In this overview, we’re going to go over some of the Best Skyrim mods to put on your computer this year for Skyrim Special Edition. We’ll be going over mods that will cover textures, lightning, weather, and grass, as well as terrain and character model improvements. None of these are in order of “best to worst” and many are entirely complementary.
One note to consider before we begin. This list is meant primarily for Skyrim Special Edition. As such, it is essential to consider that, while some may work for the original version of the game, there may be performance issues or potential crashes when installing or playing with the standard version of Skyrim.
1. USSEP, SMIM, RCI
Arguably the foundation for which all these other mods will work, these three mods (USSEP, SMIM, and RCI) are realistically the first ones you should be getting, acting as the core basics for which all these other mods will build upon.
2. Pfuscher Textures
An outstanding balance between photo imagery and realism, the Pfuscher Texture Mods significantly improves Skyrim’s minor day-to-day items throughout the world. Now, when you look at a door or a pillar or a rock on the ground, it won’t appear as if it’s part of something on the ground but something that exists in the real Skyrim world.
3. Realistic Water Two
Arguably one of the best, if not best, mods for water in all of the Skryim modding community, Realistic Water Two looks gorgeous. Compared to the standard vanilla version of the game (and even some of the other better-looking water mods out there), Realistic Water Two (RWT) amazingly stunning and makes water look like… well, water.
4. Enhanced Vanilla Trees
Similar to the RWT mod, Enhanced Vanilla Trees (EVT) has plenty of worthy competition in the modding world. That said, of them all, only EVT effectively balances true realism and beauty while also keeping true to the immersive original look found in the vanilla game.
A great way to consider it is that this mod “enhances” the standard vanilla trees rather than overhauls them. (Kind of like how the name implies)
5. Northern Grass
That is just inescapable because Skyrim SE does not have a huge number of grass mods like the original or the Legendary Edition. That said, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any gems available.
Northern Grass is an excellent choice as it pulls from several other beautiful grass mods and fits them for the SE version of the game. The grass is lore-friendly to their specific area while being very dense overall.
6. Blended Roads
An immersive mod that works well with pretty much every mod on this list, Blended Roads is excellent while maintaining much of the intended lore and presentation of the worn, bumpy roads of Skyrim.
7. Enhanced Lights & FX (ELFX)
Both large in scope and detailed in design, the ELFX mod significantly improves all of Skryim’s lighting quality. From dungeons and homes to taverns and the outdoor lightings, this mod makes everything much more realistic and at a higher overall quality, especially when compared to the standard vanilla version.
8. Obsidian Weathers & Seasons
Obsidian Weathers & Seasons does precisely what its name implies. Enhancing the innate weather and seasons in Skyrim, this mod ensures realistic looking rain and snow and beautiful sunrises and sunsets, to name a few.
The great thing about this mod is that it does all of this while still staying very close to the original Skyrim settings, something that other mods, while excellent in their way, do not do.
9. Minty Lighting & Wonders of Weather
A smaller yet highly immersive mod addition, both Minty Lighting and Wonders of Weather add light touches to your Skyrim experience through highly detailed lighting strikes during storms or subtle rainbows during rainy seasons.
10. Rustic Texture Series
Another stellar mod that adds a powerful sense of immersion to the game, Rustic Textures, makes dozens and dozens of different items in Skyrim feel as if they are real. This mod will make you feel like you can reach through the screen and touch it from health potions to windows.
11. FrankFamily Textures
If you want to enjoy 3rd person perspective while playing the game, you’ll want to get the FrankFamily Textures mod. This turns all armor sets virtually into beautiful pieces of art by merely retexturing them. A great example that looks amazing is the Nightingale Armor. This excellent armor design is made to feel like it’s meant for a movie or high scale cutscene through their work.
12. Kajuan Textures
If FrankFamily is the master of armor textures, then Kajuan is the god of creature textures. This mod turns standard-looking Skeletons, Draugrs, Giants, and Trolls (to name a few) into terrifying yet stunning visual works.
13. High Poly Project
This smaller mod is another fixated on turning mundane items throughout the world into miniature works of art. This mod helps transform the little things from pieces of lettuce to wine and beer bottles to pieces of garlic and wooden plates.
14. Skyrim “3D” Series
Especially noticeable in Skyrim SE, many objects, despite being “3D”, come across as more than a bit flat. With the Skyrim “3D” Series mods, numerous items like smithing tables, cooking pots, stone walls, and many others will appear much fuller and real to the touch while playing the game.
15. ElSopa Textures
A great lore-friendly mod, ElSopa Textures works on tons of different small items in the world while giving them some fantastic textures. One of the most widely discussed beautiful handmade store signs that you’ll see whenever going through a town or city in the game.
16. Embers HD & Smoking Torches and Candles
This excellent mod combo adds another level of realism and immersion to your gameplay experience. When it comes to candles and torches, Skyrim has always left them as just “there”. This mod improves the overall quality of their appearance and has them smoking to give the appearance as if they are burning!
It’s a small inclusion, but one that you won’t be able to go back from after experiencing it.
17. Rudy HQ
Rudy HQ is an exceptional addition to this list of mods as his works are stunning. From common items like apples and haystacks to much more essential items like Nordic Runes dungeon walls, Rudy HQ truly enlivens them with detail and realism.
18. JohnSkyrim Textures
While many of his mod textures are excellent, some of JohnySkyrim Texture’s most impressive works are the various quest items in the game. One such example is the numerous Dragon Claws used to open dungeon doors in the game. Whereas most texture mods would have made them higher quality versions of their vanilla selves, JohnySkyrim instead completely reimagined them with incredible detail that you truly have to see to believe.
19. Dark Forests of Skyrim
If you’ve often felt that Skyrim’s forests are a bit bland, you will love this mod addition. Dark Forests of Skyrim completely transforms standard forests throughout the northern province, giving each area its own unique and varied style to match the logical environment.
20. DynDOLOD
A revolutionarily yet straightforward essential mod to have running, DynDOLOD drastically increases LODs in the game. This means that the amount of pop-ins that happen during your playthrough will be considerably reduced.
21. Settlements
An optional, if a highly recommended option, these mods Towns and City Settlement mods work to revamp most of the different settlement areas throughout Skyrim, significantly improving their visual appeal.
