Questing in Skyrim is relatively straightforward, but the mechanics are becoming less desirable in an age when newer games are offering a more immersive experience. As such, the entire structure is feeling quite a bit dated and haphazard, but the modding community has come to the rescue to try and change that.
There are a number of quest-related mods designed to clean up all of its facets. This can include delaying certain quests in order to keep the story from progressing too quickly, or introducing new elements to spice up the formula, and give seasoned players another reason to give Skyrim a shot in the modern age.
10 Headhunter – Bounties Redone
Questing in Skyrim means having the right mods in a load order that contributes to the overall immersion. Since a large chunk of the sideline quests involves pursuing bounties issued by various Jarls, it pays to keep the experience as fresh as possible. Headhunter – Bounties Redone completely overhauls this mechanic, to great effect.
Instead of claiming a reward based on word alone, players will now be expected to provide proof that quarry has been eliminated (bring the body back,
etc.) The mod also allows for the capturing of prisoners, throwing them in jail, and sparing targets from death if they yield. Overall, it’s a nice way to tidy up an otherwise mundane and run-of-the-mill questing system.
9 Timing Is Everything SE
Many of the quests in Skyrim are absolutely fantastic, but the timing is something of a mixed bag. Even low leveled characters will get accosted by Miraak’s henchmen in the Dragonborn DLC, or approached by Dawnguard soldiers looking for vampire hunter recruits. Sometimes, it’s better these quests start later in the game, as opposed to right away.
Timing Is Everything does just that. It allows the player to delay the triggering of particularly important quests until they’ve reached a particular set of requirements. Not only does this allow separation of the main storyline from the DLC, but it also prevents too many big quests from starting simultaneously, which doesn’t feel very story-like.
8 The Choice Is Yours
Similar to the Timing Is Everything mod, The Choice Is Yours is another add-on that allows players to have greater control and flexibility over quests. This mod focuses primarily on how particular quests are activated, as opposed to when they’re triggered. Now, players will have to actually talk to NPCs to learn more about their particular needs, while refusing particular quests outright.
This is important, as it feels more dynamic and immersive, not to mention less aggressive. No longer will quests be thrown onto the player without any forewarning. Only by investigating and interacting with people will players get to pursue the various quests in the game, which makes them feel like part of the story.
7 At Your Own Pace
Some mods opt for a major overhaul of the questline structure, and At Your Own Pace is one of the biggest. On the surface, it may seem like another quest delay mod, but it’s actually quite different. This mod alters how NPCs interact with the player by preventing them from waltzing straight into a quest scenario.
For instance, after telling the Jarl of Whiterun about the dragon at Helgen, he’ll thank the player for their help, and be on his way. Only by talking to others will it be revealed that the Jarl is in a bit of a bind, and needs help in dealing with the threat. Rushing the story is one of the biggest mistakes new Skyrim players make, which is why this mod is so welcome.
6 YOT – Your Own Thoughts SE
Skyrim’s baseline narrative structure is told in the third person, which can become a bit tiresome after a while. For true immersion, mods like Your Own Thoughts exist to break up the mediocrity and give a fresh perspective on things. The mod’s entire purpose is to approach the events of the game from the player’s own perspective.
As such, text alerts and status updates will always be told from the first-person point of view. It also overhauls how some of the game’s mechanics work. Instead of the standard text notification after saving a game, YOT will instead deliver a “Progress quickly scribbled…” note to maintain the immersion.
5 Missives
One mod that helps clean up the sideline quest clutter, while introducing a bit of content at the same time is Missives. This mod is quickly gaining popularity as a means to expand on the various sideline missions involving kills, hunting, retrieving, gathering and courier duties.
Each hold has its own notification board that players can examine in order to learn what jobs are available. Having them centralized in one location is good, but the fact that they center around quests within each respective hold is even better. This compartmentalizes each region’s mission lists, allowing players to scout the surrounding area, instead of fast-traveling all over Skyrim.
4 Stones Of Barenziah Quest Markers
The fact that this mod has been out for so long is a testament to how annoying the ”No Stone Unturned” questline is. At first glance, it looks like a fun treasure hunt, but it soon decays into an irritating and near-impossible task of scouring the entirety of Skyrim for 24 identical stones.
Some brave masochists welcome the challenge, whilst others prefer to know where the infamous stones are hiding out. Stones of Barenziah Quest Markers helps point players in the right direction, easing the burden of having to keep their eyes peeled at all times for yet another red gem in a box.
3 Sidequests Of Skyrim
Similar in approach to Missives, this mod focuses more on individual NPCs, and how they interact with the player when it comes to offering new quests. Each NPC has a specific side quest that needs to be fulfilled, whether it’s sharpening one of their weapons, running a package, or gathering ingredients for them.
Sidequests of Skyrim adds a little more interactivity with the regular stock of NPCs and can lead to friendship, marriage, or a solid business relationship. Quests can even be canceled simply by reading a note twice, which tears it in two. Immersion is a key factor here while keeping everything nice and tidy.
2 Civil War Overhaul – Redux
Skyrim’s storyline includes a massive civil war between two opposing factions – the Stormcloaks that consider themselves rightful heirs to the province, and the Imperials, who are being pushed into it via the White-Gold Concordat. Unfortunately, that civil war isn’t nearly as exciting in vanilla base game form.
Luckily, Civil War Overhaul – Redux fixes all that by introducing a complete overhaul of the feud from top to bottom. It restores a jettisoned base game mechanic that involves taking and winning holds by force, in order to secure a foothold on enemy territory. Other additions include a spy infiltration system, disguises to sneak into enemy bases, and more.
1 Your Choices Matter – A Dark Brotherhood Expansion SSE
The Dark Brotherhood storyline is loaded with quests that make up the larger narrative, but there’s only so much wiggle room players have. Your Choices Matter seeks to rejig the entire Dark Brotherhood plot by causing individual choices to have a meaningful impact.
This leads up to an alternate ending, which is a major step up from the original game. Not only does it give players the feeling of more freedom and flexibility in how they deal with the Dark Brotherhood, but it’s great for those who are looking for a surprise during another playthrough.
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