Skyrim with ModOrganizer2 on Linux

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of installing ModOrganizer2 (MO2) on Debian Linux for modding Skyrim. With this method, you can achieve a feature-complete setup similar to Windows, allowing you to run advanced mods and enhance your gaming experience. This guide is relatively distro-agnostic, making it suitable for various Linux flavors.

Step 1: Enable Steam Play and Set Proton Version

1. Open Steam and navigate to your settings.
2. Go to the "Steam Play" section.
3. Enable Steam Play for all other titles.
4. Choose the desired Proton version (recommended: Proton 7.0).

Step 2: Prepare Skyrim Game Files

1. Launch the vanilla version of Skyrim to ensure that all necessary game files are populated.
2. Close the game once it's loaded to create the required directories.

Step 3: Obtain the MO2 Executable

1. Download the ModOrganizer2 executable from the official source or Steam.
2. Ensure you know the installation directory for MO2.

Step 4: Open Terminal

1. Launch your terminal application to prepare for command input.
2. You will need to input specific commands to set up and launch MO2.

Step 5: Set Up Command Variables

1. Define the following variables in your terminal:

   • Steam binary path: The location where Steam is installed. Example: /usr/games/steam
   • Game compatdata path: The directory for Skyrim's compatibility data. Example: ~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/compatdata/489830/
   • Proton binary path: The path to the Proton version you are using. Example: ~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/common/Proton\ 7.0/proton
   • MO2 executable path: Path to the downloaded ModOrganizer.exe.

2. Use the following command format to set these variables (modify paths as necessary):

   STEAM_COMPAT_CLIENT_INSTALL_PATH=/usr/games/steam STEAM_COMPAT_DATA_PATH=~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/compatdata/489830/ ~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/common/Proton\ 7.0/proton run ~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/compatdata/489830/pfx/drive_c/Modding/MO2/ModOrganizer.exe
   

Step 6: Run the Installer

1. Execute the command set up in Step 5.
2. Follow on-screen instructions to complete the installation of ModOrganizer2.

Step 7: Launch ModOrganizer2

1. After installation, you can launch MO2 using the command you executed earlier.
2. To create a shortcut for easier access, follow the next steps.

Step 8: Create a Shortcut

1. Method 1: KDE Application Launcher

   • Open the KDE menu and create a new application launcher.
   • Set the command to the one used to launch MO2.

2. Method 2: Copy Existing .desktop Entry

   • Locate an existing .desktop file for another application.
   • Copy and modify it to point to the MO2 executable.

Step 9: Set Up NXM Handler

1. Configure NXM handler in MO2 to enable direct mod downloads.
2. Make NXM handler usable by Firefox:
   • Access Firefox settings and add the NXM handler to the appropriate section.

Step 10: Modded Performance on Linux

1. Assess your system’s performance with mods installed.
2. Test various mods to find the best combination for stability and performance.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you will have a fully functional ModOrganizer2 setup on your Linux system, allowing you to mod Skyrim effectively. Enjoy exploring the vast array of mods and enhancements available. For further tweaks and optimizations, consider checking community forums or additional tutorials. Happy modding!