Let's talk meshes. I've scoured the internet, and I have an excessive amount of mesh fix and improvement mods in my load order. Sometimes it feels like a house of cards, but I feel I've finally gotten it to a good place. To save you the effort of endlessly comparing in NifSkope, trying to figure out if mesh x was based on mesh y, and learning what all those flags actually mean, I'm just going to tell you what to download and in what order.

First, a note on the patch files included here:



Optional improvements will be marked as such, but are still highly recommended. I play on a bit of a potato, so I promise they're all very performance friendly. Mods like SMIM are technically more improvements than fixes, but won't be marked as optional if they're required for many things.

Let's go:

• Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (bsa)
• Particle Patch for ENB (bsa, only if you use ENB. Most ENB-relevant options are currently out of scope for this guide, but should be added later)
• Creation Club Asset Patch
• Creation Club Content - Properly Environment Mapped (all main files)
• Improved Rock and Cliff Collision
• Simple Mesh Fixes
• Dragon Mound Dirt FIX
• Blackreach Tentacle Mesh Fix
• Wiseman303's Flora Fixes - Revamped (NO SCRIPTS VERSION! Install Scrambled Bugs for the fix if you don't have it already.)
• Floating Ash Pile Fix
• Bright Falling Leaves Fix
• Water Effects Brightness and Reflection Fix (place at a higher priority if this is a problem for you. Personally I am fine with it here)
• HD Serpentine Dragon and Mesh Fix
• OSHA-Compliant Sovengarde Mesh Fixes (don't blame the author for the typo, blame bethesda for their filepath)
• Hearthfire BYOH Mesh Fixes
• ja's HornCandle Fix (this will probably be overwritten by fancier mods later, so consider it optional. but I like to have this fix as a base)
• Farm Hat 01 Clipping Fix
• Fixed Beggar Clothing Meshes
• Glass Armor Male Mesh Fix
• Sound Hammering Sounds
• Enhanced textures detail (UV-tweaks) (optional. if using, choose all meshes from SMIM-compatible install)
• Static Mesh Improvement Mod - SMIM (I recommend full install for compatibility reasons.)
• SMIM Cleaned, from this mod page. ESL/ESM flagged ESP with unneeded edits removed. Thank you to SMIM Weight Saving for the idea and one fix.
• Seasons of Skyrim SMIM Patch (not needed if using Majestic Mountains)
• Better Wooden Spikes Texture (Not a mesh, I know, bear with me. This is a fix for a SMIM texture. Might not be necessary, I personally have it disabled since Skyland improves it and I like consistency, but nice to have.)
• Improved Jail Bars (SMIM version)
• Dirt Cliff Roots - Improvements (optional. SMIM adjusted version)
• Dlizzio's Mesh Fixes (Note: this has an empty clover texture, as the author felt it was impossible to make some meshes with that texture look good. Personally, I prefer the look with clovers. This gets overwritten by Skyland in my load order, but you may want to delete textures/architecture/skyhaventemple/SkyHavenClovers01.dds if you want to keep your clovers! placed here/early because the mod is no longer being updated)
• Unofficial Material Fix (meshes are based on SMIM)
• Static Mesh improvement Mod - SMIM - Quality Addon (optional)
• SMIM - Quality Addon - Unofficial Material Fix Patch from Mesh Patch for Various Mods (WARNING! the other patches here are out of date. only download this file!)
• Static Mesh Improvement Mod Improvement Mod (make sure this has the patch for and overwrites Dynamic Things
  Alternative if you're using that. I use Rudy HQ - Miscellaneous so I
  didn't check the apple textures.)
• High Hrothgar Fixed (incorporated USSEP, SMIM, UMF improvements. optional parallax version)
• Ruins Clutter Improved (meshes are based on SMIM)
• Ruins Clutter Improved - Fixes
• The Ruins Clutter Improved fix patch from right here, this very mod! Thank you raiserfx for providing permission.
• Misc. SMIM Fixes (needs to overwrite Ruins Clutter Improved too)
• Personal preference on order for the next three. I like:
• Whiterun Mesh Fixes
• Assorted Mesh Fixes (with optional parallax file)
• Major Cities Mesh Overhaul (the author recommends letting Assorted Mesh Fixes overwrite, but I think they're being too modest)
• Don't sweat this - whichever order you choose, we're talking about a handful of minor tweaks to buildings and stones. All the meshes look good, and they all incorporate the relevant USSEP fixes, which is the important thing.
• LITTLE THINGS by Ramccoid
• Skyrim Landscape and Water Fixes
• Spoiler:  

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  (Another personal note - I really like to have my left and right order synced in Mod Organizer. As SLaWF is an esm, this would be impossible. Even if using a plugin like Sync Plugins with Mod Order, MO2 will still put everything in the right relative order, so it doesn't matter. Regardless, this bothers me enough I changed SMIM and Dlizzio's into "light masters" with both the ESL and ESM flags. Bonus: now this guide can let SLaWF overwrite Dlizzio's on a single record, where Landscape and Water Fixes does a better job. I recommend you ESM flag Dlizzio's esp yourself - although the permissions say "do whatever you want," it also says to request permission before releasing patches, so I haven't uploaded anything here for now.)
• (This is also a good place to put your texture packs - did I mention I like Skyland yet? - and various landscape ESMs, like Majestic Mountains.)
• Correct Dragon Skeleton Horns (...like this .esl)
• The following are higher poly mods, but nothing crazy:
• Category - Higher Poly Meshes (optional but recommended. many have fixes included)
• Solitude Objects SMIMed - festival ropes
• Skyrim Objects SMIMed - Glazed and Nordic Pottery
• Whiterun Objects SMIMed (and fixes too)
• Stockades of Skyrim 3D
• Windhelm Fences 3D
• Scallions of Skyrim - High Polygon Leeks
• Skyrim 3D High Hrothgar Steps
• Subdivide and Smooth - Ash Pebbles
• Dimmer Apocrypha Smoke
• Skyrim 3D Windmill
• Windmills of Skyrim (highly recommended, fixes placement of various windmill sails)
• Riften Architectural Details (optional parallax)
• 3D Riften Trellis and Roofs
• Riften Canals Rounded (optional)
• Skyrim 3D Docks and Boardwalks (lighter than SMIM!)
• Riften 3D Docks (optional, with parallax option too)
• 3D Whiterun Trellis (optional. I use the wood textures under optional files)
• 3D Solitude Market Trellis (optional)
• FYX - 3D Solitude SighPost (optional)
• FYX - 3D Shack Kit Roofs (mandatory)
• FYX - 3D Shack Kit Walls (mandatory. get the Base Object Swapper file too)
• FYX - 3D Whiterun Guard Towers (highly recommended. optional parallax)
• FYX - Windhelm Stable Roof (highly recommended)
• FYX - Candlehearth Hall Chimney (highly recommended if you worry about residents dying of smoke inhalation)
• FYX - 3D Whiterun Scaffold (optional, I use Parallax - Gap Reduced)
• FYX - 3D Dock Ramp (optional, with parallax)
• FYX - 3D Honeyside Deck Floor (same deal, parallax option)
• FYX - The Temple of Mara (highly recommended)
• Highland Cows More Wooly (High Poly Model Restored)
• Category - Collision Fixes
• Oh Barnacles - Nordic Barnacle Harvest Fix
• SSS-CT - Slaughterfish Stay Submerged - Collision Tweak
• Creature Collision Fix
• Caves - More Accurate Collision (note: incompatible with Skyrim Remastered - Caves)
• Ice Wraith Teeth Collision Fixes
• Category - Patches
• Assorted mesh fixes - Unofficial Material Fix - SMIM - Quality Addon Mesh Patch from A collection of mesh patches by Andrias Bartlett
• Unofficial Material Fix - Major Cities Mesh Overhaul Patch from A collection of mesh patches by Andrias Bartlett
• Unofficial Material Fix - Enhanced textures detail (UV-tweaks) Patch from A collection of mesh patches by Andrias Bartlett (someone give Andrias a medal, seriously)
• FYX - 3D Whiterun Tree Circle x 3D Whiterun Trellis (optional. I personally don't like this one somehow)
• FYX - 3D Whiterun Castle Bridge - 3D Trellis (make sure to choose this option! parallax available)
• Fixed Mesh Lighting - this gets a little tricky. I think the simplest thing to do here is break into two installs, because it only overwrites certain files and includes vanilla fixes for others.E.g., you want its High Poly Project patch for Vaermina's Torpor, but not its low poly vanilla wine bottles to overwrite HPP.
• I used the following options for the first install in this position: All-in-One (note: Author says: If you use the full version of Happy Little Trees you can uncheck trees, all the meshes are covered). Flora: Vanilla Flora, Assorted Mesh Fixes, Wiseman's Flora Fixes, high poly soul/canticle, everything else unchecked or None;  Trees: Vanilla Trees, Assorted Mesh Fixes, Dlizzio's Mesh Fixes, SMIM, UV-tweaks (only issue is landscape/trees/tundradriftwood02 and assorted mesh fixes); Ice, Dlizzio's Mesh Fixes, Landscape and Water Fixes, Unofficial Material Fix; Creatures and Dynamic Things Alternative, Vanilla Bee Hives, Vanilla/SMIMIM/UMF/DTA hagraven, vanilla potions, vanilla rag/effects.
• Simpler alternative; Just ignore this, and follow the instructions for fixed mesh lighting later on.
• FYX - 3D Whiterun Drawbridge Gate
• Assorted mesh fixes - Unofficial Material Fix - SMIM - Quality Addon Mesh Patch from A collection of mesh patches by Andrias Bartlett
• Unofficial Material Fix - Major Cities Mesh Overhaul Patch from A collection of mesh patches by Andrias Bartlett
• Unofficial Material Fix - Enhanced textures detail (UV-tweaks) Patch from A collection of mesh patches by Andrias Bartlett
• I put my landscape mods here, so their neat new meshes/textures don't get overwritten.
• To be continued... Sort of?
• Here it gets much more subjective. How essential is, for example, Skeleton Replacer HD? Is it just bloat to put stuff like that in here? Join me as we figure this out (and I actually finish my mod list, eventually).
• What I do highly recommend is:
• No Sunlight Through Mountains
• Shaders of Solstheim - Ash and Moss and Simplicity of Snow (not really meshes, I know)
• Arctic - Frost Effects Redux
• RIS - Real Ice and Snow
• Icy Mesh Remaster (it's a landscape mod and doesn't fit here, but check out Icy Regions Redone by the same author!)
• We do still have a decent number of "load last" meshes/patches too.
• I also put some ENB options here:
• Ghost Pile Seam Fix (Skyrim Particle Patch)
• Fixed Skeever Dinner Meshes for Skyrim Particle Patch
• Word Wall Transparency Fix (for ENB)
• Rudy fix for Splashes of Storms and ENB
• Category - some order sensitive meshes:
• Flickering Meshes Fix (choose No Farmhouses and any relevant patches. This is highly dependent on your mod list, sorry)
• High Poly Project
• High Poly Project cartfurnstatic01 mesh fix (this is only in the HPP posts tab right now)
• High Poly Project Fixes
• SMIM Upper Furniture And Other Fixes (pick your favorite)
• Better Windhelm Ground Meshes
• Blue Palace Dome Windows - Flickering Meshes Fix
• Major Cities Mesh Overhaul - 3D Whiterun Trellis - 3D Riften Trellis and Roofs Patch from A collection of mesh patches by Andrias Bartlett
• SOS Markarth Braziers Improved
• Whiterun Skyforge - Reforged
• Optional Round Farmhouse Posts
• FYX - 3D Farmhouse Walkway (SMIM x Round Posts option!)
• FYX - Smooth Wells - Water in Wells - Parallax
• Solitude Objects SMIMed - Solitude Well or SMIMed Solitude Well - Parallax
• Solitude Objects SMIMed - Castle Dour Spire
• Subdivide and Smooth - Bandit Poles
• Glowing Mushroom Collision Fixes for High Poly Project
• Fixed Mesh Lighting - Patches will depend on your load order, I can't advise you. This may currently overwrite some meshes it shouldn't.
• Spoiler:  

  Show

  Most ice meshes are overwritten by Icy Mesh Remaster. Tree meshes are probably handled by whatever your tree mod is. magic/frostbarrier conflicts with ENB Light, which has its own Arctic patch. that leaves only one bruma glacier, one arctic magic/icehazard02, and one capital windhelm expansion icicle. don't install the cow - highland cow more wooly already has the fix
• Simple version: Install from the FOMOD now. Check modular, flora and creatures (and trees only if you don't use a tree mod), and any patches you need. Place at the bottom of your load order. Honestly, besides reverting you to really ugly vanilla wine, this isn't a terrible option.
  

Also, one note on Assorted Mesh Fixes: Wherever you put Labyrinthian Shalidor's Maze Fixes (if you have mesh fixes up top, probably below AMF), delete that mod's meshes. They are not up to date with the fixes from assorted mesh fixes. (You are using that mod, right? If not, hope you're excited for my bug fix guide, where I tell you about that and everything else you should be using.)

Guide changelog:
13 September 2022 - account for SMIMIM update, include Glass Armor Male Mesh Fix

Some files I didn't include are below.

Recommended:

• Optional - Real Rabbits HD (bsa)
• Optional - DK's Realistic Nord Ships (bsa)
  

Flute Animation Fix is great, but not really a 'mesh fix.' Download it anyways.

Fixed Head Meshes - useful for creators. Not 100% needed for most end-users.

Skyrim Fixes Collection: All the mesh fixes were covered by Windhelm Fence 3D, Dlizzio's Mesh Fixes, and High Hrothgar Fixed. Somewhat off topic for this guide, but I ultimately decided not to include this in my load order due to some conflicts with other landscape editing plugins like SLaWF, LFfGM, Enhanced Landscapes, Majestic Mountains, etc. I'm sure there are at least a few good fixes in this, they just aren't mesh fixes and might be hard to patch.

Credits
Thank you to the many creators who have contributed to this community, especially to those who promote openness and collaboration. The library of resources available around this game is honestly so amazing, along with how much educational content is out there. I appreciate the teachers in this community and everything I'm learning about this new hobby! Honestly, very little of my own brainpower went into this guide, mostly copy and paste, but I hope to put it to better use in the future. For all of the above, especially tutorials and learning resources, a huge thank you to:

The Arcane University
The Blender Foundation
Parapets for Nif Preview for Mod Organizer
hexabits and the rest of the NifTools team for NifSkope and Blender NifTools Addon
ousnius for SSE NIF Optimizer

xilamonstrr for Highly Detailed MO2 Separators, without which I probably would have given up on organizing this
sync67 (thanks again for the explanation of nif centering)

agentw
AndriasBartlett
Briraka
Brumbek
Catnyss
Ghos71y
GroundAura
ja231c
Khettienna
Kulharin
lilebonymace
markuskarttunen1
mindflux
Skurkbro
wSkeever
zhongjiedong

And I'd once more like to credit these authors for their work:

elzee
Hentof
Korodic
LucidAPs
mathy79
Mizu20
mnikjom
MrNeverLost
nicola89b
opusGlass
Pfuscher
Pieter82
PraedythXVI
raiserfx
Remiros
RemmyKun
reyvynnightveil
SparrowPrince
wizkid34
Xtudo
Xyberbat
Yuril