A fun challenge

[ikonomov]

This thread first started on Bethesda.net forums in an attempt to find a more challenging way to play Skyrim.  Rather than using mods that fundamentally change gameplay mechanics the approach is to simply limit the use of what is already in the game.  The rules outlined below have been written while playing the game over three years resulting in many edits and restarts.  I plan to use this thread as a journal to record my progress and discuss the challenges along the way.  Everybody is invited to join and share their own experience.

Build rules:

• Play on Adept difficulty.
  This difficulty has been chosen so that all actors in the game have the same base damage reduction.
• Reloads:
  The challenge is to try not to reload or die, but in the event that it happens to still be able to continue playing.
  • The game may be reloaded in the event of a crash, encountering an obvious engine glitch or making a genuine mistake that circumvents the rules.
  • If the character dies or the game is intentionally reloaded to go back in time it must be noted where and how it happened, thereby completing a record at the end of the playthrough.
• Not allowed (unless required for a specific quest):
  • Consumables:
    • Drinking potions or applying poisons to weapons except the following potions which can be used as normal:
      • Esbern's Potion
      • The White Phial
      • Potions of Cure Disease
    • Eating food or ingredients except for role playing purposes or to restore hunger if using the Survival Mode.
    • Casting spells using scrolls or staves.
  • Enchanted items:
    • Using Bloodcursed Elven Arrows or Sunhallowed Elven Arrows.  Exploding bolts can be used as normal.
    • Using more than two enchanted items at the same time.
    • Using generic or custom enchanted weapons.  Unique enchanted weapons may not be recharged or used for dual wielding.  If they have unlimited or depleted charges they are considered unenchanted except the following weapons which are always considered enchanted:
      • Bloodskal Blade
      • Dawnguard Rune Axe and Hammer
      • Drainblood Battleaxe, Drainheart Sword and Drainspell Bow
      • Ebony Blade
      • Ghostblade
      • Glass Bow of the Stag Prince
      • Keening
      • Mehrunes' Razor
      • Miraak's Sword
    • The following unique clothing and armor count as one enchanted item per two pieces if equipped together as a set:
      • Ahzidal's Armor
      • Arch-Mage's Robes and Arch-Mage's Boots
      • Armor of the Old Gods
      • Blackguard's Armor
      • Cicero's Clothes
      • Deathbrand Armor
      • Linwe's Armor
      • Miraak's Robes and Armor
      • Nightingale Armor
      • Shrouded Clothes and Armor
      • Thieves Guild and Guild Master's Armor
  • Using improved (tempered) armor or weapons.
  • Waiting using the wait command.
  • Sleeping except in an owned house, a rented room at an inn, assigned quarters as part of a faction, a campsite if using the Survival Mode or a prison cell to serve a sentence.
  • Using paid training.
  • Making skills Legendary.
    This imposes a level cap of 81.  In order to receive the quest The Wolf Queen Awakened a character must advance one level after clearing Wolfskull Cave and reporting it to the steward in Solitude.
  • Choosing Lover's Insight reward from the Black Book: The Winds of Change.
  • Female characters may not choose Seeker of Might reward from the Black Book: The Sallow Regent.
    Since most enemies in the game are male, these two restrictions strive to balance the advantage of female characters given by the Agent of Dibella blessing.
  • During combat or in the presence of hostile enemies indicated by red dots on the compass:
    • Leveling up to fully restore Health, Magicka and Stamina.
    • Changing armor, clothing or jewelry.
  • Using mods or bug exploits that make the game easier.
  • Using humanoid or creature followers.  Horses can be used as normal.  Followers that join for specific quests must not be used for purposes not related to their quests.  Shadowmere may only be used while doing Dark Brotherhood quests.  Followers can be appointed as stewards to manage the Hearthfire homes.
  • Map-based fast travel.  Carriages and ferries can be used as normal.
  • Unlocking perks:
    • Illusion: Hypnotic Gaze, Animage
    • Conjuration: Dark Souls, Twin Souls, Mystic Binding
    • Destruction: Impact
    • Restoration: Respite, Regeneration, Ward Absorb, Recovery
    • Alteration: Stability, Atronach, more than one rank in Magic Resistance (Bretons may not unlock Magic Resistance)
    • Enchanting: Extra Effect, Soul Squeezer
    • Smithing: Arcane Blacksmith
    • Heavy Armor: Juggernaut
    • Block: Shield Wall
    • Two-handed: Warmaster
    • One-handed: Paralyzing Strike, Dual Flurry
    • Archery: Eagle Eye, Bullseye
    • Light Armor: Agile Defender
    • Sneak: Light Foot, Deadly Aim
    • Lockpicking: Locksmith
    • Pickpocket: Misdirection, Poisoned
    • Speech: Haggling
    • Alchemy: Alchemist
    • Lycanthropy: Bestial Strength
    • Vampire Lord: Power of the Grave
• Complete:
  • Major quest lines:
    • Main Quest - defeat Alduin in Sovngarde.
    • Companions - kill Kodlak’s wolf spirit.
    • Thieves Guild - obtain the Guild Master’s Armor.
    • College of Winterhold - obtain the Archmage’s Robes.
    • Dark Brotherhood - kill Safia, the last contract given by Nazir.
    • Civil War - kill General Tullius or Ulfric Stormcloak.
    • Dawnguard - kill Lord Harkon.
    • Dragonborn - kill Miraak.
  • Become Thane in all nine holds.
  • Learn the hidden knowledge in all seven Black Books:
    • Epistolary Acumen and Waking Dreams can be found during the Dragonborn quest line.
    • The Hidden Twilight, the Sallow Regent, the Winds of Change and Untold Legends can be found by following quests for Neloth in Tel Mithryn.
    • Filament and Filigree can be found by following the quest given by Geldis Sadri in Raven Rock or reading a quest book.
  • Daedric quests:
    • Obtain Mehrunes' Razor or spare Silus Vesuius at the end of the quest given by him in Dawnstar’s museum.
    • Obtain the Rueful Axe or the Masque of Clavicus Vile following the quest given by Lod in Falkreath.
    • Obtain the Savior's Hide or the Ring of Hircine following the quest given by Mathies in Falkreath.
    • Relieve the people of Dawnstar from their nightmares following Erandur’s quest.
    • Obtain the Mace of Molag Bal following the quest given by Vigilant Tyranus in Markarth.
    • Obtain the Ring of Namira or save Brother Verulus at the end of the quest given by Kleppr in Markarth.
    • Return the Skeleton Key to the Twilight Sepulcher during the Thieves Guild quest line.
    • Obtain Sanguine Rose following the quest given by Sam Guevenne in Riften.
    • Obtain Wabbajack following the quest given by Dervenin in Solitude.
    • Obtain the Ebony Blade following the quest given by Hulda in Whiterun.
    • Obtain Oghma Infinium following the quest given by Septimus Signus during the main quest.
    • Obtain Azura's Star or the Black Star following Aranea Ienith’s quest at the Shrine of Azura located south of Winterhold.
    • Obtain Spellbreaker following the quest given by an Afflicted Refugee.
    • Obtain Dawnbreaker following the quest given by Meridia after finding the Beacon.
    • Obtain Volendrung following the quest given by Atub in Largashbur located southwest of Riften.
    • Obtain the Ebony Mail from Boethiah's champion following a quest given by reading a quest book.
  • Side quests:
    • Kill Vighar for Dengeir in Falkreath.
    • Rescue Derkeethus following the quest given by a resident of Darkwater Crossing.
    • Investigate Shroud Hearth Barrow following the quest given by Wilhelm in Ivarstead.
    • Become an Agent of Dibella following the quest given by Hamal in Markarth.
    • Solve the Forsworn Conspiracy and escape from Cidhna Mine in Markarth following Eltrys’s quest.
    • Re-activate Nchuand-Zel's automated defenses following the quest given by Calcelmo in Markarth.
    • Solve the plot against Morthal by killing Movarth.
    • Become an Agent of Mara following the quest given by Dinya Balu in Riften.
    • Recover Arondil’s journals for Vekel the Man in Riften.
    • Recover Grimsever for Mjoll in Riften.
    • Gain Ancient Knowledge following the quest given by From-Deepest-Fathoms in Riften.
    • Recover the three instruments for Solitude’s Bards College.
    • Obtain the Shield of Solitude from the steward.
    • Clear Broken Oar Grotto following the quest given by Jaree-Ra in Solitude.
    • Retrieve the three Totems of Hircine for Aela in Whiterun after finishing the Companions quest line.
    • Rescue Thorald following the quest given by Fralia Gray-Mane in Whiterun.
    • Restore the Gildergreen for Danica Pure-Spring in Whiterun.
    • Kill Kematu or help Alik'r Warriors capture Saadia.
    • Obtain the repaired White Phial following the quest given by Nurelion in Windhelm.
    • Kill the pirates for the East Empire Company in Windhelm.
    • Learn all 15 master level spells from the College of Winterhold.
    • Obtain Keening following the quest given by Arniel Gane from the College of Winterhold.
    • Obtain Esbern's Potion following the quests given by the Blades before meeting Paarthurnax during the main quest.
    • Stop the ash spawn attacks on Raven Rock following the quest given by Captain Veleth.
    • Save Councilor Morvayn in Raven Rock from an assassination plot following the quest given by Captain Veleth.
    • Kill Vahlok following the quest given by Tharstan in Skaal Village.
  • Book quests:
    • Obtain Red Eagle's Bane.
    • Obtain Gauldur Amulet.
    • Obtain Aetherial Crown, Aetherial Shield, or Aetherial Staff.
    • Find the treasure of Haknir Death-Brand.
  • Miscellaneous quests:
    • Uncover the events inside Frostflow Lighthouse located southeast of Dawnstar.
    • Obtain the Pale Blade in Frostmere Crypt located northeast of Stonehills.
    • Help Stalleo take back Treva's Watch located northwest of Riften.
    • Kill Lu'ah Al-Skaven in Ansilvund located northeast of Shor's Stone.
    • Help Golldir kill Vals Veran in Hillgrund's Tomb located northwest of Darkwater Crossing.
    • Obtain Kyne's Token following the quest given by Froki Whetted-Blade living in a shack southeast of Ivarstead.
  • Learn the words of power for all 27 dragon shouts.
    • Most words can be learned during quests.
    • Word walls can be located following the quests given by the Greybeards or getting a letter after shouting in a settlement.
    • One of the words for the Dismay shout can be learned inside Shalidor's Maze in Labyrinthian located southeast of Morthal.
    • One of the words for the Drain Vitality shout can be learned from a word wall near the frozen lake in Forgotten Vale during the Dawnguard quest line.
    • Durnehviir found in Soul Cairn during the Dawnguard quest line teaches a word for Soul Tear each time he is summoned.
  • Obtain all 14 Dragon Priest Masks:
    • Most masks can be found during quests or while searching for word walls.
    • Wooden Mask and Konahrik can be found in Bromjunaar Sanctuary, the central barrow in Labyrinthian located southeast of Morthal.
  • Restore the Crown of Barenziah following the quest given by Vex in Riften after finding all 24 stones:
    • Most stones can be found during quests or while searching for word walls.
    • Five stones can be acquired from the palaces in the major cities.
    • One stone can be acquired from the Black-Briar Lodge, following the quest given by Louis Letrush in Riften.
    • One stone can be acquired from the Hall of the Dead in Whiterun, following the quest given by Andurs.
    • One stone can be acquired from the House of Clan Shatter-Shield in Windhelm.

Edited Thursday at 06:57 PM by ikonomov

[ikonomov]

The following is a list of all the programs and mods that I'm currently using with Skyrim SE (AE).  I'll try to keep this list up to date.  In the next post I'll write down the settings that I'm using for the game and the mods.  The mods marked with a star ★ are essential for this build.  Before installing any of the following first start and exit the game once with the default Skyrim SE Launcher to generate the .ini files.

_______________________________________

Requirements

• Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2022 (x64 and x86) ★
• .NET Desktop Runtime 6.0 ★
• Vortex ★
• Skyrim Script Extender (1.6.1170 / 1.6.1179) ★
• Address Library for SKSE Plugins (SKSE64 1.6.1170 / 1.6.1179) ★
• PapyrusUtil SE (Address Library 1.6.1170 / 1.6.1179) ★
• powerofthree's Tweaks (Address Library 1.6.629) ★
• powerofthree's Papyrus Extender (powerofthree's Tweaks 1.6.1130) ★

_______________________________________

Major fixes

• SSE Engine Fixes (2 parts, Address Library 1.6.1170) ★
• Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch ★
• Bug Fixes SSE (Address Library 1.6.629) ★
• Actor Limit Fix (Address Library 1.6.629) ★
• Scrambled Bugs (Address Library 1.6.629) ★
• SSE Display Tweaks (Address Library 1.6.1130) ★

_______________________________________

Minor fixes

• Equip Enchantment Fix (Address Library 1.6.629) ★
• Chaos Damage Perk Fix ★
• Sprint Sneak Movement Speed Fix (Address Library 1.6.1130) ★
• NARC Remade - No Animals Report Crimes for Skyrim SE ★
• Hunters Not Bandits
• No Sneak Screams
• Better MessageBox Controls ★
• Better Dialogue Controls ★
• HearthFires Display Case Fix SE
• First Person Greatsword Idle Fix
• Mfg Fix (Address Library 1.6.629)
• Farmhouse Chimneys SE (main file and USSEP patch)
• Stackable Stones of Barenziah with Optional Quest Markers (SKSE64) ★
• Floating Ash Pile Fix
• Bright Snow Fix for ENB
• Bright Falling Leaves Fix
• Green Water Cubemap Fix
• Aurora Fix (Address Library 1.6.629)
• High Gate Ruins Puzzle Reset Fix (USSEP) ★
• Shadows Of Sunlight - In Small Exterior World Spaces

_______________________________________

Gameplay

• Protect Unique NPCs (USSEP) ★
• Open Cities Skyrim (with patches, USSEP) ★
• Realistic Melee Range ★
• Simple Offence Suppression (Address Library 1.6.629) ★
• Classic Sprinting Redone (Address Library 1.6.640) ★
• No Auto-Aim ★
• Hearthfire Carriages SE ★
• Disable Fast Travel SKSE - No Janky Map UI (Address Library 1.6.629) ★

_______________________________________

Interface

• Stay At The System Page - AE (Address Library 1.6.629)
• No More Creation Club News v1.6.1130 and 1170 (Loose)
• SkyUI (SKSE64) ★
• Quest Journal Fix for SkyUI (SkyUI) ★
• SkyUI - Ghost Item Bug Fix (SkyUI) ★
• Fix Note icon for SkyUI (Address Library, SkyUI 1.6.629)
• SkyUI - Survival Mode Integration (SkyUI) ★
• Quest Journal Limit Bug Fixer - Recover Disappeared Quests (SkyUI, powerofthree's Papyrus Extender) ★
• SkyHUD (main file and Patch 0.90.1B)
• Immersive HUD - iHUD Special Edition (SKSE64)
• Oxygen Meter (Address Library 1.6.629) ★
• Horse Stamina HUD - Script-Free (Address Library 1.6.629) ★
• Desktop Splash Screen (SKSE64 1.6.629) ★
• More Informative Console (Address Library 1.6.1130)
• Essential Favorites (Address Library 1.6.629)
• Double Check Before Selling (Address Library, SkyUI 1.5.97)
• Double Check Before Selling AE (Address Library, SkyUI 1.6.1130)
• Custom Hotkeys SE
• Read Or Take SKSE (Address Library 1.6.629)
• Name Those Ash Piles (Address Library 1.6.629)
• VioLens - A Killmove Mod SE (SkyUI) ★

_______________________________________

Armor and weapons

• LeanWolf's Better-Shaped Weapons SE
• Believable weapons
• Better-Shaped Bows of the Heavens SE
• Auto Hide Ammo (SKSE64)
• Hold Guard Armor Unchanged AE
• Concave Shield of Ysgramor

_______________________________________

Lighting

• Improved Fog and Lighting (USSEP)
• Magic Lights of Radiance SE
• Infinite Warmer Torches
• Immersive Spell Effects Emit Light
• Radiant Atronachs
• Soft Shadows (Address Library 1.6.629)
• SSE Parallax Shader Fix (only the optional file d3dcompiler_47.dll)
• Auto Parallax (Address Library 1.6.629)
• Community Shaders (Address Library, d3dcompiler_47.dll 1.6.1130)
• Screen-Space Shadows (Community Shaders)
• Water Blending (Community Shaders)
• Light Limit Fix (Community Shaders)

_______________________________________

Audio

• SSE High Quality Voices (2 parts)
• SSE High Quality Music
• Silent Sneak Attack
• Remove Weapon Enchantment Sounds

_______________________________________

LOD

• A Quality World Map (Classic with All Roads and Clear Map Skies) ★
• No Grass In Objects (Address Library 1.6.1130)
• xLODGen Resource - SSE Terrain Tamriel (Extend)
• xLODGen
• DynDOLOD Resources SE 3 (PapyrusUtil SE)
• DynDOLOD 3 (DynDOLOD Resources SE 3)
• HD Terrain Noise Texture SE (xLODGen)

Edited yesterday at 05:01 AM by ikonomov

[ikonomov]

In order to keep the previous list concise, I'll include the settings for the mods and also for the game in this post.  Settings specific to Steam are in blue, GOG in red.

_______________________________________

Gaming client

Steam>Skyrim Special Edition>Settings>Properties>Updates>Only update this game when I launch it

GOG Galaxy>Skyrim Special Edition>Manage Installation>Configure

>installation>disable automatically update to newest version
               >features>enable custom executable: skse64_loader.exe

_______________________________________

Skyrim SE Launcher

Run at least once to generate the .ini files.

• Resolution: 2560x1440
• Ultra settings

-

Always use the default Skyrim SE GOG Shortcut to run the game in order to keep its files synced to the GOG cloud.

_______________________________________

Skyrim.ini

[Display]

fDefaultWorldFOV=90
fGlobalSaturationBoost=-0.2
fLightLODMaxStartFade=10000.0
fLightLODStartFade=10000.0
fFirstSliceDistance=4000.0000

-

The recommended field of view is 70 for smaller laptop displays and 110 for super ultrawide monitors.  I use 90 with my 27" monitor.

_______________________________________

SkyrimPrefs.ini

[Display]

iShadowMapResolution=8192
bIBLFEnable=0
bEnableImprovedSnow=0
fLightLODStartFade=10000.0000

[AudioMenu]

all 1.0000
fVal3=0.6000

_______________________________________

Skyrim Script Extender

double-click in Vortex>Mods and change the Mod Type to Engine Injector

_______________________________________

powerofthree's Tweaks

Run the game once (with SKSE) to generate the .ini file.

Vortex>Mods>Open Game Mods Folder navigate to SKSE\Plugins\po3_Tweaks.ini:

Map Marker Placement Fix = false
No Attack Messages = 3
No Hostile Spell Absorb = true

_______________________________________

SSE Engine Fixes

double click Part 2 in Vortex>Mods and change the Mod Type to Engine Injector

_

Vortex>Mods>Open Mod Staging Folder navigate to (Part 1) SSE Engine Fixes\skse\plugins\EngineFixes.toml:

CleanSKSECosaves = true
ScrollingDoesntSwitchPOV = true

Vortex>Mods>Deploy Mods

_______________________________________

SSE Display Tweaks

Vortex>Mods>Open Mod Staging Folder navigate to SSE Display Tweaks\SKSE\Plugins\SSEDisplayTweaks.ini:

#Fullscreen=false
#Borderless=true
MaxFrameLatency = 0
MaximumRefreshRate = 141
FramerateLimit = 141
FramerateLimitMode = 1
MinimumFramerate = 24
MaximumFramerate = 141
BudgetMaxFPS = 141

Vortex>Mods>Deploy Mods

_

The G-sync range for my monitor is 1-144 Hz.  Having the max at 141 ensures that V-sync and its input lag will be avoided.

_______________________________________

Disable Fast Travel

Vortex>Mods>Open Mod Staging Folder navigate to Disable Fast Travel\SKSE\Plugins\DisableFastTravel.ini:

bFlyingMountCruiseEnabled=0

Vortex>Mods>Deploy Mods

_______________________________________

Quest Journal Fix for SkyUI

installer: SkyUI - Remove Quicksave 1a

_______________________________________

SkyHUD

installer:

• Loose Files
• Vanilla Default
• install iHud compatibility patch

_

Vortex>Mods>Open Mod Staging Folder navigate to SkyHUD\interface\skyhud\skyhud.txt:

bAltHealth = 1
bAltStamina = 1

Vortex>Mods>Deploy Mods

_______________________________________

Essential Favorites

Vortex>Mods>Open Mod Staging Folder navigate to Essential Favorites\skse\plugins\po3_EssentialFavorites.ini:

all false
No Alchemy = true
No Crafting = true
No Disenchanting = true

Vortex>Mods>Deploy Mods

_______________________________________

Double Check Before Selling

Vortex>Mods>Open Mod Staging Folder navigate to Double Check Before Selling\SKSE\Plugins\DoubleCheckBeforeSelling.ini:

all true
EnableCheckForUnique = false

Vortex>Mods>Deploy Mods

_______________________________________

Custom Hotkeys SE

Vortex>Mods>Open Mod Staging Folder navigate to Custom Hotkeys\Interface\controls\pc\controlmap.txt:

Sneak Mouse ID: 0x3
Hotkey8 Mouse ID: 0x4

Vortex>Mods>Deploy Mods

_______________________________________

Read Or Take SKSE

Vortex>Mods>Open Mod Staging Folder navigate to Read Or Take SKSE\skse\plugins\po3_ReadOrTakeBooks.ini:

Alternate action hotkey = 143
Auto use spell tomes = false

Vortex>Mods>Deploy Mods

_______________________________________

Name Those Ash Piles

Vortex>Mods>Open Mod Staging Folder navigate to Name Those Ash Piles AE\skse\plugins\po3_NameThoseAshpiles.ini:

Name = [npc]'s [ashpile]

Vortex>Mods>Deploy Mods

_______________________________________

VioLens - A Killmove Mod SE

installer: Loose files

_______________________________________

LeanWolf's Better-Shaped Weapons SE

installer:

• custom install, all weapons except
  • Sheaths for all Greatswords
  • Skyforge Weapons
  • Skyforge Quiver
  • Silver Sword Sheath
  • Nightingale Blade
  • Dawnbreaker
  • Scimitar
• Keening Sheath
• Glass: no refraction
• Stalhrim: no refraction
• Dragonbone: DragonBoring
• No Dual Sheath

_______________________________________

Believable weapons

installer:

• custom install, no Greatsword scabbards
• Maces:
  • Stalhrim
• Swords
  • Dawnbreaker
  • Iron
  • Nightingale
  • Scimitar
  • Silver
  • Stalhrim

_

mod files order rule: load after LeanWolf's Better-Shaped Weapons SE

_______________________________________

Better-Shaped Bows of the Heavens SE

installer:

• all bows
• no optional bows

_______________________________________

SSE Parallax Shader Fix

install only the optional file d3dcompiler_47.dll

double-click in Vortex>Mods and change the Mod Type to Engine Injector

_______________________________________

Community Shaders

Vortex>Mods>Open Mod Staging Folder navigate to Community Shaders\SKSE\Plugins\CommunityShaders.json:

Skip Compilation Key: 142
Toggle Effects Key: 141
Toggle Key: 140
FarDistanceScale: 0.1
NearThickness: 0.0

Vortex>Mods>Deploy Mods

_______________________________________

SSE High Quality Voices

Skyrim.ini

[Archive]

replace Skyrim - Voices_en0.bsa with voicesen0.bsa, voicesen1.bsa, voicesen2.bsa, voicesen3.bsa, voicesen4.bsa

_______________________________________

No Grass In Objects

Run the game once (with SKSE) to generate the .ini file.

Vortex>Mods>Open Game Mods Folder navigate to SKSE\Plugins\GrassControl.ini:

Ray-cast-enabled = false
Use-grass-cache = true
Extend-grass-distance = true
Overwrite-grass-distance = 20272.000000
Only-load-from-cache = true
DynDOLOD-Grass-Mode = 1

To generate precache, create an empty PrecacheGrass.txt file in Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition folder and then when starting the game, if it crashes keep restarting the game to resume the generation until the game returns back to the normal game menu.  The generation can take some time.  After the generation is complete the grass files will be created in Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition\data\grass folder.  Check for .fail files that indicate blank areas in the corresponding cells.

_______________________________________

DynDOLOD Resources SE 3

installer: enable Desync Birds of Prey

_______________________________________

xLODGen

extract to C:\Games\Tools\xLODGen

_______________________________________

DynDOLOD 3

extract to C:\Games\Tools\DynDOLOD

_______________________________________

xLODGen generation

Vortex>Mods>disable A Quality World Map and DynDOLOD Resources SE 3

_

Vortex>Dashboard>Add Tool

Name: xLODGen
Target: C:\Games\Tools\xLODGen\xLODGenx64.exe
Command Line: -sse -o:"C:\Games\Tools\xLODGen\xLODGen_Output\"
(GOG) Command Line: -sse -o:"C:\Games\Tools\xLODGen\xLODGen_Output\" -d:"C:\Games\GOG Galaxy\Games\Skyrim Anniversary Edition\Data" -i:"C:\Users\pikon\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition GOG\Skyrim.ini" -p:"C:\Users\pikon\AppData\Local\Skyrim Special Edition GOG\plugins.txt"
_

Vortex>Dashboard>run xLODGen

• select all worlds
• disable Objects LOD
• disable Trees LOD
• disable Occlusion
• enable Terrain LOD:
  • LOD4
    • Quality:0
    • enable Protect Borders
    • disable Hide Quads
    • Optimize Unseen: off
    • diffuse size 512, normal size 512
  • LOD8
    • Quality:5
    • Optimize Unseen: 550
    • diffuse size 256, normal size 256
  • LOD16
    • Quality:10
    • Optimize Unseen: 550
    • diffuse size 128, normal size 128
  • LOD32
    • Quality:10
    • Optimize Unseen: 550
    • diffuse size 128, normal size 128
  • All
    • max vertices: 32767
    • BC7 Max texture format
    • disable mipmaps
    • disable raise steepness
    • disable bake normal maps
    • Brightness: 20
    • Contrast: 30
    • Gamma: 0.70
    • default size: diffuse 256, normal 256
• disable Specific chunk

The generation can take a long time.  After it's finished:

1. add all files in C:\Games\Tools\xLODGen\xLODGen_Output to xLODGen_Output.zip
2. Vortex>install xLODGen_Output.zip
3. delete C:\Games\Tools\xLODGen\xLODGen_Output folder

_

Vortex>Mods>remove xLODGen Resource - SSE Terrain Tamriel

_______________________________________

DynDOLOD 3 generation

Vortex>Mods>enable DynDOLOD Resources SE 3

_

Vortex>Dashboard>Add Tool

• Name: TexGen
• Target: C:\Games\Tools\DynDOLOD\TexGenx64.exe
• Command Line: -sse
• (GOG) Command Line: -sse -d:"C:\Games\GOG Galaxy\Games\Skyrim Anniversary Edition\Data" -i:"C:\Users\pikon\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition GOG\Skyrim.ini" -p:"C:\Users\pikon\AppData\Local\Skyrim Special Edition GOG\plugins.txt"

_

Vortex>Dashboard>Add Tool

• Name: DynDOLOD
• Target: C:\Games\Tools\DynDOLOD\DynDOLODx64.exe
• Command Line: -sse
• (GOG) Command Line: -sse -d:"C:\Games\GOG Galaxy\Games\Skyrim Anniversary Edition\Data" -i:"C:\Users\pikon\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition GOG\Skyrim.ini" -p:"C:\Users\pikon\AppData\Local\Skyrim Special Edition GOG\plugins.txt"

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Vortex>Dashboard>run TexGen

• enable Stitched Object LOD Textures, Base size 256
• enable Rendered Object LOD Textures, Base size 256
• enable Tree/Grass LOD Billboards, Units per pixel 8.0, Texture size 32-1024
• enable Grass, Direct 150, Ambient 25
• enable Tree, Direct 135, Ambient 55
• enable HD Tree, Direct 135, Ambient 55, Smoothness 0
• enable Rendered, Direct 50, Ambient 150, Smoothness 0
• all BC7 Max texture format

The generation can take a long time.  After it's finished:

1. add all files in C:\Games\Tools\DynDOLOD\TexGen_Output to TexGen_Output.zip
2. Vortex>install TexGen_Output.zip (mod files order rule: load after DynDOLOD Resources SE)
3. delete C:\Games\Tools\DynDOLOD\TexGen_Output folder

_

Vortex>Dashboard>run DynDOLOD

• Advanced
  • enable Dynamic LOD, GridToLoad 11-21
  • enable Occlusion data, Quality 3, disable Plugin
  • disable Terrain underside
  • enable Object LOD
    • Max tile size LOD 1024
    • Max tile size full 256
  • enable Ultra tree LOD
    • Billboard brightness 0
    • Max tile size billboard 1024
  • enable Grass LOD, Density 100, Mode 1
  • disable Upgrade NearGrid large references to FarGrid
  • Select all Worlds
  • Preset: High

The generation can take a long time.  After it's finished select Save & Exit, then:

1. add all files in C:\Games\Tools\DynDOLOD\DynDOLOD_Output to DynDOLOD_Output.zip
2. Vortex>install DynDOLOD_Output.zip
3. delete C:\Games\Tools\DynDOLOD\DynDOLOD_Output folder

_

Vortex>Mods>enable A Quality World Map

_

Vortex>Mods>Open Mod Staging Folder

Create and save a file in Notepad delete_LOD32.bat in xLODGen_Output folder with the contents:

del /S Blackreach.32.*.dds
del /S DeepwoodRedoubtWorld.32.*.dds
del /S DLC01FalmerValley.32.*.dds
del /S DLC01SoulCairn.32.*.dds
del /S DLC1HunterHQWorld.32.*.dds
del /S DLC2ApocryphaWorld.32.*.dds
del /S DLC2SolstheimWorld.32.*.dds
del /S JaphetsFollyWorld.32.*.dds
del /S LabyrinthianMazeWorld.32.*.dds
del /S MarkarthWorld.32.*.dds
del /S SkuldafnWorld.32.*.dds
del /S Sovngarde.32.*.dds
del /S Tamriel.32.*.dds

Double-click delete_LOD32.bat batch script file to delete all LOD32 texture files.  Delete the delete_LOD32.bat file.

_

Vortex>Mods>Deploy Mods

_______________________________________

Mod Configuration Menu (SkyUI)
only accessible once inside a game

Immersive HUD SE
Compass toggle enabled
Active effects always on
Transparency all 83%

Open Cities Skyrim - SSE
disable all three settings

SkyUI
Item List Large Front
Active Effects minimum time left 300s
Group Set Favorites keys 1-7, mouse middle button

VioLens - A Killmove Mod SE
Melee Killmoves: Off
Ranged Killmoves: Off

Edited yesterday at 05:02 AM by ikonomov

[ikonomov]

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Edited Thursday at 06:54 PM by ikonomov

[ikonomov]

.

Edited Thursday at 06:55 PM by ikonomov

[Adella]

Wonderful sweetie! Glad you brought this across Ikon.  I am still thinking whether to import my full set of Challenge Trials here or only have them at (Ulphy’s) Discord.  I guess two locations isn’t a bad idea.

Hopefully you and I will gain a few participants hmmm?

Adella

[Leonardo]

The first three posts has a lot of information that might belong here and these three posts is almost enough for one wiki page, so I suggested that AFK Mods could get a wiki.

 

[Sah]

5 hours ago, Adella said:

Wonderful sweetie! Glad you brought this across Ikon.  I am still thinking whether to import my full set of Challenge Trials here or only have them at (Ulphy’s) Discord.  I guess two locations isn’t a bad idea.

Hopefully you and I will gain a few participants hmmm?

Adella

You should, anyways you set the standard of HARD CORE legendary game play, even my streams are mostly based on your rules ...oh look got a dancing banana emoji 

[ikonomov]

12 minutes ago, Leonardo said:

The first three posts has a lot of information that might belong here and these three posts is almost enough for one wiki page, so I suggested that AFK Mods could get a wiki.

 

I think that could be a good idea.  I've always asked and found it very useful when other people posted their mod list and game's settings.  So a possible wiki page could be more like posts of people simply sharing their personal settings and how they play the game rather than trying to structure the posts as "guides" which would likely be more limiting considering how everybody has their own unique set of settings and mods that they use.  I intend to use this thread as a sort of journal where I can share my game progress and instead of the four long posts at the beginning it could simply be 4 links...

[ikonomov]

6 hours ago, Adella said:

Wonderful sweetie! Glad you brought this across Ikon.  I am still thinking whether to import my full set of Challenge Trials here or only have them at (Ulphy’s) Discord.  I guess two locations isn’t a bad idea.

Hopefully you and I will gain a few participants hmmm?

Adella

 

22 minutes ago, Sah said:

You should, anyways you set the standard of HARD CORE legendary game play, even my streams are mostly based on your rules ...oh look got a dancing banana emoji 

Absolutely.  I've already said so at Bethesda.  You need to move everything over.  I think the wiki idea is fantastic, it could be a perfect place where we can share various settings and playing styles.  I think forum threads are much more useful than discord for this, as we can have ongoing discussions.

As for having participants, I never really expected that anybody would join me when I created my thread at bethesda's forum, and I don't really expect to have any participants here as well.  But it doesn't matter, if somebody can take something useful from what we've done with our builds over the years, that's more than good enough.

[Leonardo]

6 hours ago, ikonomov said:

I think that could be a good idea.  I've always asked and found it very useful when other people posted their mod list and game's settings.  So a possible wiki page could be more like posts of people simply sharing their personal settings and how they play the game rather than trying to structure the posts as "guides" which would likely be more limiting considering how everybody has their own unique set of settings and mods that they use.  I intend to use this thread as a sort of journal where I can share my game progress and instead of the four long posts at the beginning it could simply be 4 links...

Unfortunately, I don't think that would happen and I need to respect Arthmoor's decision.

 

[DayDreamer]

Rather than Flora Respawn Fix, I'm running https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/43532?tab=description Scrambled Bugs. It is under active development.

But running a 3rd game engine patch does make game loading rather slow.... I wish they'd combine efforts.

[ikonomov]

6 hours ago, Leonardo said:

Unfortunately, I don't think that would happen and I need to respect Arthmoor's decision.

 

Ah, I'm with Arthmoor here.  I think what you meant about a wiki is just another forum category where we can simply post topics with our mod list, game settings and builds that we use.  Forum threads will allow ongoing discussions which is something that I'd like to have rather than a static page.  I definitely prefer a forum format and considering the additional issues Arthmoor has raised, I think wiki is completely unnecessary.  If it'll be just a collection of static pages I don't even think it'll see much use either.  It's much more helpful to have the interaction that we do on forum threads where we can discuss and share ideas.

[ikonomov]

9 hours ago, Helgatheangel said:

I wanted to like some of the posts - but I'm out of Reactions.

Interesting thread, Ikonomov

lol "I wonder where I've seen this before..."

[Uncus]

11 minutes ago, ikonomov said:

lol "I wonder where I've seen this before..."

Here same problem, suppose its to stop people spamming likes. Agree with both you and Art on that a Wilkie is more for a separate site.

[ikonomov]

I gotta admit, I'm to some degree happy to start my thread anew.  In the old forum I must have had 20 revisions over the last 3 years.  I'm still unsure what to make out of that, but I can't deny that it makes me feel like a retard to some degree.  Saying that, let's hope that I don't have to repeat the exercise here lol

[Leonardo]

18 hours ago, ikonomov said:

I think what you meant about a wiki is just another forum category where we can simply post topics with our mod list, game settings and builds that we use. 

No.  I didn't mean another forum category and even I meant that a specific forum category (I know since Sovngarde is my site) is easy to create.

[ikonomov]

Heya!  After a one year break it's time to come back to the snowy Skyrim and be a hero once again!    Before leaving I didn't get too far into the game so after the AE update I've decided to recreate my character and start anew.  I've used the opportunity to install some new mods which I've noted in my first couple of posts if somebody wants to take a look.  There hasn't been any changes to my rules and I don't expect that there will be.  I'm still not quite content with not being able to use enchanted gear, potions or followers, but all attempts at incorporating those have failed no matter how many times I contemplate changing the rules.

So far my Breton has finished the main quest and is about to start the companions quest line.  I'll write more in-detail update when there's more progress.

I haven't been very active here much at all, I hope everybody from the old Beth forum is still around and doing well.

[Uncus]

Some are and others are not, Some are on discord or nexus or steam and other sites. There is still some contact but its not like it was, bad girl Beth, very bad Girl. This site does seem to have the largest population as far as I know.

PS, I was Kregen on Beth net and still am on a few other sites and forums.

 

[Pseron Wyrd]

I'm still here too!  I've recently returned to Skyrim myself after playing Star Wars: The Old Republic, Elder Scrolls Online and Kingdoms of Amalur: ReReckoning.  Right now I'm having a hard time deciding whether to play a pure shock mage or a pure fire mage.  These wouldn't be true challenge characters.  But I'll be using mods to make my game harder than Legendary difficulty.   

[ikonomov]

I have been playing another playthrough of Baldur's Gate 1 and 2.  I don't know why I've played that saga so many times...  Pure shock or fire mage sounds fun or even just pure destruction mage, I've never tried it.  I'm curious about the mods you will be using and how exactly you are planning on building your character and the difficulty you'll be playing on.  Once you decide give an update here when you find the time.

Kregen I just found and added you on nexus.  For us it might be Beth's forum disappearance that has fractured the community, but I have a feeling Skyrim's activity in general seems to be finally starting to dwindle.

 

[Uncus]

I fear you could be right about Skyrim fadding away but not quite yet. There is not much action on nexus within our old group I’m not there often, mostly I use it publish content but not much ealse. I’m here or on Helga’s discord.

[ikonomov]

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Edited Thursday at 06:55 PM by ikonomov