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[–] DukeofAnarchy ago 

I recommend visiting http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/ and making an account there if you don't have one already. At the top of that page is a link, "Install NMM" to the download page for the latest version of the Nexus Mod Manager: very useful for easily installing, updating and uninstalling your mods.

Download the Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE) from http://skse.silverlock.org/ SKSE is required for some mods.

 

I like mods that make the game better without drastically changing it – things that feel like they could/should have been in the game all along.

 

Essential patches and fixes:

  • Unofficial Skyrim Patch

  • Unofficial Hearthfire Patch

  • Unofficial Dawnguard Patch

  • Unofficial Dragonborn Patch

  • Flora Respawn Fix

  • Double Cursor Fix

  • Hearthfire Display Case Fix

(These are bugfixes for bugs Bethesda never bothered to fix. Obviously, you should only install the ones labeled “Hearthfire,” “Dawnguard,” and “Dragonborn,” if you have those DLCs)

 

Essential appearance improvements:

  • Skyfalls + SkyMills
  • Windmills Resized

(Without these, windmills and waterfalls look unbearably ugly from a long distance)

 

Recommended added/restored content:

  • Cutting Room Floor (Restores some Bethesda-created NPCs, locations and quests that were cut from the released game)

  • Enhanced Skyrim Factions - The Companions Guild (Overhauls the Companions Guild quest line. The only disadvantage is that it includes some unvoiced dialogue)

  • Even Better Quest Objectives (Makes it possible to play the game without dumbly following quest markers)

  • Guard Dialogue Overhaul (Restores Bethesda-created guard voice acting that was never or very rarely played due to over-restrictive conditions)

  • Immersive College Of Winterhold (Overhauls the Mages' College faction and quest line)

 

Recommended gameplay improvements:

  • Duel - Combat Realism (Better combat mechanics)

  • Follower Trap Safety (Stops followers getting killed by every trap)

  • Immersive HUD (Hides HUD elements when not needed)

  • SkyUI (Much better menus, easier inventory management. Sort items by value:weight ratio to maximize your income from looting)

  • Character Creation Overhaul (Brings back more character variety from older Elder Scrolls games)

  • Run For Your Lives (Makes villagers run away and hide from dragons instead of suicidally attacking them)

  • When Vampires Attack (Similar thing for Dawnguard vampire attacks)

  • Timing Is Everything (Allows you to delay the start of some quests and change the time between dragon/vampire attacks. I recommend fewer dragon/vampire encounters so they stay fun instead of becoming a chore. This also makes dragon souls actually mean something as you have fewer to spend so you have to make careful choices. I also recommend delaying the start of the DLC quest lines - especially Dragonborn, which is best played after completing the main quest line)

  • Vampire Lord Drain With Serana Fixed (Useful fix if the player is a vampire and has Serana as a follower. It has no other effects though so there is no downside to installing it just in case)

  • Fires Hurt (Makes you take some damage if you walk into fireplaces/forges)

  • Acquisitive Soul Gems (Saves you from wasting large soul gems)

  • Simple Magic Tweaks (Various small improvements to vanilla magic. This a little-known but good mod)

  • Move It Dammit For NPC Companions And Followers (Makes NPCs move further when they block your way and you “bump” them)

  • No NPC Greetings (Stops NPCs from telling you all about themselves whenever you happen to walk within a few yards of them. I use the “Slightly Reduced Distance” version so they will still say their lines if you actually approach them)

  • Faster Woodland Creatures (Animals are faster so you can't go “hunting” by just running after them and slashing away with your sword. Use your bow. Disadvantage: the animations don't change, so they look slightly wrong)