If you want the "best" technical setup, there are several "Holy Grail" mods that function most reliably—or exclusively—on v1.5.97:
Why The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition v1.5.970 is the Best Version for Modding the elder scrolls v skyrim special edition v15970 best
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. If you want the "best" technical setup, there
If your Steam copy of Skyrim has already updated to the latest version, you can still easily achieve a perfect 1.5.97 setup using community tools. Can’t copy the link right now
For years, the modding community's "gold standard" was , which was the final version before Bethesda pushed the Anniversary Edition (AE) update. However, since the release of 1.6.1170 in early 2024, the landscape has changed. A common misconception is that modding is easier on older versions. While it is true that some very old mods broke with the 1.6 update, the vast majority of active mods have been updated or replaced with new, improved "NG" (Next-Gen) versions that work specifically with v15970.
The Ultimate Guide to Skyrim Special Edition v1.5.97: Why It Remains the Best for Modding