Personal Mass Effect 1 Legendary Edition Modlist

ME2 pastebin: https://pastebin.com/iceT6U7S

Me3Tweaks Mod Manager: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/2

If using a Steam copy, run the game once prior to installing the mods. Afterwards, backup the files in another folder (and especially in another drive, these take up space!) in case something goes awry. For each file mod (henceforth referred to as DLC Mod), import them into the manager - be it by drag-n-drop or Mod Management -> Import Mod - so you can (de)activate them with ease.

All of these mods have 100% compatibility, but be sure to read each one's descriptions just in case!

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DLC MODS (Order is based on which should be activated first)

ESSENTIAL: Use regardless of newcomer or returnee status

LE1 Community Patch: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/23
High priority. A lot of mods - within and outside this guide - are BUILT on top of this!

MELLO: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/1500

Myriad Pro Begone: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/1070
Also available for 2&3

Saren Stages: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/666

A Lot Of Videos For LE1: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/3

Same-Gender Romances for LE1: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/564
I actually did not use this, since neither Ashley nor Kaidan are my top LI options nowadays. However, I figure there are some who still pine for one of the two, so I'll give it a mention.

Elements of Comparative Weaponry: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/639
Could be argued for the tier below, but given that various weapon's vanilla stats are inaccurate and/or fudge their potentiality, this becomes an important install for everyone.

Paragade Persuasions: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/1673
Will also install for 2. For a more dice-roll angle similar to other RPGs, check out Alternative Persuasion (https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/1890) instead!
Can also be argued for the tier below, but considering that this is a "role-playing" game....

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RECOMMENDED: Great for Vanilla, but more so meant for repeat playthroughs

Casual Hubs For LE1: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/574?tab=description
Could be argued as ESSENTIAL, but even then it's not that important unless you don't like walking around with armor all the time.

Mission Timings: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/754

Dr. Heart Experiments: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/597

Charted Worlds: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/524

Galaxy Map Trackers: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/426

XP Rescale: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/369
Meant for the Classic style of XP growth. I have not tested how well this fares on Legendary style.
There's four options. I recommend either Default or Casual, depending on how deep you're gonna do the side quests.

Normandy Rapid Transit: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/755

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SUGGESTIONS: Wholly optional (middle two needed for LE1DP tho), not at all necessary to spruce up the base package, but still very interesting and well worth a look.

Pinnacle Station DLC: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/832?tab=description
This DLC from the original game has a negative reception, and I'm among those that dislike it. That being said, it showcases incredible work on the modding community for reworking and retrofitting it onto the remaster, so I'll list it here for the curious.

Halcyon Hairpack (LE1): https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/1497

Advanced Weapon Models: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/853

LE1 Diversification Project: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/1172
As a heads up, this mod changes or otherwise alters a few quest NPCs, be where they're located, how to unlock them, or both. You can read the article about those here: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/articles/84

If using SGR, select the Same Gender Romances (Beacon Option) Patch.
If using MELLO, select the Bloom patch.
If using Saren Stages, you will have two compatibility options to choose from, Robe or Armor for the prologue and Citadel meeting. Future options will come later.

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After that comes all the Texture MEM files, which are done through Tools -> Mass Effect Modder -> ME1 -> Texture Modding -> Install Texture Mod.
DO THIS AFTER DLC MODS FOR COMPATIBILITY REASONS!

A Lot Of Textures: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/363
Improved Static Lighting file highly recommended, provided you can afford the space.

After installing those two, you can finish off with...

LEUITM: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/1825?tab=description
If using LE1DP (see above), use the AsariLE1DPCompatLEUITM file. There are also other variants available, be sure to read each one, refer to the image showcase, and pick out your preference!