Quickstart Guide (PC)

Before You Begin…

Make sure you do the following before installing Frostfall 3.x:

  • Back up your save games. Just in case.
  • Install SKSE 1.7.3+. You can download it here or install it through Steam Workshop. (SKSE is required.)
  • Install SkyUI 4.1+. (5.1 or newer is recommended.) (SkyUI is required.)
    • SkyUI 4.1 – Meets the mod’s base requirements. Frostfall SkyUI Add-On will not function.
    • SkyUI 4.1 with SkyUI Away – Meets the mod’s base requirements. Frostfall SkyUI Add-On will not function.
    • SkyUI 5.1 – All Frostfall 3 features will work. This is the recommended configuration.
    • SkyUI 5.1 with SkyUI Away – Meets the mod’s base requirements. Frostfall SkyUI Add-On will not function.
  • Do not unpack Frostfall’s BSA archive once you’ve downloaded the mod. Uncompressing the archive into loose files leaves you open to upgrade issues down the road. Loose files are always loaded instead of their BSA archive equivalents, which may mean that you don’t get the latest files on upgrade and could cause certain functions of the mod to break. Only uncompress the BSA archive into loose files if you are a mod developer and you know exactly what you are doing. You have been warned. This is not a supported installation method. Unless you are a mod developer, there is no reason to unpack the mod.
  • Installing the mod manually (without a mod manager) is not a supported installation method. Unless you are a mod developer, there is no reason to manually install the mod. If you aren’t using a mod manager such as Nexus Mod Manager or Mod Organizer, now would be a good time to start.

Installing Frostfall 3

Please select the option that matches you the closest.

Installing the mod manually (without a mod manager), and unpacking the BSA archive into your Skyrim directory, are not supported installation methods. Unless you are a mod developer, there is no reason to manually install or unpack the mod.

Installing the mod manually (without a mod manager), and unpacking the BSA archive into your Skyrim directory, are not supported installation methods. Unless you are a mod developer, there is no reason to manually install or unpack the mod.

You can install Frostfall 3.x without starting a new game.

  • (Optional) If you use SkyUI 5.1+, download and install the Frostfall SkyUI Add-On from the Frostfall Nexus page using a mod manager. This provides the most seamless gameplay experience.

Installing the mod manually (without a mod manager), and unpacking the BSA archive into your Skyrim directory, are not supported installation methods. Unless you are a mod developer, there is no reason to manually install or unpack the mod.

You shouldn’t have to start a new game to install Frostfall 3.x into your existing save game. However, everyone’s game environment is different. If you experience significant issues, a new game may be required. If that happens, uninstall Frostfall 2.6 using your mod manager and follow the instructions for installing Frostfall 3.x fresh, above.

Begin by properly uninstalling Frostfall 2.6.

(Proper uninstallation of Frostfall is very important, or permanent, unrecoverable penalties on your character may occur.)

  • Back up your save games. Do not skip this step.
  • Start the game.
  • If you have anything stored inside a Conjured Shelter chest, cast the spell and remove those items now. Otherwise, they will be lost.
  • Go inside any building.
  • Wait 30 seconds of real-time, outside of the menu system. If you have a “Frostbitten” effect in your Active Effects menu, wait for it to wear off.
  • Shut down Frostfall:
    • SkyUI 4.1+ Users: Open the Mod Configuration Menu, go to the Overview page, and click “Frostfall is: Enabled”. Select it and accept the prompt. It should now read, “Frostfall is: Disabled”.
    • Non-SkyUI Users: Use the Survival Settings power (by pressing the Shout key, Z) and navigate to Configure, and press More… until you reach Activate / Shutdown. Click the button to shut down Frostfall.
  • After exiting all of the menus, wait another 30 seconds of real-time, outside of the menu system.
  • Save your game in a new slot. Make a “real” save, not a quick-save.
  • Exit the game.
  • Uninstall Frostfall 2.6 using your mod manager.
  • Load your game.
  • Ensure that all of your skills are set to their default values. If they are not, ensure that you do not have another mod that is affecting your skills. If everything looks to be in order, Frostfall 2.6 has been correctly shut down and uninstalled.
  • Save your game again.
  • Exit the game.

Next, install Campfire and Frostfall.

Installing the mod manually (without a mod manager), and unpacking the BSA archive into your Skyrim directory, are not supported installation methods. Unless you are a mod developer, there is no reason to manually install or unpack the mod.

Load Order

You should, in general, try to load Frostfall.esp as high in your load order as you can.

In particular, Frostfall should load before any mods that edit inns and taverns. These are mods like JK’s Skyrim by Jkrojmal and Teabag86.

This is to ensure that the Rescue system in Frostfall will transport your character to the right place if your exposure reaches maximum.

Starting Frostfall

Since Frostfall adds so much to the game, it doesn’t start until you want it to. You have to enable it.

There are several ways to start Frostfall:

  • Look to the stars. Staring up at the night sky for ~8 seconds (in First Person) will start the mod. Stare at the night sky between 7PM and 7AM.
  • Open the SkyUI Mod Configuration Menu, go to the Overview page, and click “Frostfall is: Disabled”. The mod will begin starting up.

Once Frostfall has finished starting up, you will see a message that notes how you found a copy of a long-lost book, The Survivor’s Guide to Skyrim. (This book is purely for flavor, but does contain some helpful tips!) Once you’ve found the book, Frostfall will start.

What’s Next?

After starting Frostfall, you can either jump right into the game (there are plenty of tutorial messages, loading screens, and MCM help text to help you along the way), or, you can browse around these pages to learn more. Start with How To Play for an introduction to all of the major mechanics of Frostfall.

Good luck!