Skyrim Modding Priority Pyramid Guide
Purpose of This Document
This document provides a step-by-step guide for organizing and building a large Skyrim modlist using the Priority Pyramid method. The guide breaks mods into clear categories, explains the purpose of each, and suggests example mods for each step. It is designed to ensure stability, avoid conflicts, and help modders create an immersive, functional load order.
Quick Overview: Priority Pyramid Categories
- Foundations
- Frameworks
- Core Overhauls
- Graphics
- World Building
- Weapons/Armor
- NPCs/Followers
- Quests/New Lands
- Immersion Tweaks
- Audio
- Animations
- Combat Overhauls
- Magic Overhauls
- Economy/Trade
- Survival/Needs
- HUD/UI
- Final Tools (DynDOLOD, Patches, Conflict Resolution)
Detailed Priority Pyramid Outline
1. Foundations
Purpose: Establish game stability with essential fixes and tools to prevent crashes, bugs, and performance issues.
Example Mods:
- Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (USSEP)
- Engine Fixes
- Bug Fixes SSE, Scrambled Bugs
- Address Library for SKSE Plugins
2. Frameworks
Purpose: Core systems and dependencies that other mods rely on. Install these early to avoid dependency issues.
Example Mods:
- SKSE (Skyrim Script Extender)
- SkyUI
- Dynamic Animation Replacer (DAR) or Open Animation Replacer (OAR)
- Fuz Ro D-oh
3. Core Overhauls
Purpose: Large gameplay-changing mods, such as perk overhauls, combat, or survival mechanics.
Example Mods:
- Ordinator (or Vokrii) for perks
- Wildcat or Valravn for combat
- Apocalypse – Magic of Skyrim
4. Graphics
Purpose: Visual upgrades for textures, models, lighting, and overall graphical fidelity.
Example Mods:
- SMIM (Static Mesh Improvement Mod)
- Noble Skyrim or Skyland for textures
- ELFX or Lux for lighting
5. World Building
Purpose: Overhauls to the world itself, including cities, villages, and landscapes.
Example Mods:
- JK’s Skyrim or The Great Cities
- Blended Roads, Skyrim 3D Trees, Origins of Forest
6. Weapons/Armor
Purpose: Additions and retextures for gear.
Example Mods:
- Immersive Armors, Immersive Weapons
- LeanWolf’s Better-Shaped Weapons
- Cloaks of Skyrim
7. NPCs/Followers
Purpose: Overhaul or add new NPCs and followers.
Example Mods:
- Bijin NPCs, Pandorable’s NPCs
- Immersive Citizens
- Inigo, Lucien, or Interesting NPCs
8. Quests/New Lands
Purpose: Expands Skyrim with new quests, guilds, and lands.
Example Mods:
- Legacy of the Dragonborn (LOTD)
- Beyond Skyrim: Bruma
- Wyrmstooth, Moonpath to Elsweyr
9. Immersion Tweaks
Purpose: Enhance realism with small immersive changes.
Example Mods:
- Wet and Cold, Footprints
- Enhanced Blood Textures
10. Audio
Purpose: Overhaul sound effects, music, and ambient audio.
Example Mods:
- Immersive Sounds – Compendium
- Audio Overhaul for Skyrim (AOS)
- Sounds of Skyrim Complete
11. Animations
Purpose: Update or replace character and creature animations.
Example Mods:
- XPMSSE (XP32 Maximum Skeleton Special Extended)
- EVG Conditional Idles, Vanargand Animations
- Nemesis or FNIS for behavior generation
12. Combat Overhauls
Purpose: Enhance combat mechanics.
Example Mods:
- Wildcat, Ultimate Combat
- TK Dodge RE, Precision
13. Magic Overhauls
Purpose: Expand or rebalance Skyrim’s magic system.
Example Mods:
- Apocalypse – Magic of Skyrim
- Mysticism
- Triumvirate
14. Economy/Trade
Purpose: Adjust the in-game economy and merchant systems.
Example Mods:
- Trade and Barter
- Scarcity – Less Loot Mod
15. Survival/Needs
Purpose: Add survival mechanics like hunger, cold, and fatigue.
Example Mods:
- Frostfall, Campfire
- iNeed or Sunhelm
16. HUD/UI
Purpose: Improve the interface and HUD.
Example Mods:
- SkyUI
- Immersive HUD (iHUD)
- moreHUD, A Matter of Time
17. Final Tools (DynDOLOD, Patches, Conflict Resolution)
Purpose: Finalize your load order, resolve conflicts, and generate LODs.
Example Tools:
- DynDOLOD
- xEdit (SSEEdit) for conflict resolution
- Wrye Bash for a Bashed Patch
- LOOT for sorting
How to Use This Guide
- Work through the categories in order, stabilizing each step before moving on.
- Use Mod Organizer 2 profiles to test categories individually before combining them into a final load order.
- Use tools like ModMapper or spreadsheets to plan ahead and track changes.