• Read and follow the update instructions of every Revision you want to update in the changelog section
• Every update instruction will mention if a new game is required, highly recommended, or not needed
• Head to the Collection section in Vortex and press Update.
• When you're asked to pick Installation Options leave the default option at "Replace the existing mod" and continue.
• When you're asked to delete old mods, press "Remove All".
• When you're asked about profiles, change it to use the existing Profile.
• After the update is successfully downloaded and installed, deploy your mods
• After the deployment is done, sort your plugins
• Ensure you follow the instructions from here if you want to update Constellations to Revision 87 or later if you have a downpatched version of Skyrim SE

If a new game is recommended but you want to update and continue your playthrough read this:

Starting a Playthrough

• Start a New Game from the Main Menu
• Open the Skyrim Unbound MCM menu (or press [Enter] to quickstart)
• Load a pre-made preset that is closest to the character you want to play.
• (Optional) Choose your spells if you want to play a magically gifted character [2-4 spells recommended].
• (Optional) Tweak some of the preset configurations to your liking.
• "Begin your Adventure" on the first page of the Skyrim Unbound MCM menu.

Character Creation

• Customize your character's Race, appearance, and name.
• Choose your Birthsign.
• Choose your Class.
• Choose your Religion once you are outdoors.

Final Steps

• Open your Inventory and close it.
• Wait for the Requiem configuration to finish.
• (Optional) Import 'Constellations' layout in the 'Easy Wheel' MCM. (Open it with [K]
• Open your Perk Tree and invest your Perk Points.

Important Tips

Dragonborn or Non-Dragonborn

By default, your character has a 50/50 chance of being Dragonborn or Non-Dragonborn. Non-Dragonborn characters may not learn or use Shouts by default. These settings can be changed in the Skyrim Unbound MCM.

Skyrim Main Quest

The Skyrim Main Quest is only available to Dragonborn characters, and will begin the moment the player kills their first dragon as a Dragonborn.
Dragons will spawn based on many factors, such as player level and overall time spent in the game.

Skyrim De-Leveled

Enemies do not scale to your level. This can make some areas and enemies too difficult at low levels. Don't be afraid to run away and come back stronger.

Blacksmith Crafting Knowledge

You need the respective blacksmith book before you can learn a blacksmithing perk.

Heavy Armor Stamina Drain

While wearing heavy armor your stamina will be drained until you learn the first heavy armor perk.

Health Regeneration

You don't regenerate health on your own, and food doesn't restore health either. The best way to regenerate your health over time is by consuming a Healing Poultice, which can be purchased from an Alchemist or crafted with a Recipe at a Tanning Rack.

Stamina Management

When your Stamina is low your attacks deal less damage and your spells cost more Magicka. Your Stamina regenerates much slower while running.

Lockbashing

Characters can attack locked objects to unlock them. This is based on current health and current stamina:
Lock Bash Power: Current Health*2 + Current Stamina
Lock Bash Threshold based on lock difficulty: 450/550/675/825

Sleep to Level Up

Characters need to sleep to level up.

Save Often

Vanilla auto-saves are disabled as they are known to cause issues. This collection still creates saves automatically, but they can be a bit inconsistent. To ensure your progress is safe, remember to save manually by pressing [F5].

Attacks of Opportunity

The player character and NPCs receive bonus damage based on the character state:

Minor attacks of opportunity: (15% damage bonus)

- Target is drawing a bow

- Target is casting a spell (unless a Ward spell is active)

- Target is hit from behind

- Target is recoiling (after their attack is blocked)

- Target is staggered

- Target is power attacking

- Target is sprinting

Major attacks of opportunity: (25% damage bonus)

- Target is paralyzed, frozen or knocked down

Critical attacks of opportunity: (50% damage bonus)

- Target is using furniture

- Target is sleeping

For much more information, discussions, tips, and tricks check out the Discord!

There are several optional mods included in Constellations, none of these are recommended but provide a way to configure the game to your liking.

Install instructions for optional mods:

• Make sure the collection works as intended before installing any optional mods
• Read the description of the mods down below
• Head to the "Collections" section in Vortex, click "View" on Constellations, head to the "Mods" tab, and add the "Recommended" filter to the "Required" column
• After installing the mod, install/activate the mod and deploy mods
• Head to the "Mods" section, open "Manage Rules", and press "Hide Resolved"
• Load the optional mods after everything else
• Deploy and sort mods again

Optional mods are save-game compatible unless otherwise stated

Fast Travel

To enable fast travel head to the Requiem MCM -> Atmosphere and tick "Fast Travel Allowed" (not needed while using Story Mode)

Constellations - Story Mode

Includes gameplay tweaks to make the game enjoyable without worrying too much about difficulty. This is only recommended if you enjoy a more casual playthrough.
(Enables fast travel, restores compass markers, additional carry capacity, food restores health, additional starting items, reduced damage received)

Constellations - Hard Mode

This is a personal project that tweaks and enhances various aspects I find too hardcore for the base collection but that, in my view, make the game more enjoyable.
(e.g. Reduced the amount of loot found, Harder survival mechanics, Slightly slower leveling, less base stats, no additional perk point every 10 level, and plenty of other small changes here and there)
Some features of Hard Mode require a new game but it won't cause issues in existing playthroughs.

Constellations - Higher Level Start

Also requires the optional mod "You Are Not A Novice"! Enables the player to choose if they want to start as an experienced character starting with a higher level. This comes with choosing a speciality, the amount of experience, and new starting spells. (can be added mid-playthrough)

Compass Restoration - Quest Marker

Enables quest markers on the compass. (not needed while using Story Mode)

Compass Restoration - Quest and Location Marker

Enables quest markers and unexplored locations on the compass. (not needed while using Story Mode)

Compass Restoration - Full Restoration

Enables quest markers, unexplored locations, and enemies on the compass. (not needed while using Story Mode)

Constellations - Disable Survival Mode

Disables all needs (sleeping, eating, cold) automatically on a new playthrough. You can disable the needs in an ongoing playthrough through the in-game Skyrim settings. (under gameplay)

Get Lost

Disables the player map marker. (recommended to be used with Constellations - Hardcore Compass)

Constellations - Hardcore Compass

Disables the compass. If the above optional "Get Lost" is used it also adds the following mechanic: Map markers will only be visible after the player gets far enough away from it or visits a town or city

Constellations - Gamepad Support

Improves the gamepad support and adds new gamepad layout (check the Keybinds + Gamepad section below for more information)

Constellations - Performance ENB Preset

Increases the performance of Constellations while still retaining most of the visual quality. (up to 10-15 fps increase)

Skyland AIO

Improves the textures of many objects. This is only recommended if you have some VRAM to spare (=8GB) You can ignore the error about Skyland 1k being redundant.

(3) Pine Branches Redone 8K

Improves the textures of pine trees. This is only recommended if you have some VRAM to spare (=8GB)

Alternate Conversation Camera (Normal Version)

This will revert the change that 3rd person dialogue camera switches to 1st person.

Die When Killed

Warning! Enables permadeath! Only use this if you're at least somewhat familiar with the difficulty of Constellations. Have Fun! ;)

Install instructions for widescreen support:

• Make sure the collection works as intended
• The optional mod "Constellations - Compass Quest Marker" is not compatible
• Install and enable the following optional mods:

Constructible Object Custom Keyword System - Crafting Categories 21x9 Patch
NORDIC UI - Ultrawide (21x9) Fixes and Patches
Oblivion-like Loading Menu 21x9
Nordic ui 21 by 9
Constellations - Widescreen 21_9

• Deploy mods
• Head to the "Mods" section, open "Manage Rules", and press "Hide Resolved"
• Load the 21x9 mods after everything else
• You can ignore the redundant mods error message
• Navigate to "C:\Users\###\Documents\my games\Skyrim Special Edition\Skyrim Prefs" and edit: iSize H=1080, and iSize W=1920 to whatever your resolution is

Known Issues:

• The main menu background is not the same as in 16:9
• Items without description have no background
• MCM is too small
• Wrong crosshair
• The werewolf interface has some small issues
• Main Menu and Loading screens are off center

These are the new keybinds added by Constellations, they are configurable in their respective MCM menu.
You can switch seamlessly between Gamepad and Keyboard and Mouse in the game. Dodging and Dual Wield Blocking only works for either of them.

To switch to the gamepad controls for dodging and dual wield blocking install the optional mod "Constellations - Gamepad support"

Gamepad Controls are listed on my mod page here: Modern Controlmap

• Shift = Sprint
• LAlt = Dodge
• E (held) = Dismount
• F = Change Perspective (1st person/3rd person)
• G = Health Potion
• Y = Mana Potion
• H = Stamina Potion

• X = Diary
• U = Character Sheet
• [ = Take off/on helmet
• V = Whistle Horse (Teleport)
• B = Follower Orders
• L = Sit/Lie down
• K = Wheel with various functions (load the "Constellations" preset in the "Easy Wheel" MCM)

Holding Shift = Interacting with items/NPCs will change the action (e.g. taking a book instead of reading it, eating an apple instead of looting it, equipping a weapon instead of looting it, petting a horse/dog instead of mounting it, peeking through a door instead of entering it)

• MB3 (Click Mousewheel) = Target Lock
• MB4 (Lower Side Mouse Button) = Dual Wield Block
• Shift+Mouse Wheel = Switch targeted item in 3rd person
• Mouse Wheel while locked on = Target Lock switch

• If your character's skin mismatches a simple save and load fixes the issue permanently
• Trying to unlock a locked container with a controller that you can't unlock causes the controller to stop working (To fix this press "Alt+Tab" -> Left Mouse Click -> "Alt+Tab")