Realistic AI Detection (RAID)

Have you tried RAID Weathers? - the weather mod optimised for detection mechanics.

Shameless plug: If you're looking for a simple modding guide, take a look at my Concise Skyrim Modding Guide.

Introduction

This is a complete recalibration of Skyrim's detection formula, which improves the balanced and realism of sneaking. It is not a "hardcore" mod - sneaking is both harder and easier where necessary. You can use it by itself, or load it after perk and gameplay overhaul mods.

Instead of making simple tweaks to the vanilla settings (like other detection mods do), this mod holistically re-calibrates the whole formula from the ground up. This represents over 350 hours of meticulous research and optimization work.

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Features

[]No scripts. No perk edits. No performance impact. 100% reliable.

[]NPC view cone is reduced to 160deg (from 190deg in vanilla).

[]Ambient light, equipment weight, and line-of-sight are now more important than your sneak skill level. Enemies won't become deaf and blind as you increase your sneak level and perks.

[]NPCs are much more sensitive to light. They can now see better in dimly lit environments, and will quickly spot you if you are carrying a light source. Even equipping a spell that lights up your hand will get you spotted. However, in total darkness (with a mod like ELFX Hardcore) NPCs will be blind.

[]A higher attenuation factor in the detection formula enables NPCs to see you realistically in very low light levels when very near, without making detection over-powered at further distances (same applies to hearing). It also makes this mod scale better to different perk, armor, and lighting mods.

[]The difference between NPC detection range for interiors and exteriors has been greatly reduced. (in vanilla, enemies had x2. 1 more detection range outside compared to inside. RAID increases interior ranges significantly, but reduces the outdoor range multiple to between x1. 1 or x1. 3 depending on the version). Overall this means RAID indoors detection range is about 30% higher than vanilla, while outdoor detection range is about the same as vanilla.

[*]Enemies will search longer - 70 seconds if you fire an arrow into their knee (was 20), ~70 sec after losing track of someone in combat (was ~40