{"id":1743,"date":"2025-01-26T06:25:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-26T14:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/upstairsempire.xyz\/dii\/?p=1743"},"modified":"2025-01-26T06:26:48","modified_gmt":"2025-01-26T14:26:48","slug":"priority-pyramid-install-order","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/upstairsempire.xyz\/dii\/priority-pyramid-install-order\/","title":{"rendered":"Priority Pyramid: Install Order"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Skyrim Modding Priority Pyramid Guide<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Purpose of This Document<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Overview: Priority Pyramid Categories<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Foundations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Frameworks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Core Overhauls<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Graphics<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. World Building<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Weapons\/Armor<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. NPCs\/Followers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Quests\/New Lands<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Immersion Tweaks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Audio<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Animations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. Combat Overhauls<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. Magic Overhauls<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  14. Economy\/Trade<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  15. Survival\/Needs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  16. HUD\/UI<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  17. Final Tools (DynDOLOD, Patches, Conflict Resolution)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n

    Detailed Priority Pyramid Outline<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    1. Foundations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Purpose<\/strong>: Establish game stability with essential fixes and tools to prevent crashes, bugs, and performance issues.
    Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (USSEP)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Engine Fixes<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Bug Fixes SSE<\/strong>, Scrambled Bugs<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Address Library for SKSE Plugins<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      \n\n\n\n

      2. Frameworks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Purpose<\/strong>: Core systems and dependencies that other mods rely on. Install these early to avoid dependency issues.
      Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • SKSE (Skyrim Script Extender)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • SkyUI<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Dynamic Animation Replacer (DAR)<\/strong> or Open Animation Replacer (OAR)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Fuz Ro D-oh<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
        \n\n\n\n

        3. Core Overhauls<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Purpose<\/strong>: Large gameplay-changing mods, such as perk overhauls, combat, or survival mechanics.
        Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Ordinator<\/strong> (or Vokrii<\/strong>) for perks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Wildcat<\/strong> or Valravn<\/strong> for combat<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Apocalypse \u2013 Magic of Skyrim<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          \n\n\n\n

          4. Graphics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Purpose<\/strong>: Visual upgrades for textures, models, lighting, and overall graphical fidelity.
          Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • SMIM<\/strong> (Static Mesh Improvement Mod)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Noble Skyrim<\/strong> or Skyland<\/strong> for textures<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • ELFX<\/strong> or Lux<\/strong> for lighting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
            \n\n\n\n

            5. World Building<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            Purpose<\/strong>: Overhauls to the world itself, including cities, villages, and landscapes.
            Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • JK\u2019s Skyrim<\/strong> or The Great Cities<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Blended Roads<\/strong>, Skyrim 3D Trees<\/strong>, Origins of Forest<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
              \n\n\n\n

              6. Weapons\/Armor<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

              Purpose<\/strong>: Additions and retextures for gear.
              Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • Immersive Armors<\/strong>, Immersive Weapons<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • LeanWolf\u2019s Better-Shaped Weapons<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Cloaks of Skyrim<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                \n\n\n\n

                7. NPCs\/Followers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                Purpose<\/strong>: Overhaul or add new NPCs and followers.
                Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                • Bijin NPCs<\/strong>, Pandorable\u2019s NPCs<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Immersive Citizens<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Inigo<\/strong>, Lucien<\/strong>, or Interesting NPCs<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                  \n\n\n\n

                  8. Quests\/New Lands<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                  Purpose<\/strong>: Expands Skyrim with new quests, guilds, and lands.
                  Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \n
                  • Legacy of the Dragonborn (LOTD)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Beyond Skyrim: Bruma<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Wyrmstooth<\/strong>, Moonpath to Elsweyr<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                    \n\n\n\n

                    9. Immersion Tweaks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                    Purpose<\/strong>: Enhance realism with small immersive changes.
                    Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                    • Wet and Cold<\/strong>, Footprints<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Enhanced Blood Textures<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                      \n\n\n\n

                      10. Audio<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                      Purpose<\/strong>: Overhaul sound effects, music, and ambient audio.
                      Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        \n
                      • Immersive Sounds \u2013 Compendium<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • Audio Overhaul for Skyrim (AOS)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • Sounds of Skyrim Complete<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                        \n\n\n\n

                        11. Animations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                        Purpose<\/strong>: Update or replace character and creature animations.
                        Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \n
                        • XPMSSE (XP32 Maximum Skeleton Special Extended)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • EVG Conditional Idles<\/strong>, Vanargand Animations<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Nemesis<\/strong> or FNIS<\/strong> for behavior generation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                          \n\n\n\n

                          12. Combat Overhauls<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                          Purpose<\/strong>: Enhance combat mechanics.
                          Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            \n
                          • Wildcat<\/strong>, Ultimate Combat<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • TK Dodge RE<\/strong>, Precision<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                            \n\n\n\n

                            13. Magic Overhauls<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                            Purpose<\/strong>: Expand or rebalance Skyrim\u2019s magic system.
                            Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \n
                            • Apocalypse \u2013 Magic of Skyrim<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Mysticism<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Triumvirate<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                              \n\n\n\n

                              14. Economy\/Trade<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                              Purpose<\/strong>: Adjust the in-game economy and merchant systems.
                              Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                \n
                              • Trade and Barter<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • Scarcity \u2013 Less Loot Mod<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                                \n\n\n\n

                                15. Survival\/Needs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                Purpose<\/strong>: Add survival mechanics like hunger, cold, and fatigue.
                                Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                  \n
                                • Frostfall<\/strong>, Campfire<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                • iNeed<\/strong> or Sunhelm<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                                  \n\n\n\n

                                  16. HUD\/UI<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                  Purpose<\/strong>: Improve the interface and HUD.
                                  Example Mods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                    \n
                                  • SkyUI<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                  • Immersive HUD (iHUD)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                  • moreHUD<\/strong>, A Matter of Time<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                                    \n\n\n\n

                                    17. Final Tools (DynDOLOD, Patches, Conflict Resolution)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                    Purpose<\/strong>: Finalize your load order, resolve conflicts, and generate LODs.
                                    Example Tools<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      \n
                                    • DynDOLOD<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • xEdit (SSEEdit)<\/strong> for conflict resolution<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Wrye Bash<\/strong> for a Bashed Patch<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • LOOT<\/strong> for sorting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                                      \n\n\n\n

                                      How to Use This Guide<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                                        \n
                                      1. Work through the categories in order, stabilizing each step before moving on.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                      2. Use Mod Organizer 2 profiles<\/strong> to test categories individually before combining them into a final load order.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                      3. Use tools like ModMapper<\/strong> or spreadsheets to plan ahead and track changes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                        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, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1746,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-resources"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/upstairsempire.xyz\/dii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1743","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/upstairsempire.xyz\/dii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/upstairsempire.xyz\/dii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upstairsempire.xyz\/dii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upstairsempire.xyz\/dii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1743"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/upstairsempire.xyz\/dii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1743\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1745,"href":"https:\/\/upstairsempire.xyz\/dii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1743\/revisions\/1745"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upstairsempire.xyz\/dii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/upstairsempire.xyz\/dii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upstairsempire.xyz\/dii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1743"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upstairsempire.xyz\/dii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}