Skyrim SE mods to use even if playing vanilla

Skyrim SE mods you should install even if you are playing vanilla only.

for modding setup tutorials , i recommend Gopher or GamerPoets playlists found here :

Gopher - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE7DlYarj-DcLS9LyjEqOJwFUQIIQewcK
         https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE7DlYarj-DdhDG41roBVJfNCqvO5MmKP

GamerPoets https://www.youtube.com/c/gamerpoets/playlists?view=1&sort=dd&shelf_id=0


You will need the following tool and mods for any proper modding foundation, regardless of how much you mod this game. When you are finished, you MUST use LOOT to sort your load order. Install and Run the program as administrator.

Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE) Current SE build - https://skse.silverlock.org/
** you will launch the game using this, NOT from Steam or from the Skyrim launcher**

LOOT - Load Order Optimisation Tool http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1918/

Achievements Mods Enabler http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/245/

Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266/

SkyUI (you want this on PC, even with a controller) - https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/12604

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*** Any or all of these mods enhance the vanilla experience but do not alter the vanilla game that much by themselves, so using even just a few of these recommended and highly downloaded mods is a great way to lightly mod the game.
Feel free to use any mods that you fancy, or if a mod is not for you, disregard it completely, mod the game exactly the way you feel comfortable modding it and enjoy YOUR game! READ the mod page description entirely! ***

BethINI http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/4875/
( USE THIS! TRUST ME! Read the info. )

60 FPS Interface http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/4346/

Smooth Interface MULTI LANGUAGE http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1766/

Static Mesh Improvement Mod (SMIM) http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/659/
 (required for many mods, always read to see if a mod you want to add needs this mod)

Skyrim 2017 Textures http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2347/
(not necessary but much better than Bethesda's default textures, view the pics to see the enhancement, this is the most downloaded and most widely used texture pack for Skyrim SE)

LeanWolf's Better-Shaped Weapons SE http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2017/

A Quality World Map http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/5804/

Modern Brawl Bug Fix http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1473/

Run For Your Lives http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2272/

Even Better Quest Objectives http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/159/

Rich Skyrim Merchants http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1772/

When Vampires Attack http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2275/

Point The Way http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/352/

Bandolier - Bags and Pouches Classic http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2417/

Leather Backpack - Special Edition http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/3425/

Better Dialogue Controls http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1429/

Better MessageBox Controls http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1428/

Relationship Dialogue Overhaul http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1187/

Lore-Based Loading Screens http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1185/

Horse Armors SSE http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/4354/

Faster Horses http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2003/

Cloaks of Skyrim http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/6369/

Beards http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1067/

Proper Aiming http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1884/

No Spinning Death Animation http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1432/

Wearable Lanterns http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/7560/

Brighter torches and toggle-able brighter CandleLight http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1552/

Left Hand Rings Modified SE http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/3240/

Easy Lockpicking http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/4070/

Visible Favorited Gear http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/3903/

Belt-Fastened Quivers http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1182/

Auto Unequip Shield to Back http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/3182/

Simple Auto Unequip Ammo http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1882/

No BS AI Projectile Dodge (Magic and Arrows) - Immersive Projectiles Nondetection of Enemies http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1763/

Faction Crossbows SE http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/4047/

Move it Dammit http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/752/

NPC's Run and Walk at Your Pace http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2482/

Bellyaches HD Dragon Replacer Pack (SE) http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2636/

Hearthfire Display Case Fix http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/3622/

Stones of Barenziah Quest Markers http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/684/

Unread Books Glow SSE http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1296/

Book Covers Skyrim http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/901/

HQ Paper http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/3510/

The Paarthurnax Dilemma http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/365/

WeightLess http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/749/

Weightless Books http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/990/

Ruins Clutter Improved http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/5870/

Detailed Chests Texture Replacers SE http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1105/

Bowlegged jump animation fix http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2215/

Perk Point Book http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2254/

See Enchantments SE http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/4963/

No more Radial Blur - Performance optimization http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1265/

No Bethesda intro http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1088/

Clean Menu (no Bethesda logo and smoke and intro) (optional no sneak eye) http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/3223/
(a nice alternative with more options than just avoiding the intro, read the extra stuff)


*nice font replacers for those of you that hate vanilla font:

Font Overhaul - Natural Typefaces for Skyrim http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2880/
Sovngarde - Mist's Font Replacer SE http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/386/
Enderal Font For Skyrim SE (Dumbledor Font) http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2004/
A7 Skyrim Fonts http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/657/
Morrowind Font Replacer http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2784/
Yet Another Font Replacer http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/3974/

(i personally use the old Skyrim Morpheus font updated for SE, it's very Diablo-esque, but it takes some tweaking / patching with my ultrawide monitor for best sizing results)
Main Font Replacement SSE -  https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/14356

for some cut content from the game before release, optional :
Cutting Room Floor http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/276/

a couple of my personal favorites here that i use for vanilla play or modded plays, i can't live without them, but they are totally optional for you :

Rayek's End - SSE Expanded Edition http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/8285/

The Asteria Dwemer Airship - https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/22867

Haven Bag http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2809/

SummonShadowMERCHANT - https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2177

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