A Dragonborn's Fate

IMPORTANT:
If you run into any issues at any point in the guide, please be sure to check the FAQ.
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Manual Downloads

Root Mods

The following mods, unlike most others, need to be installed directly into the game's Root folder, not through Mod Organizer 2.

Use the Manual Download and follow the instructions provided for each mod.

Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE64)

Extends the scripting capabilities of the game.

Follow the instructions based on your game version.

Steam

Main Files - Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE64)

Open the downloaded archive and move everything to the game's Root folder.

GOG

Main Files - Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE64) GOG

Open the downloaded archive and move everything to the game's Root folder.

If you plan to mod beyond what the guide includes, you should be particularly careful with SKSE mods and their versions. GOG is not as widely supported as Steam, as they use 2 different executable versions.

If you do not know what the Root folder is, read the Key Terminology.

After proper install, your Root folder should look like this:

Making MO2 Detect SKSE

Once SKSE is installed as instructed above, restart MO2 and you should see a new option in the top right drop-down:

Mod Organizer Downloads

Managed

From now on, select Mod Manager Download to download mods - this will make the file appear in MO2's Downloads tab, ready to be installed according to the instructions earlier in the guide.

Creating a Separator in MO2

Right-click the empty space in the left pane of MO2 and select Create separator.
Name the separator Utilities.

Address Library for SKSE Plugins

Resource required by most SKSE plugins.

Installation instructions

Main Files - All in one (1.6.X) 11

More Informative Console

Edits the console's UI to show a great deal of additional information.

Installation instructions

Main Files - More Informative Console 1.2.2

Crash Logger SSE AE VR - PDB support

Generates crash logs, which can be found in the SKSE folder in the game's Documents folder.

Installation instructions

Main Files - CrashLogger

SSE Display Tweaks

All-in-one solution for smooth FPS-unlocked gameplay.

Installation instructions

Main Files - SSE Display Tweaks

Once the mod has been installed, double-click it in the left pane of MO2.
In the INI Files tab, open SKSE/Plugins/SSEDisplayTweaks.ini
Change only the following options:

Set EnableTearing to true (line 109).

Enabling AllowTearing is a requirement for VRR, enabling it will not lead to any tearing because V-Sync is being used.

If you use VRR^[1]:
- Set FramerateLimit (line 204) to a number you can reach across the majority of the game^[2], it has to be between 48^[3] and refresh rate - (refresh rate x 6.8%)
- Set FramerateLimitMode (line 213) to 1.
If you use fixed refresh rate (no VRR), set FramerateLimit (line 204) to your refresh rate - 0.005 or divisors of your refresh rate, based on which is closest to your lowest FPS.

Some examples:

60Hz: 59.995, as it most likely won't have VRR.
144Hz: any value between 48 and 134 if VRR is enabled, 72 or 143.995 if using fixed refresh rate.
165Hz: anywhere between 48 and 154 if VRR is enabled, changing the refresh rate[4] to 144 is recommened if using fixed refresh rate.
240Hz: anywhere between 48 and 224 if VRR is enabled. 60, 120, 180, or 239.995 if using fixed refresh rate.

Obviously, when using 240Hz as example, you wouldn't lock it as high as 180 or 239.995 if you cannot reach those FPS in most of the game. The goal is to have a smooth experience, not to be hardware bound.

If you set FramerateLimit to a value higher than 60, do the following as well:

Set DynamicUpdateBudget to true (line 542).

Set LoadScreenFilter (line 624) to true.
Set LoadScreenBlock (line 626) to DynDOLOD.esp (remove the default All).

You can check if you are using VRR by going to the Nvidia Control Panel if you're on Nvidia or Adrenalin's Display Settings if you're on AMD. If the G-Sync tab is missing from NVCP, your display doesn't support it or doesn't have the feature enabled in the OSD.

Nvidia users need to make sure that G-Sync is set to Fullscreen and that Display Specific settings are enabled, the Windowed option is problematic due to it being a hacky method. Both of the settings are wrongly named so they do not actually directly refer to the display method.
You always want your FPS capped by a limiter instead of being hardware bound, this will reduce lag and increase power efficiency. It is also less jarring for the player when visual smoothness is the same across all scenes.
The VRR range on most monitors starts at 48, but it might also start at 30 or 1. You can check this on Nvidia's page or from your monitor's specifications. Windows 11 users can also check Display information in the Advanced display settings page.
You can set a custom resolution (and refresh rate) in the Nvidia Control Panel or Adrenalin settings. This is useful for monitors that don't have an evenly divisible refresh rate and if VRR is not available. For example, if your monitor has a refresh rate of 165Hz, you can set it to 144Hz and use 72 as limiter instead of 55.

Media Keys Fix SKSE

Fixes media keys not working by removing the game's exclusive access to the keyboard.

Installation instructions

Main Files - Media Keys Fix

Once the mod has been installed, double-click it in the left pane of MO2.
In the INI Files tab, open SKSE/Plugins/MediaKeysFix.ini
Change only the following options:

Set DisableWindowsKey to false (line 4).

Better AltTab

Mutes game audio when alt-tabbed and shows cursor when hovering over the window.

Installation instructions

Main Files - Better AltTab

DPI Scaling Fix

Fixes the game's window being scaled to the incorrect size when using display scaling other than 100%.

Installation instructions

Main Files - DPI Scaling Fix