Hi Guys,

So I found myself increasingly being interested in PC games whilst I had my old laptop (primarily an Xbox gamer). I used it mainly for games such as EU3, CK2, Civ5, The Witcher, Sims 3 etc which it ran ok but not great and I decided to take the plunge and buy a PC capable of playing all the latest games at the highest settings.

Having gone back to the games I was playing I am in awe at the new graphics and speed of them and am seriously contemplating buying Skyrim for the PC (I already own the Xbox version). But I have a couple of questions as I am a bit of a newb really when it comes to PC gaming.

1) Is it possible (and preferable) to get a controller for skyrim - can I use an Xbox controller for example. I did have Morrowind on the laptop and found it fairly difficult to get used to the keyboard and mouse.

2) Having seen some complaints about the PC versions UI - is it that bad, can it be fixed?

3) Watched some videos on the mods available and they blew me away. Are they easy to install? What are the most popular/ essential?

Thanks in advance

1. Wired Xbox 360 controllers will work for Skyrim, when I play on PC (I also have both) I use my Xbox controller.

2. It's just like the Xbox so if using a controller, its the same... but with mouse/keyboard you may want to get a UI mod.

3. If you get them from steam, its as easy as clicking a button. Getting them from mod sites and installing them are also pretty easy.

Thanks!

1) Yes, it should be possible to use the xbox controller for the PC
2) The UI is the same as for xbox, some hate it some love it. I use SkyUI which is a alot friendlier to use and allows for a better overview. Can be found here http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=3863
3) This all boils down to what type of computer you own and what you want to change with the game. Popular mods are typical mods that improve graphics, other popular mods would be mods that improve AI behaviour. I would recommend you to take a look at http://www.skyrimnexus.com and spend some time to browse the various categories and take note of which you feel would be interesting to use. Some mods will conflict with eachother so make sure to also read descriptions and have a understanding of what exactly is it the mods do. If you use 3 mods that all changes the weapons in game unless they are handled correctly they could conflict and none of them would work 100%

when it comes to mods you can either use Skyrimnexys and their nexusmod manager or use steam workshop. Personally I prefer skyrimnexus as I feel more in control of the mods and that I can choose when to update the mod rather then have steam do it automatically each time a new version is out. No matter which version you choose to use it is important that you spend some time and get to understand what you are doing when adding the mods as that will help you when you need to figure out why things aren't working as theys hould etc.

On the subject of the XBox 360 controller, you CAN'T use the original XBox controller that comes with the console because it doesn't have Windows drivers. You have to buy a specially made version http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/p/xbox-360-wireless-controller-for-windows/jr9-00011#overview. It comes in two versions, cabled and wireless.

You can download the drivers online if needed, any wired xbox 360 controller should work... wireless needs something extra to work.

Damn, that's another 20 quid down the swanny! lol

1- Yes. I just made the move myself. I use the same controller, from my Xbox. I just plugged it in and Windows done the rest. There are mods the give you a reconfigured controller options. You hold the LB and it changes everything, It also gives you 8 Hotkeys instead of the lame ass 2. Plus a "quick save" by pressing both LB and RB at the same time.

2- If you get the Sky UI mod and the Immersive HUD and the Natural Favorites expanded Menu. It will make the whole interface much better. AND the controller works fine with all of it.

3- The Workshop is very user friendly, for entry level users to mods. But I would watch Gophers NMM vids and the his Skyrim Mod Sanctuary vids on YouTube. It will be the better route. Workshop is click, while NMM is click,click.

Thanks very much everyone. Really helpful

Nexus and Wrye Bash make it easy to sort out your mods. I'll recommend Imp's More Complex Needs, Frostfall, Tales of Lycanthropy, Deadly Combat, Third Era Attributes, Immersive HUD, SkyUI, to name a few.

1. Not my department.

2. UI really isn't that bad - it's the same across all platforms. If you use keys (Tab/WASD/E/Enter) to navigate it works fine. Probably even less of a problem if you're going to be using a controller. Besides I find the SkyUI mod "old fashioned" in comparison.

3. Contrary to popular belief, you don't "need" mods. I certainly wouldn't jump headlong into it and throw every "cool" mod you can find at your game, just because it has a lot of downloads/endorsments. I've had the game since Dec'11 and can still count the number of mods I use on one hand.
If your PC can handle it I'd go for Bethesda's http://store.steampowered.com/app/202485/ Most "better" texture mod's I've seen make the game look worse and are most likely poorly optimized because they don't know what they're doing (doubling the texture size and sharpening the texture does not a high quality texture make...) I could go on, but you get the idea - tread carefully and add mods as when you need them.

All in my very humble opinion, of course.

That's easier said than done. WB takes a lot of research to get down. Some people take months, going from green to average user. I have been reading for the past two days and even started a thread about getting help using Wrye Smash. Granted I am not very computer savvy to start with, but that stuff is borderline mindblowing to me.

NMM has so far proven to be doing fine. I run, on average, 30 mods at a given time. Wrye Smash may be proven to be the better option, when and if I start getting into using upwards 100-200+ mods.

I just use Wrye Bash to sort out conflicts and find out which ones to disable. Not that hard, yet humongously useful.

1. As others have said, yes; but a wired one is preferable.
2. The interface works fine. When I first stared playing on pc, I expected some sort of horrible useless thing due to these forums. It works better than it does on xbox if anything. I admit that SkyUI is probably better, but I dont use it.
3. Mods off the steam workshop are extermely easy. Other sites take a bit of setting up to make it easier, but once that's done it becomes fairly easy.

Well, I'd recommend using BOSS. It's not a mod, but a tool to help sort the order that mods are loaded into the game, preventing and indicating any conflicts between mods. Also, the Unofficial Skyrim Patch fixes many quest bugs and the nirnroot bug, in addition to numerous other smaller issues.

I won't recommend using SkyUI right away until you're comfortable with installing mods manually. SkyUI requires the Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE) to work completely, but SKSE needs to be installed manually.

Hello

Like you I am a console convert, I have a PS3 still, but swapped over around 3 years ago now.

1) You can use a controller, at first I found the keyboard and mouse difficult, but now its second nature and I find it a LOT easier to use than a controller!

2) You CAN fix the UI. Unfortunately I'm posting this from my phone, so I can't link it, but, google "Skyrim Nexus" then on their search for "SkyUI". Download and install this to fix the UI. Also, BEFORE doing this, download Nexus Mod Manager and install it, this makes it a LOT easier to download and install mods for people that don't know how (and believe me, I found it really confusing at first).

3) Mod's are amazing. Like I said above, go on the nexus, install Nexus Mod Manager, then when you're on the Nexus, just click on a mod you want and press the "download with manager" option. This automatically installs the mods to your PC. And what mods you find essential depends on your playstyle.

Hope this helps . Also if you look on the mods section on here and youtube "skyrim mods of the week" there's a few channels that do really good reviews of the best mods out there

yes. they're available from Microsoft.com
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/d/xbox-360-controller-for-windows
you'll need wireless USB adapter if you have wireless controllers.
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Wireless-Gaming-Receiver-Windows/dp/B000HZFCT2

did Bethesda fix the framerate issue with that controller on the PC?

I am not sure if you are still stuck with only 2 when using the x-box controller on the PC. But if you decide to take the plunge and try using a mouse and keyboard (I realize that would be a major change from what you are used to), you can use up to 8 hotkeys. That makes the UI much less trouble, as you never have to use it much of the time.