Yes, for rolling multiple characters and RP purposes this is a good mod to have in your load order.

Aside from what's been mentioned already, a few other good ones:

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=8429
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=13608
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=141
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=9782
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=3863

Personally, I'm a fairly big fan of Steam Workshop, even though I initially intended not to use it. Using mods for Oblivion was an extremely tedious affair and I spend way too much time trying to install and configure mods. I find the 'one-click' downloading to be much easier and more convenient than the steps involved in downloading it from other locations. Unless NMM has made the process for Nexus downloads a lot easier, I probably will continue to mostly use the Workshop, although of course it does not suit everything. Each to their own, really.

I'll stick with NMM, BOSS for Skyrim and Wrye Smash as they handle mod loading orders, which the Steam Workshop seems to be totally unaware of.

As for essential mods, I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1362032-beta-unofficial-skyrim-patch-thread-4/ - already has several pages of bugfixes which Bethesda haven't touched. Kivan is, as always, way ahead of the game

Erm. Another misconception about the Workshop. It doesn't need mod loading order, since load order is right there in the Skyrim main menu. You know, the DATA FILES section?

It disappoints me how many people swear by 3rd party programs without bothering to learn the features that come right out of the box.

To be fair, it didn't come right out of the box... the load order functionality on the Skyrim launcher was only added by patch 1.4.(26?). The whole mechanism of load order was changed internally, and since then only BOSS and NMM has updated officially (just a few days ago) for that new mechanism. Unless someone uses the SVN version of it, Wrye Bash will mess up the load order post 1.4.26. So it's still remains a best practice to use BOSS to handle load order (as skyrim launcher can't handle inactive plugin load orders, only active ones).

Agreed. Regarding the USKP im letting it develop a bit first before i try as with bethesda releasing patches quite regulary its bound to conflict with something.
If you have enough mods, then conflictions will begin to happen and load ordering helps to stop that problem. Yes there is the data files section but do you know what order they need to go in? no didnt think so. Steam workshop uses bsa's more to my knowledge which will help prevent conflicts but it limits how many mods you can have. I think 60 is the limit? plus i also dont believe you can use the script extender with the workshop. I personally will never touch the steamworkshop but for a few basic mods with a amateur mod user then im sure it'll do the job fine.

Script extender works fine with the workshop. And manually editing load ordering via data files is definitely tedious, so I use BOSS for that.

Ahh ok i wasnt sure as i havent used the workshop. But yeah BOSS is very good.

Btw your signatures a paradox!!

Skyrim Creatures Alive adds more creatures to Skyrim and makes where they spawn more appropriate (Snow Wolves spawn in snowy areas). It also adds Boss level creatures at lower levels. Frost Trolls can be encountered at level 1, but in snowy areas only.

Yes, but it will still install automatically. I use BAIN to install every mod, it makes removing, adding and changing the install order (not load order) of mods foolproof. Hell, i can uninstall all of my mods with one click if i wish.

Any mod that i add to my game will first be virus checked (never found anything in any mod, but it's better to be safe than sorry), unpacked and repacked into BAIN compatible package (if it's not already, though few are), and finally moved into the BAsh INstallers folder. Nothing but Wrye Bash touches my Data folder. So Workshop is not an option for me.

Can't one just use both NMM and Workshop?

Download from Workshop then set it with NMM. Also, if you want all mods, you kinda have to go with both as not all mods gets a release on Nexus or Workshop.

Workshop installs mods automatically, so you'd had to find the files in the data folder and package them for NMM or BAIN.

Am i the only one who still uses BOSS and Wrye Bash to install and manage my mods?

How did this thread become a debate about the workshop vs. nexus? Isn't it supposed to be about good mods that have come out in the last couple months?

And to add to that discussion, although I haven't used this mod, I have used the Fallout equivalents by the same author (RobCo Certified), and those are awesome. This also looks awesome:

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=10442

Nope. I install my mods manually. I used BOSS in Oblivion frequently but I haven't used it in Skyrim yet. I use the launcher to re-arrange my mod list and Wrye to merge leveled lists, when I need to merge them.

Nope. I usually skip on BOSS, too, as I can handle that myself.

I usually use the Nexus, as I find it easier to navigate (might be being accustomed to it) and more informative (that's a fact), but I'm not really against the Workshop. No reason not to use both.

I use NMM and boss but never blindly download something and install it without checking the file structure first and checking for conflicts with other mods etc.

I'm not sure I believe that, but if it's true, then I agree that that is totally intrusive and lame as hell. Personally, I don't care, since I want my mods to stay updated anyway, but if you turn subscriptions off, they should damn well stay off.

I applaud your trying to push attention away from the debate, but the original poster straight up asked which is better. Of course that was going to turn it into a debate since so many old schoolers think Steam is the devil No offense to old schoolers.

Steam's fine, but it's not suitable, by any means, for any complex mod, or anything that actually requires thought in the installation. If it supported installations such as the scripted ones for NMM, then sure, it'd be okay, but as is it's extremely limited.

The lack of flexibility in uploads is frustrating, too. My mods won't even be able to go up on it. It HAS to go through the CK to be uploaded there.

You all may want to check this:

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=10175

A mod that makes animal ACT more realistic by giving them new Ai Packages from Scratch, it also has a complete animal food chain and "Smart Animals" in some places, check the videos in the link.

If you miss some of the spells from Morrowind and Oblivion I suggest trying Ancient Spells - http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=9153