[skyrim] Setting Up This {Insert Words of Choice Here} Game, mods (B) (cleaning, too!)

So we installed a bunch of utilities that we may or may not know how to use.  That may be progress.

Now we're going to actually install mods.  In annoyingly small doses with lots of testing.  Why?

Well, let's explain it AFTER THE CUT.  Man, I love cuts.  (/beat)

(This guide has been updated on 11/18/15 to note the changes to the Unofficial Patch(es?) and take away a few things I didn't need.)

[skyrim] Setting Up This {Insert Words of Choice Here} Game, the basics (A)

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

A game so famous that, if you haven't heard about it, you've probably been hiding under a rock.

The eleventh (I believe, but this is counting this portable games no one played, ever, and ignoring expansion packs) game in Bethseda's ridiculously famous flagship franchise, that despite having come out in back in 2011 (which, by video game logic, is clearly ancient), is still ridiculously popular... mostly thanks to it's modding community.

(Of course, so is Morrowind.)

While those on console's are sadly locked out of the modding game unless they wish to violate their warranty and get banned from the Bethseda message boards forevermore, Skyrim modding is probably the reason for the game's popularity.  Lacking in the more indepth storyline one might be used to from Bioware, Obsidian and now CD Projekt, Skyrim instead focuses on an open world- where anything and everything can be changed by anyone with a bit of sense, focus, and ability to read tutorials and use a few utilities.

Despite that, though, modding Skyrim still presents it's difficulties.

Especially to me, due to my tendency of installing FIVE MILLION MODS AT ONCE.  Which, uh, tends to lead to crashes every three minutes.

After really getting to the point where I was getting a crash every ten minutes, I decided to breathe a few times and start all over.  Mostly as a note for myself, I decided to document this process, but I realize it may be of use to others as well.  I'll be going over things like using Wyre Bash, merging mods, adding animations, setting up ENB's...

Though I'll be doing it over the course of quite a few posts.

This guide will probably make more sense if you've done a bit of modding with another Bethseda game before (or Obsidan's Fallout New Vegas), but I am trying to make this as easy to follow without using video for someone who is completely new.  I don't know if I succeed in it, but it's an attempt!

Now, this seems like a good place for a cut...