The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Running and Modding Skyrim (SE) in Linux

As a long-time fan of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition, I’ve spent countless hours trying to get it running smoothly on my Linux system. If you’re like me, you know the frustration of battling compatibility issues and mod conflicts. But fear not, fellow adventurers! I’ve compiled this guide to help you conquer the wilds of Skyrim on Linux, complete with mods and all the fixings.

Quick Answer

To run and mod Skyrim SE on Linux, you’ll need to use Steam Play with Proton, configure Wine for audio, and set up Mod Organizer 2 through Lutris. This guide walks you through each step, from basic setup to advanced modding.

Setting the Stage: Prerequisites

Before we embark on our Linux-Skyrim adventure, let’s gather our essential tools:

Wine: Your trusty companion for running Windows apps on Linux
Lutris: A powerful ally in managing and running games
Steam: The marketplace where your Skyrim SE awaits

I remember when I first tried to run Skyrim on Linux without these tools. Let’s just say it was about as successful as taking on a dragon with a wooden sword. Learn from my mistakes, and arm yourself with these essentials!

Vanilla Skyrim: Getting the Basics Right

Harnessing the Power of Steam Play

First things first, we need to enable Steam Play. Here’s how:

Fire up Steam and head to Settings
Find Steam Play in the menu
Check the box to enable it and pick Proton 5.x-xx (trust me on this one)
Restart Steam to seal the deal

With Steam Play set up, you should be able to launch Skyrim SE. But wait, what’s that? No sound? Don’t worry, we’ve got a fix for that!

The Sound of Silence: Fixing Audio Issues

If Skyrim’s gone mute on you, try this:

Open your terminal (it’s not as scary as it looks, I promise)
Install winetricks: apt install winetricks

Navigate to your Skyrim install folder. It’ll look something like this:

cd /home/yourusername/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/compatdata/489830/pfx

Run these magical incantations:

WINEPREFIX=$PWD/pfx winetricks --force xact
WINEPREFIX=$PWD/pfx winecfg

In the Wine config window, find the Libraries tab
Look for xaudio2_6 and xaudio2_7, set both to (native)
Click OK and you’re done!

Restart Skyrim, and you should hear the sweet sounds of Skyrim once more. I still remember the first time I got the audio working – hearing that iconic theme song was like music to my ears (pun intended)!

Modding Madness: Enhancing Your Skyrim Experience

Lutris: Your Gateway to Modding

To start modding, we need to add Skyrim SE to Lutris:

Open Lutris and search for “Skyrim”
Find “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition” and click Install
Follow the prompts, and voila! Skyrim’s in Lutris

Mod Organizer 2: Your New Best Friend

Now, let’s set up Mod Organizer 2 (MO2) – it’s a game-changer, trust me:

Download the ModOrganizer2.yml file from GitHub (look for the lutris-skyrimse-installers repository)
Open it with Lutris (or use this command if it’s being stubborn):
```
lutris -i "$HOME/Downloads/modorganizer2.yml"
```
Click through the installation prompts
When asked, choose “Skyrim Special Edition” as your game

Don’t forget to double-check that Steam Play is still using Proton 5. It’s like making sure your sword is sharp before heading into battle!

Modding Magic with MO2

Now that MO2 is set up, let’s get modding:

Launch MO2 (it might take a moment, be patient)
To add mods, go to File > Install Mod… and choose your mod files
Make sure MO2 is set to use SKSE in the top-right dropdown

Hit Run, and watch as your modded Skyrim comes to life! The first time I saw my heavily modded Skyrim running smoothly on Linux, I felt like I’d just learned a master-level spell.

Essential Mods: The Cherry on Top

Want to take your Skyrim to the next level? Here are some must-have mods:

Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch: Fixes bugs like a pro
SKSE64: The backbone of many advanced mods
SSE Engine Fixes: Boosts performance like a well-oiled machine
SkyUI: Makes inventory management a breeze
SSE Display Tweaks: For that extra visual polish

These mods are like the ingredients for a perfect potion – they’ll make your Skyrim experience smooth, stable, and oh-so-satisfying.

Wrapping Up: Your Linux Skyrim Adventure Awaits

And there you have it, folks! A comprehensive guide to running and modding Skyrim SE on Linux. It might seem like a lot at first, but trust me, it’s worth it. I’ve spent more hours than I’d like to admit figuring out all these tricks, and now you can benefit from my adventures (and misadventures).

Remember, modding is an art as much as it is a science. Don’t be afraid to experiment, but always back up your saves! And most importantly, have fun. After all, isn’t that what gaming is all about?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I hear there’s a dragon attacking Whiterun. Time to put all this modding to the test! Happy gaming, fellow Dragonborns!

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