UPDATED INSTRUCTIONS HERE!!
*DON'T FORGET TO INSTALL SKSE BEFORE*.
!!!~PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE~!!!
Last update 7/28/23

Pikdum's GitHub file here:
https://github.com/pikdum/steamdeck/'>https://github.com/pikdum/steamdeck/
My Nexus Collection here:
https://next.nexusmods.com/skyrimspec...

*News, Support, Chat with friends! Join my Discord   / discord  

INSTRUCTIONS:
1 You MUST run your game (like Skyrim) normally on your Steam Deck without mods first. It needs to create files. Start a new game and quit.
2 For added FPS boot in Skyrim, when you run the game's original launcher, tap Options and check "windowed fullscreen" and "borderless", set the game to aspect ratio to "16:10 Widescreen" and resolution to "1280x800". Change your Detail to "HIGH"! (Default is Ultra)
3 Start Steam Deck in Desktop Mode
4 For Skyrim, install SKSE: Go to https://skse.silverlock.org/ download SKSE (Anniversary or Special Edition) and paste all files and folder in same folder as the Skyrim.exe. Normally ./home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Skyrim Special Edition/ (Other games may have a necessary Script Extender like Fallout4.)
5 Go to this site https://github.com/pikdum/steamdeck/'>https://github.com/pikdum/steamdeck/ in a browser on the Steam Deck. Under the Install section, right click (LB or left trackpad click) on his link and "save as", name it install.desktop and save it (Download folder is fine).
6 Open the new file and execute it. This is going to do a lot of things. Just let it run. It may take a while, maybe 35 minutes but less than 10.
7 It adds PostDeploy shortcuts to desktop which needs to be run every time after you change/install mods in Vortex. It is also installing FNIS and BodySlide as tools! If your game does't end up with a Post.Deploy icon with its name, then skip running any Post.Deploy.
8 After everything is done, open Vortex from the icon on the Desktop.
9 You will need to manually set the location of where your m game is. Use either the J: or K: drives Skyrim Special Edition (for example).
(J: is internal storage games, K: is sd card games, usually)
10 Vortex will pop up some warnings about staging location and deployment method. Just walk through their fixes.
(Staging folder needs to be on the same drive as the game.)
The suggested path works here.
11 Deployment method should be hardlinks.
12 This is going to do a lot of things. Just let it run.
13 After everything is done, open Vortex from the icon on the Desktop.
14 You can go to Nexus Mods and download a mod or my Skyrim collection at https://next.nexusmods.com/skyrimspec... . It'll ask if you want to associate Vortex with this type of file, say yes, every time.
15 You'll need to associate mods to open with Vortex in an additional popup (it may be behind the browser window) scroll to the bottom and select Vortex.
16 In Vortex, tap Dashboard, find and tick Enable Toolbar to add tools to the top of Vortex. Don't forget to run FNIS in Vortex after every actor/character change. https://i.imgur.com/8iwsmyz.jpg
17 Once your mods are downloaded and done, on the desktop run the shortcut PostDeploy for your game IF there is one. This again needs to be run every time after you change/install mods in Vortex before playing Skyrim.
19 Switch back to Gaming Mode and enjoy!

Mod Notes
* You MUST install SKSE manually in to the main folder with the .exe for these mods to work.
* You must install High_Poly_Head from Vectorplexis.com (https://vectorplexis.com/files/file/2...) which requires you to sign up and login.
* Jewelry Limiter (multiple rings/amulets) MUST be enabled in MCM menu.
* Alternate Start mod will work fine, but if you want the most recent version use this offsite link as it is no longer being updated on Nexus Mods and have to got to AFKmods.
* Male NPC's never wear less than their shorts. If you want them nude/SOS install the optional mod Tempered Skins for Males

TROUBLE SHOOTING : Discord =   / discord  
If after installation Vortex doesn't want to open, got to Go to /home/Deck/.Pikdum/steamdeckmaster/vortex and run installvortex.desktop. It'll reinstall Vortex (won't erase your mods).
If collection never gets to 100%, go to the collection in Vortex, find the mod not listed as installed and pick ignore in the dropdown.

To Uninstall/Delete:
1 Open Dolphin (file explorer), and click/tap the 3 lines in the upper right and make sure "Show Hidden Files" is checked.
Then Delete:
2 /.pikdum/
3 remove vortex
4 /.vortexlinux/
5 /.local/share/applications/vortex.
6 manually remove desktop icons

Hope this helps others as much as it did me!
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Last update 10/4/23