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I bought Skyrim special edition because I wanted to play the game offline with mods. However, I'd read that when Bethesda releases a new update for Skyrim it changes compatibility for mods. I only have the "Special Edition" with no "Anniversay Edition". I just have the special edition and I wanted to know how mods are compatible with this version and what's a good recommended mod menu loader that still works?

Any suggestions for ENB mods, quality of life improvements, combat, any NSFW mods, and just generally anything that overall improves the game that works with this version of Skyrim?
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You seem to have your wires crossed, Special Edition and Anniversary Edition are the same game. If you own the game on GOG you own the Anniversary Edition. Bethesda didnt exactly help with this and have added to the confusion. Think of AE as a paid dlc and it will be a little clearer. With that out of the way yes its easy to mod but...

With the most recent update, some mods which require SKSE and use dll files will require updating to match the latest version. If you do not wish to wait then you are better off remaining/rolling back to version 1.6.659 (the first available GOG version). Also any SKSE mod that references the Address Library or does not have dll's will work after updating the Address Library(or getting the matching version) In order to find out which mod requires the SKSE check the mod page instructions and requirements tab (on Nexus linked below).

Any mod that doesnt require SKSE(the vast majority of them) will work regardless of version as a rule. There is a new exception however, thanks to the latest update. Newly created mods with the latest Creation Kit are potentially not compatible with older versions of the game. There is a mod that addresses this called BEES.

But if you are new to modding Skyrim don't worry about this too much for now. The Nexus is the best place to start :

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/trendingalltime/?BH=115

Their mod manager can be found here:

https://www.nexusmods.com/site/mods/1?tab=files
Post edited February 17, 2024 by LazyDunmer
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LazyDunmer: You seem to have your wires crossed, Special Edition and Anniversary Edition are the same game. If you own the game on GOG you own the Anniversary Edition. Bethesda didnt exactly help with this and have added to the confusion. Think of AE as a paid dlc and it will be a little clearer. With that out of the way yes its easy to mod but...

With the most recent update, some mods which require SKSE and use dll files will require updating to match the latest version. If you do not wish to wait then you are better off remaining/rolling back to version 1.6.659 (the first available GOG version). Also any SKSE mod that references the Address Library or does not have dll's will work after updating the Address Library(or getting the matching version) In order to find out which mod requires the SKSE check the mod page instructions and requirements tab (on Nexus linked below).

Any mod that doesnt require SKSE(the vast majority of them) will work regardless of version as a rule. There is a new exception however, thanks to the latest update. Newly created mods with the latest Creation Kit are potentially not compatible with older versions of the game. There is a mod that addresses this called BEES.

But if you are new to modding Skyrim don't worry about this too much for now. The Nexus is the best place to start :

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/trendingalltime/?BH=115

Their mod manager can be found here:

https://www.nexusmods.com/site/mods/1?tab=files
Jeez, I'm new to PC gaming and modding and I genuinely need a "modding for dummies" guide because I have no clue how to alter dll files. The closest I've been successful towards modding was using Steam Workshop mods and using a mod manager for the Resident Evil games, but that's it basically.
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LazyDunmer: You seem to have your wires crossed, Special Edition and Anniversary Edition are the same game. If you own the game on GOG you own the Anniversary Edition. Bethesda didnt exactly help with this and have added to the confusion. Think of AE as a paid dlc and it will be a little clearer. With that out of the way yes its easy to mod but...

With the most recent update, some mods which require SKSE and use dll files will require updating to match the latest version. If you do not wish to wait then you are better off remaining/rolling back to version 1.6.659 (the first available GOG version). Also any SKSE mod that references the Address Library or does not have dll's will work after updating the Address Library(or getting the matching version) In order to find out which mod requires the SKSE check the mod page instructions and requirements tab (on Nexus linked below).

Any mod that doesnt require SKSE(the vast majority of them) will work regardless of version as a rule. There is a new exception however, thanks to the latest update. Newly created mods with the latest Creation Kit are potentially not compatible with older versions of the game. There is a mod that addresses this called BEES.

But if you are new to modding Skyrim don't worry about this too much for now. The Nexus is the best place to start :

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/trendingalltime/?BH=115

Their mod manager can be found here:

https://www.nexusmods.com/site/mods/1?tab=files
Also, I need to install "BEES" in order to install new mods without SKSE, or does installing SKSE mean it counts as updating the game because I installed the offline version and installing SKSE counts as an update?

On that note, can I remove SKSE if I wanted to because I'm unfamiliar with what default version of Special Edition I have installed as well as how to downgrade to a specific version that some people have mentioned that needs to be done in order to run certain mods?
avatar
LazyDunmer: You seem to have your wires crossed, Special Edition and Anniversary Edition are the same game. If you own the game on GOG you own the Anniversary Edition. Bethesda didnt exactly help with this and have added to the confusion. Think of AE as a paid dlc and it will be a little clearer. With that out of the way yes its easy to mod but...

With the most recent update, some mods which require SKSE and use dll files will require updating to match the latest version. If you do not wish to wait then you are better off remaining/rolling back to version 1.6.659 (the first available GOG version). Also any SKSE mod that references the Address Library or does not have dll's will work after updating the Address Library(or getting the matching version) In order to find out which mod requires the SKSE check the mod page instructions and requirements tab (on Nexus linked below).

Any mod that doesnt require SKSE(the vast majority of them) will work regardless of version as a rule. There is a new exception however, thanks to the latest update. Newly created mods with the latest Creation Kit are potentially not compatible with older versions of the game. There is a mod that addresses this called BEES.

But if you are new to modding Skyrim don't worry about this too much for now. The Nexus is the best place to start :

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/trendingalltime/?BH=115

Their mod manager can be found here:

https://www.nexusmods.com/site/mods/1?tab=files
avatar
Warzenshire: Also, I need to install "BEES" in order to install new mods without SKSE, or does installing SKSE mean it counts as updating the game because I installed the offline version and installing SKSE counts as an update?

On that note, can I remove SKSE if I wanted to because I'm unfamiliar with what default version of Special Edition I have installed as well as how to downgrade to a specific version that some people have mentioned that needs to be done in order to run certain mods?
I'll link a few heloful guides shortly but for now Ill address your raised points and questions:

With regards to your first response you won't be touching the dll files. SKSE is a framework that will handle that for want of a better explanation.In respone to your second part you will only want to install SKSE if a mod requires it. It is not an update to the game. It's third party software, but it allows for much greater functionality. For example you will be able to expand the range of animations far beyond what the vanilla engine would allow. But because of its nature, everytime Skyrim gets an update, SKSE must be updated too and all dependent mods or the game breaks.

As to how to find out which version you have installed there are a number of ways. The easiest if you own the GOG version is to open the GOG app and right click on the Skyrim picture>Manage Installation>Configure. This will tell you which version you are using and which are available to you.

Note you mentioned the downgrade patcher. Unless I mistaken (perhaps someone else can confirm or debunk as I havent tried to do this) but this will not be viable for the GOG version of the game as it never had the 1.597 version of Skyrim. In short any mod which needs this, you will want to avoid unless you have a Steam copy.

Now with regards to BEES you may or may not need it. It only applies for some mods published after 08 Dec 23 and you are running an older version of the game released prior to this date. It depends on what version of the Creation Kit the mod author used. Since there is no way to know this. 2 Choices: Either install BEES or install the latest game version (and thus dont need BEES) until you are more familiar with modding. I could explain further but it gets a bit technical and don't want to fry your brain as you are strarting out. Dont worry about this aspect for now.

I'll send some helpful tutorial links soon.

Steam guide for beginners:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/340412122413706606/

Gamer poets, great guy who makes everything super simple to undertsand:

https://www.youtube.com/@gamerpoets/playlists

Official Vortex Mod Manager Tutorial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kbOteChLJE

Don't find this too daunting. Modding is supposed to be fun after all. Two simple rules will save alot of time time and headaches. Don't install a bunch of mods all at once (speaking from experience here). Add 1 at time and check the game will start and run. Poke around a bit. Yes there is alot of reading and learning but its well worth the investment. The vast of majority of errors that people come across is because they didn't read the mod description/follow guidelines etc. It's worth investing time to save time in the long run. You seem switched on and I'm sure you will be fine. I'm an old dude who isn't that all that clever so if I can figure it out you can too.
Post edited February 17, 2024 by LazyDunmer