5 signs of a good modlist (and 5 signs of a terrible one)
By Monitor144hz
So with all the talk in the community recently, I thought I'd provide a few of my takes on the wider discussion around modlists, and what makes a good modlist opposed to a bad one. I made this as clear to understand as possible.
A good modlist meets many standards and fulfills certain goals, which new modders may not be aware of. This article aims to update them with the knowledge it takes to successfully choose the right modlist for them.
This article was written to generalize all modlists and not all of them will apply; therefore when judging a modlist you should take all these signs into account. If most of the good signs are being met, that's a decent list. If not, better look somewhere else for your needs.
This applies to modlists and mod guides, including ones that may be on wabbajack. Never use mod packs.
I tried to make this as concise as possible. Remember that it’s better to read a 5 minute article than to spend 2 hours on a broken modlist that you wouldn’t have chosen had you known these signs below.
If you have extra time, read this essay and also this. It points out the biggest modlist scams and also explains how the quality of modlists is determined in a more detailed way..
1. Is the modlist stable?
The first and most important question you need to ask is; is it a stable list? Stable means the modlist works with no freezes or crashing, save for odd occasional crashes where it's just Skyrim being Skyrim. This is also the hardest sign to spot because video showcases will probably edit out footage of crashing or freezing. But there are a few things you can do to test this.
Good:
A good modlist is aware of incompatibilities (hard and soft). If a mod states that it is incompatible with another, the modlist should not contain both
It will utilize custom patching. If you spot a file named along the lines of "Custom Conflict Resolution Patch", that is a sign the author knows what they're doing and is willing to maintain their modlist integrity
It uses the most flexible and controllable mod manager. At the time of writing, that is MO2
It should include some sort of crash logger to catch crashes and submit them to the author if needed
Bad:
A bad modlist can contain multiple incompatible mods. It may make the claim that LOOT and a bashed patch is all it needs to be stable. This is false and a lazy attempt to cover up the author's inexperience or incompetence. LOOT and a bashed patch are not enough to guarantee stability
If it uses Vortex, you should be very, very skeptical
If it uses Nexus Mod Manager, Wrye Bash, or any tool other than MO2 or Vortex it's time to run away and never look back.
2. Is the modlist consistent?
Good:
It has a consistent goal
It provides consistent mod conflict resolving
It has a consistent theme or purpose, such as "Vanilla Plus", "Survival", or even "Adult" ;)
It should be technically consistent
Consistency patching is the process of patching conflicts between mods to ensure that the changes remain controlled. This not only helps enforce the theme but also prevents bugs like clipping from occurring.
Files like "Consistency Patch" are usually a good sign. Consistency patches may also be contained in the final conflict resolution patch, if present
It should have a coherent visual appeal. Cold and survival oriented lists should use desaturated textures with lighting that lacks warm colors, while fantasy would have a lot of bloom and color. This aspect is subjective and should be taken with a grain of salt
Bad:
A bad modlist is technically inconsistent
It can be confusing in terms of identity
Example : a modlist named "8K Ultra Sharp Next Gen Immersion Raytracing Hyper-realistic Graphics Modlist"
it doesn’t say anything about its content apart from looking good, which any modlist can do
buzzwords that will leave users with very different ideas of what the mod list should contain
It's a sneaky marketing trick to make users see their own ideal fantasy of Skyrim in the list instead of the actual content
Be cautious about modlists that promise too much. How does one use a modlist that describes "Dark Souls", "Survival", "Vanilla Plus", and "Sex"? What does that even mean? No modlist can be everything at once and if it's too good to be true, you're being scammed.
If the list doesn’t contain consistency patches that’s also not a good sign.
Purple objects usually mean the object is missing its textures. If a modlist has this, it has failed to provide consistency in the form of visuals, which is the minimum bar that all modlists should attain. Avoid these lists at all costs.
Likewise, red triangles mean the object is missing entirely from the game. It means the same thing, the modlist has failed in visual consistency.
3. Is the modlist recognized?
I don't mean general popularity when I say recognition. Recognized in this case is in the context of how trusted it is by the wider community. If experienced modders are telling you to stay away, you should listen.
Good:
A good modlist is praised or approved by authors and users alike, and will often have gained this recognition throughout a long period of time.
There should be user testimonies or reviews.
If you go into any large sized public modding discord like Skyrim Guild to ask about it, the answer should be at least "decent".
Put your trust in veteran modders. The Skyrim Guild community exists to support each other and share knowledge.
Bad:
Beware of modlists with pages that have communications closed (such as the comment section not being present). While not an outright red flag, it does seem a bit fishy when a modlist author does this.
New modlists are not terrible, but you should always be careful in research if you're thinking of using one. The good ones have stuck around for a reason, and startup modlists may not be as successful.
If the modlist has had several negative online posts written about them, it’s probably not good (common sense).
Be careful when using content creator endorsed lists. While some of them are good modlists, there’s a significant difference between modding for purely visuals (for showcasing or pretty screenshots) and modding for actual gameplay.
If Phoenix (u/forever_phoenix) has written an essay about the modlist and its authors, it’s time to pack your bags and leave. Don’t even think about using that list.
4. Is the modlist documented?
Good:
A good modlist has instructions on what to do if users encounter a crash or error.
It should have some means of communication to get support for the list.
If the modlist also includes a guide, it should be detailed and complete.
The page should be organized.
There should be a public source containing names of all the mods used, including custom files or patches, ideally on a site like Load Order Library.
Bad:
A bad modlist has little documentation.
It may not have a way to contact for help with issues regarding the list.
If it does have a support channel, the “help” offered may be toxic or a means to hide the issue.
If the source that details the names or links of all the used mods is the entirety of content, that’s not a good modlist, that’s a mod compilation.
Don’t pay for something that you can do yourself easily.
5. Is the modlist being sold as a product, or does it stand by itself ?
Good:
A good modlist doesn't need buzzwords or marketing to show its quality.
It is recognized for fulfilling its purpose.
Ideally, it's free.
It may accept voluntary donations.
Bad:
A bad modlist is over-marketed and relies on hype or trends to sell.
Worst case scenario, you need to pay for it (NEVER BUY THESE).
When in doubt, rely on your sixth sense as a consumer.
If it feels like the modlist is a means to make profit or is a cash grab by the author it's time to get out.
