Do You Need the Anniversary Edition for Skyrim Together?

I‘ve seen this question popping up a lot lately in Skyrim modding communities, so let‘s settle it once and for all:

No, you do not need to buy the Anniversary Edition upgrade to play Skyrim Together.

The multiplayer co-op mod works perfectly fine with the base Skyrim Special Edition v1.6. The Anniversary Edition contains extra Creation Club content, but this is completely optional.

Now let‘s get into the details…

What Versions Work With Skyrim Together?

Before hosting or joining a Skyrim Together server, you need to make sure you have a compatible version of Skyrim.

According to the official Skyrim Together Reborn FAQ, the only editions that work are:

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition v1.6
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition

Both must be purchased on Steam.

The VR edition, original Legendary release, Xbox Game Pass version, and Creation Club content do NOT work with Skyrim Together Reborn.

Here‘s a handy comparison I put together:

So if you own Skyrim Special Edition on Steam and have updated to the latest patch, no further purchase is needed to enjoy multiplayer adventuring with your friends!

What Mods Do You Need?

The only required mod to get Skyrim Together set up is the Address Library for SKSE Plugins. This supports the netscript framework that handles multiplayer connectivity and synchronization.

Some optional mods like SkyUI or bug fixes may improve quality of life when playing on a server. But there are no other essential requirements.

Is Anniversary Edition Worth It for Skyrim Together?

At the end of the day, this comes down to personal preference. Here are a few factors to consider:

Pros

• Access to 74 Creation Club mods like Survival Mode, Rare Curios, and Saints & Seducers
• Fishing mechanics and special "Saints & Seducers" questline
• 500+ pieces of new content spread across the game
• Improved visuals and bug fixes

Cons

• Potential compatibility issues with some mods
• Existing SE mods may need to be updated
• Mixed reviews on the actual quality of Creation Club content
• Not essential for playing multiplayer

While the Anniversary Edition adds a ton of extra content, most of this is single-player focused. Based on feedback from the modding community, it also introduces some instability.

My recommendation: Stick to Special Edition unless you really want to try out the Creation Club mods or next-gen enhancements. This avoids headaches down the line.

But ultimately it‘s your call! Here‘s the breakdown of prices for reference:

I hope this detailed guide clears up any confusion around Skyrim editions and preparing for your multiplayer adventure! Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments.

Happy modding!