Dawnstar Guard Overhaul
⚪ Last updated 2021⚠️ Install Order · 5 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
Preview
🔍 Analysis
- 👍 1.2% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
- 🏆 #47 of 112 NPC mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
- Gives daily schedules to all of Dawnstar's guards (and Jailors) with work, sleep, work some more and then recreation time.
- When the Khajiit Caravan is not in town, off-duty guards will use that area for weapons training.
- After weapons training, guards may grab a pint at the Windpeak Inn.
- Adds three additional beds to the barracks, so all guards can sleep (they only had one usable bed previously!)
- Guards will get minor incremental improvement to their gauntlets, boots and weapons as the PC levels but still use regular Dawnstar Guard Cuirass, Helmets and shields.
- Guard faction allegiance will properly update to match Dawnstar's throughout the Civil War.
- No exterior NavMesh edits, and only edits the interior NavMesh of the barracks.
- Compatible with Dawnstar overhauls that do not significantly change the layout of Dawnstar, such as JK's Skyrim or Arthmoor's Dawnstar.
When using this with JK's Skyrim or Arthmoor's Dawnstar, load this after them.
There is a patch for Cities of the North - Dawnstar available here.
Not compatible with ETaC
This was made with USSEP, but USSEP is not required.
Guard training requires SKSE64. The rest of the mod should function with it.
Installation:
With a mod manager, or manually. Same as most mods.
Merging Plugins:
If you want to or need to merge plugins, this is a good candidate.
Dawnstar Guard Overhaul gives Dawnstar's guards daily schedules for work, sleep, and recreation, plus weapons training when the Khajiit caravan is away. Adds beds to the barracks so guards have a place to sleep. A niche immersion mod for Skyrim players who want more living towns.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Community-approved with 261 endorsements and over 22k downloads.
- Fills a logical gap—guards in Dawnstar previously had no beds.
- Adds immersive daily routines that make the town feel more alive.
⚠️ Cons
- Last updated in December 2021, so it may not be compatible with the latest Skyrim versions or mods.
- Niche scope—only affects Dawnstar guards, so impact is limited to one hold.
- Potential conflicts with other mods that alter guard schedules or Dawnstar's barracks.
For Skyrim players who value immersion and want towns to feel more lived-in. If you're a roleplayer or enjoy mods that add realistic routines, this is a solid pick. Skip if you're looking for major gameplay overhauls or visual upgrades—this is purely about NPC behavior.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Use a mod manager like Vortex or Mod Organizer 2 to install and manage this mod easily.
- Check for compatibility patches if you use other mods that alter Dawnstar or guard AI.
- Load order matters—place this mod after other mods that modify Dawnstar to ensure its changes take effect.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Skyrim Mods
- Author
- subhuman0100
- Version
- 1.02
- Downloads
- 22,666
- Endorsements
- 261
- Category
- NPC
- Created
- 12/19/2021
- Updated
- 12/27/2021
🔧 How to Install Skyrim Mods
Download from Nexus.
📖 Full step-by-step install guide for Skyrim →
Visit the official mod page for specific installation instructions for this mod.
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