Glossary

General acronyms, terms, and file formats

The following list contains common acronyms, terms, and file formats used in Skyrim modding. These are essential for understanding modding tools, game structure, and the modding process.

  • BSA (Bethesda Softworks Archive) – A compressed file format used in many mods. It can include sounds, textures, models, and other game assets. (Note: BSA install order doesn’t matter, but load order does.)
  • CK (Creation Kit) – The official tool provided by Bethesda for creating and editing mods. This is often used by modders to create new content or modify existing game assets.
  • CTD (Crash to Desktop) – A common term for when the game crashes unexpectedly and exits to the desktop. This often occurs due to mod conflicts or script errors.
  • CBBE (Caliente’s Beautiful Body Enhancement) – A popular female body type created by Caliente. This mod is strictly a mesh and requires a skeleton and texture to function.
  • Directory – The location where Skyrim is installed on your PC. The “root” Skyrim directory refers to the folder containing your Skyrim.exe file. (See also: Root Folder.)
  • .dds (DirectDraw Surface) – A texture file format commonly used in Skyrim. It stores graphical data such as textures for in-game assets.
  • DLL (Dynamic Link Library) – A file format that contains code and data shared across multiple programs. Many mods use DLL files for added functionality.
  • DynDOLOD (Dynamic Distant Objects Level of Detail) – A program that generates dynamic levels of detail for Skyrim, reducing pop-in effects as you travel through the game world. This enhances visual fidelity at long distances.
  • ESP / ESM / ESL (Elder Scrolls Plugin, Master File, and Light Plugin) –
    • ESM: A core data file used in conjunction with plugins.
    • ESP: A plugin that requires an ESM file to function.
    • ESL: A lightweight plugin that does not count toward Skyrim’s 255 plugin limit.
  • ENB (Enhanced Natural Beauty) – A graphical enhancement tool that uses post-processing to improve lighting and effects. It is often used to create more immersive visuals.
  • FOMOD (Fallout Mod Manager) – A format for mod archives originally developed for Fallout. In Skyrim modding, it refers to “Scripted Installers” that guide users through mod installation options.
  • FPS (Frames Per Second) – A measure of how smoothly the game runs. Higher FPS results in a smoother gaming experience.
  • HKX (Havok XML) – A compressed XML-based file format used in the Havok Physics engine to simulate real-world physics. This is used for animations and physics data.
  • INI (Initialization File) – A configuration file containing settings and values for Skyrim. Modders often adjust these files for optimization or customization.
  • ITM (Identical to Master) – A record in a plugin identical to its master file. These are often unintended edits (dirty edits) and can cause compatibility issues with other mods.
  • LOOT (Load Order Optimization Tool) – A tool that sorts your load order to prevent conflicts and provides warnings and cleaning recommendations. It is essential for maintaining stability in modded setups.
  • MCM (Mod Configuration Menu) – A customizable in-game menu for mod settings. Many mods use MCM to allow players to tweak features in real-time.
  • MO2 (Mod Organizer 2) – A full-featured mod manager used in Skyrim modding. It enables easy management, installation, and troubleshooting of mods.
  • .nif (NetImmerse File) – A 3D mesh file format used in Skyrim. It contains models for characters, objects, and environments.
  • Oldrim – The community nickname for the original 32-bit version of Skyrim, also known as Skyrim Legendary Edition.
  • Plugin – A general term for ESM, ESP, and ESL files that add or modify game content. ESL plugins do not count toward the 255-plugin limit.
  • Root Folder – The highest directory in Skyrim’s file structure, usually located in SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition.
  • SSE (Skyrim Special Edition) – The 64-bit version of Skyrim. It features enhanced visuals and supports modern modding tools like SKSE64.
  • SKSE64 (Skyrim Script Extender 64) – A tool required for Skyrim Special Edition (SSE) that expands the game’s scripting capabilities, enabling advanced mods. Regular SKSE is incompatible with SSE, so always use SKSE64 specifically for this version of Skyrim.
  • UDR (Undeleted and Disabled References) – A method to fix deleted references in plugins that can cause crashes. LOOT reports the UDR count for a plugin as the number of references that need fixing.
  • UNP (Dimonized UNPretended) – A popular female body type mod by Dimon99. It requires a skeleton and texture mod to work properly.
  • USSEP (Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch) – A mod that fixes many issues left unaddressed by Bethesda. (Do not confuse with USLEEP, which is for Skyrim Legendary Edition.)
  • xEdit (SSEEdit) – A powerful tool for editing, cleaning, and patching mods. The SSE variant is SSEEdit, while other variants include F4Edit for Fallout 4 and FNVEdit for Fallout: New Vegas.

Mod Abbreviations & Acronyms

Popular abbreviations and acronyms for mods commonly used in Skyrim modding guides.

  • 3DNPC – Interesting NPCs
  • 3PCO – 3rd Person Camera Overhaul
  • ABT – Arrows Bolts & Tweaks
  • ACE – Armor Clothing Extensions
  • ADXP – Attack – Distar Experience (off-site)
  • AFT – Amazing Follower Tweaks
  • AGO – Archery Gameplay Overhaul
  • AIO – AI Overhaul, although often used for “All-in-One”
  • AMCO – Attack – Modern Combat Overhaul (off-site)
  • AMR – Animation Motion Revolution
  • AoS – Audio Overhaul for Skyrim
  • AS-LAL – Alternate Start – Live Another Life
  • ASS – Aura’s Scrumptious Supplement
  • AVE – Armor Variants Expansion
  • BnP – Bits and Pieces
  • BOOBIES – Beautifully Overhauled and Objectively Better Icons Enriched for SkyUI
  • BOS – Base Object Swapper
  • BR – Blended Roads
  • BS – BodySlide and Outfit Studio
  • CACO – Complete Alchemy and Cooking Overhaul
  • CBBE – Caliente’s Beautiful Bodies Enhancer
  • CBBE SMP – CBBE Skinned Mesh Physics
  • CBP – CBP Physics
  • CBPC – CBP Physics with Collision
  • CFM – Community Fixes Merged (for FO4)
  • CFPAO – Comprehensive First Person Animation Overhaul
  • CGO – Combat Gameplay Overhaul
  • CK – Creation Kit
  • CoMAP – Common Marker Addon Project
  • COCKS – Constructible Object Custom Keyword System
  • COIN – Coins of Interesting Natures
  • CoS – Cloaks of Skyrim
  • CoT – Citizens of Tamriel
  • COTN – Cities of the North
  • COTR – Charmers of the Reach
  • CRF – Cutting Room Floor
  • DBVO – Dragonborn Voice Over
  • DAR – Dynamic Animation Replacer
  • DCO – Deadly Combat Overhaul
  • DDCse – Diverse Dragons Collection (Special Edition)
  • DMCO – Dodge – Modern Combat Overhaul (off-site)
  • DynDOLOD – Dynamic Distant Objects Level of Detail
  • EBQO – Even Better Quest Objectives
  • EBT – Enhanced Blood Textures
  • ECE – Enhanced Character Edit
  • EFF – Extensible Follower Framework
  • EFM – Expressive Facegen Morphs
  • EFA – Expressive Facial Animation (Female/Male)
  • ELE – Enhanced Lighting for ENB
  • ELFX – Enhanced Lights and FX
  • ENB – Enhanced Natural Beauty
  • ETaC – Expanded Towns and Cities
  • EVLAS – Enhanced Volumetric Lighting and Shadows
  • EVT – Enhanced Vanilla Trees
  • FNIS – Fores New Idles in Skyrim
  • FSMP – Faster HDT-Skinned Mesh Physics
  • FWMF – Flat World Map Framework
  • GDO – Guard Dialogue Overhaul
  • GIST – Genuinely Intelligent Soul Trap
  • HDT-PE – HDT Physics Extensions
  • HDT-SMP – HDT Skinned Mesh Physics
  • HIMBO – Highly Improved Male Body Overhaul
  • HLT – Happy Little Trees
  • HPH – High Poly Head
  • HPP – High Poly Project
  • HRDLC – High Resolution DLC
  • IC – Immersive Citizens
  • ICOW – Immersive College of Winterhold
  • IED – Immersive Equipment Displays
  • IFPV – Immersive First Person View
  • iHUD – Immersive HUD
  • JK – JK Skyrim
  • KID – Keyword Item Distributor
  • KiC – Keep it Clean
  • KS – KS Hairdos
  • LFfGM – Landscape Fixes for Grass Mods
  • LOD – Level of Detail
  • LOOT – Load Order Optimization Tool
  • LoS II – Lanterns of Skyrim II
  • LOTD – Legacy of the Dragonborn
  • LOTD – TCC – Legacy of the Dragonborn – The Curator’s Companion
  • MCM – Mod Configuration Menu
  • MHIYH – My Home is Your Home
  • MM – Majestic Mountains
  • NFF – Nether’s Follower Framework
  • NGIO – No Grass in Objects
  • NHIYH 2PLUS – My Home is Your Home 2PLUS
  • NSM – Noble Skyrim Mod
  • NSutR – No Snow Under the Roof
  • NWF – Natural Waterfalls
  • OBIS – Organized Bandits in Skyrim
  • OAR – Open Animation Replacer
  • OCPA – One Click Power Attack
  • PCEA – Player Character Exclusive Animations
  • PyP – Protect your People
  • R.A.S.S. – Rain Ash & Snow Shaders
  • RASS – Rain Ash And Snow Shaders
  • RAT – Realistic Aspen Trees
  • RBT – Race-Based Textures
  • RDO – Relationship Dialogue Overhaul
  • RM – RaceMenu
  • RLO – Realistic Lighting Overhaul
  • RRSC – Realistic RS Children Overhaul
  • RW2 – Realistic Water Two
  • SCAR – Skyrim Combos AI Revolution
  • SDA – Serana Dialogue Add-On
  • SFCO – Snazzy Furniture and Clutter Overhaul
  • SHD/SHD2k – Skyrim HD 2k
  • SIC – SkyTEST Integration Conflict Resolution
  • SMIM – Static Mesh Improvement Mod
  • SMP – Skyrim Modder’s Patch
  • SoS – Sounds of Skyrim, Simplicity of Snow
  • SPID – Spell Perk Item Distributor
  • SRD – Sound Record Distributor
  • SRO – Skyrim Realistic Overhaul
  • STH – Skyrim’s True Hunter
  • SWF – Snazzy Weapon Furniture
  • TCiY – The Choice is Yours
  • TDM – True Directional Movement
  • TexGen – Texture Generate
  • TS – True Storms
  • TUDM – The Ultimate Dodge Mod
  • UBE – Ultimate Body Enhancer
  • UFO – Ultimate Follower Overhaul
  • UNP – DIMONIZED UNPretended
  • UPOT – Unofficial Performance Optimized Textures
  • USLEEP – Unofficial Skyrim Legendary Edition Patch
  • USMP – Unofficial Skyrim Modder’s Patch
  • USSEP – Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch
  • VAE – Visual Animated Enchants
  • VW – Vivid Weathers
  • WAAT – Weapon Armor Attribute Tweaks
  • WACCF – Weapons Armor Clothing & Clutter Fixes
  • WICO – Windsong Immersive Character Overhaul
  • WoW – Wonders of Weather
  • XPMSSE – XP32 Maximum Skeleton Special Extended
  • YOT – Your Own Thoughts
  • xLODGen – x LOD Generate