Credo Collection Readme

PREAMBLE
-Before you start-
This is not a beginner friendly modlist, it assumes you have some prior experience with modding. It was created with third person gameplay in mind but can be played in first as well. In order to achieve my exact setup the requirements are firm, so please read this page thoroughly during your downloads and return to it if you have issues.

-Requirements-
Version 1.5.97 of Skyrim SE. (Downgrade using Full Patcher): https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/57618
SKSE64 for 1.5.97 of Skyrim SE. (v2.0.20): https://skse.silverlock.org/
Mod Organizer 2: https://www.modorganizer.org/
Wrye Bash: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/6837
DynDOLOD 3 https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/68518
ENBSeries (Install manually to your Skyrim game folder) http://enbdev.com/download_mod_tesskyrimse.htm
NAT ENB PRESET (Install manually to your Skyrim game folder) https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/27141
SSE Engine fixes (Part 2) (Install manually to your Skyrim game folder) https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/17230
Version 4.2.5b of The Unofficial Skyrim SE Patch. (Should be included in the collection, listed here in case it's not) https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=209150
DLL Plugin Loader (Install manually to your Skyrim game folder) https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/10546

-Recommended specs-
This modlist was created and tested with this setup. FPS was anywhere from 50-60.
NVIDIA RTX 3060TI
16GB RAM
Intel Core i7 10700
At least 30GB of space is needed.

-Other recommendations-
LOOT, a powerful load order optimization tool. Can be used to sort or find conflicts. The sorting aspect isn't really needed since Vortex includes it's own sorting method but LOOT can tell you important info about mods that you may not find elsewhere: https://github.com/loot/loot/releases/tag/0.18.4
BethINI, this is a strong tool that allows you to modify your INI files quickly and safely. Works with all Bethesda games, too: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/4875
xLodGen, object LOD, tree LOD, terrain LOD and occlusion data can all be created with this program. It's like DynDOLOD lite. I only used it to create terrain LOD: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/6642
xEdit, an advanced editor and conflict detector for your game. If you feel like you're dealing with a mod conflict xEdit can find it: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/164

-Best practices-
Before installing any mods run Skyrim and make a new save.
Create a Bashed Patch using Wrye Bash last, after everything is installed.
Run TexGen and DynDOLOD only after everything is installed.
When installing new mods ensure that they do not conflict with existing ones.
When updating mods ensure they are made for the proper version of Skyrim.
Run Nemesis Engine to ensure animations are working properly, as well as any time you change, add or remove new animations.
Disable Nvidia Reflex if you don't need it, it's meant to boost performance for ENBs.
Endorse the mod authors if you haven't already.

If you do not plan on using ENB follow these steps.
Disable NAT.ENB Plugin
Disable ENB Light
Disable ENB Helper
Disable ENB Helper Plus
Disable Word Wall Transparency Fix for ENB
Disable Footprints Transparency Fix
Disable Adjusted Visual Animated Enchants
Disable Particle Patch for ENB
Reinstall Inferno Redux, choose No ENB options.
Reinstall Frost Redux, choose No ENB options.

If you're only interested in the graphics disable these mods.
True Directional Movement
TrueHUD and Reskin
The Ultimate Dodge Mod
Immersive Interactions
Taunt Your Enemies
Maximum Carnage
Simple Block Sparks
Modern Enemy AI
Dual Wield Parry
Precision + Precision Creatures
Nemesis + Nemesis Creatures
SCAR
Elden Power Attack
Mortal Enemies
VioLens

USING THE REQUIRED PROGRAMS
Nemesis
Go to data/nemesis_engine and run Nemesis Unlimited Behavior Engine.exe.
Ensure that Attack - Distar, Precision, Precision Creatures, Payload Interpreter, SCAR, True Directional Movement(All three options), and The Ultimate Dodge Mod, and TUDM - Attack Cancel are all active in the list.
I also recommend selecting Retimed Hit Frames and Proper Spell Cast Direction.
Select update engine. You should only need to do this once, unless you get errors.
Select Launch Nemesis Behavior Engine.
Close Nemesis ensure that FNIS.esp is active, run Skyrim.

Wrye Bash
Manually download and install Wrye Bash from the Nexus mod page.
Add Wrye Bash to the Vortex tools and run it. It can be found in your Skyrim SE folder, under Mopy.
Scroll to the bottom of the plugin list and right click on Bashed Patch,0.esp, then click rebuild patch.
In the next window select Build Patch.
Close Wrye Bash and ensure that Bashed Patch,0.esp is active in your load order.

DynDOLOD
Manually download DynDOLOD from the Nexus mod page and install it.
Add TexGen and DynDOLOD to Vortex tools, add -sse to the command line section.
Run TexGen, click start once it loads. When the program finishes choose zip and exit.
Install the zip file it creates like a normal mod and let it overwrite everything.
Run DynDOLOD. Under Select Worldspaces right click and choose select all.
Choose either High or Medium. It may take a while.
When the program finishes choose zip and exit.
Install the zip file it creates like a normal mod and let it overwrite everything.
If you decide to change texture packs or add large town mods you will need to delete the TexGen and DynDOLOD files and redo these steps for distant terrain to match properly.

ENBSeries
Download the latest version of ENBseries from http://enbdev.com/download_mod_tesskyrimse.htm
Inside the WrapperVersion, place "d3d11.dll" and "d3dcompiler_46e.dll into your Skyrim SE folder. The same location as the Skyrim launcher exe.
Download the NAT preset and drag it's files into the same location.
For easier ENB management there are tools that exist on the Nexus website.
For improved performance, either disable Skyrim's SSAO, or the ENB's Ambient Occlusion. You can disable the Depth of Field as well.
More detailed readmes and video guides for these programs can be found online, whether on the mod page or on Youtube.

-Videos + Important MCM Info-
For in Game Comparisons, MCM Settings, and ENB Settings:
https://youtu.be/X79cHnLgt40

Short updated showcase:
https://youtu.be/qWsLWT4QHfc

Vortex Version: https://next.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/collections/jqd9zz

-Quick Rundown-
You'll want a fresh install of Skyrim SE. There shouldn't be any files besides the base game files present.
Ensure no mods are active. Creation Club or otherwise.
Run the game and play for a while - Exit.
Install SKSE - Version 2.00.20 to your game folder. The same location as the Skyrim launcher.
Install the USSEP. Version should be 4.2.5b.
Install the Engine Fixes PART 2 to your game folder. The same location as the Skyrim launcher.
Install the ENB PRESET if you want to use it. If not, delete the NAT files from the collection.
Ensure that Texgen_Output and DynDoLOD_Output are active. (Created using DynDolod and TexGen)
Disable Cloaks - USSEP in your Plugins list.
Run Nemesis, follow instructions listed above.
Run Wrye Bash, follow instructions listed above.

FAQ
Q: Why am I crashing?

A: Check over the requirements and ensure you have the correct version of everything listed, that's the most frequent cause of crashing that I've seen.

Q: Why am I seeing words in a foreign language?

A: I've seen this happen randomly to people. If it happens to you try reinstalling the Unofficial Patch listed above.

Q: Why can't I create a Bashed Patch?

A: Commonly, Wrye Bash won't allow you to create a Bashed Patch unless you've already ran the game once.

Q: I'm t-posing in game when I attack, why?

A: According to some users this is caused by FNIS.esp not being active in your plugin load order. If you still t-pose, delete the esp file and run Nemesis again.

Q: Why isn't Nemesis working?

A: Nemesis is entirely harmless but can be detected by antivirus programs when running, which stops the process. Either whitelist the program or shut off Real-Time Protection in Windows Defender, and then run Nemesis. Turn it back on after, of course.

Q: Would I be able to add * mod?

A: Depends, smaller mods are usually harmless. If you add a massive weapons and armor mod that touches the leveled list then you will need to run Wrye Bash again to ensure every added weapon/armor appears in game properly. If you add/change landscape or mountain textures you'll need to run TexGen and DynDOLOD if you want distant LOD to match properly.

Q: When I go outside everything is blurry, what gives?

A: You didn't install the ENB Preset. NAT requires it.

Q: How can I improve performance?

A: Fastest way would be to drop NAT ENB preset and plugin. Alternatively, set Skyrim to run at High instead of Ultra.