My modding guide for the dumb [UPDATED OCT 2025]

• What Skyrim Version are you are on
  
• What is SKSE?
  
• Mod Manager
  
• How to disable auto updates?
  
• Where and how to install mods?
  
• Mod Recommendations.
  
• Load Order & Conflicts

It is important to know what version of Skyrim you are using because some mods are not compatible with certain versions or is not compatible with versions below that.

Example:
A mod is meant for game version 1.6.1170 but you are using version 1.6.640. It will not work or will have problems if you install that mod.

Locate your Skyrim Folder

1. Go to your Game Library.
2. Find Skyrim Special Edition and open the Properties.

3. Go to Installed Files and click on the 'Browse' button.

Once you have located your Skyrim Folder do the following:
Locate SkyrimSE.exe --> open PROPERTIES --> Go to DETAILS

• 1.6.1170 (Latest)
  
• 1.6.1130
  
• 1.6.640
  
• 1.6.353
  
• 1.5.97

SKSE is short for Skyrim Script Extender.
It is a third-party tool that adds scripting capability to the game and allows users to create mods.

If you're on 1.6.1170, you can download the latest version of SKSE. If you're below that version here's a list of what version of SKSE you should download for your Skyrim.

• 1.6.1130 = skse64_2_02_05 aka (2.2.5)
  
• 1.6.640 = skse64_2_02_03 aka (2.2.3)
  
• 1.6.629 = skse64_2_02_00 aka (2.2.0)
  
• 1.5.97 = skse64_2_00_20 aka (2.0.2)

Now there are TWO main Mod Managers that I know exists. Download Page for MO2 [www.nexusmods.com] Download Page for Vortex[www.nexusmods.com]

Which Mod Manager is the best?

My opinion:
MO2 is the best opinion for begineers because it's easier to organize mods and organize your loadorder.

Explanation:
- If Bethesda release a new version of Skyrim, your game would update automatically and all your mods would be incompatible with that version.

Explanation 2:
- If you have downgraded to whatever Skyrim version. Steam will try to update your game to the latest version. You don't want that so you have to disable auto updates for Skyrim.

To disable auto updates. Do the following:

1. Go to your Game Library.
2. Find Skyrim Special Edition.
3. Open the properties
4. Go to Updates and take note of the App ID
(This is the same for everyone btw)

5. Go to your SteamLibrary Folder
6. Go to steamapps Folder
7. Find appmanifest_489830 and go to properties.
8. Go to attributes and enable 'Read-Only'. That's all.

Now if you are stuck or don't understand how to do it. Here's a video that demonstrates it.

Majority of the mods uploaded are in Nexus.

Before you start downloading, you need to know RRD (I made it up).
Reading is important when it comes to modding because sometimes there are certain instructions you need to follow provided by the mod author. You can usually find these in the comment section or the description.

For requirements, you have to check the requirements to see what mod is needed/required. Sometimes the mod author includes "Optional/Recommended" mods in the requirements so you have to READ carefully.

Hard Requirement = REQUIRED
[b[ Soft Requirement [/b] = Recommended but NOT required

Here is an example of requirements w/ Optional Description.
There is always two options in Nexus, Mod Manager Download and Manual Download.
The mod will be downloaded straight into your mod manager and can be found in the download section. For Vortex idk, I don't use Vortex. It will go straight to your 'Download' folder.

Now here are the mods I recommend for newbies.

Main and Important Mods

- Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch
- SkyUI
- Address Library for SKSE Plugins
- Payprus Tweaks NG
- Racemenu
- ECE Sliders Addon for Racemenu
- Alternate Start - Live Another Life - SSE (Optional if you want to skip the cart scene)
- Fuz Ro D-oh - Silent Voice
- ConsoleUtil NG
- Faster HDT SMP

Useful Patches

- Skyrim Priority SE AE - CPU Performance FPS Optimizer
- SSE Display Tweaks
- Crash Logger SSE AE VR - PDB support
- Vanilla Scripting Enhancements
- Modern Brawl Bug Fix
- Lightened Skyrim
- Face Discoloration Fix
- Actor Limit Fix
- Bug Fixes SSE
- RemoveAllItems Freeze Fix

- Load Order is where your mod is positioned in your plugins.
(This is the best explanation I can think of lol)

MO2 tip:
MO2 has LOOT built-in. You can sort your plugins by pressing the "Sort" button. YOU SHOULD NEVER sort your plugins mid game. It's recommended to sort your plugins when starting a new game.

- Conflicts is when a mod is conflicting with another mod's files. Commonly this happens if a mod's file/s has the SAME file name and directory with another mod's file/s.

Example:
Mod1 and Mod2 both have a file called Test.dds or Test.esp, they would conflict with each other.

Not all conflicts are bad. It really depends on the mod and the requirements. For example:

I need 'Whose Quest Is It Anyways NG' overwrite 'Whose Quest Is It Anyways' files so that it can work for my version of Skyrim or better yet improve it.

Now, 'Winning Conflict' or overwriting files really depend on the LOAD ORDER.

That is all for this guide. Thanks for reading and happy modding!