1. SkyUI
Ok, so some of these are a bit more essential than others. In this case, SkyUI is at the top of the list of importance and essentials to playing Skyrim on VR.
SkyUI completely revamps the inventory and menuing system so that it works excellent on VR. If you want a much easier time moving through various options with a simple tilt of the head, this is something you need to have installed.
2. Custom Favorites Menu
While not as essential as SkyUI, Custom Favorites Menu is an excellent option for making the Favorites Menu much more usable and effective. This mod helps you configure your different items as well as fully categorizes them based on their type.
3. Insects Begone
If you’re someone that feels more than a bit uncomfortable with spiders, insects, and other scuttling creatures (particularly in VR), this is the mod that’s perfect for you. Insect Begone will entirely remove Insects, Spiders, and Chauruses from the gaming experience, giving your bug anxiety a break.
“But what about the insect-specific locations?” you might be asking. Well, this mod does well in that regard too. Instead of merely entering an empty room, you’ll instead be swarmed with numerous Bears. Their number is based on the overall danger rating the various other insectoid creatures would have posed. Not only that, but the game also gives an adequate lore-friendly explanation during the load screens stating that previous creatures were killed or driven away!
4. Cathedral Landscapes
Made with VR in mind, Cathedral Landscapes is a stellar modding option for those that are using VR but still want a lush and beautiful world environment.
An interesting fact about using this mod is that it causes the game to perform BETTER than the standard vanilla version’s grass!
5. Realm of Lorkhan
We’ve talked about this mod previously on other mod lists, and it very much deserves its place here as well.
Realm of Lorkhan is an alternative starting option for the Dragonborn that has them begin the game without becoming a prisoner heading for execution. You start the game off in this heavenly world to choose various characteristics about your character outside of their race and name. You can select various weapons and items, several different and unique blessings, and even some Standing Stone traits.
Though this version isn’t nearly as all-encompassing as the other versions mentioned, it still allows you to start the game without dealing with the pesky intro of being a prisoner and looks phenomenal in VR.
6. DYNDOLOD
Another mod that we’ve talked about here at varying lengths, DYNDOLOD, is an excellent mod for reducing pop-in visuals while still keeping the game smooth and functional.
7. Locational Damage
A great game that adds a much-needed sense of realism to the world, Location Damage localize damage done or taken from an injury. This means that if you strike a person’s arm hard enough, they won’t be able to use that arm. Considering the vanilla version of the game would treat that same instance as fatal, this is much more enjoyable and immersive.
8. Scoped Bows VR
As an alterated version of the Scoped Bows mod, this version is specifically meant for those using the VR headset. As a result, shots fired or aimed will be much more accurate than previously.
9. Elemental Arrows
A fantastic option for archers, Elemental Arrows grants the Dragonborn the ability to fire powerful arrows with numerous different elemental abilities. They take a bit of time before you can use them, but it’s almost impossible to go back when you do.
10. Skillful Chef
For those that wish that eating was more worthwhile than consuming a very weak health potion, Skillful Chef may just be the mod you’re looking for.
This mod gives you experience in Alchemy whenever you cook food, giving you a huge advantage when raising the Alchemy skill stat.
11. Skyrim Recycling
Honestly, an essential mod on all versions of the game, Skyrim Recycling does exactly as its name implies. Whenever you have extensive lists of useless swords and shields, rather than sell them for no money, this mod allows you to go to any smelter in the game and convert them into ingots to be used at your discretion. This means you don’t have to continually purchase tons of ingots when looking to raise your Smithing skill. Now, whenever you get a mostly useless weapon, recycle it!
12. Eldritch Battery
One of the more comfortable and less complicated options for gamers is the Eldritch Battery mod. This allows your Magicka bar to slowly raise, similar to your Stamina whenever you cast spells.
While not a must-have for every player, it greatly improves overall gameplay while not worrying about getting a Magicka potion.
13. Vokrii – Minimalistic Perks of Skyrim
While it’s no secret that Ordinator is the gold standard of Perk alterations, that doesn’t mean it’s without its faults. As Ordinator is so large with numerous perks offered, it does run into issues when used in conjunction with other gameplay mods.
Vokrii doesn’t have this issue.
Still granting more than the vanilla game, Vokrii grants the player a minimalistic overhaul that is much easier to use with other game patches as a result.
14. Animated Clutter
Essential more for its immersive nature than anything else, Animated Clutter makes everything seem much more fun and realistic whenever you are opening chests or crates for items. Rather than simply move to the content screen, there will be a brief scene of the storage item opening up with an accompanying sound to make it feel like you’re interacting with the world.
15. InnCredible
Another immersive mod that greatly improves the Skyrim world, InnCredible gives each Inn and Tavern their unique appearance and flavor rather than the standard “copy-paste” in the original game.
16. Skyrim Trading Post Remastered
Skyrim Trading Post Remastered adds several Trading Posts throughout the world, giving you a more comfortable time buying, selling, and trading items. These Posts are all stationary and restock on a schedule similar to that of town markets.
17. Audiobooks of Skyrim
Probably one of the most criminally underrated gems in the modding community, Audiobooks of Skyrim turns every one of the various books, stories, and tomes in Skyrim into an Audiobook that you can listen to at your leisure.
Unlike previously, where you’d have to devote your entire attention to reading the book, this mod allows you to listen to them while moving throughout the northern province.
18. Nether’s Follower Framework
A very lightweight yet highly functional setup for your followers, Nether’s Follower Framework is an excellent option for those that like to manage large parties of followers to form their adventure guilds and exploration parties.
19. Spells Clean
While not as “sexy” as some other mods, Spells Clean is highly functional as a utility service. This mod allows you to hide any newly created spell configurations you may have installed from other mods so that your menu isn’t clogged. Again, while not the most fun-sounding in the world, once you’ve gotten enough different spell mods running, you’re going to be thankful you’ve introduced this into the mix.
20. Beyond Skyrim – Bruma
Finally, one of the heavy-weight champs of the modding world, Beyond Skyrim – Bruma, is an expansion pack rather than a singular mod. This brings the entire northern world of Cyrodiil into the Skyrim ecosystem, allowing you to experience many nostalgic references to TES IV: Oblivion.
What makes this mod unique is that it’s only a fraction of the full game. Eventually, the Beyond Skyrim group is planning to create a whole recreation of Cyrodiil and even Morrowind. When that day comes, you’d better believe this mammoth-sized mod will be minuscule by comparison.
