[Top 25] Best Skyrim Mods For a Brand New Experience (2020)

Updated:

24 Apr 2020

1. Static Mesh Improvements

Notice how the mod improves Skyrim

The textures in the game a super smooth with this mod, the blockiness of some shapes is gone. This mod bring Skyrim to 2020.PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Makes the game more immersive
Allows you to fully use the 4K or HD setting on your screen
Gets rid of the paper look in original game

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/659/?tab=files

2. 2K Textures

Skyrim in 4K

Allow Skyrim resolution to be shown in 4k, which is more than double the original patch. It is a large mod to run so you will need 4GB RAM and 1 GB Video.PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Improves movement of tree and plants in the background
Makes your character look super cool

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/607/?tab=files

3. Bear Musician

A bear bard

This a pretty straight forward mod, it’s a freaking bear playing a lute! It follows you around and plays a theme song to your adventure. XBOX and PC

How mod improve game

You have a bear play your theme music
You have a freaking GRIZZLY BEAR play you theme music!
You just look like a bad ass having a huge bear follow you around playing music

Download here: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=92471077

4. Quality World Map

Crisp clean world map

One of the most downloaded mods out there. Have you ever been looking for specific location on the world map and couldn’t find it because the map sucked? This is the mod for you, with this mod you will see defined roads, glass lands and mountain ranges and it also includes the Solstheim map.PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Helps find locations you have never been to
Makes the map easier to read
Helps to follow roads on world map

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/5804?tab=files

5. Enhanced Blood

Real looking blood right?

The blood will ooze and spray with this mod. No longer will the blood resemble that of a terrible 80’s horror film, it will freely flow and drip in a realistic fashion. PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Create realistic blood spatter
Makes blood look more liquid instead of a strawberry jam smear
Makes those kill scene epic

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2357?tab=files

6. HD Plants and Herbs

Beautiful fauna of Skyrim

If the little things matter when you play video games, then HD Plants and Herbs is for you! It turns the vegetation found in the world from colorful blocks to dynamic flowers capturing the minutiae in every pedal

How mod improve game play

The flowers look amazing
Takes advantage of new screen resolution
Allows you to take a break from cave exploring and killing to stop and smell the roses

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/1546/?tab=files

7. Lightweight Potion

Rare potions

If you have spent hours playing Skyrim, you know one of the major problems is maintaining your weight. I’m not talking sweet rolls with this one. This mod is arguable top 5 in the game, it reduces the weight of all your potions from .5 lbs. to .1lbs. It’s a must for all the pack rats out there.PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Allows you to collect more useless potions
Carry more of the big 3 potions in the game; stamina, magic and healing potions
Collect more potions to sell later in the game

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/1036/?tab=files

8. Potions of Ultimate Leveling Up

The potion of ultimate leveling

Creating a new character with different powers is one of the draws to Skyrim but one of the most challenging things to do is level that character up, so they are not a wad of cookie dough. Problem solve with this mod brew the Potion of ultimate leveling up and boom your character will be level 85 and ready to kick some serious butt.PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Start new characters and instantly make them unstoppable
Create the type of Character you want and customize their perks
Cuts out hours of early game play so you can jump into the adventure you want

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/49969/?tab=files

9. Become High King of Skyrim

King of Skyrim Mod

Have you beat the game like 20 times? Are you board to death with pushing your way down a dark Drauger infested cave for 100 gold coins? If so, grab the Become High King of Skyrim mod. Unlike other mods that give you instant gratification once downloaded you have to work for this one, you will have to go on a quest to prove you are the right person to sit on high and rule Skyrim. XBOX/PC

How does mod improve game play

You get to become high king!
Order people around
Start wars
Command people to give you what ever you want!

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/41087?tab=files

10. Become a Bard

Become a traveling bard singing tales across the land

Are you more of an entertainer than a warrior seeking adventure? Become a bard with this mod and skip around Skyrim singing tales from other people’s adventure.PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod will improve game play

Allow you to explore Skyrim by singing in taverns
Finally play all the lutes you have stealing
Earn a reputation as a warrior an entertainer

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/65636?tab=files

11. Finishing

The Dragonborn peacefully fishing

Do you love sitting on a lake soaking up the peacefulness? The fishing mod allows you to use rods, nets and dwarven boomfishing. What is Dwarven boomfising? Download the mod and hold on to your rod! PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Make money selling fish
Relieves stress when you get stuck on a specific mission
Allows you to take in the scenery

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/17774?tab=files

12. Better Hunting

Better prices for hunting bows and game

The name of this mod is a little deceiving, the mod doesn’t make you a better hunter it gives what you hunt a better price when you go sale it and improves the damage of bows. Hunting bows usually go for 50 gold pieces, with this mod they can be resold for 148 gold pieces! This mod also allows you to join and potential become the leader a new hunting guild but catching the prey is still up to you. XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Earn more gold after your hunting expeditions
Get more coin when selling off your extra bows
New story line to explore

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/18866?tab=files

13. Legacy of the Dragonborn

The Dragonborn museum

This a hoarder’s dream, this mod allows you to attain a museum for all the swords, keys and artifact you couldn’t sell. It also gives you a new guild to take control of and more trophies to collect.PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Give you a place to show case all your spoils of war
You have to store all your cool weapons in a chest
Have a visual representation of your legacy

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/52248?tab=files

14. Monster Mounts

Spider Monster Mount

Horses are so 2012, with this mod you can ride 87 new animals through Skyrim. Imagine charging into battle riding a giant spider or huge fluffy kitten. PS4/XBOX/PC

How mods improve game play

Ride more than basic horses
Own an animal that can actually help you in a fight
Pose for some pretty awesome screen shot

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/20351?tab=files

15. Throwing Weapons

Throwing Dangers

Tired of using spells and bows to deal ranged damage? Download this mod and hurl javelins, axes and knives at your opponents. A new skill tree will become available helping you improve your throwing ability.XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Master new weapons
Kill powerful enemies from a distance
Add depth to your character with a new skill tree to explore

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/36147?tab=files

16. Cloaks of Skyrim

Cloak of Whiterun

If there was one oversite by designer, it was that they didn’t include any cloaks in this epic fantasy game. Their oversite has been corrected with this mod, it adds 100 different kinds of cloaks worn by both NPC and character. Before you start creating beautiful custom pieces you will need to read Fyssa the Wide Nordic Tailoring.PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves gameplay

Look like a true nord!
Tell the world your allegiance without opening your mouth
Create a super cool set of armor

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/12092?tab=files

17. Open Cities Legendary Edition

Windhelm

Have you grown tired of countless loading screens? This mod allows you to go through gates and doors within cities seamlessly. PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Travel through city without load time
Lure dragons into city’s to have the guards help win the fight
Smoothly sneak in and out of house

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/281/?tab=files

18. Becomng a Lord

Build your own city

Becoming a Lord allows you to create a city or town from scratch! It is a fairly new mod and has limitation, at the moment you can only build wooden structures but has this mod matures I’m sure you will be able to build something that rivals white run.

Become a Jarl of you own hold
Command your own army
Build the city of your dreams

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/50097/?tab=files

19. The Dark Brotherhood Resurrection

Assassins Guild Expansion

Did you love killing your way to the top of the Assassins guild? This mod adds 22 new quests! At the end of the adventure it is foretold you will receive “the Biggest, most ridiculous treasure you’ve ever seen”PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Continue The Dark Brotherhood story line
Get two new assassins to help pull off impossible kills
Add 20 hours of new game play

20. Jedi of Skyrim

Jedi or Sith Lord?

This is one of my absolute favorite mods, not because you can turn a sword into a light saber, which is pretty sweet if you think about it but because you also get a new skill tree! The tree will grant you the ability to use mind tricks, grip and lighting! PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Live life as a Jedi or Sith!
Use the force to conquer Skyrim
Explore a new Jedi skill tree

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/52152?tab=files

21. Live another life

Live another life

Do you want to play Skyrim and have nothing to do with the dragon born? This mod lets you start life over as what ever you want! The possibilities are endless.PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Adds to the replay value of Skyrim
Explore different origin stories
Makes Skyrim more of the RPG it is

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/9557?tab=files

22. Dragon Souls to Perks

Use your extra dragon souls

I don’t know what genius created this one, but I absolutely love them for it. This mod allows you to take those unused dragon souls you have a use them to level up abilities on any perk tree! PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Makes killing more dragons worth the hassle
Level your perks faster
Spend those unused dragon souls

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2879?tab=files

23. Kill Move

New finishers with this mod

Have you been watching way too much John Wick and want to kill your enemies in new ways? Download this mod and get a bunch of cut scene finishers, this mod even has executions for dragons!PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves game play

Create cool death scenes
Makes combat more fun than before
Explore old weapons to see new finishers

Download here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/10906/?tab=files

24. Immersive Patrols

Witness epic battles through Skyrim

It is well known fact that there are several wars being played out in Skyrim. This mod increases the amount of patrols and encounters between these groups creating epic battles and unexpected aid when you find yourself surrounded by the enemy.PS4/XBOX/PC

How mod improves gameplay

Participate in or watch crazy army battles
Looter dream! Wait for the battle to be over then take what you want
Helps to level up perks through combat

25. Immersive Creatures

New Creatures

This mod makes everything about Skyrim scarier. You will be able to kill new monsters and either hunt or aid waring monster clans. Each player can change the type of monsters they want in the menu screen making it a complete custom mod. PS4/ XBOX/ PC

How mod improves gameplay