troubleshooting steps:

- check if the SkyrimSE.exe was not overwritten by a game update
- please also note, that every game update might overwrite the master esms and they might need cleaning again (load LOOT to see if they need cleaning)
- make sure you are using an updated stable version of Windows 10 or Windows 7, a 64 bit one
- make sure you have the latest graphic drivers and latest MSI Afterburner or similar software if you use it.
- if you still can't get the game to run, join my Discord and state your problems. You can also write on the Posts section here.
- open SSEEdit from Mod Organizer and click OK to load all plugins, see if it loads without errors, note eventual errors
- restart your computer
- try turning off your graphics card overclock (SkyrimSE with ENB can be VERY sensitive to GPU overclock)
- try running the game without ENB (rename d3d11.dll to d3d11.dxx)
- if it runs without ENB, there might be some screen overlay software interfering with the ENB or a problem with your GPU settings
- update your GPU driver
- see if you run the latest version of any GPU-related software
- see if the game runs when running SSE.exe or SkyrimSE.exe directly, not through Mod Organizer
- if it does not run like above, veryfi game data in Steam
- afterwards you will need to clean the master esms again and copy in skse64_loader.exe again into the main game dir if did the exe-renaming
- this list will be expanded and enhanced with screenshots as needed

Before you start, deactivate the mod Terrain LOD Redone (mod 4) in the left pane of MO2.! We will not use them and create our own terrain lod.

Also mind we will use xLODGen only for generating terrain LOD. There's a discussion whether the MM LOD Pack (mod 6) should be deactivated. You can leave it active. I do deactivate it and do not use it when I use xLODGen.

VIDEOS:

1. Download xLODGEn latest version HERE Also download the SSE-Terrain-Tamriel.esm

2. Unzip xLODGen to where you keep your SSE tools, it will unzip to a folder "xLODGen"

3. ZIP SSE-Terrain-Tamriel.esm and install it as a mod. Place it after Static Mesh Improvement Mod in the left pane of MO. Activate it in the left pane of MO only for the xLODGen operation, deactivate the mod after finishing xLODGen operation.

4. Sort your loadorder with LOOT.

5. In MO click the drop-down list like below. Choose "Edit...". Enter the title "xLODGen".


6. Click the three dots like shown below. Navigate to where you extracted xLODGen and choose "xLODGenx64.exe:


7. We need to add the Argument:

-sse -o:"D:\PathTo\Your\ChosenLocationForOutput\"

...where D: is your drive or partition of choice). Make sure there is NO space where applicable (like in the above example).

It must be an existing folder! Create the chosen folder on the chosen drive in a file manager.

8. Activate all plugins, deactivate Bashed Patch and any mods containing skyproc patchers and patches (like DSR). Make sure SSE-Terrain-Tamriel.esm is activated in your loadorder.

9. Fire up xLODGen from your MO2 exec list.

9a. Rightclick on the "Select worldspace(s)...", select all, then deselect BSHeartland (that's Bruma and can't be done as of now).

10. Go through the settings. Set up "LOD4" settings and then click the drop-down to go to "LOD8" and so on.
Mind we are using it only for terrain LOD, so please make sure the Objects LOD and Trees LOD are deactivated as in the pictures below. For later use with DynDOLOD high settings we tested the following to work as intended:

11. Hit the "Generate" button. This will take a longer time. Might be from about 10 to 40 minutes depending on your PC, mainly CPU clock and number of cores.

12. Create an empty mod in MO. Right-click any mod > All Mods > Create Empty Mod:


13. Name the mod xLODgen-OUTPUT

14. Move the mod above the Bashed Patch.

15. Now move all the content from the output that xLODGen generated to your mods\xLODGen-OUTPUT folder:

16. If you opt to also do DynDOLOD (next step), you will need to re-create xLODGen each time you changed something (installed/removed mods) affecting the terrain or objects like houses, trees or terrain textures/meshes. So the correct sequence of events is always:
Generate xLODGen > Generate DynDOLOD.

That is all there is to do concerning xLODGen. You might want to deactivate the SSE-Terrain-Tamriel.esm in the left pane of MO after this procedure, but it's not obligatory, however might resolve a known bug.

This section is entirely optional. You have chosen your trees option and did the xLODGen to generate terrain LOD. Now it's time for DynDoLOD to get the custom objects and trees LOD based on your textures, 3D meshes and loadorder. The game looks much better with this feature. Search DynDoLOD showcases on YouTube to get an idea.

DynDOLOD requires performing a process of moderately high complexity and also requires more performance from your system when playing the game. Both CPU and GPU are affected. You can also choose lower or higher texture sizes depending on your system.

DynDOLOD will massively improve far distance objects quality. It will add a lot of objects that previously were missing in the distance. It requires however additional resources for some of the mods.

In this section we will:
- install the needed tools and resources,
- place and configure them correctly,
- perform the TexGen and DynDOLOD generation
- do the necessary steps after it.

Instructions for Trees Option 1:


Instructions for Trees Option 2:


Instructions for Trees Option 3 (watch out for yellow-marked SPECIFIC later:



If you want to deactivate DynDOLOD please follow the DynDOLOD deactivation instructions. You find them in the Mod Configuration Menu in game.