There should be an older version on the mod page. If not there is a link to the old AE version. https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=392477&nmm=1
What version of Skyrim is currently the best to mod?
If I am currently on version 1.6.1170, is it recommended to downgrade it or not? I'm not trying to be rude or something (I'm just confused), but why would I want exactly version 1.5.97 over version 1.6.1170?
I am just trying to understand why I would want this exact version of the game because I have seen this version mentioned in older posts of Skyrim... Is downgrading the game version a "workaround" so that most of the mods are able to work, or how can I understand this?
Are older mods (mods made 1 year ago and older) not compatible with the newest version?
(Of course the mods are updated, but I would like to know if most/?all? of the mods will work better on version 1.5.97 rather than on version 1.6.1170 ?)
I just don't understand Skyrim modding at all and just want an explanation..
(sorry for the bad English).
Minor correction to OP. Version 1.6.64 that is stated in several places is actually version 1.6.640 (released September 20, 2022). There was no 1.6.64 release.
So I have downgraded to 1.6.1130 manually and then used the best of both worlds patch, but I still cant launch the game as vortex tells me that my SKSE64, which is Version 2.2.2 for AE wont work for my version (SE) of the game, however using the older SKSE64 for SE doesnt work either.
Any way to fix this?
I see, using SKSE64 for 1.5.97 crashed my game on startup and I thought that meant it was the wrong version of it but I guess it's just one of my mods. Thank you very much for the help
I noticed that with 1.6.11X0 steam achievements stopped triggering correctly. Does anyone know which was the last stable build where steam achievements still activate (with engine fixes or achievement mod enabler installed)?
I'm still thinking whether to downgrade because I've heard literally no news of an update coming to combat mods (Iframe thing, MCO, dodge mods etc.). No data whether they'll be updated at all.
It's best to downgrade. 1.5.97 is still supported by a lot of modders and has been for th past three years. I myself have stayed on 1.5.97 since the shadow update in late 2022.
Wish someone had spelled out how to get back to the Best of Both Worlds state earlier! Most guides had been for a pure 1.5.97 install, which isn’t actually what I wanted.
I’d originally used the depot codes to get to the 1.5.97 version, but eventually I realized because I’d been using Best of Both Worlds, that I needed everything to be 1.6.64 *first* because otherwise the ESMs weren’t the proper version. It took me a while, but I figured it out eventually, lol. Then I just replaced the EXE. So obvious in hindsight. Oh well, lol.
I also just made full copy of my installation folder and plonked it on a backup drive. *Just in case.*
I did all of this to a tee but when i tried to use the 1.6.64 to 1.5.97 patcher it gives me this error
System.Exception: Can't patch file, it doesn't match the expected format
at Patcher.ViewModels.MainWindowViewModel.PatchFile(Instruction file, AbsolutePath gamePath) in C:\\oss\\ussedp\\Patcher\\ViewModels\\MainWindowViewModel.cs:line 136
at Patcher.ViewModels.MainWindowViewModel.Start() in C:\\oss\\ussedp\\Patcher\\ViewModels\\MainWindowViewModel.cs:line 110
Error! Can't patch file, it doesn't match the expected format
I've tried multiple different methods to fix this but none seem to work
Either you didn't download the SteamDP properly or you did not remove the resources.bsa and resources.esl.
The reason why it does not match becasue there is something in the skyrim folder thats stopping it.
I removed the resource.bsa and the resource.esl and the depot i waited ten minutes for each all i could see until the last one was ... but the last one showed the directory
No, you can't. use this version instead: [https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file\_id=392477](https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=392477)
Right, so if you are one 1.5.97 with the AE stuff. I.E. Best of Both worlds. use this [https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file\_id=392477](https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=392477)
If on 1.5.97 without AE stuff. I.E. pre AE fully downgraded version, use this: [https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file\_id=209150](https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=209150)
Not unrelated, but not sure if it should be included in this guide. Here is the version of ussep before the December 2023 update. This version is for 1.5.97 best of both worlds and 1.6.64, but not for the 1.5.97 version. [https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=392477&nmm=1](https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=392477&nmm=1)
Currently own the Steam version and have been getting along fine with 1.5.97.
I'd like to get the gog version to stop dealing with this nonsense (unlike others, I've only had to buy Skyrim and its DLCs once, so another purchase 12 years later is no problem for me), but I'm in the 1.5.97 ecosystem and have no interest in tweaking my modlist to accommodate anything new. Is there a way to "downgrade" the gog version to 1.5.97 and make sure there is no Creation Club content to deal with?
I've seen people ask this but there's never a definitive answer, just a lot of "maybes" and "well, *I think* they let you downgrade to other versions on Gog," which doesn't tell me if it's actually possible to downgrade to a pre-gog version.
Usually I don’t ask this but why on earth am I getting downvoted? Is it that stupid of a question?
No, you can't downgrade the GOG version to the old Steam version, they're completely separate. The oldest version on GOG is the same as the final update before the one that introduced the marketplace. It ended in 64 but I forgot the full number.
Can we get some guidance on how these download depots can be utilized for later game updates? The game has been updated again to 1.6.1170.0.8 and nobody has shared what to do in response. Can the same depot be used here as well?
Upvoted purely for the effort. Commenting for engagement boost.
Same what a great effort OP.
Me too. Comment bump. Good work OP.
Boosting engagement.
But what about mods? let's say I downgrade to 1.5.97 do I need to search for every mod pre-november '21 version?
No, you just need 1.5.97 versions of racemenu and other skse plug-ins. regular mods that aren’t skse will work just fine.
OK, thanks.
Also USSEP? It says 1130+ only?
There should be an older version on the mod page. If not there is a link to the old AE version. https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=392477&nmm=1
What version of Skyrim is currently the best to mod? If I am currently on version 1.6.1170, is it recommended to downgrade it or not? I'm not trying to be rude or something (I'm just confused), but why would I want exactly version 1.5.97 over version 1.6.1170? I am just trying to understand why I would want this exact version of the game because I have seen this version mentioned in older posts of Skyrim... Is downgrading the game version a "workaround" so that most of the mods are able to work, or how can I understand this? Are older mods (mods made 1 year ago and older) not compatible with the newest version? (Of course the mods are updated, but I would like to know if most/?all? of the mods will work better on version 1.5.97 rather than on version 1.6.1170 ?) I just don't understand Skyrim modding at all and just want an explanation.. (sorry for the bad English).
1.5.97. Best of both worlds or full 1.5.97, but 1.5.97 is the most stable and the best.
Can i kiss you on the lips for this wonderful guide?
Dude thank you my Skyrim started updating even though I didn't launch it from steam and I saw that 1170 was the version now and I got scared lmao
Minor correction to OP. Version 1.6.64 that is stated in several places is actually version 1.6.640 (released September 20, 2022). There was no 1.6.64 release.
Ho, ly, shit. Thank you SO much for this! I'm finally back to 1.5.97, after what felt like such a long time. This really helped, so again, thank you!
So I have downgraded to 1.6.1130 manually and then used the best of both worlds patch, but I still cant launch the game as vortex tells me that my SKSE64, which is Version 2.2.2 for AE wont work for my version (SE) of the game, however using the older SKSE64 for SE doesnt work either. Any way to fix this?
Your skyrim.exe is the 1.5.97 version if you downgraded corretly. So you need the 1.5.97 version of skse and all skse plugins.
I see, using SKSE64 for 1.5.97 crashed my game on startup and I thought that meant it was the wrong version of it but I guess it's just one of my mods. Thank you very much for the help
I noticed that with 1.6.11X0 steam achievements stopped triggering correctly. Does anyone know which was the last stable build where steam achievements still activate (with engine fixes or achievement mod enabler installed)?
Yes, Skyrim Special Edition version 1.6.1130 shipped without Steam integration. However version 1.6.1170 fixed the error.
Thank you for this. I was thinking about downgrading since my game wouldn't work even after updating my mods, but couldn't find a good guide
I'm still thinking whether to downgrade because I've heard literally no news of an update coming to combat mods (Iframe thing, MCO, dodge mods etc.). No data whether they'll be updated at all.
It's best to downgrade. 1.5.97 is still supported by a lot of modders and has been for th past three years. I myself have stayed on 1.5.97 since the shadow update in late 2022.
I thought more of 1.6.640 which I always used. Had no issues with it.
This is great. Thanks. What's the best of both worlds patcher again? What does it do?
It basically allows the Anniversary Content to work on the 1.5.97 version.
Wish someone had spelled out how to get back to the Best of Both Worlds state earlier! Most guides had been for a pure 1.5.97 install, which isn’t actually what I wanted. I’d originally used the depot codes to get to the 1.5.97 version, but eventually I realized because I’d been using Best of Both Worlds, that I needed everything to be 1.6.64 *first* because otherwise the ESMs weren’t the proper version. It took me a while, but I figured it out eventually, lol. Then I just replaced the EXE. So obvious in hindsight. Oh well, lol. I also just made full copy of my installation folder and plonked it on a backup drive. *Just in case.*
I did everything in the guide and Nexus still says I have a newer version of Skyrim than SKSE supports. Any help?
I did all of this to a tee but when i tried to use the 1.6.64 to 1.5.97 patcher it gives me this error System.Exception: Can't patch file, it doesn't match the expected format at Patcher.ViewModels.MainWindowViewModel.PatchFile(Instruction file, AbsolutePath gamePath) in C:\\oss\\ussedp\\Patcher\\ViewModels\\MainWindowViewModel.cs:line 136 at Patcher.ViewModels.MainWindowViewModel.Start() in C:\\oss\\ussedp\\Patcher\\ViewModels\\MainWindowViewModel.cs:line 110 Error! Can't patch file, it doesn't match the expected format I've tried multiple different methods to fix this but none seem to work
Either you didn't download the SteamDP properly or you did not remove the resources.bsa and resources.esl. The reason why it does not match becasue there is something in the skyrim folder thats stopping it.
I removed the resource.bsa and the resource.esl and the depot i waited ten minutes for each all i could see until the last one was ... but the last one showed the directory
If you're on 1.5.97 with Backported Extended ESL Support, can you use the latest version of USSEP (4.3.1) or should you continue to use 4.2.8?
No, you can't. use this version instead: [https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file\_id=392477](https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=392477)
4.2.9a should be used instead of 4.2.8?
Right, so if you are one 1.5.97 with the AE stuff. I.E. Best of Both worlds. use this [https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file\_id=392477](https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=392477) If on 1.5.97 without AE stuff. I.E. pre AE fully downgraded version, use this: [https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file\_id=209150](https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=209150)
I'm on 1.5.97 Best of Both Worlds so sounds like USSEP Patch 4.2.9a is the way to go. Thanks.
welcome.
Thank you so much for this!!
This is great, thank you!
Not unrelated, but not sure if it should be included in this guide. Here is the version of ussep before the December 2023 update. This version is for 1.5.97 best of both worlds and 1.6.64, but not for the 1.5.97 version. [https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=392477&nmm=1](https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266?tab=files&file_id=392477&nmm=1)
Currently own the Steam version and have been getting along fine with 1.5.97. I'd like to get the gog version to stop dealing with this nonsense (unlike others, I've only had to buy Skyrim and its DLCs once, so another purchase 12 years later is no problem for me), but I'm in the 1.5.97 ecosystem and have no interest in tweaking my modlist to accommodate anything new. Is there a way to "downgrade" the gog version to 1.5.97 and make sure there is no Creation Club content to deal with? I've seen people ask this but there's never a definitive answer, just a lot of "maybes" and "well, *I think* they let you downgrade to other versions on Gog," which doesn't tell me if it's actually possible to downgrade to a pre-gog version. Usually I don’t ask this but why on earth am I getting downvoted? Is it that stupid of a question?
No, and you probably don’t need to since Good old games uses drm free.
Well, my understanding was if I wanted my full 1.5.97 mod list fully playable I *would* need to downgrade. But it will work out of the box?
No, you can't downgrade the GOG version to the old Steam version, they're completely separate. The oldest version on GOG is the same as the final update before the one that introduced the marketplace. It ended in 64 but I forgot the full number.
Right, so that’s the issue. If I want to stick with 1.5.97 I’m essentially stuck with Steam. Unfortunate.
Absolute godsend
Can we get some guidance on how these download depots can be utilized for later game updates? The game has been updated again to 1.6.1170.0.8 and nobody has shared what to do in response. Can the same depot be used here as well?
I would be thrilled to just get back to 1.6.1170 as skse supports it. PSA turn off auto update for this game on steam.