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Dungeon crawling and cave diving takes up a significant portion of Skyrim playtime, and that's part of the fun. There's always a deep, dark part of the Earth to explore, with ancient tombs, fearsome monsters, and valuable loot to acquire. However, the base game's dungeon and cave system is light on content these days.
Modders have taken up the task of Skyrim, and that includes expanding on existing dungeons or creating entirely new ones. These are the mods that help extend Skyrim's shelf life, by injecting new wonder and awe into every single dungeon and cave in the game. All it takes is to install one or two onto the load order to drastically change the game for the better.
Immersive Dungeons
• Legendary Edition | Special Edition
Seven dungeons in total are added to Skyrim with this particular mod, which also includes a storyline too. Players begin their adventure at Riftenzel in pursuit of a powerful artifact, which needs to be kept out of the clutches of evil. This Psijic Order also makes an appearance in the game, which is a nice touch.
Each of the dungeons provides a decent challenge, and they are all quite unique when it comes to style and inventiveness. From buried underground architecture to ancient Nord ruins and technology crafted by the mysterious and aloof Skyrim Dwemer, there's a lot to see and do.
Skyrim Underground
• Legendary Edition | Special Edition
This massive dungeon mod adds a total of 68 new locations to Skyrim, some large and some small. What sets this mod apart from others in its class are the enemies that populate each dungeon. No vanilla creatures are used, as they have been replaced by monsters from several other mods.
There are also fully voiced quests, merchants, treasures and objects to be found. It's a sprawling mod that blends exploration, terror, and adventure into one package that should satisfy Skyrim players who want to extend the length of the game.
Hammet's Dungeon Packs
• Legendary Edition | Special Edition
Hammet's Dungeon Packs offers something a little different in comparison to other dungeon mods; specifically the addition of a world space called the Desolate Veil. The dungeons themselves are designed with a challenge in mind, so lower-level characters may wish to bring a follower or two along to help out. Thankfully, two are included with the pack.
The mod features 32 individual dungeons and caves to explore, all of which utilize the game's vanilla assets. Therefore, they are considered compatible with retexturing mods, and other mods that affect caves and dungeons. There's plenty to see and do, which further enhances the immersion of the game.
EasierRider's Dungeon Pack
• Legendary Edition | Special Edition
Although this mod contains only 8 dungeons in total, they are all very unique and different from one another. Players can explore Grimroot Hollow, Welkenspire, Rimewake Grotto, Shatterstone Mine, Vallaskr, Stonehill Refuge, Khalbad's Rest, and Steamcrag Springs, all of which have their own distinct visual flair.
They can be located by exploring, or reading particular books picked up along the way. The dungeons themselves vary in play length (usually 15 minutes to 1 hour), and some rely on a narrative to progress through. Whatever the case, they are enjoyable just for the sake of sightseeing alone.
Skyrim Sewers 4
• Legendary Edition | Special Edition
Though not technically a dungeon, this mod duplicates the same feel and effect. After all, a sewer system in a land like Skyrim must not be particularly hospitable. The mod adds a workable sewer system to the cities of Whiterun, Windhelm, Markarth, and Solitude, as well as sewage tunnels to Greenwall and Fort Sungard.
Some of these sewers have multiple exits in and out of the city, as well as links to various dungeons. It simultaneously adds a dungeon-type system to Skyrim, while also sprucing up its major cities in a big way. It's also a realistic approach to city-building that adds to the immersion.
Forgotten Dungeons
• Legendary Edition | Special Edition
Forgotten Dungeons is a very popular mod that sprinkles a few more deep, dark areas to explore, complete with loot and enemies. There are well over 60 dungeons in the game, which is excellent for those who want to replay Skyrim in the modern-day but would like some new areas to explore.
Tacking this mod on a load order alongside just one other dungeon mod can completely transform the game, giving players hours upon hours of adventuring. With so much to do, players may end up leveling up a bit too fast for their liking, so it's advised that they install a mod like Slower Leveling in order to balance things out.
Dungeons - Revisited
• Legendary Edition | Special Edition
This relatively brand new mod overhauls many of Skyrim's existing dungeons in a big way. It expands the size and scope of each dungeon with new paths, areas, and rooms, not to mention a new host of enemies. According to the mod author, some of the dungeons have nearly doubled in size.
It's an especially excellent mod for veteran Skyrim players who have gone through the game's many dungeons numerous times, and know them inside and out. It's not just a fresh coat of paint on an old dungeon system - it's a complete top-to-bottom reimagining. The mod is slated for an update, but the latest version overhauls Bleak Falls Barrow, Ustengrav, Embershard Mine, Steepfall Burrow, Halted Stream Camp, White River Watch, and Hillgrund's Tomb.
CC's HQ Caves
Finding the right high-res texture overhaul mods for caves can be difficult, especially since it's a subjective affair. Many Skyrim players opt for CC's HQ Caves, which overhaul cave interiors with three separate presets that can enhance fidelity and quality. It is recommended to choose the Brown preset option.
The mod makes cave rock walls appear a slight bit cartoony, however, so it's advisable to install the Parallax Textures add-on mod right after. Those who want something less fantasy and more gritty may wish to opt for Skyrim Remastered Caves, instead.
Clevercharff's Nordic Ruins
• Legendary Edition | Special Edition
Clevercharff's texture mods are a bit of a mixed bag, but his nordic ruins replacer mod is top-notch and deserves a spot on everyone's load order. This mod drastically overhauls the textures with replacements up to 4K resolution, which breathes new life into the various Nord ruins and tombs around Skyrim.
The texture work is highly detailed, organic, and realistic, and when combined with the right lighting mod or ENB, it really brings out the immersion. It's the perfect baseline texture mod to overhaul many of these interiors for the better. Many of these tombs contain Skyrim, so it pays for them to look their best.
Sounds Of Skyrim - The Dungeons
• Legendary Edition | Special Edition
Sound is an important part of every adventurer's cave diving excursions. Thankfully, SOS - The Dungeons exists, which overhauls the entire soundscape of the various dungeons and caves in the game. There are around 115 sound effects in total that alter everything from ambient noise to outside weather pouring in.
This mod is part of a larger compendium known as Sounds of Skyrim Complete (Legendary and Special Edition versions available), which is recommended for gamers who want to update every part of Skyrim, from the wilderness to the local tavern. Whatever the player chooses, this particular dungeon overhaul deserves a look.
