- Better Dynamic Snow - honestly, after I installed this mod, I didn't realize what a difference it made until I turned it off again. It gives the snow a subtle layer of texture that just makes it more like snow and less like a white layer of pixels. There are still some blocky issues when on stairs and pillars, but I overall like the effect.
- Lush grass and trees - While the Grass Fields mod ended up really filling out the world, this mod truly improved the textures of the grasses and trees that make up Skyrim.
- Purewaters - Skyrim's waters were quite murky, not the pure crystalline lakes and streams that I had expected of a mountainous northern area. This mod certainly changes that. On a side note, it also makes finding fish much easier. It was also the source of the first crash that I received due to a mod as it occasionally has problems transitioning from above the water to below it.
- Lightplacement - Before putting on the Enhanced Lights and Effects, this mod from the Steam Workshop did a great job of making subtle adjustments to the light (especially the interior lights) of the game.
- Better embers - One of my favorite little tweaks, Better embers not only smooths out the fire animations, it gives a heat shimmer to all fires in the game.
- Moss rocks - Again, a subtle change can make a big difference in immersion. In this case, a moss texture is added to many of the rocks in the game, giving it a more natural look.
- Enhanced Distance Terrain - I love what this mod does even if it takes a little bit of the realism away by showing just how close major buildings and towns in Skyrim are. Basically, it increases the draw distance, allowing you to see mountains, towns, and temples from an impressive distance.
- Real Glaciers V2 - This mod makes the glaciers of Skyrim appear much more realistic. The "vanilla" glaciers now look like dull rock formations in comparison.
- Detailed Cities and Towns - I haven't traveled to many towns with this mod as of yet, but it certainly has made Whiterun more distinctive. If nothing else, there are more trees within the towns.
- Vurts Flora Overhaul and HD plants + Herbs - I installed both of these mods at the same time, so I don't know which one is responsible for what, but the flowers of Skyrim have certainly come into crisper detail. For a few plants, these mods make it a little too clear that they are comprised of two-dimensional textures, but some of the improvements (dragon tongue and tundra cotton come to mind) are absolutely amazing.
- Static Mesh Improvement Mod (SMIM) - This is an essential mod for giving an incredible amount of added texture and detail to all of the everyday items in the game, from wagons, to barrels, to fruits and tapestries. This mod brings a new level of depth to the entire experience.
Again, there are still a number of mods I have not mentioned, but they will have to wait for a later post.