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SKYRIM : VR 2021 GRAPHICS TUTORIAL

2021 is a great year to get back into Skyrim VR! 

SkyrimVR was originally not really a great VR translation from the original game regarding controls. Controls and world interaction were nowhere near the level as in example Half-Life Alyx, but in 2021 some fantastic mods have been released which makes Skyrim VR a great VR game just like Half-Life Alyx, and perhaps even better! I know that sounds hard to believe, but really try it if you have a VR headset and Skyrim VR! 

I would like to point out just like Skyrim:(SE) modding, Skyrim VR is also very subjective, some people like mods/ENB's better than others. So install only what YOU want, its YOUR Skyrim VR! Only be careful for mods which require master mods in that case.   

WARNING!!! THIS VR GUIDE REQUIRES A VERY GOOD PC!!!    This also depends a lot on the resolution of your VR headset. The Oculus Rift S for example has lower requirements than a Valve Index or HP Reverb G2. ( Rift S has an overall lower screen resolution, while the Valve Index and HP Reverb G2 have a higher resolution.)
Recommended is at least to have a RTX 3070 or 2080ti! But even better to have a RTX 3080/3090 for the high resolution headsets!                       

Just like the other Skyrim and Skyrim SE guides, this guide is mostly focused on VR improvements and visuals!

End Result And Gameplay Videos 

Example showcase video of the end result once you are done.

 

 

 

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The 2021 Tutorial

​- Did you already mod Skyrim VR? Then Start clean. The best way to do this is by uninstalling everything, and start all over. You can also check out this guide. Also make sure to create shortcuts to your Skyrim:VR Steam folder, and create a folder where you will save all the downloaded mods.   If you never did mod Skyrim VR, ignore this and continue. 

01 System/VR/Core Mods:
 

-  Download and install MO2 if you dont have it installed yet.  (MO2= Mod Organiser 2) Select a new game in MO2, and from there Select SkyrimVR.  

- I did not clean my master files for Skyrim VR like I did with Skyrim and Skyrim SE. I had no crashes at all, and it seems that Skyrim VR is even more stable for me than Skyrim SE. Did not have a single crash with 250 mods running.  

 

Cleaning is probably recommended, so it is up to you. If you want to do it: Download SSEedit. The new versions should work for Skyrim VR.  With the release of xEdit 4.0, the process of cleaning your ESMs has been simplified quite a bit. We are going to use this guide as a reference. So should work for VR, else you might need to rename the .exe file from what I have seen, but again I dont have experience with master file cleaning on Skyrim VR. You can skip it for now if you dont want to look into it or perform the cleaning. 

Then download and install the following mods:

- SKSEVR    (Needs to be installed in Skyrim data folder Make sure to download the VR version!!!)

- Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch

SkyrimVR - USSEP Compatibility Patch   -   Not certain if this patch is 100% compatible with  the new USSEP versions.  SKSE VR runs fine for me for now.

- VRIK Player Avatar         -  If there are files in your ''overwrite'' folder after installing, just right click on overwrite folder --> create new mod.  Name it something like: 'Vrik Overwrite data', activate it, and place it directly under VRIK. 

- HIGGS - Hand Interaction and Gravity Gloves for Skyrim VR  

VRIK and HIGGS  are absolutely needed for the new Skyrim VR experience !!!

- Be seated

Skyrim VR Tools

VR FPS Stabilizer

- Instant Equip VR                              - Instant equip feels better for VR than waiting for the animation. (So it works now just like Half-Life Alyx)

- SkyUI VR                                           - SkyUI for Skyrim VR!   (Non Nexus Page)

- VR Menu Mouse Fix                        - Getting the mouse cursor back in Skyrim VR menus instead of the horrible console menu experience.

True 3D Sound for Headphones 

 

Other tweaks which don't really have a category: 

SSE High Quality Music

- Infinite Gold For Merchants

 

 

02 ENB And Weather selection 

Please note: ENB's from Skrim SE work for Skyrim VR, but mostly they look weird or not good at all in Skyrim VR. 

 

- First download the ENB matching or else latest version of the Skyrim VR ENB binaries here.  

- Scenery ENB VR for Skyrim VR  -  Absolutely the best looking ENB for Skyrim VR. But only for very high end PC's!!! 

Install the binaries first, then Scenery ENB.  You probably know how to install ENB's by now. (So the data folder, dont use MO2)

- If Scenery ENB really drains your FPS, try an ENB like Luminous ENB VR or Skyrim VR - High Fidelity ENB By SGS   (Or better, try to get a RTX 3080 ;)   ) 

Vivid Weathers Definitive Edition  - For Scenery ENB VR. If you use another ENB, please check their recommended weather mod.

- ENB Helper VR                                - Some mods and patches need this file

- Skyrim:SE Weather control             - For easy use of forcing weather effects instead of having to use the 'FW' commands. Did not test it out yet on                                                                       Skyrim VR. Test your game after installing to make sure it wont crash!!!

 

03 Fixes and tweaks 
 

From here, I will use the Skyrim SE 2021 modding guide from Dlizzio as a base, but will filter a lot of stuff since its not compatible or useable with Skyrim VR.  I will copy some mod descriptions as well. Thanks Dlizzio for your guide which worked great for Skyrim : SE! 

- No Edge Glow - Download No Edge Glow - Magic and Transformations in Main Files  g

Skyrim Fixes Collection

Cutting Room Floor - SSE

Weapons Armor Clothing and Clutter Fixes

Armor and Clothing Extension

04 Meshes and textures

(Some mods require patch files!!!check out the 2021 guide by Dizzio if you need help selecting which files to choose exactly.)

 

Skyrim Realistic Overhaul Part 1

Skyrim Realistic Overhaul Part 2

Skyrim Realistic Overhaul Part 3

Skyrim Realistic Overhaul 1.8 Update

Assorted Mesh Fixes

Skyrim Particle Patch for ENB

Static Mesh Improvement Mod

Static Mesh improvement Mod - SMIM - Quality Addon

Unofficial Material Fix

Ruins Clutter Improved

Noble Skyrim Mod HD-2K

TreesHD Skyrim Variation

Skyrim Textures Redone - SkyHaven

Skyrim Textures Redone - High Hrothgar

CC's Castle Volkihar Reborn

CC's Fort Dawnguard Reborn

High Poly Project

Unofficial Material Fix - High Poly Project Patch

Blended Roads and Cleaner Bridges

Majestic Mountains - Darkside

Cathedral - Improved Mountain LOD and Z Fight Patch

Better Dynamic Snow SE

Better Dynamic Majestic Mountains

Better Dynamic Snow and Blended Roads Integration

Better Dynamic Snow - Patches

Better Dynamic Ash SE

 

05 Main Mods

Immersive Sounds – Compendium

Volumetric Mists

Water for ENB

Skyrim 3D Trees and Plants       -  Download Skyrim 3D Trees and Plants in Main Files, and Download Skyrim3DTrees and Plants 3dLOD Resources in Optional Files <<<YOU MUST INSTALL THIS FOR 3D LODS TO WORK

Skyrim 3D Landscapes

Fences of Skyrim

Perfect Terrain LOD

HD LODs Textures SE

06 Overhaul mods

Forgotten Retex Project

Misc Retexture Project

WICO - Windsong Immersive Character Overhaul

KS Hairdos SSE

Beards

Bellyaches Animal and Creature Pack SSE

HD Reworked Horses

Horker by Pfuscher

GOAT HD by Pfuscher

Highlandcow HD by Pfuscher

Glorious Doors of Skyrim (GDOS) SE

aMidianBorn Book of Silence SE

- Vanilla Weapon Replacer SSE         -  please dont forget the patchup

Elven Weapons for Silence SE

Ebony Weapons for aMidianBorn Book of Silence Users

Falmer Weapons for aMidianBorn Book of Silence users

Ancient Dwemer Metal

Ancient Dwemer Metal - My patches for SMIM Dawnguard Dragonborn

Ancient Amidianborn Dwarven Armory

Falmer Texture Overhaul

Rally's Riekling Outposts

Skyrim 2021 Patch

07 Even more textures!

JS Lockpicking UI SE

JS Dragon Claws SE

JS Barenziah SE

JS Shrines of the Divines SE

JS Purses and Septims SE

RUSTIC WINDOWS - Special Edition

ETHEREAL CLOUDS - Special Edition

RUSTIC CLOTHING - Special Edition

PELTAPALOOZA - Special Edition

RUGNAROK - Special Edition

RUSTIC SOULGEMS - Special Edition

RUSTIC CLUTTER COLLECTION - Special Edition

RUSTIC COOKING - Special Edition

RUSTIC FURNITURE - SPECIAL EDITION

RUSTIC DRAGON CORPSE - Special Edition

RUSTIC DEATH HOUND and GARGOYLE - Special Edition

RUSTIC ELDERSCROLL - Special Edition

RUSTIC SPRIGGAN - Special Edition

RUSTIC AZURA'S STAR - Special Edition

RUSTIC FROSTBITE SPIDER - Special Edition

RUSTIC DAEDRA - Special Edition

RUSTIC ARMOR and WEAPONS SE

Rudy HQ - Nordic Ruins SE

RUSTIC MAPS

RUSTIC RELIEFS

RUSTIC AMULETS - Special Edition

RUSTIC DRAGONS - Special Edition

Frankly HD Dragonbone and Dragonscale - Armor and Weapons

Frankly HD Imperial Armor and Weapons

Frankly HD Thieves Guild Armors

Frankly HD Miraak

Frankly HD Dawnguard Armor and Weapons

Frankly HD Shrouded Armor

Frankly HD Nightingale Armor and Weapons

Rudy HQ - Hay SE

Rudy HQ - Miscellaneous SE

Rudy HQ - More Lights for ENB SE - Soul Gems

Rudy HQ - More Lights for ENB SE - Chaurus Eggs and Sacs

Rudy HQ - More Lights for ENB SE - Glowing Mushrooms

Rudy HQ - More Lights for ENB SE - Bthardamz

Rudy HQ - More Lights for ENB SE - Moths

Rudy HQ - More Lights for ENB SE - Deathbells and Nirnroots

Rudy's More Lights Deathbell and Nirnroot For 3D Trees and Plants

Ennead Banners
Ennead Banners - RUGNAROK Patch

HD Werewolf Retexture

SKELETON

FALMER

WISPMOTHER

MAMMOTH

GIANT

DRAUGR

SABRECAT

DRAGON PRIEST

TROLL

HAGRAVEN

08 Particles and patches

ENB Light

Window Shadows

Embers XD

Ultimate HD Fire Effects

Voltage

Arctic - Frost Effects Redux

Improved Sparks

Bright Waterfall Fix for ENB

Dust Effects by HHaleyy

Holy Wards - a retexture

FleshFX

HD Saw dust

ElSopa HD - Dirt Blast SE

CleverCharff's Photorealistic Ash Pile

Skyrim SE Improved Puddles

Enhanced Blood Textures SE

Deadly Spell Impacts

WEBS S.E.

09 Misc Mods

Landscape Fixes For Grass Mods

No Spinning Death Animation

No grass in caves

Quality CubeMaps - HD Cube Maps

Snazzy Bloody Rags

Snazzy Model Ship

Snazzy Quill of Gemination

Business Ledger HD Retexture

Retexture for The Scroll

OH GOD BEES SE - More Bees-More Hives-HD Textures

EEKs Gildergreen

HD Stone Quarry and Clay Deposit SE

CC's Enhanced Ore Veins SSE Edition

No more ugly Vines

Forgotten plants textured

Mammoth Cheese Retexture - 4k and 2k

RUSTIC EAST EMPIRE COMPANY SIGNAGE

Windhelm Enhanced - HD 4k Metalwork

Nordic Tent upgrade by Pfuscher

NORDIC TENT 4K RETEXTURE

HD Lava for Dawnguard

Less Ugly Tundragrass

High Definition Ivy

Unreal 4K-8K Mammoth Skeleton ReTexture

10 After the main Skyrim 2021 Modding Guide mods you installed , the other  mods I do recommend installing. They work fine with Skyrim VR and look amazing! 

 

Texture / other overhauls:

01: Underground - A Dungeon Texture Overhaul 
02: Gecko's Nordic Ruins Textures 
03: Gecko's Dwarven Ruins Textures
04: CC's HQ Mines Redone
05: Farmhouse Door 3D

06: Farmhouse Floor 4K retexture

07: Archery Target Retexture 2k and 4k added

08: Training Dummies Retexture 4k and 2k

09: JK's Skyrim      -                Warning, JK Skyrim all in one gives me a CTD in Skyrim VR!!!  Please directly test your Skyrim VR after installing! If you have a CTD, uncheck mod. Not sure if it is for my instance only.

10: CleverCharff's All In One 4k Pack                   

11: Folkvangr - Grass and Landscape Overhaul  

12: Origins Of Forest - 3D Forest Grass

NPC's and Hair:

No body or animation mods in this tutorial since I personally dont care too much about it, and a vanilla body offers the best compatibility with clothing/armor mods.    Of course feel free to install any body / animation mods you like!  That said, I  however absolutely recommend the below mods to be installed, since they are just too good not to install. Also body mods like CBBE and UNP work fine just like Bodyslide.

01: Bijin Warmaidens SE

02: Bijin NPCs SE 

03: Bijin Wives SE

04: Seranaholic by rxkx22 - Ported to SSE by bchick3 and elrizzo 

Done for now! Have fun!

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