Seven years after the fact, dedicated modders continue to modify Skyrim in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways. There’s been so much new content released by these independent teams that there’s virtually an entirely new game to go and discover. Each month sees more released, and here we’re breaking down the picks of the bunch from January 2018.
Character Creation Overhaul By Syclonix
The Best New Skyrim Mods of January 2018
A huge part of Skyrim’s appeal is the ability to create a character from scratch and role-play your fantasy adventure exactly the way you want. Unfortunately, the vanilla package is actually pretty limited by modern standards with only 10 base character models. The Character Creation Overhaul by Sylonix adds way more depth. There are enough options here for a claimed 229,320 different unique character combinations! Better still, all twenty-one classes from Morrowind and Oblivion make a comeback with this mod. Each class has its own specialization, favored attribute, and major skills. You can even create custom classes, too!
If you’re already into mods, don’t worry because this one has maximum compatibility with other mods (i.e. Alternate Start, Live Another Life) and works with new characters and existing characters alike. It is only available on Xbox One.
Classes
The Best New Skyrim Mods of January 2018
For PS4 users that aren’t able to take advantage of the additional classes in Sylonix’s Character Overhaul Xbox One mod, there’s another smaller mod that offers some additional variety. Classes is a PS4 and Xbox One mod that adds seven new playable classes, each with their own set of spells and abilities. These are as follows:
- THIEF (Khajiit Race)
- ASSASSIN (Wood Elf Race)
- SNOW RANGER (Nord Race)
- VAMPIRE HUNTER (Redguard Race)
- PALADIN (Imperial Race)
- PRIEST OF THE DAEDRA (Breton Race)
- ARCANE WARRIOR (Breton Race)
ALL Map Locations Discovered
The Best New Skyrim Mods of January 2018
A simple mod for PS4 users, the ALL Map Locations Discovered mod does exactly what it says on the tin. For the completionists out there, in particular, having all the locations discovered is going to make your life a hell of a lot easier. Does it take away some of the excitement of discovery? Sure, but if you’re already most of the way there to completing each area but struggling to find those last few Keeps, it’s invaluable.
Divine Cities: Villages
The Best New Skyrim Mods of January 2018
Modder Tarshana has created a whole string of “Divine” mods for Skyrim, and this latest one is an addition to Divine Cities (which must be installed for this to work). Divine Cities: Villages is an Xbox One mod that adds dozens of new areas to explore, new people to meet and new quests to finish. There’s a wealth of new content to enjoy here that essentially makes Skyrim feel like a totally different landscape. The new areas include:
New Towns
- Aurora – Features shops and trainers and a hidden secret you’ll have to explore to find out.
- Apatoiah – A nice and quiet village which offers a few shops and a home for sale.
- Lyngwi – Located in the frozen north is a quiet fishing town with a few wares and a home for sale.
- Cenoba – Located somewhere on the plains of Whiterun, this Argonian village keeps to itself for the most part.
- Fleetford – Located between Whiterun and The Rift, this little village has a unique past…and future.
- Silverdrift Mine- Once a proud mining operation they are in need of investors to keep going. Will you help?
- Rorikstead – Rorikstead has gotten a bit of a facelift. There’s a little farm in the back with a letter as to why it’s there…
New Points of Interest:
- Suncrest Hall – Located by Darkwater Pass, this mysterious building is dedicated to the preservation of rare and unique items.
- Ravenwood – East of Rorikstead and Apatoiah, this is a multi-adoption friendly home.
- Indary Manor – Located inside the Reach, this is a multi-adoption friendly home with a hidden underground world.
- Whispering Pines- Located at the docks at Riften, this is a multi-adoption friendly home.
- The Frozen Lady – A pirate ship under siege; will you rescue the ship’s captives and become the new captain?
Divine Forests
The Best New Skyrim Mods of January 2018
According to Skyrim lore, the region should be covered in dense, lush forest. The trouble is, vanilla Skyrim’s forests are pretty barren looking, and they aren’t exactly plentiful either. Divine Forests by Tarshana changes all of that. Forests are no longer just a collection of jagged brown stumps; each wooded area has its own unique ecology depending on the region and climate. As a result, the flora now adds a significantly more immersive atmosphere to the game. There are fallen dead trees, too, further adding to the authenticity.
Marry Almost Anyone
The Best New Skyrim Mods of January 2018
If you’re the type of gamer that can’t settle on one fine lass or lad to marry, this mod has you covered. With Marry Almost Anyone, you can literally take your pick from nearly 750 NPCs in the game, even if they’re already married. Hilariously, if they are already spoken for, their spouse will angrily show up for the wedding! Players can have their new beloved move into their house, and if they’re capable, become a merchant, too.
This mod is for PS4 users.
BIG Jump 5X
The Best New Skyrim Mods of January 2018
Modder SpockRockets has created over one hundred mods for Skyrim, and Big Jump 5X is the latest. Installing this mod grants players the ability to jump five times higher than normal, with the express purpose of allowing you to jump from rooftop to rooftop like a deadly Assasin, or an all-powerful Mage, or an Athletic Warrior… whatever your fantasy role-playing imagination desires. It’s a hell of a lot of fun and it actually transforms the gameplay experience. Traversal doesn’t feel like a slog anymore, and no more absurd hugging the side of a mountain and spamming jump at different angles to access higher ground.
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