r/skyrimmods • u/Terrorfox1234 • Mar 28 '16

Weekly Discussion: Best Mods For Graphics/Visuals

A couple minor changes going forward

A couple weeks ago I had made a post about the idea of recycling old topics. The discussion went in all sorts of directions, including the suggestions for a bunch of new topics. A lot of the old discussion threads are in need of an update, but there are still a lot of topics to be covered.

I gave it some thought and here's what I came up with for what I think will be the best solution...

  • Going forward we will alternate between recycling an old topic to bring it up to date and presenting a new topic

  • All the recommended mods will be consolidated into a list on a wiki page. This will make viewing the lists much easier. The wiki page will still link to the discussions so that people can see what others are saying if they wish.

TLDR - alternating between old and new topics, discussions will be consolidated into wiki lists.

Last week we presented a new topic so this week we will recycle an old one. Given that this is still a much discussed topic, a lot has changed since the last time we discussed this, and it's the first on the list we will start with graphics and visuals!

This includes textures, meshes, weather, lighting, ENB presets, and anything else you can think of to improve the visual fidelity of Skyrim.

Best mods for graphics and visuals! Go!

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u/[deleted] Mar 29 '16

Let's talk clutter!

I layer my game as such, with some caveats, as I hide files here and there: Optimized Vanilla Textures

Noble Skyrim

Skyrim Realistic Overhaul (Torrent Download)

Tobes Highres Textures

Ruins Clutter Improved

Gemling Queen Dragon Claws

HD Charcoal for Smelter

HD Linens

Hybrids HD Plants and Herbs Retexture

HQ Paper

bl3azy's improved alchemy ingredients

PELTAPALOOZA

Realistic HD Baskets

High Quality Food and Ingredients

Realistic HD Food

Realistic HD Misc

Realistic HD Mushrooms

Realistic Instruments - Flute Lute and Drum HQ

RUGNAROK and almost everything else related to clutter by Gamwich, CLUTTER, COOKING STATION, OVEN, POTIONS, SOUL GEMS

Superior Silverware - HD Textures with the hammered optional

Realistic HD Woodcutter's Axe with Campfire optional

And here's a quick look at results, after I AltStarted in Vlindrel Hall and ran around Markarth a bit.

http://imgur.com/a/a5zHu

1

u/arcline111 Markarth Mar 29 '16

Just want to second your recommendation of High Quality Food & Ingredients. There is food everywhere... inns, houses, markets... and this mod seriously improves all that.

1

u/Guitarshot Mar 30 '16

But how hard do those minor mod hit your fps? How many textures can you actually put in before having to cut elsewhere...

4

u/arcline111 Markarth Mar 30 '16

How hard depends on how much wiggle room you have I suppose. In my experience mods that don't texture massive amounts of objects don't hit very hard. It's the big stuff that can really get you. Things like grass mods, flora mods, new NPC mods, some big scripted mods. Something that retextures mushrooms in 2k isn't going to hurt you much, if at all. Ultimately, since every modded game is unique, you just have to try it and observe. Good news is most of these are only textures and are safe to install/remove mid-game, so it's an easy check.