Home › Games › Skyrim Special Edition › Essential mods
A lean, stable base that nearly every modern Skyrim SE/AE load order builds on. Install in this order; most later mods assume these are present.
Hand-picked by ModSafe, listed in install order. We link only to the official download pages and never host files. Badges reflect our live framework status for 1.7.99. List verified 2026-10-15.
📘 How to install mods Recommended manager: Mod Organizer 2 ↗
Framework
Lets plugins hook the game executable; required by most of this list.
Must match your exact game build. Install via the mod manager, then always launch through skse64_loader.exe.
No requirements
Tracked framework: Safe for the latest patch.
Framework
Version-independent lookup table so SKSE plugins survive minor game updates.
Requires: SKSE64
Tracked framework: Check manually for the latest patch.
Fixes
Patches dozens of engine bugs and crash sources; part 2 (preloader DLLs) goes in the game folder manually.
Requires: SKSE64, Address Lib
Tracked framework: Likely safe for the latest patch.
Fixes
Community fix-pack for thousands of quest, item and dialogue bugs. Keep it near the top of the plugin list.
No requirements
Doesn't depend on a tracked framework; check its page after big patches.
Fixes
Small engine fixes and quality-of-life toggles that many other plugins expect.
Requires: SKSE64, Address Lib
Needs SKSE64; weakest link: SKSE64 (Safe).
Performance
Unlocks frame rate, fixes high-FPS physics and adds borderless/window options.
Requires: SKSE64, Address Lib
Needs SKSE64; weakest link: SKSE64 (Safe).
Interface
PC-friendly inventory, favorites and magic menus plus the Mod Configuration Menu (MCM).
Requires: SKSE64
Needs SKSE64; weakest link: SKSE64 (Safe).
Interface
Framework that lets mods build their settings menus reliably inside SkyUI's MCM.
Requires: SKSE64, Address Lib, SkyUI
Needs SKSE64; weakest link: SKSE64 (Safe).
Interface
Stops the mouse and keyboard from picking the wrong line in conversations.
No requirements
Doesn't depend on a tracked framework; check its page after big patches.
Interface
Keyboard and gamepad navigation for pop-up message boxes.
No requirements
Doesn't depend on a tracked framework; check its page after big patches.
Character
Expanded character creator with sliders, overlays and presets.
Requires: SKSE64, Address Lib
Needs SKSE64; weakest link: SKSE64 (Safe).
Visuals
Sharper, readable world map with roads; pick the variant that matches your other landscape mods.
No requirements
Doesn't depend on a tracked framework; check its page after big patches.
Visuals
Rebuilt models for thousands of everyday objects; light on performance.
No requirements
Doesn't depend on a tracked framework; check its page after big patches.
Mod pages and requirements can change; always read the mod's own page before installing. Not affiliated with Nexus Mods or any mod author.
