Is there anything I should add/remove to this list for a bug-free(ish) vanilla skyrim AE playthrough

[deputamadre]

The short and sweet is I just want a smooth vanilla game, with cut content I suppose. Would you add anything to the below?

SKSE64
Address Library
SSE Engine Fixes
Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch
Unofficial Skyrim Creation Club Content Patches
Unofficial Skyrim Modder's Patch (https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/49616)
Cutting Room Floor

 

I realise this is probably a noob level question but I'm honestly awash with the many guides out there as to what to add.

Thanks in advance

[jbrianj]

I wouldn't recommend Skyrim's Modder's Patch in a vanilla playthrough. Yes it fixes some more "bugs", but is 99% meant for heavy modded playthrough. It changes variables and other stuff hat can fix bugs in mods, but aren't a bug by the mod in and of itself.
USSEP takes care of Vanilla bugs, and Garthand's patches take care of the CC content. CRF is based on USSEP and is carefully put together by our bug fixing god Arthmoor, it doesn't need the Modder's Patch.

 

The Modder's patch is meant for fixing bugs that only trigger when mods access certain vanilla content, scripts, or variables. It does fix some visual bugs in and of itself, but I wouldn't recommend installing it just for that.
Installing things that change things for mods, when you don't use said mods, only increases the chance of regressions, causing potential bugs in vanilla gameplay. If a bug exists that is most definitely a bug, that triggers in a vanilla game (so just having USSEP installed), then USSEP will eventually take care of it.


Here's some SKSE plugins that fix more stuff:

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https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/33261

This fixes more engine bugs. Highly recommended.
Fixes are significant.
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https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/51073

More engine fixes. Mostly minor fixes ("tweaks"), some only affecting mods. I don't use this myself in a vanilla playthrough.
Most notable fix is stopping NPC's (especially annoying with followers) from saying "Must've scared them off" after you kill all enemies.
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Notable mod for script-heavy modded playthroughs (not necessary in your playthrough, but worth a mention because it does reduce loading times a little bit):

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/77779

This gives Papyrus some much needed performance improvements in script-heavy playthroughs. Most notably stops script thrashing from happening due to Papyrus being over-stressed.
There are however some potential issues, such as certain scripts firing/finishing too fast, when the game doesn't expect it to fire/finish so fast, which can potentially cause problems in your game. The game is *specifically* made with how Papyrus works in its normal state.
So take caution with this mod.

Edited February 12, 2023 by jbrianj

[deputamadre]

Thanks jbrianj, I appreciate the extensive reply. I'll remove the modders patch and add the first two you recommend.  

[DayDreamer]

You absolutely want Scrambled Bugs as well. That fixes the game engine flora bugs, as well as other annoying things. Same guy keeping Bug Fixes SSE updated.

For a better vanilla experience, I highly recommend Arthmoor's:

• Bring Out Your Dead
• Run For Your Lives

Personally, I would not play without:

• SkyUI
• Unread Books Glow
• Better Dialogue Controls
• Better MessageBox Controls
• Better Dynamic Snow

If you are interested in more vanilla cut content:

• Touring Carriages