The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is widely considered to be one of the best RPG video games of its generation. Its vast, open world and wide range of quests allow for near-infinite replayability. However, despite its widespread success, Skyrim lacks a key element of any RPG, difficulty. Skyrim, by all accounts, is remarkably easy, even for those entirely new to the game.
Combat in Skyrim is painfully simple and notably dull, even on Legendary difficulty. In an attempt to resolve this issue, Skyrim's creative modding community has produced numerous fight-enhancing mods. These combat mods make Skyrim a much more challenging and engaging game. With these unofficial additions, players will be unable to ever play vanilla Skyrim ever again.
Updated May 9, 2023, by Aldous Foster: Skyrim is constantly changing with new editions and mods bringing massive changes to the game. Of all the areas which mods have enhanced, combat is perhaps the most interesting due to the simplicity of the combat in the base version of the game. The mods created since the release of the Anniversary Edition are some of the most impressive to date and offer players the opportunity to experience the game in an entirely new way. Many of the best Skyrim combat mods also improve the game's realism, not just its difficulty. By making it a more gritty and immersive game, players will find their playthroughs much more challenging and enjoyable.
18 Archery Gameplay Overhaul
Archery Gameplay Overhaul by DServant lends itself to those who favor archery above all else. In truth, Skyrim does very little to make archers feel more threatening. In comparison to other enemies, archers have very little - if any - influence on the outcome of combat encounters. This blatant lacklusterness is what DServant seeks to eliminate by granting archers far more versatility and power.
Archery Gameplay Overhaul offers various revisions to anything and everything archery-related. These improvements include - but are not limited to - new animations, enchanted arrows, and a bleeding mechanic. Everything within this mod aims to make archers more adaptable, unique, and overall powerful threats. Thus, making Archery Gameplay Overhaul a necessary addition to those wanting more daunting long-ranged dangers.
17 Spellsiphon - Immersive Combat
Spellsiphon - Immersive Combat by Arctal grants mages and battlemages alike much versatility in combat. In Skyrim, magic users are limited to several spells which they cast repeatedly. While this allows for simple yet effective builds, it makes for dreadfully dull combat encounters. Arctal knows of this commonality and has sought to put an end to it.
Spellsiphon inspires players to use a wide variety of spells during battles. Through the inclusion of new mechanics, magic, and more, mages have become far more flexible. These improvements allow Skyrim's magic users to feel all the more magical and powerful. So, any looking to become a more dynamic mage should download Spellsiphon - Immersive Combat.
16 Mortal Enemies
Mortal Enemies by center05 aims to improve enemies by making their tracking and movements more natural. Skyrim enemies are flawless in their advances and strikes, resulting in less immersive gameplay. Moreover, it causes fights to become a battle of durability rather than one of wits and skill. Fortunately, center05 worked adamantly to make foes more human, thus improving combat overall.
Mortal Enemies emphasizes realism above all else, making combat much more engaging. It does so by making enemies less precise in their assaults and granting weapons realistic qualities. Therefore, making previously unimportant elements such as placement, timing, and weaponry vastly more prominent. To have the most realistic combat experience in Skyrim, players must have Mortal Enemies.
15 Know Your Enemy - Trait-Based Resistances And Weaknesses
Know Your Enemy - Trait-Based Resistances and Weaknesses by tjhm4 works to grant enemies distinct characteristics. In Skyrim, every foe - no matter how powerful - is susceptible to the same damage regardless. There is nothing to inspire variety in one's arsenal, thus why many players utilize a single weapon or spell. To prevent this prevalent trend, tjhm4 grants every enemy distinct, combat-related qualities.
Know Your Enemy provides special resistances and weaknesses to every adversary, depending on its nature. These characteristics consider weapon types, spell elements, and armor defenses when determining damage. Thus, forcing players to adapt to a foe's resistances and weaknesses accordingly, lest they struggle. Know Your Enemy - Trait Resistances and Weaknesses makes combat far more strategic and rewarding.
14 Immersive Movement
Immersive Movement by Zana Daniel seeks to make the movements of all creatures - including the player - realistic. Many of the dramatic motions in Skyrim are irrational, unreasonably extravagant even. While this seems like a trivial issue, it has a detrimental effect on immersion and combat. That is why Zana Daniel implements countless fixes to movements that accurately reflect reality.
Immersive Movement either improves or worsens a creature's movements according to real life or lore. These changes affect a creature's speed, mobility, responsiveness, and weapon handling. Thus, further diversifying enemies and inspiring new challenges in battle. To eliminate comical motions and make fights more challenging, players should download Immersive Movement.
13 True Armor
True Armor by Anubis22 works fervently to distinguish Skyrim's different armor types. Regardless of the protection one has - whether it is light, medium, or heavy - every attack and spell hits more or less the same. Therefore, there is little incentive to choose one armor set or type over the other. Anubis22 took notice of this noteworthy flaw and sought to make one's protection matter.
True Armor grants unique benefits and detriments to armor, depending on its type and set. These additional characteristics garner one's protection far more attention than before. Moreover, players must consider the defenses of others to counter them effectively in battle. True Armor provides players with many new considerations concerning armor in combat.
12 Genesis Unleashed Levelled
Genesis Unleashed Levelled - Dungeon Spawns And Encounters And Treasure by the SOT Team populates dungeons with many more challenges. Many of Skyrim's dungeons lack a constant threat and, as a result, lack any real difficulty. Instead, dungeon crawls feel more akin to hack and slash games, although less entertaining. The SOT Team sought to fix this, not by introducing difficult foes but by including more enemies.
Genesis Unleashed Levelled cautiously and dynamically spawns foes throughout dungeons. Doing so ensures that players face a constant yet manageable threat. Thus, dungeons become deadly locations that only the most hardened combatants can survive. With Genesis Unleashed Levelled, dungeons become as dangerous as Skyrim's inhabitants describe them to be.
11 Smilodon - Combat Of Skyrim
Smilodon - Combat of Skyrim by Enai Siaion overhauls Skyrim's combat system, making it far more complex and grueling. The outcome of most battles within Skyrim depends solely on one's durability. So, the game overall favors the hearty and durable over the smart and calculating. Fortunately, Enai Siaion aims to fix this issue through numerous, delicate changes to Skyrim's combat system.
Smilodon alters existing mechanics while introducing new ones, inspiring more difficult yet dynamic confrontations. Alterations to combat AI, stamina use, and the like change Skyrim's combat significantly, making it more akin to Dark Souls. While fights may be painstakingly strenuous at times, they are far more rewarding than vanilla combat. Smilodon is perfect for those seeking a more challenging and vigorous combat system.
10 Ultimate Combat
Ultimate Combat by tktk aims to make fights much more realistic and consequently much more difficult. Skyrim's AI is by far one of its most unimpressive aspects, so much so that dozens of memes revolve around it. This poor AI is a prominent reason why fights are lackluster and, at times, comical rather than intense. That is why tktk worked tirelessly to revise and build upon Skyrim's existing simplistic AI.
Ultimate Combat introduces a variety of changes and new mechanics to enemy AI. These alterations include - but are not limited to - special attacks, poise, timed blocks, and even locational damage. With these changes, players must remain vigilant in battles, as any mistake or missed opportunity can result in death. Overall, Ultimate Combat is a necessary addition to any combat-heavy Skyrim playthrough.
9 Vigor - Combat And Injuries
Vigor - Combat and Injuries by Alex9ndre works to make the almighty warriors of Skyrim feel mortal. In Skyrim, regardless of the amount or severity of damage one takes, they remain largely unscathed. No wound, natural or otherwise, has lasting detrimental effects on a player. So, rather than allowing players to be damage sponges, Alex9ndre changes up combat with the introduction of injuries.
Vigor presents a variety of new mechanics and hindrances meant to inspire caution in players. Enduring too much damage or expending one's stamina can debilitate players. Therefore, garnering more awareness during battles, no matter how small, and thus making them far more exciting. For more realistic and daunting battles, Vigor is a must-have combat mod.
8 Skyrim Revamped - Complete Enemy Overhaul
Skyrim Revamped - Complete Enemy Overhaul by Nightman0 introduces countless changes to Skyrim's enemies, making them far more challenging. Despite the diversity of Skyrim's available foes, they lack any real challenge or distinction in battle. Most fights feel relatively the same and require very little beyond a hack-and-slash approach. This consistent issue is what Nightman0 hopes to achieve through many enemy alterations.
Skyrim Revamped grants enemies a variety of unique abilities and features meant to inspire diversity. Through the inclusions of combat styles, new spells, and perks, foes become distinct. Therefore, making encounters very different from one another, especially boss battles. To achieve greater variety and maintain enjoyment in combat, players must look no further than Skyrim Revamped.
7 Magic Duel – Reborn
Magic Duel - Reborn by Seb263 makes battles between magic users vastly more entertaining yet immensely challenging. Typically, magic-based fights in Skyrim are entirely dependent on which mage possesses the better defenses and vitality - rather than one's arcane prowess. As such, these confrontations are ultimately lackluster and remarkably easy. Seb263 aims to solve this issue with a new mechanic inspired by pop culture.
Magic Duel allows players and NPCs to engage in arcane battles known simply as magic duels. When one engages another with destruction magic - or shouts - they initiate a magic duel. This unique form of combat relies heavily on one's power, endurance, spells, and strategy; thus, garnering a variety of factors to consider when facing magic users. For those looking to recreate Harry Potter-esque battles, Magic Duel is a must.
6 KS Dragon Overhaul 2
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KS Dragon Overhaul 2 by KuzakuSara transforms Skyrim's dragons into the god-like, world-altering creatures that nordic legends describe. In truth, Skyrim's dragons are a far cry from the stories and myths sprawled throughout Elder Scrolls lore. Instead, they are glorified lizards that require far less effort than expected - even Alduin is disappointing. This significant - and ironic - issue is one that KuzakuSara aims to solve.
KS Dragon Overhaul 2 grants dragons a multitude of enhancements to make encounters with them far more demanding. These improvements include - but are not limited to - improved combat AI, stagger resistance, and amplified shouts. Overall, making dragons more daunting foes, especially those of status, i.e., Alduin and Paarthurnax. KS Dragon Overhaul is perfect for those wishing to face the dragons foretold in Skyrim's legends.
5 Disable Combat Boundary
Disable Combat Boundry by Abbalovesyou changes a basic yet game-altering mechanic of Skyrim, combat boundaries. In Skyrim, particular barriers prevent hostile NPCs from crossing over and pursuing players. Players often abuse these obstacles by using them to escape oncoming foes, thus avoiding unfavorable encounters. Abbalovesyou sought to put an end to this exploitation by removing the barrier entirely.
Disable Combat Boundary eliminates every combat boundary within Skyrim, allowing enemies to follow players relentlessly. Thus, ensuring that they cannot escape certain death, as whatever threat they face will surely follow. So, rather than retreating and recouping, players must be more strategic and careful in their assaults. For more pressing combat encounters, players must look no further than Disable Combat Boundary.
4 Precision - Accurate Melee Collisions
Precision - Accurate Melee Collisions by Ershin massively improves Skyrim's realism in several ways. It makes collisions far more accurate by improving hitboxes for players and NPCs. It also adds recoil when hit by an attack or when hitting an object rather than an enemy.
All these changes make combat much more immersive as players will need to be more careful and accurate with their attacks. The enhanced collision applies to all weapons and creature attacks, making the entire playthrough feel far more dangerous, and has the added benefit of making Skyrim's combat far less awkward.
3 Enhanced Enemy AI
Enhanced Enemy AI by Erkeil is one of the best improvements to combat AI that Skyrim mods have to offer. Enemies use their skills and spells more often and react much more realistically. If the player stays back and plays more defensively or attacks at range then the enemies are more likely to rush them. Enemies are also much more likely to gang up on players, attacking from all sides.
These changes make combat far more challenging, without simply giving enemies more health. The challenge added by this mod requires players to think about how best to approach a combat encounter and that makes defeating enemies far more rewarding and enjoyable.
2 Animation Mods
Perhaps the biggest problem players have with combat in Skyrim is how simple the animations are. With each weapon type only having a few attack animations, fighting can quickly become repetitive. The incredible animation mods released in the last few years are an incredible way to make combat more difficult and more varied. With mods such as MCO - Modern Combat Overhaul, players can choose from a variety of new animations added by the modding community which make each weapon type feel unique and powerful. These mods also allow entirely new weapon types such as spears to be introduced.
With SCAR - Skyrim Combat AI Revolution by maxsu 2017, enemies also gain access to the animation changes, allowing them to attack far more aggressively and realistically. This makes the game truly challenging as attacks are not just sideways swipes but lunges, parries, and dodges, with each enemy requiring a different approach.
1 SkyrimSouls – Unpaused Game Menus
SkyrimSouls - Unpaused Game Menus by Kassent attempts to make Skyrim a more Dark Souls-esque game. One of Skyrim's more infamous trends is a player's ability to enter a menu wherever and whenever. Upon doing so, they can drink potions, equip/unequip items, or even eat fifty-plus eidar cheese wheels. This occasionally ridiculous feature is what Kassent aims to remove.
SkyrimSouls makes one simple yet effective change; opening any menu does not pause the game under any circumstance. Thus, allowing the game to continue in real-time, preventing any abuse of the system. Therefore, players cannot safely perform particular actions and must instead plan ahead of time. While it offers a relatively simple change, SkyrimSouls is perfect for those seeking challenging combat encounters.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim was released on November 11, 2011, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Stadia. The next-gen version is out in November 2021.