In this list, we’ve found five of the best and most essential RPG mods for Skyrim to bring back the more Morrowind and Oblivion elements to the fifth TES installment.
1. Ordinator Overhaul
First up on our list is the Ordinator Overhaul Mod. This mod completely overhauls the standard level-up Perk System found in the vanilla version of the game by reducing the more bland stat/damage increase perks and replacing them with more exciting and immersive options. For example, the One-Handed Perk Skill Tree now has a full set of varied and unique options for swords, daggers, axes, or maces. A far and away superior comparison to vanilla Skyrim’s paltry options.
And this is just one example. This perk overhaul mod can create specializations and builds that you couldn’t even dream of in the vanilla game. Want to play as the Sandman and steal people’s dreams? You can. Want to be an evil Mage that can turn paralyzed victims into gold? You can. Want to train a pet rabbit to steal gold and money for you? Yeah, you can do that too.
While all of these mods are considered “must-have” essentials, the Ordinator Overhaul mod is a requirement for anyone that truly wishes to specialize in their character beyond simply a general type expert.
2. Alternate Start – Live Another Life
When you first played Skyrim just under a decade ago, the opening to the game with you as a prisoner being inadvertently saved by the World Eater himself while barely escaping his fiery destruction of Helgen was amazing. The second time, still fine, but it probably needed a “Skip” button. The fifth time, it wasn’t fun, and the twelfth time made you seriously consider if you should have a different race character saved at the end of the intro.
The reality of the situation is that, after the first run-through, being a prisoner isn’t all that fun.
Luckily this mod changes all that up entirely.
The Alternate Start: Live Another Life mod completely changes up the opening scene for an entirely different and immersive set of options, each as varied as they are lore-friendly. You can play as a Stormcloack recruit, a Bandit seeking to redeem themselves, a Thalmor Agent, a Humble Merchant, or a far-off traveler interested in the Dawnstar Museum. There are many more, but you get the idea.
These options are all fully fleshed out and fully realized, giving you a truly immersive and engaging experience that makes you feel as if you are truly a part of this world as opposed to simply “the Protagonist” as the vanilla version can often seem.
3. Imperious – Races of Skyrim
If you haven’t played any of the other TES games, you wouldn’t know this, but previously, each of the various races had much more distinctive traits that made them feel truly unique.
Unfortunately, along with many other RPG elements, Skyrim dialed back on many of these features, resulting in various races that are slightly more stat optimized than others.
With Imperious – Races of Skyrim, however, that is completely changed. Now, in addition to each race having base stats that are much more consistent, this mod adds racially specific quests and abilities that help you fully connect with them, whether they are an Argonian, an Orc, or a Dunmer.
4. Realm of Lorkhan
The realm of Lorkhan is to Live Another Life what Live Another Life is to the vanilla opening of the game. Whereas Live Another Life grants you a tremendous amount of RPG-style introductions into the world, Realm of Lorkhan allows you to be truly whatever you want. It takes the largely grounded aspects of Live Another Life and completely throws them out to give way to complete and unabashed character customization.
The mod starts you off in the aptly named Realm of Lorkhan. There, you will be able to essentially make your character as powerful or as weak as you want and acquire whatever level weapons or armor you want.
Honestly, I can’t do this mod enough justice for what it offers. If you want to start the game as a fledgling Mage with no ability, you can. If you want to be an Orc Barbarian that is also incredibly intelligent, you can. If you want to start the game as either the most blatant overpowered Main Character Protagonist or someone who feels little more than a random side character, you truly can.
The downside to this incredible amount of freedom in your character is that it isn’t as storied compared to Live Another Life, nor is it as ground. As such, both of these options are excellent options and should be considered equally viable depending on what you are looking for.
5. Apocalypse – Magic of Skyrim
If you’ve played the earlier games in the Elder Scrolls universe, you’ll know that, similar to the races. The magic system has similarly been watered down in terms of variety as well spell types.
Thankfully, Apocalypse – Magic of Skyrim fixes that issue in spades. In addition to bringing back many of the older spells from the earlier games, this mod creates a ton of new and creative ones and adds over 150 different spells to the player’s arsenal.
Considered an excellent RPG mod in and of itself, Apocalypse – Magic of Skyrim works tremendously with the Ordinator above Perk Overhaul mod. Using these two mods combined will create an RPG experience truly unlike any other.
