Hi guys, after a pretty long break from playing Skyrim I wanna start again. However, I wanna play with quite a lot of mods(some of them conflicting if I recall correctly) and I'm dreading the task of getting everything to work. Up until now I have always used NMM, but I've seen some threads on here stating Wyre Bash is an essential for someone using loads of mods(like me). So, would you advise me to use it, and if yes, is it a lot more difficult than NMM? I have had no experience with Wrye Bash before, so if there'd be anybody that's willing to give some basic directions I'd be really grateful

Wrye Bash has a bit of learning but it really becomes necessary at some point. You will need it at least to merge leveled lists of mods that edit them.

I found that Bash has a higher learning curve, but it also does more. Bash's instructions are horrible for somebody who is not knowledgeable about this sort of stuff, but once you start to learn Bash's lingo it begins to make more sense. I wound up having to bug several of my friends over this past year with Bash questions though, because their instructions aren't written for PC dummies like me.

I am starting up a modded game as well pretty soon. I'll probably just use TES Mod Manager most of all. But if you want lots and lots of mods (especially if they conflict) Wrye Bash is the better way to go.

What Kirottu said, but I think http://www.nexusmods.com/oblivion/mods/35230 will help you quite a bit even it's meant to be for Oblivion.

I think TES Mod Manager is called Mod Configuration Manager (MCM) in Skyrim.

Their instructions weren't written for human beings. Wrye was a brilliant engineer and contributed more to the Elder Scrolls modding community than most of us can ever hope to accomplish but he did not know how to communicate with the human race. So don't blame yourself.

I install my mods manually and use Wrye Bash for load order sorting, merging leveled lists and a few other things. I've never used NMM. I don't even have it installed.

Wrye Bash used with Tes5Edit gives full control over all the mods you use. There is quite intimidating learning curve for both, but it isn't really that bad as it seem, and once you get the hang of it, you won't know how you ever survived without them

And no one has mentioned Mod Organizer yet? I that no longer a thing? Never was much of a fan myself, for the reasons above.

Thanks for the quick replies guys, really appreciated! So it's clear I'll have to use Wrye Bash and maybe Tes5Edit, but would you advise just to mess around a bit in order to get the hang of it? Or is there some sort of comprehensive instruction manual(afraid not)?

TESCOSI covers Oblivion Mod Installation, but is still a decent source for Wrye Bash information. I still keep the "I miss this" because it can get a User to Alt3rn1ties Pictorial Guide to Wrye Bash, but Leonardo put a link to the Nexus version in Post #4.

You must use http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1504350-relz-tes5edit/ for http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1425445-relz-tes5edit-plugin-cleaning-emporium/, if you don't want to play Skyrim with dirty mods and that includes Update.esm and all DLC's except for the High-Res Texture Pack DLC. And remember don't forget to install the http://afkmods.iguanadons.net/index.php?/forum/345-unofficial-skyrim-patches/.