How to Mod Skyrim in 2023: First Mods to Install (Beginner's Guide)

A beginner's guide on how to mod Skyrim SE/AE in 2023 and the first mods you should be installing to set a good foundation to begin your modding journey. Skyrim modding guide that will help increase performance and stability.

All links below:

PLEASE READ: Almost all mods are now updated, downgrading is not necessary anymore and for beginners I would not recommend. Link is still below if you want to. 15/03/2023

Mod Organizer 2

Microsoft Visual Studio

Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE)

Recommended Mods:
Address Library for SKSE Plugins
SSE Engine Fixes (skse64 plugin)
powerofthree's Tweaks
SSE Display Tweaks
Skyrim Priority SE AE - skse plugin
SkyUI
MCM Helper
Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (you can use this version if you downgraded as well)
SSE Fixes (1.5.97 ONLY)

BethINI

LOOT

Thanks for watching :)

#skyrim #skyrimmods #bestskyrimmods

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:33 Launch Skyrim
01:12 Version
01:58 Downgrading
02:36 How to Downgrade
03:23 Mod Manager
03:55 Microsoft Visual Studio
04:13 SKSE
05:50 Address Library + How to Install a Mod
06:45 Recommended Mods
10:21 BethINI
11:22 LOOT
13:09 Recap
13:54 Final Note

Skyrim SE
Skyrim AE

[saftigerkeks]

Im glad we still have guides like this in 2023 as some things get outdated eventually👍

[quentinhernandez]

With there being 3.9 billion mods, thank god for videos like this. It's like staring into an abyss on Nexus.

[Dean-wpmj]

I'm a pretty experienced modder but this video is a fantastic way to make sure I am starting the right way when building a new modlist. Highly recommend anyone new to modding check this video out as it's clear, concise and informative. Great work!!!

[thecheeseman]

We need people like you, way to make things simple! Been modding for years but always ran into problems at somepoint cause the load order was messed up etc. Now taking a more calm approach and modding has been actually fun and not frustrating! :D Thank you!

[Matt_]

Man you have no idea how grateful i am to find your video. For someone just starting out with modding Skyrim as a long time vanilla player switching to pc you actually give some clarity in this big confusing mess if you have no idea what you're looking at. Thank you so much!

[benja]

Just getting back into Skyrim again. Thank you a lot for a very precise and concise tutorial. Much appreciated.

[OhShunz]

Man perfect timing! I just blew the dust off my copy of skyrim a few days ago it's been a long while since I messed around with the modding side of it. Appreciate your time with this video for sure!

[ShiroIsMyName]

Video summary:

1. Skyrim and Skyrim Special Edition are two separate games, each with it's own mods compatible only with itself.

2. Check the mod's last update time and game version (check the posts section to know if the mod is up to date and still worked on).

3. Check the mod's version, and possible compatibility patches.

4. Check the mod's compatibility with other mods.

[kruuu]

Almost the end of 2023 and this is still the most informational video I have watched on modding for beginners guide. Thanks for a great video man

[voidfps_]

Just came from console skyrim finally so I can start getting into the craziness of pc modding and this video singlehandedly taught me everything I needed. Great to see people still making guides and enjoying this masterpiece still. Thank you!

[KomradeCPU]

Great video; it's been years since I last played Skyrim, nowadays I finally got a decent rig for an ultimate experience that wouldn't make me bother about anything along the way. You made a clear and objective step by step of what's crucial, the rest depends on our own preferences.

[mhz]

June 2024 this still works and is awesome. Thank you for making this so freaking easy!!!

[UltravioletArts]

This is a great modern video for beginners and probably sorely needed. The only other thing I might have included would be a more explicit description of the difference between AE and SE. Most new people don't understand that AE and SE are used in the community to describe version numbers largely, which is much different from steam etc. People think of them as different games but they are the same, just different version numbers.

[True_Blood_]

I can't thank you enough for making this. These mods are overwhelming when you want to start running a lot. The load order is not always specific and you're stuck with game crashes or just mods not running at all. I've just got back into Skyrim after a few years, this video was incredibly well detailed and helpful. Thank you

[Justin_Shadow]

Wow i'm not gonna lie i'd be totally lost without this video thank you so much for this. I am new to skyrim and would like to revamp the experience this is very thorough and well done hand holding cause I for sure needed it haha

[chiefmad]

this dude i was searching youtube a week now to a simplified step by step guide for the most optimal mods to begin with modding skyrim & now iam done searching Thanks

[peacefusion]

Great tutorial. The first steps in modding skyrim is working with skse and learning how MO works. Its not hard but it will help you understand what mod is right for you.

[ivankoopman]

Thank you soooo much. I started from scratch after playing Skyrim 32bit years ago. I dreaded modding SE. The foundation you recommended is a time and frustration saver. I will recommend your channel.

[stricklywicked]

Nice guide. Everything you listed no one should play Skyrim without.

[markus]

The fact that you updated this TODAY, I was working on this and I goofed something up and it required an uninstall of the game and to restart almost all of this. Again thank you!