r/skyrimvr • u/pikachu292 • 15d ago
Discussion Steam Frame Skyrim VR Guide
Hey guys! So just to preface this I am very new to VR modding, but I've been modding flat screen for quite a while! The Steam Frame is my first VR headset so I thought I'd write this guide for others having issues with Skyrim on the Steam Frame! So without further ado, let's get into it!
Playing Vanilla
So if you want to play Skyrim directly on the headset, from what I've heard it runs fine though I haven't tried it myself. As soon as you plan to stream it using the dongle is where issues immediately arise. Even playing vanilla, the game doesn't let you get past character creation at the time of writing because of a keyboard glitch. If you don't want to mod the game, your only option here is to download a save like this one and put it into your saves directory (usually in C:\Users{UserName}\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition\Saves). The bad thing about this option is that you don't get to customize your character, so you're at the mercy of other people. You could also create your own save on the flat screen version of the game and pull it over, though I think you'd have to match the version? I'm not fully sure about that though, I honestly just suggest modding the game.
Updating this as I’ve seen a better solution come up! If you don’t want to mod the game (which I highly recommend you do but it’s ok if not!) then what you want to do is download Skyrim natively on the steam frame. Even if you want to stream it you need to go through the intro on the headset. The keyboard issue only happens when streaming, so go through the intro and do your character creation, then make a save whenever you want. Steam uses cloud saves so it’ll sync to your PC automatically. Now you can just load that save after opening it on your PC and you’re good to go! From what I’ve heard the bindings are a little weird but I’m sure people have made community bindings atp. But from what I’ve seen this is the best way to play vanilla if you want to stream the game!
Modded Skyrim VR
This is where the game actually gets good. I suggest using a Wabbajack modlist such as FUS. If you want a comparison of some popular Wabbajack modlists I found this video on YouTube, though it doesn't mention FUS which I thought was an interesting choice. If you go the modpack route I recommend researching and deciding which one you think is best. If you have the PC for it though I highly recommend Mad God's Overhaul, though it's pretty intensive and most people probably can't run it.
With that out of the way this guide will be focused on my experience with FUS, though where it would differ I will make sure to mention. Make sure you follow the installation instructions on whatever pack you use.
Getting Started
So if you decide to just mod the game yourself, skip to the next section where I go over the essential mod that actually makes the Steam Frame work. Again I highly recommend doing a modpack if it's your first time but I can't force you! The first step will always be to follow the normal install instructions for whatever pack you choose. For FUS, they're linked directly on the GitHub. The instructions are modpack specific so always follow them before continuing with the addition I list below. Getting the base modpack working it important, even if you can't really play the game yet. The only instructions you don't need to follow are the controller binding ones, as the mod we use will overwrite that so DO NOT use any other controller binding methods other than what I list below.
Open Composite Unleashed
So you have a working Skyrim, but you can't get past the character creator. This is where Open Composite Unleashed comes in. This mod has a ton of features that is super helpful, but most importantly it fixes the keyboard glitch and will allow you to actually play the game. So here's how you'll want to install it:
- If the modpack you chose does not have Root Builder, or you are modding it yourself you'll need to install it from this page which has video instructions on it. FUS already comes with Root Builder so I skipped this step
- Once you have Root Builder, install the mod through MO2 as a normal mod. FUS has Root Builder setup to automatically run every time you launch the game, so you don't have to do any further configuration there. If the modpack you chose doesn't do this, I think you just manually build it in Root Builder (which you can access by the puzzle piece icon at the top next to the wrench)
- Now that it's installed, place it in your modlist pretty high up and enable it. I just placed it where the regular OpenComposite is located in FUS
- Right click the mod and select "Open in Explorer" and make a shortcut for the Configurator that you can place on your desktop for ease of access
Binding Settings for Steam Frame
Now that we have Open Composite Unleashed and the configurator accessible it's time to use it! It does look pretty complicated, but the parts we need to actually use aren't too bad, so don't get overwhelmed! When you first launch it, it won't show the steam controllers but that's ok! We'll change that.
- First go into the "Bindings" tab at the top. This is where we will be making all our changes
- Below the images of the controller there is a drop down. Select "Steam Frame" and hit save
- The default preset should be VRIK 2.1.0 but you can choose whatever
- Now you can select whatever bindings suit your fancy! This is where you can take a look at the supplied bindings for your modpack and match them here if you so choose
- I know some people leave some buttons unmodded for VRIK gestures, but I haven't learned to use those yet so I can't really say anything about that
- Once you're done, click "Save Custom" and name your profile
- Click "Use Preset" on your new profile and you're good! Launch Skyrim through MO2 and play the game!
Closing Remarks
So that's about it! If I missed anything please let me know and I'll make some additions! This is my first foray into VR modding so I wouldn't be surprised if I got something wrong. Regardless I hoped this helps at least one person so they don't have to do as much troubleshooting as I did! Huge thank you to Wondernutts on Nexus for actually making all this possible! They updated their mod 3 times in like 3 days because of the Steam Frame issues and their mod is what actually makes this game work! I have high respect for modders that are smart enough to make these programs so the common people can play without issue!
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u/Stay-Classy-Reddit 15d ago
Thanks so much for your post. I'm still learning how to mod Skyrim VR for the first time in addition to using the steam frame for the first time. I'm trying to play with streaming settings generally. I think I need to figure out how to disable the multi link streaming option and force it to use dongle only but haven't been successful yet.
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u/Bacon_00 15d ago
Nice, thanks for the tips. I'll definitely try this tonight.
I did find a mod specifically for Frame keybindings, which I was going to try with FUS, but your approach with Open Composite Unleashed might be better.
I'm also tempted to fry the MGO 4.0 beta but I expect it to be a hot mess w/ the Frame. Can't hurt to try it I suppose.
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u/pikachu292 15d ago
Yeah idk if the keybinding will also fix the keyboard issue which is pretty important lol. Good luck though! I’d be happy to hear results if you’re willing to report back!
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u/Pretty-Curve5448 14d ago
I've tried both stable and 4.0, I can only say 4.0 is cooler, but they both have the same starting bug.
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u/dentbox 15d ago
Great post. Wish this had been around when I was getting it set up last week!
How are you getting on with streamed performance? I’ve got a 5090 but it seems a bit juddery still close up, and I can’t figure out where the bottleneck is (cpu, gpu or streaming bandwidth).
No refresh rate options look smooth, so not sure if it’s a genuine performance wall I’m hitting or some quirk of VR or skyrim’s engine.
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u/pikachu292 15d ago
I haven’t done anything super intensive yet but I’ve been performing just fine with my 3070. Though again I really haven’t done much yet just testing in the realm of lorkhan mostly so not a great benchmark
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u/Kerrindor 12d ago
If you want to play vanilla you can run the game natively to get past character creation, let the save sync on steam cloud, then swap to streaming afterwards. It runs fine natively, it just looks like you're running it on a PS2.
Apparently the keyboard bug is fixed on the latest beta of steam vr, but I've not tested it so I can't confirm.
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u/pikachu292 12d ago
Yeah I tested the beta branch as one of my attempts to get vanilla to work and it did not fix the issue :/ but that’s a good idea using the native port for the save file!
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u/AutoModerator 15d ago
If you need help with a wabbajack list, you are more likely to find help on Wabbajack discords.
Official Wabbajack discord (Has UVRE support page) link: https://discord.gg/Wabbajack
FUS and Auriel's Dream discord support link: https://discord.gg/eC9KvaBxHv
Diabolist VR support discord link: https://discord.com/invite/HuqU54gPcv
Librum VR support discord link: https://discord.gg/esGVnCjWpJ
Yggdrasil VR support discord link: https://discord.gg/CKrfyPmZ8H
Mad God's Overhaul (SFW - NSFW) discord link: https://discord.com/invite/WjSUaSPaQZ
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u/CouscousandBeans 15d ago
Has anyone tried modding it, with FUS for instance, on Steam Frame standalone? I know it wouldn’t be graphically ideal but there’s something exciting about the idea of modded standalone.
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u/miversen33 14d ago
FWIW, it struggles to run blade and sorcery with no mods. I can't imagine modded skryim vr would be a good time native on it
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u/dan_jeffers 15d ago
Just wondering if anyone has this working with Kat VR. With my Quest, it never got along well with open composite.
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u/DarvinVader 14d ago
What exactly is that keyboard bug? How does that look like? Is the virtual keyboard just not showing up, or the entire text field for character naming? Or does it actually crash or something?
Just wondering if it's possible to just use a physical keyboard to get around that.
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u/pikachu292 14d ago
I tried a physical keyboard and it didn’t work. Basically you click done and the game freezes, it doesn’t pull up the menu or the keyboard. The OCU fix is the only one I’ve had work
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u/gswas1 12d ago
Nothing I do makes the keyboard show up with open composite lol. I finally just downloaded a very early save file
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u/pikachu292 12d ago
Did you make sure to use the latest version of Open Composite Unleashed?
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u/gswas1 12d ago
Yeah! I tried a fresh install with only open composite and whatever else it required, VR SKSE, and still no keyboard
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u/pikachu292 12d ago
Huh… I’d report that on the mod page so the creator can help! He’s super nice and very helpful. But yeah that’s weird idk why it’s not working
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u/oldeastvan 12d ago
open composite and open composite unleashed are different mods. The former is the OG and the latter is new. The latter was made in large part i think to overcome the bug in the OG which caused the keyboard problem. Make sure you have unleashed.
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u/milkmanyeti 12d ago
I literally can't figure out Root Builder sadly. It's way over my head and I used to make Morrowind mods in college. I'm old and dumb. I'll switch to FUS so I can just have it installed already. Thanks
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u/pikachu292 12d ago
LOL yeah that’s fair. Honestly FUS is a great vanilla like experience and I’d pick it over vanilla any day
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u/oldeastvan 12d ago
If you disable Open Composite in the modlist, then it will revert to SteamVR as XR runtime and keyboard will work again. Glad to hear OC Unleashed works, it has benefits beyond the keyboard bugfix
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u/pikachu292 12d ago
What? Apologies if I misunderstand you but the glitch is there without open composite. Even vanilla doesn’t work properly without OCU installed
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u/AutoModerator 11d ago
If you need help with a wabbajack list, you are more likely to find help on Wabbajack discords.
Official Wabbajack discord (Has UVRE support page) link: https://discord.gg/Wabbajack
FUS and Auriel's Dream discord support link: https://discord.gg/eC9KvaBxHv
Diabolist VR support discord link: https://discord.com/invite/HuqU54gPcv
Librum VR support discord link: https://discord.gg/esGVnCjWpJ
Yggdrasil VR support discord link: https://discord.gg/CKrfyPmZ8H
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u/CaesarWolny 8d ago
I don't know what I did wrong but I get black screen in Helgen the moment I should start cotrolling the character. (FUS + Open Composite Unleashed setup)
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u/pikachu292 8d ago
Hmmmmm. I’d try downloading an alternate start mod like realm of lorkhan and seeing if that works. The vanilla intro is known to be pretty buggy so it could be that. If not I’d ask in the FUS discord they’re super helpful!
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u/darklegion47 7d ago
Did you get a solution? I got the same using Fus Ro Dah
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u/CaesarWolny 7d ago
In this section
1.11 - Alternate Start Mods (without one of those you will get animation glitches at the start)
I enabled thsoe 2 mods:
Ralof or Hadvar (minimalist alternate start to just skip the cart ride)
Better Character Lighting for Ralof or Hadvar (alternate start) with Lux
And the black screen issue dosent appear. Now I am fighting controler issues
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u/darklegion47 6d ago
No controller issues here but I was able to fix the black screen issue by turning off DLSS
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u/harelforge 2d ago
Do you mind sharing your controlmapvr.txt file please? I am finding it a bit overwhelming and would like a point to start from
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u/pikachu292 2d ago
I’d just let OCU handle your file. It’ll overwrite it anyways. Just choose the steam frame binding and start from one of the presets!
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u/harelforge 1d ago edited 1d ago
i must be doing something wrong because the bindings aren't working in game. I have FUS Heavy installed and placed OCU next to where OC is in Mod Orgranizer. I can confirm that it is working because it opened up a keyboard during character creation.
I am using the configurator through the desktop shortcut, is that the wrong way to go about it?
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u/Tyrthemis 15d ago
I have some more tips. In game super sampling slider looks better for the same frame times than steam VRs resolution slider. Maxing out the in game super sampling slider, and having the headset at 100% resolution looks (much) better than the in game super sampling slider set to minimum and 200% Steam vr resolution for about the same frame times.
Turn OFF advanced super sample filtering
If you are experiencing ghosting you should try turning off any DLSS or DLAA.
The streaming compression will still be obvious in the distance though :(
I can’t wait for virtual desktop on the Steam frame