Mods for Skyrim

This is not meant to be a structured list but rather a thread where we can post links for mods we've tried and mods that make the game more enjoyable.

There are more than a hundred mods already and this number will only get higher once the Creation Kit is released.

So with no further ado:

Main Font Replacement
Because the standard font is a disgrace that looks out of place. This mod replaces the font that is used with several fonts so you have more variety. It's not a scifi game so a modern looking font is not that enjoyable.

Skyrim Sunglare
Because the north could use some sun. An HD version is available.

No More Blocky Faces
I like the dirt but making a nice looking character can be challenging. This helps.

Detailed Faces
Definitely an improvement.

Female Muscle Mod
Female Nords now look as strong as their male counterparts.

Hairier male texture
Beta but fairly good if you don't like the idea of hairless barbarians. Nords warriors may have bulging muscles like bodybuilders but I don't imagine they wax.

Display time on loading screen
Little mod but essential, it will help you keep track of time while you play the game.

Antiallias and sharpen effect
Will make everything sharper without affecting performance. It's a matter of taste really, I've tried it and it works fine but you may get tired of the effect after a while.

Enhanced Blood Textures
Pretty nice and it comes with an optional file that removes blood from the screen. I don't like blood on the screen because I feel it breaks immersion in the sense that it looks as if there was blood on the lenses of my camera and that is simply not what I want to be thinking about in the middle of a fight.

I'll add more links as I'll try out different mods. Feel free to post your links too. In the future we will be able to use these links as a basis for a real mod list.

FXAA Post Process Injector, 4 Profiles for FXAA Injector and Realistic Skyrim - Custom FXAA Injector Settings.
It may take a while for you to find the setting you like (or modify an existing setting so it suits your taste) but it's definitely worth it. Simply put if like me you like taking screenshots it means that you may not feel the need to edit anything in the pictures you're taking.

Also you may want to check out the wiki for Console Commands. As far as I can see the console in Skyrim is not plagued with the same issues that it presented in Fallout 3, FNV or Oblivion. In other words I didn't have to go through hoops to get it to work. It's pretty useful for screenshots too: 'tfc' to move the camera and 'tm' to remove the hud.

I guess people are too busy playing the game to post here.

Anyway here is another gem I've found on the Nexus:

Remove Stealth Indicator

It makes sneaking much more rewarding (when you're not psychic).

EDIT: I've uploaded my first mod to the Nexus, it's a simple and quick retex of the Dwarven gear but I'm happy with the way it looks in game.

Red Grey Blue and Green Dwarven Armours and Weapons

I shouldn't get started with mods as long as I haven't finished the game...

Anyway here is a Steel Dwarven Armour and I spent almost two hours on this one but it's pretty cool and it's exactly what I wanted for my character.

Steel Dwarven Armour

More playing less fooling around with textures.

EDIT: I should stop messing around with textures. In any case I've updated my Steel Armour mod to include weapons and they look sweet.

I have two mods to recommend:

Ghogiels EYES Replacer
This mod makes eyes more visible without being too shiny.

JaySuS Sword
More swords that can be crafted at the forge.

Thank you, Cara. When I get my desktop back I will check out a couple of those. The eyes look interesting and the stealth indicator remover. I will probably eventually want to change the forts too. I am hoping that someone will come up with either a saddlebag mod or a pack animal mod. Much needed to carry all that loot you can accumulate but will need the CK as they will need scripting.

The official patch should be out soon and I hope it will fix some of the problems.

I've got a few more mods to recommend:

Skyrim Scarfaces
These scars are more graphic and look cool especially if like me you find that the original scars don't stand out.

Dragon Armour to Jagged Crown Replacements
I'm not a big fan of the Heavy Armour Dragon Helmet so this is a perfectly fine alternative.

Intro music replacement by Malukah
Pretty cool if you want to hear The Dragonborn Comes before loading your last save.

Thanks, Cara. The Scarfaces and armour look good for my next character. Not sure about the intro music replacement. I love that Barbarian Chorus. I also found via Steam an absolutely beautiful rendition of The Dragonborn comes. For some reason I couldn't copy the link. Will try again. Never mind it is the samesinger just a different site. She is great.

I like the Barbarian Chorus but I think this singer did a really good job. The problem of having the song as a replacement is that it only plays when you start the game. So unless you actually delay loading your save you won't hear it. Besides the Barbarian Chorus is not removed by the mod. It's still there but plays after the song.

I tried downloading but either NEXUS or Internet Explorer was having a problem. I will try again today. I delay loading my game anyway just to listen to the theme.

It is the best rendition of the song I have heard. She is marvelous.

Indeed, if you like horses (and I know you do) make sure to check out Slof's Hive, there are some very beautiful horse retex there.

slof has done two re textures she will add more as soon as the tool kit comes out.

i cant wait!!

i have a few nice mods.. a mod i have heard of but do not have is a mod that makes your horses run away from mobs.. YEY! they can live longer now!

Awesome, horses are great for speed but make it harder to fight.

There are a few armour mods that I've been trying out and some of them are simply awesome:

Deadly Serious Shrouded Armor
Makes the Dark Brotherhood outfit much cooler (no more spiderman/batman look).

Cleric Armour
Don't let the name fool you, there is nothing clerical about it. I like the archmage version (female characters only).

Thieves Guild Master Armour
Adds some nice things to the Thieves Master outfit.

Dragonscale and Ebony armors with cape
Because capes can be cool. More capes and more cakes.

Nice, Cara, they sound very interesting. How do you get the DB armour?

By joining the DB which can be done after...

Spoiler:

I have a number of mods to recommend but I don't have too much time at the moment so I'll focus on two mods in particular:

TESV Acceleration Layer
Requires the script extender. Getting more FPS never hurts.

Toology ENB and FXAA settings
Almost perfect setting that will make the game look incredible. I say almost because some players may not like the saturation but this can be edited. As far as performances are concerned my old computer can manage the game without any lag but I have some longer loading times. Your experience may vary but I'd say it's a small price to pay when you can make the game look that good on a very average machine.

The second one sounds interesting to me, Cara. I have taken a look a tthe images available and they do look good. However I see no snow. I lived in Alaska for a year and a half. Skyrim looks like the Matanuska Valley area where I lived. Although it always seems to be winter there. The mountains always had snow on them. You live in the Alps and there should be areas that are similar even if not so far north.

Do you have any screenshots you could put up? To me Skyrim should be harsh and bleak, demanding, challenging.

The snow looks fine with it. I've been near Bleak Barrows and the more vivid colour doesn't make the snow look weird.

The best is to try it out in game since the screenshots don't do it justice. You just have to unrar the archive in your Skyrim folder (not the data folder). If you keep track of the files it is easy to delete them to get rid of the mod if you don't like it.

It's definitely worth a try. I can't believe how good the game looks with these settings and the enb thingy.

EDIT: here is a picture of Whiterun by night in my game with this mod. Screenshot.

Blasted Pop-up blocker wouldn't let me get the screenshot had to disable it.

It does look great two questions.

Does it need the script extender or is it just textures?

Secibd question Any way to find out if they are putting it up on Steam?

It doesn't require the script extender; it's a post process thingy not a texture pack. It doesn't modify existing assets (just the way they look in game).

I don't get the "putting it up on Steam" comment. Personally I don't like Steam and I see it as a necessary evil. It doesn't bring anything to games for players who like me don't care about achievements, boasting about them on social networks or chatting while playing single player games.

Cara, have you run across a mod that fixes the world map? I really need a better one.

There are mods that add coloured icons and settings that remove clouds, I've never used them myself. Truth be told I haven't even played the game this week.

I have played quite a bit this week. Played while the ladies cleaned the floor. Not much else for me to do since readin is difficult. Keep discovering fascinating things but the I am not finding the Main quest that interesting. We need a mod "Main Quest be gone"

I think there is one already. But the problem is that with the Dragonborn thing it's hard to get rid of it altogether. However ignoring it is always a possibility.

IMO it's not worse than the main quest in Oblivion. I never cared much for the gates myself.

The gates got boring and once I had the Runeskulls mod I use the console cheat to close them except for the main gates. I loved Martain. Do you have this mod listed: Nicer Snowflakes by evercharmer You have four choices, Realistic, small, Magical and whimsey. I am using the realistic one.
Nicer snowflakes

Here is a video I made.
Nicer snowflakes