Modders have put an awful lot of effort into making sure Skyrim has continually evolved and expanded in the years since it was first released into the world.
Many have focused on changing the game by adding unique characters, powerful perks and picturesque player homes to it, with a few even going as far as giving your Dragonborn the chance to receive their letters from a friendly goat courier or try not to be driven mad by a cursed sword.
If you’re someone who loves to play as a hardy warrior that won’t back down from a challenge or a dishonourable ruffian that can’t avoid rubbing people up the wrong way, a new mod might be worth checking out.
Wish Skyrim’s friendly brawls were a bit more jaw-crackingly immersive?
The mod in question is called ‘Brawl Lines Expansion and Fixes’, and is the latest work of prolific modder JaySerpa.
Some of their previous projects have made it possible to summon NPCs by yelling their names and turned the infamous Dark Brotherhood quest based around killing Grelod the Kind into a Hitman-worthy assassination mission.
This time, they’ve decided to ensure that whenever a brawl kicks off in Skyrim, as is often the case when the mead starts flowing or the Dragonborn is desperate for money, the NPCs that’ll gather to watch the participants throw hands react to the proceedings a bit more immersively.
As you can see and hear in the showcase video above, those participating in and watching the show are now much more likely to say a line you haven’t heard a million times before, thanks to JaySerpa’s dialogue-splicing skills and a timer that stops taunts from repeating too soon.
You also shouldn’t hear your opponent say anything that might better suit a lethal combat encounter or randomly exclaim that they can’t see you as soon as you’re downed, both of which can be equally disconcerting.
In addition, those watching now shouldn’t say anything that suggests the fight’s still in progress when it’s actually over and are more likely to start cheering or clapping as they watch, rather than enthusiastically egging you on verbally as they cower in a corner.
Regardless of whether you’re now spending a night in Whiterun’s jail after getting a bit too aggressive towards the guards trying to break up your latest scuffle, make sure to follow us for updates on Starfield, The Elder Scrolls 6 and the interesting world of Bethesda game modding, including our top mods of the month.