Immersive Skyrim

[PanzersEast]

After a week or over of testing I have been trying to make Skyrim as immersive as I can.  I have the vanilla Skyrim as I have not purchased the DLC yet so the mods below all work out of the box.  I know that there are a lot of mods and I tested what I thought was the best of two or three of the same type and I am sure I have missed some along the way.  First, a couple of house rules that make the game tough and more immersive. 

I will come back and update this list as I am still going through several other mods.... this however is my current setup and I am very pleased with it.

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House Rules:

1: No Fast Travel
There are several mods like FrostFall, Realistic Needs and Diseases etc.. that take full advantage of you not fast traveling from location to location.  You will still need to sleep as the RND mod will cause your skills to diminish if you do not etc...

2: No Theft From Player Homes (if you did not purchase or quest)
3: No Gold Farming
4: No Working outside of game paramaters

Playing DiD is not realistic as some of the mods scale up up and randomize the skills and levels of those you encounter.

I have all of the mods listed below running together... just make note that I do suffer the occasional crash (usually I can go sessions without ymmv), however the Autosave manager is a great feature and makes it not a breeze to pick back up.



______________________ MANDATORY MODS ______________________

- Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE)
Scripting mod that is used by a lot of mods listed below
http://skse.silverlock.org/

- SkyUI
User interface that greatly improves over the vanilla and used by other mods
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3863

- Skyrim Redone
Many enhancements and changes
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/9286

- Skyrim Redone ReProccer
* Dawnguard Required
It automatically creates a compatibility patch for all of your mods (read directions and its requirements)
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/28467

- Unofficial Skyrim Patch
Fixes many items that were left broken in the game.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19

- Unofficial Dawnguard Patch
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23491

- Unofficial HearthFire Patch
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25127

- Unofficial DragonBorn Patch
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/31083

- AutoSave Manager
THIS IS A MUST<!> With all the mods installed there are times your game will crash.  This manager makes it easy to manage your saved games and how often they do and/or what triggers a save with a nice interface
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/34842

- Skyrim Community Uncapper
You no longer have capped levels, some mods used allow you to go beyond
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/1175

- Nexus Mod Manager (optional but recommended)
Very easy way to manage your mods outside of using the steam workshop
NOTE: Some mods are only on the steam workshop, however I have not had any issues using both the Nexus Manager and Steam Workshop.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/modmanager/

- BOSS (optional but recommended)
If you are having a conflict or want to check the order of your mods, this utility is great, however not 100%
https://code.google.com/p/better-oblivion-sorting-software/

- UFO - Ultimate Follower Overhaul
Allows a lot more interaction with your NPC companions... highly needed imo.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14037


______________________ ALTERNATE STARTS ______________________

Random Alternate Start
Choose from 21 different loadouts then get randomly thrown somewhere in the vast land of Skyrim.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25404

Random Alternate Start Compatablity Addons
Gives you some starting equipment from Immersive armors/weapons, and the apocalypse spell package.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33609/

Character Creation Overhaul
Not an alternate start mod, but adds classes, permanent birthsigns, etc into Skyrim.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21587



______________________ ENVIRONMENTAL ______________________

- Frostfall - Hypothermia Camping Survival
This mod gauges the outside temperature and your attire and then applies effects to your health and skills.  It also reconized most mods and will inform you how protected you are with that item you have put on.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/11163
   
- Wet and Cold
Works with Frostfall for your wet and cold effects
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27563


- Realistic Needs & Diseases
You now need food and sleep.... no shortcuts
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/26228#content

- Immersive Hud - IHUD
Hides the compass and crosshair from your HUD when not needed.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3222

- Immersive Patrols
You will now see a lot of faction patrols and battles... I have come across a couple large scale battles and a couple of Imperial patrols with them talking to one another as they walk....
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/12977#content

- Organized Bandits in Skyrim
They killed the weak Vanilla faction and now are strong and are in their own groups.  They are not to be taken lightly as depending on your skill level, you may want to avoid them.
http://www.skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/31264

- Project Reality - Climates Of Tamriel-V3
This mod allows you to adjust many areas like nights, interiors, etc...
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/17802

- Fishing in Skyrim
Yep, just that..... helps when you are hungry
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16139#content

- Cooking Expanded
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/1409

- Trade and Barter
A little twist in the market...
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/34612

- Travellers of Skyrim
Adds traveling Merchants, Mercenaries, Alchemist, and Apothecaries between 30 locations in skyrim.  Many travelers on the road.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/15501

- Convenient Horses
Gives you more control of your own horse, also companions horses as well.  A horse can carry items, also provides other features such as a quick dismount for battle etc..
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14950

- Real Shelter
No more rain through the awnings
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/31629

- Interesting NPCs
Adds more NPC players to the game with new recorded dialoge and quest.
Place 3DNPC before Nernies in your load order to prevent CTDs
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/8429

- HunterBorn
Works well with the FrostFall and Needs mod.  Offers more options when hunting in Skyrim.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33201


- Sneaky Tools
This was partially removed from SkyRe, thus it will step on some of the perks.  However, you are able to use rope arrows, water arrows ala Thief to sneak around.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19447


______________________  INTERFACE ______________________

- A Quality World Map
Now we can see the roads. I like being able to see them.  With limiting myself to not doing fast travel, this does save some time... plus it should have been easy to buy a map with them.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/4929

- Categorized Favorites Menu
Helpful if you have a lot of favorites you would like to switch between.  Makes them easy to find.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/4862

- RaceMenu
Expands the current race menu by adding a lot of options... you can access anytime in game by going to the console and using the showracemenu command.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/29624

- High Quality 3D Map - HQ3DMap - Meshes Hi-Res  
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/4817

- Achieve That!
Adds new achievements to the game and expands the gameplay a lot.  It is also managed through the SkyUI.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/30212



______________________  VISUALS (Optional) ______________________


- Better Dynamic Snow
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10383

- Pure Waters
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/1111

- Skyrim Flora Overhaul 
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/141

- Skyrim HD - 2K Textures
Could take a performance hit here
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/607

- Enhanced Lights and FX
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27043

- Lanterns of Skyrim
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/18916

- ApachiiSkyHair
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10168

- Enhanced Blood Textures
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/60

- Point The Way
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33393/

- HiRes Legible Road Signs
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/436

- Visible Windows
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/6971#content

- XP32 Maximum Skeleton -XPMS
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/26800

- DynaVision
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/12525



______________________  PLAYER HOMES (Optional) ______________________

1. Legend of the Eagles Nest
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/34834
Probably my favorite player made home of all the downloads I have.  To gain access to this location you have to complete a short quest and it will cost you around 10,000 to add all the components to the home.  It has a nice backstory and is located at the summit of a mountain between Riverwood and Whiterun.  It comes complete with a stewart, guard, livestock, and mine.  The only downside I can find with this location is that the majority of the mannequin are outside as well as the forge... which is ok but odd as the snow and wind blow in.

2. Sutvaka Fortified Estate
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33473
I will use the guards to go out and escort me whenever I leave to go somewhere.  With the added mods, it can be a very dangerous journey.

This is a close second to the Eagles Nest as it comes complete with a barracks and small garrison, draw bridge and gate.  The Estate is located near shearpoint between Whiterun and Windhelm.  As you enter the grounds you are greeted by your dog and a guard patrolling the grounds.  There are hidden passages, a prison ( and a nice flow to the estate.  Located on the grounds are 5 servants, a hunter, gardener, lumberjack and 2 miners, and 3 guards There is not a quest to acquire the estate.

I have most of the homes below active.

Others:
Alchemists Hidden Valley - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/30545
Briars End Lore   * Not active - Conflicts with Fleetford
Castle Stonespire - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27125
Dragon Falls Manor - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10901
Dragontooth Den - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33422
Fallingwater Estate - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/34316
Forgotten Windmill - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/24933
Falkreath Scenic Cottage -- http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25441   
Glorious Ravine - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23397
Hunters Abode- The Lodge  - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/35030
Lakeside Hideaway - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16703
Lakeview Cottage - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33518   
Ranger Ridge - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/9904
Secluded Cottage - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/24920/
Talos Island - Reborn - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/34527
Thanes Breezehome - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/24736
The Lucky Horker Inn - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/32735#content
The Snake Pit - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33908
Riverside Lodge - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14308#content
White Falls - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25891
Bluecreek Estate - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/22496
Autumn Shire -- http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/30190
Dawnstar Expanded - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/22644
Morthal's Ghastly Mine - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23927
Calming Island - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27482
Limbwood Manor - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27250/
Stag's Rest - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23847
Grey Ledge Manor - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/18112
Wassurtrz Cascases - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21122
Heartwood Cottage - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/20561
Limbwood Manor - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27250
Orlongs Hearth -  http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/8684
Woodland Sanctuary - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/20120
Thieves Nook - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/35338
Frostflake Top - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/32078
Proudspire Manor Refurbished - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14630
Pinewoods Cottage - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10370
Caranthir Tower - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33674




_____________ CITIES / TOWNS / VILLAGES (Optional) _____________
I use Towns and Villages Enhanced and Nernies City and Villages Expansion together, Whiterun Market and Elisum house breaks this so be careful what you run together.


Whiterun Market - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/11534
Towns and Villages Enhanced  - Whiterun (Performance Hit) - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19799
Nernies City and Villages Expansion - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/22959
Winterhold - Expanded Ruins - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/30554#content
Fleetford - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16188
Expanded Towns and Cities - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/13608
Snowbound Acres - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/28131
Towns and Villages Enhanced: Whiterun Exterior - http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=68135774
Amber Guard - http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=98945240
Oakwood - http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=97501644
Laintar Dale - http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=100319747
Immersive Settlements (modular install) - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33162#content
Pinewood Village - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/12851
Corners of Skyrim  - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/29824
Campsites in Skyrim - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/31683

______________________ ARMOUR (Optional) ______________________

Aragorn Ranger Armor- Standalone and Craftable - LOTR
Armor Dovahkiin and Forest Elves   Armour
Assassins Rangers and Thieves armor
Einherjar Armo
Wanderer Cuirass - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/29815
Immersive Armors - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19733
SkyRe Patch(those running vanilla) - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21269
Cleric Armours of the Nine Devines  - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/26904
Nomos Ranger Armor
Nordic Ranger Outfit   Armour
Omegared99 - Armor Compilation - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10277
Perfect Legionnaire - Imperial Armor Reforged 4-0
Skyrim Knights   Armour   
Tribunal Robes and Masks
Craft-able Thief Armor
Stormcloak Explorer Armor - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/26840
Nordic Conqueror Armor  - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/20780#content
Wanderer Cuirass - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/29815
Superior Blades Armor - http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=21714
Amidianborn Wolf Armor and Skyforge Weapons - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/34147
Aesir Armor - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/35094
Crimson Ranger Armor - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25832
Apotheus Light Armor - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19501



______________________ CLOTHING (Optional) ______________________


Bags and Pouches Highly Recommended
Extending your weight carry capacity by adding different pouches/holders to your character.  Not only do you need to craft the items and it changes your stats, but it will also appear visually on your character and you can choose where.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16438

Cloaks of Skyrim
Recommended add on, I use a lot
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/12092

Stormcloak Robes
Replaces the default with a nice looking texture
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27378

Winter Is Coming - Cloaks
Keeping warm and looking good.... Winter is Coming
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/13486



______________________ WEAPONS(Optional) ______________________

Immersive Weapons - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27644
Matherian Viking Shields Set - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/20217
LOTR Weapons - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/5727
JaySuS Swords -- http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/1002
Weapons of the Third Era -- http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/12892
Lost LongSwords -- http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/26261
Heavy Armory -- http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21120

Duel Sheath Redux.
It makes it so you can see your off hand weapon sheathed and makes it so your shield/staffs are showed sheathed on your back.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/34155

Duel Wield Parry - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/9247/

Forgotten Magic Redone
Expands the existing Magic in game with more perks.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/35339

______________________  TESTING / OTHERS  ______________________

Apocalypse Spell Package (Waiting for Compatibility for SkyRe
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16225

Caranthir Tower  - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33674
Dynamic Difficulty  - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/30505


Gypsy Eyes Caravan - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33219
Slave Pack Riekling Porter - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/31533
Weapons and Armor Degradation and Repair with MCM Menu Options- http://www.skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/32057/
Skyrim Immersive Creatures * Requires Dawnguard - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/24913
Immersive Bounty Hunting BETA - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/29448

[Kushan]

Might I suggest getting the immersive hud (iHUD) mod. It lets you toggle/turn off the health, stamina, magicka, and compass. Its very customizable and works completely with SkyUI's active effect hug icons.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3222

[MikeGER]

THX for making that list and the insight  :)

[PanzersEast]

@Kushan It is listed under Environmental

@MikeGER no problem, will update as soon as some more are tested.




PE

[Shelldrake]

Very nice PE. I will certainly use once I get around to playing the game!

[Kushan]

Immersive Armors
Link - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19733
SkyRe Patch- http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21269

That patch is out of date. You don't need the Immersive armor or any other armor/weapon compatibility patch for Skyrim Redone if you use the Skyrim Redone ReProccer. It automatically creates a compatibility patch for all of your mods http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/28467.

Make sure you get Balbor and Steelsouls SkyRe ReProccer project as well: http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27092. Balbor's RePorccer Project isn't necessary but it makes a few changes/fixes to the ReProccer XML so that certain mods get patched correctly.

[PanzersEast]

Immersive Armors
Link - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19733
SkyRe Patch- http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21269

That patch is out of date. You don't need the Immersive armor or any other armor/weapon compatibility patch for Skyrim Redone if you use the Skyrim Redone ReProccer. It automatically creates a compatibility patch for all of your mods http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/28467.

Make sure you get Balbor and Steelsouls SkyRe ReProccer project as well: http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27092. Balbor's RePorccer Project isn't necessary but it makes a few changes/fixes to the ReProccer XML so that certain mods get patched correctly.

Thanks, updated.  Just to note, it does require Dawnguard which I am not currently running.

[Gusington]

Thank you both. What do you recommend for custom armor mods?

[PanzersEast]

Thank you both. What do you recommend for custom armor mods?

Two I recommend most are

Immersive Armors - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19733

Omegared99 - Armor Compilation - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10277

I have others sprinkled in, however those two are my favorite.

I also recommend:

Bags and Pouches - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16438

Cloaks of Skyrim - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/12092

PE

[mirth]

Thanks for putting together the list PE. Much appreciated.

[TheCommandTent]

Lots of good stuff here next time I am on a Skyrim kick I will have to check some of these out.

[Kushan]

Thank you both. What do you recommend for custom armor mods?

As PE suggested get immersive armors. I think it includes the omegared99 armor set as, but I would have to read through the change log to verify.

I finally decided to use the Dragon Knight Armor for my current character. Its by the same author of the Immersive Armor mod, but it not included in IA at the moment: http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/28287

Cabal120 does some really good armor retextures. Doesn't include any new armor, but does make most of the existing armors have HD textures.
Amidianborn Book of Silence
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/24909

Winter is Coming Cloaks (includes a patch for Cloaks of Skyrim):
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/13486

I haven't tried it yet, but the Aesir armor looks really good.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/35094/

Mantle of the Silver Hand:
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/34615


@PE: Have you tried the autosave manager mod? Have you noticed any crashes/bugs with it?

[PanzersEast]

@PE: Have you tried the autosave manager mod? Have you noticed any crashes/bugs with it?

I have been using it for a couple of days and have not noticed anything different.  I do suffer from a CTD sometimes, but I really can't nail down what is going on (sometimes I can usually run for hours, but it is not a constant crash).  I believe it it just the sheer number of mods I am running so the Autosave manager really has come in handy and I can live with the occasional CTD because of everything I am running.  I have set auto-save to 15 min intervals and adjusted some other settings.


PE

[PanzersEast]

Funny story.....

Last night I loaded up my saved game and was riding on the road almost to Rorikstead when I noticed up ahead all these lights coming down the hill in the direction of Riverwood.  I was startled because I wondered what mod I had recently installed... so I though maybe it was the patrol mod, or bandit mod.... if so, I was in trouble.  I had one guy riding with me from the garrison at Sutvaka. 

I rode ahead and realized, it was the Travellers of Skyrim script starting so all the travellers were starting out from the same location.... I thought they were maybe going to march and protest on Whiterun :-P


PE

[Gusington]

Thanks again guys. I could make a career out of modding Skyrim...